2017 NIH Breaking News

AUGUST 2017

• NCI study shows feasibility of cancer screening protocol for patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome
  August 3, 2017 — Researchers found a higher than expected prevalence of cancer at baseline screening. 

• NIH Scientists Track Zika Virus Transmission in Mice
  August 3, 2017 — Study analyzes how virus is spread sexually and from mother to fetus. 

• NIMHD announces recipients for the inaugural William G. Coleman Jr., Ph.D., Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Innovation Award
  August 1, 2017 — NIMHD will fund three awards to support minority health and health disparities research. 

JULY 2017

• New imaging technique overturns longstanding textbook model of DNA folding
  July 27, 2017 — NIH-funded study results suggest more complex gene interactions and regulation. 

• Immune system may mount an attack in Parkinson’s disease
  July 27, 2017 — NIH-funded study suggests role for specific immune cells in brain disease. 

• Discovery documentary First in Human gives an up-close look at how advances in medicine are made at the NIH Clinical Center
  July 26, 2017 — Three-part series airing in August portrays the hopes and setbacks of patients, doctors, and nurses seeking cures. 

• Researchers unlock regenerative potential of cells in the mouse retina
  July 26, 2017 — NEI-funded researchers use a clue from zebrafish to discover the cues that reprogram Müller glia into retinal neurons. 

• NIH to hold summit on caregiving
  July 26, 2017 — Keynote by Judy Woodruff, PBS NewsHour anchor and managing editor. 

• “Residual echo” of ancient humans in scans may hold clues to mental disorders
  July 26, 2017 — Scans suggests that genetic variation may affect the way our brains work today. 

• Waterlogged brain region helps scientists gauge damage caused by Parkinson’s disease
  July 26, 2017 — NIH-funded research could aid drug development for the condition.

• The All of Us Research Program announces first community partner awards
  July 25, 2017 — Four organizations to support engagement of diverse communities in ambitious research effort. 

• In adolescents, oral Truvada and vaginal ring for HIV prevention are safe, acceptable
  July 25, 2017 — NIH-funded clinical trials are first of their kind to include younger adolescent girls. 

• NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH trial to test targeted drugs in childhood cancers
  July 24, 2017 — Nationwide trial to explore targeted therapies for children and adolescents with solid tumors. 

• Drug interaction concerns may negatively affect HIV treatment adherence among transgender women
  July 24, 2017 — Participants in NIH-supported study apprehensive about combining HIV medications and hormones. 

• Experimental HIV vaccine regimen is well-tolerated, elicits immune responses
  July 24, 2017 — Results from early-stage NIH-funded trial support further development of candidate vaccines. 

• Child living with HIV maintains remission without drugs since 2008
  July 24, 2017 — Child treated in infancy as part of NIH-funded study. 

• NIH-supported scientists elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV in calves
  July 20, 2017 — Unique structure of bovine bNAbs may inform HIV vaccine, therapeutics design. 

• Social interaction affects cancer patients’ response to treatment
  July 19, 2017 — Biological basis is unknown but may be related to stress response, NIH researchers say. 

• NIH-funded mouse study sheds light on neural risks associated with prenatal alcohol exposure
  July 19, 2017 — New findings may help explain the range of behavioral and learning deficits and other symptoms. 

• Space station project seeks to crystalize the means to counteract nerve poisons
  July 17, 2017 — NIH-supported experiment could lead to improved antidotes.

• NIH scientists find rare disease clues in cell’s recycling system
  July 17, 2017 — The work could lead to a new generation of potential therapies for Niemann-Pick type C1 and similar disorders. 

• NIH findings link aldosterone with alcohol use disorder
  July 17, 2017 — Aldosterone, a hormone produced in the adrenal glands, helps regulate electrolyte and fluid balance. 

• Experimental Zika virus vaccines restrict in utero virus transmission in mice
  July 13, 2017 — Vaccines protect against Zika-related congenital damage. 

• Advice for older adults on staying cool in hot weather
  July 13, 2017 — Risk of heat-related health problems increases with age. 

• Children’s visual engagement is heritable and altered in autism
  July 12, 2017 — Attention to mouth and eyes is influenced by genetic factors, suggests NIH-funded study 

• Scientists replay movie encoded in DNA
  July 12, 2017 — “Molecular Recorder” would reveal secrets of brain development. 

