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CHANNING LABORATORY NEWS * * *
BWH profiles Jaylyn Olivo and the BWH Editorial Service, located at the Channing Laboratory, for her dedication and service to the BWH research community.
For more than a decade, Jaylyn and her colleagues at the Editorial Services here at the Channing, have helped and guided a multitude of projects and investigators to publishing success in the medical world. Thank you, Jaylyn. We here at the Channing are proud of our association with you and your colleagues. Click here for entire text of article.
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Harvard University's FOCUS magazine has extensive coverage of Channing Lab's Dr. Michael Farzan and his SARS cellular receptor discovery
The killer virus SARS has been the focus of intense research since the last outbreak that killed over 750 people and, with the latest discovery by Dr. Michael Farzan and his colleagues of a cellular receptor that lets the virus take hold in the human body, a new window for the cure may be opening with a chance of new drugs and/or vaccines to end this frightening scourge. For the full story of this exciting breakthrough, please click here.
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Dr. Andrew Onderdonk, respected Channing researcher, speaks out to the Boston Globe regarding subject of slow adoption of new treatment by doctors here in the Boston area.
by Scott Allen
In his article Doctors in Hub practice caution, the Boston Globe's Scott Allen discusses the conservative nature of doctors here in the Boston area with regard to adopting new treatments and innovations. When questioned on the subject of repeated rejections of gene therapy by Harvard's microbiology safety committee, of which he has been chairman for many years, Dr. Andrew Onderdonk, noted Channing Lab scientist and director of the microbiology lab at Brigham and Women's Hosptal, said that his committee was concerned about the way researchers got the genes inside cells, encasing them in viruses whose safety was untested. He also said that the death of a healthy patient in a gene therapy trial at the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 underscores the concern. "Boston scientists tend to want good factual information to support going forward with some new technology, and gene therapy was no different. The early stuff, let's face it, was witchcraft in terms of what science was available," said Dr. Onderdonk. Please click here for the link to the Boston Globe. The entire text of this article can be found in the archives section.
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Channing scientist, Michael Farzan, PhD, and his team make important breakthrough in new study of the SARS virus
In a study published in the November 26 issue of the journal, Nature, research teams from BWH and the Children's Hospital Boston identified the first receptor for the SARS virus. The discovery, led by BWH microbiologist Michael Farzan, PhD, provides scientists with instant information on how to block the virus from infecting cells, fueling further research into potential inhibitors, animal models and vaccines. The Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal and Reuters covered the findings.
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Eva Schernhammer, MD, DrPH, respected Channing associate scientist, presents newest findings on aspirin and pancreatic cancer link at national cancer research meeting.
Eva Schernhammmer, MD, DrPH, presented new cancer data from the Nurses' Health Study at the American Association for Cancer Research 2nd Annual Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Meeting on October 27. Her abstract presentation showed that women who were regular aspirin users over a long duration had a 58 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer. In addition to coverage by The Associated Press, articles appeared in The New York Times, Newsday and the Boston Globe.
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Respected Channing associate scientist, Sunmin Lee, ScD, publishes important research on the relationship of caregiving and heart disease.
In another Nurses' Health Study investigation, Sunmin Lee, ScD, published findings on the relationship between caregiving for grandchildren and a woman's risk of heart disease. The research appeared in the November issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Local television stations WBZ-TV (Channel 4) and WLVI (Channel 56) interviewed Lee along with reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. To read the entire article by Alvin Powell of the Harvard News Office, please click here to go to the Harvard University Gazette News site. The story can be found on the Previous Issues page under the December 4, 2003 archive date.
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Dr. Raphael Dolin remarks on the new NIH Roadmay project
The recent Roadmap from the National Institutes of Health defines a framework for the NIH to follow in making the U.S. system of biomedical research more efficient and productive. Raphael Dolin, dean for academic and clinical programs at HMS, sees the Roadmay as a response to the "explosion of new knowledge, particularly in terms of basic genetic and structural information: how best to link these activities to moving ahead with results that can be applied to patient care and how to do so most efficiently." Dolin describes the Roadmay as an initial step in a complex process that includes providing leadership with an appreciation of multidisciplinary teams with different backgrounds and orientations. It is this team approach that he sees as necessary for transforming the clinical research enterprise.
