NIH Research Matters
June 2010 Archive
June 28, 2010
Progress Toward an Artificial Liver Transplant
Liver transplantation is currently the only available treatment for severe liver failure, but there aren’t enough donors to fill the need. Researchers have now made transplantable liver grafts for rats that may point the way toward a successful liver transplant substitute for humans.
Type of Rice Linked to Diabetes Risk
Think twice before eating white rice? It might be wise, new research suggests. A large study reports that people who eat more white rice are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, whereas those who eat more brown rice have less risk.
Tracing Flu Infections in Mice
Scientists have successfully tracked the progression of influenza virus infections within the lungs of mice. The accomplishment will lead to a better understanding of how flu infections spread and may suggest new strategies for combating them.
June 21, 2010
Stem Cells Used to Create Cells to Study Heart Condition
Researchers have made stem cell lines from patients with LEOPARD syndrome, a rare developmental disorder. The accomplishment is a major step toward using stem cells to model disease pathways and test potential treatments.
Brain Scans Support Genes' Role in Alzheimer's Disease
By comparing genome-wide data and brain MRIs from more than 700 people, scientists have confirmed that 4 suspect genes are tied to Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers also linked the disease to 2 new genes, offering unexpected targets for future research.
Drug Substitutes for Training to Blunt Fears in Rats
Researchers were able to reduce a conditioned fear in rats by using a drug, mimicking the effect of training. The finding suggests new possibilities for treating anxiety disorders.
June 14, 2010
Infants Can Learn When They’re Asleep
Newborn infants are capable of a simple form of learning while they’re asleep, according to a new study. The finding may lead to new ways of identifying infants at risk for certain developmental disorders.
Gene Pattern Marks Transplant Patients Who Can Avoid Lifelong Drugs
Scientists have identified a distinctive genetic signature in patients who successfully stopped taking a lifelong regimen of immunosuppressive drugs after having a kidney transplant. The finding may help to identify other transplant recipients who could safely reduce or end their use of harsh drugs that block transplant rejection.
New Mechanism for Clearing Blocked Microvessels
Researchers have identified a previously unknown process by which the smallest blood vessels remove blood clots and other blockages in mouse brains. The finding provides insight into a mechanism that may be involved in recovery from stroke as well as age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and other brain conditions.
June 7, 2010
Assessing the Risks, Benefits of Oxygen Therapies for Preemies
A gentle oxygen-delivery technique is as effective as a more invasive one for treating very preterm infants, according to a new study. The researchers also found that slightly lower oxygen levels decrease the risk for eye damage but may raise the risk of death.
Surgeries Equally Effective for Women's Bladder Control
Two common operations for bladder control problems in women had similar success rates but slightly different side effects, a large clinical trial found. The results could help patients and doctors make better-informed decisions about surgical treatments for stress urinary incontinence.
Reference Genomes Advance Human Microbiome Studies
Researchers have published an analysis of 178 genomes from microbes that live in or on the human body. The accomplishment sets the stage to better understand how these diverse organisms affect human health and disease.
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About NIH Research Matters
Harrison Wein, Ph.D., Editor
Vicki Contie, Assistant Editor
NIH Research Matters is a weekly update of NIH research highlights from the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health.
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