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2004 News Releases
Tobacco-company-sponsored
parties with free cigarettes may encourage college students to start
smoking
December
28, 2004 — A widespread tobacco industry marketing strategy
- sponsoring social events and giving out free cigarettes at bars,
clubs, and college parties - is reaching students and may be encouraging
them to take up smoking.
Tracing
the life cycle of a manmade disease
December
21, 2004 — MGH surgeon William Harris, MD, tells a 40-year
tale of investigation and innovation into the challenge of hip implant
failure.
Timing
appears essential to combining antiangiogenesis and radiation therapy
December
20, 2004 — MGH researchers describe how timing may be crucial
to successfully combining angiogenesis inhibitors with radiation
treatment and reveal more about how these drugs work to fight cancer.
Study
identifies key aspect of immune response against HIV
December
8, 2004 — Researchers have identified immune-system genes
that appear to play a key role in the body's defense against HIV,
the virus that causes AIDS, findings that may lead to ways of circumventing
the virus's ability to avoid vaccines by rapid mutation.
Obesity
hinders imaging quality, diagnosis
December
1, 2004 — Obesity not only leads to numerous health problems,
it can also limit the imaging equipment used to diagnose those problems.
Small
study shows SAMe may improve treatment of depression
November
30, 2004 — MGH researchers have found that adding the nutritional
supplement SAMe to a standard antidepressant may be helpful to patients
who have not responded to single-drug treatment for clinical depression.
IBM
and MGH announce effort to improve information sharing among cancer
researchers
November
18, 2004 — IBM and MGH are working together to study how
a grid-based, distributed computing infrastructure can improve collaboration
and information sharing among cancer researchers.
Imaging
study finds a structural difference in the brains of cocaine addicts
November
17, 2004 — MGH researchers have identified an unexpected
structural difference in the brains of cocaine addicts. Imaging
studies show that the amygdala, part of the brain's reward-processing
system, is smaller in cocaine addicts than in healthy volunteers.
Study
will identify lung cancer patients for upfront Iressa treatment
November
15, 2004 — Physicians from the MGH Cancer Center have launched
the first clinical trial of Iressa as an initial treatment for advanced
non-small-cell lung cancer, utilizing a genetic marker of sensitivity
to the drug.
Local
physicians awarded prestigious medical honor
November
15, 2004 — Four MGH physicians were awarded the McGovern
Clinical Excellence Award from the Massachusetts General Physicians
Organization.
Study
clarifies impact of age on safety of warfarin treatment for atrial
fibrillation
November
15, 2004 — A study conducted at the MGH has clarified the
risk of intracranial hemorrhage in older patients with atrial fibrillation
who take the drug warfarin to prevent ischemic stroke.
MGH
receives generous donation to develop state-of-the-art tuberous
sclerosis facility
November
9, 2004 — MGH will create a new center benefiting children,
adults and families touched by tuberous sclerosis complex.
Study
of cancer trials finds significant safety improvement
November
2, 2004 — The chance that patients participating in early-stage
cancer research studies will die from the experimental treatments
has dropped dramatically over the past decade.
Laughter
helps patients communicate emotion in therapy sessions
October
14, 2004 — In the first physiologic study of the role of
laughter during psychotherapy, MGH researchers found that patients
use laughter to communicate emotional intensity to therapists.
The
Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care
October
13, 2004 — Massachusetts General Hospital welcomed the
first patients to its sparkling new Yawkey Center for Outpatient
Care, the largest ambulatory facility in New England.
New
way of controlling cholesterol may help treat Alzheimer's
October
13, 2004 — A new approach to controlling blood cholesterol
levels that is already being investigated to prevent cardiovascular
disease also may be a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
Imaging
studies clarify brain changes associated with language deficits
in autism
October
11, 2004 — MGH researchers have found that a structural
difference in the brains of some boys with autism is primarily related
to language problems and not specifically to autism.
Harvard
Medical Researcher Receives MacArthur 'Genius' Award
September
28, 2004 — A MacArthur Fellowship has been awarded to Vamsi
Mootha, assistant professor in the HMS Department of Systems Biology
and the Department of Medicine at MGH.