Dolin believes that improving the training of clinical researchers also is essential. "If we are untimately interested in controlling disease," Dolin said, "we need to consider economics; political issues; and regional, national, and international issues. Clinical research provides an opportunity to take a truly multidisciplinary approach, involving other segments of the University, including the Business School, Kennedy School of Government, and the Law School." The entire text of this article can be found on the Harvard Focus website under Back Issues.
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Channing Laboratory Co-Director, Dr. Frank Speizer, and nationally known Channing scientist, Dr. Walter Willett, share distinguished award from the Association of American Medical Colleges
The Association of American Medical Colleges awarded national honors to two distinguished leaders from HMS and HSPH. Sharing the David E. Rogers Award are Frank Speizer, the Edward H. Kass professor of medicine at HMS, codirector of the Channing Laboratory, and professor of environmental sciences at HSPH; and Walter Willett, HMS professor of medicine, HSPH professor of epidemiology and nutrition, and chairman of the HSPH department of nutrition. The duo is recognized for its collaborative work with the "Nurses' Health Study", the largest and longest running women's health study in the world. The Rogers award is sponsored by the AAMC and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and recognizes a medical faculty member who has made significant contributions to improving health and health care for Americans. * * *
Nationally known authority and Channing associate, JoAnn E. Manson, MD, Dr.PH, addresses new findings on HRT therapy
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Dr. Alison Field, ScD, respected Channing scientist, publishes important dietary research findings
In research published in the October issue of the journal Pediatrics, BWH researcher Alison Field, ScD, documents findings that dieting may actually promote weight gain in children between ages nine and 14. Field appeared on WBZ-TV (Channel 4) and WCVB-TV (Channel 5) and was quoted in Reuters, The Boston Globe and The Wall Street Journal, addressing this important research.
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Distinguished Channing Laboratory scientist, Dr. Walter Willett, again challenges the government's Food Pyramid dietary recommendations
In an article appearing in today's Metro Newspaper, Dr. Walter Willett, nationally known dietary expert and researcher, was quoted by Reuters today regarding the government's food pyramid recommendation, "Looking at some of the recommendations from the department of agriculture gives the idea that they've forgotten that we're feeding people, not horses.". Click here for entire text of article.
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Dr. Elliott Kieff, Channing Co-Director, and Dr. Raphael Dolin, respected Channing Laboratory associate, chosen as project leaders for new Translational Research Center
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has announced that it will base one of five Cooperative Centers for Translational Research on Human Immunology and Biodefense at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, supporting work on a safer smallpox vaccine. Dr. Elliott Kieff, the Harriet Ryan Albee professor of medicine at BWH and Dr. Raphael Dolin, dean for academic and clinical programs at HMS and the Maxwell Finland professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, will join DFCI's Ellis Reinherz, principal investigator of the grant and an HMS professor of medicine; Jerome Ritz, HMS professor of medicine at Dana-Farber; Thomas Kupper, the Thomas B. Fitzpatrick professor of dermatology at the Brigham; and Raymond Welsh, professor of pathology and of molecular genetics and microbiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester as the cooperative center's project leaders. Congratulations on your appointment from all your associates here at the Channing. The entire text of this article can be found on the Harvard Focus website under Back Issues.
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Channing Laboratory Co-Director, Dr. Dennis Kasper, to lead the New England Center on Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (CBEID)
The fellows and staff of Channing Laboratory extend their sincerest congratulations to Co-Director Dr. Dennis Kasper on the news of his appointment. The Department of Health and Human Services has created eight new Regional Centers of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCE) at HMS and seven other institutions, choosing our Co-Director , Dr. Dennis Kasper, professor of microbiology and molecular genetics and the William Ellery Channing professor of medicine at HMS, as the new leader of this important research endeavor. Dr. Kasper will be directing new programs for the development of vaccines and therapeutics for the treatment and prevention of diseases like SARS, anthrax, botulism, and other pathogens. The entire text and accompanying photo can be found on the Harvard Focus website under Back Issues.
