Ethnic diversity helps identify more genomic regions linked to diabetes-related traits

New findings demonstrate that expanding research into different ancestries yields more and better results, as well as ultimately benefiting global patient care.

Global warming already responsible for one in three heat-related deaths

Between 1991 and 2018, more than a third of all deaths in which heat played a role were attributable to human-induced global warming, according to a new article.

Scientists discover a new genetic form of ALS in children

In a study of 11 medical-mystery patients, an international team of researchers has discovered a new and unique form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Unlike most cases of ALS, the disease began attacking these patients during childhood, worsened more slowly than usual, and was linked to a gene, called SPTLC1, that is part of the body's fat production system.

Depressive symptoms linked to rapid kidney function decline

Among individuals with healthy kidneys, those with more frequent depressive symptoms were more likely to show signs of rapid kidney function decline over a median follow-up of 4 years.

Video platforms normalize exotic pets

Researchers are concerned video sharing platforms could be contributing to the normalization of exotic pets and encouraging the exotic pet trade.

Tiniest of moments proves key for baby's healthy brain

The new findings identify a potential contributor to microcephaly, a birth defect in which the head is underdeveloped and abnormally small.

Waking just one hour earlier cuts depression risk by double digits, study finds

A genetic study of 840,000 people found that shifting sleep time earlier by just an hour decreases risk of major depression by 23 percent.

Japan's hands-off formula in disciplining schoolchildren works. Is it worth a try elsewhere?

A look at Japan's mimamoru approach suggests that adults' non-intervention in kids' fights allows children to nurture social and interpersonal skills on their own. Is it worth a try in other countries?

Alzheimer's: Blood oxygen levels could explain why memory loss is an early symptom

Scientists have recorded blood oxygen levels in the hippocampus and provided experimental proof for why the area, commonly referred to as 'the brain's memory center', is vulnerable to damage and degeneration, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease.

Stem cell drugs surprise researchers: Could lead to better drugs in the future

Chemotherapy destroys stem cells, which then cannot develop into immune cells and become part of the body's defenses. There are drugs that can remedy this, but previously we did not know exactly how these drugs worked. Now, a new study details their function providing new knowledge that may improve stem cell transplantation and lead to better drug design in the future.

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

A review of the week's key data from CDC's COVID Data Tracker, narrative interpretations, and visualizations.

Revenge of the seabed burrowers

The ancient burrowers of the seafloor have been getting a bum rap for years. These prehistoric dirt churners -- a wide assortment of worms, trilobites, and other animals that lived in Earth's oceans hundreds of millions of years ago -- are thought to have played a key role in creating the conditions needed for marine life to flourish. Their activities altered the chemical makeup of the sea itself and the amount of oxygen in the oceans, in a process called bioturbation.

Detecting skin disorders based on tissue stiffness with a soft sensing device

A research team has designed a simple electromechanical device that can be used for deep tissue pathology diagnosis, such as psoriasis, in an automated and non-invasive fashion. The findings will lay a foundation for future applications in the clinical evaluation of skin cancers and other dermatology diseases.

'Good' bacteria show promise for clinical treatment of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis

A new study shows how a novel consortium of bacteria that live in the digestive tracts of healthy individuals can be used to prevent and treat aggressive colitis in humanized mouse models.

Health Equity in Action

Health Equity in Action

Helping doctors manage COVID-19

New artificial intelligence (AI) technology is capable of assessing the severity of COVID-19 cases with a promising degree of accuracy, researchers report.

How retroviruses become infectious

Understanding every step in the life cycle of a virus is crucial for identifying potential targets for treatment. Now, scientists were able to show how a virus from the retrovirus family - the same family as HIV - protects its genetic information and becomes infectious. Furthermore, they show an unexpected flexibility of the virus.

Changes in how cholesterol breaks down in the body may accelerate progression of dementia

The blood-brain barrier is impermeable to cholesterol, yet high blood cholesterol is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. However, the underlying mechanisms mediating this relationship are poorly understood. A new study suggests that disturbances in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids may play a role in the development of dementia.

Mass gatherings during Malaysian election directly and indirectly boosted COVID-19 spread, study suggests

New estimates suggest that mass gatherings during an election in the Malaysian state of Sabah directly caused 70 percent of COVID-19 cases detected in Sabah after the election, and indirectly caused 64.4 percent of cases elsewhere in Malaysia.

New research may explain why some people derive more benefits from exercise than others

A new study published led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) provides insights related to mechanistic links between physical fitness and overall health and the reasons why the same exercise can have different effects in different people.

Versatile coronavirus antibody may be starting point for broader-acting vaccines

Scientists investigated how the immune system's previous exposure to cold-causing coronaviruses impact immune response to COVID-19. In doing so, they discovered one cross-reactive coronavirus antibody that's triggered during a COVID-19 infection.

AGA recommends early use of biologics in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation (pain and swelling) in the gastrointestinal tract, can cause daily health problems, frequent hospitalizations and surgery when not adequately controlled. While there is no cure for Crohn's disease, there are treatments that can help patients live a symptom-free life.

New microscopy method reaches deeper into the living brain

Researchers have developed a new technique that allows microscopic fluorescence imaging at four times the depth limit imposed by light diffusion. Fluorescence microscopy is often used to image molecular and cellular details of the brain in animal models of various diseases but, until now, has been limited to small volumes and highly invasive procedures due to intense light scattering by the skin and skull.

Ultrasensitive blood test detects viral protein, confirms mRNA vaccine activates robust immune response

In series of samples collected from individuals vaccinated against COVID-19, an ultrasensitive test detected low concentrations of circulating antigen. Following robust production of antibodies, investigators found that the viral protein declined to undetectable levels.

Inhaled nanobodies protect hamsters from COVID-19, study finds

Inhalable nanobodies targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 can prevent and treat severe COVID-19 in hamsters, according to new research.

Key early steps in gene expression captured in real time

Scientists have observed early RNA transcription dynamics by recording where, when and how RNA polymerase enzymes kick off transcription by binding to a DNA sequence.

How more inclusive lab meetings lead to better science

A new article seeks to help scientists structure their lab-group meetings so that they are more inclusive, more productive and, ultimately, lead to better science.

Aging: Clinical trial on potential reversal of epigenetic age using a diet and lifestyle

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted among 43 healthy adult males between the ages of 50-72. The 8-week treatment program included diet, sleep, exercise and relaxation guidance, and supplemental probiotics and phytonutrients.

Artificial neurons recognize biosignals in real time

Researchers have developed a compact, energy-efficient device made from artificial neurons that is capable of decoding brainwaves. The chip uses data recorded from the brainwaves of epilepsy patients to identify which regions of the brain cause epileptic seizures. This opens up new perspectives for treatment.

Mathematical model developed to prevent botulism

Food producers can use a mathematical model to ensure their products do not cause botulism.

Air Travel Toolkit for Airline Partners

Communication Toolkit for Airlines to inform Travelers and Crew

Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination

CDC and its partners are monitoring reports of myocarditis and pericarditis in adolescents and young adults after COVID-19 vaccination. We continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for individuals 12 years of age and older.

Testing Strategies for SARS-CoV-2

This guidance describes and compares different types of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) testing strategies, including their intended use and applications, regulatory requirements, and reporting requirements.

Laws and Regulations

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help our country cope during the pandemic, CDC has occasionally issued legally binding orders and regulations. They are listed here.

Science Brief: Background Rationale and Evidence for Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People

The risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in fully vaccinated people cannot be completely eliminated, but the benefits of relaxing some measures may outweigh the residual risk. This page offers background rationale and data for public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people.

New study confirms noble false widow spiders bites can result in hospitalization

Scientists have published a new study showing that Noble False Widow spiders can deliver a bite that requires hospitalization. The threat posed by the Noble False Widow spider has been debated among spider and healthcare specialists for many years. This new study confirms that some bite victims experience symptoms very similar to the true black widow spiders and some severe cases require hospitalization.

'Rescue mutations' that suppress harmful DNA changes could shed light on genetic disorders

New insights into the ability of DNA to overcome harmful genetic changes have been discovered.

Sometimes, even 3-year-olds just want to fit in with the group

What makes preschoolers eat their veggies? Raise their hand? Wait their turn? 'Because I say so' is a common refrain for many parents. But when it comes to getting kids to behave, recent research suggests that the voice of adult authority isn't the only thing that matters. Around age three, fitting in with the group starts to count big too.

Causal mechanism of link between cancer and obesity

A review study advances knowledge about the connection between obesity-associated inflammation and cancer. The researchers suggest that inflammatory cells with immunosuppressive properties may act as a critical biological link between obesity and cancer risk, progression, and metastasis.

Escape from oblivion: How the brain reboots after deep anesthesia

An innovative study uses the anesthetics propofol and isoflurane in humans to study the patterns of reemerging consciousness and cognitive function after anesthesia.

When cancer cells 'put all their eggs in one basket'

Normal cells usually have multiple solutions for fixing problems that may arise. But cancer cells may 'put all their eggs in one basket,' getting rid of all backup plans and depending on just one solution. Researchers discovered that a particular type of blood cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, came to depend on a single DNA repair method. They developed a drug that shut down the remaining pathway in lab-grown cells.

Obsessive compulsive disorder linked to increased ischemic stroke risk later in life

Adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were more than three times as likely as those without the disorder to have an ischemic stroke later in life. Adults with OCD should maintain a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, exercising, and managing a healthy weight, to help prevent stroke. Health care professionals should closely monitor patients with OCD for increased risk of ischemic stroke.

How 'non-professional' cells can trigger immune response

Researchers are finding new details on the complex dynamics involved in how organisms sense an infection from pathogens. The researchers found that worms can sense changes in their metabolism in order to unleash protective defenses, even if they don't directly sense an incursion from pathogens.

SARS-CoV-2: Estimating infectiousness

Researchers have analyzed the PCR samples of more than 25,000 persons with COVID-19. The team determined the viral loads of each individual sample and used their results to estimate levels of infectiousness. The research provides a clear idea of the infectiousness of the disease in different age groups and at different levels of disease severity.

A COVID-fighter's guide to T cells

A new paper brings together research findings from COVID-19 researchers around the world. The results are striking: human T cells can target more than 1,400 sites on the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Researchers uncover mechanism related to severe post-COVID-19 disease in children

Researchers have determined that viral particles remaining in the gut long after an initial COVID-19 infection can travel into the bloodstream, instigating the condition called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

Amazon indigenous group's lifestyle may hold a key to slowing down aging

The Tsimane indigenous people of the Bolivian Amazon experience less brain atrophy than their American and European peers. The decrease in their brain volumes with age is 70% slower than in Western populations.

Technology to monitor mental wellbeing might be right at your fingertips

To help patients manage their mental wellness between appointments, researchers have developed a smart device-based electronic platform that can continuously monitor the state of hyperarousal, one of the signs of psychiatric distress. They said this advanced technology could read facial cues, analyze voice patterns and integrate readings from built-in vital signs sensors on smartwatches to determine if a patient is under stress.

