Researchers found that GLP-1 treatment improved muscle and cognitive function, and reduced hallmarks of natural aging in older mice. The treatment also extended lifespan by nearly 100 days, suggesting a potential therapeutic route for slowing physiological aging.
A team of researchers at Harvard University sustained brain organoids for nearly six years, demonstrating a lifelike developmental clock. The organoids showed emergence and maturation of neurons, as well as functional maturity, mirroring human brain development.
A NIH-funded research project has generated a comprehensive collection of patient-derived tumor models, covering 25 types of cancer from thousands of donor tissues. These models closely match their parental tumors in terms of genetic alterations and gene expression signatures, enabling researchers to explore tumor evolution and diversity.
Researchers have identified a panel of key proteins in blood that can predict the emergence of ALS symptoms months to years before they arise. This discovery could enable early intervention with preventative therapies.
A study found that brain immune cells undergo substantial remodeling in midlife, leading to chronic neuroinflammation and potential dementia risk. The research used advanced single-cell analysis techniques to analyze postmortem hippocampal tissue from 40 healthy adults.
By inducing rhythmic on-and-off activity in small portions of the brain, researchers triggered a recalibration of neural connections that normally only occurs during sleep. This approach offset the effects of sleep deprivation and revealed features of sleep key to its restorative effect, including improved tactile memory tasks.
Researchers at NIH have discovered key intracellular signaling processes involved in the weight-loss effects of semaglutide, a GLP-1 drug. The findings may help extend treatment duration and reduce plateaus experienced by patients.
A new model for predicting outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been developed by incorporating prospective data, including clinical history, imaging, and blood biomarker tests. This study found that integrating these methods into risk assessment can improve the prediction of fatal and nonfatal cardiac events.
A NIH-funded study discovered that testosterone may play a key role in limiting brain tumor growth in men by suppressing inflammation and stress hormone production. Analysis of over 1,300 men with glioblastoma found that supplemental testosterone was significantly associated with improved survival rates.
A recent NIH-funded study reveals that oral small-molecule GLP-1 drugs can suppress eating for pleasure and reduce cravings by targeting a deeper brain region, potentially treating other dysfunctions in reward processing. The findings provide insight into the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of these medications.
Researchers developed a cancer assessment tool that can identify high-risk patients and specific cell populations linked to their risk. The tool, called scSurvival, predicts survival outcomes more accurately than traditional methods by analyzing single-cell data at cellular resolution.
Researchers at NIH have identified a novel opioid compound that shows potential as a therapy for both pain and opioid use disorder. The new drug, called DFNZ, has high pain-relieving effects without causing respiratory depression or addiction.
A clinical trial found that weekly injectable extended-release buprenorphine treatment resulted in higher rates of illicit opioid abstinence during pregnancy compared to sublingual buprenorphine. Serious adverse events were also less common in the extended-release group.
Researchers developed an AI tool to predict patients at risk of intimate partner violence, using data from medical visits. The tool achieved high accuracy in detecting IPV among patients, with the multimodal fusion model outperforming others, detecting risk 88% of the time.
A new AI-powered tool, Merlin, has been developed to assess 3D abdominal CT scans, identifying anatomical features and predicting disease onset years in advance. The tool surpassed traditional automated tools in tasks such as diagnosing diseases and predicting patient outcomes, with accuracy rates of up to 81%.
Researchers have developed a four-marker panel that can detect early-stage pancreatic cancer with high accuracy, potentially improving survival rates. The new test distinguishes cancer patients from healthy individuals and those with non-cancerous conditions, such as pancreatitis.
Researchers at NIH and Emory School of Medicine have successfully performed a minimally invasive coronary artery bypass without cutting the chest wall. The new technique, called ventriculo-coronary transcatheter outward navigation and re-entry (VECTOR), creates a new route for blood flow that is safe from potential blockages.
A NIH-led study identified key factors driving tumor evolution and influence outcomes in lung cancer, revealing a previously unknown origin of aggressive tumors associated with the ID2 mutational signature linked to LINE-1 reactivation. Major driver gene mutations also influenced tumor evolutionary trajectories.
A study has revealed that reticular pseudodrusen, associated with increased risk of vision loss in AMD, are driven by pathways on chromosome 10 and not by genetic risks on chromosome 1. The discovery highlights the need for novel treatment approaches for different AMD subtypes.
A NIH-funded study reveals that repeated head impacts from contact sports can cause early neuron loss and inflammation in the brains of young- to middle-aged athletes. The findings suggest that these changes may occur years before CTE develops its hallmark disease features.
A study funded by the NIH found that acupuncture treatment significantly improved physical function and reduced pain in older adults with chronic low back pain, compared to usual medical care. The study showed a modest but positive effect of acupuncture on disability scores, anxiety symptoms, and pain intensity.
A NIH-funded study found that individuals receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) while incarcerated had higher treatment engagement rates six months after release. The study also showed a significant reduction in fatal and non-fatal overdose deaths, as well as reincarceration rates.
Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health found that a single injection of benzathine penicillin G successfully treated early syphilis just as well as the three-injection regimen used by many clinicians. Biological markers showed that 76% of participants in the single-dose group had a serologic response to treatment, comp...
Researchers found that brain activity in regions responsible for managing specific body parts remains consistent before and after arm amputation. The study's results suggest that standard phantom pain treatments may need to be rethought and could improve the development of neuroprosthetics and brain-computer interface technologies.
