News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Researchers found significant racial and ethnic disparities in outpatient visit rates among US physician specialties. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, highlights concerns about unequal access to healthcare services.
Michele Galizia, an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, has received a $543,641 NSF CAREER grant to develop new polymer membranes. His research focuses on improving the efficiency of industrial separations, crucial for reducing environmental pollution and energy costs.
A new COVID-19 vaccine candidate has shown effectiveness in inducing both neutralizing antibodies and CD8+ T cells, potentially reducing disease transmission. The vaccine combines yeast-expression technology and a novel adjuvant formulation, making it suitable for large-scale production and cost-effective distribution.
A group of geneticists have outlined a plan to increase diversity and inclusion in their community, including boosting representation at academic conferences and addressing obstacles for underrepresented groups in research labs. The action plan aims to improve equity and fairness in the field of genetics and beyond.
Researchers identified egocentric bearing cells in the parahippocampal cortex, which encode spatial information on a mental map centered on each person. These cells play a role in both navigation and memory, particularly in processing spatial information of memories.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed a food generator concept that turns plastic waste and inedible biomass into edible protein. The project, which won the 2021 Future Insight Prize, uses microbes to break down plastics and non-edible plant biomass into safe and nutritious food.
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University has received a $1 million T32 predoctoral training grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The grant aims to provide students with opportunities for training in cell signaling, epigenetics, and genome maintenance.
Researchers at USC have discovered a better way to identify elusive DNA variants that affect cell functions and diseases. The new method uses computational biology tools to detect variations in repetitive DNA sequences, known as VNTRs, which govern gene expression.
Researchers created an inflammatory clock of aging (iAge) using deep learning to predict multi-morbidity, frailty, and immune health. The tool identifies a modifiable chemokine associated with cardiac aging and provides a target for interventions.
The FUTURE-MINDS-QB program provides rigorous training and academic mentorship for students from underrepresented ethnic and racial groups in quantitative biology and biomedical data sciences. The program aims to equalize access to high-level training and streamline the PhD application process.
Iron deficiency has been linked to higher risks of death and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), regardless of whether they have anemia. Clinical trials are needed to test the effects of iron treatment on these outcomes in CKD patients.
A new study finds that regular COVID-19 monitoring of everyone in a school setting is essential to prevent large outbreaks. Mathematical simulations suggest that waiting until a student tests positive is too late to take preventive measures, highlighting the importance of early detection and action.
A study compares Medicare's payment for common generic prescriptions in Part D to prices available at Costco, finding significant savings for patients without insurance. The research found that patients paying out-of-pocket at Costco spent an average of $10 less per month on common generic drugs compared to Medicare beneficiaries.
A new risk prediction model may improve the prediction of impending spontaneous preterm birth, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and treatment costs. The model combines clinical risk factors with vaginal fluid fetal fibronectin concentration analysis, showing promising performance in predicting preterm birth within seven days.
The National Institutes of Health has funded a new predoctoral training program at Penn State to train graduate students in neural engineering. The program aims to encourage collaboration among STEM students and faculty interested in brain function and brain disorders.
A study of 533 wheelchair users found that over 50% needed repairs within the past six months, resulting in significant financial cost and personal consequences. The research aimed to identify trends regarding which users or wheelchairs are more likely to need repair and how to reduce these negative consequences.
The American Society of Nephrology and KidneyCure support a diverse group of researchers advancing kidney disease knowledge. Investigators funded by KidneyCure are making significant contributions in areas impacting millions of people living with kidney diseases.
A new study maps spirituality and religiosity to a specific brain circuit centered in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a brainstem region implicated in fear conditioning, pain modulation, altruistic behaviors, and unconditional love. The findings suggest that spiritual acceptance can be localized to this circuit.
Researchers at UC Davis have received three ARPA-E grants totaling $4.5 million to improve biofuel production efficiency. The grants focus on using microbes, metal catalysts, and enzymes to minimize waste and carbon dioxide emissions.
