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  • Beating colorectal cancer’s immunotherapy resistance

    Now, new research led by investigators at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Geneva provides insights on why some types of colorectal cancer don’t respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, and offers a strategy to overcome their resistance.

    Colon cancer cells.
  • Did we really gain weight during the pandemic?

    Looking at data from 15 million patients, researchers found that 39 percent had gained weight.

    Scale
  • The peril of 5 percent

    The delta variant’s increased infectiousness, coupled with remaining pools of unvaccinated people and those whose immunity has waned, are enough to drive a winter COVID-19 surge even in highly vaccinated parts of the country, a Harvard infectious diseases expert said.

    Senior citizen getting a vaccine.
  • Epidemiologist predicts likely decline in U.S. COVID cases, deaths

    William Hanage predicts a likely decline in U.S. COVID cases, depending on vaccination rates, control tactics, and the absence of variants.

    Willam Hanage.
  • Rising alcohol use among older adults

    Alcohol use in older adults has been trending upward over the years, particularly among women.

    Woman drinking.
  • FDA panel member cheered by Pfizer news on COVID vaccine in kids

    The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been shown to be safe in school-age children, a potentially key development in the fight to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control.

    COVID vaccine.
  • Diet may affect risk and severity of COVID-19

    Massachusetts General Hospital study links healthy plant-based foods with lower risks of getting of COVID-19 and of having severe disease after infection.

    Fruits and vegetables.
  • Don’t let delta disrupt learning, expert says

    Marc Lipsitch, an epidemiologist and director of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, says COVID vaccines for children should not be rushed and a return to in-person learning can still be navigated.

    Students in a Massachusetts classroom.
  • When the U.S. health care system met the comic book

    James Sturm used his skills as a comic book artist, and the help of several Harvard undergrads, to create a comic book that breaks down the health care industry.

    Cover of Health and Wealth.
  • Cut sugar to save lives, researchers urge

    A new health and economic model clearly shows why it’s imperative that food manufacturers reduce the amount of added sugar in their products.

    Sugar.
  • Michael Pollan digs deeper into drugs

    In his new book, Michael Pollan provides a contextual backdrop to how we think about and use drugs.

    Michael Pollan.
  • Is delta unstoppable?

    Despite its ability to transmit more easily and puncture vaccine defenses, the delta variant is no superbug. It is vulnerable to masking, distancing, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions, lessons from delta outbreaks overseas show.

    India worker giving vaccines door to door.
  • Toward better medicine

    A catalyzing gift will establish The Ivan and Francesca Berkowitz Family Living Laboratory Collaboration at Harvard Medical School and Clalit Research Institute, supporting precision medicine efforts through data science, clinical research, and training.

    Scientist with lab equipment.
  • Parental smoking during childhood linked to RA

    A new study found a potential direct link between exposure to parental smoking during childhood and increased risk of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis later in life.

    Man with a cigarette.
  • Shining new light on vitamin D and cancer

    Consuming higher amounts of vitamin D — mainly from dietary sources — may help protect against developing young-onset colorectal cancer or precancerous colon polyps, according to the first study to show such an association.

    Chicken, fish, dairy.
  • Prognosis: Grim

    A surge in COVID-19–related deaths in the U.S. could exceed the peak seen in early 2021, according to experts.

    COVID-19 illustration.
  • Link between wildfires and COVID cases established

    Researchers have found strong evidence of an association between exposure to fine particulate air pollution from 2020 wildfires in the U.S. and increased risk of COVID-19 cases and deaths in three western states, for up to four weeks after the exposure.

    Wildfire
  • COVID’s future: From pandemic to endemic?

    Immunologist Yonatan Grad explains what has been learned from COVID-19 and how to apply the lessons moving forward.

    Yonatan Grad.
  • 3 ways to strengthen a child’s mental resilience

    New study suggests practical strategies to help children through a pandemic.

    Children looking out the window.
  • COVID messages from doctors change behaviors across racial lines

    A new study found that COVID-19 messages tailored to Black audiences and presented by physicians of color did not enhance the effectiveness for minority participants.

    Emily Breza.
  • Citing COVID threat, researchers urge policy changes to ease prison crowding

    Researchers say policymakers should weigh decarceration for inmates at low risk of reoffending to combat COVID inside prisons.

    Prison Fence.
  • New test detects COVID-19 variants in your spit

    Researchers have now created a simple, inexpensive diagnostic test that allows users to test themselves for multiple variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus at home, using just a sample of their saliva.

    Smartphone showing test results.
  • COVID prevention tips as delta variant surges

    Harvard Associate Professor of Epidemiology William Hanage provides tips on how to deal with the delta variant of COVID-19.

    William Hanage.
  • Diet, exercise, and sleep affect heart health, but why?

    Researchers are looking more closely at the impact of stress on the body, taking it down to the cellular and molecular level.

    Heart and walker illustration.
  • The present and future of COVID variants

    Conversations with Harvard experts shed light on the rise of delta, an unwelcome twist in transmission, the power of vaccination, and more.

    Rochelle Walensky.
  • Give her some space

    The Gazette spoke with Harvard psychologist Michael Hollander about the toll anxiety can take on performance and what must change to ensure athletes get the help they need.

    Simone Biles.
  • Preventing childhood obesity in the first 1,000 days of life

    A new study demonstrates how changing parents’ health behavior and how clinicians deliver care to mothers and infants decreases excess weight gain in infants.

    Mother with baby.
  • Reaching people where they live and die

    Robert Blendon examined the divide among Americans over vaccine mandates.

    Protestors carrying signs.
  • Gut check

    Changes in gut microbiome in longitudinal study of infants precede onset of celiac disease.

    INfant in doctor's hands.
  • Researchers identify signaling molecule that may help prevent Alzheimer’s

    New research in humans and mice identifies a particular signaling molecule that can help modify inflammation and the immune system to protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

    3D model of the human brain.