News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded PSU an additional $19.3 million grant to fund the BUILD EXITO program for another five years. The program, which boasts a retention rate of nearly 90 percent, helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds become top-level health sciences researchers.
A new center at UC Riverside aims to reduce health disparities among Latino communities and marginalized populations in inland Southern California. The center will use a community-based approach to assess and improve the health of underserved populations.
A large-scale study has identified a robust new signal and fine-mapped previously reported genetic variants associated with childhood obesity. The findings suggest that genetic influences on obesity operate across the lifespan and provide valuable insights into potential treatments.
A study published in Science Advances found that individuals carrying the FMR1 gene premutation are at risk for a wide range of health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and sleep apnea. The research analyzed electronic health records of nearly 20,000 individuals and identified an astonishing range of symptoms affecting FMR1 ca...
The US Department of Energy will provide approximately $31.5 million in funding for small businesses to establish the technical feasibility of new innovations advancing the Office of Science's mission. Small businesses can apply for Phase I grants with durations ranging from 6-12 months.
A research review found only nine studies evaluating interventions to reduce health inequities in LGBTQ youth, with most using suboptimal study designs. The scientists concluded that existing programs are insufficient to mitigate the substantial inequities faced by these youth.
The Stanford Woods Institute has awarded grants totaling $16 million to support research projects addressing major environmental challenges. These interdisciplinary initiatives aim to combat air pollution, mine wastewater for valuable resources, reduce food waste, and investigate the causes of chronic kidney disease.
Recent advances in biomedical imaging and bioengineering funded by the NIH include a non-invasive blood glucose monitoring device and a skin patch that monitors blood pressure continuously. Additionally, researchers have developed painless laser scans for breast cancer screening and prosthetic hands with sensory feedback.
Two antimicrobial stewardship interventions were found to be feasible in community hospitals, increasing antibiotic appropriateness and reducing unnecessary use. The interventions, which included pharmacist approval after the first dose and engagement with prescribers, showed promise in improving stewardship practices.
A team of researchers led by Brittany Dugger will study donated post-mortem brain tissues from diverse individuals with Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican heritage to define the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease in Hispanic cohorts. The goal is to develop specific disease profiles and improve prevention and treatment.
A new study from Oregon State University finds that clinical research funding for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders is still underrepresented in the NIH budget, with only 0.17% of total funding allocated to projects involving these populations between 1992 and 2018.
Researchers developed a fruit fly strain that builds up uric acid when triggered by high-purine diet, revealing the insulin-like signaling pathway's role in regulating uric acid levels. This model could help identify new drugs for diseases linked to uric acid accumulation.
The study found that less than 5% of schooling fish needed to be flashing to maintain the group in dark conditions. Flashing may serve as a predator-avoidance strategy, with some fish flashing then rapidly changing direction before flashing again.
The observational study found significant changes in age distribution between obesity-associated and nonobesity-associated cancer cases over the 16-year period. The analysis revealed notable sex and racial disparities, with certain populations experiencing a higher risk of developing obesity-associated cancers at younger ages.
Warner's project will expand her research on multigenerational planning in rural areas by adding public health as a key topic of concern for planners and regional scientists. The team aims to create an econometric model for livability that promotes economic development and public health across rural and urban communities.
The University of Texas System, along with Rice University, is partnering to expand clinical and translational research in Texas, producing better health outcomes for those in Texas and across the nation. The expansion will focus on clinical studies designed to improve medical outcomes for underrepresented populations.
Research reveals babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes treated with metformin have lower birthweight but increased weight at 18-24 months. Nutritional supplements for pregnant women improve infant immune response, highlighting the impact of mother's nutritional status on child health.
The 5-year $50-million strategy aims to overcome challenges with measures like research funding and ageism stigma reduction. Canada needs to learn from provinces and other countries to ensure the strategy's success.
New research from the University of Sydney suggests that electric fans can be beneficial in hot, humid conditions but detrimental in dry conditions. The study calls into question current guidelines recommending fan use only when temperature rises above 35 degrees Celsius.
The DOE has allocated $6.5 million to advance isotope research and development, focusing on cancer diagnostic and therapeutic agents, as well as improving production techniques. This funding will enhance isotope availability and purity for US applications in science, medicine, and industry.
