Latest news releases from NIH-funded organizations

Funded Research News

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 27-Apr-2025 22:08 ET (28-Apr-2025 02:08 GMT/UTC)

4-Apr-2025

How a small number of mutations can fuel outbreaks of western equine encephalitis virus

Harvard Medical School
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research shows how small shifts in the molecular makeup of a virus can profoundly alter its fate. These shifts could turn a deadly pathogen into a harmless bug or supercharge a relatively benign virus, influencing its ability to infect humans and cause dangerous outbreaks.

Journal

Cell

Funder

NIH/National Institutes of Health, Jackson-Wijaya Fund, Wellcome Trust, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Vallee Foundation, Smith Family Foundation, Charles E.W. Grinnell Trust, G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation

4-Apr-2025

Exposure to wildfire smoke linked with worsening mental health conditions

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke was associated with increased visits to emergency departments (ED) for mental health conditions, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Journal

JAMA Network Open

Funder

NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

4-Apr-2025

Battle of the sex chromosomes

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A University of Michigan study reveals how competition affects X vs. Y sperm fitness.

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Funder

U.S. National Science Foundation, NIH/National Institutes of Health, NIH/National Institutes of Health, NIH/National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Science Foundation

4-Apr-2025

Planarian worms can regenerate into a more youthful version of themselves

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan
Peer-Reviewed Publication

When certain planarian worms regenerate parts of their bodies, their new parts revert to a more youthful appearance. Investigating this ability could offer new insights into aging for mammals, including people.

Journal

Nature Aging

Funder

NIH/National Institute on Aging, Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, Global Consortium for Reproductive Longevity & Equality, Pew Charitable Trusts, American Federation for Aging Research

4-Apr-2025

New research challenges understanding of cell membranes in mammals

Stockholm University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Lipid bilayers in mammalian membranes can have a more asymmetric composition than previously thought, new research shows. This lipid abundance asymmetry is enabled by the unique properties of cholesterol and endows biomembranes with specific properties and physiological roles.

Journal

Cell

Funder

NIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the SciLifeLab & Wallenberg Data Driven Life Science Program, NIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the Volkswagen Foundation, the Human Frontiers Science Program