Findings
Insights, discoveries, and analysis from Harvard scholars and scientists.
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How to fight depression? Faster.
Hope flags when medications fail, isolating and endangering patients. Backed by a major grant, 2 Harvard scientists are focused on reducing the distance between diagnosis and recovery.
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Health
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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Science & Tech
How humans evolved to be ‘energetically unique’
Metabolic rates outpaced ‘couch potato’ primates thanks to sweat, says new study
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Health
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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Science & Tech
‘Harnessing evolution’
New tool allows researchers to study gene mutation directly within living human cells
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Science & Tech
How mammals got their stride
Revealing twists, turns of evolution from sprawling to upright posture
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Health
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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There’s much to be grateful for in giving thanks
Elderly may harvest benefits from the attitude alone
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Could high office-vacancy rates damage economy this year?
Kenneth Rogoff sees tough road for some banks as surge of real estate loans come due by 2025, but doesn’t expect wider meltdown
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Stroke risk higher for the chronically lonely
Study of adults over 50 examines how feelings boost threat over time
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Americans hate inflation, full stop
No traction for more positive economic developments, research says
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History of Chichén Itzá written in DNA
Research using new method upends narrative on ritual sacrifices, yields discovery on resistance built to colonial-era epidemics
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Does AI help humans make better decisions?
One judge’s track record — with and without algorithm — surprises researchers
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DNR orders for Down syndrome patients far exceeded pandemic norm
Co-author sees need for additional research and earlier, deeper conversations around care
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Tracking entwined histories of malaria, humans
New study of ancient genomes tracks disease over 5,500 years, factors in spread, including trade, warfare, colonialism, and slavery
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Researchers reverse hair loss caused by alopecia
Treatment holds promise for painlessly targeting affected areas without weakening immune system
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Binge eating appears more widespread, persistent than thought
New research takes broader, deeper look at common, but poorly understood, disorder
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Want to make robots more agile? Take a lesson from a rat.
Scientists create realistic virtual rodent with digital neural network to study how brain controls complex, coordinated movement
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Alzheimer’s disease indicators track with biological changes in brain, study finds
Researchers see self-reported memory loss may be early, preclinical warning
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More than a planetary fender-bender
New study finds Earth collided with dense interstellar cloud, possibly affecting life on planet
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Bringing back a long extinct bird
Scientists sequence complete genome of bush moa, offering insights into its natural history, possible clues to evolution of flightless birds
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Women who follow Mediterranean diet live longer
Large study shows benefits against cancer, cardiovascular mortality, also identifies likely biological drivers of better health
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Harvard-led study IDs statin that may block pathway to some cancers
Cholesterol-lowering drug suppresses chronic inflammation that creates dangerous cascade
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One way to help big groups of students? Volunteer tutors.
Research finds low-cost, online program yields significant results
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Had a bad experience meditating? You’re not alone.
Altered states of consciousness through yoga, mindfulness more common than thought and mostly beneficial, study finds — though clinicians ill-equipped to help those who struggle
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Rethinking life-support decisions
Of the survivors within one study group, more than 40% recovered at least some independence.
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Everything counts!
New study finds step-count and time are equally valid in reducing health risks
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Glimpse of next-generation internet
Physicists demo first metro-area quantum computer network in Boston
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Science is making anti-aging progress. But do we want to live forever?
Nobel laureate details new book, which surveys research, touches on larger philosophical questions
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More educated communities tend to be healthier. Why? Culture.
New study finds places with more college graduates tend to develop better lifestyle habits overall
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Got milk? Does it give you problems?
Biomolecular archaeologist looks at why most of world’s population has trouble digesting beverage that helped shape civilization
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Epic science inside a cubic millimeter of brain
Researchers publish largest-ever dataset of neural connections
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Excited about new diet drug? This procedure seems better choice.
Study finds minimally invasive treatment more cost-effective over time, brings greater weight loss
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How friends helped fuel the rise of a relentless enemy
Economists imagine an alternate universe where the opioid crisis peaked in ’06, and then explain why it didn’t
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Getting ahead of liver cancer
Researchers hope identifying blood proteins may lead to earlier prediction of risk, increase treatment options
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Alcohol is dangerous. So is ‘alcoholic.’
Researcher explains the human toll of language that makes addiction feel worse
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Can we talk?
Study finds that conversation – even online – could be an effective strategy to help prevent cognitive decline and dementia