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Mice study illustrates potential risks associated with prion transmission

Familial human prion diseases are passed within families and are associated with 34 known prion protein mutations.

9 Mar 2018

Scientists uncover detailed map of the brain circuits behind thirst and satiety

Scientists 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.

8 Mar 2018

Study shows how fly's circadian clock network takes temperature cues to control sleep

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. A new study in flies suggests a part of that clock constantly monitors changes in external temperature and integrates that information into the neural network controlling sleep.

8 Mar 2018

When wildfire smoke invades, who should pay to clean indoor air?

As dense smoke from wildfires spread through communities across western Montana last summer, public health agencies faced an indoor problem, too: Residents suddenly needed filters to clean the air inside homes and public spaces, but there was no obvious funding source to pay for it.

8 Mar 2018

FDA expands approval of smaller size replacement heart valve for treating newborn pediatric patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today expanded the approval of a heart valve to include a size small enough to be used in newborn pediatric patients to treat heart defects. Specifically, the agency approved the Masters Series Mechanical Heart Valve with Hemodynamic Plus Sewing Cuff to include the 15-mm valve size, making it the smallest mechanical heart valve approved in the world.

7 Mar 2018

FDA approves new tests to detect tickborne parasite in human plasma and whole blood samples

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the Imugen Babesia microti Arrayed Fluorescent Immunoassay, for the detection of antibodies to Babesia microti (B. microti) in human plasma samples, and the Imugen Babesia microti Nucleic Acid Test (NAT), for the detection of B. microti DNA in human whole blood samples.

7 Mar 2018

FDA approves new antiretroviral medication for patients with multidrug-resistant HIV

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Trogarzo (ibalizumab-uiyk), a new type of antiretroviral medication for adult patients living with HIV who have tried multiple HIV medications in the past (heavily treatment-experienced) and whose HIV infections cannot be successfully treated with other currently available therapies (multidrug resistant HIV, or MDR HIV).

6 Mar 2018

One-month antibiotic regimen to prevent TB as safe, effective as nine-month therapy for HIV patients

A one-month antibiotic regimen to prevent active tuberculosis (TB) disease was at least as safe and effective as the standard nine-month therapy for people living with HIV, according to the results of a large international clinical trial.

6 Mar 2018

FDA reminds consumers to be wary of unapproved flu products

As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's ongoing efforts to protect consumers from health fraud, the agency is reminding consumers to be wary of unapproved products claiming to prevent, treat or cure influenza, or flu.

5 Mar 2018

Researchers identify genetic variations that affect blood pressure using cigarette smoking behavior

Using a technique that is opening the door to more complex analyses of the human genome, researchers have identified dozens of new genetic variations that affect blood pressure.

2 Mar 2018

NIAID details new strategic plan for creating safe, effective universal influenza vaccine

Developing a universal influenza vaccine -- a vaccine that can provide durable protection for all age groups against multiple influenza strains, including those that might cause a pandemic -- is a priority for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

28 Feb 2018

New NIH study aims to identify biomarkers of AMD progression

A new clinical study led by the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, will follow 500 people over five years to learn more about the natural history of early age-related macular degeneration.

26 Feb 2018

U.S. clinical sites evaluating antibody-based therapies to prevent two common bacterial infections

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, is supporting U.S. clinical sites participating in two ongoing international Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating investigational antibody-based therapies aimed at preventing potentially antibiotic-resistant infections.

23 Feb 2018

Early childhood immune signature predicts risk of developing asthma later on

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by the interplay of genetics, environmental factors and a diverse cast of immune cells.

19 Feb 2018

New blood test shows promise to revolutionize diagnosis of tick-borne diseases

A new blood test called the Tick-Borne Disease Serochip (TBD Serochip) promises to revolutionize the diagnosis of tick-borne disease by offering a single test to identify and distinguish between Borrelia burgdorferi, the pathogen responsible for Lyme disease, and seven other tick-borne pathogens.

18 Feb 2018

FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of NSCLC progression

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Imfinzi (durvalumab) for the treatment of patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are not able to be surgically removed (unresectable) and whose cancer has not progressed after treatment with chemotherapy and radiation (chemoradiation).

18 Feb 2018

FDA permits marketing of first blood test to evaluate mild traumatic brain injury

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today permitted marketing of the first blood test to evaluate mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly referred to as concussion, in adults.

15 Feb 2018

New medication improves motor function in children with later-onset spinal muscular atrophy

Children with later-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were more likely to show gains in motor function when treated with a new medication compared to children receiving a sham procedure, according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

15 Feb 2018

FDA approves new treatment for non-metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Erleada (apalutamide) for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer that has not spread (non-metastatic), but that continues to grow despite treatment with hormone therapy (castration-resistant). This is the first FDA-approved treatment for non-metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer.

15 Feb 2018

Idaho Blue Cross jumps into controversial market for plans that bypass ACA rules

That didn't take long. It's barely been two weeks since Idaho regulators said they would allow the sale of health insurance that does not meet all of the Affordable Care Act's requirements — a controversial step some experts said would likely draw legal scrutiny and, potentially, federal fines for any insurer that jumped in.

15 Feb 2018

Health and Human Services News and Research

Mice study illustrates potential risks associated with prion transmission

Scientists uncover detailed map of the brain circuits behind thirst and satiety

Study shows how fly's circadian clock network takes temperature cues to control sleep

When wildfire smoke invades, who should pay to clean indoor air?

FDA expands approval of smaller size replacement heart valve for treating newborn pediatric patients

FDA approves new tests to detect tickborne parasite in human plasma and whole blood samples

FDA approves new antiretroviral medication for patients with multidrug-resistant HIV

One-month antibiotic regimen to prevent TB as safe, effective as nine-month therapy for HIV patients

FDA reminds consumers to be wary of unapproved flu products

Researchers identify genetic variations that affect blood pressure using cigarette smoking behavior

NIAID details new strategic plan for creating safe, effective universal influenza vaccine

New NIH study aims to identify biomarkers of AMD progression

U.S. clinical sites evaluating antibody-based therapies to prevent two common bacterial infections

Early childhood immune signature predicts risk of developing asthma later on

New blood test shows promise to revolutionize diagnosis of tick-borne diseases

FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of NSCLC progression

FDA permits marketing of first blood test to evaluate mild traumatic brain injury

New medication improves motor function in children with later-onset spinal muscular atrophy

FDA approves new treatment for non-metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer

Idaho Blue Cross jumps into controversial market for plans that bypass ACA rules

Event guide: 6th Operationalize Expanded Access Programs Summit East eBook

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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