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.
Robert Gourdie, a cardiovascular scientist at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, has been awarded an R35 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This seven-year, $6.4 million grant enables him to pursue research on intercellular communication and its applications in treating various medical challenges.
The Vilcek Foundation will award three prizes of $50,000 each to early-career immigrant researchers in biomedical science. Past recipients include notable scientists such as Ibrahim Cissé and Viviana Gradinaru.
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected biomedical research, with a significant shift in priorities towards COVID-19-related studies. Publications and clinical trials in non-COVID fields decreased by up to 25%, while COVID-19-related research saw a surge in publications and grants.
Harris Wang, a synthetic and systems biologist at Columbia University, received the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for his development of tools to track and engineer microbes. His research aims to improve diagnostic and therapeutic applications using genomic technologies.
A new study found that calorie restriction improves metabolic and immune responses, generating more T cells to fight off infections and improve energy efficiency. This could lead to a potential treatment to reduce age-related inflammation and improve metabolic health.
Melinda Duncan has been appointed associate vice president for research and director of the Delaware IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence. She aims to expand the state's biomedical workforce and infrastructure to improve healthcare in Delaware.
A recent analysis of eight long-running research prizes found that only 4.7% of historical awardees were Asian. The number of Asian awardees has declined to just 2.6% in the last decade. Fewer than 1% of top biomedical research prize winners are Black or Latinx, highlighting significant underrepresentation in the field.
UCSF cancer biologist Hani Goodarzi is recognized for his groundbreaking research on cancer metastasis and novel molecular players. His work has led to the discovery of a protein driving breast cancer metastasis and orphan noncoding RNAs in cancerous cells.
A new federally funded study will use machine learning to create a first-of-its-kind algorithm predicting individual responses to food and dietary routines. The National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program will recruit 10,000 participants nationwide.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found evidence of editorial bias and nepotism in some biomedical journals, where a few authors, often on the editorial board, dominate publications and receive preferential treatment.
A commentary by Mayo Clinic researchers emphasizes the importance of addressing bias in biomedical research funding to improve diversity and equity. The authors note that underfunding and lack of opportunities for minority clinicians and researchers exacerbate health disparities, highlighting the need for inclusive funding decisions.
The American Federation for Aging Research and Glenn Foundation for Medical Research announce three grant programs supporting biomedical research on aging. These grants provide funding for promising research projects in gerontology, focusing on fundamental biology and translational findings.
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has received a five-year, $16 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to foster inclusive excellence in the biomedical sciences. The grant aims to recruit and hire faculty members from underrepresented groups across four research areas.
A satirical opinion article by Iruka Okeke critiques the extractive and exploitive aspects of health research partnerships between high-income and low-income countries. The author highlights twenty problematic practices that maintain and exacerbate inequities in global health biomedical research.
Polarisation optics offers sensitive sub-cellular structure analysis and compatible imaging/sensing for in vivo applications. The Stokes-Mueller formalism and Mueller matrix describe polarisation states, enabling various measurement approaches and information extraction techniques.
Researchers are developing a new machine learning approach to reduce health disparities caused by biased cancer-related genomic and clinical omics studies. By using transfer learning on large-scale data, the team aims to create an open resource system for unbiased multiethnic machine learning.
The Vilcek Foundation has awarded four prizes worth $250,000 to foreign-born scientists in the United States. The prizes recognize outstanding career contributions to biomedical science and innovative research. This year's recipients include Vishva M. Dixit, Markita del Carpio Landry, Hani Goodarzi, and Harris Wang.
A biomedical sciences researcher is studying the impact of environment on gut microbiota, immunity, and inflammation in a novel mouse model system. The goal is to define changes in the gut microbiota and mucosal immune system in relation to intestinal inflammation and colon cancer.
A new study reveals that metabolism increases rapidly during infancy, peaking at around one year old. After a gradual decline until the 20s, metabolism levels off and then slows down again after age 60, with older adults requiring fewer calories. The findings suggest that muscle loss and cellular changes contribute to this decline.
