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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Science & Tech
What happened when a meteorite the size of four Mount Everests hit Earth?
Giant impact had silver lining for life, according to new study
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Science & Tech
Big discovery about microscopic ‘water bears’
Bit of happenstance, second look at ancient fossils leads to new insights into evolution of tardigrade, one of most indestructible life forms on planet
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Work & Economy
Millions of workers are also juggling caregiving. Employers need to rethink.
Business School report finds rigid hiring policies, work rules, scheduling hurt employees but also productivity, retention, bottom line
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Science & Tech
Blue, green, gold: Why eyes of wild cats vary in color
Study traces iris diversity to gray-eyed ancestor
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Health
Falls put older adults at increased risk of Alzheimer’s
Researchers found dementia more frequently diagnosed within one year of a fall, compared to other types of injuries
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Can good sleep help prevent diabetes?
Study links irregular sleep patterns with higher disease risk
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Between bright light and a good mood, plenty of sleep
Researchers outline path to lower risk of depression
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The answer to your search may depend on where you live
Researchers find ‘language bias’ in various site algorithms, raising concerns about fallout for social divisions among nations
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You won’t even know you’re exercising, but your body will
Real surfing is better than channel surfing, says research focused on healthy aging. But housework is better than nothing.
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What’s another word for ‘neuronal map-maker’?
Researchers discover microscopic ‘brain thesaurus’ that lets neurons derive meaning from spoken words
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Alzheimer’s study finds diet, lifestyle changes yield improvements
Can diet and lifestyle reverse early Alzheimer’s? A pilot study raises hopes.
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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