News on research labs and their facilities. Covers lunar research sites, national-lab partnerships, obesity classification, and cloud-lab funding.
Engineers at Texas A&M University, NASA, and Purdue University create algorithms for managing spacecraft traffic around Gateway, a lunar spaceport. The system balances fuel efficiency and operational demands to reduce the risk of collisions during space missions.
The partnership aims to develop new battery technologies and manufacturing processes to enhance grid reliability, security and resilience. Researchers will work together to validate energy technologies through a test bed and train the next generation of energy researchers.
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.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Boston University $20 million to enhance its cloud lab, allowing researchers to request complex experiments remotely. The BU-based lab will focus on biotechnology and engineering biological systems, with the capacity to host studies on new vaccines, DNA sequencing, and genetic engineering.
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.
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...
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.
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 training device enables laboratory-inexperienced personnel to perform complex diagnostic tests with high accuracy, expanding access to healthcare globally. The device guides users through sample pooling and provides real-time feedback to reduce errors.
Binghamton University has opened a cutting-edge cleanroom facility to support innovative research in advanced chip manufacturing. The new space will train over 100 students annually in this high-tech field.
Researchers at ORNL developed JACC to advance performance portability for Julia across heterogeneous HPC architectures. The framework enables a single codebase to execute efficiently on CPUs and GPUs from multiple vendors, reducing software barriers.
The RMIT Food Innovation Hub will bring together food technology and nutrition expertise to address industry challenges and support sustainable innovation. The Hub aims to create knowledge, build future workforce skills, and translate research into practical applications for the Australian food system.
The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program is launching its fifth cohort, welcoming 80 medical students from across the US and Puerto Rico for a six-week immersion in clinical research, community engagement, and improving clinical trial participation. Students will gain hands-on experience at leading institutions nationwide.
The FAU Queen Conch Mobile Lab has successfully hatched its first queen conch egg masses and juveniles, marking a significant milestone in the conservation of this iconic Caribbean species. The lab, designed to grow up to 2,000 juvenile queen conchs annually, will support restoration efforts throughout the region.
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.
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.
The Laboratory in Northern Kenya (LiNK) improves conservation-led veterinary medicine by providing accessible diagnostic infrastructure. The lab, established through a collaborative partnership, serves the northern Kenya landscape and enhances the country's national wildlife health infrastructure.
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.
A new study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that most children meet guidelines for restrained sitting, but urban children and those with more vehicle time are less likely to meet the guideline. Higher levels of physical activity were associated with greater likelihood of meeting the recommended guideline.
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.
The center aims to enhance international cooperation in medical research and become one of the five core institutions at Korea University Mediscience Park. The event featured keynote lectures by experts from the University of Nottingham and domestic speakers sharing IBS's MRI operational know-how.
The institution has established a state-of-the-art biosafety research center with integrated facilities for pathogen analysis, vaccine development, and treatment identification. Korea University Medicine plans to operate the first privately led full-cycle vaccine development platform in Korea.
The summit brought together endocrine leaders to identify opportunities to work closely together on increasing the visibility of endocrine health in policy decisions. Early findings from a workforce survey revealed challenges including long patient waiting times and retention concerns among early-career clinicians.
A two-day symposium brought together leading researchers, clinicians, and policy experts to examine the science surrounding ultra-processed foods and their impact on human health. Key findings include the biological mechanisms linking ultra-processing to chronic disease and opportunities for policy action.
Dr. Hannah Cabré has been appointed as an Assistant Professor and Director of the Aging, Gynecology, and Endocrinology Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Her research focuses on the role of female sex hormones in shaping nutrition, health, and performance across the lifespan.
A new portable device can deliver accurate test results for tuberculosis (TB) in less than half an hour, matching lab accuracy. The MiniDock MTB uses similar technology to COVID-19 tests and detects DNA of mycobacterium tuberculosis, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment
Dr. Gang Hu's research focuses on the complex interplay between lifestyle factors, biomarkers and genetic influences in chronic disease development. He has made significant contributions to understanding gestational diabetes mellitus and its long-term health effects.
The Pennington Generation study aims to explore the impact of physical activity, nutrition, and sleep on children's health and growth. The study will examine how these behaviors relate to weight gain and obesity over time.
Researchers found that exercise and aggressive cardiovascular risk reduction improved heart health, but did not produce measurable cognitive benefits over two years in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study highlights a critical gap between vascular risk reduction and brain health.
The partnership aims to demonstrate advanced microgrid capabilities with dynamic boundaries and networked microgrids, enhancing reliability for utility customers. EPB will add 58 megawatt hours of energy storage in five microgrids, providing backup power to over a thousand residential customers and community resources.
The Greaux Healthy initiative, launched by Pennington Biomedical Research Center, aims to prevent and treat childhood obesity in Louisiana. Studies show that childhood obesity is a national healthcare crisis in Louisiana, with over 1 in 3 children living with overweight or obesity.
The new platform at ORNL's APPL facility combines robotics and AI to deliver in-depth insights for plant transformation. Massive datasets generated by the platform are analyzed using AI and ORNL's Frontier exascale supercomputer.
The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) has welcomed Madeline M. Farley, Ph.D. as its new Scientific Director. She brings over fifteen years of experience in academic research and preclinical development to the role.
Researchers developed an open-source robotic system to automate passaging of cells in 96-well microplates, reducing manual labor by 61% and improving consistency in cell density. The system also showed improved imaging site usability and increased experimental reproducibility.
