A recent study suggests that pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the third trimester are unlikely to pass the virus to their newborns. The study found low levels of protective antibodies in umbilical cord blood, indicating limited transfer of maternal antibodies through the placenta.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered a gene called Prkar2a in mice that influences their eating habits and motivation to exercise. The study found that mice lacking this gene consumed less high-fat food and drank less sugar solution than those with the gene, while also being more inclined to exercise.
A recent NIH study found that approximately 1 in 4 women experience high levels of depressive symptoms at some point in the three years post-childbirth. Women with underlying conditions like mood disorders and gestational diabetes are more likely to have persistent symptoms.
Researchers found that apigenin improved cognitive and memory deficits in mice with Down syndrome-like characteristics, reducing inflammation and increasing brain growth. This study raises the possibility of a prenatal treatment to lessen cognitive deficits in fetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome through prenatal testing.
A NIH-funded mouse study reveals that parents have an innate capacity to respond to infant cries, which can adapt over time. The research found that experienced and novice babysitters showed improved responses to altered cries, suggesting a plastic mechanism in the auditory cortex.
A study of over 1,600 obese women found no significant difference in infection rates between those treated with NPWT and standard wound dressing. Despite this, women in the negative pressure group experienced more skin irritations.
A National Institutes of Health study has found that women trying to conceive who use opioids are more likely to experience lower chances of achieving pregnancy and an increased risk of miscarriage during early pregnancy. Opioid use was associated with a 29% lower chance of becoming pregnant within a given monthly cycle.
A new scoring system developed by NIH-funded researchers standardizes patient data to compare rates of severe maternal morbidity between different hospitals and groups of patients. The study aims to aid maternal health research and efforts to improve maternal health across the country.
Researchers discovered new channels enabling lipid transport between the malaria parasite and red blood cells, raising possibility of nutrient-blocking treatments. The study found Niemann-Pick C1-related protein (PfNCR1) channels made of PfNCR1.
A new NIH study found that infants exposed to iodine in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at higher risk for developing congenital hypothyroidism. Infants with this condition often require thyroid hormone therapy within four weeks of birth, and permanent intellectual disability may result if treatment is delayed.
A study funded by NIH analyzed nearly 900 women with irregular menstrual periods and identified two PCOS subtypes, each associated with distinct groups of gene variants. The reproductive subtype had higher levels of luteinizing hormone and lower BMI, while the metabolic group had a higher BMI and insulin levels.
Research funded by the NIH has linked endometriosis to DNA changes, particularly in methylation patterns that can alter gene activity. The findings may inform new ways to diagnose and treat this condition affecting up to 10% of U.S. women.
Researchers are assessing drugs commonly prescribed to children diagnosed with COVID-19, including antiviral and anti-inflammatory medications. The study aims to understand how these drugs interact with the bodies of young patients and identify potential side effects.
A new study provides a population-wide estimate of autism risk for children whose parents have a sibling with autism. The research found that roughly 3 to 5% of children with an aunt or uncle with ASD also have ASD, compared to about 1.5% in the general population.
A small NIH-funded study suggests that early sleep problems may further raise the likelihood of an autism diagnosis among at-risk children. The study found that high-risk children who met criteria for ASD scored higher for sleep problems and had more growth in the brain's hippocampus region.
Researchers compare whole-body diffusion-weighted MRI to FDG PET and find significant agreement in tracking tumor response to therapy, raising the possibility of using DW MRI as a replacement for CT scanning.
Researchers have identified a new gene, SMAD3, associated with melorheostosis, a rare condition causing excessive bone tissue growth. The study provides a breakthrough in understanding the disease's causes and may lead to the development of treatments.
A recent NIH study has identified a genetic mutation that improves cognitive flexibility in mice by modifying a protein regulating potassium channels. The mutation was found to enhance the ability of mice to adapt to changing situations, such as finding a relocated platform.
A new test measures expressive language skills in individuals with Fragile X syndrome, helping increase participation in clinical studies aimed at improving intellectual and cognitive functioning. The test's reliability and validity were demonstrated through consistent scores across multiple administrations.
Researchers at the NIH have successfully stopped tumor growth and blood vessel formation in mice by targeting enzymes that recycle phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate. By blocking these enzymes, tumors were unable to replenish the molecule needed for new blood vessel growth, ultimately reducing tumor size and growth.
The updated online tool provides information on infant survival and neurological impairment, incorporating hospital data to inform treatment decisions. Researchers found that hospital-specific estimates of survival are as important as gestational age in determining infant outcome.
A new NIH study found that antioxidant supplements did not improve semen quality or pregnancy and live birth rates in men with infertility. The Males, Antioxidants, and Infertility Trial (MOXI) reported no statistically significant differences between the placebo and antioxidant groups.
Researchers adapted the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery to assess cognitive ability in people with intellectual disabilities aged 5 years and above, providing objective measures. The validated battery produces reliable and valid results, paving the way for further research on its adaptation for lower mental ages and older adults.
A NIH study suggests that mothers who are obese before pregnancy may be more likely to report their child having ADHD symptoms. Nearly 2,000 children were analyzed, revealing that women of normal weight have a significantly lower risk of reporting these symptoms.
A new NIH-funded study suggests that natural sugars in breastmilk, known as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), may influence a child's growth from infancy through early childhood. The study found associations between HMO composition and growth patterns among 800 pairs of mothers and children.
