
Findings
Insights, discoveries, and analysis from Harvard scholars and scientists.
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Is small thinking the new American way?
Study says tighter land-use controls have hurt productivity and innovation among builders, fueling housing crisis
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Science & Tech
What prompts genetic adaptation? Ask a finch.
Groundbreaking pangenomic study suggests big DNA flip may have made small bird resistant to some diseases
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Science & Tech
Landmark studies track source of Indo-European languages spoken by 40% of world
Researchers place Caucasus Lower Volga people, speakers of ancestor tongue, in today’s Russia about 6,500 years ago
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Health
Different day, different diagnosis?
Study finds spike in ADHD cases on Halloween, highlighting stakes of cognitive bias in medicine
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Health
One way to save lives in jails
Researchers who studied healthcare in dozens of facilities link accreditation to better collaboration and treatment and fewer deaths
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Health
The brain’s gatekeepers
HMS research IDs special class of cells that safeguard immunity and memory, and may one day treat neurodegenerative disease
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Nation & World
Need to boost population? Encourage dads to step up at home.
New historical research by economist Claudia Goldin finds link between fertility rates, gender roles
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How exactly does ketamine work? New research offers insight.
Anesthetic growing in popularity as game-changing therapy for severe, treatment-resistant depression
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New study maps the ‘dental deserts’ in the U.S. — and there are lots of them
Harvard research shows 1.7 million lack access to care
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Researchers make leap in quantum computing
Trapping molecules for use in systems may help make ultra-high-speed experimental technology even faster
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Gender-affirming care rare among U.S. youth, study says
Fewer than 1 in 1,000 transgender youth receive hormones or puberty blockers
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Nature offers novel approach to oral wound care
Slug’s sticky mucus inspiration behind adhesive hydrogel that can seal wounds in wet environment
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Time for a rethink of colonoscopy guidelines?
Change informed by new findings would help specialists focus on those most at risk, researcher says
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The deadly habit we can’t quite kick
Actions by tobacco companies worry researcher even amid ‘dramatic decrease’ in smoking among young Americans
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Real reason ACL injury rate is higher for women athletes
Study finds flaw in key sports science metric
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Exact cause of Notre-Dame fire still unclear. But disaster perhaps could’ve been avoided.
Leadership expert says foreseeable factors all contributed to complex failure. Consistent focus needed on best practices, rules, procedures.
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Why do gliomas tend to recur in the brain?
First look at the interplay between neurons and tumors sheds light on formation, spread
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Probe the gut, protect the brain?
In fight against Parkinson’s and other disorders, two-way connection may someday lead to a breakthrough
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A common sense, win-win idea — and both right, left agree
Poll measures support for revenue-sharing plan on renewable energy that helps states, localities, and environment
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Why be kind? You might live longer.
Take our research-based quiz on biological benefits of being good
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Score another point for the plants
Study finds 1:2 ratio of plant to animal protein lowers risk of heart disease
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Dance the audience can feel — through their phones
Engineer harnesses haptics to translate movement, make her art more accessible
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How HIV research has reshaped modern medicine
Decades of scientific work turned the tide on a fatal disease and yielded insights into immunity, vaccines, and more
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Ever wonder why your dog does this?
Study decodes neural mechanism that causes hairy mammals to shake their fur when wet
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Rapid relief for the severely depressed? There’s a catch.
Ketamine carries risks, say researchers. Yet for some patients, it’s ‘the only thing that works.’
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How humans evolved to be ‘energetically unique’
Metabolic rates outpaced ‘couch potato’ primates thanks to sweat, says new study
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Too much sitting hurts the heart
Even with exercise, sedentary behavior can increase risk of heart failure by up to 60%, according to study
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‘Harnessing evolution’
New tool allows researchers to study gene mutation directly within living human cells
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How mammals got their stride
Revealing twists, turns of evolution from sprawling to upright posture
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Study pinpoints optimal timing for RSV vaccine during pregnancy
Five weeks before giving birth best transfers maternal antibodies to the fetus, say researchers
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Cutting through the fog of long COVID
Researchers say new AI tool sharpens diagnostic process, may help identify more people needing care
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U.S. fertility rates are tumbling, but some families still go big. Why?
It’s partly matter of faith. Economist examines choice to have large families in new book.
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Warning for younger women: Be vigilant on breast cancer risk
Pathologist explains the latest report from the American Cancer Society
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Grappling with how clearings may support rainforest animal life
New research offers detailed overview of layout, makeup of canopy gaps in Congo
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Mars may have been habitable much more recently than thought
Study bolsters theory that protective magnetic field supporting life-enabling atmosphere remained in place longer than estimates
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Study shows vitamin D doesn’t cut cardiac risk
Outdoor physical activity may be a better target for preventive intervention, says researcher
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Weight-loss surgery down 25 percent as anti-obesity drug use soars
Study authors call for more research examining how trend affects long-term patient outcomes