People prefer 'natural' strategies to reduce atmospheric carbon

A cross-disciplinary collaboration found that a majority of the U.S. public is supportive of soil carbon storage as a climate change mitigation strategy, particularly when that and similar approaches are seen as 'natural' strategies.

For men, low testosterone means high risk of severe COVID-19, study suggests

A new study suggests that, among men, low testosterone levels in the blood are linked to more severe COVID-19. The study contradicts widespread assumptions that higher testosterone may explain why men, on average, develop more severe COVID-19 than women do.

Good bacteria can temper chemotherapy side effects

A new study found that specific types of gut bacteria can protect other good bacteria from cancer treatments -- mitigating harmful, drug-induced changes to the gut microbiome. By metabolizing chemotherapy drugs, the protective bacteria could temper short- and long-term side effects of treatment.

Brain tumors caused by normal neuron activity in mice predisposed to such tumors

Researchers have found that normal exposure to light can drive the formation and growth of optic nerve tumors in mice -- and maybe people -- with a genetic predisposition. Such tumors can lead to vision loss.

Electric fish -- and humans -- pause before communicating key points

Electric fish pause before sharing something particularly meaningful. Pauses also prime the sensory systems to receive new and important information. The study reveals an underlying mechanism for how pauses allow neurons in the midbrain to recover from stimulation.

Embryos of many species use sound to prepare for the outside world

It's well known that reptiles depend on temperature cues while in the egg to determine a hatchling's sex. Now, researchers say that embryos of many different animal species also rely on acoustic signals in important ways. They call this phenomenon 'acoustic developmental programming.'

AI with swarm intelligence

Researchers have used 'swarm learning' - a novel, artificial intelligence technology - to detect blood cancer, lung diseases and COVID-19 in data stored in a decentralized fashion.

Resetting the biological clock by flipping a switch

The biological clock is present in almost all cells of an organism. As more and more evidence emerges that clocks in certain organs could be out of sync, there is a need to investigate and reset these clocks locally. Scientists from the introduced a light-controlled on/off switch to a kinase inhibitor, which affects clock function. This gives them control of the biological clock in cultured cells and explanted tissue.

COVID-19 Contact Tracing Training​

COVID-19 Contact Tracing Training Guidance and Resources

Don't count on caffeine to fight sleep deprivation

Sleep scientists assessed how effective caffeine was in counteracting the negative effects of sleep deprivation on cognition.

Non-parents expand 'facial dexterity' in caring for infants among primates

Non-parents expand the range of their facial expressions in caring for infants among primates. The study shows the ability, among non-relatives, to both decipher facial expressions and to be attuned to others' emotional states, revealing the evolutionary nature of communication.

Proteomics reveals how exercise increases the efficiency of muscle energy production

By applying mass spectrometry, scientists provide some of the most detailed data on how mitochondrial proteins cluster into supercomplexes - a process that makes mitochondria more efficient at producing energy.

How antibiotic-filled feces helps 'bessbug' beetles stay healthy

Researchers have discovered that the frass of the horned passalus beetle is teeming with antibiotic and antifungal chemicals similar to the ones that humans use to ward off bacterial and fungal infections. Understanding the symbiotic relationship between bessbug beetles, actinomycetes and their antimicrobial compounds could help speed the search for new antibiotic drugs, and help doctors create better strategies for preventing the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens

CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older to help protect against COVID-19. Children 12 years of age and older are able to get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

Researchers discover fundamental roles of glucosamine in brain

Using novel imaging methods for studying brain metabolism, researchers have identified the reservoir for a necessary sugar in the brain. Glycogen serves as a storage depot for the sugar glucose.

Hundreds of antibiotic resistant genes found in the gastrointestinal tracts of Danish infants

Danish one-year-olds carry several hundred antibiotic resistant genes in their bacterial gut flora according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. The presence of these genes is partly attributable to antibiotic use among mothers during pregnancy.

New tools to battle cancer, advance genomics research

New approaches to battle cancer have already unearthed a treasure trove of useful data -- and they're now being made available for free.

COVID-19 Forecasts: Cases

Learn about COVID-19 forecasts and modeling for new cases.

Deciphering structure of a toxic matter that destroys the nerves in the brain

Researchers reveal the structure of a hetero-oligomer nano-aggregate - a substance that causes Parkinson's and dementia - through quadruple force mapping.

Training for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals, find trainings on PPE use, nonpharmaceutical interventions, emergency preparedness and response, and more.

Memory details fade over time, with only the main gist preserved

What information is retained in a memory over time, and which parts get lost? These questions have led to many scientific theories over the years, and now a team of researchers have been able to provide some answers.

Why a vacation seems like it will end as soon as it begins

Time not only flies when you're having fun - sometimes anticipating a fun event makes it feel like it will be over as soon as it begins, a new study suggests. Researchers found that people judge future positive events as being both farther away as well as shorter in duration than negative or neutral events.

All-Latino Team Builds Connections in Virginia Outbreak

When COVID-19 began spreading rapidly in the Latino community in Richmond, Virginia, the first all-Latino team of CDC responders stepped up to help

Geology helps map kidney stone formation from tiny to troublesome

Advanced microscope technology and cutting-edge geological science are giving new perspectives to an old medical mystery: How do kidney stones form, why are some people more susceptible to them and can they be prevented?

Asthma medication use and exacerbations

How does the switch to a high-deductible health plan affect children with asthma? A new study suggests that enrollment in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) may not be associated with changes in asthma medication use or asthma exacerbations when medications are exempt from the deductible.

Reporting COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States

Information on COVID-19 vaccination data reported in CDC's COVID Data Tracker.

v-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry

V-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry

Non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analog reverses effects of stress in mouse study

A novel compound similar in structure to the psychedelic drug ibogaine, but lacking its toxic and hallucinogenic effects, has been found to rapidly reverse the effects of stress in mice. Researchers found that a single dose of tabernanthalog (TBG) can correct stress-induced behavioral deficits, including anxiety and cognitive inflexibility, and also promotes the regrowth of neuronal connections and restores neural circuits in the brain that are disrupted by stress.

Impact of coal burning on Yangtze River is comparable to natural processes

Fly ash from coal burning contributes between 37 and 72 percent of the organic carbon particles in the Yangtze River basin.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Specific Groups

Although the vaccine supply is currently limited, CDC is working toward making vaccines widely available for everyone at no cost. Learn more about your state's plan.

Silver attacks bacteria, gets 'consumed'

As antibiotic-resistant bacteria become more prevalent, silver has seen steep growth in its use in things like antibacterial coatings. Still, a better understanding can provide clues on how to best apply it. Researchers have now monitored the interaction of silver nanoparticles with a nearby E. coli culture and found the silver undergoes several dramatic changes. Most notably, the E. coli cells caused substantial transformations in the size and shape of the silver particles.

Is deference to supernatural beings present in infancy?

From shamans and mystics to cult leaders and divine kings, why have people throughout history accorded high status to people believed to have supernatural powers? According to a new study, this tendency to attribute social dominance to such individuals is rooted in early development.

Calculating Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Laboratory Test Percent Positivity: CDC Methods and Considerations for Comparisons and Interpretation

How to calculate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Laboratory Test Percent Positivity.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Teachers, School Staff, and Childcare Workers

Teachers and staff in pre-Kindergarten to grade 12 (pre-K-12 schools) and childcare workers are prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Older Adults

The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, which is why the CDC recommends older adults receive COVID-19 vaccines.

How to boost muscle regeneration and rebuild tissue

In work that could one day help athletes as well as aging adults regenerate tissue more effectively, scientists increased the regeneration of muscle cells in mice by activating the precursors of muscle cells.

Immune cells imperfect at distinguishing between friend and foe

When it comes to distinguishing a healthy cell from an infected one that needs to be destroyed, the immune system's killer T cells sometimes make mistakes.

'Rejuvenating' the Alzheimer's brain

Alzheimer's disease is the main cause of dementia and current therapeutic strategies cannot prevent, slow down or cure the pathology. The disease is characterized by memory loss, caused by the degeneration and death of neuronal cells in several regions of the brain, including the hippocampus. Researchers have identified a small molecule that can be used to rejuvenate the brain and counteract the memory loss.

The hunt for drugs to neutralize critical enzymes

Scientists explore racemases and propose strategies for finding drugs that target these important enzymes.

Researchers seek deeper understanding on how cells in the body operate

Cells sense and respond to the mechanical properties of the cellular microenvironment in the body. Changes in these properties, which occur in a number of human pathologies, including cancer, can elicit abnormal responses from cells. How the cells adapt to such changes in the mechanical microenvironment is not well understood.

Communication Resources for COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines communciation resources including print resources, graphics, social media, web widgets, and other communication tools.

Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission

Community Mitigation Framework

COVID-19 Vaccination for Essential Workers

The CDC recommends essential workers be included among those offered the first supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 Vaccines that Require 2 Shots

If you receive a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you will need 2 shots to get the most protection.

Supersensitive connection causes hatred of noises

An increased connectivity in the brain between the auditory cortex and the motor control areas related to the face, mouth and throat has been discovered in people with misophonia. Their hatred of 'trigger noises' can lead to an extreme reaction including anger and disgust. This is the first time such a connection in the brain has been identified and it offers a new path for therapies.

Metabolic hormone 'leptin' linked to poor vaccine response

Reduced levels of a metabolic hormone known as leptin is linked to poor vaccine antibody responses in the general population, a study has found.

Sterile male mosquitoes created using CRISPER/Cas9

Mosquitoes are one of humanity's greatest nemeses, estimated to spread infections to nearly 700 million people per year and cause more than one million deaths.

Bile acids trigger satiety in the brain

Scientists have discovered a new role for bile acids: they curb appetite by entering the brain. Their findings provide new insights into the signals and mechanisms by which satiety is controlled and may have implications for treating obesity.

With a kitchen freezer and plant cellulose, an aerogel for therapeutic use is developed

A new low-cost and sustainable technique would boost the possibilities for hospitals and clinics to deliver therapeutics with aerogels, a foam-like material now found in such high-tech applications as insulation for spacesuits and breathable plasters.

Game on: Game-based program boosts physical activity among diabetes patients

Researchers showed that adding gamification with either competition or support increased physical activity for patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Step-closer to nasal spray drug delivery for Parkinson's disease

Scientists have made significant progress in the development of a nasal spray treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease.

Specialized inhibitory cluster gates plasticity in fear learning

Researchers have uncovered a new role for a distinct inhibitory cell cluster in the amygdala, acting to dynamically modulate synaptic connections during fear learning.

Mild COVID-19 induces lasting antibody protection, study finds

People who have had a mild case of COVID-19 are left with long-term antibody protection against future disease, according to a new study.

Simple diagnostic tool predicts individual risk of Alzheimer's

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have developed an algorithm that combines data from a simple blood test and brief memory tests, to predict with great accuracy who will develop Alzheimer's disease in the future. The findings are published in Nature Medicine.

Evacuating under dire wildfire scenarios

As climate change intensifies, wildfires in the West are behaving in ways that were unimaginable in the past -- and the common disaster response approaches are woefully unprepared for this new reality. Researchers now proposed a framework for simulating dire scenarios, which the authors define as scenarios where there is less time to evacuate an area than is required.

