Translational Research

A groundbreaking study by scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has unveiled the underlying biological mechanisms that cause normally harmless sensations like heat and touch to become painful in the presence of inflammation. The findings, published by researchers from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), may open the door to more precise treatments for chronic and inflammatory pain.

Scientists have identified a specific gut microbiota profile that can help forecast future heart attacks and major cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The findings, published in the European Heart Journal, provide promising evidence that the gut microbiome may become a valuable tool in personalizing treatment and improving preventive strategies in cardiovascular care.

Older adults with cancer respond just as well as younger patients to immune checkpoint inhibitors, despite the natural weakening of the immune system that occurs with age. This promising conclusion comes from a new study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and the Johns Hopkins Convergence Institute.