New
laser treatment sheds light on sun-damaged skin
September
27, 2004 — MGH researchers have created a new laser technology
that can be used to treat the wrinkles and skin discoloration of
sun-damaged skin.
Increased
use of CT results in decreased costs for hospitals
September
15, 2004 — The increased use of CT from 1992 to 2002 for
the imaging of facial trauma has actually decreased imaging costs
by 22 percent per patient, say MGH researchers.
Women
starting mammography on time, but failing to follow up
September
13, 2004 — A new study finds most women now follow the
recommendation to receive their first screening mammogram at age
40, but there is widespread failure to return promptly for subsequent
exams and several sub-populations of women still are not being screened
by the recommended age.
Lose
the habit without gaining the weight
September
10, 2004 — Kicking the smoking habit is not only difficult,
but also intimidating to smokers who fear that while shedding a
bad habit, they'll end up packing on unwanted pounds. But there
may be a way to avoid the extra weight.
New
analysis cites economic impact of ADHD
September
9, 2004 — A new analysis of a large-scale survey released
today estimates yearly household income losses due to attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder within the U.S. at $77 billion, according
to Joseph Biederman, M.D., co-author of the study.
Battle
between bubbles might have started evolution
September
2, 2004 — Researchers are proposing that the first battle
for survival-of-the-fittest might have played out as a simple physical
duel between fatty bubbles stuffed with genetic material.
Radiation
after lumpectomy may be unnecessary for many older women
September
1 , 2004 — Older women treated with tamoxifen after removal
of early-stage breast cancer by lumpectomy may safely be able to
avoid radiation therapy and its unpleasant side effects.
New
imaging technology shown to detect early signs of type 1 diabetes
September
1 , 2004 — Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center and MGH
find that a powerful new imaging technology gives a glimpse into
the earliest stages of the inflammatory process leading to type
1 diabetes in laboratory animals.
New
imaging technique may help reduce risk of heart attacks, strokes
August
23, 2004 — MGH researchers are on track one day to hand
cardiologists the first means ever to pinpoint plaque deposits in
the arteries of patients that appear poised to cause heart attack
or stroke.
Study
finds near-term infants at risk for significant health problems
August
2, 2004 — Babies born a few weeks premature, who have generally
been considered as healthy as full-term infants, actually have a
greater incidence of serious health problems, according to a study
from MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHC).
New
drug combination appears promising for those with HIV and hepatitis
C
July
28, 2004 — Since the introduction of highly active combination
drug therapy for HIV, liver failure attributable to infection with
the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become a leading cause of death
among those infected with the virus that causes AIDS.
MGH
cancer specialists propose new approval track for targeted drugs
July
28, 2004 — Several of the most promising new strategies
for cancer treatment have received Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) approval in recent years, but some have been controversial
because the data on which they were approved did not clearly define
which patients will most benefit from the new medications.
Disparity
in liver transplantation by race
July 14, 2004 — A new study shows that black patients
with chronic liver disease are less likely than white patients to
receive a transplant within four years and are more likely to die
while awaiting a new liver.
Growth hormone control may be important
HIV lipodystrophy treatment
July 10, 2004 — Increasing the body's production of
growth hormone may be an effective treatment for HIV lipodystrophy,
a syndrome involving the redistribution of fat and other metabolic
changes.
Mass. General and Brigham
and Women's ranked on U.S. News national Honor Roll
July 2, 2004 — Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham
and Women's Hospital have earned spots on the U.S. News and World
Report annual national hospital Honor Roll.
Alternative hormone-blocker reduces
side effects in prostate cancer patients
June 28, 2004 — An alternative way of blocking androgen
activity in prostate cancer patients produces fewer side effects
and may be a better choice than standard hormone therapy for some
patients.
Kaposi's sarcoma virus "reprograms"
blood vessel cells into lymphatic cells
June 27, 2004 — Blood-vessel-lining cells that are
infected with the virus that causes the skin tumor Kaposi's sarcoma
appear to transform into the type of cells that usually line lymphatic
vessels.
