A Tufts University student, Roder Atwood, was charged with assaulting a police officer and other offenses after a violent pro-Palestinian protest in Boston, resulting in his bail set at $10,000 and multiple arrests. The protest turned violent when demonstrators blocked traffic and attacked police, leading to injuries among officers. The incident has prompted condemnation from city officials and ongoing legal proceedings.
Tufts scientists have developed a novel 4-in-1 drug that targets four hormone receptors to improve weight loss efficacy and reduce side effects, potentially rivaling bariatric surgery outcomes and addressing related health conditions.
Researchers from Tufts University have developed a bioengineered dental implant that not only fills the gap but also reconnects with nerves to restore sensory feedback, mimicking real teeth. The implant uses stem cells and growth proteins within a biodegradable coating, and is installed via a less invasive press-fit method, showing promising results in rats. This innovation could significantly improve dental restoration by restoring natural sensation and function, with future plans for larger animal trials and human clinical trials.
Scientists at Tufts University are intensively studying wildlife to track the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has recently infected a farm worker in Michigan. The lab tests a wide range of animal samples to monitor the virus's evolution and potential to infect humans. The CDC has heightened flu monitoring efforts, and a new dashboard tracks Influenza A viruses in wastewater. The Tufts lab is part of a national network focused on influenza research, and their continuous work helps identify patterns and mutations, such as the concerning PB2 E627K mutation found in both animals and a human case in Texas.
Three colleges in Massachusetts, including Wellesley College, Boston University, and Tufts University, will now cost more than $90,000 a year for undergraduates, encompassing tuition, housing, and other expenses, prompting families to consider alternative options such as in-state community colleges and scholarship programs, as college prices continue to trend upwards. Paul Karger, co-founder of TwinFocus, advises setting up a 529 college savings account early and suggests asking for tuition contributions instead of holiday gifts from family members.
A new study from Tufts University suggests that consuming plant-based proteins, including bread, pasta, mashed potatoes, and even pizza, is linked to better health in later years, reducing the risk of conditions like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The study, based on 48,000 women over 32 years, found that a diet rich in plant-based proteins was more beneficial than one high in animal-based proteins. However, the study has limitations and the findings are relative, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet and moderation.
A student group at Tufts University, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), has faced criticism for applauding the "creativity" of Hamas in carrying out atrocities, including the murder of babies. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Tufts spokesperson condemned the group's comments, emphasizing that no student group speaks for the university. A similar controversy has unfolded at Harvard University, where a student group blamed Israel for the bloodshed, leading to criticism from former Harvard President Larry Summers. Harvard's President Claudine Gay eventually condemned Hamas's terrorist actions and emphasized that no student group speaks for the university. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in numerous casualties and is expected to escalate.
A woman in her 20s was assaulted during an evening walk near Tufts University in Medford. The victim reported being followed by a man before he grabbed and struck her multiple times. She fought back and screamed, causing the suspect to flee. The woman suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. Police are seeking surveillance footage from residents and businesses in the area and have described the suspect as a man between 18 and 30 years old. They are urging residents to remain vigilant and provide any relevant information to the Medford Police Detective Division.
Researchers at MIT and Tufts University have developed a new AI model called ConPLex that can screen over 100 million compounds in a single day, vastly accelerating drug discovery by predicting drug-protein interactions without the need to calculate the molecules’ structures. The model could significantly reduce drug development failure rates and costs. By applying a language model to protein-drug interactions, researchers can quickly screen large libraries of potential drug compounds. The researchers have made their model available online for other scientists to use.
