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2020 Research Highlights - Promising Medical Findings
NIH findings with potential for enhancing human health include new approaches to COVID-19, a universal mosquito vaccine, and advances in restoring vis...
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2020 Research Highlights - Human Health Advances
NIH accomplishments in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment include COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, better diagnosis of prostate cancer, and...
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2020 Research Highlights - Basic Research Insights
Noteworthy NIH advances in basic research include progress in understanding SARS-CoV-2, discovery of an exercise-induced protein that generates new br...
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August 31, 2021 Edition
Early treatment with convalescent plasma for COVID-19 doesn't show benefit
Convalescent plasma did not prevent COVID-19 from worsening when given to high-risk patients within the first week of their symptoms.
How fructose may contribute to obesity and cancer
Researchers gained insights that may explain the links between high fructose consumption, obesity, and certain cancers.
Some brain functions may improve with age
Computer tests of attention and the ability to focus revealed that older adults actually improved in two of three key brain functions, at least until their mid-to-late 70s.
August 24, 2021 Edition
Monoclonal antibody prevents malaria in early trial
A monoclonal antibody prevented malaria in people for up to 36 weeks in a Phase 1 clinical trial.
Highly processed foods form bulk of U.S. youths' diets
Highly processed foods accounted for two-thirds of the calories consumed by youth in the U.S. in 2018, researchers found.
Vaccines prevented up to 140,000 COVID-19 deaths in U.S.
A study estimated that COVID-19 vaccinations prevented nearly 140,000 deaths in the U.S. by May 2021.
August 10, 2021 Edition
Detergent-like protein kills bacteria in human cells
Researchers identified a protein that acts like a detergent to kill bacteria that get inside human cells.
Cellular defect found in inherited and sporadic ALS
Findings in lab-grown neurons derived from people with ALS suggested a strategy to treat both inherited and sporadic ALS.
Intranasal COVID-19 vaccine effective in animal studies
A nasal spray of a COVID-19 vaccine protected hamsters and monkeys against serious disease and reduced the amount of virus in the nose.
July 27, 2021 Edition
High-dose buprenorphine for opioid withdrawal
High-dose buprenorphine treatment of opioid withdrawal in an emergency department appeared safe and provided symptom relief within a few hours.
Gene therapy restores missing enzyme in rare childhood disease
A small study found that gene therapy delivered into the brain was safe and beneficial in treating a debilitating neurological disease.
Device allows paralyzed man to communicate with words
Researchers developed a device to decode brain activity into words, allowing a person with paralysis to communicate in complete sentences.
July 20, 2021 Edition
Diet may affect risk of sudden cardiac death
A study found that a diet high in added fats, fried foods, processed meats, and sugary drinks was associated with a greater risk of sudden cardiac death, while a Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk.
Experimental vaccine protects against multiple coronaviruses
By combining parts of spike proteins from different coronaviruses, researchers developed an mRNA vaccine that protected mice against a range of coronaviruses.
Immune boost fights antibiotic-resistant infections in mice
In studies in mice, a drug boosted the natural ability of the immune system to fight off antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
July 13, 2021 Edition
Few are prescribed medications to treat alcohol problems
Medications to treat alcohol use disorder, although effective, are only being used to treat 1.6% of people with the disorder, according to a new study.
Malaria vaccines provide strong and lasting immunity
Researchers developed a malaria vaccination strategy that provided broad, long-lasting protection in controlled clinical trials.
Making a wireless, biodegradable pacemaker
Researchers developed a temporary pacemaker that is powered wirelessly and breaks down harmlessly in the body after use.
June 29, 2021 Edition
Diabetes control worsened over the past decade
A study found that control over blood sugar and blood pressure has declined among people with diabetes after years of progress.
Single-shot COVID-19 vaccine produces immune response against variants
The immune response to the single-shot Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine remained robust against variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Testing a blood biomarker for neurodegeneration
A biomarker in blood could identify the presence of neurodegeneration in people with cognitive impairment.
June 15, 2021 Edition
How short breaks help the brain learn new skills
Researchers discovered that the awake resting brain repeatedly replays compressed memories of a new skill being learned.
Potential oral treatment for COVID-19 identified
Researchers found that a drug called TEMPOL can shut down a key enzyme that the SARS-CoV-2 virus needs to copy itself.
Fixing the sickle cell disease gene
Researchers treated sickle cell disease in mice by directly editing the defective hemoglobin gene that causes the disease.
June 8, 2021 Edition
Study reveals brain cells that sustain or suppress fearful memories
Researchers identified clusters of brain cells that compete to promote either the persistence or disappearance of fearful memories.
How COVID-19 variants evade immune response
Research revealed how certain mutations in circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants allow the virus to avoid neutralization by many antibodies.
Rehab program helps frail older adults with heart failure
Older, frail adults with heart failure who participated in a personalized physical rehab program improved their endurance, strength, balance, and quality of life.