News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The University of Kansas is launching a center to improve IoT security, partnering with private firms to develop secure products and practices. The center aims to provide frameworks for companies to address IoT cybersecurity threats, with potential follow-on research on proprietary projects.
The Wellcome Trust has established a translational partnership with Charité and the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) to maximize translational medicine's benefits for patients and society. The partnership aims to raise biomedical research quality, improve regulatory understanding, and establish incentives for translational research.
A recent study reveals that the Golgi organelle is crucial for maintaining endosome function, contradicting conventional knowledge. The research used genetic mutations and drugs to inhibit transport processes, showing that Golgi transport is necessary for optimal endosome maintenance.
The German Research Foundation has approved €12 million for the Collaborative Research Centre on selective autophagy. The research alliance aims to better understand autophagy at molecular and cellular levels to counteract imbalances in the system.
Diascopic LLC is developing an AI-powered diagnostic platform for detecting tuberculosis (TB) using digital pathology tools. The platform has shown promising results in five African clinical locations, securing $225,000 in Small Business Innovation Research funding from the National Institute of Health.
The University of Konstanz's Collaborative Research Centre 969 will continue its research in cellular proteostasis with a new funding period starting January 2020. The centre will focus on studying complex processes and networks of proteostasis, developing new techniques to make these processes visible and controllable.
A phase 3 study showed that combining PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab and VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with unresectable HCC. The treatment combination also increased overall response rate and delayed deterioration in quality of life.
Researchers aim to provide evidence for micro-fragmented adipose tissue as a viable alternative to surgery for treating meniscal tears. The one-year study will monitor changes in meniscal tissue, pain levels, and functional activity.
A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that up to 40% of women over age 60 experience low libido. The most surprising theme was that many women identified sexual dysfunction in their male partners as a major contributor to their own lack of desire for sex.
The University of Illinois Chicago and the Illinois Department of Public Health will improve maternal outcomes with a five-year federal grant. A new two-generation clinic and research center will provide comprehensive care to postpartum women and their newborns.
Research in rats reveals that brain-wave bursts, like earthquakes, are necessary for healthy sleep. These non-equilibrium dynamics and criticality underlie sleep micro-architecture, governing spontaneous transitions between sleep stages.
A study found that higher-income households are more likely to irrigate, fertilize, and use pesticides in their yards. Neighborly pressure may also play a role, with those knowing more neighbors more likely to engage in these practices.
A study found that young male cancer survivors with low testosterone levels experienced an average decrease in fat mass and increase in lean mass when treated with testosterone replacement therapy. However, there was no effect on quality of life.
The NIH invests significantly less money in cardiac arrest research than in other diseases, such as diabetes, stroke, and ischemic heart disease. The study suggests that low funding may be due to an inadequate number of grant applications being submitted to the NIH.
Researchers have developed an injectable, flexible electrode that can reduce the cost of neuromodulation therapy, increase its reliability and make it less invasive. The 'injectrode' uses a liquid that cures in the body to create a wired contact, allowing for more elasticity and flexibility compared to traditional rigid implants.
The NIH RO1 grant aims to improve ultrasound tomography for breast cancer detection by developing physics-based computational models and advanced image reconstruction methods. The goal is to create high-resolution images that can detect subtle cancers, especially in younger women with denser breast tissue.
A massive study of over 3,000 freshwater mussels reveals seven new mussel-associated leech species, some of which are obligate inhabitants of the mantle cavity. The association evolved over millions of years and is crucial to understanding biological threats facing imperiled animal groups like freshwater mussels.
A panel of scientists recommends policy changes to address sexual harassment and gender bias in STEM fields, including requiring transparency in funding and internal grant funding. The recommendations aim to create inclusive professional environments for women in science.
Researchers found that artificial intelligence can detect subtle language changes in patients with failing livers, suggesting a potential diagnostic tool for early identification of cognitive issues. Following a liver transplant, patients returned to normal or near-normal language patterns.
A new paper published in Science outlines best practices for institutions to support women faculty in research careers, including increased accountability for misconduct and promoting transparency. The report aims to address the persistent issue of gender diversity in STEM fields.
The Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities has received a $1.95 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support Dr. Gholson Lyon's research on rare human diseases. Dr. Lyon plans to expand his studies on Ogden syndrome and other diseases related to N-terminal acetylation, aiming to better understand ...
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that when a person loses a hand, both 'hand areas' of the brain become dedicated to the remaining healthy hand. Functional MRI scans revealed that the brain reorganizes its neural map and reroutes functions to the remaining hand after deprivation of input from a lost hand.
The Texas Heart Institute is developing a novel pacemaker system that is both leadless and wirelessly powered. The new pacemakers allow simultaneous pacing and sensing from multiple sites in the heart to help reduce complications associated with traditional pacemakers.
The PLOS Medicine special issue examines the challenges of substance use and misuse, including opioid epidemic in the US and differences in risks among refugees and non-refugee migrants. Research findings suggest that programmes focusing on prescription opioids may be missing a growing proportion of people at risk of harm from opioid m...
A new study from Harvard Medical School suggests that an overall decline in hospital admissions may have driven the observed drop in readmissions, rather than the pay-for-performance program. The findings contradict prevailing interpretations and call into question the program's effectiveness.
The Protein Data Bank at Rutgers has received a $34.5 million grant over five years to enhance services and improve the quality of its vast repository of 3D biomolecular structures. With more than 150,000 structures available, the data bank plays a crucial role in discovering lifesaving drugs and supporting various fields of research.
Researchers found significant disparities in ADHD diagnoses among racial and ethnic groups, with African Americans more likely to receive a diagnosis than Asians and Hispanics. The study's findings highlight the need for culturally tailored screening tools and diagnostic practices.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital found that living in less walkable neighborhoods is associated with a higher predicted 10-year cardiovascular risk, up to 33% higher than in the most walkable areas. Individuals in these neighborhoods also experience higher blood pressure and increased odds of prior diabetes diagnosis.
Researchers in Brazil have successfully developed a modified strain of Uncaria guianensis, a medicinal plant native to the Amazon Rainforest. By modifying its alkaloid production using 'precursor-directed biosynthesis,' the team was able to create more potent chemicals with enhanced therapeutic effects.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant in the Epas1 gene that enables high-altitude deer mice to survive by increasing their heart rate in response to low oxygen levels. This adaptation is also found in Tibetans living at high altitudes, suggesting potential benefits for long-term survival.
A new study found that daily mean temperatures are associated with increased undernutrition hospitalization rates in Brazil. Heat exposure was estimated to be responsible for 15.6% of undernutrition hospitalization during the study period, with vulnerable populations showing the greatest impact.
A clinical trial will investigate the use of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) to improve liver function and mortality in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. The study, led by IU School of Medicine researcher Suthat Liangpunsakul, aims to provide new avenues for treating this condition.
Scientists at UVA aim to uncover the origin and development of coronary heart disease using a genetic variation associated with ID3 gene, with potential for personalized treatments based on patient's genotype
Researchers at TU Dresden are working on understanding the metabolism of cancer cells, tracing the development of childhood leukemia, and developing novel electronic components using 2D materials. The institution has received a total of 48 ERC Grants since 2008 to support innovative projects.
An observational study of 77,206 postmenopausal women found that regular physical activity was associated with a lower risk of fractures. The study's findings suggest that incorporating physical activity into daily routines may help reduce fracture risk in older women.
A $5 million federal grant will support research into urea cycle disorders, which can cause hyperammonemia and seizures. The study aims to investigate long-term organ damage, academic achievement, and neurologic complications in patients with the disorder.
A study published in PLOS Genetics found that obesity is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes in women and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease in men. The researchers analyzed data from over 423,000 participants and identified distinct patterns of disease association for each sex.
AcuraStem has secured a $3 million Phase II funding for its AS-1 Program, a lead small molecule program targeting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The award allows the company to accelerate the AS-1 program and expand its iNeuroRx technology platform.
Researchers aim to develop a new compound, SBI-553, to treat opioid-use disorders with limited effectiveness. The compound has shown promise in preclinical testing, reducing addictive behaviors and improving safety profiles.
A new analysis suggests that Medicaid expansion provided greater improvements in health insurance coverage for married people, particularly women, compared to unmarried individuals. The study found that after expansion, uninsured rates were lower for married women by 1.6 percentage points than for unmarried women.