• HIV hijacks surface molecule to invade cell
  July 12, 2017 — NIH discovery could lead to new drugs to prevent HIV infection. 

• Eye microbiome trains immune cells to fend off pathogens in mice
  July 11, 2017 — NIH study shows microbe living on the surface of the eye protects cornea from infection. 

• Malaria drug protects fetal mice from Zika virus, NIH-funded study finds
  July 10, 2017 — Blocking a key placental defense may limit maternal-fetal transmission of the virus. 

• NIH-funded team uses smartphone data in global study of physical activity
  July 10, 2017 — Large-scale study reveals targets for obesity prevention, wisdom of walkable communities.

• NIH launches prospective study of Zika and HIV co-infection during pregnancy
  July 10, 2017 — Study to determine potential risks that infection with Zika may pose for pregnancies in which the mother is also has HIV. 

• NIH and collaborators identify the genomic cause for Carey-Fineman-Ziter syndrome
  July 6, 2017 — Rare disease research uncovers new mechanism underlying muscle development. 

• Blood of SIDS infants contains high levels of serotonin
  July 3, 2017 — Findings from NIH-funded study could provide basis for forensic SIDS test. 

JUNE 2017

• Common antimicrobials help patients recover from MRSA abscesses
  June 29, 2017 — NIAID-funded trial counters current thinking about treatment effectiveness. 

• NIAID scientists identify cause, possible treatment for life-threatening gut condition
  June 29, 2017 — Currently, no effective treatments are available for these life-threatening symptoms. 

• NIH study sheds light on immune responses driving obesity-induced liver disease
  June 28, 2017 — Findings in mouse models reveal inflammatory factors that promote liver scarring. 

• Researchers develop microneedle patch for flu vaccination
  June 27, 2017 — The patch could be an alternative to needle-and-syringe immunization. 

• NIH names winners of “Follow that Cell” Phase 2 competition
  June 27, 2017 — Competition for development of new tools and methods for predicting the behavior and function of a single cell. 

• NAS report: Promising but inconclusive evidence on interventions to prevent cognitive decline, dementia
  June 22, 2017 — Suggests NIH, others carefully cue public about potential benefits of cognitive training, blood pressure management, exercise. 

• Predicting cognitive deficits in people with Parkinson’s disease
  June 21, 2017 — NIH-funded tool may improve clinical trial design and aid in treatment development.

• Researchers uncover genetic gains and losses in Tourette syndrome
  June 21, 2017 — NIH-funded study finds new clues to brain disorder. 

• Study to examine effects of Zika infection in Guatemalan infants and children
  June 19, 2017 — NIH-funded study will characterize outcomes of infection acquired after birth. 

• Scientists identify single-gene mutations that lead to atopic dermatitis
  June 19, 2017 — NIH-supported research suggests potential treatment strategy. 

• NIH study: Glutamine suppresses herpes in mice and guinea pigs
  June 16, 2017 — Results suggest possible new treatment approach. 

• Researchers aim to repurpose former experimental cancer therapy to treat muscular dystrophy
  June 13, 2017 — Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by a faulty gene that leads to progressive muscle weakness. 

• NIAID scientists discover rare genetic susceptibility to common cold
  June 12, 2017 — Unusual case provides insight into leading cause of acute illness worldwide. 

• NIH-led workshop addresses opioid misuse during pregnancy
  June 8, 2017 — Experts identify research gaps and opportunities to improve outcomes for families. 

• Pregnancy diet high in refined grains could increase child obesity risk by age 7, NIH study suggests
  June 7, 2017 — The researchers compared records from 918 mother-child pairs. 

• Neuroimaging technique may help predict autism among high-risk infants
  June 7, 2017 — Brain patterns precede behavioral symptoms of autism, NIH-funded study suggest. 

• Drinking diet beverages during pregnancy linked to child obesity, NIH study suggests
  June 6, 2017 — Childhood obesity is known to increase the risk for certain health problems later in life, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.

MAY 2017

• Modified experimental vaccine protects monkeys from deadly malaria
  May 22, 2017 — Scientists modified an existing vaccine to more closely mimics the protein complex used by the parasite. 

• Epigenetics takes center stage with this year’s Addiction Science Awards
  May 19, 2017 — NIDA announces awardees at the 2017 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. 

