Research
New research NETs a fresh angle for treating severe inflammation
As we’ve seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, serious infections sometimes trigger an excessive inflammatory reaction that does as much harm — or more — than the infection itself. New research at Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital suggests a potential way to block this hyperinflammation response by repurposing or modifying an existing drug. ... Read More about New research NETs a fresh angle for treating severe inflammation
Health and Parenting
Parents can help end bullying by always being open to conversation
You just saw your teen get pushed at the bus stop. Or maybe you suspect that bullying is behind your young child’s sudden reluctance to go to school or an extracurricular activity. What you should do next isn’t always an easy decision. No two cases of bullying are ever alike, and there are usually nuances ... Read More about Parents can help end bullying by always being open to conversation
Health and Parenting
Two for one: It’s safe to get COVID and flu vaccines at the same time
Your child can greatly reduce the risk of serious illness by receiving COVID and flu vaccines in one sitting — all they have to do is roll up both sleeves. Now, getting a shot in each arm might give your child pause, but two infectious disease specialists at Boston Children’s Hospital say that a double inoculation ... Read More about Two for one: It’s safe to get COVID and flu vaccines at the same time
Research
Finding new targets for acute myeloid leukemia in children
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the second most common leukemia diagnosed in children. It is hard to treat and can be fatal in some cases. While there have been some recent successes with genetically targeted therapies for adults, AML has different genetic features in children, and care has been slow to advance. “The state of ... Read More about Finding new targets for acute myeloid leukemia in children
Health and Parenting
When your child is the bully: Tips for parents
It’s bad for children’s health, makes headlines, and defies most attempts to prevent it. Bullying has become the “big tobacco” of the 21st century. What can a parent do when their child is engaging in behavior that’s condemned by nearly everyone? We talked with Dr. Peter Raffalli, a neurologist and director of the Bullying and ... Read More about When your child is the bully: Tips for parents
Research
‘Human accelerated regions’: How they make our brains uniquely human
Starting when humans diverged from chimpanzees some 5 to 6 million years ago, we’ve evolved in our uniquely human fashion thanks to changes in our genome. And certain parts of the human genome, known as human accelerated regions or HARs, have evolved especially rapidly. Intriguing new work led by Christopher Walsh, MD, PhD, of Boston ... Read More about ‘Human accelerated regions’: How they make our brains uniquely human
Health and Parenting
Dealing with peer pressure: How to empower your teen
With every coming of age almost inevitably comes changing friendships, relationships, and social pressures. But gone are the days when it was considered best practice to tell young people to ignore their peers’ bad behavior or troubling situations. So what should you do? Here, social worker Nanci Ginty Butler, director of mental health services in ... Read More about Dealing with peer pressure: How to empower your teen
Patient Stories
Like father, like daughter: Finding care for cavernous malformations
After Charlotte Miller underwent neurosurgery, her parents, Daniel and Eliza were a little nervous to tell her that part of her head had been shaved. But the spunky 5-year-old wasn’t fazed. Instead, she pointed to her father’s head and laughed, “Now I’m going bald like you, Daddy!” A sense of humor isn’t all Charlotte and ... Read More about Like father, like daughter: Finding care for cavernous malformations
Patient Stories
After two ACL tears, a skier reconnects with her body and her sport
The memory remains vivid in Sophia’s mind. Racing down a slalom course at top speed, she hit a patch of bad snow. “The next thing I knew, I was launched up in the air. My legs were above me and I lost sight of my right leg. I felt my right knee twist and I ... Read More about After two ACL tears, a skier reconnects with her body and her sport
Health and Parenting
The dos and don’ts of potty training
Eager as parents may be to start potty training, it can be a period filled with a lot of uncertainty and frustration. For insight on your most pressing potty training questions and effective — and not-so-effective — strategies for helping your child, we spoke with Wanessa Risko, MD, DSc., a pediatrician and founder of Singular ... Read More about The dos and don’ts of potty training