The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute is creating a free online database of over 100 scientifically accurate 3D biomedical animations. This project, led by Dr Drew Berry, aims to provide valuable teaching and learning resources for schools and universities teaching biomedical science.
Drs. Henry Boom and Moses Joloba at Case Western Reserve University and Makerere University, respectively, have received a $1.5 million five-year grant to strengthen Ugandan biomedical research capacity. The program aims to provide PhD-level training in microbiology and immunology to talented young Ugandan scientists.
Seventeen undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds participate in a ten-week research experience focused on heart and lung diseases. The program provides career mentoring, research training, and networking opportunities to prepare students for advanced study in biomedical science.
Professor Falk's interdisciplinary research has led to breakthroughs in assistive technology and disease diagnosis. He will receive the award at Sigma Xi's annual meeting, discussing challenges posed by his work.
A new government study suggests that the graying of the biomedical workforce is driving younger scientists away from academia, but found no evidence of a preference for older applicants in NIH grant funding. The study's authors conclude that other factors, such as changes in academic training and payment, are more likely to be contribu...
A five-year study found that men and women in engineering programs experience different expectations and outcomes, with women expecting negative experiences and this deterring them from staying. The research aims to develop methods to retain vulnerable populations in the engineering pipeline and provide evidence-based interventions.
Experts recommend increasing federal funding for convergence programs, revising grant-review mechanisms, and realigning academic structures to facilitate research collaborations. The authors note that the National Institutes of Health will play a crucial role in advancing biomedical research through integration.
Columbia University researchers develop groundbreaking technique to repair large bone defects in the head and face with lab-grown living bone. The innovative approach, which uses autologous stem cells derived from a patient's fat, enables precise anatomical replication and active bone remodeling.
A researcher at the University of Houston is developing a new technique to map the cornea's structural integrity using high-resolution imaging and mechanical mapping. This emerging field, optical elastography, holds promise for early diagnosis and treatment of kerataconus, a progressive thinning of the cornea that affects about one in ...
The Pew Charitable Trusts announced ten innovative postdoctoral scientists from Latin America who will receive two years of funding to pursue research at US laboratories and academic institutions. The program aims to expand frontiers in biomedical science, improving human health and well-being globally.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has named 22 exceptional early-career scientists as Pew scholars in the biomedical sciences. These researchers will receive flexible funding to pursue innovative research, joining a community of scientists dedicated to collaboration and mentorship.
Researchers are developing a custom-engineered tissue patch using robotic 3-D printing and computer-assisted manufacturing. The patch aims to replace or protect damaged heart muscle after a heart attack, offering new hope for patients with post-infarction left ventricle remodeling and heart failure.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new process that triggers targeted reactions using red or near-infrared light or a tiny dose of an enzyme. This breakthrough has significant implications for medicine and engineering, particularly in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
A study found that 63% of organizations producing clinical practice guidelines received funds from biomedical companies, but these relationships were seldom disclosed. The study highlights the need for better policy management of conflicts of interest in clinical practice guidelines.
Scientists create synthetic polymers that decompose without harsh elements, opening doors for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and bioimaging. Preliminary testing shows growth and depolymerization of straight and branched polymers are possible in water and extracellular matrix.
Katya Ravid, a Boston University professor, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award to conduct innovative interdisciplinary research in hematopoiesis and megakaryocte/platelet biomedical research in France. She will serve as an advisor to ongoing institutional programs at the University of Strasbourg and INSERM.
The University of Texas at Austin researchers have developed an injectable, regenerative gel that delivers proteoglycans and a growth factor to stimulate the growth of blood vessels and restore blood flow in the lower limbs. The treatment has shown promising results in mice with ischemia and diabetes, with 85% recovery of blood vessels.
Two UConn projects, a light imaging system for rapid ovarian cancer detection and an artificial salivary gland for dry mouth relief, are developed with the help of the BioScience Pipeline Program. A bone scaffold system that can replace bone grafts is also being created.
Dr. Lyons-Weiler examines successes in biomedical translational success, including breast cancer receptor research and individualized treatments, as well as problems with modern healthcare. He also critiques examples of 'Shamwizardry' in the pharmaceutical industry.
Researchers at TSRI have integrated biomedical data into Wikidata, enabling easy access and linking of genes, proteins, and more. The project aims to create a comprehensive, uniform database that can be searched and updated by anyone.
