Ten ASU engineering faculty members have received NSF CAREER Awards to fund their research projects, totaling $5 million over five years. The awards support various specialties, including nanoscale assembly and solar energy conversion.
Researchers have successfully tested a new ultrasound technology on human patients, enabling detailed images of internal structure and blood flow. The vector flow imaging method provides advanced detail of blood flow patterns within cardiac chambers, across valves, and in the great arteries.
A team of biomedical engineers has developed a stem cell cardiac patch made with tissue engineered with tiny blood vessels to mimic real heart muscle. The patch can connect to native vasculature, bringing nutrients and oxygen, making it potentially effective for treating myocardial infarction.
A recent study by the University of Kansas researcher Margaret Kelley found that first-year engineering students who hold progressive attitudes, including those about gender equity, are more likely to drink less. The researchers argue that this behavior becomes in conjunction with their more progressive attitudes on women in the profes...
Researchers at UCI are working on biological TMJ discs in the laboratory that will be suitable for implantation in humans. The new approach eschews synthetic materials and aims to reduce negative effects on quality of life. Successful trials have been conducted in large-animal models, showing complete functionality of the TMJ disc.
A biomedical engineer is developing a therapeutic option that would prevent the opiates from crossing the blood-brain barrier, preventing the high abusers seek. The treatment involves generating an anti-opioid antibody that will arrest the drug in circulation and prevent it from getting to the brain.
Biomedical engineers at Columbia University have demonstrated that neurofeedback can modify an individual's arousal state to improve performance in sensory-motor tasks. The study used brain-computer interface technology to reduce participants' arousal levels, leading to improved task completion rates and duration.
The University of Texas at San Antonio's Biomedical Engineering Research for Active military and Veterans (BRAVe) program aims to engage and retain undergraduate students in research projects, including tissue regeneration and non-invasive recovery. The program, funded by a $352,414 NSF award, will pair participants with faculty mentor...
A team of USC researchers developed an AI-controlled robotic limb that can learn a new walking task in 5 minutes and adapt to other tasks without programming. The robot uses bio-inspired algorithms to build an internal map of its limb and environment, enabling it to develop personalized movements.
A new fact-checking computer program has identified sequence errors in 25% of biomedical research papers, including identity errors and typographic errors. The program, Seek & Blastn, could help deter fraudulent publications and re-evaluate existing conclusions.
Researchers created a wearable, disposable respiration monitor with high-fidelity readings using inexpensive sensors from Shrinky Dinks. The device helps track breath rate and volume, aiding asthma and cystic fibrosis patients.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a new photoacoustic imaging technique that can quickly and accurately measure the temperature of deep tissues. This breakthrough has significant implications for thermal-based therapies in cancer treatment.
A new noninvasive technique has been developed to simulate repairs to the heart's mitral valve with high levels of accuracy. This will enable surgeons to provide patient-specific treatments, potentially reducing recurrence rates after surgery.
Dr. Cato T. Laurencin is being honored for his groundbreaking contributions to biomedical engineering, including the development of biocomposite interference screws and soft tissue implants that have transformed orthopedic therapies. He has also played a key role in shaping US technology policy and mentoring minority scientists.
The Interdisciplinary Quantum Information Research and Engineering (Inquire) instrument enables researchers in various fields to benefit from quantum resources, including entangled photons. Researchers can send photons into the central hub for high-tech imaging or receive entangled photons for secure communication.
The journal BioTM has released a tribute issue dedicated to Robert Langer and Nicholas Peppas, two biotechnology luminaries whose contributions have shaped the fields of drug delivery and biomaterials. The issue features research articles from their former students and colleagues.
A KAIST team presents a detailed analysis of metabolic engineering routes and optimal synthetic pathways for producing various industrial bio-based chemicals. The comprehensive metabolic map charts all available strategies and pathways, serving as a blueprint for the production of interest from renewable resources.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a novel drug delivery system that uses attenuated bacteria cells to transport anti-cancer drugs directly to cancer sites, showing up to 100-fold improvements in distribution and retention. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment options.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a novel computerized approach to detect lung cancer using routine CAT scans. The method analyzes patterns of heterogeneity within and outside the tumor, distinguishing benign from malignant nodules with high accuracy.
Researchers will continue their decade-long study exploring stem-cell therapies that show promise for both animals and humans with spina bifida. The therapy involves using stem cells taken from donor placentas on bioengineered scaffolds to help cover and close wounds, preventing damage to the spinal cords.
