Harvard Gazette

80-year Harvard study has been showing how to live a healthy and happy life

For nearly 80 years, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has been producing data and lessons on how to live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

Meditation study shows changes associated with awareness, stress (2011)

Harvard researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital find that participating in an eight-week mindfulness meditation program appears to make measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy, and stress.

Vaccines should end the pandemic, despite the variants, say experts

Can the current crop of vaccines get us to herd immunity even if variants become widespread? A Harvard immunologist says yes.

Coronavirus outbreak likely now ‘gathering steam’

Harvard’s Marc Lipsitch said evidence indicates that the international cordon keeping coronavirus cases bottled up in China is a leaky one, and it’s likely that the relative handful of global cases reported so far are undercounted. If true, that will lead to widespread illness internationally, including in the U.S.

Exercise, fasting shown to help cells shed defective proteins

A new study from the Blavatnik Institute finds that intense exercise and fasting activate hormones that boost cells’ capacity to dispose of defective proteins, which clog up the cell, interfere with its functions, and, over time, precipitate diseases including neurodegenerative conditions such as ALS and Alzheimer’s.

Critical step found in DNA repair, cellular aging (2017)

The body’s ability to repair DNA damage declines with age, which causes gradual cell demise, overall bodily degeneration, and greater susceptibility to cancer. Experiments in mice suggest a way to thwart DNA damage.

Before cancer kills, it cheats

Evolutionary biologist Athena Aktipis of Arizona State University delivered a lecture titled “Why Cancer is Everywhere” at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

The first autonomous, entirely soft robot

Developed by a team of Harvard researchers, the first autonomous, entirely soft robot is powered by a chemical reaction controlled by microfluidics. The 3-D-printed “octobot” has no electronics.

Making math more Lego-like

A trio of Harvard researchers has developed a new 3-D pictorial language for mathematics with potential as a tool across a wide spectrum, from pure math to physics.

Vitamin D supplements lower risk of autoimmune disease, researchers say

A new study finds vitamin D supplements with or without omega-3s decreased the risk of autoimmune diseases by 22 percent compared to placebo.

When starting school, younger children are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD

A Harvard study has found that children born in August in states with a Sept. 1 cutoff birth date for school enrollment have a 30 percent higher risk for ADHD diagnosis than peers born in September, which may reflect overdiagnosis.

Did fermented foods fuel brain growth?

Researchers hypothesize it’s fermentation, not fire, that’s behind our ancestors’ increasing brain size.

How to prevent Lyme disease this summer

The risk of Lyme disease has increased due to climate change and warmer temperature. A rheumatologist offers advice on how to best avoid ticks while going outdoors.

Giant leap against Diabetes

Harvard stem cell researchers announced a giant leap forward in the quest to find a truly effective treatment for type 1 diabetes, a disease that affects an estimated 3 million Americans.

Toxic fluorinated compounds found in drinking water of 33 states

A Harvard Chan School study has found that drinking-water samples near industrial sites, military fire-training areas, and wastewater-treatment plants have the highest levels of fluorinated compounds, which have been linked with cancer, hormone disruption, high cholesterol, and obesity.

Turns out lowly thymus may be saving your life

Study suggests the organ plays a vital role in immune health, particularly cancer prevention.

Light slowed down to 38 mph

Links between coffee and health

Research at Harvard and elsewhere has repeatedly tied coffee consumption to health benefits.

Chemical flavorings found in e-cigarettes linked to lung disease

A Harvard study links chemicals used in flavored electronic cigarettes to cases of severe respiratory disease.

Longevity and anti-aging research: ‘Prime time for an impact on the globe’

Research into extending humanity’s healthy lifespan has been progressing rapidly in recent years. In February, a group of aging and longevity scientists founded a nonprofit to foster the work and serve as a resource for governments and businesses looking to understand the potentially far-reaching implications of a…

Biologist E.O. Wilson suggests ‘moon shot’ conservation effort

Biologist E.O. Wilson suggests conserving half of the Earth to save species. He and former National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis discuss how to do that.

Medication errors found in half of surgeries

The first study to measure the incidence of medication errors and adverse drug events during the perioperative period has found that some sort of mistake or adverse event occurred in every second operation and in 5 percent of observed drug administrations, according to information gathered from 275 operations at…

New study finds 45,000 deaths annually linked to lack of health coverage

Nearly 45,000 annual deaths are associated with lack of health insurance, according to a new study published online today by the American Journal of Public Health. That figure is about…