News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Researchers found COVID-19 risks higher in older, diabetic patients with higher community rates and larger clinics. Risks were lower in clinics with more side rooms and mask policies for asymptomatic patients.
Researchers from CeMM Research Center have developed a new method called scifi-RNA-seq that enables efficient RNA sequencing for millions of individual cells. This method marks the RNA of many cells with specific barcodes, allowing for analysis of complex tissues and organs.
The Cornell Farmworker Program is expanding its efforts to reach New York state's diverse farmworkers with critical health and legal information. The grant will help integrate on-the-ground training with Cornell University research across colleges.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a novel brain circuit that regulates satiation response in mice, suggesting potential for weight control. The circuit connects dopamine-producing neurons with downstream neurons, suppressing food intake and triggering meal termination.
A team of UK scientists aims to improve understanding of Deep Learning algorithms' decision-making process, making them more trustworthy. The project will combine theory, modeling, data, and computation to unlock the next generation of deep learning.
A study published in Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation found that prism adaptation treatment improves functional and cognitive independence scores for stroke survivors with spatial neglect. The treatment, which involves wearing goggles with optical prisms to shift motor movements, results in higher scores on ...
The Mason4C Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health will expand its partnership with NMA fellows and community-based environmental justice groups. With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this collaboration aims to amplify the voices of doctors and other health professionals in addressing climate and health injustices.
Researchers mapped COVID-19 viral lineages across New York City during its first wave of epidemic. The study found that the borough of Queens played a significant role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to high local circulation of viral lineages.
The Terasaki Institute has been awarded a grant by the Good Food Institute to develop an innovative method for producing cultivated meat. The project aims to address scalability and cost challenges in alternative protein production, using unique microcarriers to differentiate cell cultures.
A study examining racial and ethnic representation among academic medicine departmental chairs found that people of color comprised just 3% of the positions between 1980 and 2019. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights a persistent diversity gap in academic leadership.
Researchers at Stanford University are urging the development of AI medical devices that account for diverse demographics to prevent inequities. The study highlights issues with data collection and evaluation methods, particularly regarding sex and race biases in pulse oximeters.
A large study of over 160,000 Medicare patients found no statistically significant difference in mortality between those treated with drug-coated and non-drug-coated peripheral devices. The research aimed to address concerns raised by a previous analysis and provides new insights into the safety of these devices.
A qualitative study evaluates a crowdsourcing open call to gather community input for university COVID-19 safety strategies. The platform aims to increase engagement and effectiveness of safety measures, ultimately improving overall health outcomes.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed advertisements on popular made-for-kids YouTube channels and found that age-inappropriate content is prevalent. The researchers also examined the frequency of such ads, highlighting concerns about children's exposure to mature material.
Researchers found that semi-aquatic anoles can exhale air into a bubble on their skin and re-inhale it, increasing their chances of eluding predators. The team studied six species of semi-aquatic anoles and found that all possessed the rebreathing trait, despite being distantly related.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that drivers with shift work sleep disorder are three times more likely to be involved in a vehicle accident than those without the condition. The study analyzed real-world driving data and found that shift work sleep disorder increased the risk of traffic crashes by nearly 300%.
Researchers developed a strategy to capture 3D facial shape using sibling data, identifying novel links between facial traits and specific genetic locations. The study reveals 218 genetic loci associated with facial traits shared by siblings.
A pilot study found that micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) injection provides significant and long-lasting pain relief for wheelchair users with chronic shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff disease. The study showed encouraging results, with nearly 80% of participants experiencing a meaningful decrease in pain symptoms.
Researchers have discovered new genetic variants responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disabilities and developmental delays. These variants affect chromatin remodeling genes, leading to abnormalities in brain function and development.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a panel of genes that are active in smokers and ex-smokers who experience faster loss of lung function. These genes may be useful to predict which people are most at risk for smoking-related decline in lung function, offering hope for early diagnosis and treatment.
A new bone shape measure, SBL, has been identified by researchers using AI to determine the severity of knee osteoarthritis. The study found that SBL values were consistently different from knees without joint space narrowing and associated with greater pain and disability.
