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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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December 8, 2020 Edition
Understanding "exceptional responders" to cancer treatment
Molecular changes in the tumors of patients who are exceptional responders to cancer treatments may suggest personalized treatment approaches for cancer patients.
Molecule guides stem cells to damaged brain tissue
Scientists altered a molecule that is naturally produced by the body to safely guide stem cells to damaged brain tissue in mice.
Hormone suppresses hunger in primates and people
A hormone called LCN2 suppressed hunger after eating, researchers found, and levels were depressed in people with obesity.
November 24, 2020 Edition
Immune cells trained in the gut protect the brain
Researchers found that the brain’s protective membranes are guarded against microbes by immune cells that are trained in the gut.
Life support machine helps cardiac arrest patients survive
Using a life support machine called ECMO shortly after cardiac arrest outside of a hospital improved patients’ chances of survival.
Hydroxychloroquine doesn't benefit hospitalized COVID-19 patients
In a final analysis of study data, researchers concluded that the medication hydroxychloroquine provides no benefit to adults hospitalized with COVID-19.
November 10, 2020 Edition
Rural youth often lack access to suicide prevention services
Researchers found that despite higher suicide rates among rural youth, rural areas have fewer mental health facilities that provide suicide prevention services for youths.
Postpartum depression may last for years
About 5% of women reported persistently high levels of postpartum depression symptoms for three years after giving birth.
Coronaviruses hijack lysosomes to exit cells
Researchers discovered that coronaviruses hijack lysosomes, the cell’s trash disposal system, to exit cells and spread through the body.
November 3, 2020 Edition
New inflammatory disease discovered
Using a genomic approach, researchers identified a new inflammatory disorder, called VEXAS, in men with diverse symptoms.
How mucus in the colon prevents inflammation and injury
A study in mice showed how mucus production throughout the colon keeps gut bacteria isolated from intestinal tissue and helps prevent inflammation.
Gene therapy with novel protein restores vision in mice
Researchers restored vision in blind mice by using gene therapy to add a novel light-sensing protein to cells in the retina.
October 27, 2020 Edition
Study sheds light on key steps in the HIV life cycle
Researchers were able to uncover key steps in HIV replication by reconstituting and watching these events unfold outside the cell.
How your body senses the urge to urinate
Researchers discovered that a protein called PIEZO2 may be responsible for the powerful urge to urinate that we normally feel many times throughout the day.
Higher calorie treatment for people hospitalized with anorexia
People hospitalized for anorexia improved more quickly when fed higher calories than normally used in treatment.
October 20, 2020 Edition
Final report confirms remdesivir benefits for COVID-19
The antiviral drug remdesivir shortened recovery time for patients hospitalized with COVID-19, based on results from the completed trial.
Education programs may improve young children's asthma control
A combination of health programs at school and home appeared to improve asthma control in preschool children from low-income families.
Brain differences in youth linked to increased waist size
Cellular differences in a brain area that plays a key role in reward and food processing may predict higher obesity in children.
October 6, 2020 Edition
Machine learning detects early signs of osteoarthritis
Using artificial intelligence and MRI scans, researchers identified signs of osteoarthritis three years before diagnosis.
SARS-CoV-2 may use key carbohydrate to infect cells
A carbohydrate called heparan sulfate, which is found on cell surfaces, may play a critical role in the novel coronavirus’ ability to infect cells.
Pain rising among younger Americans with less education
Younger Americans with less than a bachelor’s degree reported higher levels of pain than today’s older adults did at their age.
September 29, 2020 Edition
How anesthetics and benzodiazepine affect the brain differently
Scientists identified how anesthetic and benzodiazepine drugs change a brain receptor’s shape. The findings suggest ways to design more tailored anesthetic drugs.
Computer-designed proteins may protect against coronavirus
Researchers designed “miniproteins” that bound tightly to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and prevented the virus from infecting human cells in the lab.
Poor immune response impairs diabetic wound healing
Researchers found that diabetic foot ulcers don’t recruit the immune cells necessary for normal wound healing. The study also identified potential targets for future therapies.
September 22, 2020 Edition
Biomarkers predict concussion recovery time
Researchers identified two blood proteins that are linked to length of time needed by college athletes to return to play following a sports-related concussion.
Bacteria therapy improves eczema in children
An experimental probiotic treatment for eczema safely improved symptoms and increased quality of life for children 3 to 16 years of age.
High blood pressure awareness and treatment declining
After increasing between 1999 and 2014, both awareness and treatment of high blood pressure dropped among adults in the U.S.