• NIH researchers identify key regulator of fetal growth in mice
  May 18, 2017 — Findings reveal new, developmental role for proteins that typically combat ancient viruses.

• Antibodies from Ebola survivor protect mice and ferrets against related viruses
  May 18, 2017 — NIAID-funded study could lead to broad, versatile treatments for many different Ebola viruses. 

• Study estimates number of U.S. women living with metastatic breast cancer
  May 18, 2017 — Researchers used population-based data to calculate prevalence of metastatic breast cancer and found that women are living longer with the disease. 

• Researchers connect brain blood vessel lesions to intestinal bacteria
  May 18, 2017 — NIH-funded pre-clinical study links gut microbes and the immune system to a genetic disorder that can cause stroke and seizures. 

• NIH statement on HIV Vaccine Awareness Day - 2017
  May 18, 2017 — Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director, NIAID and Carl W. Dieffenbach, Ph.D., Director, Division of AIDS, NIAID.

• FDA-approved drug helps treat rare immunologic disease, study finds
  May 17, 2017 — NIH co-funded clinical trial tested alternative treatment for eosinophilic syndrome. 

• Study finds tens of millions of Americans drink alcohol at dangerously high levels
  May 17, 2017 — Nearly 32 million adults in the United States consumed more than twice the number of drinks considered binge drinking on at least one occasion. 

• High blood pressure linked to racial segregation in neighborhoods
  May 15, 2017 — The findings offer evidence that policies to reduce residential racial segregation may have meaningful health benefits.

• New NIAAA strategic plan aims to advance alcohol research across a broad spectrum of areas
  May 15, 2017 — The new plan serves as a roadmap for optimizing the allocation of NIAAA’s resources. 

• Enterococci may have evolved antimicrobial resistance millions of years ago
  May 11, 2017 — Bacteria likely became hardy survivors when their prehistoric animal hosts became terrestrial. 

• Study beefs up support for brain cells that control protein hunger
  May 10, 2017 — NIH-funded research identifies cells in fly brains responsible for regulating protein levels. 

• New light-sensing molecule discovered in the fruit fly brain
  May 10, 2017 — The discovery could help inform future research into degenerative retinal disorders. 

• Study finds worsening outcomes in service members five years after mild blast-induced concussion
  May 10, 2017 — NIH-funded research suggests need for new treatment strategies to help veterans recover. 

• NIH announces 2017-2018 Medical Research Scholars Program Class
  May 10, 2017 — Scholars begin their fellowships at NIH this summer. 

• Cell particles may help spread HIV infection, NIH study suggests
  May 10, 2017 — Cells infected with HIV appear to produce extracellular vesicles that manipulate healthy cells to pass infection. 

• Avastin as effective as Eylea for treating central retinal vein occlusion
  May 9, 2017 — NIH-funded clinical trial shows use of either drug improved vision and had few side effects. 

• Systemic therapy outperforms intraocular implant for treating uveitis
  May 8, 2017 — After seven years, NIH-funded clinical trial finds systemic therapy better preserves visual acuity and has fewer side effects. 

• NIH launches competition to develop human eye tissue in a dish
  May 4, 2017 — 3-D Retina Organoid Challenge to spur breakthroughs in treating blinding diseases.

• Brain “relay” also key to holding thoughts in the mind
  May 3, 2017 — Thalamus eyed as potential treatment target for schizophrenia’s working memory deficits. 

• Prescribing patterns change following direct marketing restrictions
  May 2, 2017 — NIH-funded study looks at how conflict of interest policies affect medication prescribing.

• NIH discovery in mice could lead to new class of medications to fight mid-life obesity
  May 2, 2017 — Researchers identified an enzyme that could help in the continuous battle against mid-life obesity and fitness loss. 

• NIH research improves health for people with asthma
  May 1, 2017 — Statement for Asthma Awareness Month. 

APRIL 2017

• Zika virus persists in the central nervous system and lymph nodes of Rhesus monkeys
  April 28, 2017 — Virus found in tissues weeks after clearance from blood. 

• Antidepressant may enhance drug delivery to the brain
  April 27, 2017 — NIH rat study suggests amitriptyline temporarily inhibits the blood-brain barrier, allowing drugs to enter the brain. 

