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Have you ever heard that something, like a gene or toxin, can cause disease? Or that a drug can prevent illness? How about a behavior, like too much sitting, that’s “linked” to health problems? Such news reports are often based on some type of clinical research, which is the study of health and illness in people. There are many types of clinical studies. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses…, Why Do Researchers Do Different Kinds of Clinical Studies?, ,, that outlines different types of clinical studies and explains why scientists might use them. The guide notes that a study’s strength depends on its size, methods, and design. The ideal way to prove that a treatment works is through a well-designed “randomized controlled trial.” In such trials, people are randomly assigned to either a “treatment” or a “control” group for comparison. Other…

You’re feeling pretty lousy. You’ve got sniffles, sneezing, and a sore throat. Is it a cold, flu, or allergies? It can be hard to tell them apart because they share so many symptoms. But understanding the differences will help you choose the best treatment. “If you know what you have, you won’t take medications that you don’t need, that aren’t effective, or that might even make your symptoms…

Most children get restless, rowdy, or distracted at times. That’s all part of being a kid. But some kids have such trouble paying attention, staying focused, and finishing tasks that it interferes with their schoolwork, home life, and friendships. These difficulties might be signs of a developmental disorder called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. ADHD is a common brain…

How would you react to a medical emergency? When it comes to life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke, every minute counts. Get to know the signs and symptoms of these health threats. If you think you or someone else might be having a heart attack or stroke, get medical help right away. Acting fast could save your life or someone else’s. Heart disease and stroke are 2 of the top…

Simple and straight-forward videos give you the basics of brain biology. Get an overview of how the brain works and how mental illness is linked to brain function. Learn about brain regions, neurotransmitters, gene studies, brain imaging and more.*, *Editor's Note:, This website has been archived and is no longer available. 

Kids and teens are often exposed to noise levels that could permanently harm their hearing over time. Learn about the causes of noise-induced hearing loss and how to prevent it, so your kids—and you—can have healthy hearing for life. Noisy Planet recently  launched a Spanish-language version  of the website too.

Want to hear some healthful news? Listen to health and medical research reports from NIH Radio, a 24-hour audio news service. Programs are posted online as MP3 files and full transcripts. Listen, subscribe or search. No Internet? No problem! To hear daily 60-second reports or longer programs by phone, call 301-276-3384.*, *Editor's Note: , This website has been archived and is no longer available. 

Want to know more about genes and how they work? Or learn about DNA forensics, biotechnology, and related careers? This educational website has up-to-date information, animations, games, interactive tutorials, and teacher resources designed for students and educators in grades 9 to 12.

You probably often hear or read about the results of health research studies. Want to better understand the complex science that relates to health research? Explore the interactive modules, quizzes, and videos created by NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. These tools can help you weigh what you hear and read. Knowing the science can help you make educated decisions…

How common is morning sickness? How does pregnancy affect sleep? Does chronic disease or disability change the pregnancy experience? Pregnant women are helping researchers answer questions like these by joining the PregSource research project. It is free to join, and all information is kept confidential. Plus, it offers health trackers, reliable health information, and the chance to share your…