A new smartphone app uses fingernail photos to detect anemia with high accuracy, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional blood tests. The app was developed by a biomedical engineer who lives with beta-thalassemia and aims to facilitate self-management for patients with chronic anemia.
Craig H. Benson, UVA Engineering dean, has been elected AAAS Fellow for his pioneering work in geoenvironmental engineering and leadership in faculty development, advancing public understanding of science and fostering collaborations worldwide.
Recent studies suggest that biomedical research is becoming more transparent and reproducible, with a significant increase in data sharing and funding disclosure. However, the authors argue that there is still much to be done to improve research practices, particularly in terms of protocol sharing.
A portable device that can screen for cervical cancer using a smartphone has been developed by researchers at the University of Arizona. The device is estimated to be less than $3,000 and can analyze images automatically, recommend treatment, and identify potentially cancerous areas. Its affordability, portability, and ease of use make...
BioJupies accelerates RNA sequencing data analysis, enabling researchers to share results in minutes. The cloud-based platform provides interactive reports and reduces costs to under one cent per sample.
Researchers aim to develop more efficient classification and predictive models for traumatic brain injuries, which would allow clinicians to provide targeted care and improve patient outcomes. The study's findings could also inform clinical trials and allocate resources more effectively.
Day's research develops layer-by-layer assembled nanoshells to deliver tumor suppressor miR-34a into cells, reducing cancer cell growth. Gleghorn discovers TRPV4 regulates airway development in fetal lungs, potentially leading to new therapeutic targets for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Researchers have developed a method to 3D-print cells to produce human tissue such as ligaments and tendons, eliminating the need for additional surgeries and reducing reliance on harvested tissue. The technique involves printing stem cells on hydrogel to form tissue that can grow in vitro before implantation.
Two University of Pittsburgh faculty members, Peter Strick and Warren Ruder, have been awarded $6 million NIH Director's Transformative Research Awards for innovative research in brain-body connection and antibiotic resistance. Their work aims to revolutionize biomedical research and address significant medical challenges.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University discovered that immune cells, specifically macrophages, play a critical role in regenerating lab-grown adult muscle tissue. The discovery could lead to new treatments for degenerative muscle diseases and enhance the survival of engineered tissue grafts.
University of Pittsburgh professors Samuel Dickerson and Renee Clark are using computer-aided simulations to promote reflective and metacognitive thinking among engineering students. They aim to improve learning and development by encouraging frequent use of reflection and metacognition.
The Francis Crick Institute will run a new accelerator programme called KQ Labs to support data-driven biomedical start-ups, providing £40,000 each to ten companies to validate their proposals. The programme is part of a growing ecosystem around King's Cross, Euston and Bloomsbury.
A new LSU Pennington Biomedical study reveals a novel biomarker that may help diagnose hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF) in diabetics. The biomarker measures how well the brain uses acetate, which could indicate if someone is at risk for developing HAAF or has already suffered from it.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology has awarded Binghamton University a five-year $30 million grant to develop standards for regenerative medicine and biomaterial manufacturing. The grant will enable students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty to collaborate with NIST and other universities to advance the field.
The Penn Biomedical Graduate Studies program will award six students with a $2 million fellowship, supporting their work on high-risk projects in biomedical research. The Blavatnik Family Fellowship aims to cultivate outstanding young minds and accelerate critical research.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a method to directly convert white fat to brown fat outside the body and then reimplant it in a patient. This technique uses fat-grafting procedures commonly performed by plastic surgeons, which is potentially safer than existing methods that use pharmaceuticals or chronic cold exposure.
A new LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center study suggests a novel biomarker may help create a diagnostic tool for hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure. Measuring brain adaptation after low blood sugar episodes could detect increased risk of HAAF, allowing for targeted treatment.
Jennifer Pazour, assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been selected to take part in the National Academy of Engineering's 24th annual U.S. Frontiers of Engineering symposium. The symposium brings together emerging engineering leaders to discuss pioneering research and techniques.
International Conference on Engineering Biomedical Breakthroughs brings together bioengineers, diabetes researchers and scientists to share cutting-edge concepts for biomedical discovery. The conference focused on advanced biomedical imaging, bioinformatics and bioengineering tools to inform future noninvasive diagnostics.
