Month: July 2010

Scientists Identify Brain Circuits Related to the Initiation and Termination of Movement Sequences in NIH-Supported Study

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In humans, throwing a ball, typing on a keyboard, or engaging in most other physical activities involves the coordination of numerous discrete movements that are organized as action sequences. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health and the Gulbenkian Institute in Portugal have identified brain activity in mice that can signal the initiation and termination … Read more

New Quarters – The U.S. Mint launched a new collectible coin program this year called America the

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Do you know someone who collects coins? The U.S. Mint launched a new collectible coin program this year called America the Beautiful, and they’re about to issue a new coin in the series. On July 29th, the Mint will issue the Yosemite National Park Quarter, the third coin in the series. The first two coins … Read more

New Compound Improves Obesity-Related Health Complications in NIH-Led Study

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An experimental compound appears to improve metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity, according to a preliminary study led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. A report of the study, which was conducted with obese mice, appears online today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Americans With Disabilities Act Turns 20

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Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Act gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities. It guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public accommodations, commercial facilities, employment, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications. The ADA did not garner a lot of attention when it … Read more

Your Doctor’s Notes Online

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You know when you go to the doctor’s office, you see your doctor scribbling notes about different things relating to your health. Sometimes they’re writing prescriptions, sometimes jotting down your height and weight. Do you ever wonder what those little scribbles say? As a super curious person by nature, I know I do. I’m the … Read more

Adopting a Child

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Years ago, after a period of struggling with infertility and failed attempts to get pregnant, my husband and I began exploring the option of adopting a child. We eventually decided to not pursue adoption, but for many couples unable to have a child, adoption is an excellent alternative. There are tens of thousands of children … Read more

Pick Your Own Fruit!

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I spent Independence Day in the Shenandoah Valley. Anytime I’m there this time of year I start thinking about how when I was a kid my grandparents would take my brother and me to the orchards to pick fresh fruit. Apples, peaches, grapes, nectarines – it seems we picked everything short of tropical fruit. I recently … Read more

Gene Associated with Rare Adrenal Disorder Appears To Trigger Cell Death, According to NIH Study

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A gene implicated in Carney complex, a rare disorder of the adrenal glands, appears to function as a molecular switch to limit cell growth and division, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.

Medicare, Elderly, Disabled Housing Assistance

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Home, it’s more than brick-and-mortar, wood, or even blocks of ice shaped in a dome! Home is your place, your retreat from the world, your sanctuary for the soul. For me, home is all of those things and toilets to clean, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Everyone should have an opportunity to … Read more

Medicare, NIH Expands National Network for Transforming Clinical and Translational Research

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Nine health research centers have received funds to develop ways to reduce the time it takes for clinical research to become treatments for patients. The funds were awarded as part of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program which is led by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), part of the National Institutes … Read more

Medicare, After 40 Years, NIH-Supported Researchers Identify Possible New Treatment for Severe Vasculitis

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Investigators have made a major advance in treating people with a severe form of vasculitis, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, a rare but devastating disease of blood vessels. In a six-month study, a new treatment strategy provided the same benefits as the current standard of care used for more than 40 years but required less … Read more

Medicare, Gene Variant that may Prevent African Sleeping Sickness also Leads to Increased Chance of Kidney Disease

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National Institutes of Health researchers and grantees have found that gene variants in APOL1, more common in African Americans, come with both health risk and reward, as reported in the July 15 online issue of Science.

Medicare Card, NIH Funds 10 International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research

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In an effort to accelerate the control of malaria and help eliminate it worldwide, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, today announced approximately $14 million in first-year funding to establish 10 new malaria research centers around the world.

Medicare Card, Annual Federal Statistics Compilation Reports Second Straight Decline In Preterm Births

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Preterm births and adolescent births declined, eighth graders’ math and reading scores increased, and more children had health insurance, according to the federal government’ annual statistical report on the well-being of the nation’s children and youth. The report also showed several economic changes that coincided with the beginning of the economic downturn: increases in child … Read more

NIH Scientists Advance Universal Flu Vaccine

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A universal influenza vaccine — so-called because it could potentially provide protection from all flu strains for decades — may become a reality because of research led by scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

National Men’s Health Week 2010

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As the resident male blogger here at Gov Gab, it’s my job to tell you that June is National Men’s Health Month and that today through Sunday is National Men’s Health Week. Signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994, National Men’s Health Week always occurs the week before Father’s Day. The purpose of … Read more