A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported clinical trial found that two intravenous doses of the antibiotic dalbavancin seven days apart are as good as daily IV doses of conventional antibiotics over four to six weeks for treating complicated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections. The study results provide clear evidence f...
Adults who quit smoking were more likely to achieve sustained remission of substance use disorder symptoms. The analysis found a 42% greater odds of recovery when quitting smoking was combined with addiction recovery efforts.
Researchers discovered that a type of HPV commonly found on the skin can directly cause a form of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma when immune cells malfunction. The study's findings suggest that other people with defective T-cell responses may also be susceptible to cancer caused directly by beta-HPV.
A whole-genome sequencing study found fine-particulate air pollution to cause more cancer-related changes than secondhand smoke. Researchers analyzed lung tumors from 871 never-smoker patients across 28 geographic locations worldwide and linked air pollution exposure to increased genomic changes.
A new study by the NIH found that hormone therapy may alter breast cancer risk in women under 55. Women treated with unopposed estrogen hormone therapy were less likely to develop breast cancer, while those using estrogen plus progestin hormone therapy were more likely to develop the disease.
Researchers found no significant decline in taurine levels with age across humans, monkeys, and mice, suggesting it may not be a reliable marker of aging. Instead, individual physiological contexts shaped by genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors influence its impact.
A NIH-funded study has identified trans-epidermal water loss as a reliable predictor of diabetic foot ulcer recurrence. Participants with high TEWL were 2.7 times more likely to experience wound recurrence, highlighting the importance of skin barrier function in wound healing.
Researchers have developed a novel surgical technique to implant multiple tissue grafts in the eye's retina, expanding treatment options for dry AMD. The new method, which maintains eye pressure during graft insertion, promotes photoreceptor survival and regeneration of the choriocapillaris.
Researchers have created a versatile set of gene delivery systems that can reach different neural cell types in the human brain and spinal cord with exceptional accuracy. The new platform has the potential to transform how scientists study neural circuits, providing access to specific cells and communication pathways known to be affect...
Researchers identified metabolite patterns in blood and urine related to ultra-processed food intake. A poly-metabolite score was developed, showing potential to objectively measure diet and reduce reliance on self-reported data.
A team of researchers has successfully treated an infant with a life-threatening, incurable genetic disease using personalized gene editing therapy. The infant, who was diagnosed shortly after birth, showed positive responses to the treatment and improved symptoms over time.
Researchers identified changes in stromal tissue associated with increased aggressive breast cancer risk and poorer survival rates among women with benign breast disease. The study used machine learning to detect subtle changes in breast tissue samples from over 9,000 women.
Researchers have mapped hundreds of thousands of neurons in the mouse brain, revealing complex connections between cells and their firing patterns. This breakthrough could help understand how our brains process visual information and potentially guide treatments for brain disorders.
A new NIH-funded study uses advanced genetic analysis tools to map how aging affects different brain cell types. The results show that some cells, like hormone-controlling cells, undergo more age-related changes in genetic activity than others.
Researchers analyzed 84 brains to find that the first phase of Alzheimer's disease damages a specific type of inhibitory neuron, triggering neural circuit problems. The study confirms previous findings and identifies new changes during the disease.
The NIH is investing $30 million in a pilot program called CARE for Health, which aims to integrate clinical research with community-based primary care. The initiative seeks to improve health outcomes by providing access to clinical research and expanding opportunities for participation in clinical trials.
Researchers found no significant differences in participants with AHIs and controls, except for increased self-reported fatigue, post-traumatic stress, and depression. Forty-one percent of AHI group members met criteria for functional neurological disorders or had significant somatic symptoms.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded contracts to seven biomedical diagnostic companies to develop new lab-based and point-of-care tests for COVID-19. These tests will significantly increase the number, type, and availability of tests, meeting national demand estimated to be millions more tests per day.
The NIH's RADx initiative aims to increase daily COVID-19 testing capacity to 6 million by December 2020. The program focuses on expanding low-complexity point-of-care molecular diagnostics with rapid results for underserved populations.
The NIH ACTIV working group assesses practical considerations for using controlled human infection models to support SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. The authors conclude that large, randomized trials are the fastest path forward for establishing vaccine safety and efficacy.
A NIH study found that only a third of prevention research projects measured leading risk factors for death, despite them being associated with half of US deaths. The study suggests an opportunity for the NIH to better align prevention research with leading causes and risk factors for death and disability.
A new study by NIH scientists found that research topic preference accounts for over 20% of the persistent funding gap between black and white researchers. Black applicants are more likely to propose topics with lower success rates, such as health disparities research and patient-focused interventions.
The NIH HEAL Initiative awards $945 million for grants and contracts across 41 states to improve treatments for chronic pain and curb opioid use disorder. The initiative aims to develop non-addictive medications and models of care to balance patient safety with effective pain management.
The NIH supports an international moratorium on clinical germline editing due to safety, ethical, and philosophical concerns. The call comes after irresponsible research in China, where twins were born with altered DNA before implantation.
The All of Us Research Program has awarded $28.6M to establish three genome centers, generating genomic data from 1 million biosamples contributed by program participants. These centers will provide critical data for precision medicine research and support studies on various health questions.
The NIH HEAL Initiative is a trans-NIH effort to address the opioid crisis through science. The initiative focuses on two primary areas: improving treatments for opioid misuse and addiction, and enhancing strategies for pain management.