The University of California, Irvine has received a $5 million National Science Foundation grant to support nearly 200 community college transfer students pursuing engineering degrees in advanced manufacturing. Under the program, each student will receive up to $10,000 annually over five years.
A research team at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center has been approved for a five-year, $4.5 million funding award to evaluate two treatments for children with obesity. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of counseling by primary care providers versus a combination of provider and family-based treatment.
Boston University School of Medicine is developing a software application to identify and share professional development opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral trainees. The grant will support pilot projects to prepare students and researchers for successful careers in biomedical sciences.
The Pew scholars in the biomedical sciences will receive four-year grants to advance their explorations of biological mechanisms underpinning human health and disease. The research aims to solve biomedical puzzles including cancer, infectious diseases, and psychiatric disorders.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has awarded fellowships to ten promising Latin American scientists for two years of biomedical research training in US labs. The fellows will work with prominent investigators and gain invaluable experience that will contribute to the resurgent scientific communities in their home countries.
The Blausen Medical Library, valued at $25 million, has been made freely available to the University of Texas at Austin. The library features over 28,000 3D animations and illustrations detailing various biomedical topics, including human anatomy and physiology.
Colorado State University biomedical engineer Jesse Wilson is proposing a radical new imaging technology that could diagnose mitochondrial defects in an instant. His technology aims to create a cost-effective, non-invasive way to diagnose mitochondrial diseases, which affect about 1 in 5,000 children and are often fatal.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed an optimization algorithm that combines expert judgment with automation in 3D printing, enabling high-fidelity prints of soft materials. The Expert-Guided Optimization (EGO) method significantly reduces the time and energy required to find optimal print combinations.
Researchers at MIT and Stanford University present a new system for protecting genomic data privacy in large-scale biomedical studies. The system uses secret sharing to divide sensitive data among multiple servers, enabling efficient privacy protection for millions of genomes.
Sharon Truesdell, a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. student at the University of Akron, has been awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to support her research on bone cells and diseases like osteoporosis. The three-year fellowship includes a $34,000 stipend and cost-of-education allowance.
Biomaterials with precisely ordered structures could be used for various biomedical applications due to their precise control of self-assembly. The hybrid approach allows researchers to expand the chemical diversity of protein-based materials by combining different alphabets, such as amino acids and lipids.
Australian researchers at RMIT University have successfully coated 3D printed titanium implants with diamond, improving biocompatibility and reducing bacterial attachment. The breakthrough could lead to radical improvements in biomedical implants and orthopedic procedures.
Physicians and biomedical engineers create patient-specific models to predict complications and optimize treatment decisions. The approach has led to improved patient outcomes, such as Bernice Belcher's successful open heart surgery.
Scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute are set to test the experimental Ebola treatment ZMapp, which showed a 91% probability of preventing mortality in a previous study. The trial is part of a $2 million contract with Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. and aims to determine the effectiveness of the therapy.
Case Western Reserve University scientists have engineered natural windpipe replacement structures using patient cells and self-assembling modules. This approach overcomes challenges in current tissue-engineering methods, enabling the creation of functional living tracheas that can be implanted into patients with damaged airways.
The Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science is awarded to Alexander Rudensky for his work on regulatory T cells and their role in cancer treatment. Two younger immigrants, Polina Anikeeva and Sergiu P. Pasca, receive $50,000 prizes for their promising contributions to biomedical engineering and brain disease research.
The Blavatnik Family Foundation is providing a $10 million grant to Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The gift will support the Blavatnik Fund for Engineering Innovations in Health, which aims to attract graduate student talent and promote early-stage research across disciplines.
A study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that underrepresented minority (URM) trainees have increased in the biomedical sciences, but URM faculty remain scarce. The researchers identified two key points of loss: undergraduate education and postdoctoral fellowship to tenure-track faculty positions.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has announced support for 28 groundbreaking research projects, ranging from autonomous vehicles to energy storage and healthcare technology. These projects have the potential to make a transformative impact in various fields.
Duke University's Department of Biomedical Engineering faculty members Joseph Izatt, Nimmi Ramanujam and Tuan Vo-Dinh have been elected to the National Academy of Inventors for their work on optical imaging, spectroscopy and photonics-based health technologies. Their research has led to significant advancements in medical diagnostics, ...
Researchers have invented a method to detect tiny tumors and track their spread using light-emitting nanoprobes, potentially leading to earlier cancer detection and more precise treatment. The technology has shown better results than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting small cancerous lesions.