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Dr. Diana BianchiDirector's Corner: Reflecting on 2019

Dr. Bianchi reflects on NICHD’s accomplishments for 2019, including publication of a new strategic plan, renewal of a task force to guide research on therapies for pregnant and lactating women, and an initiative to research quality of life and health needs of people with Down syndrome.

Two researchers look at a computer screenSelected NICHD Research Advances of 2019

NICHD shares selected highlights from its research, outreach, and collaborative efforts in 2019.

An ultrasound image scan of a human fetusPersistent organic pollutants in maternal blood linked to smaller fetal size

Pregnant women exposed to persistent organic pollutants, or POPs, had slightly smaller fetuses than women who were not exposed to these chemicals, according to an analysis by researchers at NIH and other institutions. POPs are chemicals that were once used in agriculture, disease control, and manufacturing processes. They are no longer produced in the United States but remain in the environment.

A boy seated at a table, looking at tilesSeverity of autism symptoms varies greatly among identical twins

Identical twins with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience large differences in symptom severity even though they share the same DNA, according to an analysis funded by NIH. The findings suggest that identifying the causes of this variability may inform the treatment of ASD-related symptoms.

Side view of the torso of a pregnant woman holding a medicine bottle in one hand and pills in the other.Many pregnant women with HIV prescribed treatment that does not meet federal guidelines

More than 20% of pregnant women beginning anti-HIV treatment were prescribed an antiretroviral treatment that did not meet federal guidelines for use during pregnancy, according to an analysis funded by NIH.

A woman smiles New NICHD initiative seeks to educate plus-size women about healthy pregnancy

Pregnancy for Every Body educates plus-size pregnant women about healthy pregnancy and the importance of working with a healthcare provider to develop a pregnancy plan.

John RobbinsJohn Robbins, NIH pioneer of conjugate vaccine technology, dies at 86

John Bennet Robbins, retired NICHD scientist and co-developer of a vaccine that has spared thousands of small children from a major cause of death and intellectual disability, has passed away after a long illness.

Diagram of a bacterial vesicleVesicles released by bacteria may reduce the spread of HIV in human tissue

Nano-sized vesicles released by certain bacteria that inhabit the vagina may protect against HIV infection, suggests a study of human cells and tissues by researchers at NIH and the University of Bologna, Italy. Known as extracellular vesicles, these bubble-like particles are produced by many kinds of cells and are thought to transport molecules from one cell to another.

Open book in blue circleDrug restores normal function of cells from person with MEHMO syndrome

A drug called ISRIB (integrated stress response inhibitor) restored the normal function of cells from a person with the rare disorder MEHMO syndrome, according to researchers at NIH and other institutions. 

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Puzzle Pieces in blue circle Selected Funding Opportunities


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finger clicking on screen with pie chart in blue circleNICHD’s Data Sharing Resources

NICHD supports a variety of resources and tools for researchers.

Featured this Month:

PAT integrates placental data from publications and public databases into a single website for the research community. PAT offers analytic and imaging tools to support placental research, secondary analysis, and hypothesis generation.

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Office of Extramural Research news icon, Megaphone in blue circle NIH’s Office of Extramural Research News

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NICHD Meetings icon, Calendar in blue circleNICHD Meetings, Conferences, and Events

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Our mailing address is:
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
31 Center Drive
Building 31
Bethesda, MD 20892-2425

 

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