Latest news from Harvard Medical School on Newswise en-us Copyright 2024 Newswise 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/interview-with-harvard-medical-school-expert-on-eastern-equine-encephalitis-virus-jonathan-abraham-has-studied-the-virus-in-detail-in-research-published-in-nature-in-2022-and-2024-abraham-and-team-mapped-the-structure-and-behavior-of-the-cell-receptors-th/?sc=rsin /articles/interview-with-harvard-medical-school-expert-on-eastern-equine-encephalitis-virus-jonathan-abraham-has-studied-the-virus-in-detail-in-research-published-in-nature-in-2022-and-2024-abraham-and-team-mapped-the-structure-and-behavior-of-the-cell-receptors-th/?sc=rsin Thu, 29 Aug 2024 12:30:54 EST Harvard Medical School virologist Jonathan Abraham has studied EEE virus in detail. In research published in Nature in 2022 and 2024, Abraham and team mapped the structure and behavior of the cell receptors -- the entryways on the surfaces of cells -- that allow EEE virus and similar viruses to infect their hosts and cause mischief. Harvard Medical School /articles/what-enables-herpes-simplex-virus-to-become-impervious-to-drugs/?sc=rsin /articles/what-enables-herpes-simplex-virus-to-become-impervious-to-drugs/?sc=rsin Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:00:00 EST At a glance: New research explains how herpes simplex virus can develop resistance to antiviral medicines. Study shows that movements in specific parts of a protein that enable viral replication can alter susceptibility to drugs The findings answer long-standing questions about viral drug resistance and can inform new approaches to designing more effective therapies. Harvard Medical School /articles/how-thyroid-hormone-fuels-the-drive-to-explore/?sc=rsin /articles/how-thyroid-hormone-fuels-the-drive-to-explore/?sc=rsin Thu, 22 Aug 2024 11:00:00 EST Research in mice sheds light on how thyroid hormone alters wiring in the brain. Findings reveal that thyroid hormone syncs up the brain and body to drive exploratory behavior. Researchers say their work could illuminate new treatments for certain psychiatric conditions. Harvard Medical School /articles/new-ai-tool-captures-how-proteins-behave-in-context/?sc=rsin /articles/new-ai-tool-captures-how-proteins-behave-in-context/?sc=rsin Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:00:32 EST In a marked advance over current AI models, the new approach captures how proteins act not in isolation but in their cellular and tissue environments. Harvard Medical School /articles/the-risks-of-artificial-intelligence-in-weapons-design/?sc=rsin /articles/the-risks-of-artificial-intelligence-in-weapons-design/?sc=rsin Mon, 12 Aug 2024 12:05:25 EST Researchers outline dangers of developing AI-powered autonomous weapons Harvard Medical School /articles/which-strains-of-tuberculosis-are-the-most-infectious/?sc=rsin /articles/which-strains-of-tuberculosis-are-the-most-infectious/?sc=rsin Thu, 01 Aug 2024 05:00:00 EST Highly localized TB strains are less infectious in cosmopolitan cities and more likely to infect people from the geographic area that is the strain's natural habitat. Harvard Medical School /articles/what-will-the-new-cardiovascular-risk-calculator-mean-for-patients/?sc=rsin /articles/what-will-the-new-cardiovascular-risk-calculator-mean-for-patients/?sc=rsin Mon, 29 Jul 2024 11:00:00 EST If current guidelines for cholesterol and high blood pressure treatment remain unchanged, a newly unveiled heart risk calculator would render 16 million people ineligible for preventive therapy. Harvard Medical School /articles/how-evolution-tamed-a-deadly-virus-and-why-we-should-still-worry/?sc=rsin /articles/how-evolution-tamed-a-deadly-virus-and-why-we-should-still-worry/?sc=rsin Thu, 25 Jul 2024 13:05:03 EST Over the last century, a once-deadly mosquito-borne virus has evolved so that it no longer sickens humans. New research shows that changes in the virus's ability to target human cells paralleled the decline in illness and death. The findings offer important lessons in virology that may help guide better preparedness for future outbreaks of other viral diseases. Harvard Medical School /articles/how-machine-learning-is-propelling-structural-biology/?sc=rsin /articles/how-machine-learning-is-propelling-structural-biology/?sc=rsin Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:05:05 EST Cell biologist embraces new tools to study human development on the smallest scale Harvard Medical School /articles/exploring-our-sense-of-touch-from-every-angle/?sc=rsin /articles/exploring-our-sense-of-touch-from-every-angle/?sc=rsin Tue, 11 Jun 2024 17:05:35 EST Harvard Medical School researchers are studying one of the most mysterious -- and most essential -- senses Harvard Medical School /articles/2024-warren-alpert-foundation-prize-honors-four-pioneers-in-car-t-cell-therapy/?sc=rsin /articles/2024-warren-alpert-foundation-prize-honors-four-pioneers-in-car-t-cell-therapy/?sc=rsin Tue, 11 Jun 2024 11:00:37 EST At a glance: The four scientists developed genetically engineered immune cells to combat several blood cancers. CAR T-cell therapy has redefined the treatment of blood cancers, saving the lives of tens of thousands of people. Harvard Medical School /articles/what-s-at-stake-with-the-u-s-supreme-court-case-on-misinformation/?sc=rsin /articles/what-s-at-stake-with-the-u-s-supreme-court-case-on-misinformation/?sc=rsin Fri, 24 May 2024 10:05:00 EST Concerns over medical misinformation are not new, but the COVID-19 pandemic magnified long-simmering tensions over two fundamental concepts: Freedom of speech and the federal government's responsibility to protect people from what it considers false and dangerous claims. Harvard Medical School /articles/is-a-global-pandemic-prevention-pact-within-reach/?sc=rsin /articles/is-a-global-pandemic-prevention-pact-within-reach/?sc=rsin Mon, 20 May 2024 11:05:33 EST The World Health Organization's governing body is scheduled to meet on May 27 to discuss a critically needed plan for global pandemic preparedness. Harvard Medical School /articles/measuring-lung-function-more-accurately-and-more-equitably/?sc=rsin /articles/measuring-lung-function-more-accurately-and-more-equitably/?sc=rsin Sun, 19 May 2024 09:00:00 EST Race-based assessments of lung function have historically assumed different levels of "normal" for different patient groups. New analysis shows that removing from lung function estimates would increase the number of Black patients diagnosed with serious disease.Greater estimated disease severity would change a patient's diagnosis, disability compensation, eligibility for certain jobs. Harvard Medical School /articles/study-reveals-mixed-public-opinion-on-polygenic-embryo-screening-for-ivf/?sc=rsin /articles/study-reveals-mixed-public-opinion-on-polygenic-embryo-screening-for-ivf/?sc=rsin Tue, 14 May 2024 11:00:00 EST Survey reveals nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults support using emerging technology to screen embryos during IVF for risk of developing certain health conditions or traits that arise from more than one gene. Only about one-third of respondents approved of using the technology to predict traits unrelated to disease. Nearly all expressed concerns about potential negative outcomes for individuals or society. Findings underscore need for public education about benefits, limitations, ethical hazards of polygenic risk scores for embryos. Harvard Medical School /articles/turning-to-ai-to-disentangle-nature-from-nurture-in-disease/?sc=rsin /articles/turning-to-ai-to-disentangle-nature-from-nurture-in-disease/?sc=rsin Mon, 13 May 2024 12:15:03 EST Understanding the human exposome -- a person's myriad health exposures over a lifetime -- can reveal unknowns about diseases not explained fully by our DNA. Artificial intelligence will be indispensable in efforts to understand the role of biology and environment in disease and health. Harvard Medical School /articles/new-physicians-exam-scores-tied-to-patient-survival/?sc=rsin /articles/new-physicians-exam-scores-tied-to-patient-survival/?sc=rsin Mon, 06 May 2024 14:05:24 EST How well a newly minted doctor scores on their medical board exam appears linked to patients' odds of dying or being readmitted to the hospital. Findings offer reassurance that certification exams, which aim to demonstrate the competence of physicians, capture critical knowledge and clinical judgment skills for physicians. Harvard Medical School /articles/telemedicine-can-help-change-care-for-the-better-if-we-get-the-rules-right/?sc=rsin /articles/telemedicine-can-help-change-care-for-the-better-if-we-get-the-rules-right/?sc=rsin Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:05:29 EST Experts say pandemic-era rules that promoted telemedicine should be made permanent to protect gains in quality of care and greater access for millions of patients. New analysis shows enhanced telemedicine services led to higher quality of care and better access and only a modest increase in spending. Harvard Medical School /articles/does-ai-help-or-hurt-human-radiologists-performance-it-depends-on-the-doctor/?sc=rsin /articles/does-ai-help-or-hurt-human-radiologists-performance-it-depends-on-the-doctor/?sc=rsin Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:00:00 EST Study shows AI improves performance for some radiologists but worsens it for others. Understanding who might benefit from AI and who would not is critical for designing tools that boost human performance. Harvard Medical School /articles/harvard-medical-school-media-immersion-thursday-may-30-boston/?sc=rsin /articles/harvard-medical-school-media-immersion-thursday-may-30-boston/?sc=rsin Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:09 EST Harvard Medical School