Scientists have identified 126 genetic differences among 80 genes associated with sleep duration in fruit fly populations. These findings may lead to better treatments for insomnia and narcolepsy, with little physiological consequence for extreme long or short sleepers.
Researchers identified DNA-dependent protein kinase, an enzyme that promotes fat accumulation and exercise capacity loss with age. The study's findings suggest a genetic program driving mid-life weight gain and lower fitness levels.
A team of scientists has identified a two-part system protecting the heart muscle's power grid from disease-related damage. The mitochondrial circuits in the heart are arranged in parallel rows, forming several smaller subnetworks that limit the spread of electrical dysfunction.
A study published in JAMA found that nearly half of US deaths from heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes are linked to inadequate diet. The main culprits were excess sodium consumption, as well as overconsumption of processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages.
A multicenter study of infants and children who suffered cardiac arrest found that body cooling had no significant benefits compared to maintaining a normal temperature. The study included 329 patients aged 2 days to 18 years old, but the results showed no difference in survival rates or brain function between the two groups.
A new NIH-funded study found that in underserved populations, parents' physical activity levels directly correlate with their preschoolers' activity levels. The research suggests interventions could focus on helping parents model an active lifestyle for their children to combat obesity. Low-income and ethnic minority families are dispr...
A new study found that fenofibrate therapy may be beneficial in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes who take statins but still have high triglyceride levels and low HDL cholesterol levels. The study suggests a potential benefit of combining fenofibrate with statin treatment for this specific patient population.
A team of researchers at the National Institutes of Health has uncovered a possible biochemical mechanism behind ACDC disease, which causes calcium buildup in the arteries. The study suggests that treating this condition with drugs like etidronate could help reduce calcification and potentially lead to an effective treatment.
Researchers identified seven new areas of the genome linked to body fat distribution in a study involving over 18,000 individuals. The findings provide new insights into the biological mechanisms influencing cardiometabolic diseases.
Researchers developed a new, less invasive way to perform TAVR, making it more available to high-risk patients, especially women. The procedure has a high success rate and acceptable bleeding and vascular complications rates.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that long-term oxygen treatment does not improve survival or reduce hospital admissions for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and moderately low blood oxygen levels. Researchers say these results underscore the need for new treatments for COPD.
A study of 300 children with mild, persistent asthma found that acetaminophen was not associated with worsening asthma symptoms compared to ibuprofen. The results suggest that acetaminophen can be used safely in children with this condition.
Scientists have identified a regulatory system in collagen that regulates enzyme activity, potentially shedding light on disease processes. The study reveals that collagen defects can spontaneously form and heal, with tension eliminating defects in tendons.
Zika virus is likely transmitted through blood transfusions, prompting calls for evidence-based approach to protect the blood supply. Researchers recommend deferring donors with symptoms, developing better screening tests, and reducing pathogen transmission.
A new analysis of the SPRINT study confirms that adults aged 75 and older with high blood pressure benefit from a systolic blood pressure goal of less than 120 mm Hg, reducing cardiovascular events by 33% and death risk by 32%. The findings suggest a more aggressive blood pressure intervention may be beneficial for this age group.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that young adults who made small dietary changes and engaged in regular physical activity successfully prevented weight gain. The 'small-change' group lost an average of 1.2 pounds over two to three years, while the 'large-change' group lost nearly 5.2 pounds.
Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations in patients with aplastic anemia that can help doctors optimize treatment. The study, which analyzed over 400 patient genomes, found that certain mutations are associated with poorer long-term outcomes and increased risk of blood cancers.
Scientists developed modified IL-2 molecules that can boost or block immune responses depending on the therapeutic application. These new forms of IL-2 have shown promising results in laboratory studies, including prolonged survival in a mouse model of graft-versus-host disease.
A large-scale study showed that emergency body cooling does not improve survival rates or reduce brain injury in infants and children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Therapeutic hypothermia, however, has been shown to be effective for adults and newborns after cardiac arrest.
A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that iron supplementation significantly reduced the time to recover lost iron and hemoglobin after blood donation. The study, supported by NHLBI, showed that donors taking iron supplements recovered lost iron more rapidly than those not receiving supplements.
The Sudden Death in the Young Registry aims to collect comprehensive data on sudden unexpected death in youths up to age 24, with a focus on heart-related conditions and epilepsy. The registry will help researchers define the scope of the problem and set future research priorities.
A long-term study found that infants and children with congestive heart failure and genetic disorders have the lowest transplant-free survival rates. Children diagnosed after one year old with unknown cause have the best outcome, a 97% rate of transplant-free survival.
Researchers extended mouse lifespan by 20% through gene manipulation, with some organs aging better than others. This increase is equivalent to a 16-year boost in human lifespan, offering insights into aging and potential therapies for age-related diseases.
A long-term study of 3,275 young adults found that the duration of obesity is independently linked to the development of subclinical heart disease. The researchers discovered that participants who remained obese for a longer period had higher levels of coronary artery calcification.
A long-term study measuring the association between PTSD and heart disease found that male twin Vietnam veterans with PTSD were almost twice as likely to develop heart disease, even after accounting for lifestyle factors. The study suggests a link between PTSD and cardiovascular health.