Dr. Brian Clark, Ohio University professor, has received a five-year, nearly $3 million NIH grant to investigate age-related changes in motor neuron excitability. The study will examine the role of motor neurons in health and disease, with potential implications for developing interventions to improve physical function in older adults.
A recent study investigated the association between midlife changes in wealth and the risk of cardiovascular events after age 65. Researchers found that individuals experiencing a decline in wealth during midlife were at increased risk of cardiovascular events later in life.
Wayne State University has been awarded a $1.29 million NIH grant to purchase a new mass spectrometer for biomedical research, enhancing protein analysis and disease understanding. The instrument will also aid in training students and promoting local product development.
Boston University School of Medicine has received a grant of $2.7M from the American Heart Association to study disparities in cardio-oncology and their impact on cardiovascular disease among diverse populations. The research aims to better understand the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of CVD among cancer patients.
The research team will investigate how viruses interact with and transmit through the mucus layer, a crucial defense mechanism in the respiratory tract. The project aims to improve understanding of viral transmission and develop engineered nanoparticles for efficient drug or gene delivery.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute will investigate common metabolic pathways in lung cancer, with the goal of developing novel therapies. The four distinct projects aim to unveil common metabolic mechanisms regulated by genetic drivers across non-small cell lung cancer types.
A new study reveals that inhibitory neurons increase signal transmission by targeting the weakest-responding neurons in the brain, enabling flexible information transfer. This discovery could help understand and treat disorders such as anxiety and attention deficit disorders.
A study by researchers at the University of Kansas found that counties with state mask mandates in Kansas experienced lower rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The association between mask mandates and COVID-19 outcomes was observed across various age groups and populations.
Researchers found that adult corals exposed to high temperatures can produce offspring better suited to thrive in changing environments. This study provides insights into the long-term consequences of climate change on coral populations.
The American Heart Association has awarded a diversity grant supplement to the Masonic Medical Research Institute to investigate the connection between autism and heart disease. The grant will support Dr. Luana Nunes Santos' research on PTPN11 gene mutations and their effects on heart health.
Researchers found that damaged proximal tubule cells can promote disease progression by showing activity in genes that support survival and programmed cell death. These cells may contribute to the transition from acute to chronic kidney disease, affecting 9.1% of the world's population.
Researchers mapped epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 to identify potential cross-reactive antibodies, expanding vaccine and therapeutic development options. The study suggests new targets for diagnostics and improved treatments against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses.
The university will support approximately 20 undergraduate students annually in a structured academic community with career development activities and individualized mentoring to prepare them for Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences.
The University of Louisville Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center has received $11.3 million in NIH funding to support its research into liver-related illness. The center aims to reduce the impact of liver illnesses through prevention and therapy development.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have gained insight into the process of autophagy, where cells degrade and recycle cellular components. The study reveals that a chemical modification helps direct the transport of autophagosomes to cellular recycling plants, potentially leading to new targets for age-related diseases.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) has awarded nearly $28 million in grants to support the development of next-generation electron microscopy techniques for visualizing proteins in cells. The awards will enable researchers to obtain unprecedented views of protein structure, quantity, distribution, and interactions at near-atomic reso...
The UC Davis Clinical Translational Science Center has been awarded a $33 million grant renewal from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a five-year period. The center will continue to provide critical funding and essential services to advance outstanding research in human health, with a focus on reducing health disparities.
Researchers have identified neural crest stem cells as a key factor in non-genetic drug resistance mechanisms, which can help predict potential resistance routes in patients and develop personalized therapies.
A $1 million grant will be used to develop fluorochemical dispersants, known as FTags, which coat proteins in vaccine liquids to stabilize them thermally. This technology aims to eliminate the need for refrigerated supply chains and ensure vaccines can be transported at elevated temperatures.
Researchers at UMSOM aim to expand genetic databases to include under-represented minority populations, improving polygenic risk score accuracy for clinical use. The goal is to identify best practices for translating scores into clinical practice across diverse populations.
The university will provide 10 graduate students per year with structured academic support, career development activities, and individualized mentoring to cultivate highly sought-after skills in the biomedical sciences.