• Human forebrain circuits under construction – in a dish
  April 26, 2017 — Autism-related errant migration of neurons corrected in patient-derived 3D “spheroids” 

• NIH statement on World Malaria Day — April 25, 2017
  April 25, 2017 — Statement of B. Fenton Hall, M.D., Ph.D., and Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 

• NIH Funds Seven International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research
  April 21, 2017 — The awards fund four new and seven existing centers that work in 14 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

• Fewer exams and better eye health? Aye-aye, finds type 1 diabetes study
  April 19, 2017 — NIH-funded study shows individualized eye exam schedule results in lower costs, better outcomes.

• NIDA announces recipients of 2017 Avant-Garde Awards for HIV/AIDS research
  April 5, 2017 — NIH awards highlight novel approaches to HIV prevention and treatment. 

• International scientific teams find potential approach against parasites
  April 3, 2017 — Scientists sorted through more than 1 trillion small protein fragments to uncover potential treatment targets. 

• Phase 2 Zika vaccine trial begins in U.S., Central and South America
  March 31, 2017 — Study will evaluate NIH’s experimental DNA vaccine. 

MARCH 2017

• Annual Report to the Nation: Cancer Death Rates Continue to Decline
  March 31, 2017 — Special section on survival finds significant improvement for all but two cancer sites. 

• NIH designates $42.7 million for food allergy research consortium
  March 31, 2017 — Consortium will continue seeking food allergy treatment strategies over next seven years. 

• Antimicrobial Resistance Diagnostic Challenge selects 10 semifinalists in first phase of competition
  March 27, 2017 — Each will receive $50,000 to develop prototypes of diagnostics to improve detection of drug resistant bacteria. 

• NIH Statement on World Tuberculosis Day
  March 24, 2017 — Statement of Christine F. Sizemore, PhD., Richard Hafner, M.D., and Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

• NIH achieves milestone to accelerate multisite clinical studies
  March 23, 2017 — CTSA Program paves way for nationwide single IRB model. 

• Scientists discover urinary biomarker that may help track ALS
  March 22, 2017 — NIH-funded study suggests opportunity to find insights to neurological disease. 

• NIH-funded scientists deploy CRISPR to preserve photoreceptors in mice
  March 14, 2017 — Gene-editing tool rescues photoreceptors from a variety of mutations.

• Common tests for preterm birth not useful for routine screening of first-time pregnancies
  March 14, 2017 — Tests for short cervix, fetal fibronectin identify only a small number of cases, NIH study suggests. 

• Integrative health care and U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families
  March 14, 2017 — NCCIH’s 2017 spring event schedule. 

• Study identifies African-specific genomic variant associated with obesity
  March 13, 2017 — Findings highlight the importance of genomic studies in diverse populations. 

• NIH-funded study helps explain how zebrafish recover from blinding injuries
  March 9, 2017 — Decrease in neurotransmitter GABA triggers stem cell production in the retina. 

• This World Kidney Day, pledge to maintain a healthy weight
  March 9, 2017 — NIH statement from Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers, Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 

• No benefit in treating mildly low thyroid function in pregnancy, NIH network study finds
  March 1, 2017 — Long-term study has found no differences in cognitive functioning among children born to mothers with subclinical hypothyroidism. 

• Study finds effective interventions to prevent alcohol use among American Indian and rural youth
  March 1, 2017 — Rural youths, including those who are a racial minority relative to their community, are at increased risk for alcohol misuse. 

FEBRUARY 2017

• Open Science Prize announces epidemic tracking tool as grand prize winner
  February 28, 2017 — Winning prototype aims to track spread of pathogens across the globe. 

• Youth with type 2 diabetes develop complications more often than type 1 peers
  February 28, 2017 — NIH, CDC funded study finds many in both groups quickly develop kidney, nerve, eye diseases. 

• NCI launches study of African-American cancer survivors
  February 27, 2017 — Study will focus on lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

• Extreme temperatures may increase risk for low birth weight at term, NIH study suggests
  February 27, 2017 — Low birth weight refers to infants weighing less than 5.5 lbs. at birth. 

• NIH consortium takes aim at vascular disease-linked cognitive impairment and dementia
  February 22, 2017 — MarkVCID brings team science approach to small vessel disease biomarkers in the brain. 

• Respiratory syncytial virus vaccine enters clinical testing
  February 22, 2017 — NIH-led trial to evaluate RSV vaccine’s safety in healthy adults. 

• Rare Disease Day at NIH event features advances in rare diseases research
  February 22, 2017 — Rare diseases affect an estimated 25 million Americans. 