A new study published in PLOS Biology reveals that it takes about 3 million years for aggression levels to decline when males are exposed to songs from distant populations in Amazonia. In contrast, temperate North America species exhibit a quicker response time of around half a million years.
The American Cancer Society has awarded Dr. Dmitry Gabrilovich a $400,000 research professorship to explore the roles of myeloid immune cells in cancer and develop new approaches to target tumor immunity.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a comprehensive system to classify arrogance across three levels: individual, comparative, and antagonistic. This framework provides an analytical perspective on arrogance, which could inform psychological research and applications in various relationships.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that women are significantly less likely to receive Canadian federal research funding than men, with a risk ratio of 0.89 for grant awards and 0.75 for personnel awards. The disparity was observed across various research content areas, with some exceptions, such as Aboriginal People's Health...
Binghamton University researchers aim to develop islet-like organoids that can produce insulin, addressing the shortage of usable islets in current treatments. The project uses induced pluripotent stem cells and oxygen-releasing materials to create microenvironments for controlled cell differentiation.
A new research project led by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin aims to shed light on European post-war history by focusing on the shared concern for people's health. The 'Leviathan' project, awarded an ERC Synergy Grant, will study the development of medicine and healthcare between 1945 and 1990 in both Eastern and Western Europe.
The Genomics Research and Innovation Network (GRIN) will expand its data-sharing collaboration to new institutions using a multi-year federal grant. The goal is to create a larger 'federation' of medical centers equipped to share genomic information while protecting patient privacy.
Kent State University's Gemma Casadesus Smith receives a new two-year NIH grant to investigate the relationship between diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease. Her research aims to identify early genetic changes and brain transcriptome shifts that contribute to Alzheimer's development.
A new study published in the Milbank Quarterly found that federal proposals to limit Medicaid funding through block grants or per-capita caps would severely impact community health centers. Under these plans, health center revenues generated by Medicaid beneficiaries would drop by 92% and 58% for traditional enrollees by 2024.
Researchers at Wistar Institute have received a major grant to further research on new melanoma targeted therapies integrating the role of the tumor microenvironment. The team aims to identify novel targets and potential inhibitors to disrupt therapy resistance in older melanoma patients.
Researchers at MSU and Spectrum Health aim to find new treatments for rare 'orphan diseases' by repurposing existing approved drugs using advanced technology, focusing on three initial diseases: MODS, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Boston University School of Medicine professor David Felson has received a P30 Center Grant to conduct clinical research in rheumatology, focusing on osteoarthritis and related conditions. The grant will support collaborations among researchers from diverse disciplines at Boston's top medical institutions.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation has awarded Boston University a grant to expand the Strength at Home program, which prevents and treats intimate partner violence in veteran populations. The program has been shown to be effective in addressing trauma-related violence and utilizing a trauma-informed approach.
Marshall University has received a five-year, $17 million award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue its biomedical research efforts in West Virginia. The WV-INBRE program aims to enhance biomedical research capacity and provide access to resources for undergraduate students.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that 2018's record-breaking snowfall led to a reproductive failure across Arctic ecosystems. This event highlights the devastating effects of climate variability and extreme weather events on Arctic species.
Researchers developed a bioelectronic implant that can sense dangerously low oxygen levels and administer naloxone to prevent opioid deaths. The device is small, wireless, and can be implanted just beneath the skin to bypass barriers in current overdose treatment.
A team of researchers, including CeMM PI Joanna Loizou, will study DNA-damage response systems using cutting-edge technologies. The six-year project aims to create integrated genetic and physical maps of DNA repair pathways in human cell types.
Researchers develop mathematical model to describe how polymers contract into spiral structures, known as loxodromes, with complex patterning. The discovery could lead to the creation of manmade patterns that are difficult to produce using traditional methods.
A new AI model uses citation data to predict which research articles will lead to future clinical applications, accelerating biomedical progress. The 'Approximate Potential to Translate' metric can help researchers and decision-makers focus on promising areas of science.
Aric Rogers' research on cellular and molecular mechanisms governing aging aims to develop new therapies for sarcopenia and age-related diseases. The grant will support further research on the genetic pathways that regulate dietary restriction, which has shown to extend healthy lifespan in various organisms.