An official website of the United States government
News
Gene therapy reduces need for transfusions in severe blood disorder
Gene therapy reduced or eliminated the need for blood transfusions in patients with a severe blood disorder called beta-thalassemia.
News
Experimental male contraceptive blocks sperm movement
Researchers developed a compound that temporarily interferes with sperm motility in rhesus macaques. The study might point the way toward a reversible...
News
Dietary fiber protects obese mice from arthritis
A study in obese mice found that boosting the growth of certain gut bacteria with a fiber known as oligofructose reduced osteoarthritis.
More Stories
October 30, 2018 Edition
Immune culprits linked to inflammation and bone loss in gum disease
Researchers identified specific immune cells that, when triggered by bacteria, drive gum disease. The findings reveal potential treatment targets.
Antipsychotics not helpful for delirium in ICU
A study suggests that the common practice of prescribing antipsychotic drugs to treat delirium in intensive care units may need to be reassessed.
Vaccine protects animals against anthrax and plague
Scientists engineered a vaccine that protects animals from both anthrax and plague. After more development and testing, the approach could be used to combat public health threats.
October 23, 2018 Edition
How gentle touch can turn painful after injury
Researchers identified a gene that’s needed for gentle touch to turn painful after an injury. The study uncovers a possible target for treatments to relieve pain caused by skin injuries.
Probiotic bacteria block harmful microbe
Researchers identified how Bacillus bacteria, which are used in many probiotic formulations, can prevent the growth of harmful Staphylococcus aureus, or “staph,” bacteria.
Delayed pushing doesn't help during labor
Women who pushed earlier during labor were as likely to have a vaginal birth as those who delayed, and had fewer complications. The finding may change recommendations made to many women.
October 16, 2018 Edition
Antibody combination suppresses HIV
In an early trial, a combination of two antibodies suppressed blood levels of HIV for months after treatment in some people.
Wearable ultrasound patch tracks blood pressure
Researchers engineered a blood pressure sensor that uses ultrasound technology and can be worn as a flexible skin patch.
Antibody combination suppresses HIV
In an early trial, a combination of two antibodies suppressed blood levels of HIV for months after treatment in some people.
October 2, 2018 Edition
Gut communicates directly with brain
The discovery of direct neural connections between the gut and the brain in mice could lead to a better understanding of appetite and gut health.
Senescent cells linked to brain disease in mice
Eliminating old or damaged cells that have stopped dividing reduced signs of brain disease in mice—an important clue for developing treatments for neurodegenerative brain diseases.
Human skeletal stem cell identified
Researchers discovered a self-renewing human skeletal stem cell. This study may one day lead to ways to restore bone, cartilage, and supportive tissues for organs.
September 25, 2018 Edition
Most tumors in body share important mutations
Primary and metastatic tumors within an individual all likely rely on the same mutations to grow and spread, suggesting that precision treatments could be chosen based on a single sample.
Exercise and new nerve cell growth in Alzheimer's disease
In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, access to exercise stimulated the growth of new nerve cells in the brain and reduced memory problems. The findings pave the way for studies in people.
Daily aspirin shows no benefit for healthy older adults
A large clinical trial found that a daily low-dose aspirin doesn’t have the same benefits for healthy older adults as it does for those who’ve had a heart attack or stroke.
September 18, 2018 Edition
Fasting increases health and lifespan in male mice
Long periods of fasting between meals helped male mice live longer and healthier lives, regardless of the content of their diets.
Regrowing neurons across scarred spinal tissue
Researchers stimulated neurons to regrow across scarred spinal tissue in rodents.
Machine learning predicts risk of aneurysm
Researchers used machine learning to develop a method of predicting which people are at risk of developing an abdominal aneurysm.
September 11, 2018 Edition
Predicting response to immunotherapy
Studies show progress in learning to predict which patients are most likely to respond to certain cancer treatments known as immune checkpoint therapies.
Device improves survival after sudden cardiac arrest
A device for supplying oxygen after sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital improved survival compared with a more common but invasive and difficult procedure.
Regenerating light-sensing eye cells in mice
Researchers restored some vision in mice with congenital blindness by changing supportive cells in the retina called Müller glia into light-sensing cells.
August 28, 2018 Edition
Responsive parenting affects childhood weight
Teaching first-time mothers how to respond to their infant’s body cues reduced the child’s weight by age 3 compared with a control group.
Learning about fatal opioid overdoses changes prescribing behavior
Notifying clinicians that one of their patients died of an opioid overdose reduced the number and doses of opioid medications prescribed in the following months.
Exploring induced labor for full-term pregnancy
A large study found that, for healthy women, inducing labor at full term rather than waiting for natural labor doesn’t increase the risk of major complications for newborns.
August 14, 2018 Edition
Dairy fatty acids not linked to death in older adults
A study of older adults found that long-term exposure to dairy fats wasn’t associated with overall risk of death or death from cardiovascular disease.
How drugs could repair damage from multiple sclerosis
Drugs that help repair the nerve cell lining that’s damaged in multiple sclerosis were found to target certain enzymes. The finding could help researchers develop new treatments for multiple sclerosis.
Impaired brain drainage in aging and Alzheimer's
Researchers gained insights into how the waste clearing vessels in the brain change as mice age. The results suggests a possible way to combat the cognitive decline seen in aging and age-related diseases.