A study by Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Woman's Hospital found that pregnant women in Louisiana were more likely to exceed recommended weight gain levels during the pandemic, with a 3-7% increase. This rise in non-optimal gestational weight gain may have long-term impacts on maternal and infant health.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a nanoscale optical technique to monitor protein aggregates forming in cells, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and ALS. The study provides a new window into the transition of proteins from liquid to solid phase.
A recent study by Pennington Biomedical Research Center identifies GDF15 as a protein that acts as a cellular signal to enhance insulin secretion. High-intensity exercise training in patients with type 2 diabetes was found to have elevated levels of GDF15, associated with improved glycemic control.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed genetically engineered nanovesicles that can target cancer cells more effectively than traditional chemotherapy. These nanocarriers can deliver therapeutic agents directly to the interior of cancer cells, reducing harm to healthy cells and increasing treatment efficacy.
Researchers created a database linking utility patents and NIH funding to assess translational efficiency. The Translational Ratio metric provides insights into patenting efficiency and its impact on drug innovation and treatment development. Institutions with strong engineering operations tend to be more successful in producing patents.
A new Northwestern Medicine study measures resilience in biomedical scientists during COVID-19, revealing that resiliency did not guarantee career advancement. The study found that women scientists faced greater household responsibilities and social pressure to advance their careers, leading to significant career setbacks.
Researchers identified a mechanism regulating tumor growth in the skeleton, which decreases with age and can result from hormonal changes or chemotherapy. Mineralization of bone matrix reduces tumor cell growth and promotes genes associated with better patient prognosis.
The Kennesaw State University's BRITE program aims to diversify the biomedical engineering field by recruiting students from underrepresented groups. Students will participate in clinical settings, receive faculty mentoring, and work on interdisciplinary research teams.
Dr. Prachi Singh of Pennington Biomedical Research Center has received a $3.7 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to investigate the cardiovascular risks associated with limited sleep and extended eating duration.
Researchers from Binghamton University found that collagen fibers in skin become more tightly packed together, leading to increased stiffness and tissue hardness. This study sheds light on the biological mechanisms behind sun-induced skin changes.
A team of researchers has developed a scalable and efficient method to fabricate chitin hydrogels, which show promise for biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The fabricated chitin hydrogels possess excellent mechanical properties, high water content, and antifouling performance.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have made a breakthrough in understanding how memories are consolidated in the brain. Using functional MRI, they found that thalamic spindle activities can improve memory retention and activate specific areas of the brain.
The University of Pittsburgh researcher is working on a three-year project to harness the potential of liquid-solid interaction for biomedical engineering and suspension bridge construction. The study aims to precisely control microrobots through the bloodstream and prevent disasters like the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse.
The Shape Up! Keiki research study aims to create a better way to measure and describe health from body shape, focusing on identifying obesity risks in young children. Participants aged 5 years or younger will be compensated $200 for their time.
A new partnership between Patrick Reed and Kenneth Eilertsen is putting a focus on translational research and commercialization at Pennington Biomedical. The team aims to evaluate patentability and marketability of potential disclosures, promoting public benefit from scientific discoveries.
McGill researchers are developing a new technique using 3D printing and hydrogels to create biomedical devices that conform to the human body. This emerging technology, called soft ionotronics, has the potential to improve wearable and implantable devices, such as strain sensors for neuromuscular rehabilitation.
A novel protein nanoparticle vaccine candidate using adjuvants has been developed to boost effectiveness against viral infections. The study found that the vaccine provided complete protection against influenza viral challenges.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $1.4 million Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) grant to LSU Health New Orleans. The program aims to enhance the diversity of the biomedical sciences research workforce by preparing individuals from underrepresented backgrounds for PhD degree programs.
Jefferson Lab has appointed Tim Michalski as its new Engineering Division Manager, overseeing the division's 200 staff members supporting key projects. With extensive experience in engineering and management, Michalski aims to incorporate best practices from previous organizations to drive success.
The Vilcek Foundation will award three Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science to rising immigrant scientists. The prizes recognize and celebrate their contributions to their field.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering and National Academy of Engineering launch a weekly social media news network, The Circuit, to promote engineering to the public. The program aims to engage diverse audiences in conversations about engineering and highlight notable engineers and technologies that shape our world.
Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado is awarded the Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science for his groundbreaking work on regeneration. His research has significant implications for understanding cellular and organismal regeneration, with potential for further breakthroughs.
UConn professor Yupeng Chen leads a project with Eascra and Axiom Space to develop therapeutic biomaterials in space, leveraging microgravity for better structural integrity and therapeutic outcomes. The $1.86M NASA contract supports two flights over two years, paving the way for commercialization of in-space manufacturing strategy.
Researchers at Duke University have created a new approach to controlling cellular biochemical processes by building synthetic compartments that isolate biomolecules. This technique has the potential to be used to understand and fight disease, including the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a non-invasive method called sonobiopsy that uses focused ultrasound to release neurodegenerative biomarkers into the blood, facilitating diagnosis of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The technique has shown promising results in releasing tau proteins and another biom...
The 30-year history of metabolic engineering has progressed significantly, enabling microorganisms to efficiently produce chemicals and degrade recalcitrant contaminants. Recent breakthroughs in systems metabolic engineering and data science have driven advancements in sustainability and health.
A new undergraduate research program at the University of Arizona aims to address local health issues in Arizona using a community-based approach. The PHIRE program recruits 60 students annually for training in health informatics and places them in research projects relevant to their communities.
Researchers designed a small fluorescent protein that emits and absorbs light in the near-infrared spectrum, allowing for deeper and clearer biomedical images. The protein's ability to penetrate tissue enables the capture of detailed images of complex structures and cells.
The new Center for Equity in Engineering aims to change the culture in the Cockrell School of Engineering by making diversity, equity and inclusion work a collective charge. The center will share best practices with others via presentations, workshops and publications to apply elsewhere in the university and beyond.
University of Virginia engineers develop a Minecraft-like, voxelated approach to create complicated structures comparable to human tissues and organs. They use droplets as the basic building blocks, assembling them into 3D constructs with precise location, composition, and properties.
Researchers at Binghamton University discover that sodium/proton exchanger 1 (NHE1) and SWELL1 proteins regulate cancer cell migration, offering insights into metastasis. The study's findings could have wide implications for slowing down or halting the deadly disease.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) as a biocompatible liquid metal for biomedical applications. The team found that EGaIn can be formulated to break down in the body, providing a controllable end-of-life for devices like drug delivery systems and stents.
The Beckman Institute has established a new national collaborative Biomedical Technology Research Resource to develop label-free optical imaging technologies. The center aims to create optical and computational imaging technologies that can serve as a resource for clinicians and researchers.
Virginia Tech researchers found that a common oral bacterium, Fusobacterium nucleatum, drives pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration. The bacterium can infect normal pancreatic tissue cells, stimulating nearby cancer cells to grow and spread rapidly.
The Vilcek Foundation has awarded $250,000 in prizes to four leading immigrant scientists: Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, Edward Chouchani, Biyu J. He, and Shixin Liu. They received the 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science for their groundbreaking work in regeneration, metabolic disease, cognitive neuroscience, and nanoscal...
A new study found that scientists tend to be most innovative and creative early in their careers, with a significant decline in impact over the course of their careers. The study analyzed 5.6 million biomedical science articles and found that the work of less-innovative researchers tends to drop out as they get older.
A team led by neuroengineer Paul Sajda aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of human decision making, using a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach. The research will focus on rapid decisions made under stress, fatigue, and time constraints.
Researchers at UNSW Sydney have made significant discoveries about embryonic blood stem cell creation that could one day eliminate the need for blood stem cell donors. Two studies have emerged from UNSW researchers in this area that shine new light on how precursors to blood stem cells occur in animals and humans, and how they may be i...
A new project aims to develop resources and AI models to assess biomedical publications for citation accuracy and integrity, benefiting researchers, journals, and policymakers. The project, led by Associate Professors Halil Kilicoglu and Jodi Schneider, received a $300,000 grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a new imaging tool that uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) and machine learning to detect and classify cancerous tissue samples with high accuracy. The technique, which was tested on patients in a trial, showed a 93% diagnostic accuracy rate.
