NIH Science in Seconds – a weekly roundup of NIH’s research news. Read more about each of the featured news stories below. Week of October 24, 2022: 1. A study of nearly 2,000 children found that those who reported playing video games for three hours per day or more performed better on cognitive skills tests involving impulse control and working memory compared to children who had never played video games. However, more research is needed to parse potential benefits and harms of video games on the developing brain. https://bit.ly/3swdR51 2. NIH scientists have discovered a mechanism by which an area of a protein shape-shifts to convert vitamin A into a form usable by the eye’s light-sensing photoreceptor cells. This shapeshifting enables RPE65 to enter the endoplasmic reticulum – a network of sac-like structures and tubes – where RPE65 performs the crucial task of vitamin A conversion. The discovery provides better understanding of RPE65’s function and will inform potential treatments for vision disorders linked to RPE65 gene mutations. https://bit.ly/3Nc6gli 3. Two NIH-supported studies found that long-term use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), or vaping, can significantly impair the function of the body’s blood vessels, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, the use of both e-cigs and regular cigarettes may cause an even greater risk than the use of either of these products alone. https://bit.ly/3TWPqt5 4. Experimental monoclonal antibodies targeting different sites of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) showed promise in blocking the virus in human cells. https://bit.ly/3Fow2B1 5. Using a new stem-cell based model made from skin cells, NIH researchers found the first direct evidence that Stargardt-related ABCA4 gene mutations affect a layer of cells in the eye called the retinal pigment epithelium. The discovery points to a new understanding of Stargardt disease progression and suggests a therapeutic strategy for the disease, which currently lacks treatment. https://bit.ly/3fhQZ60 #NIH #science