NIH Research Matters
September 2010 Archive
September 27, 2010
Alternate Therapy for Poorly Controlled Asthma
A drug commonly used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can help adults whose asthma isn’t well-controlled by low doses of inhaled corticosteroids. The new finding may expand the options for controlling asthma.
Telomere Length Linked to Outcomes in Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia patients with shorter chromosome tips, or telomeres, have a lower survival rate and are much more likely to relapse after treatment than those with longer telomeres, a new study reports. The results add to a growing body of evidence linking telomere length to disease risk and clinical outcomes.
Stress Hormone Causes Epigenetic Changes
Researchers found that chronic exposure to a stress hormone causes modifications to DNA in the brains of mice, prompting changes in gene expression. The new finding provides clues into how chronic stress might affect human behavior.
September 20, 2010
New Gene Tied to Deadly Ovarian Cancer
Two research teams have linked an unexpected gene to an aggressive and hard-to-treat form of ovarian cancer.
Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease in African-Americans
A lower blood pressure goal was no better than the standard goal at slowing the progression of kidney disease among African-Americans with chronic kidney disease resulting from high blood pressure. However, the findings suggest that the blood pressure goal did benefit people who also had protein in the urine, which is a sign of kidney damage.
Charting Brain Maturity
Researchers used advanced imaging to chart individuals' brain maturity based on the functional connections between brain regions. The finding raises the possibility that brain scanning data may one day be used to monitor psychiatric and developmental disorders.
September 13, 2010
A Third-Generation Map of Human Genetic Variation
An international consortium has published the largest survey of human genetic variation thus far: a third-generation map that includes data from 11 global populations. The accomplishment will help in the ongoing search for genetic variants associated with complex diseases.
New Test Detects TB in Less than 2 Hours
Scientists have developed an automated test that can rapidly and accurately detect tuberculosis and drug-resistant TB bacteria in patients. The finding could pave the way for earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatment of this disease.
Promising Malaria Drug Candidate Emerges
A chemical that rids mice of malaria-causing parasites after a single oral dose may, with further development and testing, lead to a new malaria drug.
Editor’s Picks
Contact Us
Phone: 301-435-7489
E-mail: nihresearchmatters@od.nih.gov
Mailing Address:
NIH Research Matters
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B64A, MSC 2094
Bethesda, MD 20892-2094
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.
Social Media Links