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Julia Wang and colleague Gi-Eun Rhie show great success in Anthrax vaccine study
Researchers at HMS and Brigham and Women's Hospital have created a vaccine that delivers a one-two punch to anthrax and could become a powerful defensive weapon against bioterrorism. "It worked like a charm," said Julia Wang, HMS assistant professor of medicine (microbiology and molecular genetics) at Channing Laboratory and BWH, who led the study. "Clearly, there is a need for a better anthrax vaccine. The bivalent vaccine we came up with is likely to be much more effective at protecting against systemic anthrax because it targets both virulence factors of Bacillus anthracis - its toxin and its capsule." The entire text and accompanying photo can be found on the Harvard Focus website under Back Issues. Congratulations to this hard working team of dedicated researchers for a job well done.
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Channing Scientist is among the winners of BWH's Rename the PAT/C contest
Miriam Joy Baron, respected Channing researcher, has been selected as one of the winners in BWH's "Rename the PAT/C" contest launched this spring. Congratulations to all participants and winners. The uniform name selected for the Faulkner's Pre-Admitting Testing and BWH's Pre-Admitting Testing Center is the "BW/F Center for Pre-Operative Evaluation". Click here for full text of article.
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Dr. Dennis Kasper, Co-Director of Channing Laboratory, to assume leadership of the new HMS biological defense initiative program
New Roles Mark Changes in HMS Dean's Office
HMS dean Joseph Martin recently announced several changes in the Dean's Office administration, effective Sept. 1.
Dennis Kasper will step down as HMS executive dean for academic programs and concentrate on leadership of the Channing Laboratory and the new HMS initiative to develop therapeutics and vaccines against biological weapons.
As a result, Raphael Dolin will become HMS dean for academic and clinical programs and assume several of Kasper's responsibilities, including oversight of Faculty Affairs. Dolin will continue to be responsible for hospital relations, clinical programs , clinical research issues, and graduate medical education. He will be assisted by Jules Dienstag, who will become the HMS associate dean for academic and clinical programs. Click here for entire text of article.
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Dr. Richard Platt honored at Excellence in Monitoring Awards ceremony
Channing scientist, Dr. Richard Platt was honored at the 8th Annual Excellence in Mentoring Awards at Harvard Medical School on June 18 for his outstanding success as a mentor to his students. Click here for entire text of article.
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Dr. Richard Platt, distinguished Channing scholar, receives appointment as chair of Ambulatory Care and Prevention Department
Dean Joseph Martin of the Harvard Medical School has announced the appointment of Richard Platt as chair of the Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention. Dr. Platt, also a HMS professor of ambulatory care and prevention at HPHC and professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, has been acting head of the department. Click here for entire text of article. Harvard University's Nancy Kaufman, Department Administrator, Office for Diversity and Community Partnership, has also written a detailed article on the Excellence in Mentoring Awards in Volume XVI September 2003 issue of MENTATIONS. Click here to check if the online version has been posted.
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Channing's Dr. Michael Farzan postulates that receptor mimics may play a role in preventing HIV from getting inside cells
"We think of these antibodies as CCR5 mimics," said Farzan, HMS assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. These antibodies may be subverting a mechanism used by many pathogens to enter cells. The findings appear in the July Cell. Click here for entire text of article.
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Dr. Alberto Ascherio, respected Channing scientist, is lead author of important new study of NIAID and their role in developing Parkinson's disease
Dr. Alberto Ascherio and colleagues from the Harvard School of Public Health have published in the August 2003 issue of The Archives of Neurology the results of the first study of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and their role in reducing the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Data from more than 140,000 men and women participants of the Channing Laboratory based Nurses Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study over the course of 18 years was correlated in this important new study. Click here for entire text of article.
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Dr. Eunyoung Cho, Channing Lab scientist, takes a new approach to breast cancer research
In a study published in the July 16 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Cho's study found that diets high in animal fats - not vegetable fats - may influence a woman's risk of breast cancer. Dr. Cho has illustrated with the study results that a woman may be able to significantly lower her risk for breast cancer by adopting a healthier diet earlier in life. Click here for entire text of article.
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Harvard Forums of Health Series features comments by Channing Laboratory scientist, Dr. Walter Willett
Dr. Walter Willett, long respected for his outspokenness on the subject of American obesity, participated in "The Harvard Forums on Health: Focus on obesity", the first of a series of forums on health systems improvement sponsored by the Harvard University Interfaculty Program on Health Systems Improvement (PHSI). Please visit the Harvard Public Health NOW website, click on the Archived Issues link, and then the June 11 link for the complete story and links to a video of the event.