The Southwest National Primate Research Center and Texas Biomedical Research Institute have received continued full accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) for their exceptional animal care. The institution houses over 2,500 nonhuman primates, including pathogen-free rhesus...
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro has been recognized by the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) with its Honorary Membership. She is being honored for her strong advocacy of biomedical research, including efforts to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The Virginia Tech Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory developed a novel test for COVID-19, targeting three regions of the gene for increased accuracy. The lab has processed over 130,000 tests since April 2020, expanding public health lab testing capacity in Southwest Virginia.
Researchers at UNIST developed a new optical microscope technology that can image deeper into biological tissues. By limiting the numerical aperture of incident wavefronts, they improved focus peak to background ratio and energy delivery throughput.
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University has received a $1 million T32 predoctoral training grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The grant aims to provide students with opportunities for training in cell signaling, epigenetics, and genome maintenance.
The FUTURE-MINDS-QB program provides rigorous training and academic mentorship for students from underrepresented ethnic and racial groups in quantitative biology and biomedical data sciences. The program aims to equalize access to high-level training and streamline the PhD application process.
Research at McGill University found that patented biomedical inventions created by women are more likely to benefit women's health, addressing conditions like breast cancer and postpartum preeclampsia. However, female inventors face significant barriers, including lower commercialization rates and biases in early-stage feedback.
Researchers propose a triple-cycle heat treatment system to improve the microstructure and performance of 3D printed titanium-molybdenum alloy human implants, achieving better biocompatibility and mechanical properties matching human bones. This method enables more widespread use of 3D printed implants in the biomedical field.
The university will support approximately 20 undergraduate students annually in a structured academic community with career development activities and individualized mentoring to prepare them for Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences.
The university will provide 10 graduate students per year with structured academic support, career development activities, and individualized mentoring to cultivate highly sought-after skills in the biomedical sciences.
Summer Thyme, a University of Alabama at Birmingham assistant professor, is one of five Pew Scholars focusing on brain research. Her $75,000 grant will support her four-year investigation into neurodevelopmental disease using zebrafish.
The Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) has been awarded $37 million from the NIH to house and care for nearly 2,500 non-human primates. The funding will support critical work in finding new treatments and vaccines against infectious diseases.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has funded 10 postdoctoral fellows from six Latin American countries to conduct research in the US, exploring topics such as molecular interactions and gut bacteria. The program aims to advance scientific knowledge and develop a robust biomedical research community in Latin America.
The Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences has selected 22 early-career researchers to investigate timely questions surrounding human health and disease. These scientists will receive funding over four years to uncover new solutions to significant biomedical challenges.
Researchers at Duke University have demonstrated that living cells can construct semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (sIPNs) for biomedical applications. These cell-built materials exhibit medically relevant functions and could be used to release protective molecules, such as antibiotics, in a controlled manner.
The NIH has launched the UNITE initiative to address structural racism in biomedicine, focusing on increasing diversity and inclusion. The initiative aims to tackle issues such as lack of representation from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, persistent disparities in grant success rates for Black scientists.
A novel liquid surface coating on human catheters could help reduce protein deposition that leads to urinary tract and bloodstream infections. The research explores the development of liquid-infused catheter surfaces for controlling protein deposition.
Researchers at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute will advance noninvasive brain and cancer treatments with the new MRI-guided focused ultrasound facility. The technology, already used to treat movement disorders and solid tumors, aims to deliver precise energy to alleviate symptoms associated with neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a wearable headset that measures brain activity in real-time, allowing for the study of social interactions, humans of all ages and sizes, and people in motion. The optically pumped magnetometry technology enables movement-tolerant brain imaging simultaneously with two research volunteers.
Fadie Coleman, assistant professor of medical sciences and education at Boston University School of Medicine, has been awarded the 2021 Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching. She is recognized for her innovative strategies to prepare undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds for success in the biomedical/STEM workforce.
