News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Economists Ed Timmons and Conor Norris suggest reforms such as shorter medical school pathways, expanded physician assistant and nurse practitioner independence, and federal regulation of telemedicine to alleviate the healthcare industry's stress in light of COVID-19. These proposals aim to address staffing shortages, improve access to...
A new study found that a ketogenic diet significantly improves MS symptoms, including fatigue, depression, and cognitive function. Patients on the keto diet experienced reductions in neurologic disability and enhanced overall quality of life.
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 Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas has awarded a grant extension to Dr. Rakhshanda Rahman, allowing her to provide no-cost mammograms and Pap smears to underinsured and uninsured women in the Permian Basin. The program aims to address high cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in West Texas.
Researchers from NYITCOM are using a new imaging technique to study diabetic heart failure and its causes. They hope to develop new treatments by tracing how lysosomes, the body's defense system, are impaired in heart muscle cells.
Researchers at UVA Cancer Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the EP300 gene and its role in small-cell lung cancer. The study found that the gene makes a protein with properties that can both foster and prevent tumor formation, providing a new potential target for treatment.
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal neurodegenerative movement disorder with no effective treatments, progressing rapidly and impairing critical physiological functions. The researchers will investigate how misfolded protein aggregates contribute to disease pathogenesis using the NIH grant.
GeniPhys Inc. has received a two-year, $974,349 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation to advance the commercialization of its initial product, Collymer Self Assembling Scaffold (Collymer SAS). The grant will be used to scale up manufacturing capabilities and file key regulatory submissions...
Rice University's Gang Bao receives $1 million CPRIT grant to develop a three-pronged strategy combining magnetic nanoparticles, free radical generation, and immune checkpoint blockade to kill cancer cells. The approach aims to increase the efficacy of cancer therapy, potentially leading to a clinical trial.
Researchers will test the effectiveness of WeCAN, a group-based treatment designed to teach long-lasting management skills to individuals with traumatic brain injury and dementia. The study aims to identify behavioral, neuroimaging, and blood biomarkers that correlate with treatment efficacy.
Paczesny will explore biomarkers and a new type of immune cell to identify and regulate acute lung injury after BMT. She aims to improve understanding of signaling mechanisms in lung injury after BMT, particularly as they relate to idiopathic pneumonia syndrome.
A survey of Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) found that only 45% of respondents participated in grant review, compared to 76% at traditionally White institutions. Despite this, 76% of MSI scientists reported an interest in taking part in grant review.
The ALS Canada Research Program has awarded nine Discovery Grants to investigate critical areas of disease processes and clinical care. The grants will support fundamental laboratory research, biomarker studies, and clinical trials.
The American Roentgen Ray Society has awarded two 2022 ARRS Scholarships to Sean Woolen and Bradley Allen, providing a total of $180,000 in funding for their radiological research projects. The scholarships aim to advance emerging scholars and prepare them for leadership positions.
Four IIT researchers have been awarded €150,000 each from the European Research Council to develop groundbreaking technologies addressing health challenges, such as tumours, blindness, and amputations. Their projects aim to substitute critical raw materials in electronics and create multisensory systems for visually impaired infants.
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cancer affecting up to 1 in 1 million women worldwide, characterized by uncontrolled tumor cell growth. Researchers aim to identify new therapeutic targets using extracellular vesicles, with the goal of developing new therapies for LAM patients.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has established a San Antonio-based Coccidioidomycosis Collaborative Research Center (SA-CCRC) focused on developing therapeutics and vaccines against coccidioidomycosis. The center will support applied clinical research and house an extended network of experts from partnering institutions.
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.
The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization has awarded more than $143,000 to three projects led by researchers in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine. Guri Johal is developing a corn variant that could impact worldwide corn production with Trask funds supporting his project on clon...
The collaboration aims to create an interoperable global data ecosystem for rare diseases, accelerating the development of new therapies. This partnership benefits patients, regulators, advocacy stakeholders, researchers, and industry, while expanding C-Path's global capabilities in collaborating on methodologies and technologies.