Lifesaving
potential of mammograms lost due to underuse
June 21, 2004 — Women across age, racial and socioeconomic
spectrums underutilize the recommended annual breast cancer screening,
effectively reducing the life-saving benefits of annual mammography.
Research
demonstrates new treatment options and possible risks associated
with PCOS
June 17, 2004 — Leading investigators in the area of
polycystic ovary syndrome, a common female endocrine disorder, are
gathering this week to share new research on the risks, treatment
options and increased prevalence of the condition.
Preventive
Medicine Good for Training Docs and Patients
June 16, 2004 — Medical students who take a class in
preventive medicine during their second year say they feel more
comfortable counseling their patients about the importance of diet
and exercise — and start watching their own diets as well,
according to a new report.
Parents can provide accurate
reports of their children's ADHD symptoms
June 7, 2004 — Researchers at MassGeneral Hospital
for Children verify that parents can be as accurate as teachers
in identifying ADHD symptoms and treatment-related changes in behavior.
Gene expression ratio identifies
risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen
June 3, 2004 — A simple measurement of the expression
of two genes in breast cancer tissue appears to identify tumors
that are more likely to recur in women treated with tamoxifen for
early-stage disease.
Variations
in DNA Repair Genes May Predict Survival in Non-Small Cell Lung
Cancer Patients
June 1, 2004 — Genetic variations in an individual’s
ability to repair DNA damage may help predict survival in lung cancer
patients treated with the common chemotherapy drugs cisplatin or
carboplatin.
Diabetes drug improves metabolic
changes associated with HIV combination therapy
May 17, 2004 — An oral antidiabetes medication produced
significant improvement in HIV patients who experience a redistribution
of body fat and other metabolic changes while receiving combination
drug therapy.
Study finds HIV protein can drive
immune cells away
May 3, 2004 — MGH researchers report how a key protein
that helps HIV enter its target T helper cells may also keep away
the T killer cells that should destroy virus-infected cells.
Gene mutations predict which lung
cancers will respond to Iressa
April 29, 2004 — Researchers from the MGH Cancer Center
have discovered a molecular marker that identifies lung cancer patients
whose tumors will respond to treatment with the drug Iressa.
Physicians have mixed opinions
about consumer-targeted pharmaceutical ads
April 28, 2004 — Most physicians surveyed by MGH researchers
indicated that direct-to-consumer drug advertising can contribute
to better patient education and communication but may also lead
patients to seek unnecessary treatments.
Testosterone replacement improves
muscle strength, function in HIV-infected women
April 26, 2004 — MGH researchers have found that restoring
normal levels of testosterone can improve muscle strength and function
in HIV-infected women with low levels of the male hormone.
New approach offers potential
drug-discovery shortcut
April 18, 2004 — MGH researchers have developed a way
of identifying promising new drugs that may get around a major challenge
in drug discovery.
Study confirms alcohol's role in increasing
risk of gout
April 15, 2004 — A study led by an MGH researcher is
the first to conclusively show that certain alcoholic beverages
can significantly increase the risk of gout.
Study finds nerve damage can affect
opposite side of body
April 2, 2004 — MGH researchers have found physical
evidence of a previously unknown communication between nerves on
opposite sides of the body.
Activity of calcium-handling gene
appears to prevent cardiac arrhythmias
March 22, 2004 — Activation of a gene already shown
to correct heart failure by improving calcium metabolism in the
heart muscle may also help prevent arrhythmias, sometimes-dangerous
disturbances in heart rhythm.
MGH study details brain changes
in autism, language disorder
March 22, 2004 — Using advanced imaging technology,
a research team based at Massachusetts General Hospital has identified
specific portions of the brain's white matter that are abnormally
large in children with autism and developmental language disorder.
New tumor suppressor may play
important role in deadly brain tumors
March 17, 2004 — Researchers from MGH have identified
a new tumor suppressor gene that appears to be inactivated in gliomas,
a deadly form of brain tumor. Levels of the protein coded by the
gene, called ING4, appear to correspond with tumor aggressiveness.