Marshall University prof Brandon J. Henderson receives $1.8 million NIH grant to study vaping nicotine addiction in adolescents. The research aims to understand how e-cigarettes alter neurobiology and trigger nicotine addiction.
A study suggests that vaccinating older age groups first can significantly reduce disease transmission, mortality, and long-term health impacts. The research found that prioritizing the elderly and medically vulnerable ahead of younger people yields the greatest impact in minimizing loss of life.
Scientists are examining the metabolic transition in chickens, from fat-rich diet as embryos to high-carbohydrate diet after hatch. This research aims to optimize nutrition for healthy growth and gain insights into liver function to prevent metabolic disease in humans and other species.
Researchers have identified two new species of microscopic loriciferans found in the waters off Roscoff, France. The discovery provides valuable insights into the rich diversity of life in these ecosystems.
The Kessler Foundation is conducting a two-year study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Cervigard Neck Collar in treating neck pain in active-duty military personnel. The study aims to explore a non-invasive, short-term therapy approach that can be compatible with active-duty lifestyles.
Intellihealth, a medical obesity treatment platform co-founded by Dr. Katherine Saunders, was selected as the first winner of the Women at Weill investment competition. The company's software platform Evolve generates personalized treatment plans for patients and is integrated with Epic, a widely-used electronic health record system.
The AATS Foundation fellowships have been shown to support career success in academic surgery, with recipients publishing peer-reviewed papers and securing NIH grants. A total of 42 individuals received the scholarship, resulting in impressive scholastic contributions and ascending to leadership positions.
Researchers have created a new tool to evaluate infant brain health by assessing chemical markers in the brain. The tool uses standard values for several metabolites to provide a more reliable way to evaluate metabolite concentrations, allowing for early detection and intervention for potential brain development issues.
A recent study has shown a significant decline in funding for discovery cancer research since 2006, with the percentage of annual funding falling by around a quarter. Worldwide Cancer Research is urging continued support for this type of research to develop new cancer cures.
Researchers evaluated SARS-CoV-2 variants and virus groupings in relation to disease severity. The study found notable associations between specific variants and more severe patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered that damage to lung epithelial polarity drives pre-cancerous growth, providing insight into disease onset. Targeting specific signals, such as Neuregulin-1, may allow for prevention and treatment of pre-cancer lesions.
Researchers aim to develop a human-centered platform that motivates patients with mild cognitive impairment to stick to a therapeutic regimen of mobile game-playing. Neuro-World games have shown promise in improving cognitive function and predicting expected improvement in patients with MCI.
The University of Minnesota will host a new Organ and Tissue Preservation Center, focusing on technologies to rapidly rewarm cryopreserved organs. This center is part of the Biostasis Research Institute's 'Apollo Program' to develop new preservation methods for human organs.
The UVA Center for Engineering in Medicine has developed a robust process to help researchers win funding from institutions like the National Institutes of Health. The center's first seed grant cohorts have achieved astonishing results, including $12 million in follow-on funding with just a $2 million initial investment.
Researchers developed an algorithm to screen for pulmonary arterial hypertension in scleroderma patients, outperforming standard methods. The algorithm correctly identified all 10 patients with the condition in a study of 68 subjects.
A Georgia State University professor has received a $2.3 million grant to investigate the role of inflammation in otitis media, an infection of the middle ear. The goal is to develop novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics and improve hearing outcomes.
The Southeast Regional Sun Grant Center has awarded grants totaling over $2 million to support six research projects aimed at developing sustainable, bio-derived products. These projects will provide new insights and materials for the southeastern US bioeconomy, creating essential information for future economic growth.
A Marshall University researcher has received a $400K NIH grant to investigate sex-dependent interactions in brain cell development, aiming to develop targeted therapies for individuals with autism and schizophrenia. The research will uncover novel roles of sex and hormones in brain development, shedding light on neurological dysfunction.
The $1.5 million NIH grant will support four to six graduate students in cardometabolic disease research, enhancing their educational experience and providing more dollars for student stipends. This grant expands opportunities for minorities in AU's PhD programs, particularly those studying cardiometabolic diseases.