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Channing Lab's Distinguished Scientist Scott Weiss, M.D., M.S. continues to provide valuable input at the Harvard-Partners Center for Genetics and Genomics
HPCGG Helix
A newsletter of the Harvard-Partners Center for Genetics and Genomics, May-June 2003 Dr. Scott Weiss was among several members of the HPCGG who recently spoke at the Harvard Medical School Department of Education program on "Genomics and Genetic Epidemiology: General Principles and Applications to Disease Studies" at the Genetics and Genetic Epidemiology Conference, co-sponsored by BIDMC, HPCGG and the CardioGenomics PGA. The discussions centered on how research in these areas can apply to heart, lung, blood, and metabolic/endocrine disorders.
Dr. Weiss, along with colleague Isaac Kohane, M.D., M.S., head up the Bioinformatics section of the HPCGG team, helping to establish an informatics foundation for the Center and developing a Web-based system to automate laboratory workflow. This new system will provide a greatly enhanced infrastucture for future informatics needs.
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Saying Goodbye to Long-Time BWHer Keith Marcotte
On June 30, BWH bid a fond farewell to Vice President of Research Administration, Keith Marcotte, as he begins his retirement. Describing his length of time at BWH as "a third of a century," Marcotte has been with the hospital since 1970. Marcotte began as a file clerk at the Robert Brigham Hospital, holding various grants and contracts-related positions during his tenure with the organization. He ultimately achieved his current position in 1987. "Research Administration is the first and foremost a service department," said Marcotte. "During my time at BWH, I have been fortunate to work with great staff and dedicated researchers. It's truly been a memorable and fulfilling experience." On June 9th, Channing Laboratory hosted a gala reception for Keith, attended by staff, fellows, and well-wishers, in recognition of the years of service and guidance he has provided to the Lab. Best of luck, Keith!! Have a wonderful retirement! * * *
BWH 2003 SERVICE AWARDS The Channing Laboratory offers sincere congratulations to the following Channing employees for their years of service to BWH, recognized at the annual Service Award Program ceremony held June 12, 2003 at the Cabot Atrium, Brigham & Women's Hospital: * * *
CHANNING SCIENTIST HONORED BY HARVARD UNIVERSITY Channing Laboratory extends its heartiest congratulations to Channing Faculty Member Dr. Gerald Pier on the 25th anniversary of his service to Harvard University. At The 49th Annual 25 Year Recognition Ceremony held Thursday, May 29th, in the Ropes-Gray Room, Pound Hall, Harvard Law School, Harvard President Dr. Lawrence H. Summers hosted a gala gathering of over 150 honorees, many of whom are familiar names to those of us here in the Longwood research community. Again, Dr. Pier, congratulations from all your many friends and colleagues here at The Channing.
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THREE RESPECTED CHANNING LAB SCIENTISTS HELP CREATE NEW OBESITY WORKSHOP
Workshop First Stage in Crafting Messages on Risks of Being Obese or Overweight One of the most challenging puzzles in public health is figuring out how to translate research findings into behavior changes. Look at the evidence linking weight gain and obesity to major chronic diseases. Extra weight increases risk of several cancers, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and more. Yet, look at people's waistlines. They're growing--adults and children, rich and poor, men and women, all racial and ethnic groups, all regions of the country.
"The two most important things people can do for their health is: not smoke and control their weight," said Walter Willett, chair of the Department of Nutrition, who moderated a workshop on understanding and communicating the connection between extra weight and chronic disease held at the Longwood Galleria Conference Center on April 16.
Graham Colditz, director for education at the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention, focused on the US problem of obesity. He described the link between chronic disease risk and increased adiposity, or fatness.
Research on diets has confused matters, said Frank Sacks, professor of cardiovascular disease prevention in the Department of Nutrition. Typically, diet studies suffer from short duration, bad design, and small samples, he said.
"Low-fat is the dominant paradigm in the nutrition world," Sacks said. "Researchers are shocked to see evidence that low-fat diets may not be as good as people thought, and that diets moderate in fat and high in protein might be beneficial." Click here for entire text of article.
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Harvard National Health Care Series to Kick Off at HSPH A new series on critical health care issues sponsored by Harvard University to be held across the country over the next year will kick off at HSPH on Wednesday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Harvard Forums on Health will begin by focusing on the obesity epidemic.