A new study funded by the NIH found that tonsil surgery improves sleep quality, behavioral regulation, and quality of life in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. However, cognitive abilities did not improve compared to children who did not have surgery.
A large-scale sequencing analysis of congenital heart disease has identified a specific biological pathway that is critical to its development. The study found that spontaneous mutations affect genes involved in this pathway, which is essential for human development and can lead to structural heart problems in infants.
The study provides the first report of state-level COPD prevalence, revealing significant regional variations. Nationwide, 6% of non-institutionalized adults reported having COPD, with higher prevalence in select states.
A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that cardiac bypass surgery is superior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for adults with diabetes and multi-vessel coronary heart disease. After five years, the CABG group had fewer adverse events and better survival rates than the PCI group.
Researchers discovered that MYC protein boosts existing gene expression, rather than turning genes on or off, leading to a universal amplifier effect. This understanding could lead to new therapeutic strategies for cancers, such as targeting MYC activity instead of eliminating it.
A recent study funded by the NIH found that tight glycemic control in pediatric cardiac surgery patients did not reduce healthcare-related infections, organ failure, or death. The study's findings diverge from previous studies on adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients who showed benefits from blood sugar control.
Galectin-3 protein has been linked to an increased risk of heart failure and death in older adults, according to a new study. The study found that individuals with high levels of galectin-3 were more likely to experience heart failure, highlighting the potential for measuring blood levels as an early warning sign.
A clinical trial launched by the NIH aims to determine whether a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug can reduce rates of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths in adults at high risk. The study will enroll 7,000 patients across the US and Canada over two years.
A recent study has found that adding computed tomography (CT) scans to standard screening procedures can help emergency room staff rapidly determine whether patients are having a heart attack or not. This allows for quicker discharges and reduced hospital stays, with half of patients discharged in under 9 hours.
A new clinical study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found that eltrombopag improved blood cell production in 11 out of 25 participants with severe aplastic anemia. The drug was well-tolerated, with few side effects, and six patients showed significant improvements in all three types of blood cells.
A new NIH-funded study examines the use of mobile technology to improve diet and physical activity behavior in adults. The study found that a combination of mobile technology and remote coaching holds promise in encouraging healthier eating habits and reducing sedentary leisure time.
A new NIH-funded study finds that concentrated saline therapy does not reduce antibiotic use in infants and preschoolers with cystic fibrosis. The study highlights the need for more research on treatments tailored to younger children with this disease.
A new comparative effectiveness study found that older adults who underwent bypass surgery had better long-term survival rates than those who underwent a non-surgical procedure to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. After four years, the CABG group had a 21 percent lower mortality rate compared to the PCI group.
A new NIH study reveals that resveratrol's health benefits come from inhibiting phosphodiesterases (PDEs), not directly activating sirtuin 1. This finding may pave the way for resveratrol-based medicines and offer alternative treatments for diseases like type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.
Two clinical trials launched by NIH aim to improve survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The trials compare different CPR approaches and treatments with medications, such as amiodarone or lidocaine, to determine which are most effective.
A large-scale analysis of over 250,000 people found that middle-aged adults with high blood pressure and other CVD risk factors have a substantially greater chance of having a heart attack or stroke during their remaining lifetime. The study also showed that traditional risk factors predict long-term development of CVD more than age.
A new NIH-funded study found that treating silent acid reflux does not improve asthma control in children. Researchers found that acid reflux medication, such as lansoprazole, can actually increase the risk of respiratory problems like sore throats and bronchitis.
A new clinical trial funded by NIH found that delayed stem cell therapy after a heart attack is safe, but it does not improve heart function six months later. The study suggests future clinical benefits may still be possible.
The NIH has halted a trial of a commonly used triple-drug therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) after it was found to worsen outcomes. The study showed that patients receiving the treatment had higher mortality, hospitalizations, and adverse events compared to those on placebo.
Researchers have corrected sickle cell disease in adult mice by activating the production of fetal hemoglobin, a protein that reduces the tendency of sickle hemoglobin to change red blood cells. This approach builds upon earlier studies and offers a new target for future therapies.
A genetic variant in the GLCCI1 gene may explain why some people with asthma do not respond well to inhaled corticosteroids. Researchers found that individuals with two copies of the variant responded only one-third as well to steroid inhalers as those with regular genes.
A Department of Health and Human Services-funded study confirms earlier findings were likely due to laboratory error, ruling out XMRV's presence in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or healthy donors. The study suggests there is no need to screen blood donors for the viruses at present.
Researchers have found that Parkin, a protein linked to early-onset Parkinson's disease, regulates how cells take up and process dietary fats. This discovery suggests that defective Parkin may contribute to the development of some cases by changing fat levels in the body.
A new study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that adding azithromycin to daily treatment regimens for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lower frequency and severity of flare-ups. The medication was shown to improve breathing ability and overall well-being in patients with COPD.
A recent NIH study found that ATGAM significantly improved blood cell counts and survival rates for patients with severe aplastic anemia compared to Thymoglobulin. The study enrolled 120 patients and showed improved outcomes after six months, with 96% of ATGAM patients surviving after three years.