International Team Confirms New Genetic Mutation Link to ALS
Kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A), a gene previously linked to two rare neurodegenerative disorders, has been definitively connected to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by an international team from several of the world’s top ALS research labs.
Islet Transplants Boost Quality of Life for People with Type 1 Diabetes
Quality of life for people with type 1 diabetes who had frequent severe hypoglycemia—a potentially fatal low blood glucose (blood sugar) level—improved consistently and dramatically following transplantation of insulin-producing pancreatic islets, according to findings published online Mar. 21 in Diabetes Care.
Immune Cells in Retina Can Regenerate
Immune cells called microglia can completely repopulate themselves in the retina after being nearly eliminated, according to a new study in mice from scientists at NEI.
Early Stimulation Boosts Performance of Bioengineered Human Heart Cells
Researchers are now able to use induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to form a model of human adult-like cardiac muscle by introducing electric and mechanical stimulation at an early stage.
Elevated Blood Pressure Before Pregnancy May Increase Chance of Pregnancy Loss
Elevated blood pressure before conception may increase the chances for pregnancy loss, according to an analysis by researchers at NIH.
New Coronavirus Emerges From Bats in China
A newly identified coronavirus that killed nearly 25,000 piglets in 2016-2017 in China emerged from horseshoe bats near the origin of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which emerged in 2002 in the same bat species.
Epstein-Barr Virus Protein Can ‘Switch on’ Risk Genes for Autoimmune Diseases
Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the cause of infectious mononucleosis, has been associated with subsequent development of systemic lupus erythematosus and other chronic autoimmune illnesses, but the mechanisms behind this association have been unclear.
Genetically Altered Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Protect Monkeys from HIV-like Virus
Two genetically modified broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) protected rhesus macaques from an HIV-like virus, report scientists at NIAID.
Lack of Sleep May Be Linked to Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Losing just one night of sleep led to an immediate increase in beta-amyloid, a protein in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a small, new study by researchers at NIH.
Intervention for First-Time Moms and Their Infants Improves Child Weight
An intervention designed to help first-time mothers effectively respond to their infant’s cues for hunger, sleep, feeding and other infant behaviors significantly improved the body mass index (BMI) z-scores of the child through age 3 years compared with the control group.