• NIH begins study of vaccine to protect against mosquito-borne diseases
  February 21, 2017 — Experimental vaccine targets mosquito saliva. 

• NIH-supported trials of testosterone therapy in older men report mixed results
  February 21, 2017 — Hormone treatment improved bone strength and hemoglobin levels; may increase cardiovascular risk; had no effect on cognition. 

• Experimental PfSPZ malaria vaccine provides durable protection against multiple strains in NIH clinical trial
  February 21, 2017 — Earlier research found the vaccine to be safe, well-tolerated and protective for more than a year. 

• Investigational PfSPZ malaria vaccine demonstrates considerable protection in Malian adults for duration of malaria season
  February 16, 2017 — In 2015, 212 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide, and 429,000 people with malaria died. 

• Survival rate may be improving for extremely preterm infants
  February 15, 2017 — NIH-funded study also observes less neurological impairment among surviving infants. 

• NIH research helps explain how antibody treatment led to sustained remission of HIV-like virus
  February 15, 2017 — Research presents a new target for HIV prevention and treatment, and sheds light on how HIV develops.

• International study suggests Nodding syndrome caused by response to parasitic protein
  February 15, 2017 — NIH-funded study also identifies potential new mechanism for some forms of epilepsy. 

• Epilepsy drug discovered in fish model shows promise in small pediatric clinical trial
  February 9, 2017 — NIH-funded research suggests zebrafish models may be efficient resource for identifying drugs for clinical use. 

• Hair analysis may help diagnose Cushing Syndrome, NIH researchers report
  February 9, 2017 — Small study suggests that high cortisol level in hair may foretell hard-to-diagnose disorder. 

• Designer compound may untangle damage leading to some dementias
  February 8, 2017 — NIH-funded preclinical study suggests a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. 

• Four pivotal NIH-funded artificial pancreas research efforts begin
  February 7, 2017 — Devices would replace traditional, manual methods for management of type 1 diabetes. 

• Aspirin may help increase pregnancy chances in women with high inflammation, NIH study finds
  February 7, 2017 — The women who benefited from the aspirin treatment had high levels of C-reactive protein.

• Couples with obesity may take longer to achieve pregnancy, NIH study suggests
  February 3, 2017 — Study findings underscore the importance of including both partners. 

• NIH to expand critical catalog for genomics research
  February 2, 2017 — NIH, NHGRI, expand, ENCODE, Encyclopedia of DNA Elements Project, expand, catalog, genomics, research. 

• Stem cell transplants may induce long-term remission of multiple sclerosis
  February 1, 2017 — Encouraging results help set stage for larger studies. 

• All of Us Research Program announces funding opportunity for community partners
  February 1, 2017 — Diverse community support vital for a cohort program reflective of the U.S. population.

JANUARY 2017

• Stem cell secretions may protect against glaucoma
  January 27, 2017 — NEI scientists find that stem cell exosomes promote survival of retinal ganglion cells in rats. 

• NIH initiates pilot grant program for innovative neurological research
  January 26, 2017 — Pilot award strategy designed to enhance funding stability to researchers. 

• Study finds premature death rates diverge in the United States by race and ethnicity
  January 26, 2017 — Researchers examined comprehensive data of premature death rates for the entire US population from 1999 to 2014. 

• TCGA study identifies genomic features of cervical cancer
  January 24, 2017 — Research network identifies novel genomic and molecular characteristics that may help target therapies. 

• New Drug Formulary Will Help Expedite Use of Agents in Clinical Trials
  January 11, 2017 — NCI Formulary could ultimately translate into speeding the availability of more-effective treatment options to patients with cancer. 

• Biomarker in blood may help predict recovery time for sports concussions
  January 6, 2017 — Blood protein tau could be an important new clinical biomarker to better identify athletes who need more recovery time. 

• NIH-sponsored expert panel issues clinical guidelines to prevent peanut allergy
  January 5, 2017 — Recommendations focus on introducing peanut-containing foods to infants. 

• Sex hormone-sensitive gene complex linked to premenstrual mood disorder
  January 3, 2017 — Dysregulated cellular response to estrogen and progesterone suspected. 

• Parental obesity linked to delays in child development, NIH study suggests
  January 3, 2017 — Children of obese mothers were more likely to fail tests of fine motor skill.