Binghamton University researchers have developed a way to turn CDs into flexible biosensors that can monitor electrical activity in human hearts and muscles, as well as lactate, glucose, pH, and oxygen levels. The sensors are fabricated in 20-30 minutes without toxic chemicals or expensive equipment, costing around $1.50 per device.
Biomedical engineers have created a novel 3D synthetic structure that mimics the extracellular matrix, guiding neural progenitor cells and promoting their differentiation. The results show promise for developing brain-healing treatments, including biogels that can repair and regrow brain tissue after a stroke or other trauma.
A global team led by Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has secured $25 million to study cachexia, a debilitating wasting condition responsible for up to 30% of cancer deaths. The team plans to build a deep understanding of what causes cachexia and develop novel treatments.
The research team developed an origami microfluidic device that responds to temperature, humidity, and light, following the preset origami folds. This innovation has significant implications for precision medicine and biomedical applications.
The S-STEM initiative aims to increase the graduation rate of underrepresented students in engineering and computer science by providing scholarships and mentorship. The program, which includes financial aid for up to $10,000 per year, will support students from Navajo Nation and other underrepresented groups.
Researchers at Georgia State University developed a nanoparticle vaccine combining two proteins that induce immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine shows potential for broader and safe protection with robust ADCC activity and sustained immunity.
Researchers at NYU Tandon are developing novel methods to detect and mitigate hardware Trojans in next-generation wireless systems, as well as exploring analog side channels unique to 5G. The projects aim to make current and future wireless infrastructure more resilient to flaws and hacks.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a system that kills SARS-CoV-2 viruses using UVC light, with optimal results achieved between 260-280 nanometers. The study's findings provide a scientific basis for standardizing and regulating claims from manufacturers of UV disinfectant devices.
Biomedical polymers show great potential in treating various diseases through targeted drug delivery and precise diagnostics. Recent advances have led to the development of intelligent polymeric carriers that can respond to external or intrinsic signals for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
A UVA-led research team is working on a photonics-based radar and GPS system that can operate at frequencies up to 110 gigahertz, three times higher than current 5G systems. The system has the potential to provide ultra-stable signals for applications like communications, positioning, and ranging.
Researchers have developed a new 3D printing technique to fabricate microfluidic devices with precise channels at the microscale. This breakthrough allows for accurate creation of channels in clear resin, enabling applications such as COVID-19 detection and cancer research.
Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering propose a paradigm to solve the problem of inferring collective size from individual behaviors. By observing self-propelled Vicsek particles, they show that the time rate of growth of mean square heading is sufficient to predict the number of particles under particular parameters.
A team of researchers developed a biomedical imaging system using a semiconductor detector originally designed for space observations, and applied spectral analysis techniques from astronomy to create accurate images of radionuclides in small animals. The new method uses fitting to eliminate noise and improve spatial resolution.
Elsa Reichmanis has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 John M. Prausnitz AIChE Institute Lecturer Award for her achievements in chemical engineering, electronics, and photonics. Her research focuses on polymeric and nanostructured materials for advanced technologies.
The Biophotonics Congress: Biomedical Optics will bring together biomedical experts to discuss advancements in clinical and translational biophotonics. Key findings include the development of label-free spectroscopy methods for identifying parathyroid glands during thyroidectomies.
A GE Research-led team has demonstrated the ability to prevent or reverse diabetes in preclinical model systems using ultrasound-based bioelectronic medicine. The team's findings, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, represent a significant milestone in this field and pave the way for future clinical translation.
A new technology called MediSCAPE has been developed by Columbia Engineers that can capture real-time cellular detail in living tissues. This allows doctors to make informed decisions about tumor removal without needing to remove tissue and wait for pathology results.
Researchers identified key factors contributing to the gender gap in engineering courses, including female instructors, peer participation, and icebreaker questions. The study suggests that these strategies can help increase women's participation and close the gap in STEM fields.
Columbia University researchers have engineered a microbial encapsulation system that temporarily hides therapeutic bacteria from immune systems, allowing them to deliver drugs to tumors and kill cancer cells in mice. The system, called iCAP, controls the bacteria's surface by manipulating gene circuits.
In a study published in Social Science & Medicine, researchers found that young people in Uganda are turning to healers for their holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health. Healers provide a destigmatized, holistic SRH experience by embracing young people's sexual citizenship.