A study of Finns with their similar DNA identified 26 potentially harmful genetic variations relevant to cardiovascular and metabolic health. These variations are more common in Finland than elsewhere in Europe, making them a valuable resource for understanding disease risk.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health has launched a new program providing six Cancer Research Fellows with up to two days of protected time per year. The fellows will focus on researching causes and cures for cancer, with funding covering their effort and time away from clinic.
Brown University's new Center for Addiction and Disease Risk Exacerbation (CADRE) will focus on the intersection of substance use and disease, establishing a clinical laboratory to collect blood samples and measure chemical markers. The center aims to reduce the burden of substance use through innovative research projects.
The ReBUILDetroit program, a partnership between University of Detroit Mercy and Wayne State University, has received a $19.4 million NIH grant renewal to provide scholarships and stipends for students enrolled in the program. The program aims to encourage underrepresented students to pursue careers in biomedical research.
Kent State University's Oleg Lavrentovich receives $540,000 grant to study 'Active colloids with tunable interactions in liquid crystals.' He also receives a $450,000 NSF award for 'Electrically tunable cholesteric optical filters,' with potential applications in biomedical imaging and smart windows.
A University of Oklahoma-led study has generated improved annual maps of tropical forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon from 2000-2017, revealing ~15% higher estimates than existing datasets. The study also shows a renewed increase in forest area loss after 2013, driven by land use change and strong El Nino.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has received a $18.7 million grant to expand biomedical research on complex diseases like cancer and diabetes. The grant aims to develop new medical devices and treatments while building a pipeline for the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.
Researchers aim to understand how aging immune system interacts with arteries, potentially informing treatment of heart disease. A five-year NIH grant will support the study, which involves recruiting 54 healthy adults across three age categories.
A group of scientists recommends large-scale collaborative research to tackle dry macular degeneration, with proposed methods including integrated collaboration and biorepository development. The panel aims to bring about meaningful clinical results by promoting multidisciplinary investigator teams.
A study using national insurance claims data found an association between opioid prescriptions after vaginal or cesarean delivery and increased rates of new persistent opioid use among US women. The study included over 988,000 women and explored the long-term effects of post-delivery opioid use.
Researchers will investigate the effects of Eastern Red Cedar's ecological processes and environmental factors on its range expansion. The project aims to understand how this invasive species impacts native plants and soil-nutrient availability.
Between 2007 and 2016, the proportion of US adults meeting aerobic activity guidelines remained relatively stable at around 65%, while sedentary behavior increased from 5.7 to 6.4 hours per day. This trend suggests a stagnation in physical activity levels despite updated guidelines recommending less sitting.
Brown University researchers will work with state and community partners to implement and evaluate a treatment program for people in community-based justice supervision. The program aims to improve outcomes for a larger set of people, including those on parole and probation, who are disproportionately affected by opioid use disorder.
A PSU biologist is investigating the link between a Western diet high in fat and sugar and its effects on the immune system, with a focus on chronic inflammation and sepsis severity. The researcher aims to identify molecular mechanisms behind this relationship and explore potential dietary interventions.
Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will study the metabolic changes in hibernating animals to develop new treatments for human health problems. The five-year grant will support research into hibernation-inspired therapies for conditions like muscle loss, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers have created a new technique called LADL that uses light to serve up on-demand genome folding, allowing for the manipulation of specific DNA loops on command. This technique combines CRISPR/Cas9 and optogenetics and has the potential to study the relationships between long-range loops and mechanisms determining gene express...
Researchers at PSU and UTMB will investigate the structure of Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1, which thrives in high-temperature acidic environments, to better understand protein interactions and viral evolution. The study may also reveal connections to HIV and potential anti-HIV drug development.
Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System are creating a new industry of microbe 'microbreweries' to produce customized probiotics. By optimizing gut microbiome growth and resource sharing, researchers aim to create tailored blends for various diseases, including autism, cancer, and depression.
A new study from Northwestern University shows that a free online training tool can significantly boost scientists' knowledge of team science and increase their self-confidence. The COALESCE tool has been validated by research to help scientists collaborate smoothly, reducing disputes over data access and authorship.