Study finds women with osteoporosis and low bone density are at increased risk of hearing loss

Researchers found that risk of subsequent moderate or worse hearing loss was up to 40 percent higher in study participants with osteoporosis or LBD.

Helping adults navigate the decision to move back in with parents

A recent study offers insight into how adults can navigate the often awkward experience of moving back in with their parents.

Accurate evaluation of CRISPR genome editing

Researchers have developed a new software tool to detect, evaluate and quantify off-target editing activity, including adverse translocation events that can cause cancer. The software is based on input taken from a standard measurement assay, involving multiplexed PCR amplification and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Clean water and toilets for healthy shelters

The devastating Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 displaced some 500,000 people to evacuation shelters. A research team that conducted regular visits to shelters to assess their status and inhabitants well-being have analyzed their data and found that about half of shelters had inadequate clean tap water and toilets, leading to worsening health outcomes for inhabitants.

Diabetes vaccine gives promising results in a genetic subgroup

A clinical study has investigated whether immunotherapy against type 1 diabetes can preserve the body's own production of insulin. The results suggest that injection of a protein, GAD, into lymph nodes can be effective in a subgroup of individuals.

Digital Twin technology a 'powerful tool' but requires significant investment, say experts

Healthcare and aerospace experts have said advances in digital twin technology make it a powerful tool for facilitating predictive and precision medicine and enhancing decision-making for aerospace systems.

Obesity protects against death in severe bacterial infection

For many diseases, overweight and obesity are risk factors. But now a study shows that a higher BMI may be linked to higher survival rates in patients hospitalized for severe bacterial infections.

Virus infection cycle revealed in dynamic detail

A critical process in the infection cycle of viruses has been revealed for the first time in dynamic detail using pioneering plant-based technology.

Early research suggests climate change could lead to more stillbirths

Scientists are investigating whether rising global temperatures may lead to more stillbirths, saying further study is needed on the subject as climates change.

Explanatiion of how religious beliefs may be formed

Feeling anxious can direct our attention and memory toward supernatural beings such as gods, a new study has found.

Risk of second stroke can be reduced with prevention efforts based on cause of first stroke

Having a stroke caused by blocked blood vessels or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) greatly increases your chances of having a future stroke. Identifying the cause or causes of the first stroke is key to developing strategies to prevent additional strokes. Managing blood pressure levels, reducing or quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and regular physical activity will reduce the risk of a second stroke, along with managing conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

Analyzing the impact of college gameday homes in the American south

Absentee property ownership in many small college football towns has a negative impact on permanent residents of those communities, according to a new study. The research is the first known attempt to quantify and map local geographies of gameday home investments.

Telomere length, a longevity measure, may be determined early in life

One of the first studies to examine telomere length (TL) in childhood finds that the initial setting of TL during prenatal development and in the first years of life may determine one's TL throughout childhood and potentially even into adulthood or older age. The study also finds that TL decreases most rapidly from birth to age 3, followed by a period of maintenance into the pre-puberty period, although it was sometimes seen to lengthen.

Implantable piezoelectric polymer improves controlled release of drugs

A membrane made from threads of a polymer commonly used in vascular sutures can be loaded with therapeutic drugs and implanted in the body, where mechanical forces activate the polymer's electric potential and slowly release the drugs. The novel system overcomes the biggest limitations of conventional drug administration and some controlled release methods, and could improve treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Vast under-treatment of diabetes seen in global study

Nearly half a billion people have diabetes, but most aren't getting the kind of care that could make their lives healthier, longer and more productive, according to a new global study of data from people with the condition. Many don't even know they have the condition. Only 1 in 10 people with diabetes in the 55 low- and middle-income countries studied receive the type of comprehensive care that's been proven to reduce diabetes-related problems.

A new replication crisis: Research that is less likely to be true is cited more

Papers in leading psychology, economic and science journals that fail to replicate and therefore are less likely to be true are often the most cited papers in academic research, according to a new study.

Superficial relationship: Enzymes protect the skin by ignoring microbes and viruses

The human body is constantly exposed to various environmental actors, from viruses to bacteria to fungi, but most of these microbial organisms provoke little or no response from our skin, which is charged with monitoring and protecting from external dangers.

New mode of transmission for bacteria

Campylobacter infection, one of the most common foodborne illnesses in the Western world, can also be spread through sexual contact, according to a new research.

Neutrons show a connection between lithium concentrations in the brain and depression

Depressive disorders are among the most frequent illnesses worldwide. The causes are complex and to date only partially understood. The trace element lithium appears to play a role. The distribution of lithium in the brains of depressive people is different from the distribution found in healthy humans.

In utero exposure to tiny air pollution particles is linked to asthma in preschoolers

Women who were highly exposed to ultra-fine particles in air pollution during their pregnancy were more likely to have children who developed asthma, according to a new study. This is the first time asthma has been linked with prenatal exposure to this type of air pollution, which is named for its tiny size and which is not regulated or routinely monitored in the United States.

Scientists discover gene signature for plaque-eating microglia in Alzheimer's Disease

Single-cell gene studies are clarifying the roles of the brain's specialised immune cell in Alzheimer's disease and offer new avenues for treatment of this incurable condition.

AI-enabled EKGs find difference between numerical age and biological age significantly affects health

You might be older - or younger - than you think. A new study found that differences between a person's age in years and his or her biological age, as predicted by an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled EKG, can provide measurable insights into health and longevity.

Taking more steps daily may lead to a longer life

Taking more steps per day, either all at once or in shorter spurts, may help you live longer. The benefits of more daily steps occurred with both uninterrupted bouts of steps (10 minutes or longer) and short spurts such as climbing stairs.

Worrying about your heart increases risk for mental health disorders

Latinx young adults who experience heart-focused anxiety could be at greater risk for mental health disorders. New research indicates that heart-focused anxiety among that group is a statistically significant predictor for general depression and overall anxiety.

Molecule enlists patient's immune system to combat HIV

Antiretroviral therapy, the common approach in the treatment of HIV, halts replication of the virus and has saved the lives of millions of people. However, for patients the drug cocktail becomes a lifetime necessity because they continue to harbor latent HIV in a small number of immune system cells. In the absence of treatment, HIV can again replicate and rebound into full blown AIDs.

Challenging the standard model of cancer

In spite of decades of research, cancer remains an enigma. Conventional wisdom holds that cancer is driven by random mutations that create aberrant cells that run amok in the body. Researchers challenge this model by proposing that cancer is a type of genetic throwback, that progresses via a series of reversions to ancestral forms of life.

Parrot poachers striking while the market's hot

'Pretty' parrots are more likely to be snatched up for Indonesia's illegal wildlife trade, a new study reveals. The findings not only expose the key drivers behind the country's illegal trade in these birds, but offer lessons for the potential emergence and spread of infectious diseases that jump from animals to humans.

These cognitive exercises help young children boost their math skills, study shows

Young children who practice visual working memory and reasoning tasks improve their math skills more than children who focus on spatial rotation exercises, according to a large study. The findings support the notion that training spatial cognition can enhance academic performance and that when it comes to math, the type of training matters.

Targeting abnormal cell metabolism shows promise for treating pediatric brain tumors

Two experimental drug approaches that target vulnerabilities in cancer cell metabolism may extend survival and enhance the effectiveness of standard chemotherapies for a highly aggressive type of pediatric brain cancer.

New research could lead to better treatment for epilepsy

Scientists have discovered that the way in which neurons are connected within regions of the brain, can be a better indicator of disease progression and treatment outcomes for people with brain disorders such as epilepsy.

Forensic memory detection tests less effective in older adults

New research has found that some brain activity methods used to detect incriminating memories do not work accurately in older adults.

Novel immunotherapy boosts long-term stroke recovery in mice

Specialized immune cells that accumulate in the brain in the days and weeks after a stroke promote neural functions in mice, pointing to a potential immunotherapy that may boost recovery after the acute injury is over, neurologists found.

Study solves mystery of how amyloid beta forms in brain nerve cells

A key protein must be cut to create amyloid beta. Groundbreaking work identifies the 'lipid raft' in nerve cells where this process occurs, which could offer new targets for drug therapy.

A complex link between body mass index and Alzheimer's

Though obesity in midlife is linked to an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests that a high body mass index later in life doesn't necessarily translate to greater chances of developing the brain disease.

Same nerve cell -- Different influence on food intake

The nerve cells, also called neurons, in our brain control all the basic processes of our body. For this reason, there are different types of neurons distributed over specific regions of the brain. Researchers have now developed an approach that allows them to show that neurons that are supposedly the same are actually very different: they not only sense different hormones for the body's energy state, but also have a different influence on food intake. This can have a direct effect on our metabolism, for example by differentially restraining our appetite.

New research may revolutionize cataract treatment

Eye experts have made a breakthrough that could potentially change the way cataracts are treated - with potential for drug therapy to replace surgery.

Scientists reveal structural details of how SARS-CoV-2 variants escape immune response

Fast-spreading variants of the COVID-19-causing coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, carry mutations that enable the virus to escape some of the immune response created naturally or by vaccination. A new study has revealed key details of how these escape mutations work.

Culture influences mask wearing, study finds

Countries and US states more predisposed to collectivist behavior have more people following mask guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.

'No level of smoke exposure is safe'

This is the first evidence that secondhand smoke during pregnancy correlates with changes in disease-related gene regulation in babies. These findings support the idea that many adult diseases have their origins in environmental exposures, such as stress, poor nutrition, pollution or tobacco smoke, during early development.

Study validates shorter treatment for major world infection, tuberculosis

A study of tuberculosis drug therapy found that a two-drug, four-month regimen can be used to treat TB as effectively as the standard regimen that lasts six months and consists of four drugs.

Triple-drug therapy safely cuts serious asthma flares

Researchers have found that the inclusion of a third drug to commonly used dual-drug inhalers can reduce asthma exacerbations and improve control over the disease in children, adolescents, and adults with moderate-to-severe asthma.

Tampons, sanitary napkins could diagnose yeast infections with color-changing threads

The yeast Candida albicans can cause itchy, painful urinary tract and vaginal yeast infections. For women in low-resource settings who lack access to healthcare facilities, these infections create substantial social and economic burdens. Now, researchers have developed color-changing threads that turn bright pink in the presence of C. albicans. When embedded in tampons or sanitary napkins, they could allow women to quickly and discreetly self-diagnose vulvovaginal yeast infections, the researchers say.

New insight into protein production in brain could help tackle dementia

Scientists have revealed a layer of genetic material involved in controlling the production of tau; a protein which plays a critical role in serious degenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Single fingerprint at a crime scene detects class A drug usage

The latest findings show that with clever science, a single fingerprint left at a crime scene could be used to determine whether someone has touched or ingested class A drugs.

Cholesterol levels sustainably lowered using base editing

Base editing is a novel gene editing approach that can precisely change individual building blocks in a DNA sequence. By installing such a point mutation in a specific gene, an international research team has succeeded in sustainably lowering high LDL cholesterol levels in the blood of mice and macaques. This opens up the possibility of curing patients with inherited metabolic liver diseases.

