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Treating addiction
Alcohol and drug addiction can cause many harms. This Research in Context feature looks at research into the causes of addiction and new ways to treat...
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September 12, 2023 Edition
Advancing molecular insights into cancer
A resource built with genomic, proteomic, and clinical data from more than 1,000 tumors across 10 cancer types can help researchers uncover new molecular insights into how cancers develop and progress.
Protein may be linked to exercise intolerance in ME/CFS
A study suggested that high levels of a protein may reduce energy production in the muscle cells of people with ME/CFS.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in young athletes
In a study of brains from contact sport players who died before reaching 30, more than 40% had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.
September 5, 2023 Edition
Air pollution linked to dementia cases
Higher levels of a type of air pollution called PM2.5 were linked to a higher number of dementia cases developing over time.
Stroke patients may benefit from brain stimulation
In a small trial, deep brain stimulation plus physical therapy helped improve upper limb function in some patients who had impaired movement after a stroke.
Scientists translate brain activity into music
Researchers reconstructed a song based on the brain activity of people when they were listening to it.
August 22, 2023 Edition
Ancestry and descendants of African Americans buried at Catoctin Furnace
DNA analysis of people buried in an early African American cemetery revealed their ancestry and descendants in the United States.
SARS-CoV-2 can cause lasting damage to cells' energy production
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can cause lasting damage to energy production by mitochondria in many organs of the body.
Lizard tails give clues to cartilage formation
Scientists identified cells that play key roles in cartilage creation and the regrowth of severed tails in a small lizard. The findings may point to new avenues for repairing damaged cartilage in humans.
August 8, 2023 Edition
Genetic variant associated with absence of COVID-19 symptoms
A genetic variant found in people with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 might lead to better ways to protect against COVID-19.
Hearing aids slow cognitive decline in people at high risk
Hearing aids cut the rate of cognitive decline by nearly half in older adults at high risk of dementia.
Cell atlases give detailed views of human organs
Detailed cellular maps reveal the spatial organization of cells within the human kidney, intestine, and placenta.
July 25, 2023 Edition
Research in Context
Progress toward universal vaccines
Recent pandemics have highlighted the need to be prepared for the next emerging disease, whenever it arrives. Researchers are now working to develop universal vaccines against diseases with pandemic potential.
July 11, 2023 Edition
Screening newborns for deadly immune disease saves lives
Research funded and jointly led by NIH may prompt more countries to screen for SCID.
How football raises the risk for chronic traumatic encephalopathy
The force of blows to the head that football players experienced over their lives better predicted chronic traumatic encephalopathy than the number of concussions.
Y chromosome affects cancer growth
Two studies found factors on the Y chromosome that lead to aggressive tumor growth, helping explain why some cancers have different prognoses in men and women.
June 27, 2023 Edition
Lack of buprenorphine access for adolescents in residential facilities
Only 1 in 4 residential facilities that treat adolescents in the U.S. for opioid use disorder offer buprenorphine, the sole approved medication for 16- to 18-year-olds.
Novel vaccines may help quell polio outbreaks
An international research team developed two oral polio vaccines that protect mice and avoid some concerns with the current vaccines.
Identifying a new contributor to tooth decay
A type of bacteria called Selenomonas sputigena helps another contributor to tooth decay to form biofilms and produce damaging acid.
June 13, 2023 Edition
Daily multivitamin may enhance memory in older adults
A large clinical trial found that daily multivitamins led to modest improvements in memory over a three-year period in older adults.
A cellular and molecular understanding of psoriasis
Researchers gained new insights into the cellular and molecular features of psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease.
Designing a SARS-CoV-2 decoy
A molecular decoy that neutralizes the SARS-CoV-2 virus by preventing it from latching onto cells protected mice against COVID-19.
June 6, 2023 Edition
Toward a deeper understanding of long COVID
Researchers developed a symptom scoring system to help identify adults who may have long COVID.
Brain activity predicts chronic pain
In a small study of four people, researchers identified brain activity patterns associated with chronic pain.
Quick catnaps may spark creativity
Researchers found evidence that the brief period when drifting off to sleep may be a sweet spot for dreams that facilitate creative thinking and problem solving.