MGH and Joslin participating in national
study to identify best treatment for type 2 diabetes in youth
March 15, 2004 — Massachusetts General Hospital and
Joslin Diabetes Center will be among 12 centers nationwide participating
in an NIH-funded clinical study comparing treatments for type 2
diabetes in children and teens.
MGH study finds female mammals produce
egg cells into adulthood
March 10, 2004 — An underlying principle of female
reproductive biology appears to have been overturned by a report
from MGH researchers. The investigators report that female mice
can make new egg cells well into adulthood. It has been believed
that most female mammals are born with a finite supply of these
cells that are lost steadily until exhausted, leading to menopause
in women.
MGH research team grows long-lasting
blood vessels
March 10, 2004 — Researchers from MGH have successfully
induced the growth of new networks of functional blood vessels in
mice. The accomplishment may help solve one of the primary challenges
in tissue engineering: providing a blood supply for newly grown
organs.
Study clarifies impact of diet on
the risk of gout
March 10, 2004 — A new study has clarified the role
of diet in the risk of developing gout. The report confirms that
consumption of purine-rich meats and seafood increases the risk
of gout and determines that purine-rich vegetables and protein intake
do not raise risk.
Alcohol-related
emergency department visits higher than previously thought
March 8, 2004 — Emergency department visits for alcohol-related
illnesses or injuries are approximately three times higher than
previous estimates, according to an article in the March 8 issue
of The Archives of Internal Medicine.
Proton
Therapy Offers Potential Advantages for Children with Brain Tumors
March 3, 2004 — Proton beam therapy offers a clear
advantage over conventional radiation therapy for treatment of certain
brain tumors in children.
Study shows drug can heal, reduce
recurrence of fistulas in Crohn's disease
February 25, 2004 — An international study has found
that maintenance therapy with the drug infliximab, a monoclonal
antibody used to treat Crohn's disease, can prevent or delay the
recurrence of fistulas, a common complication of that inflammatory
bowel disorder.
Cancer cells can compress blood vessels,
block entry of drugs
February 18, 2004 — In the Feb. 19 issue of Nature,
researchers from MGH describe how proliferating cancer cells compress
both blood and lymphatic vessels within tumors. The findings suggest
new strategies for improving the success of cancer treatment.
Two
Studies Examine Aspirin for Cancer Prevention
February 17, 2004 — In the February 18 issue of JNCI,
MGH researchers address the cost-effectiveness of aspirin therapy
to prevent esophageal cancer in patients with Barrett's esophagus.
Research
clarifies how Alzheimer's medicines may reduce interference with
learning and memory
February 15, 2004 — New evidence clarifies how the
only government-approved treatments for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's
Disease may work to improve symptoms.
Low
compliance rate for food allergy treatment in emergency departments
February 9, 2004 — A new study shows emergency departments
have a low compliance rate with recommended treatment guidelines
for food-related acute allergic reactions.
Study
Demonstrates Altered Angiogenic Proteins
February 5, 2004 — The discovery that a protein "marker"
is sharply elevated approximately five weeks prior to the onset
of preeclampsia could provide a warning sign to help doctors in
diagnosing this potentially life-threatening complication of pregnancy.
Gene transfer allows mammals to produce
heart-healthy fats
February 4, 2004— MGH researchers have found that tissues
from mice with a gene usually found in roundworms contain heart-healthy
omega-3 fatty acids, not usually found in mammals.
Study supports role of aspirin in reducing
risk of colorectal cancer
February 2, 2004— A new study has confirmed that regular
intake of aspirin appears to be associated with a reduced risk of
the type of colon polyps that can develop into cancer.
(link
to video news release from American College of Physicians)
Low-tar
cigarettes do not cut lung cancer risk
January 8, 2004— The risk of lung cancer is no different
in people who smoke medium-tar, low-tar or very low-tar cigarettes,
concludes a study to be published in the British Medical Journal.
Mass. General Welcomes Home
Response Teams from Iran Humanitarian Mission
January 7, 2004— The International Medical Surgical
Response Team (IMSuRT), an emergency response team, sponsored by
Massachusetts General Hospital, is expected to return from Bam,
Iran, tonight from its first international deployment.
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