New study shows flies mutant for schizophrenia-associated genes respond well to anti-psychotics

Scientists have successfully treated flies displaying behavioral problems linked to newly discovered schizophrenia-associated genes in humans, using common anti-psychotics.

Alzheimer protein APP regulates learning and social behavior in the healthy brain

The APP protein is known for its role in Alzheimer's disease, but its contribution to healthy brain function remains largely unexplored. Using a mouse model, a research team gained new insights on the physiological functions of the APP protein family. The absence of APP during brain development was shown to result in malformations of brain regions implicated in learning and memory, severely impairing learning in the mice and causing autistic-like behavior.

Different physical activity 'cocktails' have similar health benefits

A new study describes multiple ways to achieve the same health benefits from exercise -- as long as your exercise 'cocktail' includes plenty of light physical activity.

New insights into androgen's action could boost battle against prostate cancer

Researchers have unveiled important new insights into how hormones known as androgens act on our cells - and the discovery could boost efforts to develop better treatments for prostate, ovarian and breast cancers.

Researchers identify potential approach to controlling epileptic seizures

Researchers have identified a potential new approach to better controlling epileptic seizures.

Small uveal melanomas 'not always harmless'

A new article from ocular researchers demonstrates that small uveal (intraocular) melanomas are not always harmless, as the current paradigm suggests. Instead, a reasonable proportion of them have molecular genetic alterations, which categorizes them as highly metastatic tumors. The article recommends that they should not be observed but rather treated immediately, to improve patients' chances of survival.

New, biological, and safer soaps

An international research team has discovered a new molecule with potential to revolutionize the biosurfactant market.

Potential causality between blood clot factors and migraine with aura

Researchers used a technique in genetic analysis termed Mendelian randomization to examine 12 coagulation measures, uncovering four that are associated with migraine susceptibility.

Scientists discover five new species of listeria, improving food safety

While examining the prevalence of listeria in agricultural soil, food scientists have stumbled upon five previously unknown and novel relatives of the bacteria.

Will COVID-19 eventually become just a seasonal nuisance?

Within the next decade, the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 could become little more than a nuisance, causing no more than common cold-like coughs and sniffles. That possible future is predicted by mathematical models that incorporate lessons learned from the current pandemic on how our body's immunity changes over time.

Scientists reveal role of genetic switch in pigmentation and melanoma

A study reveals new insights about a protein called CRTC3, a genetic switch that could potentially be targeted to develop new treatments for melanoma by keeping the switch turned off.

How a virtual program may help kids get ready for kindergarten

With pandemic lockdowns still in place last summer, The Ohio State University couldn't host its in-person Summer Success Program to help preschoolers from low-income families prepare for kindergarten. Staff and teachers quickly pivoted to a fully virtual program, but they were worried: Could this really work with 4- and 5-year-olds who had no previous experience with preschool? A new study suggested it did.

AI predicts lung cancer risk

An artificial intelligence program accurately predicts the risk that lung nodules detected on screening CT will become cancerous, according to a new study.

'Zipcode lottery' of nutrient intake from crops revealed in new study

The amount of nutrients people get from the crops that they eat is a type of 'postcode lottery', according to new research that has analysed thousands of cereal grains and soils as part of a project to tackle hidden hunger in Malawi and Ethiopia.

Mutation linked to autism impairs oxytocin-mediated social behavior in mice

Mutations associated with autism can inhibit the release of the bonding hormone oxytocin and cause abnormal social behavior in mice, researchers report.

Insulin is necessary for repairing olfactory neurons

Insulin plays a critical role in the maturation, after injury, of immature olfactory sensory neurons. Applying insulin into the nasal passage could be developed as a therapy for injury caused by a host of issues.

Considerations for Events and Gatherings

Learn how to plan various size gatherings during COVID-19 to enhance the protection of individuals and communities.

Robotic 'Third Thumb' use can alter brain representation of the hand

Using a robotic 'Third Thumb' can impact how the hand is represented in the brain, finds a new study.

Self-organizing human heart organoids in a dish

Biologists have used human pluripotent stem cells to grow sesame-seed-sized heart models, called cardioids, that spontaneously self-organize to develop a hollow chamber without the need of experimental scaffolds. This advance allows for the creation of some of the most realistic heart organoids to date.

Independent of IQ, 'decision acuity' predicts broad range of decision-making abilities

A common factor called 'decision acuity' underpins diverse decision-making abilities in adolescents and young adults, suggests a new study. A large set of behavioral and neuroimaging data revealed that decision acuity is stable over time, distinct from IQ, and reduced in individuals with low general social functioning.

Epigenetic mechanism can explain how chemicals in plastic may cause lower IQ levels

The chemical bisphenol F (found in plastics) can induce changes in a gene that is vital for neurological development. The mechanism could explain why exposure to this chemical during the fetal stage may be connected with a lower IQ at seven years of age -- an association previously seen by the same research group.

New testing platform for COVID-19 is an efficient and accurate alternative to gold-standard RT-qPCR tests, researchers say

A microchip technology test kit may facilitate point-of-care testing in remote locations, clinics, and airports while providing similar accuracy to the tube-based real-time PCR tests, investigators report.

COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies reduce risk of hospitalization and death

Monoclonal antibodies, a COVID-19 treatment given early after coronavirus infection, cut the risk of hospitalization and death by 60 percent in those most likely to suffer complications of the disease, according to an analysis of UPMC patients who received the medication compared to similar patients who did not.

New technology makes tumor eliminate itself

A new technology enables the body to produce therapeutic agents on demand at the exact location where they are needed. The innovation could reduce the side effects of cancer therapy and may hold the solution to better delivery of COVID-related therapies directly to the lungs.

Brain stimulation evoking sense of touch improves control of robotic arm

The brain-computer interface user was able to transfer objects with a robotic arm at twice the speed of doing it without the tactile feedback.

Coronavirus transmission in Queens drove the first wave of New York city's pandemic, study finds

The most populous boroughs in New York City, Queens and Brooklyn, likely served as the major hub of COVID-19 spread in the spring of 2020, a new study finds.

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started

The CDC has designed a toolkit to help community-based organizations (CBOs) educate communities about new COVID-19 vaccines.

New Variant of Virus that Causes COVID-19 Detected

Since November 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) has reported a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in London and southeast England. This rapid increase in cases has been linked to a different version-or variant-of the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2).

Social Media Toolkit

Provides messages and graphics to help ensure current, correct messaging from a trusted source, create collateral materials, and share resources regarding COVID-19.

Percent of Delivered First Vaccine Doses Administered by U.S. States and Territories

States and jurisdictions assess their efforts at vaccinating their community and monitor the percentage of the vaccine supply delivered that has been administered.

An illuminating possibility for stroke treatment: Nano-photosynthesis

Blocked blood vessels in the brains of stroke patients prevent oxygen-rich blood from getting to cells, causing severe damage. Plants and some microbes produce oxygen through photosynthesis. What if there was a way to make photosynthesis happen in the brains of patients? Now, researchers have done just that in cells and in mice, using blue-green algae and special nanoparticles, in a proof-of-concept demonstration.

Test detects childhood tuberculosis a year ahead

Researchers have developed a highly sensitive blood test that can find traces of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB) in infants a year before they develop the deadly disease, according to a new study.

Embryo cryopreservation minimizes cryoinjuries, offers hope for would-be parents

Not all embryo transfers succeed, which gives rise to the practice of freezing extra embryos from an IVF cycle for future transfers. This allows those with at-risk fertility, due to age or treatments such as chemotherapy, to delay their transfer. Researchers introduce a standalone microfluidics system to automate the process of embryo vitrification of replacing water with cryoprotectants, which exposes embryos to a slow and constantly increasing concentration of cryoprotectants.

Adding antibodies to enhance photodynamic therapy for viral and bacterial disease

Photodynamic therapy, or using light to inactivate viruses, bacteria, and other microbes, has garnered promising results in recent decades for treating respiratory tract infections and some types of cancer. Researchers review the existing approaches and propose adding antibodies to enhance PDT efficacy. They provide a model to help expedite overall PDT development as a rapid response to emergent viral pandemic threats.

Closer to gene therapy that would restore hearing for the congenitally deaf

Researchers have found a key new piece of the puzzle in the quest to use gene therapy to enable people born deaf to hear.

Synaptic transmission: Not a one-way street

When neuroscientists analyzed the exact properties of nerve connections in the brain, they made a startling observation: At a key connection, or synapse, messages are sent against the usual stream of information. The study reports that the signal glutamate likely plays a role in this unusual transmission.

Mathematical model predicts effect of bacterial mutations on antibiotic success

Scientists have developed a mathematical model that predicts how the number and effects of bacterial mutations leading to drug resistance will influence the success of antibiotic treatments.

Scientists map gene changes underlying brain and cognitive decline in aging

Alzheimer's disease shares some key similarities with healthy aging, according to a new mathematical model.

Know Your Travel Risk

Some travel activities, like staying at guest lodgings, can increase your risk of getting COVID-19. Your chances of exposure are higher if you come into close contact with others, especially people you don't know, or use shared public facilities.

International Travel During COVID-19

There are several things to consider when deciding whether it is safe for you to travel in the United States. This includes the following: is COVID-19 spreading where you're going, will you be in close contact with others, are you at higher risk of severe illness if you do get COVID-19, do you have a plan for taking time off from work or school, do you live with someone who is older or has a severe chronic health condition, and is COVID-19 spreading where you live?

Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic

There are several things to consider when deciding whether it is safe for you to travel in the United States. This includes the following: is COVID-19 spreading where you're going, will you be in close contact with others, are you at higher risk of severe illness if you do get COVID-19, do you have a plan for taking time off from work or school, do you live with someone who is older or has a severe chronic health condition, and is COVID-19 spreading where you live?

Frequently Asked Questions

Most confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported from China have occurred in adults.

Linguistic and biological diversity linked

Cultural diversity -- indicated by linguistic diversity -- and biodiversity are linked, and their connection may be another way to preserve both natural environments and Indigenous populations in Africa and perhaps worldwide, according to an international team of researchers.

Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are a normal sign that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

What happens in the brain when we imagine the future?

What happens in the brain when people think about the future? Neuroscientist find that two sub-networks play a role. One focuses on creating the new event. Another evaluates whether that event is positive or negative.

A gentler strategy for avoiding childhood dental decay

By targeting the bonds between bacteria and yeast that can form a sticky dental plaque, a new therapeutic strategy could help wash away the build-up while sparing oral tissues, according to a new study.

Previous COVID-19 Forecasts: Hospitalizations

Learn about COVID-19 forecasts and modeling for new hospitalizations.

COVID-19 Forecasts: Deaths

Forecasts show national and state level cumulative reported and predicted deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. CDC is working with partners to bring together weekly COVID-19 forecasts in one place.

A new theory for what's happening in the brain when something looks familiar

Neuroscientists present a new theory for what's happening in the brain when something looks familiar. The work brings the field one step closer to understanding how memory functions. Long-term, it could have implications for treating diseases like Alzheimer's.

