Welcome to Benchmarks, your weekly dose of news and notes from the Mass General Research Institute.
With over 9,500 researchers working across 30+ departments, centers and institutes here at the hospital, there's more research news than we can cover each week.
Here are a few highlights.
Research in the News
Stigmatizing Language on Liver Transplant Websites May Be a Barrier to Patient Care
Could a kinder, gentler approach help to improve care for potential liver transplant patients?
That was the question investigated by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, who found the vast majority of liver transplant centers in the United States use language on their websites that can be considered stigmatizing.
This includes terms such as “alcoholism,” “alcoholic,” and “alcohol abuse," which could potentially hinder care and dissuade patients from seeking treatment.
The researchers called for a large-scale awareness and education campaign that encourages language in patient-facing materials that is more sensitive and non-stigmatizing. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
MGH Research Institute Award Winners Highlighted in the Harvard Gazette
Check out this elegantly worded recap of the 2023 MGRI Image Awards Gala (and interview with Sue Slaugenhaupt, PhD, MGRI Scientific Director) from Harvard Gazette writer Alvin Powell.
Albert Einstein believed that mystery was the most beautiful experience humans could have. “It is the source of all true art and science,” he said.
But while scientists routinely probe nature’s mysteries, only rarely do they breach the divide into the world of art.
The Mass General Research Institute — home to more than 8,500 research scientists — is working to open a doorway between the two, hosting an annual contest to highlight outstanding scientific images. Read more.
Tweets of the Week
From @theNASciences - Excellent set of lectures for those interested in learning more about adult #ADHD. Few MDs receive training, despite increasing number of adults seeking treatment. #PsychTwitter https://t.co/3W9L3QsFCe
— MGH Psychiatry (@MGHPsychiatry) February 9, 2024
One of our most distinguished alums and current faculty members! @WTCNeuroscience https://t.co/o9zk3IODnN
— MGH Neurosurgery (@MGHNeurosurg) February 9, 2024
If you want to see a top talent in action, please join @FaithCRobertson, one of the outstanding senior residents @MGHNeurosurg on March 6th as below. Dr. Robertson is a top surgeon, and a leader in championing a data forward culture of quality in our department and beyond. https://t.co/Pl9C83bkvh
— Bob Carter MD PhD (@BobCarterMD) February 8, 2024
For the 12th consecutive year, the @mgh_transplant Center has annually saved more lives through organ transplantation than any hospital in New England while maintaining excellent patient outcomes and continuing to advance science. pic.twitter.com/G08Bww83Gi
— MassGeneral News (@MassGeneralNews) February 8, 2024
This Week in Mass General History
A Negative Home Atmosphere Can Impact Nutritional Health in Children
Feb 6, 1953 (New York Times)—A summary of recent findings related to food habits and emotional health in children highlights a study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital that examined 100 children with stunted growth between the ages of 2 ½ and 15 years old.
The researchers found that only half of the children had physical causes for their condition. In the other cases, the stunted growth was due to emotional and nutritional causes, the team found. Parental divorce and its aftermath was a key contributor to emotional distress in this group.
Researchers Develop a Better Method for Predicting Patient Outcomes After Severe Burns
Feb 10, 1998 (New York Times)—The risk of death after severe burns increases sharply if the patient has burns covering 40% or more of their body, is older than 60 and has inhaled enough smoke to have soot appear below their vocal cords, according to a team of researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the Shriners Burns Institute.
When all three risks are present, the chance of dying is 90%.
Patients with two of the three risk factors have a 67% of dying, while patients with only one of the three risk factors have only a 3% chance of dying, according to the researchers.
About the Mass General Research Institute
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital is interwoven through more than 30 different departments, centers and institutes. Our research includes fundamental, lab-based science; clinical trials to test new drugs, devices and diagnostic tools; and community and population-based research to improve health outcomes across populations and eliminate disparities in care.
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