A weekly summary of research developments and discoveries at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) weinh@od.nih.gov (Harrison Wein) en-us http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/index.htm 60 http://www.nih.gov/images/rss/nihmark-80x50.png http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/index.htm 80 50 <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05202013heart.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/images/heart_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Parents kissing child." /></a>A large-scale genomic analysis found that non-inherited mutations in hundreds of genes together account for about 1 in 10 cases of severe congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect. Mon, 20 May 2013 12:16:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05202013heart.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05202013heart.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05202013malaria.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/images/malaria_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Green bacteria in an infected mosquito's midgut." /></a>Researchers established a bacterial infection in mosquitoes that helps fight the parasites that cause malaria. These infected insects could be a significant tool for malaria control. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 20 May 2013 12:16:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05202013malaria.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05202013malaria.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05202013ears.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/images/ears_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Printed Bionic Ear." /></a>Researchers used 3-D printing to create functional bionic ears that receive radio signals. Using similar techniques, it may one day be possible to create bionic implants and prostheses. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 20 May 2013 12:16:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05202013ears.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05202013ears.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05132013supplements.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/images/supplements_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Man reading the label on a vitamin bottle." /></a>New findings may help improve nutritional supplements for treating age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness nationwide. Mon, 13 May 2013 13:21:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05132013supplements.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05132013supplements.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05132013migraine.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/images/migraine_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Woman with headache, massaging temples." /></a> Researchers linked an abnormal gene to both a common type of migraine and a rare sleep disorder. The discovery provides a new avenue for exploring treatment options. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 13 May 2013 13:21:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05132013migraine.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05132013migraine.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05132013diabetes.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/images/diabetes_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Pancreas in mouse that overexpresses betatrophin." /></a>A hormone called betatrophin prompts cells in the pancreas to multiply and produce more insulin. The finding, in mice, may lead to new ways to combat diabetes. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 13 May 2013 13:21:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05132013diabetes.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05132013diabetes.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05062013endometrial.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/images/endometrial_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Happy women friends." /></a>A new study suggests that genomic classification of endometrial tumors could help guide treatment strategies. The analysis also revealed novel subtypes and found similarities to other cancers. Mon, 06 May 2013 11:20:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05062013endometrial.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05062013endometrial.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05062013biopsies.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/images/biopsies_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="A microgripper near the opening of an endoscopic catheter." /></a> Researchers designed star-shaped microtools that close in response to body heat to grasp tissue samples. The microgrippers could be used to retrieve tissue samples in many hard-to-reach places. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 06 May 2013 11:20:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05062013biopsies.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05062013biopsies.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05062013radioactive.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/images/radioactive_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Listeria inside pancreatic tumor." /></a>Live bacteria delivered a lethal radioactive payload to pancreatic cancer cells in mice. With further development, the approach might one day help doctors fight this deadly type of cancer in people. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 06 May 2013 11:20:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05062013radioactive.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2013/05062013radioactive.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04292013H7N9.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/images/H7N9_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Transmission electron micrograph of the new influenza A (H7N9) virus." /></a> Researchers quickly analyzed the novel avian influenza virus that's caused recent illness and death in China. Their effort gives clues to the virus’s origin, transmissibility and treatment. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04292013H7N9.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04292013H7N9.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04292013kidneys.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/images/kidneys_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="A rat kidney in a bioreactor." /></a> Scientists created artificial kidneys that can filter blood and produce urine in rats. The approach may one day help patients who need organ transplants. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04292013kidneys.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04292013kidneys.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04292013arrestin.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/images/arrestin_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="β-arrestin-1 binds a G-protein coupled receptor." /></a> Researchers visualized a key step in how signals from outside the cell are muted within. The finding gives insight into the complex systems that control our cells. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04292013arrestin.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04292013arrestin.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04222013meat.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/images/meat_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Medium rare steak." /></a> The link between red meat consumption and heart disease, a study suggests, may stem from gut microbes breaking down carnitine, a compound found in red meat. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04222013meat.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04222013meat.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04222013cholesterol.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/images/cholesterol_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="An eye filled with abnormal blood vessels." /></a> Research in mice suggests that targeting cholesterol metabolism in the eye may help prevent progression of a severe form of age-related macular degeneration. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04222013cholesterol.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04222013cholesterol.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04222013brain.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/images/brain_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="A mouse hippocampus." /></a> Scientists developed a technique to preserve the brain's 3-D structure down to the molecular level, allowing for study of the brain's inner workings at a scale never before possible. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04222013brain.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04222013brain.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04152013bypass.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/images/bypass_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Electron micrograph of an E. coli cell." /></a> A study in mice suggests that gastric bypass surgery may result in weight loss in part by altering microbes in the gut. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04152013bypass.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04152013bypass.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04152013addiction.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/images/addiction_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Collage of human head, molecules and various abstract scientific elements related to the human mind." /></a> Stimulating a specific part of the brain reduced compulsive cocaine seeking in rats. The finding suggests a potential approach to change addictive behavior. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04152013addiction.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04152013addiction.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04152013temperature.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/images/temperature_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of fire engulfing a stack of ice cubes." /></a> Researchers discovered that distinct sets of neurons respond to heat and cold. The findings provide an elegant explanation for how mammals sense temperature. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:15:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04152013temperature.htm http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2013/04152013temperature.htm