EurekAlert! National Institutes of Health

Latest news releases from NIH-funded organizations

Funded Research News

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 4-May-2025 21:09 ET (5-May-2025 01:09 GMT/UTC)

4-Apr-2025

An antiviral chewing gum to reduce influenza and herpes simplex virus transmission

University of Pennsylvania
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Low vaccination rates for influenza viruses and the lack of an HSV vaccine underscore the need for a new approach to reduce viral transmission. Henry Daniell of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues have used a clinical-grade antiviral chewing gum to substantially reduce viral loads in experimental models.

Journal: Molecular Therapy
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health

4-Apr-2025

Study reveals worse patient outcomes in Black-serving hospitals

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study – just published in Nursing Research – has uncovered concerning disparities in patient outcomes, specifically related to nursing care, within hospitals that predominantly serve Black communities. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 hospitals across the United States, reveals that these Black-serving hospitals (BSHs) exhibit significantly higher rates of specific adverse patient events.

Journal: Nursing Research
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health

4-Apr-2025

Pancreatic cells ‘remember’ epigenetic precancerous marks without genetic sequence mutations

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have found a pattern of so-called epigenetic “marks” in a transition state between normal and pancreatic cancer cells in mice, and that the normal cells may keep at least a temporary “memory” of those cancer-linked marks.

Journal: Genome Medicine
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health

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