Research suggests a genetic profile may predict the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women who have had gestational diabetes. A study analyzing data from 2,434 women found that those with a larger proportion of certain gene variants were at higher risk.
A study by NIH researchers found that higher maternal blood pressure during pregnancy is associated with chemical modifications to placental genes, including DNA methylation. The findings suggest a potential link between early origins of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure in pregnancy.
A study of over 1,000 youth found that only 12% achieved viral suppression, compared to 32-63% in adult studies. The study highlights the need for tailored HIV intervention services and frequent contact with trained peer counselors to ensure enrollment and retention in care.
A study by Tulane University found that homicide was a leading cause of death among pregnant and postpartum women in Louisiana. The researchers estimated that for every 100,000 pregnant or postpartum women, there were 12.9 homicide deaths, outnumbering deaths from any single obstetric cause.
Children who underwent fetal surgery for spina bifida at a young age are more likely to walk independently and require fewer follow-up surgeries compared to those who had traditional corrective surgery after birth. The study found that these children also scored higher on motor skills and had lower rates of hydrocephalus.
A large clinical trial has found that low-dose aspirin daily from early pregnancy to 36 weeks may lower the risk for preterm birth among first-time mothers by 11%. The study involved over 11,000 women in several low- and middle-income countries and showed a significant reduction in preterm delivery before 37 weeks.
Researchers found that pregnant women exposed to persistent organic pollutants had slightly smaller fetuses than those who were not exposed. The study analyzed ultrasound scans and blood samples from over 2,200 pregnant women, finding a significant association between exposure to POPs and reduced fetal growth.
A recent NIH-funded study analyzing data from 366 identical twin pairs found significant variability in autism symptom severity among those with ASD. The researchers estimated that only 9% of the cause of trait variation was attributed to genetic factors.
A study led by NIH-funded researchers analyzed data on pregnant women with HIV and found that nearly 20% received treatment regimens not aligned with federal guidelines for use during pregnancy. The study highlights the need for further research into prescribing practices for pregnant women living with HIV.
Researchers found that vesicles isolated from four strains of Lactobacillus bacteria interfere with HIV infection, reducing the number of infected cells. The study suggests ways to reduce male-to-female HIV transmission.
Children's daily screen time increased significantly from age 12 months to 3 years, with an average of 150 minutes per day at 3 years. Higher levels of parental education and being born to first-time mothers were associated with higher screen time.
Women living in ethnic enclaves have lower rates of gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, and infant small size. Access to culturally relevant healthcare resources, traditional diets, and social networks contribute to improved health outcomes.
A study funded by NIH found that umbilical cord milking may increase the risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in extremely preterm infants. The study, halted due to safety concerns, compared cord milking to delayed cord clamping and found a higher rate of brain bleeding in the former group.
A recent NIH-funded study found that children born to mothers on HIV therapy containing the drug efavirenz were 2-2.5 times more likely to have microcephaly and experience developmental delays compared to those on other antiretroviral drugs.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique to track maternal blood flow to the placenta, identifying women at risk for complications such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. The study found that women with reduced placental blood flow later developed one or more complications.
A recent NIH-funded study suggests that exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy may increase the risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The study found that higher levels of acetaminophen exposure were associated with a significantly increased risk of both conditions.
A recent NIH-funded study highlights the need for research on aging individuals with Down syndrome. The analysis reveals that nearly a third of those aged 55+ have filed at least three claims for Alzheimer's disease.
A recent NIH-funded study reveals that children born to mothers with high blood lead levels are more likely to be overweight or obese. Folate intake after giving birth may help reduce this risk. The study analyzed data from the Boston Birth Cohort and found a significant association between maternal lead exposure and childhood obesity.
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that teenage girls who go to bed later are more likely to gain weight compared to those who sleep earlier. The research also showed a significant association between late bedtime and increased waist size and body fat in young females.
Treating preterm infants with antibiotics for more than 20 months can lead to less diverse bacterial populations in their gut, containing more antibiotic resistance genes. The study suggests that early-life antibiotic use may promote allergies and other health issues later in life by reducing the diversity of microbial communities.
Researchers found a 0.2% increased risk of neural tube defects among children born to mothers on HIV therapy containing dolutegravir since conception compared to those on other regimens. The study tracked birth outcomes in Botswana and suggested that starting dolutegravir around conception may pose a risk.
Infants born to mothers exposed to high levels of air pollution are more likely to be admitted to a newborn intensive care unit (NICU), with risks increasing from 4% to 147%. The study suggests that limiting pregnant women's exposure to high levels of air pollutants may help reduce NICU admissions.
Researchers analyzed fossilized teeth from an extinct human species and found evidence of barium accumulation suggesting breast feeding up to a year, helping overcome seasonal food shortages. This finding may inform strategies to improve modern breast-feeding practices.
Researchers found 17 variants of the ARMC5 gene linked to high blood pressure among blacks, including one 'protective' variant associated with lower blood pressure. The study suggests ARMC5 may play a role in regulating blood pressure in blacks and could be related to primary aldosteronism.
Researchers found elevated first trimester blood pressure increases risk for pregnancy hypertensive disorders, such as gestational high blood pressure and preeclampsia. Women with higher systolic or diastolic pressures had a greater risk of developing these conditions.