COVID-19 Forecasts: Cases

Learn about COVID-19 forecasts and modeling for new cases.

Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, and these vaccines will undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. CDC recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible. Adverse events described on this page have been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

Colorectal cancer screening to begin at age 45, lowered from 50

Prompted by a recent alarming rise in cases of colorectal cancer in people younger than 50, an independent expert panel has recommended that individuals of average risk for the disease begin screening exams at 45 years of age instead of the traditional 50.

Evidence suggests bubonic plague had long-term effect on human immunity genes

Scientists examining the remains of 36 bubonic plague victims from a 16th century mass grave in Germany have found the first evidence that evolutionary adaptive processes, driven by the disease, may have conferred immunity on later generations of people from the region.

Western diet may increase risk of gut inflammation, infection

Eating a Western diet impairs the immune system in the gut in ways that could increase risk of infection and inflammatory bowel disease, according to a new study.

Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Interim guidance for homeless service providers to plan and respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Icing muscle injuries may delay recovery

In sports, it is common practice to apply ice to sore muscles in order to reduce inflammation. However, a new study on mice has revealed that icing severe muscle injuries may actually prolong the healing process. The results indicate that cooling the injury makes it difficult for macrophages to enter the damaged cells in order to repair them.

New material could create 'neurons' and 'synapses' for new computers

Classic computers use binary values (0/1) to perform. By contrast, our brain cells can use more values to operate, making them more energy-efficient than computers. This is why scientists are interested in neuromorphic (brain-like) computing. Physicists have used a complex oxide to create elements comparable to the neurons and synapses in the brain using spins, a magnetic property of electrons.

Machine learning (AI) accurately predicts cardiac arrest risk

A branch of artificial intelligence (AI), called machine learning, can accurately predict the risk of an out of hospital cardiac arrest -- when the heart suddenly stops beating -- using a combination of timing and weather data.

Educational intervention enhances student learning

In a study of low-income, urban youth in the U.S., researchers found that students exposed to Photovoice, an educational intervention, experienced greater improvements in STEM-capacity scores and environmental awareness scores compared to a group of youth who were not exposed to the activity. The results suggest that the Photovoice activities may be associated with improved learning outcomes.

Slow research to understand fast change

A new open-access research collection reveals unexpected lessons drawn from decades of rich data from the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network.

Proteins that predict future dementia, Alzheimer's risk, identified

The development of dementia, often from Alzheimer's disease, late in life is associated with abnormal blood levels of dozens of proteins up to five years earlier.

Lipid droplets help protect kidney cells from damage

Researchers have found out how microscopic structures called lipid droplets may help to prevent a high-fat diet causing kidney damage. The work in fruit flies opens up a new research avenue for developing better treatments for chronic kidney disease.

Cells from the center of tumors most likely to spread around the body

Cells from different parts of kidney tumors behave differently, and surprisingly, cells within the center of a tumor are the most aggressive and have the highest chance of spreading around the body.

Sperm help 'persuade' the female to accept pregnancy

Sperm are generally viewed as having just one action in reproduction -- to fertilize the female's egg - but studies are overturning that view.

High-intensity intermittent training improves spatial memory in rats

Despite lower exercise volume, HIIT was as effective as endurance running for improving exercise capacity and spatial memory. Researchers found that activity-specific physiological adaptations in the muscles and increased signaling and neurogenesis in the hippocampus underlie these improvements. Findings also suggested that benefits can potentially be optimized by tailoring exercise time and intensity.

Researchers report first instance of COVID-19 triggering recurrent blood clots in arms

Researchers are reporting the first instance of COVID-19 triggering a rare recurrence of potentially serious blood clots in people's arms.

List of COVID-19 Resources for Correctional and Detention Facilities

List of COVID-19 Resources for Correctional and Detention Facilities

Alcohol may have immediate effect on atrial fibrillation risk, events

Alcohol appears to have an immediate -- or near-immediate -- effect on heart rhythm, significantly increasing the chance that an episode of atrial fibrillation (AFib) will occur, according to new research.

Rare COVID-19 response in children explained

One of the enduring mysteries of the COVID-19 pandemic is why most children tend to experience fewer symptoms than adults after infection with the coronavirus. The immune system response that occurs in the rare cases in which children experience life-threatening reactions after infection may offer an important insight, a new study suggests.

SARS-CoV-2 Variants

Variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, have been reported in many countries around the world. Learn more about the current variants of concern.

U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program: Vaccine Channel Portfolio by Jurisdiction

This report provides an overview of the multiple channels being used to ensure all Americans have access to COVID-19 vaccine. Jurisdictional delivery and administration portfolios vary across the United States because of population variability.

Clinical trial suggests convalescent plasma may improve survival with severe COVID-19

A randomized double-blind controlled trial of convalescent plasma for adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19 found that mortality at 28 days in the treatment arm was half the rate seen in the control arm (12.6 percent vs. 24.6 percent), although treatment was not associated with other improvements in clinical status.

Preemie boys age faster as men, study shows

Using an epigenetic clock, the researchers looked at the genes of 45 of those who were ELBW babies along with 47 who were normal birth weight when they were age 30 to 35 to compare their biological age, controlling for chronic health problems and sensory impairments.

Scientists find new way of predicting COVID-19 vaccine efficacy

Australian researchers have identified the immune response associated with protection from COVID-19 -- a discovery that may help cut the time it takes to develop new vaccines.

Engineered organism could diagnose Crohn's disease flareups

Researchers have engineered a bacterium capable of diagnosing a human disease, a milestone in the field of synthetic biology.

COVID-19 vaccination: Thrombosis can be prevented by prompt treatment, researchers report

A rare syndrome has been observed in people following vaccination against COVID-19. This involves thrombosis at unusual sites in the body, associated with a low thrombocyte count and a clotting disorder. In medical jargon, this syndrome is referred to as VITT (vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia). Doctors at MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital have now successfully treated an acute instance of this syndrome.

Study shows online gambling soared during lockdown, especially among regular gamblers

Regular gamblers were more than six times more likely to gamble online compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research.

How plankton hold secrets to preventing pandemics

Whether it's plankton exposed to parasites or people exposed to pathogens, a host's initial immune response plays an integral role in determining whether infection occurs and to what degree it spreads within a population, new research suggests.

Clinical Care Quick Reference for COVID-19

Healthcare providers, find key information and links to detailed guidance and CDC content pages related to clinical care of people with a suspected or confirmed infection caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Guidance for Group Homes for Individuals with Disabilities

CDC has guidance for administrators of group homes (GHs) for people with disabilities. GH administrators may consider implementing several strategies to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Country

Search COVID-19 risk assessment by country larger map

New epigenetic regulatory mechanisms involved in multiple myeloma growth

An international team of researchers has analyzed the function of the histone demethylase KDM5A in multiple myeloma, one of the three major hematological cancers, and clarified the mechanism by which it promotes myeloma cell proliferation. They also developed a novel KDM5 inhibitor and showed that it inhibits cancer cell growth in a myeloma mouse model. The researchers expect that new therapies targeting KDM5A will be developed in the future.

Why CDC Measures Vaccine Effectiveness

CDC and other partners will continue to assess how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions. Learn why CDC measures vaccine effectiveness.

Zapping nerves with ultrasound lowers drug-resistant blood pressure

Brief pulses of ultrasound delivered to nerves near the kidney lowered blood pressure in people with drug-resistant hypertension.

Shortcut for dendritic cells

During an inflammatory response, things need to happen quickly: researchers have recently discovered that certain immune cells that function as security guards can use a shortcut to get from the tissue to lymph nodes.

Save our oceans to protect our health: Scientists call for global action plan

An interdisciplinary European collaboration called the Seas Oceans and Public Health In Europe (SOPHIE) Project has outlined the initial steps that a wide range of organizations could take to work together to protect the largest connected ecoInsystem on Earth. They call for the current UN Ocean Decade to act as a meaningful catalyst for global change, reminding us that ocean health is intricately linked to human health.

Simple surgery prevents strokes in heart patients

The study tracked 4,811 people in 27 countries who are living with atrial fibrillation and taking blood thinners. Consenting patients undertaking cardiopulmonary bypass surgery were randomly selected for the additional left atrial appendage occlusion surgery; their outcomes compared with those who only took medicine. They were all followed for a median of four years.

Ion transporters in chloroplasts affect the efficacy of photosynthesis

A study uncovers a new role for ion transporters: they participate in gene regulation in chloroplasts.

The eyes offer a window into Alzheimer's disease

While it has been said that the eyes are a window to the soul, a new study shows they could be a means for understanding diseases of the brain. According to new research, retinal scans can detect key changes in blood vessels that may provide an early sign of Alzheimer's, while offering important insights into how one of the most common Alzheimer's risk genes contributes to the disease.

New complexity of traveling brain waves in memory circuits

Researchers have observed a new feature of neural activity in the hippocampus - the brain's memory hub - that may explain how this vital brain region combines a diverse range of inputs into a multi-layered memories that can later be recalled.

New immunotherapy 'highly effective' against hepatitis B

Scientists have identified a new immunotherapy to combat the hepatitis B virus (HBV), the most common cause of liver cancer in the world.

New inhibitor against key leukemia protein

Researchers have develop first-in-class inhibitors against ASH1L, a key protein in the development and progression of leukemia.

Improving safety and quality of Heparin

A new method to analyse the blood thinning drug Heparin has been developed that can pinpoint contaminants more accurately and quickly, providing greater quality control and safety.

Fibre-optics used to take the temperature of Greenland Ice Sheet

Scientists have used fibre-optic sensing to obtain the most detailed measurements of ice properties ever taken on the Greenland Ice Sheet. Their findings will be used to make more accurate models of the future movement of the world's second-largest ice sheet, as the effects of climate change continue to accelerate.

People at high genetic risk for colorectal cancer benefit more from lifestyle changes

People with a high polygenic risk score for colorectal cancer could benefit more at preventing the disease by leading healthy lifestyles than those at lower genetic risk, according to a new study.

Epigenetic changes drive the fate of a B cell

B cells are the immune cells responsible for creating antibodies, and most produce antibodies in response to a pathogen or a vaccine. A small subset of B cells instead spontaneously make antibodies that perform vital housekeeping functions. Understanding how epigenetics spur these differences in such similar cells is an important fundamental question in immunology.

What to Expect at Your Appointment to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19

Because COVID-19 is a new disease with new vaccines, you may have questions about what happens before, during, and after your appointment to get vaccinated. These tips will help you know what to expect when you get vaccinated, what information your provider will give you, and resources you can use to monitor your health after you are vaccinated.

Virtual reality warps your sense of time

Psychology researchers found that playing games in virtual reality creates an effect called 'time compression,' where time goes by faster than you think. The research team compared time perception during gameplay using conventional monitors and virtual reality to determine that this effect is uniquely linked to the virtual reality format.

Our dreams' weirdness might be why we have them, argues new AI-inspired theory of dreaming

Why we dream is a divisive topic within the scientific community, and the neuroscience field is saturated with hypotheses. Inspired by techniques used to train deep neural networks, a neuroscience researcher argues for a new theory of dreams: the overfitted brain hypothesis. The hypothesis suggests that the strangeness of our dreams serves to help our brains better generalize our day-to-day experiences.

Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Prevention

Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Mitigation

COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review

A review of the week's key data from CDC's COVID Data Tracker, narrative interpretations, and visualizations.

Reporting COVID-19 Vaccination Demographic Data

CDC's COVID Data Tracker provides COVID-19 vaccination data in the United States, including Demographic Characteristics of People Receiving COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States.

How COVID-19 Spreads

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is most often spread from person to person among close contacts (about 6 feet).

Different COVID-19 Vaccines

Overview of what you should know about the different COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccine types and how they work to provide protection against COVID-19, which vaccines have been authorized and recommended in the United States, and which are in Phase 3 clinical trials.

Call for 'paradigm shift' to fight airborne spread of COVID-19 indoors

Researchers are calling for a 'paradigm shift' in combating airborne pathogens such as COVID-19, demanding universal recognition that infections can be prevented by improving indoor ventilation systems.

Eating more fruit and vegetables linked to less stress, study finds

Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with less stress, according to new research. The findings revealed people who ate at least 470 grams of fruit and vegetables daily had 10 per cent lower stress levels than those who consumed less than 230 grams.

Novel nanotech improves cystic fibrosis antibiotic by 100,000-fold, research shows

New nanotechnology could change the lives of thousands of people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) as groundbreaking research shows it can improve the effectiveness of the CF antibiotic Tobramycin, increasing its efficacy by up to 100,000-fold.

Scientists show how to attack the 'fortress' surrounding pancreatic cancer tumors

Tackling the scar tissue that shields pancreatic tumors from effective drug access is a promising advance in a notoriously hard-to-treat cancer.

Obesity during adolescence linked to increased risk of stroke as an adult, study finds

Higher body mass index (BMI) -- an indicator of obesity -- in late adolescence is associated with a significantly higher risk of first ischemic stroke in men and women under age 50, regardless of whether they had Type 2 diabetes, a new study finds. Even BMIs in the high-normal range are associated with increased stroke risk in both men and women.

New study reveals where memories of familiar places are stored in the brain

As we move through the world, what we see is seamlessly integrated with our memory of the broader spatial environment. How does the brain accomplish this feat? A new study reveals that three regions of the brain in the posterior cerebral cortex, which the researchers call 'place-memory areas,' form a link between the brain's perceptual and memory systems.

Obesity slows progress against cancer deaths, study suggests

A new study suggests that heart disease and obesity-associated cancer mortality rates have continued to improve, but at a slowing pace.

Screening for ovarian cancer did not reduce early deaths

The latest analysis looked at data from more than 200,000 women aged 50-74 at recruitment who were followed up for an average of 16 years. The women were randomly allocated to one of three groups: no screening, annual screening using an ultrasound scan, and annual multimodal screening involving a blood test followed by an ultrasound scan as a second line test.

Cancer has ripple effect on distant tissues

A new study with zebrafish shows that a deadly form of skin cancer -- melanoma -- alters the metabolism of healthy tissues elsewhere in the body. The research suggests that these other tissues could potentially be targeted to help treat cancer.

Researchers identify a missing piece of the Lyme disease puzzle

Epidemic. Pandemic. These terms have become second nature to us, popping up in everyday conversation, and for good reason -- COVID-19 is the latest pandemic to pose a threat to humanity. But in recent months, far less attention has been paid to another widely spread problem that has been proliferating since the late 1970s: Lyme disease.

The emergence of cooperation

Cooperation plays a crucial role in evolution. A team of scientists has now created a new model that shows how different kinds of cooperative strategies among humans develop. Using their unified framework, they show how an individual's experience and the reputation of others influence the emergence of successful cooperation.

Adolescents and older adults lack attention in social situations

New research has found that adolescents and older adults pay less attention to social cues in real-world interactions than young adults.

Songbird neurons for advanced cognition mirror the physiology of mammalian counterparts

Neuroscientists examining genetically identified neurons in a songbird's forebrain discovered a remarkable landscape of physiology, auditory coding and network roles that mirrored those in the brains of mammals.

A sibling-guided strategy to capture the 3D shape of the human face

A new strategy for capturing the 3D shape of the human face draws on data from sibling pairs and leads to identification of novel links between facial shape traits and specific locations within the human genome.

Brain mechanism of curiosity unraveled

Researchers have discovered a new brain circuit underlying curiosity and novelty seeking behavior. Using several innovative techniques, the scientists uncovered a whole path of multiple brain regions that converts curiosity into action in mice.

Study: Drivers with shift work sleep disorder 3x more likely to be in crash

People who work nontraditional work hours, such as 11 p.m.-7 a.m., or the 'graveyard' shift, are more likely than people with traditional daytime work schedules to develop a chronic medical condition -- shift work sleep disorder -- that disrupts their sleep. According to researchers, people who develop this condition are also three times more likely to be involved in a vehicle accident.

Hydrogen peroxide-producing drug boosts cancer-killing effect of radiotherapy

A small drug molecule that appears to protect normal tissue from the damaging effects of radiation, may simultaneously be able to boost the cancer-killing effect of radiation therapy, according to a new study.

Ticking upward: Researcher studies rise of tick-borne diseases in Midwest

When a researcher heard from a former colleague at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that a 7-year-old girl had died from Rocky Mountain spotted fever as the result of a tick bite, he thought of his own daughter, also 7 years old at the time, and the potentially fatal danger posed to vulnerable populations by tick-borne diseases.

Measuring brain blood flow and activity with light

A new, noninvasive method for measuring brain blood flow with light has been developed by biomedical engineers and neurologists and used to detect brain activation. The new method, functional interferometric diffusing wave spectroscopy, or fiDWS, promises to be cheaper than existing technology and could be used for assessing brain injuries, or in neuroscience research.

Youth Sports Program FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about how to play sports safely during COVID-19.

Ancient gut microbiomes may offer clues to modern diseases

Scientists have found dramatic differences between gut microbiomes from ancient North American peoples and modern microbiomes, offering new evidence on how these microbes may evolve with different diets.

Parks not only safe, but essential during the pandemic, study finds

Parks played an important role for people seeking respite from the toll of social isolation during the pandemic, and according to new research, they did so without increasing the spread of COVID-19. The study looked at how people used 22 parks in Philadelphia and New York during the height of the pandemic and it found no strong correlation between park use and the number of confirmed cases in surrounding neighborhoods.

Rapid COVID-19 diagnostic test delivers results within 4 minutes with 90 percent accuracy

A low-cost, rapid diagnostic test provides COVID-19 results within four minutes with 90 percent accuracy, researchers report. A paper details the fast and inexpensive diagnostic test, called RAPID 1.0. Compared to existing methods for COVID-19 detection, RAPID is inexpensive and highly scalable, allowing the production of millions of units per week.

If You Are Pregnant, Breastfeeding, or Caring for Young Children

We do not have information from published scientific reports about the susceptibility of pregnant women to COVID-19.

COVID-19: Discovery of the mechanisms of short- and long-term anosmia

Scientists have determined the mechanisms involved in the loss of smell in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 at different stages of the disease. They discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infects sensory neurons and causes persistent epithelial and olfactory nervous system inflammation.

Pandemic screen time tops 6 hours a day for some kindergartners

Kindergartners from low-income families spent more than six hours a day in front of screens during two early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a small Ohio study suggests. That is nearly double the screen time found before the pandemic in similar children, according to other research.

Fatigue, mood disorders associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome

Patients diagnosed with post-COVID-19 syndrome, also known as 'PCS,' 'COVID-19 long-haul syndrome' and 'Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS COV-2,' experience symptoms such as mood disorders, fatigue and perceived cognitive impairment that can negatively affect returning to work and resuming normal activities, according to a new study.

Ancestors may have created 'iconic' sounds as bridge to first languages

The 'missing link' that helped our ancestors to begin communicating with each other through language may have been iconic sounds, rather than charades-like gestures -- giving rise to the unique human power to coin new words describing the world around us, a new study reveals.

Artificial intelligence tool uses chest X-ray to differentiate worst cases of COVID-19

Trained to see patterns by analyzing thousands of chest X-rays, a computer program predicted with up to 80 percent accuracy which COVID-19 patients would develop life-threatening complications.

Running Essential Errands

As communities across the United States take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting close contact, people are facing new challenges and questions about how to meet basic household needs, such as buying groceries and medicine, and completing banking activities. The following information provides advice about how to meet these household needs in a safe and healthy manner.

Academic skills least valued when assessing the 'ideal student' by academics and peers

The 'ideal student' - valued by both learners and university staff - is a punctual, organized, hard worker and enthusiastic learner - rather than someone with excellent academic results, high intelligence and good employability.

Researchers identify target for senolytic drugs

Researchers found that senescent immune cells are the most dangerous type of senescent cell.

What does your voice say about you?

Everyone has at some point been charmed by the sound of a person's voice: but can we believe our ears? What can a voice really reveal about our character? Now an international research team has shown that people seem to express at least some aspects of their personality with their voice.

Untangling the brain: new research offers hope for Alzheimer's disease

In a new study, researchers investigate tangles in the brain -- pathologies not only characteristic of Alzheimer's but other neurodegenerative conditions as well. The research homes in on a particular protein known as Rbbp7, whose dysregulation appears linked to the eventual formation of tau protein tangles and the rampant cell death associated with Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Certain gut microbiota profile can predict mortality

Researchers discovered that a large amount of enterobacteria in the gut microbiota is related to long-term mortality risk in adult population.

10 years after obesity surgery: How did life turn out?

In a new study, patients were interviewed about their experiences ten years after undergoing obesity surgery. The results show that the effect on eating and weight regulation persisted, whereas other problems, such as feelings of guilt about still not being healthy enough, remained.

Efficiently smuggling drugs into cells

A new method called Progressive Mechanoporation makes it possible to mechanically disrupt the membranes of cells for a short time period and let drugs or genes inside cells. In this way, researchers can test new therapies more easily than before.

Low levels of a simple sugar -- A new biomarker for severe MS?

Researchers have discovered a sugar molecule whose levels are reduced in the blood of patients with particularly severe multiple sclerosis. Their discovery could pave the way for a new therapeutic approach.

Pediatric Healthcare Professionals COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit

The CDC has designed a toolkit to help pediatricians educate communities about new COVID-19 vaccines.

Customizable COVID-19 Vaccine Content for Community-Based Organizations

Customizable content, including newsletters, for community-based organizations to promote COVID-19 vaccinations

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Community-Based Organizations: Getting Started

The CDC has designed a toolkit to help community-based organizations (CBOs) educate communities about new COVID-19 vaccines.

Organic meat less likely to be contaminated with multidrug-resistant bacteria

Meat that is certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is less likely to be contaminated with bacteria that can sicken people, including dangerous, multidrug-resistant organisms, compared to conventionally produced meat.

How CDC Is Making COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

Learn about the CDC's COVID-19 vaccine recommendation process and the goals and principles guiding decisions if there is a limited supply at first.