Biomedical engineering graduate students Renata Minullina and Abhishek Panchal from Louisiana Tech University have developed a novel approach to clean up oil spills using halloysite Pickering emulsification. Their research was selected from over 230 international entrants at the ACS Meeting in San Diego.
Researchers developed a 3D micro-scaffold technology that promotes reprogramming of stem cells into neurons and supports growth of neuronal connections. The system improved cell-survival rates by nearly 40-fold compared to individual cell injections, enabling the potential treatment for human neurodegenerative disorders.
Jin Kim Montclare, an associate professor at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, has been recognized as a rising star in chemical engineering. Her lab's research on engineered proteins has made breakthroughs in detoxifying organophosphates and developing environmentally responsive hydrogels.
A recent study by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that p-values are being misapplied in millions of biomedical journal articles, leading to the illusion of credible research. The study suggests that this widespread misuse may not indicate an improvement in research conduct or data analysis.
Researchers at LSU create non-permanent adhesive using urea and urease, exhibiting promising properties for biomedical applications. The adhesive's degradation rate can be adjusted, making it suitable for various biomedical uses.
A genome sequencing project has identified the spotted gar as a genetically sound bridge between zebrafish and humans, enabling advancements in biomedical research on human diseases. The gar's genome retains ancestral characteristics lost by other fishes or humans, making it an evolutionary repository of ancient genetic materials.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that bone can recover its shape after breaking, unlike most man-made materials. This unique property allows cancellous bone to direct cracks to less detrimental locations, enabling it to bounce back after a fracture.
The composite material emits light and heat when exposed to specific wavelengths of radiation and can be customized to have specific mechanical characteristics. It holds promise for biomedical imaging, drug delivery, and therapeutic treatments.
Dr. Yi Hong's research aims to create flexible, conductive, and biodegradable elastomers for biomedical applications like tissue repair. His technology has the potential to expand beyond biomedical fields into biodegradable electronics and wearable electronics.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have discovered that cyclic mechanical stimulation can improve muscle regeneration and reduce scarring, opening doors for new non-biologic therapies. The study used murine models of muscle injury and found a two-and-a-half-fold improvement in muscle regeneration with both magnetized gel and robotic cuf...
Dr. Beth Hegab, an industrial engineering lecturer and program coordinator at Louisiana Tech University, has received the 2016 Engineering Faculty Professionalism Award for her innovative work in developing online graduate degree programs. She has increased the size of the engineering program by 450% through online options.
A Louisiana Tech University senior has co-authored a paper on using halloysite clay nanotubes to create an antimicrobial coating that could help fight superbugs. The research was published in the prestigious journal Biomacromolecules, highlighting the potential for natural materials in biomedical technology.
Dr. Leon Iasemidis, a renowned expert in nonlinear dynamics and biomedical engineering, has been named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow for his outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life and economic development. He is recognized for his research in seizure prediction and control of epilepsy, with ...
A new study by Cornell biomedical engineers introduces specialized natural killer cells that target cancerous tumor cells in lymph nodes, eliminating metastases. The 'super natural killer cells' use liposomes armed with TRAIL to induce apoptosis and prevent lymphatic spread of cancer.
A new study shows a decline in postdoctoral researchers in the US, with a 5.5% loss from 2010-13, despite increasing PhD students. This decrease affects men and women, as well as US citizens and foreign postdocs.
Case Western Reserve University's Institute for Functional Restoration and Synapse Biomedical form a partnership to commercialize technology restoring movement in paralyzed patients. The partnership aims to bring the technology to those who need it, ensuring sustainable access through non-profit efforts.
Researchers at KAIST have developed ten general strategies of systems metabolic engineering to successfully develop industrial microbial strains. The strategies cover economic, state-of-the-art biological techniques and traditional bioprocess aspects.
Researchers from UNC and NC State create fully functioning human gut models on a chip, using primary cells derived from human biopsies and sophisticated architecture to mimic the gut's structure and function. This breakthrough enables personalized exploration of gut behavior during healthy and diseased states.
A recent review of the effects of a series of biomedical research reviews found that some initiatives have reduced waste and increased value, but more needs to be done. The reviewers questioned whether it's time to reconsider the current system for awarding research funding, which may not reflect changing biomedical research needs.
The OU School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering has been selected for a national diversity program to close the gender and minority gap in mechanical engineering. The school will receive education and training on diversity and inclusion to attract and retain underrepresented students and faculty.
