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2005 News Releases
Asthma
inhalers adopted more slowly for minority patients and children
December
23, 2005 — Inhaled steroid medications for asthma, which
have greatly reduced the need for patients to be hospitalized, were
significantly less likely to be prescribed for minority patients
and children during the years soon after their introduction.
Tight
Glucose Control Cuts Heart Disease by Half in Type 1 Diabetes
December
21, 2005 — Intensive glucose control lowers the risk of
heart disease and stroke by about 50 percent in people with type
1 diabetes, researchers report in the December 22, 2005, issue of
the New England Journal of Medicine.
Blood
test can accurately diagnose heart failure in patients with kidney
dysfunction
December
14, 2005 — A large-scale analysis has shown that a blood
test previously found useful in diagnosing or ruling out heart failure
in emergency room patients remains effective in patients with chronic
kidney disease.
David
Brudnoy Fund receives $400,000 bequest from Brudnoy estate
December
8, 2005 — The David Brudnoy Fund for AIDS Research at MGH
has received $400,000 from the estate of the well-known and respected
Boston radio commentator and talk show host.
Brain
structure associated with fear inhibition also may influence personality
November
28, 2005 — The relationship between the size of a brain
structure and the ability to recover from traumatic experiences
also may influence overall personality type, according to an MGH
study.
MGH
investigators named to Scientific American 50
November
25, 2005 — Two MGH researchers have been named to the 2005
Scientific American 50, the magazine's annual list of outstanding
leaders in science and technology.
International
multi-center study confirms value of blood test to diagnose heart
failure
November
17, 2005 — A large-scale international study has demonstrated
the usefulness of a blood test to confirm or exclude the diagnosis
of acute heart failure in emergency room patients and shows that
the test also can identify patients at a higher risk for death.
Neurons
generated in the adult brain learn to respond to novel stimuli
November
15, 2005 — New brain cells that develop in the olfactory
system of adult mice appear to play a role in the brain different
from that of older neurons, flexibility that suggests such newly-generated
cells could be induced to integrate into other regions of the brain.
Meditation
associated with structural changes in brain
November
11, 2005 — The regular practice of meditation appears to
produce structural changes in areas of the brain associated with
attention and sensory processing.
MGH
patient marks a milestone with new heart
November
4, 2005 — John Scripter walked into the MGH Friday to celebrate
a remarkable milestone - the 20 year anniversary with his transplanted
heart.
Haplotype
Map Brings New Insights Into Human Disease, Evolution
October
26, 2005 — In several papers published this week, an international
set of collaborators announce substantial advances in relating human
genetic variation to disease and understanding human evolutionary
history. NIH
release
NIH
Awards Nearly $30 Million for Research Facilities Improvement Projects
October
25, 2005 — The National Center for Research Resources announced
today it will award nearly $30 million for 10 Research Facilities
Improvement Program projects across the country.
National
Cancer Institute Announces $35 Million in Awards to 12 Cancer Nanotechnology
Platform Partnerships
October
17, 2005 — The National Cancer Institute today announced
funding for a major component of its $144.3 million, five-year initiative
for nanotechnology in cancer research.
MGH
doctor awarded for outstanding service to the Latino community
October
11, 2005 — Ernesto Gonzalez, MD, is one of five Latinos
being recognized by Boston City Councillor Felix Arroyo this year.
Stroke
patients with mild symptoms may still need clot-dissolving drug
October
6, 2005 — A new study confirms that acute stroke patients
who do not receive clot-dissolving medication only because their
symptoms are mild or improving may face a significant risk of death
or disability.
Three
National Initiatives Aimed At Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities
in Health Care Treatment Unveiled Today
October
6, 2005 — In an effort to move discussion about reducing
racial and ethnic disparities in health care from theory to practice,
a group of national health care experts announced their efforts
today to identify and test specific interventions that will significantly
reduce disparities over the next three years.
Extended
release stimulant effective for long-term ADHD treatment
October
3, 2005 — A new study has found that an all-day, extended-release
stimulant for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
remains effective for up to two years without significant side effects.
National
Cancer Institute Awards $26.3 Million to Establish Seven Centers
of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
October
3, 2005 — The National Cancer Institute today announced
the implementation of a major component of its $144.3 million five-year
initiative for nanotechnology in cancer research.
MGH
named by NHLBI as Specialized Center for Cell-Based Therapy for
Heart, Lung and Blood Diseases
September
29, 2005 — Massachusetts General Hospital is one of three
U.S. academic medical centers to receive grants under a National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute program supporting research into
cell-based therapies.
Healing
garden at MGH Cancer Center welcomes visitors
September
29, 2005 — This fall, the Massachusetts General Hospital
Cancer Center is welcoming patients and families to enjoy the Howard
Ulfelder, MD, Healing Garden overlooking Boston.
Questionnaire
identifies women at risk of inherited breast or ovarian cancer
September
26, 2005 — A simplified way for patients to report and
update their family medical histories could help identify women
who have inherited genetic mutations that increase their risk for
breast or ovarian cancer.
