The Pew Charitable Trusts has funded research for 10 postdoctoral fellows from six Latin American countries to conduct studies in the US. The researchers aim to advance biomedical science and expand scientific expertise in their home countries.
Geetu Tuteja, an assistant professor at Iowa State University, has been selected as a Pew Scholar to study genetic networks that establish a healthy connection between embryos and their mothers. She will receive a four-year, $300,000 grant to conduct biomedical research aimed at advancing human health.
The Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (KBRIN) has received a $18.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to enhance biomedical research in Kentucky. The network provides access to equipment, collaborative networks, and funding for early-stage researchers.
The Department of Defense is funding a study on a promising experimental Zika vaccine at Texas Biomedical Research Institute. Researchers are working to develop a vaccine that can protect pregnant women from the virus and its devastating birth defects.
The Maine INBRE program has received a $18 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to strengthen biomedical research and research training in Maine. The program provides opportunities for undergraduate students and young faculty members to gain research experience and skills, leading to advancements in hum...
Researchers used high-throughput screening to design new multi-component alloys for biomedical applications, achieving efficient composition optimization and improved mechanical properties. The study employed a novel approach combining co-sputtering technology with physical masks to create compositional gradients.
The NIH is funding a new study that aims to discover the link between early life blood sugar levels and middle-aged brain health. The Bogalusa Heart Study will use advanced imaging techniques to assess brain health in participants, and the results could lead to new guidelines for managing childhood blood sugar levels.
Six University of Houston students have earned NSF graduate research fellowships, pursuing research in augmented reality, Mars geology, biomedical engineering, and more. The awards recognize outstanding STEM graduates who will receive a three-year stipend and education allowance.
The Logan Science Journalism Program allows established science and health journalists to participate in hands-on research training at the MBL. Fellows conduct biomedical or environmental research, discovering key concepts and techniques in cell biology, genomics, and ecosystem dynamics.
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.
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...
The integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia has been awarded a five-year grant to advance innovative ideas from discovery to implementation. The institute brings together partners with established strengths in biomedical research, data science, and clinical trials to transform translational research.
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 at NIHR Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre develop a treatment involving patients' modified cells, restoring healthy levels of integrin α4β7, effective in treating Crohn's disease. The proposed Tribute Trial will test the treatment's safety and effectiveness.
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 analysis of over 11.5 million medical papers found that almost three-quarters do not report outcomes for men and women. Female authors are more likely to report on sex-differences, highlighting the importance of diversity in research and the scientific workforce.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong create innovative method to transport micro-droplets using capillary force on slippery surface, enabling detection of E. coli and S. aureus bacteria in biomedical analysis. This technology has potential applications in fog collection, water harvesting, heat exchangers, and other fields.
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.
Researchers found that dopamine precursor levodopa increased hedonic experience and motivational responses, while dopamine antagonist risperidone reduced both. These results suggest that dopamine modulates the reward experiences elicited by music, challenging previous evidence in animal models.
Researchers found a correlation between loss of function in patches of astrocytes and development of epilepsy. Altered astrocytes may be the root of epilepsy development after mild traumatic brain injuries.
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.
Researchers have developed a microfabrication method to create flexible light guides just over one micron wide in clear silicone, enabling smaller and more complex light-based devices. The tiny waveguides can be used for biomedical sensors, endoscopes, and wearable devices, with low light loss and high biocompatibility.
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.
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.
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.
Stephanie Ganal-Vonarburg's research shows that maternal microbiota influences child's immune system from birth through placenta and breast milk. The award supports her future work to investigate long-term effects of maternal microbiota on children's immunity.
Reyna Gordon, PhD, has received a $2.3 million NIH Director's New Innovator Award to investigate the relationship between rhythm and speech disorders. Her research aims to identify health phenotypes that share a biological basis with humans' musical rhythm abilities.
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.
The £1.35 million Future Leaders in Innovation, Enterprise and Research (FLIER) programme will create a network of talented individuals equipped to lead innovation and collaboration across academia, industry, the NHS, and government. The programme aims to develop dynamic future leaders in biomedical and health research.
Dr. Barry Rouse, a renowned immunologist, has received the American Veterinary Medical Association's Lifetime Excellence in Research Award for his groundbreaking work on HSV-1 and ocular disease. He has continuously funded research since 1978, garnering over $20 million in funding and publishing more than 400 scientific manuscripts.
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 machine-learning algorithm, Best Match, has been introduced to improve the search results in PubMed, the world's largest biomedical literature database. The algorithm draws on user responses and click-through rates to provide more relevant results, increasing the click-through rate by 20% compared to chronological ordering.
The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at NIH will convene experts in academia, industry, and government to discuss the state-of-the-art of AI applications for medical imaging. The workshop aims to improve quality, reproducibility, and reliability of AI in medical imaging.
The Icahn Institute is partnering with the National Institutes of Health to establish a center for reproducible biomedical modeling, aiming to accelerate development of predictive models for precision medicine and bioengineering. The center will provide much-needed model building resources to the research community.
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.
A new study by Texas Biomedical Research Institute sheds light on the role of specific proteins in triggering autophagy, a mechanism allowing Ebola virus to enter cells. The findings have implications for treating complex diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's, where macropinocytosis is dysregulated.
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.
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.
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 MDI Biological Laboratory has received a five-year, $12 million NIH Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant to support its regenerative biology research. The funding will accelerate efforts to develop new drugs for tissue regeneration and extend healthy lifespan.
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.
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.
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 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.
Scientists in South America are adopting human-specific approaches for biomedical research, utilizing in vitro technologies like iPSCs and organs-on-a-chip. This shift aims to replace animal models, improving health research and developing tailor-made treatments.
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.
Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti and Luke O'Neill were awarded the 2018 Seymour & Vivian Milstein Award for their major advances in understanding how our bodies recognize and respond to pathogens, leading to profound clinical benefits in treating diseases. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to cytokine and interferon research.
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.
The study published in Stroke demonstrates that neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (NSC EVs) improved tissue and functional recovery in pigs following ischemic stroke. The results also showed NSC EV treatment was neuroprotective, eliminated intracranial hemorrhage, and improved behavior and mobility.
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.
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.