EurekAlert! National Institutes of Health

Latest news releases from NIH-funded organizations

Funded Research News

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-Dec-2025 10:11 ET (23-Dec-2025 15:11 GMT/UTC)

15-Oct-2025

New world record set for fastest human whole genome sequencing, representing significant step towards revolutionizing genomic care in the NICU

Boston Children's Hospital
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Boston Children’s Hospital, along with Broad Clinical Labs and Roche Sequencing Solutions, has demonstrated that rapid genomic sequencing and interpretation are achievable in a matter of hours. This milestone not only sets a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ for the fastest human whole genome sequencing to date but represents a significant clinical development that would expedite more precise treatments to critically ill babies in the NICU. The team’s pilot data was published today in New England Journal of Medicine.

Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
Funder: NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

15-Oct-2025

$3 million National Institute on Aging grant will provide much-needed support to underserved dementia caregivers

George Mason University
Grant and Award Announcement

Digital health researcher Y. Alicia Hong’s WECARE intervention will invigorate resilience in family caregivers of individuals with dementia

Funder: NIH/National Institute on Aging

15-Oct-2025

This robotic skin allows tiny robots to navigate complex, fragile environments

University of California - San Diego
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers developed a soft robotic skin that enables vine robots that are just a few millimeters wide to navigate convoluted paths and fragile environments. To accomplish this, the researchers integrated a very thin layer of actuators made of liquid crystal elastomer at strategic locations in the soft skin. The robot is steered by controlling the pressure inside its body and temperature of the actuators.

Journal: Science Advances
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health

15-Oct-2025

Ancient lead exposure shaped evolution of human brain

Southern Cross University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Hominids experienced lead exposure as far back as 2-million years ago, new research finds, challenging the theory that the neurotoxicant is an exclusively modern health hazard. The work also suggests that Homo sapiens, both ancient and modern, possess a gene variant that protects them against neurological damage from lead.

Journal: Science Advances
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, NIH/National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Australian Research Council, Australian Research Council, Australian Research Council, Australian Research Council, Australian Research Council, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

15-Oct-2025

New study explores the use of VR in reducing stress in young adults with diabetes

Wayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research
Grant and Award Announcement

Researchers at Wayne State University and Johns Hopkins University are exploring the use of virtual reality (VR) to reduce stress in young adults suffering from diabetes.

Funder: NIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases