EurekAlert! National Institutes of Health

Latest news releases from NIH-funded organizations

Funded Research News

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 25-Oct-2026 21:17 ET (26-Oct-2026 01:17 GMT/UTC)

21-May-2026

Study sheds light on how early pancreas lesions become cancerous

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In an unexpected finding, a new study flips on its head researchers’ understanding of how precancerous pancreas lesions evolve into pancreatic cancer. The paradigm-changing discovery has tremendous implications for identifying people at higher risk of cancer or even, potentially stopping malignant transformation.

Journal: Cancer Discovery
Funder: Department of Veterans' Affairs

21-May-2026

Extended human liver slice culture enables modeling of regeneration and ductular reaction

First Hospital of Jilin University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A refined precision-cut liver slice (PCLS) platform enables stable long-term culture of human liver tissues for up to 14 days while preserving multicellular architecture and disease-relevant remodeling. Using optimized slicing, oxygen delivery, and viability monitoring strategies, the study demonstrates dynamic fibrogenesis, hepatocyte dedifferentiation, regeneration, and ductular reaction in human liver explants. This extended ex vivo system provides a physiologically relevant platform for mechanistic studies, therapeutic testing, and the development of new approach methodologies (NAMs) in liver research.

Journal: eGastroenterology
Funder: Novel Therapeutic Delivery Grant from the Massachusetts Life Science Center

21-May-2026

Boston Medical Center physician-scientist to pioneer platform integrating HIV prevention and addiction treatment into routine care

Boston Medical Center
Grant and Award Announcement

Alyssa Tilhou, MD, PhD, vice chair for research in family medicine at Boston Medical Center, is working to ensure that all patients are given the opportunity to benefit from comprehensive addiction and HIV prevention services when they present for care. Dr. Tilhou’s work has earned her one of the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) prestigious Avenir Awards, supporting exceptionally innovative early-career researchers.

21-May-2026

Scientists uncover protein that could help failing hearts

Virginia Tech
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Utah identified a protein called PERM1 that may play a key role in helping failing hearts recover. The study focused on patients with advanced heart failure treated with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) — mechanical pumps that reduce stress on the heart.

Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association
Funder: Department of Veterans' Affairs, Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation, American Heart Association, Seale Innovation Fund at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute

21-May-2026

Exercise hormone irisin could offer neuroprotective effects in multiple sclerosis

Mass General Brigham
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers examined levels of the exercise hormone irisin in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. They found that irisin reduced both clinical symptoms and the loss of neurons in the experimental model.

Journal: Nature Metabolism
Funder: Cure Alzheimer's Fund, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany, McCance Center for Brain Health, Else Kröner Fresenius Foundation, Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, National MS Society, Hassenfeld Clinical Scholar Award, Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award, Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds