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Bivalent boosters provide better protection against severe COVID-19
Bivalent booster vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 were 37% more effective than older booster shots at reducing the risk of severe COVID-19.
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Comparing heart failure drugs
A comparison of two diuretic drugs used to treat heart failure suggested either could be used to treat people hospitalized with heart failure.
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Probiotic blocks staph bacteria from colonizing people
A probiotic reduced the amount of Staphylococcus aureus, or “staph,” bacteria in the human gut and nose without harming beneficial gut microbes.
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January 28, 2020 Edition
Mother's gut microbes may influence offspring's immunity
A study in mice showed how that a mother's gut bacteria can induce antibodies that protect newborns against diarrheal disease.
Alcohol-related deaths increasing nationwide
An analysis of U.S. death certificate data showed that alcohol-related deaths increased among people in almost all age and racial and ethnic groups between 1999 and 2017.
Predicting Alzheimer's disease progression
A study suggested that PET imaging of tau tangles in the brain could be a way to track development of Alzheimer's disease, predict loss of brain tissue, and assess new treatments.
January 14, 2020 Edition
Understanding allergic reactions to skin care products
A laboratory study gave new insight into how skin creams, cosmetics, and fragrances may cause immune responses that lead to rashes in some people.
Exposure to common insecticides associated with risk of death
People with higher exposures to common insecticides called pyrethroids had an increased risk of death in the years following the measurements.
Old TB vaccine may work better when delivered intravenously
Delivering the only approved tuberculosis vaccine intravenously greatly enhanced its ability to protect rhesus monkeys from infection.
January 7, 2020 Edition
Researchers find cause of new autoinflammatory disease
Researchers found that mutations in a specific gene cause a previously unknown autoinflammatory disease, which they’ve named CRIA syndrome.
Blood protein signatures change across lifespan
Blood levels of around 400 proteins accurately reflected people’s age and relative health. Such a protein signature might help identify people at greater risk of age-related diseases.
Immune cell metabolism altered in ME/CFS
Scientists found that some immune cells in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) show disruptions in the way they produce and use energy.
December 18, 2019 Edition
2019 Research Highlights - Basic Research Insights
Noteworthy NIH advances in basic research include evidence linking enterovirus infections with acute flaccid myelitis, insights into how disrupted sleep may lead to heart disease, and nanoparticle robots that sweep away biofilms.
2019 Research Highlights - Promising Medical Findings
NIH findings with potential for enhancing human health include a way to predict which people at risk for psychosis may progress to full psychosis, insights into recurrent tonsillitis, and a patch to replace damaged retinal cells.
2019 Research Highlights - Human Health Advances
NIH accomplishments in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment include treatments for the Ebola virus, gene therapy that reverses a rare immune disorder, and a blood test to detect myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
December 10, 2019 Edition
Newly identified oral stem cell key to wound healing
Researchers found a unique population of stem cells in the roof of the mouth that quickly respond to stress from chewing and injury.
Drugs equally effective for severe seizure disorder
Three commonly prescribed anti-seizure drugs worked equally well for seizures in patients with a severe form of epilepsy called refractory status epilepticus who didn’t respond to benzodiazepines.
Two drugs reduce risk of death from Ebola
Two experimental drugs each reduced the risk of death from Ebola when tested in an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
November 26, 2019 Edition
Some melanomas may start in hair follicles
A rare form of skin cancer may sometimes start with cancer-causing mutations in hair follicle stem cells.
Targeting gut bacteria to treat alcoholic hepatitis
A therapy targeting bacteria that make a specific toxin lessened alcohol-associated liver disease in a mouse study.
Some Down syndrome problems reversed in mice
In a mouse model of Down syndrome, blocking a cellular pathway in brain cells improved learning and memory.
November 19, 2019 Edition
Gene variation may protect against Alzheimer's disease
A woman with an inherited condition that causes early-onset Alzheimer's disease but who didn't experience cognitive decline until her 70s appeared to be protected by a rare mutation.
Sesame allergy common among children with food allergies
A study found that about 17% of children with food allergies are also allergic to sesame, highlighting the importance of using caution when exposing these children to sesame.
High-salt diet triggers changes in mouse brains
Mice fed a very high-salt diet showed accumulation of a protein in the brain linked with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
November 5, 2019 Edition
Provider expectations may affect treatment outcomes
A study found that people experienced less pain when the treatment provider expected the pain reliever to work.
Newly identified flu antibodies could improve vaccines and treatments
Researchers identified three antibodies that protect against multiple strains of influenza virus by targeting the surface protein neuraminidase. The findings could help researchers develop better flu vaccines and treatments.
E-cigarette vapor linked to cancer in mice
Mice exposed to e-cigarette vapor containing nicotine had an increased risk of developing lung cancer and pre-cancerous changes in the bladder.
October 29, 2019 Edition
Tiny bleeds associated with disability after brain injury
People who had traumatic microbleeds that could be seen on MRI scans were twice as likely to experience disability after a traumatic brain injury.
Artificial pancreas improves type 1 diabetes management
An artificial pancreas system improved blood glucose control throughout the day and overnight for people with type 1 diabetes.
Scientists design device for oral delivery of injections
Scientists designed a capsule that, when taken by mouth, can deliver drugs through microneedle injections to the small intestine.