Columnist and Kennedy School of Government professor David Gergen will moderate the forum, which will feature the release of new reuslts from a national public opinion poll on perceptions toward obesity and policies to address it. Panelists will include Walter Willett, chair of the Department of Nutricion at HSPH; Rep. Sean Faircloth of the Maine House of Representatives; William Caplan, head of Kaiser Permanente's Care Management Institute; and Subway restaurant spokesman Jared Fogle.
The forum is free and is co-sponsored by the Harvard Interfaculty Program on Health Systems Improvement, Health Affairs, and the New America Foundation.
To attend, contact Eliza Brinkmeyer at ebrinkmeyer@burnesscommunications.com. * * *
Project Success Reunion Dinner On January 6, 2003, over 25 Project Success alumni/ae, mentors and program supporters brought in the New Year at the annual Project Success Alumni Reunion Dinner held in the Faculty Room of Gordon Hall at Harvard Medical School (HMS). Project Success: Opening the Door to Biomedical Careers is the Minority Faculty Development Program's (MFDP) eight-week summer research program for high school students residing in either Boston or Cambridge. Throught Project Success, approximately 15 students are matched with an HMS faculty advisor for a hands-on, mentored, paid, research experience each summer.
Jean Lee, Ph. D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Channing Laboratory, and a devoted advisor to Project Success students during the past eight years, spoke about the young researchers with whom she has worked every summer since 1995. Thank you Dr. Lee! The dinner culminated with a slide show of pictures from the past ten summers, featuring many participants and their advisors. Click here for entire text of article.
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First Harvard Symposium on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Research in the United States On January 6, 2003, over 25 Project Success alumni/ae, mentors and program supporters brought in the New Year at the annual Project Success Alumni Reunion Dinner held in the Faculty Room of Gordon Hall at Harvard Medical School (HMS). The first Symposium of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Research in the U.S. ever to be held at Harvard brought together more than 200 people at the Harvard School of Public Health on Friday April 11. In fact, an additional 50 people who could not be seated in the Snyder Auditorium, which was filled to capacity, were accommadated in an adjacent room.
The first panel, Health Disparities Research: What We Know, involved a moderator, Carlotta M. Arthur, Ph. D., of HSPH, and two presenters: Ichiro Kawachi, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Health and Social Behavior at HSPH and Director of the Harvard Center for Society and Health, and Thomas LaVeist, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management and Director of the Center for Health Disparities Solutions at Johns Hopkins University. This discussion was followed by comments and questions from the large audience. Click here for entire text of article.
Channing Laboratory, in its position as one of the pre-eminent research laboratories in the country, is pleased to be associated with Dr. Raphael Dolin, Maxwell Finland Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and his tireless struggle to develop an effective vaccine against AIDS. * * *
New AIDS vaccine tested in U.S., Africa Tests of a new vacine against the virus that causes AIDS are being launched simultaneously in the United States and southern Africa. It is the first time that such a test will be conducted in the United States and Africa at the same time.
"In the past, we have tested the safety of drugs and vaccines in this country before beginning trials in other places,"" says Max Essex, Given Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Harvard School of Public Health. "That involves a delay of a year and a half, something we want to eliminate."
"This vaccine approach is very promising," says Ray Dolin, Maxwell Finland Professor of Medicine and principal investigator of the Harvard HIV Vaccine Unit. "The vaccine is relatively easy to make and very stable. If it proves safe and gives us a good immune response, we can procedd to test its efficiency in large numbers of people, including those who are at high risk of HIV infection." Click here for entire text of article.
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Link Strengthened Between MS and Epstein-Barr Antibodies to Epstein-Barr elevated Several Years Before MS Onset For Alberto Ascherio, who studies the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in relation to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the most compelling evidence that EBV has an association with MS lies in those who are uninfected. "Something like 95 percent of us are infected with EBV, but what about the remaining 5 percent? Their risk of MS is one thirteenth that of those who are EBV-positive. They are virtually resistant."
