A weekly summary of research developments and discoveries at NIH en-us http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/index.htm weinh@od.nih.gov Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/images/nih50.gif http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/index.htm 50 50 <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05232012paralyzed.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/images/paralyzed_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of a woman controlling a robotic arm to grasp a bottle." alt="Photo of a woman controlling a robotic arm to grasp a bottle." alt=Photo of a woman controlling a robotic arm to grasp a bottle." alt="Photo of a woman controlling a robotic arm to grasp a bottle.="0" /></a> Paralyzed patients were able to control a robotic arm with their thoughts, a new study reports. This advance may help restore some independence and improve quality of life for people who’ve lost the use of their limbs. </p><br clear="all"/> Wed, 23 May 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05232012paralyzed.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05232012microbes.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/images/microbes_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Scanning electron micrograph of Staphylococcus bacteria." alt=Scanning electron micrograph of Staphylococcus bacteria.="0" /></a> A new study revealed a surprisingly diverse and stable community of microbes in the male urinary tract and on the penis. The findings will help lead to a better understanding of male reproductive and sexual health. </p><br clear="all"/> Wed, 23 May 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05232012microbes.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05232012vision.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/images/vision1_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of photovoltaic chip implanted in eye." alt="Photo of photovoltaic chip implanted in eye." alt=Photo of photovoltaic chip implanted in eye" alt="Photo of photovoltaic chip implanted in eye.="0" /></a> In a proof-of-principle study, researchers developed retinal implants that can potentially deliver images to surviving neurons in the eye and restore vision. </p><br clear="all"/> Wed, 23 May 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05232012vision.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05142012incontinence.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/images/incontinence_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of a woman sitting in a waiting room." alt="Photo of a woman sitting in a waiting room.="0" /></a> A routine bladder function test given to women before urinary incontinence surgery may be unnecessary, a new study reports. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05142012incontinence.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05142012replay.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/images/replay_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Microscope image of a network of branched neurons with pyramid-shaped cell bodies." alt=Microscope image of a network of branched neurons with pyramid-shaped cell bodies.="0" /></a> A study in rats suggests that the mental replay of an experience is essential for making informed decisions. The work brings researchers closer to understanding how memories are represented and used by the brain. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05142012replay.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05142012chromosome.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/images/chromosome_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Illustration of chromosomes." alt="Illustration of chromosomes.="0" /></a> Large structural abnormalities in chromosomes become more common with age and may be linked to increased risk for cancer. The new findings offer insights into how cancer and other disorders might emerge as people get older. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05142012chromosome.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05072012diabetes.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/images/diabetes_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of a young teenage girl." alt="Photo of a young teenage girl.="0" /></a> A combination of 2 diabetes drugs, metformin and rosiglitazone, was more effective in treating youth with type 2 diabetes than metformin alone, according to a new study. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05072012diabetes.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05072012vision.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/images/vision_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of a senior man's eye." alt=Photo of a senior man's eye.="0" /></a> A comparison showed that the drugs Avastin and Lucentis lead to similar vision improvements in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Treatments given monthly were slightly more effective than when given as-needed. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05072012vision.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05072012bilingual.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/images/bilingual_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of a teenage girl listening to a friend in a noisy cafeteria." alt="Photo of a teenage girl listening to a friend in a noisy cafeteria.="0" /></a> A new study found certain brain functions that are enhanced in teens who are fluent in more than one language. The finding gives new insight into how our senses help shape our brains.</p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2012/05072012bilingual.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04302012movement.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/images/movement_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Microscope image of branched motor neurons." alt="Microscope image of branched motor neurons.="0" /></a> Monkeys paralyzed from the elbow down to their fingers were able to manipulate a ball with the help of an artificial connection between the brain and hand muscles. The technology might one day help paralysis victims regain muscle control.</p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04302012movement.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04302012MRSA.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/images/MRSA_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of a Chinese female doctor using a microscope in a laboratory" alt="Photo of a Chinese female doctor using a microscope in a laboratory="0" /></a> Scientists identified a gene that's been playing a pivotal role in epidemic waves of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in Asia. The finding suggests a promising target for novel therapeutics.</p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04302012MRSA.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04302012autism2.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/images/autism2_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of a mouse sniffing another in a cage." alt="Photo of a mouse sniffing another in a cage.="0" /></a> An experimental compound reversed certain autism-like behaviors in mice. The research may lead to a new strategy for treating autism spectrum disorders</p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04302012autism2.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04232012bone.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/images/bone_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="x-ray of lumbar spine" alt="x-ray of lumbar spine="0" /></a> A new study linked 32 novel genetic regions to bone mineral density. The findings may help researchers better understand bone fracture risk. They also suggest potential drug targets for preventing or treating osteoporosis.</p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04232012bone.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04232012malaria.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/images/malaria_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of young girl." alt="Photo of young girl.="0" /></a> Researchers report that a first-line treatment for malaria is losing its effectiveness in parts of Asia. They've also found parts of the parasite's genome that may underlie its drug resistance.</p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04232012malaria.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04232012social.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/images/social_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Two rhesus macaques." alt="Two rhesus macaques.="0" /></a> Social rank has broad effects on gene regulation, particularly in the immune system, according to a new study in rhesus macaques. The findings help explain how social status gets under your skin.</p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04232012social.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04162012autism.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/images/autism_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of boy playing with toy block." alt="Photo of boy playing with toy block.="0" /></a> New studies reveal several genes and biological pathways that may contribute to autism spectrum disorders. Among other insights, the findings may help explain earlier evidence linking autism risk to older fathers.</p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04162012autism.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04162012summer.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/images/summer_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Photo of older man with blazing sun." alt="Photo of older man with blazing sun.="0" /></a> Fluctuations in daily summer temperatures may boost the risk of death in older people with chronic diseases, according to a new study. The finding could have important implications for the nation's aging population. </p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04162012summer.htm <p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04162012hiv.htm"><img src="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/images/hiv_th.jpg" align="left" height="72" width="72" alt="Microscope image of round virus near a cell surface." alt="Microscope image of round virus near a cell surface.fat.="0" /></a>A new study gives insight into the workings of the first vaccine ever reported to modestly prevent HIV infection in people.</p><br clear="all"/> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/april2012/04162012hiv.htm