Dr. Petter Bjornstad will lead Pennington Biomedical Research Center in advancing research in metabolic disease, with a focus on improving the health and well-being of Louisiana residents. He brings exceptional expertise in diabetes and kidney disease, with a vision to translate world-class science into better health outcomes.
Researchers discovered a protein called Miro1 linked to insulin resistance in muscle, offering a potential new target for future diabetes treatments. Removing Miro1 restored muscle response to insulin in preclinical models, while exercise reduced protein levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Research estimates that 25.7% of active-duty male Army personnel have a morning testosterone measurement below 300 ng/dL, and 14.7% below 264 ng/dL. Low testosterone levels are more common among older men and those with higher BMI.
Researchers have found that vanillin has pronounced antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a potential solution for chronic wound healing. The compound, commonly used in foods for its sweet aroma, has been linked to biological activity and potential biomedical applications.
Napoleone Ferrara, MD, has been awarded the 2026 Yergin Family International Prize for Biomedical Research for his discovery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a molecule that plays a key role in abnormal blood vessel growth in cancer and blinding eye diseases. His research led to the development of treatments that have bene...
Dr. Chris Morrison's research aims to understand how the brain detects changes in protein intake and adapts to dietary protein restriction. The study will focus on a specific population of neurons in the hindbrain that respond to FGF21, a hormone produced by the liver in response to protein restriction.
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center have identified a brain mechanism that may help explain how pregnancy changes the motivation to seek certain highly palatable foods. The study found that serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus become less active during pregnancy, increasing food-craving-like behavior in animal...
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical developed GVC-Calc to analyze continuous glucose monitoring data, providing a scalable and transparent approach. The platform supports batch processing, integrates individual-level data with cohort-level results, and offers consensus clinical metrics alongside exploratory measures.
Pennington Biomedical researchers propose a new understanding of how protein restriction promotes healthy aging and extends lifespan by triggering a coordinated whole-body response. The response connects cellular nutrient sensing with hormones, brain function, and changes throughout the body, influencing healthy aging and longevity.
A team of researchers created a micro-3D-printed, monolithic optical system that co-integrates micro-scale imaging and ring-illumination in a single fiber bundle endoscope. The compact system achieves a resolution of micro-scale imaging in air and biomedical liquids, enabling future endoscopes for less invasive imaging procedures.
Eric Perreault, a renowned research executive and academic leader, will lead the Morgridge Institute for Research, a biomedical research organization affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The institute focuses on improving human health through cross-disciplinary research and collaborations.
The 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference, 'Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy,' will explore strategies for preventing and treating childhood obesity, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and community leaders. The conference will feature keynotes, sessions, and poster presentations on emerging topics in pedi...
The collaboration aims to advance molecular imaging research and develop new treatments for patients across the UK. Funded through charitable giving, the partnership brings together specialist radiopharmaceutical production and cutting-edge research, strengthening the UK's radiopharmaceutical research base.
Researchers developed a spatially programmable microfluidic chip for temperature-controlled separation of particles of multiple sizes in a single device. The device successfully separated multiple particle populations and isolated viable cancer cells, white blood cells, and red blood cells from diluted whole blood.
Researchers are developing a smartphone-based platform that combines driving data, personalized coaching and parent engagement strategies to improve driving safety for teens with ADHD. The platform will use telematics to monitor driving behaviors while allowing parents and teens to set shared goals and track progress.
Researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center propose a new framework for defining and diagnosing obesity, which considers the effects of excess adiposity on organs and tissues. This approach provides a more biologically grounded and clinically actionable method for guiding treatment decisions.
Researchers explore how engineered lanthanide carriers can tune the optical and magnetic properties of ions for improved signal contrast and reduced background signals in biomedical imaging. The study highlights opportunities for multimodal imaging, theranostics, and AI-guided probe design.
Recent progress in lanthanide carriers is mapped to improve biomedical imaging and diagnosis, combining optical, X-ray, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. These carriers enable high-resolution imaging with tunability for different applications, reducing tissue damage and enhancing image clarity.
Emerging non-endocytic delivery strategies enable direct cytosolic delivery of proteins, nucleic acids, and gene-editing tools, providing new opportunities for biomedical therapies. The review discusses their application prospects in gene therapy, macromolecular drug delivery, and cellular engineering.
The US and China have distinct advantages in different domains, with the US lacking efficient translational infrastructure and China building a more efficient biomedical development engine. The conversation will address areas of collaboration and competition in biopharmaceutical innovation.
