NIH Record - National Institutes of Health

Computerized Screener Helps Detect Youth Suicide Risk

Researchers have developed a computerized adaptive screener to identify youth at risk for attempting suicide. In a new study, the computerized adaptive screen for suicidal youth (CASSY) correctly identified 82.4 percent of youth who went on to attempt suicide in the 3 months after screening.

Meth Overdose Deaths Rise Sharply Nationwide

Methamphetamine overdose deaths surged in an 8-year period in the U.S., according to a new NIDA study published in JAMA Psychiatry. The analysis revealed rapid rises across all racial and ethnic groups, but American Indians and Alaska Natives had the highest death rates overall.

NIH Scientists Identify Nutrient that Helps Prevent Infection

Scientists studying the body’s natural defenses against bacterial infection have identified a nutrient—taurine—that helps the gut recall prior infections and kill invading bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn). The finding, published in Cell by investigators from five NIH institutes, could aid efforts seeking alternatives to antibiotics.

Full-Dose Blood Thinners Improve Outcomes in Hospitalized Covid Patients

In large clinical trials, full-dose anticoagulation (blood thinner) treatments given to moderately ill patients hospitalized for Covid-19 reduced the need for vital organ support, such as ventilation. A trend in reduced mortality was also observed and is under further study. With large numbers of Covid-19 patients requiring hospitalization, these outcomes could also help reduce the overload on intensive care units around the world.

Study Finds Surge of Teen Vaping Levels Off, But Remains High

Findings released in December from the most recent Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey of substance use behaviors and related attitudes among U.S. teens indicate that levels of nicotine and marijuana vaping did not increase from 2019 to early 2020, although they remain high.

The NIH Record

The NIH Record, founded in 1949, is the biweekly newsletter for employees of the National Institutes of Health.

Published 25 times each year, it comes out on payday Fridays.

Editor: Dana Talesnik
Dana.Talesnik@nih.gov(link sends email)

Assistant Editor: Eric Bock
Eric.Bock@nih.gov(link sends email)

Assistant Editor: Amber Snyder
Amber.Snyder@nih.gov(link sends email)