Because there are so few people who are uninfected with the virus, this conclusion has been difficult to prove. Ascherio, an associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH and an HMS associate professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, reached it through a meta-analysis of studies of 100 or so patients, which translates into only a few uninfected persons per study. Statistical significance in any one study was difficult to achieve, but collectively the results were highly significant. To learn more about Epstein-Barr and MS, Ascherio turned to antibody titers, and in the March 26 Journal of the American Medical Association, he and colleagues at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research report the results of their study, that antibodies to EBV are elevated in MS patients even several years before the visible onset of the disease. Click here for entire text of article.
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Generous Portions of TV Make Women Fat, Raise Risk of Diabetes No one in her right mind would associate a lot of TV watching with a healthy lifestyle. Now a new study of more than 50,000 women over a period of six years backs common sense with scientific support.
The first study to compare the effects of inactivity on obesity and diabetes concludes that being a couch potato significantly raises the risk of both diseases.
"Our data provide strong evidence that sedentary behaviors, especially prolonged TV watching, are directly related to the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes," reports Frank Hu, leader of a team from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Medical School that did the research. "In contrast, even light to moderate activity, such as walking and housework, substantially lowers the risk." Click here for entire text of article.
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Database on Alert for Outbreaks If bioterrorists attack a site in Greater Boston, state health officials say they can know about it early, via a computerized tracking system that identifies outbreaks of disease.
The data base can show unexpected spikes in the number of people reporting seemingly mundane cold symptoms, which are often the ways that bioterror agents first manifest themselves. The data potentially give public health workers several days' jump in identifying possible attacks and in designing treatments and responses, said Dr. Richard Platt of Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, who helped design the system, which has become a national model. Click Here for Entire Text of Article.
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BWH Communicates Smallpox Vaccination Plan BWH is working daily to inform and educate its staff about measures and precautions that are part of the hospital's plans to meet the challenges of the federal smallpox vaccination program.
BWH's first information session, open to all interested staff, took place on Wednesday. The session was led by Richard Zane, MD, vice chairman of Emergency Medicine and medical director for Emergency Preparedness and Biodefense; Deborah Yokoe, MD, associate BWH epidemiologist, Infectious Disease; and Marlene Freely, RN, NP, director, Occupational Health Services. More than 100 employees gathered to obtain information about the nation's plan to immunize approximately 100 to 150 health care workers at each hospital in Massachusetts. Several important issues associated with the vaccination program were discussed, including vaccination rationale and strategies, the potential side effects and contraindications for vaccinations.
"BWH's role in the implementation of this federal program is a way for us as health care workers to help the fight against bioterrorism," said Zane.
BWH will hold its next informational session on the smallpox vaccination program on Monday, March 24 at 7:30 a.m. in the Bronstein Family Amphitheater.
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B Vitamins May Help Prevent Breast Cancer Building on preliminary data, researchers at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have documented that high folate (vitamin B-9) and vitamin B-6 levels may improve a woman's chances of preventing breast cancer. Additionally, researchers observed that adequate folate levels may be particularly important for women who are at higher risk of breast cancer due to higher alcohol consumption. The new findings are the latest results from the landmark BWH-based Nurses Health Study, and appear in the March 5 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
"The benefits of folic acid in reducing birth defects and cardiovascular disease have been well established; however, its protective impact on breast cancer has been less clear," said Shumin Zhang of BWH and the School of Public Health. "The findings from this large study suggest more precisely that by ensuring adequate levels of folate and vitamin B-6 - by consuming foods rich in these nutrients and taking vitamin supplements - a woman's risk of breast cancer may be reduced." Click Here for Entire Text of Article.
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Responding to Bioterror Threat
N.E. medical centers vie for US treatment, vaccine study grants
The Harvard teaching hospitals and New England's medical schools have requested $4 million to $6 million from the federal government to open a regional biodefense research and teaching center, part of a widespreadeffort by the medical community to capture fast-growing dollars to fight bioterrorism. The Harvard group, which submitted its request last month, wants to establish a regional laboratory located in Boston's Longwood Medical and Academic area that would pay for individual projects to develop vaccines and treatments against agents of bioterrorism. "We have a lot of scientific talent that can readily perform the kinds of studies that need to be done," said Dr. Dennis Kasper, executive dean for academic programs at Harvard Medical School, who led the proposal. "The time frame until we actually see something for the public is hard to know. We hope to have some useful products coming out within two years. But we still need to figure out who will make them, who will accept liability, and how we'll test them." Kasper expects a decision by summer, but competition is fierce. Click here to read the entire text of this article.
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