The first month of 2026 is officially in the books... how are everyone’s New Year’s resolutions going so far? Some of my resolutions were to get more fresh air, make progress on my French learning journey and take up at least one niche hobby (if you also watched that viral birdwatching documentary this past summer, you’ll understand the urge).
While I haven’t made any big leaps yet in my personal growth, I’ve been celebrating small wins, which is really all we can expect of ourselves at this time of year when it's so cold, dark and gray. But we’re on the other side of Blue Monday—the third Monday of January that’s supposedly the bleakest day of the year—so it’s all sunnier from here!
While the myth of Blue Monday may not be scientifically validated, I’m here to share lots of research findings that are. So, if any of the following are on your resolutions list...
- Learn something new every day
- Follow trends in cutting-edge science
- Engage with the MGB research community
... then cozy up and keep reading, because you’re about to hit some goals. 
— Sincerely, your research comms specialist who lives for a fresh start each year, even if it’s just an arbitrary date on the calendar, Katie Grant
Science in the News
Patients Struggle to Measure Blood Pressure at Home
A new Mass General Brigham study found that despite guideline recommendations and improved access to care, individuals with hypertension are unlikely to measure their blood pressure at home as often as recommended
The researchers found that even with free blood pressure devices, education, and personalized support, one-third of patients in an at-home hypertension management program could not complete the required weekly readings.
New strategies may be needed to help clinicians collect the information they need to help patients better manage their blood pressure over time.
“A single blood pressure reading in the doctor’s office can be misleading,” said senior author Naomi Fisher, MD. “Stress, recent physical activity, or anxiety during a visit can artificially elevate readings. By collecting multiple measurements per day at home over several days, we gain a far more accurate picture of a patient’s true blood pressure and can tailor treatment more effectively.” Read more.
New Study Identifies Signature in Blood to Better Predict Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Diabetes is on the rise worldwide, and over 90 percent of cases are type 2 diabetes, in which the body does not effectively respond to insulin.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham and Albert Einstein College of Medicine identified metabolites (small molecules found in blood generated through metabolism) that are associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
The researchers revealed genetic and lifestyle factors that may influence these metabolites. They also developed a metabolomic signature that predicts future risk of type 2 diabetes beyond traditional risk factors.
“Interestingly, we found that diet and lifestyle factors may have a stronger influence on metabolites linked to type 2 diabetes than on metabolites not associated with the disease,” said first and co-corresponding author Jun Li, MD, PhD.
The collaborative research team plans to continue investigating why people develop diabetes through different biological pathways, with the goal of helping develop more targeted prevention strategies for individuals at high risk. Read more.
Adverse Prenatal Exposures Linked to Higher Rates of Mental Health Issues, Brain Changes in Adolescents
Mass General Brigham investigators found children with more adverse prenatal exposures (APEs) showed higher rates of behavior problems that persisted into mid-adolescence, faster cortical thinning across multiple brain regions, and more depressive symptoms than children with fewer APEs
The team looked at six APEs, including unplanned pregnancy, maternal use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana before pregnancy was identified, and medical complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
Researchers acknowledge that this study can’t predict which specific children will develop mental health problems. Many factors during childhood—not just during pregnancy—can affect teen brain development. But the findings were strong, such that children with three or more APEs exhibited a nearly seven-fold increase in risk for clinically significant symptoms in adolescence, which could help in identifying those who would benefit from treatment.
“Early intervention is the key, which is why knowledge is so valuable. Knowing what could be risk factors is important in routine care—not only prenatal care but also pediatric screening and intervention, when necessary,” said author Jodi Gilman, PhD. Read more.
And while you were topping off your hot chocolate with even more mini marshmallows...
Taking crucial mental health services to the streets
Katherine Koh, MD, MSc, an investigator in the Department of Psychiatry at Mass General Brigham, is the co-author of a new paper detailing a clinical approach to street psychiatry, a component of street medicine that seeks to provide mental health services to individuals experiencing homelessness by delivering that care during regular street rounds. Read more.
What do the next 12 months hold in store for science and medicine?
We asked leading researchers at Mass General Brigham to share their insights on where their fields could go in 2026. Read more.
Cozy Dog of the Month
Willow Grant, Snow Immersion Specialist
As a half Australian Shepherd, half Bernese Mountain Dog, Willow was absolutely unfazed by the Blizzard of ’26 and had herself a certified Snow Day™.
So don’t let her expression and overall “sad, wet dog” demeanor fool you—she was happier than any of us (although I would be, too, if I had zero shoveling responsibility).
Past Prescriptions
This month, we're taking a trip back to January 1954. On the national front, actress Marilyn Monroe was making headlines in the social pages with her marriage to Yankee outfielder (and future Hall of Famer) Joe DiMaggio. Winter weather was also making the news when the coldest temperature ever in the contiguous United States, -69.7 °F (-56.5 °C), was recorded in Rogers Pass, Montana.
At Massachusetts General Hospital, staff members were grappling with a problem that will seem all too familiar to anyone trying to navigate with the snowbound streets of Boston and beyond this week: A shortage of parking.
An article in the January 1954 editing of the MGH World gently reminded the hospital staff that the parking shortage won’t be eased by grumbling about it.
“Unfortunately, there are more people who would like to park their cars on the grounds than there are facilities in which to accommodate them,” the author writes. “The problem arising from this situation is great, and one to which there is no visible solution that will satisfy everyone.”
“It is too optimistic to hope that the situation will be alleviated in the near future—particularly when statistics show an increase in the number of car owners. It is only fair that those who have the greatest need have the use of our limited areas. Let’s grin and bear it.”
Before you go...here are some of the Mass General Brigham community's top picks
Current podcast: Plain English with Derek Thompson — Brandon Chase, External Communications, Mass General Brigham
Favorite food: Union Square donuts — Aswita Tan-McGrory, Mass General Brigham
Favorite cold-weather travel destination: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Edita Music, External Communications, Mass General Brigham
Current binge watch: Stranger Things — Joshua Gershlak, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital
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