COVID-19 vaccine does not damage the placenta in pregnancy

A new study of placentas from patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy found no evidence of injury, adding to the growing literature that COVID-19 vaccines are safe in pregnancy.

Pregnant women hospitalized for COVID-19 infection do not face increased risk of death, new study suggests

Pregnant women who develop severe COVID-19 infections that require hospitalization for pneumonia and other complications may not be more likely to die from these infections than non-pregnant women. In fact, they may have significantly lower death rates than their non-pregnant counterparts.

In the blood: Which antibodies best neutralize the coronavirus in COVID-19 patients?

Blood tests to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are an important tool for diagnosing the disease, developing potential treatments, and checking vaccine efficacy. Although such tests are available, we have very little understanding on how different antibodies interact with virus antigens. Scientists set out to assess various antigen-specific antibodies and determined which of them had the strongest neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2.

Simulating sneezes and coughs to show how COVID-19 spreads

Researchers have published papers on the droplets of liquid sprayed by coughs or sneezes and how far they can travel under different conditions. Their findings reinforce the importance of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding poorly ventilated indoor spaces and washing your hands frequently, especially with the emergence of new, more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Box fan air cleaner can greatly reduce virus transmission, study finds

A systematic modeling study of simple air cleaners using a box fan shows these inexpensive units can greatly decrease the amount of airborne virus in these spaces, if used appropriately.

New mothers twice as likely to have post-natal depression in lockdown, study finds

Almost half (47.5 percent) of women with babies aged six months or younger met the threshold for postnatal depression during the first COVID lockdown, more than double average rates for Europe before the pandemic (23 percent), a new study finds.

Study finds 80 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have neurological issues

A new paper presents early results of the global effort to gather information about the incidence, severity and outcomes of neurological manifestations of COVID-19 disease.

Intoxication brings strangers physically closer

In a study with pandemic-related implications, researchers report that strangers who consume alcohol together may keep their distance initially -- but draw physically closer as they become intoxicated.

Genetics: Biosynthesis pathway of a new DNA nucleobase elucidated

DNA is composed of nucleobases represented by the letters A, T, G and C. They form the basis of the genetic code and are present in all living beings. But in a bacteriophage, another base, represented by the letter Z, exists. This exception, the only one observed to date, has long remained a mystery. Scientists have now elucidated the biosynthesis pathway of this base.

Researchers discover regulatory pathway that blocks immune response against cancer

Researchers show that TIM-3 inhibits the STING signaling pathway in dendritic cells, thereby blocking their ability to elicit an immune response.

New research outlines a critical driver in an immune cell's defense against melanoma

Researchers have found critical new insights into how cells defend against melanoma. The team describes how an enzyme called nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, or NAMPT, initiates antitumor activity. The researchers suggest that new therapies strengthening this pathway in immune cells could be the foundation for more effective treatments against melanoma.

COVID-19 Forecasts: Cases

Learn about COVID-19 forecasts and modeling for new cases.

Engineering study shows renewable energy will enhance power grid's resilience

A new study shows that integrating renewable energy into the American Electric Power System (AEPS) would enhance the grid's resilience, meaning a highly resilient and decarbonized energy system is possible. The researchers' analysis is based upon the incremental incorporation of architectural changes that would be required to integrate renewable energy into AEPS.

Lighting up biology from within

A biochemical reaction between an enzyme called luciferase and oxygen causes fireflies to glow and is considered one of the most well-known examples of bioluminescence in nature. Now, an international team of researchers are working to harness the power of bioluminescence in a low-cost, noninvasive portable medical imaging device that could one day be applied to many uses in biomedical research, translational medicine and clinical diagnoses.

How to predict severe influenza in hospitalized patients

Researchers have identified predictors of both severe disease and recovery in hospitalized influenza patients, finding that the immune system works in concert to fight influenza.

Patients may not take advice from AI doctors who know their names

Researchers found that people may be less likely to take health advice from an AI doctor when the robot knows their name and medical history. On the other hand, patients want to be on a first-name basis with their human doctors.

People are persuaded by social media messages, not view numbers

People are more persuaded by the actual messages contained in social media posts than they are by how many others viewed the posts, a new study suggests. Researchers found that when people watched YouTube videos either for or against e-cigarette use, their level of persuasion wasn't directly affected by whether the video said it was viewed by more than a million people versus by fewer than 20.

In 'minibrains,' hindering key enzyme by different amounts has opposite growth effects

Surprising findings can help improve organoid cultures, explain role of GSK3-beta in brain development.

Horseradish flea beetle: Protected with the weapons of its food plant

Researchers demonstrate how the horseradish flea beetle regulates the accumulation of mustard oil glucosides in its body. The beetles have special transporters in the excretory system that prevent the excretion of mustard oil glucosides. This mechanism enables the insect to accumulate high amounts of the plant toxins in its body, which it uses for its own defense.

How fasting diets could harm future generations

New research which shows that fasting diets could harm the health of future generations. Fasting diets have risen in popularity in recent years, however little is known about the long-term impact of these diets, particularly for future generations. The new study reveals that reduced food intake in roundworms has a detrimental effect on three generations of offspring - particularly when those descendants have access to unlimited food.

Team 'reads minds' to understand human tool use

Researchers have made an astonishing new discovery about how our brains control our hands. The team used MRI data to study which parts of the brain are used when we handle tools. The findings could help shed light on the regions of the brain that evolved in humans and set us apart from primates, and could pave the way for the development of next-generation prosthetic limbs that tap into the brain's control center.

Bacteria do not colonize the gut before birth

Researchers examined prenatal stool (meconium) samples collected from 20 babies during breech Cesarean delivery. By including only breech caesarean deliveries in healthy pregnant women they were able to avoid the transmission of bacteria that occurs naturally during a vaginal birth.

How one of the oldest natural insecticides keeps mosquitoes away

A new study has identified a scent receptor in mosquitoes that helps them sniff out and avoid trace amounts of pyrethrum, a plant extract used for centuries to repel biting insects. These findings could help researchers develop new broad spectrum repellents to keep a variety of mosquito species at bay, and by extension stop them from biting people and spreading disease.

Boosting body heat production: A new approach for treating obesity

Targeting a heat production 'brake' on fat tissues may be a safer way to treat obesity than current medication.

New genetic copycatchers detect efficient and precise CRISPR editing in a living organism

Scientists have developed a novel genetic sensor called a 'CopyCatcher,' which capitalizes on CRISPR-based gene drive technology, to detect instances in which a genetic element is copied precisely from one chromosome to another throughout cells in the body of a fruit fly. Next-generation CopyCatcher systems have the potential to measure how often such perfect copying might take place in different cells of the human body.

Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for People who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding

Healthcare personnel who are pregnant or breastfeeding may get vaccinated for COVID-19, but there are many considerations that go into that decision.

v-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry

V-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry

Information About Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine

Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people aged 18 years and older.

COVID-19 Vaccine Monitoring Systems for Pregnant People

If you are pregnant, you might choose to be vaccinated when a vaccine is available to you. Currently, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy.

Living in or Visiting Retirement Communities or Independent Living Facilities

How residents living in retirement communities can protect themselves from COVID-19.

COVID-19 Employer Information for Rail Transit Operators

What Rail Transit Operators Need to Know About COVID-19

Responder Stories

Learn about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), including symptoms, complications, transmission, prevention, treatment, and summary updates of the outbreak.

Reporting COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States

Information on COVID-19 vaccination data reported in CDC's COVID Data Tracker.

A comprehensive map of the SARS-CoV-2 genome

Researchers have generated what they describe as the most complete gene annotation of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. In their study, they confirmed several protein-coding genes and found that a few others that had been suggested as genes do not code for any proteins.

Controlling cholesterol in microglia alleviates chronic pain, opioid-free

Chemotherapy can induce a painful peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a chronic condition and common adverse effect for cancer patients undergoing treatment. Researchers have used a mouse model to demonstrate the pivotal role of cholesterol in CIPN, and proposed a novel therapeutic approach to reverse it.

New material to treat wounds can protect against resistant bacteria

Researchers have developed a new material that prevents infections in wounds - a specially designed hydrogel, that works against all types of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant ones. The new material offers great hope for combating a growing global problem.

Sex cells in parasites are doing their own thing

Researchers have discovered how microbes responsible for human African sleeping sickness produce sex cells.

Key to her success is her success with the keys

To Scott Santibanez, the call sounded like a routine request in a 22-year career at CDC that has been filled with such calls. It proved to be anything but.

Esophageal cancers resurrect ancient retroviruses hidden in our genome

Scientists have found that many esophageal cancers turn on ancient viral DNA embedded in our genome, a finding that could lead to improvements in immunotherapy.

Scientists develop better way to block viruses that cause childhood respiratory infections

By engineering a short chunk of protein, or peptide, that can prevent the attachment of human parainfluenza viruses to cells, researchers have improved a method in rodent models intended to help keep children healthy.

The 'key' to new COVID-19 vaccine development

Scientists are researching a new COVID-19 vaccine that would target only a small portion of the virus's spike protein. The vaccine has shown promise in laboratory experiments, and more vaccines could be necessary in the years ahead as additional SARS-CoV-2 variants emerge.

Biomarker detects severe COVID-19 early on

Severe cases of COVID-19 can now be detected at an early stage. Researchers have identified the first biomarker that can reliably predict which patients will develop severe symptoms. This can help to improve the treatment of severe cases of COVID-19.

3D printing lays the foundation for a new range of diagnostic tests

Researchers have developed a 3D printing technique that extends the possibilities of lateral flow testing. These tests are widespread in the form of the classic pregnancy test and the COVID-19 self-tests. With the new printing technique, advanced diagnostic tests can be produced that are quick, cheap, and easy to use.

New vaccine blocks COVID-19 and variants, plus other coronaviruses

A potential new vaccine has proven effective in protecting monkeys and mice from a variety of coronavirus infections -- including SARS-CoV-2 as well as the original SARS-CoV-1 and related bat coronaviruses that could potentially cause the next pandemic.

SARS-CoV-2 research: Second possible effective mechanism of remdesivir discovered

After infection, SARS-CoV-2 causes the host cell to produce new virus particles and suppresses host cell defence mechanisms. Virus protein nsP3 plays a central role in the latter process. Using structural analyses, researchers have now discovered that a decomposition product of the remdesivir binds to nsP3. This previously unknown effective mechanism may be important for the development of new drugs to combat RNA viruses.

How Legionella makes itself at home

Scientists have discovered a key protein that helps the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease to set up house in the cells of humans and other hosts. The findings could offer insights into how other bacteria are able to survive inside cells, knowledge that could lead to new treatments for a wide variety of infections.

Errors at the start of life

The process of combining maternal and paternal genetic information is surprisingly error-prone.

Prenatal exposure to famine heightens risk for later being overweight

An analysis of historical medical records found that men who were prenatally exposed during early gestation to the Dutch famine of 1944-1945 were 30 percent more likely to be overweight with a Body Mass Index of 25 or over at age 19, compared to a similar group not exposed to the famine.