Researchers will use transcriptomics and chemogenetics to identify molecular targets for pain management. The project aims to advance knowledge on pain mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Dr. Edward Y. Lee, MD, MPH, receives the highest distinction from North America's first radiological society for his contributions to pediatric thoracic imaging and education. The ARRS Gold Medal honors his tireless efforts to advance radiology globally.
Dorothee Dormann and Rosa Rademakers are collaborating on a research project to understand the causes of frontotemporal dementia, a group of brain disorders affecting the frontal and temporal lobes. The researchers aim to identify the role of the FUS protein in this disease and its interactions with other proteins.
Researchers aim to determine if knee structure changes predict clinical outcomes in people with osteoarthritis. The study will examine 76,000 X-rays and clinical data from diverse cohorts to establish healthy knee structure ranges.
The WV Clinical and Translational Science Institute is leading a national study on post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) among adults. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, aims to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 and develop effective treatments for this disabling complication.
The Microbiome and Metagenomics Center at UC San Diego will analyze stool samples from 10,000 All of Us Research Program participants to develop algorithms predicting individual responses to food. This will enable personalized nutrition recommendations based on an individual's genetics, gut microbes, and lifestyle factors.
Four MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers received American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grants worth $35,000 each. The grants support promising projects that aim to push cancer care forward. Researchers are working on various innovative projects, including a digital literacy training program for community health workers an...
Researchers at West Virginia University have created a simple microwave catalytic process to upcycle single-use plastics into high-value benzene, toluene, and xylene. This technology aims to increase the recycling rate of plastic waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing an alternative source of petrochemical materials.
Professor Alexander Ecker is awarded a Starting Grant to develop machine-learning methods to describe neurons' shape and function, leveraging a large dataset from the US Brain Initiative. The research aims to uncover how a neuron's shape relates to its role in sensory information processing.
Researchers at FAU are developing an affordable, disposable self-testing HIV-1 chip that can detect HIV from whole blood samples and measure viral load without refrigeration or skilled technicians. The technology aims to increase access to HIV testing and improve treatment outcomes in any setting.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have received a $3.6 million grant to study antibiotic resistance, employing an innovative approach known as the 'evolution machine.' This project aims to shed new light on how bacteria develop resistance and inform more precise antibiotic prescribing practices.
A two-year study aims to restore functional vision among veterans and service members with head trauma-related visual dysfunction using immersive virtual reality technology. Researchers will explore the feasibility and benefits of applying new technologies to rehabilitative treatment activities.
Scientists at the University of Missouri discovered that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal brain development. MicroRNAs in the placenta play a key role in regulating cellular functions, including neural development. Researchers believe that microRNA packages could reach the brain through the placen...
A team of scientists at the University of Missouri used small wearable sensors to gather data on how people with a traumatic hand amputation use a prosthesis versus a transplanted hand. The study found that hand transplant recipients exhibit a more balanced pattern of limb use, while prosthesis users rely heavily on their prosthetic hand.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are exploring microfluidics with the help of grant money from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The project aims to develop 3D-printed microfluidic devices that can simulate biological environments and test treatments for medical issues.
Researchers at WVU are studying the Musashi proteins to understand their role in retinal degeneration and develop a universal therapy. By investigating protein translation and gene suppression, they hope to identify potential pathways to boost protein production and slow vision loss.
A survey of scientists from minority-serving institutions found that only 45% participated in grant peer review, despite 76% expressing interest. The study highlights the need for more inclusive grant review recruiting and training to break the cycle of exclusion faced by underrepresented minority scientists.
Phoebe Lin's research establishes a gut-eye association in animal models, finding that certain interventions can enhance Tregs and decrease eye inflammation. Her five-year grant will investigate how intestinal microbes and the immune system can be rebalanced to treat uveitis.
Aston University's Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies has received a £100,000 grant to support its research in food and agri-tech. The new equipment will enable the development of cost-effective photonic technology for quality control in food processing and manufacturing.
The grant will fund a new curriculum focused on diagnosing and treating people with opioid use disorder (OUD), including guidance on medications for addiction treatment (MAT). The program aims to train hundreds of medical students and residents to diagnose, treat, and care for individuals with substance use disorders.
A new class of faster and more powerful semiconductors is being developed by UMass Lowell scientists to enhance wireless communication and digital imaging. The $1.7M NSF project aims to improve infrared optoelectronic devices, enabling better intracellular imaging, night vision, and quantum and 5G communication.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has been awarded a grant to promote cloud computing among researchers in Maine, aiming to level the playing field by providing access to sophisticated computing resources. The program will provide training on Google Cloud Platform and assist institutions in implementing cloud computing services.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC have developed a stem cell-based bio-implant to repair cartilage and delay joint degeneration. The Plurocart implant successfully integrates into damaged articular cartilage tissue and survives for up to six months.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine are studying breast cancer as a series of inflection points to identify potential intervention points and develop therapeutics for triple negative breast cancer. The goal is to create a large repository of organoids from tissue samples to study gene expression, epigenetic changes, and immune response.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a free online resource that speeds up data analysis of human genomes three times faster than current methods. This enables scientists to see how an individual's genome makes them susceptible to different diseases in different ways, ultimately reducing associated costs and increas...
Katherine Tucker, a renowned nutritionist, has been awarded the top honor at UMass Lowell for her exceptional teaching, research, and service to the university. She will deliver the annual Distinguished University Professor Lecture and continue to lead her research team in establishing long-term interventions for diverse populations.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board approved funding for nine new comparative clinical effectiveness research studies addressing various health conditions. These studies focus on telehealth and mobile health strategies, reducing disparities in maternal health, and improving care for people with intellectual a...
The study uses a new barcode system to track complex signaling activities in cancer cells and identify key protein interactions. The technique enables real-time analysis and synchronization of protein activity over time.
The AACR and Pelotonia launch a grants program to recognize five influential female researchers in breast and gynecologic cancers. Nomination deadlines are January 14, 2022, with awards presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2022.
UMass Lowell researchers will focus on four projects to better protect employees in various professions, including healthcare workers and teachers. The five-year grant funding supports studies on work-life balance, engagement, burnout, and implementing programs to deal with job stressors.
Researchers found a mechanism that regulates cell behavior depending on environment's curvature change, using soft hydrogels to replicate folding patterns in living tissues. The study reveals how curvature governs cell distribution, shape, and density in complex environments.
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.
Researchers at UVA Cancer Center discovered how a common gene mutation disrupts cells' ability to suppress tumors. The mutation in the UTX gene forms tiny droplets that help prevent tumor formation.
The WVCTSI will deploy a mobile clinical trials unit in West Virginia, addressing health disparities and increasing participation in clinical research. The 39-foot Winnebago will provide on-site clinical trials and follow-up visits to rural residents.
Researchers at West Virginia University have received FDA approval for a new drug to treat uveal melanoma, a rare form of eye cancer. The drug, MTI-201, targets specific biomarkers in diseased cells, allowing for more precise treatment with minimal damage to healthy cells.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that deleting the ABI3 gene increases amyloid-beta plaque accumulation and decreases microglia function, which may contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression. The researchers also identified a link between the mutation and increased risk of late-onset Alzheimer's.
Researchers will identify and track SARS-CoV-2 variants using genomic sequence analyses. The project aims to understand the emergence and spread of the virus in West Virginia, helping public health officials prepare for future outbreaks.
A recent study estimates that the net manufacturing costs for 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine ready for shipping range from $0.54 to $0.98. Companies charge significantly higher prices, despite discounts and tiered pricing for low-income countries, which are likely to prolong the global pandemic.
A team of Lehigh University undergraduates has won the National Institutes of Health's Healthcare Technologies for Low-Resource Settings Prize for developing a diagnostic device to detect sickle cell disease in infants. The $15,000 prize will support further development and testing of the device, which could improve healthcare outcomes...