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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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November 9, 2021 Edition
Therapy has long-lasting benefits for children with cerebral palsy
Sixty hours of a therapy called CIMT led to significant improvements in hand and arm function among children with cerebral palsy in a randomized trial.
Repurposing drugs to treat age-related macular degeneration
Researchers found that the antidepressant fluoxetine blocks the inflammation that leads to dry age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, a common cause of vision loss.
SARS-CoV-2 infection of the inner ear
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 can infect inner ear cells, which could explain the hearing and balance issues in some COVID-19 patients.
November 2, 2021 Edition
Retraining the brain to treat chronic pain
After a treatment called pain reprocessing therapy, two-thirds of people with mild or moderate chronic back pain reported being mostly or completely pain-free.
A targeted antibiotic for treating Lyme disease
Researchers found that a neglected antibiotic called hygromycin A selectively kills the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
Moderna COVID-19 booster may protect against variants
A booster of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine increased levels of neutralizing antibodies against all variants of concern in a primate study.
October 26, 2021 Edition
Robotic massage helps regenerate muscles in mice
Researchers found that a type of massage therapy helped heal severely injured muscles in mice by clearing immune cells from the tissue.
Common drug may have potential for treating Alzheimer's disease
Findings in mice and people suggest that an FDA-approved drug used for high blood pressure and swelling may alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Mapping the mammalian motor cortex
Researchers unveiled an atlas of cell types for the mammalian primary motor cortex, providing a roadmap for understanding the mammalian brain.
October 19, 2021 Edition
Repeats in the genetic code underlie some human variation
Researchers found that differences in repeats of DNA explain substantial variations in height, kidney function, hair curl, and blood lipids.
Escaping stem cells play role in hair loss
Researchers observed stem cells responsible for hair growth escaping from hair follicles in aging mice.
Understanding SARS-CoV-2 antibody binding
Researchers mapped where various antibodies bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The results could lead to more effective COVID-19 therapies.
October 5, 2021 Edition
Test may help reduce racial disparities in kidney disease
Researchers found that measuring levels of a protein called cystatin C can accurately estimate kidney function without needing to take race into account.
Trends in U.S. methamphetamine use and associated deaths
Researchers found that risky patterns of methamphetamine use and the diversity of people who used methamphetamine increased between 2015 and 2019.
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine generates long-lasting immune memory
People who received low doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine had strong immune memories of the virus six months after being fully vaccinated.
September 28, 2021 Edition
Critical time window for rehabilitation after a stroke
Researchers found that intensive therapy, added to standard rehabilitation, produces the greatest improvement when administered 2-3 months after a stroke.
Autoimmune response found in many with COVID-19
In a small study, about half of people hospitalized with COVID-19 had antibodies in their blood that could mistakenly attack the body’s own proteins and tissues.
A cellular map of brain lesions in multiple sclerosis
Researchers created a detailed map of cells in the expanding lesions involved in more disabling forms of multiple sclerosis.
September 21, 2021 Edition
Drugs treat spinal disc degeneration in mice
Scientists reduced age-related disc degeneration in mice using an experimental drug combination that targets aging cells.
Opioid overdose deaths rise among Black Americans
While opioid overdose deaths remained flat overall between 2018 and 2019, they rose sharply for Black Americans.
Genomic origins of lung cancer in never smokers
Researchers identified three subtypes of lung cancers in people who never smoked. The results could help guide more precise lung cancer treatments.
September 14, 2021 Edition
Parents' smoking during childhood linked to rheumatoid arthritis later in life
A study found that girls whose parents smoked cigarettes were 75% more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis as adults.
Misdirected antibodies linked to severe COVID-19
Antibodies that mistakenly target the body’s own immune-system proteins may account for about 20% of COVID-19 deaths.
Hormone links exercise with cognitive benefits
Researchers found that irisin, an exercise-induced hormone, improves cognitive performance in mice.
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.