Rapid lifestyle changes during early COVID-19 pandemic had no impact on climate change, study finds

Despite the rapid and significant changes in consumption patterns witnessed during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese households maintained their normal levels of greenhouse gases emissions. The 'anthropause' -- reduction of human activity due to the pandemic -- made headlines last summer, but factory shutdowns and broken global supply chains did not translate into the adoption of eco-friendly lifestyles for the average household.

Engineering diseased human skin in vitro

A research team develops an artificial diabetic skin based on 3D cell printing.

New finding suggests cognitive problems caused by repeat mild head hits could be treated

A neurologic pathway by which non-damaging but high frequency brain impact blunts normal brain function and causes long-term problems with learning and memory has been identified. The finding suggests that tailored drug therapy can be designed and developed to reactivate and normalize cognitive function, say neuroscientists.

Reaching your life goals as a single-celled organism

How is it possible to move in the desired direction without a brain or nervous system? Single-celled organisms apparently manage this feat without any problems: for example, they can swim towards food with the help of small flagellar tails. A research team has now been able to simulate this process on the computer.

TB immune response discovery could significantly reduce disease harm

A pioneering study has discovered the presence of a harmful inflammatory protein in patients with symptomatic tuberculosis (TB). Researchers say, by targeting the IL-17 cytokine, a component produced naturally by the immune system in response to infection, excessive and damaging lung inflammation caused by TB may be significantly reduced to help speed up patient recovery.

Undetected early heart damage raises risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

First-phase ejection fraction, a possible indicator of heart failure, is a strong predictor of survival in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, according to a new study. Hospitalized patients who had impaired first-phase ejection fraction were nearly 5 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to patients with normal first-phase ejection fraction.

Mild COVID-19 infection is very unlikely to cause lasting heart damage, study finds

Mild COVID-19 infection is very unlikely to cause lasting damage to the structure or function of the heart, according to a new study.

Long-term stress in dogs linked to the owner-dog relationship

The relationship a dog has with its owner is related to its stress level. This is the conclusion of a newly published study. The results also suggest that the link between stress and the owner's personality traits differs between dog breeds.

Why is COVID-19 so hard to treat? Growing evidence points to unique infectious profile

A comprehensive review into what we know about COVID-19 and the way it functions suggests the virus has a unique infectious profile, which explains why it can be so hard to treat and why some people experience so-called 'long-COVID'.

Asthma attacks plummeted among Black and Hispanic/Latinx individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic

In a report of data collected as part of a trial in Black and Hispanic/Latinx patients with asthma that began before COVID-19 hit the U.S., researchers found total asthma attacks decreased by greater than 40 percent with the onset of the pandemic.

Managing children's weight, blood pressure and cholesterol protects brain function mid-life

Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol and/or obesity from childhood through middle age were linked to poorer brain function by middle age. These cardiovascular risk factors were linked with low memory, learning, visual processing, attention span, and reaction and movement time. Strategies to prevent heart disease and stroke should begin in childhood to promote better brain health by middle age.

Serotonin transporters increase when depression fades

Low levels of serotonin in the brain are seen as a possible cause of depression and many antidepressants act by blocking a protein that transports serotonin away from the nerve cells. A brain imaging study now shows that the average level of the serotonin transporter increased in a group of 17 individuals who recovered from depression after cognitive behavioral therapy.

Research results challenge a decades-old mechanism of how we hear sounds

Researchers have made several discoveries on the functioning mechanisms of the inner hair cells of the ear, which convert sounds into nerve signals that are processed in the brain. The results challenge the current picture of the anatomical organization and workings of the hearing organ, which has prevailed for decades.

Large Gatherings

Guidance about large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sleep disorders tally $94.9 billion in health care costs each year

Sleep disorders are associated with significantly higher rates of health care utilization including more doctors visits and prescriptions, placing an additional $94.9 billion in costs each year to the U.S. Health care system.

Damage to white matter is linked to worse cognitive outcomes after brain injury

A new study challenges the idea that gray matter (the neurons that form the cerebral cortex) is more important than white matter (the myelin covered axons that physically connect neuronal regions) when it comes to cognitive health and function. The findings may help neurologists better predict the long-term effects of strokes and other forms of traumatic brain injury.

Breaching the blood-brain barrier to deliver precious payloads

RNA-based drugs may change the standard of care for many diseases, making personalized medicine a reality. So far these cost-effective, easy-to-manufacture drugs haven't been very useful in treating brain tumors and other brain disease. But a team has shown that a combination of ultrasound and RNA-loaded nanoparticles can temporarily open the protective blood-brain barrier, allowing the delivery of potent medicine to brain tumors.

Distinct cell-to-cell communication processes controlled differently

Cells talk to each other to coordinate nutrition, waste removal, energy use, and, in some cases, disease progression. The cells that line the surfaces of organs or specific tissues, called epithelial cells, appear to speak two different languages - one for either side of the cell, according to a new study.

A deeper understanding of how cells move and stick together

A new article takes a step towards a deeper understanding of how cells adhere to each other and their motility.

How bullying and obesity can affect girls' and boys' mental health

Depressive symptoms are more common in teenage girls than in their male peers. However, boys' mental health appears to be affected more if they suffer from obesity. Irrespective of gender, bullying is a considerably greater risk factor than overweight for developing depressive symptoms.

How we retrieve our knowledge about the world

In order to find our way in the world, we classify it into concepts, such as 'telephone'. Until now, it was unclear how the brain retrieves these when we only encounter the word and don't perceive the objects directly. Scientists have now developed a model of how the brain processes abstract knowledge. They found that depending on which features one concentrates on, the corresponding brain regions go into action.

Algorithms show accuracy in gauging unconsciousness under general anesthesia

Machine learning software advances could help anesthesiologists optimize drug dose, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Thin and brittle bones strongly linked to women's heart disease risk

Thin and brittle bones are strongly linked to women's heart disease risk, with thinning of the lower (lumbar) spine, top of the thigh bone (femoral neck), and hip especially predictive of a heightened heart attack and stroke risk.

Mathematical model predicting disease spread patterns

A team of environmental engineers, alerted by the unusual wealth of data published regularly by county health agencies throughout the pandemic, began researching new methods to describe what was happening on the ground in a way that does not require obtaining information on individuals' movements or contacts. A new model predicts where a disease will spread from an outbreak, in what patterns and how quickly.

Why do some neurons degenerate and die in Alzheimer's disease, but not others?

Researchers have uncovered molecular clues that help explain what makes some neurons more susceptible than others in Alzheimer's disease. The scientists present evidence that neurons with high levels of the protein apolipoprotein E (apoE) are more sensitive to degeneration, and that this susceptibility is linked to apoE's regulation of immune-response molecules within neurons.

Feeling younger buffers older adults from stress, protects against health decline

People who feel younger have a greater sense of well-being, better cognitive functioning, less inflammation, lower risk of hospitalization and even live longer than their older-feeling peers. A study suggests one potential reason for the link between subjective age and health: Feeling younger could help buffer middle-aged and older adults against the damaging effects of stress.

Molecular analysis identifies key differences in lungs of cystic fibrosis patients

A team of researchers has developed a molecular catalog of cells in healthy lungs and the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis.

Surprising sand fly find yields new species of bacteria

Researchers made a surprising finding while examining areas where sand flies rear their young: a new species of bacteria that is highly attractive to pregnant sand flies. The findings could advance the production of ecologically safe baits or traps to reduce sand fly populations.

Skin and immune cells coordinate defenses against assault

As the human body's largest organ, the skin is responsible for protecting against a wide range of possible infections on all fleshy surfaces, from head to toe. So how exactly does the skin organize its defenses against such an array of threats?

Scientific Brief: SARS-CoV-2 Transmission

SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted by exposure to infectious respiratory fluids

COVID-19 Employer Information for Bus Transit Operators

What Bus Transit Operators Need to Know About COVID-19

Mental health may play big role in recovery after a heart attack

Young and middle-aged adults who reported severe psychological distress -- such as depression or anxiety -- after suffering a heart attack were more than twice as likely to suffer a second cardiac event within five years compared with those experiencing only mild distress, according to a new study.

Alcohol in moderation may help the heart by calming stress signals in the brain

Moderate alcohol intake -- defined as no more than one alcoholic drink for women and two for men per day -- has been associated with a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease when compared with individuals who abstain from drinking or partake in excessive drinking, according to a new study.

Have high blood pressure? You may want to check your meds

Nearly 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, also take a medicine that could be elevating their blood pressure, according to new research. The results underscore the need for patients to routinely review all of the medications they take with their care team, including those available over the counter, to make sure none could be interfering with blood pressure lowering efforts.

Novel non-coding RNAs regulating blood vessel formation

Researchers have discovered previously unknown non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) involved in regulating the gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), the master regulators of angiogenesis.

Better way to determine safe drug doses for children

To make drugs and their development safer for children, researchers have developed a method that could help determine safe drug doses more quickly. In their study, the team created a model of how organs develop that is more data-driven and consequently less prone to bias.

Cell cytoskeleton as target for new active agents

Through a unique combination of computer simulations and laboratory experiments, researchers have discovered new binding sites for active agents - against cancer, for example - on a vital protein of the cell cytoskeleton. Eleven of the sites hadn't been known before.

Defective epithelial barriers linked to two billion chronic diseases

Humans are exposed to a variety of toxins and chemicals every day. According to the epithelial barrier hypothesis, exposure to many of these substances damages the epithelium, the thin layer of cells that covers the surface of our skin, lungs and intestine. Defective epithelial barriers have been linked to a rise in almost two billion allergic, autoimmune, neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.

Possible novel migraine therapy

By discovering a potential new cellular mechanism for migraines, researchers may have also found a new way to treat chronic migraine.

Cardiovascular disease could be diagnosed earlier with new glowing probe

Researchers have created a probe that glows when it detects an enzyme associated with issues that can lead to blood clots and strokes.

Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States

Information and frequently asked questions about requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States

Interim Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Correctional and Detention Facilities

Guidance on preparing for, preventing, and managing the spread of COVID-19 in correctional and detention facilities.

How COVID-19 Spreads

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is most often spread from person to person among close contacts (about 6 feet).

How to Wear Masks

Cloth face coverings are an additional step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with every day preventive actions and social distancing in public settings.

Science Briefs

CDC is learning more about how COVID-19 spreads and affects people and communities. Learn more by viewing scientific briefs and agendas.

Science Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2

CDC recommends community use of masks, specifically non-valved, multi-layer cloth masks, to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

From yeast to hypha: How Candida albicans makes the switch

A protein called Sir2 may facilitate C. albicans' transition from ovoid yeast to thread-like hypha. C. albicans cells that were missing the Sir2 gene were less likely to form true hyphae in lab experiments than cells of the same species that had that gene.

Novel switch found in proteins with wide-ranging implications for medical treatments

Proteins perform a vast array of functions in the cell of every living organism with critical roles in biological processes. There are numerous chemical switches that control the structure and the function of proteins, which were thought to be well understood: so a team of researchers were surprised to discover a completely new on/off switch that seems to be a ubiquitous regulatory element in proteins in all domains of life.