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The difference between a little fish and a human may seem enormous. But in some ways, fish and people are surprisingly similar. That’s why scientists around the world have been studying a striped fish called the zebrafish. These little fish—about an inch or two long when fully grown—have a lot to teach us about human health. Like us, fish have a spine, brain, heart, gut, ears, eyes, and other…

To repair burns and other skin injuries, surgeons can grow new patches of skin in the lab. But these patches are usually small, and their shapes are limited. Using such patches on complex structures like the hands or face requires lots of cutting and stitching. This can cause damage and scarring. Researchers are working to find ways to grow 3D skin in the shape of complex body parts. In a new…

Menopause is the time when a woman’s menstrual periods stop for good, and she can no longer get pregnant. You’ve reached menopause when you haven’t had a period for one year. It’s a normal part of aging. But the transition to menopause affects every woman differently. The menopausal transition often begins between ages 45 and 55. It can last for many years. During this time, women may notice…

It’s always a good time to resolve to eat better, be more active, and lose weight. For the more than 2 out of 3 Americans who are either overweight or obese, there’s now a free, research-based tool to help you reach your goals: the NIH Body Weight Planner .   “A lot of people want to change their lifestyle to lose weight and improve their overall health but really don’t know what it takes,” says…

Some people who’ve had COVID develop lasting health problems. NIH created the RECOVER Initiative to learn more about this condition, called Long COVID. Thousands of children and adults have joined the RECOVER studies. You may be able to participate, too. Learn more and sign up for email updates about research findings.

Getting a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is devastating. ALS causes your muscles to weaken over time and eventually leads to death. It’s also called Lou Gehrig’s disease. “ALS is a motor neuron disease,” says Dr. Rita Sattler, an ALS expert at the Barrow Neurological Institute. “Motor neurons connect to every muscle in your body and control muscle movement. So if these cells are…, Uncovering Causes, Most cases of ALS are sporadic. That means there’s no known cause. But it can also run in families. [qtip:Genetic|Having to do with genes, stretches of DNA you inherit from your parents. Genes can affect your risk for certain diseases.] causes account for about 15% or less of ALS cases. “The first genetic cause of ALS was discovered nearly 30 years ago, with a gene called SOD1,” says Dr. Michael…, Detecting ALS Early, Right now, getting an ALS diagnosis takes time. “In many people, it can take up to 18 months to get a final diagnosis,” says Dr. Jordan Green, a speech-language pathologist at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. “Early diagnosis is particularly important in a disease like ALS because the motor neurons are dying, and you want to intervene as early as possible.” If you show signs of ALS, your…, Tracking and Treating ALS, Scientists are seeking ways to track and slow the progression of ALS, too. Current drugs can treat a person’s symptoms but can’t stop the disease from getting worse. Finding biomarkers—molecules or other signs of a disease—that can be used to track the progression of a disease has become a key research focus. Biomarkers can be used to see whether potential new drugs are working. NIH-funded…

About two-thirds of your body weight is water. All your cells need water to work. Water is also the base for all your different body fluids, including saliva, blood, urine, sweat, and joint fluid. No living thing can survive without water. How do you know if you’re drinking enough? Your body loses water when you sweat, go to the bathroom, and even when you just breathe out. So, you need to drink…

NIH is the driving force behind decades of research advances that have improved health, helped revolutionize science, and serve society more broadly. Learn how NIH turns scientific discoveries into better health for all. Read stories about how NIH has advanced cancer research, vaccines, heart health, mental health, and more.

In type 1 diabetes, your body mistakenly attacks and destroys certain cells in your own pancreas. These cells normally make a molecule called insulin. Without insulin, the sugar glucose builds up in your blood. This can cause serious health problems. Current treatments for type 1 diabetes include frequent testing of blood glucose and insulin injections. But researchers have been working on a new…

Pain is the most common reason people seek medical care. Many also look to complementary health approaches. But how do you know if they’re safe and helpful? To help you find answers, NIH has a free e-book called “Pain: Considering Complementary Approaches.” It summarizes the evidence behind different complementary approaches for pain relief. These include acupuncture, massage therapy, spinal…