A new study found that more college students change majors within the STEM pipeline than leave the career path altogether. Students often switch to a field they find more attractive, highlighting the importance of understanding their motivations.
The fellowship program aims to recruit and train skilled data scientists to advance care through precision medicine. Yale's robust computational resources, biomedical data repositories, and faculty expertise will be available to fellows.
Smartphone-based imaging systems can guide diagnosis and treatment with portable, user-friendly biomedical imaging. Emerging technologies like multispectral and quantitative fluorescence imaging offer promising diagnostic applications.
David C. Martin, a University of Delaware professor, is advancing novel polymeric materials to integrate electronics with human brain tissue. He has been named a Materials Research Society Fellow for his work on conjugated polymers for interfacing electronic biomedical devices with living tissue.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a new device that uses composite-based nonlinear transmission lines to generate high-power microwaves for biomedical and defense purposes. The system eliminates the need for bulky auxiliary equipment, making it more portable and efficient.
The University of Arkansas has been awarded a $10.8 million NIH grant to establish an integrative metabolic research center, focusing on diseases like cancer, diabetes, and obesity. The center will combine expertise in advanced imaging, bioenergetics, and data science to explore the role of cell and tissue metabolism.
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that maintaining a stable body weight does not guarantee muscle mass and increases the risk of premature death among colorectal cancer survivors. Women are particularly vulnerable to losing muscle mass, with one in five women experiencing significant changes.
The Vilcek Foundation will award three prizes of $50,000 each to early-career immigrant researchers in biomedical science. The foundation aims to recognize individuals who bring unique insight and perspective to their work, with a focus on supporting young research leaders.
The Mabee Foundation award will aid in the expansion of research and testing at Texas Biomedical Research Institute. The new facility will accommodate a growing need for animal models to test safety and efficacy of new treatments, including those for COVID-19.
Scientists at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute have identified a zebrafish model that can help advance glioblastoma multiforme research. The study shows similar observations in zebrafish and highlights the potential of zebrafish as an additional platform for cancer drug discovery.
Manu Platt, a biomedical engineer at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, has received the AAAS Mentor Award for his commitment to mentoring underrepresented students. He provides opportunities for growth, encourages students to step out of their comfort zones, and advocates for diversity in STEM fields.
A new study, MoTrMito, aims to identify molecular factors promoting positive mitochondrial change with exercise. The research will compare mitochondria responses between younger and older adults undergoing exercise training.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that a Mediterranean diet improved endothelial function and reduced damage to the arteries in patients with coronary heart disease. The diet, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, was shown to reduce the risk of another heart attack by half.
A $2.1 million federal grant will enhance clinical trial access in five areas, including care before birth and obesity, with the goal of improving health outcomes for all Louisiana children and potentially slowing or preventing chronic diseases like asthma.
A nationwide effort aims to increase COVID-19 testing in Louisiana's Black communities, which have been disproportionately affected by the virus. The project seeks community-driven approaches to reduce testing barriers and improve access to tests.
The University of Delaware has secured a $11 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to support its biomedical research program. The grant, led by Professor Joseph Fox, will focus on discovering new molecules to study and treat diseases such as breast cancer and tuberculosis.
A magnetic spray can be used to turn objects into millirobots that can crawl, walk, or roll on different surfaces. The coated objects are biocompatible and can be disintegrated into powders when needed, demonstrating potential for biomedical applications like catheter navigation and drug delivery.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a pearl spectrometer, demonstrating light transport-assisted information processing. This innovation has the potential to improve spectroscopy in biomedical and military applications by providing compact and efficient sensing capabilities.
Researchers used spider web architecture to create deformable and reliable electronics for seamless 3D interface. The technology enables a large field of view and wide-angle antireflection, useful for biomedical and military imaging purposes.
The University of Texas at El Paso has received a $1.35 million NIH Science Education Partnership Award to attract high school students from economically disadvantaged communities to pursue undergraduate degrees in engineering and biomedical sciences. The project, Project ACE, will provide research-focused curriculum, mentors, and oppo...