A study of 46,000 injured workers in Tennessee found long-term opioid use was common. Factors associated with long-term opioid use included pre-injury opioid use and type of job injury.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $6 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to support the development of a cortical vision research program. The program aims to understand how the eye and brain work together to restore vision, using cutting-edge technologies such as brain computer interfaces and optogenetics.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC has received a $4.5 million NIH grant to recruit underrepresented patients in cardiac surgery clinical trials. The grant aims to translate clinical research findings into clinical practice, addressing the No. 1 cause of mortality in the US.
Boston University School of Medicine researcher Tarik F. Haydar received a $453,750 NIH grant to develop human stem cell-derived cultures for studying white matter abnormality in Down syndrome. He aims to understand how neural stem cells generate the cerebral cortex.
Researchers identified a molecular mechanism that may be contributing to the global obesity epidemic. The study found that a protein called RAGE on the surface of fat cells can block fat burning when stressed, leading to weight gain. Removing RAGE from fat cells reduced weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet.
Ibrahim Tarik Ozbolat has received $1.5 million in grants to explore ways to bioprint biological tissues like bone, lungs and other organs for use as models in various studies. The projects will investigate current questions about bioprinting of cell spheroids and develop 3D printed models of the lung and upper respiratory environment.
Roxbury will use carbon nanotubes to examine living cells and study their interactions, with applications in detecting diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cancers. The research aims to develop non-invasive sensing methods.
A study using Veterans Affairs data found that patients with heart failure have a higher risk of death and complications after undergoing noncardiac surgery. The researchers compared over 355,000 patients with and without heart failure to identify these risks.
A study found that 21% of uninsured patients in Medicaid expansion states continued to lack health insurance post-ACA implementation, primarily due to language and legal barriers. These patients still sought frequent healthcare visits and had underlying health conditions requiring ongoing care.
A study of nearly 5,700 hospital employees found that food placement and traffic light labeling were associated with a reduction in calories purchased. The findings suggest that clearer labeling can help employees make healthier choices in the workplace cafeteria.
A recent study has deciphered the near-atomic structure of filaments called 'pili' that extend from the surface of bacteria causing traveler's diarrhea. This breakthrough may lead to the development of new treatments and vaccines for the disease.
A CWRU team will provide regulatory guidelines for non-traditional gene editing experiments, aiming to protect the public while encouraging creativity and innovation. The researchers will explore options such as licensure requirements, experiment reporting, and equipment restrictions.
A recent study by Waseda University reveals a decline in federally funded inventions and their technological impact, suggesting a need for a more effective grant review system. Strengthening translational science through targeted initiatives can help bridge the gap between bench-to-bedside research.
The OU Health Sciences Center has been awarded a $3.75 million federal grant to enhance dementia care in Oklahoma. The program aims to educate the workforce and create dementia-friendly health systems through partnerships with primary care clinics, nursing homes, and community organizations.
A team of UCI researchers, led by Kai Kessenbrock and Devon Lawson, will compile a high-resolution atlas of human breast tissue cell types and states. The project aims to document the intricate complexity of normal tissue homeostasis and disease, leading to new insights into breast cancer origins.
A 25-year study of US data found declining average health and worsening income disparities, but some progress in closing the racial gap. The study calls for new approaches to address health equity challenges.
A team of researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine discovered a sugary coating on ancient single-celled organisms that makes their protein filaments resistant to extreme conditions. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of durable clothing, carpet, and building materials.
A study found that increased educational attainment during childhood is associated with reduced heart disease and improved cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood. The authors suggest that policies to increase educational attainment could help reduce the burden of heart disease at a population level.
A new study found that walking interventions can lead to sustained increases in physical activity and a reduced risk of cardiovascular events and fractures. The research followed participants with pedometer-based walking interventions for up to four years, demonstrating the long-term health benefits of increased walking activity.
The Hollings Cancer Center has received a $3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to continue its research on a novel immunotherapy combination for treating lung cancer. The team, led by Mark Rubinstein and John Wrangle, aims to understand why some patients respond better to this treatment than others.
The University of Liverpool and LSTM have received £3.54m funding to develop a personalized approach to prevent and treat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The project aims to use AI, deep learning, and real-time monitoring to provide individualized treatment options for patients.