January 6, 2025
This article highlights key National Institutes of Health (NIH) programs, policies, and scientific advances that have informed and improved the health of women and describe the promise and potential of harnessing cutting-edge science and integrative approaches to advance women’s health research. Policy updates combined with recent scientific and programmatic initiatives are intended to expand understanding of women’s health, deliver diagnostics, and develop preventive approaches and novel therapies to meet critical health needs of contemporary women.
Recent Developments in Women’s Health Research at the US National Institutes of Health
January 3, 2025
Tumor cells circulating in the blood are the 'germ cells' of breast cancer metastases. They are very rare and could not be propagated in the culture dish until now, which made research into therapy resistance difficult. A team has now succeeded for the first time in cultivating stable tumor organoids directly from blood samples of breast cancer patients. Using these mini-tumors, the researchers were able to decipher a molecular signaling pathway that ensures the cancer cells' survival and resistance to therapy. With this knowledge, the team was able to develop an approach to specifically eliminate these tumor cells in lab experiments.
Approaches against metastatic breast cancer: mini-tumors from circulating cancer cells
January 2, 2025
A new international study shows that AI-based models can outperform human experts at identifying ovarian cancer in ultrasound images.
January 2, 2025
Patients diagnosed with late-stage or metastatic breast cancer have a statistically significant increased risk of pre-diagnosis cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to those with early-stage cancer at diagnosis.
Patients with heart disease may be at increased risk for advanced breast cancer
January 2, 2025
Recognizing that news coverage may have influence in forming attitudes and in driving action, a team of psychology researchers examined whether reframing this gender gap in terms of 'men's overrepresentation' -- rather than as 'women's underrepresentation' -- would have an impact on perceptions of the issue and on motivations to address it. Its findings showed that framing the gap as 'men's overrepresentation' -- as opposed to 'women's underrepresentation' -- in political leadership elicited more anger at the disparity among women and increased perceptions that the gap is unjust. Moreover, the results showed that anger at the disparity leads women to take action to address it.
Too many men or too few women? New study finds how the gender gap is framed affects perceptions of it
December 30, 2024
The hormone estrogen regulates binge drinking in females, causing them to 'pregame' -- consume large quantities of alcohol in the first 30 minutes after it's offered, according to a preclinical study. The study establishes -- for what is thought to be the first time -- that circulating estrogen increases binge alcohol consumption in females and contributes to known sex differences in this behavior.
Preclinical study finds surges in estrogen promote binge drinking in females
December 20, 2024
New research finds a pervasive low-quality diet among pregnant and postpartum individuals, reflecting 'an urgent need for widespread improvement'
Most women get low grades in healthy eating during and after pregnancy
December 19, 2024
Inflammation in the hippocampus -- the brain's memory center -- significantly alters motivation and behavior in mice, according to new research.
Brain inflammation alters behavior according to sex, mouse study finds
December 13, 2024
Analyses of self-tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) can be used to divide HPV-positive women into three risk groups, according to a new study. This method could be important for enhancing cervical cancer screening.
December 13, 2024
A new review reveals how your DNA shapes reproductive health, fertility, and even life expectancy.
