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News & Updates

NICHD issues Releases and Media Advisories to the news media. Science Updates and Spotlights explain NICHD research findings and public health issues to the general public. An Item of Interest is a short announcement such as an initiative launch or a notable staff change. Director’s Corner posts are monthly updates from the NICHD director.

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Item of Interest: NICHD Leads Summer Workshops on Women’s Health

A group of diverse women smiles for the camera.

NICHD is co-hosting several workshops and virtual meetings on women’s health topics in summer 2024. Please consider registering to participate in discussions and to help shape future research and care.

Director's Corner: Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections

Spiral-shaped bacteria highlighted in teal against a purple background.

There were more than 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia in the United States in 2022. NICHD research aims to prevent these and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women, infants, children, and adolescents. Focus areas include addressing the need for additional STI prevention methods for women and curbing the rise in congenital syphilis cases.

Science Update: Generic daily HIV prevention pill for young men who have sex with men could save lives, lower costs, NIH-funded study suggests

Compared to annual HIV screening alone, generic daily oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with HIV screening every three months would result in fewer HIV acquisitions, longer life expectancy, and fewer HIV-associated costs among young men who have sex with men in the United States.

Director's Corner: Expanding Contraceptive Choices

Foil packs, multicolored latex condoms, and a blister pack of pills.

A safe, highly effective, reversible method of male contraception would fill an important public health need. Additionally, multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs)—products that prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections—would increase sexual and reproductive health options for both women and men. NICHD supports a broad range of contraceptive research, including efforts to develop male contraceptives and MPTs.

Item of Interest: PregSource® Mobile App Allows Access from Anywhere

Pregnant person holding a mobile device.

It just got easier to participate in the PregSource®: Crowdsourcing to Understand Pregnancy research project. The free app allows participants to track their weight, sleep, mood, and other features of their pregnancy in just a few taps.

Release: Youth with HIV less likely than adults to achieve viral suppression

Immune cell with numerous human immune deficiency viruses on its surface.

Despite similar rates of enrollment into medical care, youth with HIV have much lower rates of viral suppression—reducing HIV to undetectable levels—compared to adults, according to an analysis funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Science Update: Drug combination may lead to slight bone loss in young adolescent males, NIH-funded analysis suggests

Printed copies of bone scan images on a desk top.

Truvada, a drug combination that reduces the chances of HIV infection in high-risk people may result in small, yet persistent bone loss in younger adolescent males, suggests a study supported by the NICHD. The researchers added, however, that the protection against HIV offered by Truvada far outweighs any possible risks from bone loss.

Spotlight: Maternal Health Research Advances

A young Indian mother breastfeeding her newborn baby.

NICHD was established more than 50 years ago to help understand maternal health and improve pregnancy outcomes. These selected advances highlight NICHD’s contributions to advancing the health and well-being of pregnant women, mothers, and families everywhere.

Release: Acyclovir labeling now includes details for treating premature infants infected with herpes virus

Hand grasping a newborn’s foot, which has a hospital ID tag wrapped around it.

Newborns infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be appropriately treated with acyclovir, a drug typically prescribed to adults for the treatment of HSV infections.

Release: NIH funds study to prevent, treat HIV among adolescents in poor countries

Scanning electromicrograph of an HIV-infected T cell.

The National Institutes of Health has awarded $7.5 million for an international research program to prevent and treat HIV infection among adolescents and young adults in seven African countries and Brazil.

HIV hijacks surface molecule to invade cell

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered a key step in the process that HIV uses to inject its genetic material into cells.

Focus on Women’s Health Research

NICHD research aims to improve understanding of diseases and conditions that affect women.

NICHD scientists decipher how group of proteins regulate immune cell development in mice

Immune system proteins called Themis are essential for helping two major types of infection-fighting immune cells mature, according to two studies led by researchers at NICHD.

NIH workshop identifies complex health problems among Zika-affected infants

Children exposed to Zika virus in the womb may face complex health and developmental problems as they grow older, according to discussions at an NIH workshop.

Getting to Know the New NICHD Director

NICHD Director Dr. Diana Bianchi shares some thoughts about joining NICHD.

NIH funds research network focused on HIV-infected youth

The National Institutes of Health has awarded funding for a research network devoted to the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults with HIV or at risk for HIV infection.

Research Roundup: Here’s How NICHD Research Is Improving Patients’ Lives

Betsy and Michael Pilon with their son, Max

Read a selection of past Spotlights featuring the stories of kids and adults whose lives have been enhanced by NICHD-supported research through new treatments, improved patient engagement, and new prevention and intervention campaigns.

NICHD Invites Researchers to Share Their Data through Online Resource

Researchers may now add data from NICHD-funded studies directly to the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH).

HIV Transmission from Mother to Child: From Epidemic to Near Elimination

Children are most likely to get HIV from their mothers in one of three ways: in the womb, during birth, or from breastfeeding or breast milk. NICHD research has helped establish safe and effective ways to prevent this type of HIV transmission. Check out our infographic to learn more.

Blood test for chlamydia may predict pregnancy outcomes

A blood test that detects antibodies to the sexually transmitted bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis may be helpful in screening infertile women for pregnancy outcomes, according to a new study.

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News & Updates