Category: News

Aging Brain Retains a Remarkable Capacity for Resiliency

New study shows that in middle-age, the brain can still respond to treatment that helps it to repair, function more effectively (Boston)—Normal aging is characterized by deficits in the cognitive domains of learning, memory and executive function. Specifically, there are age-related changes in recall of information, speed of processing, visuospatial skills and cognitive flexibility. While […]

Case Reporting Practices in Forensic Anthropology are Largely not Standardized

(Boston)—Forensic anthropological (the study of skeletonized remains in medico-legal settings)analyses and reports include diverse information that may help in establishing identifications, cause or manner of death determinations, taphonomic (post-death decay, destruction, or burial) alterations, or other circumstances involving decedents. However, within forensic anthropology in the U.S., there remains no unifying standardization for analyzing cases or […]

Study Finds People on Colchicine Need Less Joint Replacement

(Boston)—Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, with worldwide prevalence of approximately four%.  The accumulation of monosodium urate crystals in gout leads to the clinical manifestations of the disease and if left inadequately treated, leads to chronic arthritis with joint damage. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, colchicine, an alkaloid drug derived from the […]

Effective, Evidence-Based Treatments for Adolescents with Substance Use Disorder Are Lacking

Gap leads to challenges in understanding the effectiveness of medication treatment on adolescents (Boston)—According to national estimates, nearly 2.2 million U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 met the criteria for at least one substance use disorder (SUD) in 2023. Drug and alcohol- related concerns are the second leading cause of death and disability within this age group […]

BU Researchers Awarded NIH Grant to Explore Cardiovascular Disease

(Boston)—Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine (BUCASM) researchers Jessica Fetterman, PhD, FAHA, and Deepa M. Gopal, MD, MS, have received a five-year, $7 million R01 grant from the NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to fund their research, “Creation of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) Cardiovascular Biobank and Atlas.” Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) […]

Hospitals with Resuscitation Care Units Save Lives, Shorten Stays and Cut Costs

First study to show that an emergency-department RCU not only benefits patients, but improves ED efficiency, how care is documented, and reimbursed (Boston)—Resuscitation Care Units (RCUs) provide intensive, comprehensive and immediate medical care for critically ill patients with life-threatening conditions, such as cardiac arrest, requiring specialized monitoring and rapid intervention from a multidisciplinary team. Many […]

Soldiers Deployed to a War Zone Adversely Affects Intimate Partners, Long after the Service Member has Returned Home

Mental health prevention and treatment for at-risk populations should include the health and well-being of family members. (Boston)—Military conflict has led to heightened risk of cognitive problems in performing day-to-day activities among some war zone Veterans, which can result in increased burden on family members. In a new study, researchers have found deployment to a […]

New CTSA Ansible is out! September 2025

Catch the September 2025 CTSA Ansible for NCATS Director Michael Kurilla’s FY25 reflections, Fall Meeting registration info, new working groups, and calls for Cycle XV proposals — read it here: September CTSA Ansible

Youth Suicide Trends Vary Across Countries and by Sex

First study to compare trends side by side across three countries using the most recent data including both teenagers and young adults (Boston)—Suicide remains a leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults worldwide. However, recent global data reveal heterogeneous suicide trends across regions. A new study by researchers at Boston University Chobanian & […]