The National Institutes of Health is funding a research consortium to develop methods for calculating polygenic risk scores (PRS) in people from different ancestries, particularly those with admixed ancestry. Researchers at UCLA will focus on incorporating genetic diversity into PRS to yield accurate and equitable predictions.
Summer Thyme, a University of Alabama at Birmingham assistant professor, is one of five Pew Scholars focusing on brain research. Her $75,000 grant will support her four-year investigation into neurodevelopmental disease using zebrafish.
A group of 24 women scientists advocate for a paradigm shift to recognize multifaceted scientific impact, promoting mentorship and diversity. The authors aim to dismantle biased systems by expanding measures of success beyond citations.
A study published in PLOS Biology found an association between articles' titles and news stories' headlines, suggesting journalists tend to follow authors' decision to omit the species studied. Papers not mentioning mice in their titles receive more press coverage and are significantly more highly tweeted than papers that do.
The Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) has been awarded $37 million from the NIH to house and care for nearly 2,500 non-human primates. The funding will support critical work in finding new treatments and vaccines against infectious diseases.
A $2.2 million NIH grant will support the development of mitochondrial uncouplers, small molecules that can help burn fat in the liver, potentially treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The research team aims to create effective drugs with a long half-life and test them in animal models simulating NASH.
Africa's largest human genetic diversity makes it crucial for understanding neurological disorders, yet research output is heavily influenced by external funding sources. The study highlights the need for greater domestic funding to support sustainable African neuroscience research and combat brain drain.
A recent survey study found a significant association between COVID-19 and self-reported symptoms of depression among adults. The study compared features of major depression in people with or without prior COVID-19 illness.
The NIH has launched the UNITE initiative to address structural racism in biomedicine, focusing on increasing diversity and inclusion. The initiative aims to tackle issues such as lack of representation from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, persistent disparities in grant success rates for Black scientists.
A recent study found an association between rideshare use and increased risk of alcohol-associated motor vehicle crash traumas. The research compared traumas and convictions before and after Uber's introduction in Houston, Texas, revealing a significant correlation.
TGen will accelerate its efforts to track variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with the grant, enabling the identification of specific variants and improving biomedical technology. The funds will also enable TGen to provide a genomic sequence for every new COVID-19 infection in Arizona.
Research led by Dr. Satya P. Kunapuli seeks to understand how platelets become activated to form clots that lead to cardiovascular diseases like stroke and heart attack. The study aims to identify molecular differences in platelet genes and proteins to facilitate the discovery of new signaling pathways relevant to cardiovascular disease.
The German Research Foundation has extended funding for two Göttingen Collaborative Research Centres, CRC 1073 and CRC 1286, to further their research on atomic scale control of energy conversion and quantitative synaptology. The CRCs will receive around ten million euros per year over four years.
Researchers at George Mason University are investigating health impacts of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in New York state communities exposed to contaminated drinking water. The study aims to understand the threat of PFAS to human populations and design efficient interventions to mitigate exposure.
Mason 4C has partnered with medical societies to address climate change through health initiatives. The consortium aims to improve public health and healthcare outcomes in vulnerable populations.
A new study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that patients taking methotrexate for immune system disorders have a weaker antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines. This means they may not be as protected against the virus, but further research is needed to understand the issue.
A new project, 'The Reading Time Machine,' aims to digitize predigital scientific literature in astronomy, extracting text and figures to enhance searchable capabilities. Researchers will use optical character recognition and object detection methods to parse tables, figure captions, and science-relevant information.
Researchers at Sinai Health have developed a new tool to better understand the organization of living human cells. By creating a detailed map of protein localization across all compartments in human cells, the team has gained valuable insights into cellular function and disease mechanisms.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that people treated for opioid use disorder are less likely to find a new primary care provider within a year. This is particularly true for those receiving opioid agonist therapy, where patients are 45% less likely to secure another primary care physician.
A nationwide Swedish study found that men with a family history of prostate cancer reach the screening risk threshold up to 12 years earlier than previously recommended, suggesting personalized screening approaches. The research suggests refining age guidelines for early screening based on individual family history factors.