The Gibson D. Lewis Health Sciences Library at UNT Health Science Center is leading health literacy outreach in seven states through a $6.4 million grant from the National Library of Medicine. The library aims to promote health and health literacy among diverse communities, tackling severe health disparities and low health literacy rates.
USC Stem Cell scientist Leonardo Morsut is designing artificial genetic programs to study embryonic development using a $2.5 million NIH grant. He has developed a synthetic version of the naturally occurring Notch system, allowing him to control cell behavior and signaling networks.
A new study published in PLOS Genetics has found that genetic differences may contribute to higher rates of chronic pain in women. The study analyzed genetic variants associated with chronic pain in 209,093 women and 178,556 men, revealing sex-specific differences in gene activity.
A study of 3.4 million live births in 2018 found that criminalizing immigrant policies were associated with higher preterm birth rates for Black women born outside the US, while inclusive policies were linked to lower preterm birth rates for all women born outside the US and particularly White women outside the US.
The UC Davis Conte Center will discover biomarkers for at-risk pregnancies and develop new treatments to prevent detrimental effects of maternal infection on brain development in offspring. The center aims to understand the origins of significant mental health disorders, with implications for current and future generations.
A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that progressive memory loss and issues with executive function are more useful for predicting CTE pathology than mood and behavior symptoms. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new therapies and improved patient care.
Researchers project the most common and deadly cancers in the US by 2040, with breast cancer expected to remain top type. The study also highlights an increasing trend of cancers affecting younger populations, such as thyroid and testicular cancers.
A recent study has quantified the association of race/ethnicity, sex, income, and state-specific lockdown measures with six well-being dimensions in the United States. The research highlights disparities in well-being among different groups, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these inequalities.
Experts at the University of Missouri are gathering data on extreme drinking behaviors to inform future public health interventions. The five-year grant will provide accurate information on factors influencing drinking habits, including biological and environmental factors.
Cells from depressed individuals have higher rates of methylation at specific DNA sites, accelerating their cellular age by approximately two years compared to healthy controls. This accelerated aging is linked to increased mortality risk, as measured by the GrimAge clock.
The consortium, which includes 32 national medical societies representing over half of America's doctors, will advance climate, health, and equity solutions. The funding supports partnerships with the National Medical Association and empowers doctors to convey the impact of climate change on public health.
The Masonic Medical Research Institute has received a $750,000 Department of Defense Lupus Impact Award to investigate the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 in systemic lupus erythematosus. The research aims to improve treatment options and quality of life for patients with this devastating autoimmune disease.
A study analyzing COVID-19-related deaths and all other causes in the US found that pandemic-excess mortality significantly surpassed pre-pandemic levels, resulting in a total of over 3.7 million excess deaths from February 2020 to December 2022.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have discovered a new mechanism by which senescent cells activate genes that promote tumor development. METTL3 and METTL14 proteins were found to regulate the expression of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, a complex network of inflammatory molecules that influence tumor growth.
The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation has awarded a $1 million challenge grant to the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine's Department of Pharmacology. The grant will support recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty, as well as bridge funding for promising early-stage research.
Researchers analyzed data to estimate COVID-19 case numbers associated with school reopenings or closures and various community-based interventions. The findings suggest that these interventions may impact new and cumulative case numbers.
Researchers at MIT have created synthetic mucins with a polymer backbone that mimic the structure and function of naturally occurring mucins, effectively neutralizing the bacterial toxin that causes cholera. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for infectious diseases and potentially less resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers at University of Virginia Health System propose advanced information system to integrate and evaluate vast amounts of data on pathogens. The system aims to ensure conformity across disciplines and promote understanding and knowledge in biomedical sciences.
The University of Ottawa has been awarded $9 million to create a national network for tracking COVID-19 variants. The Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network (CoVaRR-Net) will enable real-time assessment of the immune response to virus variants and their resistance to existing vaccines.
Simonetta Sipione's research aims to clarify the therapeutic role of gangliosides in the brain, which help brain cells communicate with each other and the environment. The project seeks to develop a viable treatment that tackles the root cause of neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's and Parkinson's.