Finding Treasure in “Junk” DNA A vast consortium of researchers has created a view of the human genome that extends well beyond our genes. The findings suggest at least some function for more than 80% of the genome. In a related study, a systematic analysis linked regulatory regions to disease. Over 98% of our DNA […]

Comparing Treatments for Lacunar Stroke Aspirin combined with a drug called clopidogrel is no better than aspirin alone for preventing stroke in people with a history of lacunar strokes, according to a new study. The combination also carries a greater risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Strokes occur when blood vessels that supply the brain rupture or […]

MRI Shows Promise for Heart Procedures An experimental MRI method may be as safe and swift as standard X-ray procedures for guiding surgical interventions in the heart. The finding, from a small clinical study, suggests that MRI might one day offer a radiation-free alternative to more widely used X-rays for visualizing heart-related interventions.   This […]

Study Suggests New Approaches to Burkitt Lymphoma A new study revealed insights into how Burkitt lymphoma differs from other lymphomas. The researchers identified several cancer-related genes and pathways that could serve as targets for future treatments. Burkitt lymphoma cells. Image courtesy of Wellcome Photo Library. All rights reserved by Wellcome Images. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are cancers that […]

New Brain Cleaning System Discovered Scientists have discovered a system that drains waste products from the brain. The finding may reveal new ways to treat neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.   An artery in the brain of a mouse. The green shows cerebrospinal fluid in a channel along the outside of the artery.Photo courtesy of […]

Calorie Restriction May Not Extend Life In a 23-year study, scientists found that significantly cutting calories didn’t extend the lives of rhesus monkeys. The result differs from previous work that linked calorie restriction to longer life in primates. Calorie restriction research has a long history. In the 1930s, investigators observed that some lab rodents lived […]

After Cancer Diagnosis, Breast Density May Not Matter Women with breasts that look dense on a mammogram have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. But a new study found that most of these women, once diagnosed with breast cancer, aren’t at greater risk of dying than patients with less dense breasts. Mammograms use X-rays […]

Genetic Switch Involved in Depression The activity of a single gene sets in motion some of the brain changes seen in depression, according to a new study. The finding suggests a promising target for potential therapies. Raising expression of the Gata1 gene decreases the number of neuron connections (right) compared to controls (left). Image courtesy of Duman laboratory. […]

Genome Sequencing Tracks Bacterial Outbreak Last year, a deadly outbreak of antibiotic-resistant bacteria kept NIH’s Clinical Center in a state of high alert. NIH staff used genome sequencing to track the microbes’ spread, an approach that can be used to help control similar outbreaks in the future. Klebsiella pneumoniae. Image by Spike Walker, Wellcome Images. […]

Implanted Heart Cells Stifle Irregular Rhythms Heart cells derived from human stem cells can protect injured guinea pig hearts against abnormal rhythms, a new study showed. Similar heart cell transplants might one day hold promise for treating damaged human hearts. Scientists showed that transplanted human heart cells (green) could beat in sync with neighboring guinea […]