Researchers from Pennington Biomedical will present findings on organoid models, GLP-1 therapies, and early-life nutrition. The center's broad research portfolio is represented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.
Researchers identified endotrophin as a biological marker that rises and falls with changes in body fat, reflecting changes in metabolic health. The study suggests endotrophin could serve as a valuable biomarker and therapeutic target for reducing obesity-related health risks.
The symposium brings together leading researchers, clinicians, and industry innovators to explore groundbreaking advances at the intersection of engineering, neuroscience, healthcare, and rehabilitation. Key findings will highlight emerging opportunities in neurotechnology and healthcare innovation.
JMIR Publications is sponsoring the upcoming BioMedEng26 conference to promote biomedical engineering innovation. The journal JMIR Biomedical Engineering will be highlighted during the event, with Dr. Javad Sarvestan discussing its focus on cutting-edge engineering applications and peer-review process.
The University of North Florida has been awarded a grant to provide immersive research education focused on pediatric rehabilitation and assistive technology. Students will participate in a 12-week program with coursework, guest speakers, mentored projects, and hands-on exposure to data science and clinical populations.
The Pennington-Louisiana Nutrition Obesity Research Center has received a five-year, $5.66 million renewal grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The award reaffirms Pennington Biomedical's position as a national leader in nutrition, obesity, and metabolic health research. The center su...
Researchers developed microneedles that guide and scatter light to improve photodynamic therapy's reach in deep tissue. The technology could simplify treatment and enhance precision for skin cancer patients. Further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in real-world conditions.
Journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems achieved a ranking of 2nd in Robotics and 4th in Engineering, Biomedical in the Journal Citation Report 2025. The journal has an Impact Factor of 20.9 and is published by Beijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd.
Dr. Kaja Falkenhain receives the Peter J. Reeds Early Career Investigator Award for her groundbreaking work on human nutrition and metabolism. Her research focuses on cardiometabolic health and glycemic control, highlighting the impact of nutritional exposures on energy expenditure.
The OU College of Medicine has received a $10.7 million NIH grant to study how cells sense their environment and respond to diseases that occur when this process malfunctions.
A new study from Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana demonstrates safe and effective bariatric surgery outcomes for young patients with severe obesity. The study found significant improvements in weight loss and obesity-related health conditions, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care models.
A new AI system, Biomni, autonomously performs research tasks, matching expert accuracy while requiring less time. The tool enables researchers to redirect efforts toward creative hypothesis generation and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Biomni is an AI-powered multi-skilled biomedical research agent that designs and develops complex research workflows. It provides full citations and tracking of its work, making science more rigorous and reproducible.
Dr. Tim Allerton's research focuses on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition affecting millions of Americans. His team aims to determine how declining hydrogen sulfide levels contribute to muscle function and exercise capacity in patients with HFpEF.
Dr. Logan Townsend joins Pennington Biomedical to study the connection between metabolic disease and mental health, investigating circulating factors influencing anxiety and depression. His research program aims to improve both metabolic and mental health outcomes.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have successfully grown specialized blood vessel cells critical to retinal health from induced pluripotent stem cells. These 'retinal endothelial cells' integrated into damaged tissue to regenerate blood vessels, restore function, and form functional vascular tissue in a lab-grown environment.
A new study from Houston Methodist introduces a promising noninvasive imaging technique that can help doctors accurately diagnose papillary thyroid cancer. The approach, second harmonic generation microscopy, uses light to examine changes in collagen, which may signal if a thyroid nodule is cancerous.
The US retains its scientific edge but is losing the race to translate discoveries into cures, warns a new report from Cure Innovation Index. Without immediate renewed investment and policy changes, the US scientific edge will not hold.
Magnus Hoffmann, a Gladstone scientist, has been recognized as a 2026 Pew Biomedical Scholar for his pioneering approach to advancing human health and medicine. His lab is developing an innovative immunotherapy platform to enhance the natural ability of the immune system to detect and respond to tumor-specific features.
The Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences supports early-career researchers exploring cutting-edge approaches to human health and disease. This year's class includes scientists harnessing new technology, studying immunity, and engineering methods to protect and treat disease.
Christina Tringides, an assistant professor at Rice University, has won the Pew Biomedical Scholar award to explore how glioblastoma grows and spreads into healthy tissue. Her research aims to develop personalized therapies for brain cancer by mimicking the brain's extracellular matrix.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has announced the 2026 class of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences, supporting 10 postdoctoral fellows from seven Latin American countries. The fellows will conduct research in laboratories across the US, with a focus on global health and disease prevention.
Biomedical and veterinary laboratories in Benin were found to have severe deficiencies in staff training, standard experimental practices, and emergency preparation. The study's findings highlight the need for localized biosafety codes, regular tiered training, and improved lab infrastructure to enhance pathogen containment.
The NOVO EXPENDITURE trial investigates the effects of a hormone-based treatment on weight loss compared to a reduced-calorie diet. Participants will undergo extensive physiological testing, including metabolic chamber sessions and regular weigh-ins, to assess the treatment's impact on energy use and body weight.
The University of Oklahoma is establishing the Oklahoma Center of ImmunoEngineering with an $11.5 million NIH award. The center will integrate wet lab science and data science to accelerate disease research. Four early-career faculty members are selected as research project leaders, and the center offers training workshops, seminars an...
Professor Kathryn Cheah has been elected as a Foreign Member of Academia Europaea for her lifelong dedication to biomedical sciences and transformative research on developmental genetics. Her work focuses on genetic and molecular mechanisms driving skeletal disorders, advancing diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Corby Martin has been awarded the LPFA Endowed Chair in Nutrition at Pennington Biomedical Research Center for his groundbreaking research on nutrition and health behaviors. The chair recognizes his extensive experience leading interventions to modify health behaviors and outcomes, including food intake, exercise, and body weight.
A new study by Pennington Biomedical and collaborators found that Americans with the highest levels of obesity are undergoing fewer surgical procedures overall. Despite the increasing prevalence of extreme obesity, these individuals appear to be receiving proportionally fewer surgical interventions each year. The research highlights gr...
Dr. Mey directs the Mitochondrial Energetics and Nutrient Utilization (MENU) Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical, researching precision nutrition and metabolic health. He will represent Pennington Biomedical and the Academy as a Media Spokesperson.
Researchers from Pennington Biomedical will showcase their latest findings on prevention, care, and cures for diabetes and obesity at the American Diabetes Association's 2026 Scientific Sessions. The sessions will highlight cutting-edge advancements driving progress in diabetes research and management.
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical published the first study to estimate pediatric obesity prevalence among US children and adolescents aged 5-18 years using the new Lancet Commission definitions. The study found that many children are already experiencing measurable health impairments associated with obesity.
Dr. Owen Carmichael received the James W. and Neil Ann Parks Professorship for Dementia Research, Prevention and Treatment at Pennington Biomedical. His work focuses on developing advanced biomedical imaging techniques to better understand Alzheimer's disease and brain aging.
Dr. John Apolzan and Dr. Leanne Redman, both from Pennington Biomedical Research Center, have been recognized as 2026 Excellence in Nutrition Fellows for their outstanding scientific contributions and leadership in the field of nutrition. They will be part of 69 new Fellows to be honored at ASN's annual meeting.
Researchers summarize how AI is accelerating inorganic biomaterial development for various biomedical applications. AI-powered property prediction and inverse design tools are being used to discover effective materials with unique properties.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been ranked 18th among US universities in the inaugural Cure Innovation Index. The Index evaluates institutions nationwide based on research output, entrepreneurial readiness, and market translation.
Researchers at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and Texas Biomedical have identified nearly two dozen antiviral compounds that could potentially treat Bundibugyo Ebolavirus. The project utilizes AI and machine learning tools to quickly identify drug candidates, with Texas Biomed set to screen the compounds in the coming weeks.
A research study, COACH trial, is testing different ways to help children and families improve their health through lifestyle changes delivered by primary care clinics. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of personalized nutrition counseling, community resources, and online interactive lessons on weight management.
This section explores how recognizing sex as a biological variable and gender as a sociocultural construct can lead to more precise computational models and safer medical technologies. The aim is to foster an equitable and effective biomedical engineering field where technologies meet the needs of all populations.
Research by Dr. Hanim Diktas at Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows that combining GLP-1 receptor agonists with behavioral intervention leads to a greater reduction in 'food noise', a persistent thought about food disrupting daily life and healthy behaviors. The study found significant decreases in food noise for participants u...
A global study published in Nature Human Behaviour analyzed data from over 8,000 participants to investigate the connection between physical activity and emotional well-being. The results showed that mood improves with everyday movement, and people are more physically active when they feel better.