Researchers at Emory and Georgia Tech have developed inhibitory luminopsins that can modulate neuronal firing in culture and in vivo, enabling the study of ways to halt or prevent seizure activity. The tools use a glowing protein from coral as a light source, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional optogenetics.
A new computational model measures disparities between biomedical research resources and disease burden, identifying unmet medical needs. The Research Opportunity Index (ROI) provides a data-driven framework to assess resource investment and allocate funds efficiently.
Research published in the International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology reveals a wavelet transform approach that improves medical imaging. The technique boosts the signal-to-noise ratio and reduces artifacts, allowing for earlier disease detection and diagnosis.
Three teams of undergraduate students won the National Institutes of Health's Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) Challenge with projects focused on improving global health. The winners developed a portable HIV treatment monitor, a surgical clamp to treat drooping eyelids, and a low-cost patient monitor.
A special issue of Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics presents guidelines, protocols, models, and resources for improving data sharing in low- and middle-income settings. Researchers found varying concerns and challenges across five countries, but most agreed that data sharing is crucial for scientific progress.
The researchers will investigate how variability in neuronal responses contributes to learning and performance in motor tasks. By understanding this connection, they aim to uncover the fundamental mechanisms underlying neural variability and its role in brain function.
A team of polymer physicists and chemists at Harvard developed a way to create an ultra-soft dry silicone rubber by eliminating entanglements. The material features tunable softness to match various biological tissues, opening new opportunities in biomedical research and engineering.
A new open-source software will put digitized biomedical data at the fingertips of healthcare professionals, enabling quicker second opinions and diagnoses. The software compresses images up to 100 times without losing detail or resolution.
The Louisiana State University Biomedical Research Network has received a $18.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support biomedical research, faculty development, and infrastructure improvements. The program aims to increase the biomedical workforce in Louisiana and create a pipeline of future research scientists.
Professor Tiago H. Falk has received the Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society Early Career Achievement Award for his innovative research projects in biomedical engineering and multimedia communications. His work includes assistive devices for people with disabilities and low-cost methods for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $12 million to six engineering and computer science departments to redesign their undergraduate programs. The funding will support groundbreaking changes in the professional formation of engineers and computer scientists.
The Journal of Biomedical Optics publishes a special section on advances in biomedical optics, celebrating the United Nations-declared International Year of Light. Papers report new methods for noninvasive disease screening, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring using light-based technologies.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has named 22 top scientists as scholars in the biomedical sciences, who will investigate topics ranging from microbiome to mosquito preference. The program provides four years of flexible funding and aims to advance bioscience and create a healthier world.
The 2015 BIO International Convention in Philadelphia featured the Innovation Zone, a 5,000-square-foot exhibit space dedicated to companies with cutting-edge biomedical technologies supported by NSF's Directorate for Engineering. The zone showcased over 75 companies, including those funded by the NSF Small Business Innovation Research...
Matthew W. Urban, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, received the R. Bruce Lindsay Award for his work on ultrasonic measurement of viscoelastic properties of tissues. The award recognizes his substantial contributions to acoustics through published papers.
Researchers developed a microfluidic chip to capture CTC clusters from whole blood, revealing their prevalence and potential role in metastasis. The Cluster-Chip captured 30-40% of patients' CTC clusters, offering new insights into cancer biology and potentially leading to breakthroughs in cancer research.
Two Boston University medical students, Joseph Park and Jacqueline Estevez, have been selected to conduct full-time biomedical research in the Medical Research Fellows Program. They will receive mentored research training from top biomedical scientists, focusing on Vibrio parahaemolyticus and cytokine profiles for liver cancer treatment.
A new computer simulation approach found that muscles play a bigger role in injury risk and prevention than previously thought. The study shows that individual pitchers can be at high or low risk of elbow injury depending on their muscle strength, highlighting the importance of targeted training and accurate assessments.
The Boston University College of Engineering has received a significant donation from AT&T to create a two-year engineering and technology program for an urban high school population. The program aims to document its impact on high school graduation rates and provide resources for formal methods to measure success.
More than 120 US engineering schools pledged to graduate 20 'Grand Challenge Engineers' per year, trained through special programs with a focus on hands-on research, global perspectives, and service-learning. The goal is to train over 20,000 engineers to address societal challenges.