Massachusetts
General Hospital launches magazine that examines medicine's leading
edge
September
23, 2005 — Massachusetts General Hospital this week is
launching a national quarterly magazine that explores the latest
developments in biomedical research, promising clinical applications
and health policy.
Many
resident physicians feel unprepared to care for culturally diverse
patients
September
6, 2005 — Although resident physicians responding to a
national survey acknowledge the importance of accommodating the
needs of today's diverse patient population, many do not feel prepared
to address cross-cultural issues they commonly face in practice.
Study's
final report confirms letrozole's benefit for breast cancer patients
September
6, 2005 — The complete analysis of data from an international
trial of the drug letrozole (Femara) confirms earlier reports that
the drug reduced the recurrence of breast cancer in women previously
treated with tamoxifen.
Genomic
basis of inflammation could lead to improved trauma treatment
August
31, 2005 — A multi-institutional research collaborative
has begun to decipher the complex interplay of genes that underlies
the body's response to major injuries.
Long-term
aspirin use reduces risk for colorectal cancer
August
23, 2005 — A new report finds that regular, long-term aspirin
use can significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. However,
the benefit requires more than a decade of treatment and is strongest
at dose levels associated with a greater risk of side effects.
New
Imaging Technology Shown to Detect Pancreatic Inflammation in Type
1 Diabetes and Its Reversal in Animal Models
August
18, 2005 — Recent experiments by Joslin Diabetes Center
and MGH researchers offer hope that physicians may one day be able
to identify individuals with preclinical type 1 diabetes and assess
the effectiveness of therapies.
Gene
expression levels may reveal stage of Huntington's disease
August
16, 2005 — A survey of the genome of patients with Huntington's
Disease has identified potential markers of the progression of this
devastating neurological disorder.
Bone
marrow may be source of new egg-cell generation in adult mammals
July
27, 2005 — Last year MGH researchers announced surprising
findings that female mice retained the ability to make new egg cells
into adulthood. Now the same investigators report a potential source
for the production of these cells - stem cells in the bone marrow.
Size
of brain structure could signal vulnerability to anxiety disorders
July
11, 2005 — The size of a particular structure in the brain
may be associated with the ability to recover emotionally from traumatic
events.
Report
describes potential problem with new drug for seizures, pain
July
6, 2005 — A serious adverse event experienced by a participant
in a clinical trial may raise a new caution about the use of antiepileptic
drugs for conditions other than epilepsy.
MRI
Better Than FDG PET at Detecting Liver Tumors
July
6, 2005 — Significantly more and smaller liver tumors can
be detected by contrast-enhanced MRI when compared to whole-body
FDG PET, say researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital.
Radiofrequency
ablation is effective long-term treatment for kidney tumors
June
20, 2005 — MGH researchers have shown that radiofrequency
ablation - a minimally invasive way of destroying tissue - is an
effective, longlasting treatment for small kidney tumors in selected
patients.
Tight
Glucose Control Lowers CVD by About 50 Percent in Diabetes
June
12, 2005 — A significantly lower risk of heart disease
can now be added to the list of proven long-term benefits of tight
glucose control in people with type 1 diabetes.
Diabetic
Retinopathy Occurs in Pre-Diabetes
June
12, 2005 — Diabetic retinopathy has been found in nearly
8 percent of pre-diabetic participants in the Diabetes Prevention
Program.
CT
Significantly Reduces the Need for Appendectomy
June
1, 2005 — An MGH study finds that use of CT screening can
signficantly reduce the number of unnecessary appendectomies performed.
Immune
factor GM-CSF significantly improves Crohn's disease symptoms
May 25,
2005 — A drug that stimulates a specific part of the immune
system significantly reduced Crohn's disease symptom severity and
improved quality of life after 56 days of daily injections.
Imaging
may not be major driver of hospital cost increases
May 24,
2005 — Although the use of medical imaging has increased
substantially in recent years, an MGH study finds that the contribution
of imaging to overall hospital costs has remained steady.
Mount
Kisco Medical Group, Massachusetts General Hospital announce collaboration
May 19,
2005 — The Mount Kisco Medical Group in New York has become
a clinical affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts
General Physicians Organization.
New
class of drugs may treat lung tumors resistant to Iressa and Tarceva
May 16,
2005 — A new class of drugs that block the epidermal growth
factor receptor on lung cancer cells may get around the growing
problem of resistance to current targeted therapy drugs.
Low-fat
dairy foods may help reduce risk of type 2 diabetes
May 9,
2005 — The consumption of low-fat dairy foods may reduce
men's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study from
researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of
Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Some
primary care residents feel unprepared to provide preventive counseling
May 9,
2005 — Many young physicians completing residency training
in primary care specialties do not feel prepared to counsel patients
in areas such as depression, substance abuse and domestic violence.
Internationally
renowned voice surgeon and team open MGH Voice Center
May 5,
2005 — The new MGH Voice Center was recently established
within the MGH Department of Surgery to integrate a range of clinical
services for patients with voice disorders.
