Study To Assess Biomarker as Indicator of Whether LRTIs Improve with Antibacterial Treatment
A new clinical trial sponsored by NIAID aims to determine whether low blood levels of the protein procalcitonin can reliably indicate whether a person’s lower respiratory tract infection will improve with antibiotic treatment.
Researchers Identify Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy
Snoring, older age and obesity may increase a pregnant woman’s risk for sleep apnea—or interrupted breathing during sleep—according to researchers funded by NICHD and NHLBI.
Epilepsy Study Links Mossy Brain Cells to Seizures and Memory Loss
A small group of cells in the brain can have a big effect on seizures and memory in a mouse model of epilepsy.
Increases in Inhaled Steroids Don’t Prevent Asthma Flare-Ups
Researchers have found that temporarily increasing the dosage of inhaled steroids when asthma symptoms begin to worsen does not effectively prevent severe flare-ups and may be associated with slowing a child’s growth.
Monoclonal Antibodies Crucial To Fighting Emerging Infectious Diseases
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)—preparations of a specific type of antibody designed to bind to a single target—have shown promise in the fight against cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Antibody Treatment May Target Viral Reservoir
After receiving a course of antiretroviral therapy for their HIV-like infection, approximately half of a group of monkeys infused with a broadly neutralizing antibody to HIV combined with an immune stimulatory compound suppressed the virus for 6 months without additional treatment, according to scientists supported in part by NIAID.
Scientists Show How the Brain May Be Wired for Drinking Fluids
Scientists have uncovered a high-resolution map of the wiring inside the mouse brain’s thirst center. With these blueprints, they could trick mice into becoming light or heavy water drinkers.
The Brain’s Internal Clock Continually Takes Its Temperature
Circuits in the brain act as an internal clock to tell us it is time to sleep and to control how long we then stay asleep.
Clinical Trial Testing Topical Cream Plus Influenza Vaccine in Progress
A phase 1 clinical trial examining whether a topical cream can enhance the immune response conferred by a “pre-pandemic” influenza vaccine is underway at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.