UMass Medical School

The cost of doing business in Massachusetts is oft-lamented, and apparently, the field of medicine is not immune. That's according to the results of the annual Physician Practice Environment Index (PPEI) published last week by the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS). While the Massachusetts PPEI has experienced an upward trend since a low point in 2010, in 2015, it continues to lag the U.S. index — and the delta appears to be widening.

Maintaining work-life balance is challenging for any parent, but for those who have children with autism, the problem is compounded. Speakers featured at the second annual Central Massachusetts Autism Summit held at Assumption College Tuesday morning provided insight into the myriad obstacles parents face. Often, children with autism have other health conditions that add to their needs, from psychiatric diagnoses to allergies and gastrointestinal disorders, according to a presentation by Dr. Jean Frazier, director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Medical School in Worcester.

The growth of the life sciences industry in Massachusetts is unmistakable, and serves as an affirmation of the Bay State's stature as a center for innovation. The 10-year, $1 billion public funding commitment made by former governor Deval Patrick in 2008 set the bar high and created a sustained focus on this key industry sector.

As everyone knows by now, opioid drugs are part of a huge crisis in Central Massachusetts and across the country. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health estimates that more than 1,000 people died from opioid overdoses in the state last year, a 33-percent increase from 2012.

Two groups of scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have each received $1 million in grant money raised during last summer's viral Ice Bucket Challenge campaign, funds that will support ALS research projects that the school's chancellor on Wednesday called "pivotal work."

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School has been awarded a contract to provide a system that manages online training programs for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the medical school announced.

Cambridge-based biopharmaceutical company Enumeral Biomedical Holdings has announced a research study agreement with the University of Massachusetts Medical School to aid the company in developing new cancer therapies.

Central Massachusetts, especially Worcester, is home to a number of nonprofits and other tax-exempt organizations. Last year, more than 30 percent of all land in the city was tax exempt.

A University of Massachusetts Medical School study measuring the usefulness of Google Glass in emergency room toxicology consults is adding to speculation that the wearable device may be a good fit for the health care industry.

The Clinical Pharmacy Services division of UMass Medical School will partner with a major contracting and service organization to provide guidance on the company's clinical software platform for specialty pharmacists, the medical school announced Tuesday.