Director
of MGHfC autism clinic receiving special recognition from the Doug
Flutie Jr. Foundation
May 5,
2005 — Margaret Bauman, MD, pediatric neurologist at MassGeneral
Hospital for Children, is accepting the Doug Flutie Jr. Award tomorrow
at the 6th Annual Autism Update.
MR
spectroscopy may be superior for determining prostate cancer prognosis
April
15, 2005 — A new way of evaluating prostate tumors with
magnetic resonance spectroscopy may help physicians and patients
choose the best treatment strategy.
Blood
test can accurately diagnose heart failure in emergency patients
April
11, 2005 — A new blood test that measures a particular
marker of cardiac distress can markedly improve the ability to diagnose
congestive heart failure.
Angiogenesis
factor may help tumors prepare the way for spread to lymph nodes
April
4, 2005 — Production of the protein VEGF-A, already known
to stimulate the growth of blood vessels associated with tumors,
also contributes in unexpected ways to the spread of cancer.
International
breast cancer prevention study launches in the United States and
Canada
March
30, 2005 — A new clinical trial, the first to evaluate
the role of an aromatase inhibitor in the prevention of breast cancer,
has launched in the United States and Canada.
Optical
technique identifies vulnerable plaques in cardiac patients
March
25, 2005 — A catheter-based imaging technology called optical
coherence tomography can successfully identify characteristics of
coronary plaques in patients with various cardiac symptoms.
Scientists
identify genetic pathways essential to RNA interference
March
24, 2005 — An MGH-based research team has identified 80
new genes essential to the process of RNA interference, a powerful
research tool for inactivating genes in plants or animals.
Study
finds anticonvulsant drug poses greater birth-defect risk than suspected
March
21, 2005 — Use of the anticonvulsant drug valproate during
pregnancy may pose a significantly great risk of birth defects than
does use of other antiseizure medications.
Aspirin's
potential ability to prevent colon polyps may not apply equally
to all
March
15, 2005 — The association between regular aspirin use
and a reduced risk of precancerous colon polyps may be strongest
in those with alternative forms of a gene involved in the metabolism
of aspirin.
MGH
study identifies potential Alzheimer's risk gene
March
2, 2005 — Researchers from the MassGeneral Institute for
Neurodegenerative Disorders have identified a gene variant that
may increase the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. They report
that changes in the gene for a protein called ubiquilin-1 are associated
with an increased incidence of Alzheimer's in two large study samples.
Evidence
of Retrovirus in Blood of ALS Patients
March
2, 2005 — Researchers reported in Neurology this
month that blood samples collected from patients with amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS) contain evidence of a retroviral enzyme
more often than samples from controls without the disease.
MRI
Better Than Current Standard of Practice In Assessing Neoadjuvant
Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients
March
1, 2005 — More breast cancer patients with large tumors
undergo chemotherapy before surgery to reduce the size of their
tumor, and MRI is the best way to predict if the chemotherapy is
working, preliminary results of a study show.
Vitamin
D injections may significantly improve survival in dialysis patients
February
28, 2005 — The administration of intravenous vitamin D
appears to significantly improve the survival of patients on dialysis.
Only half of kidney failure patients currently receive the treatment.
Many
company benefits can help parents meet needs of children with ADHD
February
28, 2005 — Many of the benefits offered by employers could
address the needs of parents of children with ADHD, although they
may be underutilized.
Researchers
Find Surprising Difference Between Human and Chimp Genomes
February
10, 2005 — Despite 99 percent similarity at the level of
DNA sequence between humans and our nearest relative, chimpanzees,
the locations of DNA swapping between chromosomes, known as recombination
hotspots, are nearly entirely different.
Phobic
anxiety increases heart disease death risk among women
February
1, 2005 — Women with phobic anxieties, such as the fear
of crowded places, heights or going outside, are at higher risk
for fatal heart disease than women with fewer or no anxieties.
Whole-Body
CT Screening Costs Overshadow Benefits
January
28 , 2005 — Whole-body computed tomography (CT) is not
a cost-effective screening method, according to a study published
in the February issue of the journal Radiology.
Spleen
may be source of versatile stem cells
January
19, 2005 — MGH researchers have followed last year's discovery
that stem cells from the spleen might regenerate insulin-producing
islets with evidence that these cells could produce a greater variety
of tissues.
Deciphering
the genetic babel of brain cells
January
19, 2005 — Researchers at the MGH-HMS Center for Nervous
System Repair have developed a way to distinguish particular brain
cell subtypes and to separate them for genetic analysis with microarrays.
MGH
researchers find way of regenerating cells key to hearing
January
13, 2005 — Selectively turning off a protein that controls
the growth and division of cells could allow regeneration of the
cells that convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses, a discovery
that may lead to ways of preventing or treating hearing loss.
New
network of gastrointestinal immune cells discovered
January
13, 2005 — A previously unknown network of immune cells
has been discovered in the gastrointestinal system by a research
group based in the MGH Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel
Diseases.
Anti-psychotic
drugs may be associated with increased risk of diabetes in schizophrenia
patients
January
3, 2005 — Patients treated with the atypical anti-psychotic
agents clozapine and olanzapine may be at an increased risk for
insulin resistance, which is a major risk factor for diabetes.
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