Harnessing the power of machine learning to improve urology care
Urodynamics — a group of tests that evaluate how well the body collects, and then releases, urine — can be crucial for diagnosing urologic problems, particularly in children with spinal cord defects and other neurologic conditions. While urodynamics can provide clinicians with a rich set of data, the interpretation of these tests remains unstandardized. That ... Read More about Harnessing the power of machine learning to improve urology care
How does the placenta protect unborn babies from COVID-19?
Evidence has shown that pregnancy is a risk factor for severe illness in women with COVID-19. A recent CDC study reviewed case reports of approximately 400,000 women aged 15 to 44 with symptomatic COVID-19. Those who were pregnant had a roughly tripled likelihood of ICU admission and invasive ventilation and 70 percent higher mortality. Yet ... Read More about How does the placenta protect unborn babies from COVID-19?
Tough yet flexible: Biologically inspired adhesive may improve fetal surgery
In children with spina bifida, the neural tube that forms the spinal cord and brain doesn’t close during early prenatal development. That leaves the nerves of the spinal cord exposed to potential damage from fetal movement and the surrounding amniotic fluid. While surgeons can repair spina bifida soon after birth, the ideal would be to ... Read More about Tough yet flexible: Biologically inspired adhesive may improve fetal surgery
Poverty predicts worse cancer outcomes, even in children receiving top-tier care
A pair of recent studies suggests that even among patients receiving advanced cancer care, poverty is a predictor of worse outcomes. The disturbing findings raise many questions that follow-up studies are now exploring. Key takeaways Poverty was associated with 3.7-fold higher mortality among children receiving targeted immunotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma. Household poverty was associated with ... Read More about Poverty predicts worse cancer outcomes, even in children receiving top-tier care
The new COVID-19 vaccines: Will they be safe?
Just within the past week, pharmaceutical companies have announced encouraging news about two COVID-19 vaccines in the final development phase. As more vaccine developers announce similar reports in the coming weeks and months, it’s key to remember that vaccine safety is as important as effectiveness against the virus. Fortunately, scientists have learned lessons from the ... Read More about The new COVID-19 vaccines: Will they be safe?
Missed signals? A new way we vary from each other biologically
Genetics has made huge strides over the past 20 years, from the sequencing of the human genome to a growing understanding of factors that turn genes on and off, namely transcription factors and the DNA “enhancer” sequences they bind to. New research from Boston Children’s Hospital introduces another previously unknown layer of human genetics. It ... Read More about Missed signals? A new way we vary from each other biologically
Rising global temperatures tied to rising antibiotic resistance
A new data analysis suggests that two rising public health threats — climate change and antibiotic resistance — are related. The study, spanning 2000 to 2016, doesn’t establish cause and effect. But its findings, in the journal Eurosurveillance, suggest that rising global temperatures could be helping to fuel increases in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Key takeaway Countries ... Read More about Rising global temperatures tied to rising antibiotic resistance
Tau protein changes correlate with Alzheimer’s disease dementia stage
Research into Alzheimer’s disease has long focused on understanding the role of two key proteins, beta amyloid and the tau protein. Found in tangles in patients’ brain tissue, a pathological form of the tau protein contributes to propagating the disease in the brain. Key takeaways A pathological form of the tau protein contributes to the ... Read More about Tau protein changes correlate with Alzheimer’s disease dementia stage
Precision chemo-immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal and in great need of better treatments. Only about 10 percent of patients remain alive five years after diagnosis. In a new study, researchers in the lab of Marsha Moses, PhD, at Boston Children’s Hospital offer a glimmer of hope. Key takeaway An antibody-drug combination effectively targeted, penetrated, and shrank ... Read More about Precision chemo-immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer?
Why do some children exposed to the coronavirus go on to develop MIS-C?
Most children exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have few or no symptoms. But a small number become sick enough to go to the hospital. And a tiny handful develop a severe inflammatory illness called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), often weeks after initial exposure to the virus. Why? A team at Boston Children’s Hospital is using ... Read More about Why do some children exposed to the coronavirus go on to develop MIS-C?