Archive for Alice McCarthy
How masks protect against COVID-19: Understanding the science
As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the U.S., including in children, wearing a face covering is more important than ever. We know wearing a mask can get tiresome, but they really are essential. To help understand how face masks can keep you and your child safer, we spoke with Dr. Thomas ... Read More about How masks protect against COVID-19: Understanding the science
Tagged: child life, coronavirus, research
Natural killer cells: Protect the placenta cell but kill the infection
Infections that reach the placenta can lead to spontaneous abortions, intrauterine growth restriction, congenital abnormalities, and premature births. New research from the laboratory of Judy Lieberman, MD, PhD, and colleagues at Harvard University shows that a group of cells near the site where the placenta attaches to the uterine wall plays an essential role in ... Read More about Natural killer cells: Protect the placenta cell but kill the infection
Rapid rise in COVID-19 in children: Key takeaways from the AAP report on COVID-19 and kids
You may have seen the news this week that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) released a new report about a rise in COVID-19 diagnoses in children. The headlines are scary — but are they accurate? We discussed the report with Boston Children’s infectious disease specialist Dr. Richard Malley to understand the ... Read More about Rapid rise in COVID-19 in children: Key takeaways from the AAP report on COVID-19 and kids
Tagged: coronavirus, public health, research
Two drugs join forces against COVID-19
Two drugs, including one developed by a researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital, inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in tests of human cells. Both drugs, vacuolin-1 and apilimod, originally developed years ago, target a large enzyme called PIKfyve kinase. Prior to this study, little was known about this enzyme’s role in COVID-19 infection. Details ... Read More about Two drugs join forces against COVID-19
Tagged: clinical trials, coronavirus
A global view of rheumatic disease during COVID-19
COVID-19 is bringing new challenges to many people with underlying rheumatic disease who already are immunocompromised by the very nature of their illnesses or the medications used to treat them. To help manage those uncertainties in the current climate, Boston Children’s Hospital is participating in two surveys: one collecting information from rheumatologists, the other directly ... Read More about A global view of rheumatic disease during COVID-19
Tagged: coronavirus, disease surveillance, global health, research, rheumatology
New drug pathway linked with tuberous sclerosis
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a neurological disorder causing non-cancerous tumors, called cortical tubers, to grow throughout the brain and body, as well as other conditions like epilepsy and autism. While medications are used to treat some of the manifestations of the disease, safe and more effective treatments targeting disease at a fundamental level are ... Read More about New drug pathway linked with tuberous sclerosis
Tagged: rare disease, tuberous sclerosis
Caring for pediatric ADHD patients through telehealth
Key takeaways· In the current health crisis, online visits should be used to monitor current patients and make new diagnoses.· Providers should guide families to resources for at-home behavioral modification techniques.· Telehealth office visits are likely to remain after the current crisis subsides. It comes as no surprise to the pediatric neurology community at Boston ... Read More about Caring for pediatric ADHD patients through telehealth
Tagged: ADHD, coronavirus, research, telehealth
Creating hairy human skin: Not as easy as you think
Key takeaways· Scientists have created the first cultured human skin capable of growing hair embedded with fat and nerve cells. · Potential applications include burn treatments, and testing medications and cosmetics· The skin organoid system developed is a proof of concept for creating other human organoids, such as the inner ear. For more than 40 ... Read More about Creating hairy human skin: Not as easy as you think
Gene therapy with a new base editing technique restores hearing in mice
Using a new genetic engineering technique, known as base editing, researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, have restored hearing in mice with a known recessive genetic mutation. Key takeaways· This is the first example of repairing a recessive gene mutation.· Repairing a single mutation in the Tmc1 gene restored partial hearing in ... Read More about Gene therapy with a new base editing technique restores hearing in mice
Tagged: gene therapy, hearing
Radiology of COVID-19 infection in children: Imaging findings and recommendations
Key takeaways:· Lung images in children with COVID-19 show unique features, including the halo sign.· Chest X-ray and CT images differ significantly from early to late infection.· New imaging guidelines recommend when to perform imaging studies on children with COVID-19. As more children become infected with the coronavirus causing COVID-19, lung imaging shows that the ... Read More about Radiology of COVID-19 infection in children: Imaging findings and recommendations
Tagged: coronavirus, diagnostics, imaging, research