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Summer can be a bummer if outdoor fun is interrupted by the irritating buzz of mosquitoes. Their bites not only create itchy red bumps on your skin; they also carry the risk of disease. NIH-funded scientists are working to find better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent mosquito-borne illnesses. And we can all take simple steps to avoid getting bit by those blood-sucking insects. Most mosquito…

Being social and making friends isn’t always easy. Relationships have many subtleties. But people with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, struggle more than most. For them, communicating with others can be very difficult. Autism is called a “spectrum” disorder because it’s not the same for everyone. Generally, people with autism both have difficulties with social communication and engage in…, Early Detection, Diagnosing ASD can be difficult. There are no medical tests. Doctors can only look at a child’s behavior as they age. The symptoms of ASD usually appear around age two. That’s why experts recommend children be screened for autism at their 18- and 24-month well-child visits. “Children with autism don’t look like they have symptoms in the first year of life,” says Dr. Joseph Piven, a child…, Innovative Interventions, Getting treatment as early as possible may help change the way a child develops. “In early infancy, the brain is considered much easier to change and so interventions may have a bigger effect,” Piven says. Current treatments for autism involve behavioral therapy. “One of the most widely used strategies is called applied behavior analysis, or ABA, therapy,” explains Wall. “This therapy uses tools…, Personalized Treatments, Because autism is different for each person, researchers are searching for ways to identify which treatments will work best for whom. “They’re looking for different markers that are associated with different types of social difficulties,” Gilotty says. “If you can begin to identify those brain differences, then you can develop treatments around them.” People with ASD will face different…

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. There are many types of HPV. Most are fairly harmless. Some can cause genital warts, and others certain cancers. Anyone who is sexually active can get one of these harmful types of HPV. Most people don’t know they have the virus. “Over a lifetime, up to 80% of people will be exposed to this virus,” says Dr.…

A new study shows that stress really can give you gray hair. Researchers found that the body’s fight-or-flight response plays a key role in turning hair gray. Your hair color is determined by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. New melanocytes are made from melanocyte stem cells that live in the hair follicle at the base of your hair strand. As we age, these stem cells gradually disappear…

If you’re a parent, you may wonder how to talk about opioids with your child. By knowing the facts, you can have an open conversation with your child about the risks. You’ll also be better able to spot signs of a problem with opioids. NIH has developed a guide to help you begin the conversation. Opioids include medications like prescription painkillers and illegal drugs like heroin. They work by…

Accidents happen. A fender bender. A collision while playing sports. Or a fall at home. Many types of accidents can cause a bang to the brain. Each year, more than 2 million people in the U.S. visit an emergency room for a traumatic brain injury. Many others experience a blow to the head but never see a doctor. Brain injuries can range from mild to severe. The most common type of mild brain…, Seek Treatment, Some people may briefly lose consciousness right after a jolt to the head. Later symptoms can include headache, nausea, confusion, dizziness, or memory problems. Some people may also have sensitivity to light or noise, feel groggy or slow, or have changes to their sleep patterns. “No two brain injuries are exactly the same,” says Dr. Dorian McGavern, a brain-injury researcher at NIH. Every person…, Avoid a Second Blow, The brain is more vulnerable to a second blow after a concussion. That’s because a concussion can damage nerve cells in the brain. It can also cause the blood vessels that feed the brain to become leaky. The body usually repairs these blood vessels over a period of several weeks. But in some people, they don’t heal that quickly—or at all. “Some vessels will still have cracks in the seals. This…, Take Time to Heal, After a concussion, the brain needs some rest. Research has shown that both children and adults benefit from reducing their mental and physical activity for a short time and should return to those activities gradually. “Visual and balance problems can make it hard to do things like read, write, use an electronic device, or navigate a busy hallway,” Master explains. “Early recognition and…

You’ve probably heard a lot about vaping lately. You might also know about the recent outbreak of lung injuries and deaths linked to vaping in the U.S. But those aren’t the only risks that come with vaping. Here’s what you need to know. Vaping devices, also known as e-cigarettes, vape pens, and e-hookahs among other terms, come in many shapes and sizes. Some look like traditional cigarettes,…

A new blood testing technique could help researchers detect Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms start or in its early stages. Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related brain disorder that develops over many years. Toxic changes in the brain slowly destroy memory and thinking skills. The disease involves two proteins called beta-amyloid and tau. Beta-amyloid clumps into plaques, which slowly build up…

Positive relationships with friends and family help us thrive. Without social connections, it’s easy to feel lonely or isolated. Many of us have been spending more time alone in our homes lately. While anyone can feel lonely, certain factors increase your risk. Major life changes or losses can increase feelings of loneliness. Older adults are at greater risk because they’re more likely to live…

Driving a car can give you freedom. But it’s also one of riskiest things you do every day. More than 36,000 people died in car accidents in the U.S. in 2018. Millions more are injured each year. Many things can make driving risky. Speeding, not paying full attention to the road, and driving while tired all increase your chances of a crash. Drinking or using drugs can be especially dangerous.…, Distracted Driving, You’ve likely seen ads reminding you to keep your eyes on the road. With cell phones and screens everywhere, distracted driving has become a major problem. “Because we’re so phone driven, the tendency is when somebody calls us or texts us, we want to respond immediately,” says Dr. Bruce Simons-Morton, an NIH expert on teen driving. To drive safely, we have to overcome that powerful impulse, he…, Teen Drivers, Studies show that teen drivers are at greatest risk for crashes. Crashes are higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than any other age group. That’s because some driving skills get better with experience. Teens are also prone to distraction, especially with friends in the car. “The first six months of driving on their own is the most dangerous,” says Dr. Ginger Yang, a teen driving expert at Nationwide…, Older Drivers, Younger drivers aren’t the only group at greater risk of crashes. As you age, physical and mental changes can make driving more dangerous. “There’s a number of changes that happen in our vision as we grow older,” says Dr. Cynthia Owsley, who studies the impact of aging on vision at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, naturally get worse with age. Older adults…, Safer Driving, Whether you’re a new driver or have been driving for decades, it’s important to think about safe driving. The good news is that advances in car design and safety technology are helping protect you behind the wheel. You can also do several things to reduce your risk of an accident. Always stay alert. Resist the urge to text or talk on the phone. For more safe driving tips, see the Wise Choices box.