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In food allergies, the body’s defense system, called the immune system, reacts to harmless food as if it were a threat. To understand why this happens, scientists first need to know how the body develops a tolerance to a food. A new study showed that certain parts of dietary proteins normally act as signals that foods are safe. Researchers found seven different sensors in specialized immune cells…

Most of us have some decline in our memory and learning abilities as we age. But certain older adults can remember past events better than most people 25 to 30 years younger. Researchers recently found that exceptional recall and memory is linked to the ability to create new brain cells. An NIH-funded research team analyzed more than 350,000 individual brain cells from younger and older adults,…

We each have a unique “healthiest self.” We have different minds, bodies, living situations, and people helping to shape our health and well-being. This page offers science-based health tips in five different areas. Find ways to improve your relationships, emotional and physical well-being, disease defenses, and surroundings.

Huntington’s disease can be devastating. The illness reduces your ability to control your body’s movements. It can also give rise to problems with thinking and memory. It’s caused by changes in one gene, and those changes are passed down from generation to generation. Scientists are looking for ways to lessen the impact of the disease. Huntington’s disease is caused by a gene that makes a protein…

Find in-depth stories about NIH’s cutting-edge biomedical research. Learn about the current state of research for many fields and where they may be heading. Research in Context stories appear quarterly in, NIH Research Matters, . Read the latest story on treating addiction

Researchers found that bacteria likely plays a key role in most kidney stones. Previous studies only linked bacteria with kidney stones that formed after an infection. Kidney stones are hard, pebble-like pieces that form in your kidneys. They are made of minerals that build up in urine. Most are made of calcium oxalate. Others form after urinary tract infections (UTIs). This type is made of…

The NIH Health Information Portal provides access to reliable, science-based health resources. Find information from across NIH’s institutes and centers. You can browse or search for your health topic of interest. You can also sign up to receive the biweekly health information newsletter.  

You can’t see most air pollution. You can’t smell much of it, either. But polluted air—both outdoors and indoors—can still affect your health. “Nearly everyone on the planet is exposed to unhealthy air at least some of the time,” says Dr. Stavros Garantziotis, a lung doctor and researcher at NIH. Breathing polluted air doesn’t just affect the lungs. Because the lungs connect directly to the…

Find clinical research studies taking place at NIH’s Clinical Center. The Clinical Center hosts a wide range of studies from rare diseases to chronic health conditions. Volunteers for conditions being studied and healthy volunteers are needed. Search by diagnosis, sign, or symptom.  

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. A recent study found that some people diagnosed with melanoma were more likely to have mutations (or changes) in certain genes. The changes they found were also linked to a higher risk for other types of cancer. An NIH-funded research team looked at data from two large studies. One took place in the U.S. and the other in the United Kingdom. Both…