February 16, 2024

Songbirds Begin to Reveal Mysteries of Spoken Language
By Eric Bock
Humans, parrots, songbirds and hummingbirds share an unusual ability. They can hear and repeat new sounds even if they weren’t born making them. A recent lecture explores this further, looking at the neurobiology and evolution of vocal learning and spoken language.

Young Turns the Phage Toward New Therapies
By Dana Talesnik
Phage therapy is emerging as an important tool against multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections. Much of what’s known about bacteriophages—viruses that target and kill bacteria—comes from research led by Dr. Ryland Young, featured speaker at NIH’s annual DeWitt Stetten Jr. Lecture.
Historic Public Health Report Marks 60th Anniversary
By Kris Heitman
Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General, published 60 years ago in January 1964, reshaped the way Americans viewed smoking. This year marks a significant anniversary for the historic document.
NIH Hosts Annual Global Health Workshop with Gates Foundation
Leaders of NIH and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gathered Jan. 29 at the Porter Neuroscience Research Center for the 10th annual NIH-Gates Foundation Leadership Workshop on Global Health.