Dr. Jennifer Rood, Associate Executive Director for Cores and Resources, takes on interim leadership role at Pennington Biomedical Research Center while an international search for the next full-time Executive Director is underway. She brings over 30 years of experience in obesity and chronic disease research.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center launched its first international scientific symposium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, exceeding expectations with distinguished audience engagement and new institutional contacts.
Most museum staff support behind-the-scenes tours to educate the public about their work and promote biodiversity. The tours can help improve teaching and public speaking skills, while also fostering a sense of reciprocity and responsibility among staff.
Dr. Corby Martin has been appointed as the Associate Executive Director for Scientific Education at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. He will provide leadership for key programs such as the T32 Postdoctoral Training Program, the Pennington Scientific Symposium and the Bray Obesity Symposium.
Dr. Leanne Redman joins the Charles Perkins Centre to lead research on obesity, diet, and exercise, building on her extensive experience in women's health issues and translational research. With over 300 publications and numerous awards, she will expand the centre's impact on global health.
The Louisiana ECHO program, which focuses on pre-, peri- and postnatal outcomes, obesity, and other areas, will continue its efforts to expand access to clinical trials for Louisiana children. The grant renewal supports the collaboration between researchers from Pennington Biomedical and Ochsner Health System, as well as two free-stand...
Pennington Biomedical researchers will participate in numerous panels and presentations during the conference, sharing their latest findings on obesity treatment and prevention. The institution is well-represented at the event, with faculty members among the experts leading courses, presentations, and speaker panels.
Researchers developed an AI tool that detects intestinal parasites in stool samples with greater sensitivity than human observers, even those with years of experience. The system uses a deep-learning model to identify parasites in wet mounts of stool, improving the likelihood of detecting pathogenic parasites.
The National Institutes of Health has renewed Pennington Biomedical's Metabolic Basis of Disease Center for five years, providing $2.2M per year to support research on the mechanisms of metabolic health. The center aims to address the obesity epidemic and its related illnesses.
A new report highlights the potential of precision medicine to improve obesity prevention and treatment by identifying high-risk individuals and tailoring interventions. The authors emphasize the need for rigorous clinical trials to empirically determine the effectiveness of precision-based treatments.
A new study published in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine has developed a practical tool to support harmonization and quality improvement in vitamin D testing. The multicentre study evaluates the measurement uncertainty of various 25-(OH)D assays and their ability to detect physiologically relevant changes over time.
The Department of Energy recognized Sandia's Mentor-Protégé Program as a model for mentor-protégé collaboration and innovation. Strategic Industry Inc., a veteran-owned small business, was named Protégé of the Year for its significant development through the program.
The two universities are sharing high-end research equipment, including microscopes and atom probes, to foster deeper collaboration and joint research projects. This will lead to higher-quality research, faster innovation, and more effective industry engagement.
Researchers investigated pipetting speed's effect on yeast growth and gene expression, finding it had little to no impact within a tested range. The study provides guidelines for increasing efficiency and reproducibility in robot-based experiments.
Answer ALS is launching a groundbreaking collaboration with Tulane University and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center to harness AI for ALS treatment discovery. The Louisiana AI Drug Development Infrastructure for ALS (LADDIA) will prioritize therapeutic targets using AI-driven insights from the Answer ALS' Neuromine Data Portal.
The Greaux Healthy initiative aims to prevent and treat childhood obesity through partnerships with healthcare providers, educators, and families. The program has developed tools and resources for four priority populations, including expectant families, preschool-aged children, school-aged children, and adolescents and young adults.
Politecnico di Milano will contribute to the RAMSES mission, studying Apophis' physical and dynamic properties through imagery and data gathered during its flyby. The university's team developed autonomous navigation algorithms that will serve as a test platform for new technologies.
University of Missouri scientists have developed an ice lithography technique that etches small patterns onto fragile biological surfaces without damaging them. The method uses frozen ethanol to protect the surface and apply precise patterns.
The Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies report shows that 81% of producers use lime and fertilizer recommendations to improve soil fertility. The study also found that most producers are satisfied with the free soil testing services provided by the Marianna lab, which accounts for 80-85% of analysis in the state.
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) showcased its six emerging technologies, including materials and energy innovations, electronics advancements, and tropical cyclone prediction methods. Industry attendees gained valuable insights into NRL's research efforts and networking opportunities.
Sandia National Laboratories has achieved over $439 million in savings for the Department of Energy by streamlining purchasing agreements and securing volume pricing. The Supply Chain Management Center, created in 2006, facilitates collaboration between prime contractors to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Dr. Pasiakos joins Pennington Biomedical to lead research on muscle physiology, nutrition, neuroscience, and technology to optimize human performance in extreme conditions. His expertise strengthens capabilities for U.S. Military resilience, spaceflight bioenergetics, and elite athlete development.
Pennington Biomedical welcomes Dr. Adithya Hari, MD, with expertise in nuclear oncology and translational science, strengthening cancer research and patient-centered innovation in Louisiana. He will establish a research program focused on nuclear medicine and dedicate time to direct patient care through a clinical partnership.
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is hosting a family-friendly event to demonstrate military medical innovations, including virtual reality and medical simulation. The exhibit features devices developed to combat COVID-19 and protect against deadly insects.
Researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center have received a $1.94 million grant to study inhibitors that target peripheral neuropathic pain. The project aims to develop novel non-opioid and non-addicting therapies capable of effectively managing chronic pain.
Imperial scientists launched a miniature laboratory into Earth orbit to engineer microbes that can produce food, pharmaceuticals, fuel, and bioplastics in microgravity. This partnership aims to create environmentally friendly and affordable non-animal foods, reducing the cost of space travel.