News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The New York Genome Center has received a $1.5 million grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to develop a single-cell analysis toolkit. The project will leverage multimodal methods to identify disease-causing genes and extract more information at reduced cost.
A team of scientists is using single-cell sequencing to map the diversity of cells in the human heart, aiming to understand how different cell types contribute to its function. The research, part of the Human Cell Atlas initiative, aims to provide a reference for future studies on heart diseases.
Researchers used a non-invasive device to investigate blood volume and oxygenation in freely diving harbor seals, finding that they constrict peripheral blood vessels and increase cerebral blood volume before submersion. This suggests that seals have cognitive control over their circulatory systems.
Researchers found that homing pigeons increase their wingbeat frequency by one extra beat per second when flying in pairs compared to solo. This is equivalent to Usain Bolt running at his usual speed while adding nearly one extra step per second.
Self-reported cigarette smoking rates increased by 3.8 percentage points among under-represented minority students after affirmative action bans were enacted. This study found a link between college affirmative action bans and adverse effects on health risk behaviors in minority populations.
A new study aims to develop safe throwing amounts for young baseball players by tracking their total number of throws and intensity. The research team will use sensor technology to capture data on 10-11 year old male competitive pitchers over 12 months.
Geetu Tuteja, an assistant professor at Iowa State University, has been selected as a Pew Scholar to study genetic networks that establish a healthy connection between embryos and their mothers. She will receive a four-year, $300,000 grant to conduct biomedical research aimed at advancing human health.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has funded research for 10 postdoctoral fellows from six Latin American countries to conduct studies in the US. The researchers aim to advance biomedical science and expand scientific expertise in their home countries.
Researchers attach a removable lock to an arthritis drug to reduce systemic immune suppression and neutralization, making it safer and more effective. The modified form of the antibody shows promise in treating rheumatoid arthritis with fewer infections and less development of anti-infliximab antibodies.
Researchers have identified a protein called eNAMPT that plays a vital role in keeping mice healthy. Supplementing older mice with this protein extends their life spans and slows the decline in health, including improved insulin production, sleep quality, and cognitive function.
Four multi-institutional research projects were awarded up to $50,000 in funding through iTHRIV's Pilot Translational and Clinical Studies Program. These projects aim to address potentially life-threatening disorders such as hereditary angioedema and improve diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases.
A $1.6 million NIH grant supports a study using virtual reality (VR) to improve perspective-taking skills in youth with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD). The research aims to assess the effectiveness of VR-based interventions in increasing empathy and reducing disruptive behaviors.
A UC Riverside researcher is leading a three-year study to investigate the long-term impact of cannabis exposure on metabolic diseases like Type 2 diabetes. The project aims to explore how cannabis affects glucose homeostasis and its relationship with the endocannabinoid system.
Bariatric surgery patients are nearly triple as likely to die from drug- and alcohol-related causes compared to the general public. Fewer than half of those who died had triggered a safety protocol for problematic substance use.
The Centre of Genomics and Policy at McGill University will develop policies, tools, and support to enable efficient and ethical international data sharing for the Human Cell Atlas. The project aims to address regulatory and ethical questions arising from research at scale, including patient consent and guiding principles.
A new study reveals a decade-long increase in education specialists in CSU science departments, with the number of experts growing by over 50% since 2008. These specialists are better-funded and more formally trained in science education, focusing on improving courses and supporting K-12 science education.
The Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (KBRIN) has received a $18.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to enhance biomedical research in Kentucky. The network provides access to equipment, collaborative networks, and funding for early-stage researchers.
A nationwide register study found no increased risk of congenital malformations in children conceived after their fathers received radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, followed 4,207 children of 2,380 fathers and compared the risks before and after treatment.
Plan U proposes funder mandates for preprint servers, making research papers accessible sooner and stimulating evolution of the publication system. This approach has been demonstrated by existing preprint servers like arXiv, which hosts over a million papers and brings benefits to biology.
A new center will bring together researchers to better understand the relationships between advances in radiation therapy, cancer signaling pathways, and the immune system's ability to control cancer. The center aims to uncover novel insights into cancer biology with potential for more effective treatments.
Researchers will conduct a randomized trial of autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue injection to alleviate disabling shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. The study aims to explore regenerative approaches to reducing pain and disability among individuals with spinal cord injury.
Klemens Engelberg has been awarded a $65,000 grant by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation to research the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The funding will support his study of how the parasite divides and causes damage in human cells.
Dr. Helen Genova of Kessler Foundation has received a $357,000 grant from the New Jersey Governor's Council to develop a virtual reality job training tool for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The study aims to improve interview skills and increase confidence among teens with autism.
The AccessLab project enables broader access to scientific research through direct citizen-scientist pairings. Community groups and artists have benefited from the initiative, which exposes science researchers to accessibility challenges and promotes inclusive publishing.
A new SFB will analyze the influence of non-coded RNAs on cardiovascular system processes. The collaboration aims to find new therapeutic target molecules for cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at University of Virginia Health System are using a unique approach to understand cell communication via pannexin channels. By discovering how cells communicate, they aim to manipulate the channels to better treat major health threats such as high blood pressure and fatty liver disease.
Computational modeling reveals that vaccination success increases with access to local information about disease prevalence, rather than relying solely on global data. This suggests a need for strategic dissemination of detailed incidence data to inform individual vaccination decisions.
The Collaborative Research Centre SFB/Transregio 102 at MLU is expanding its scope to investigate hybrid polymers, a combination of synthetic and protein-based materials. The researchers aim to gain a better understanding of these novel molecules and their potential applications in medicine and materials research.
A recent analysis found that the UK drug industry donated over £57 million to patient organisations between 2012 and 2016. The majority of this funding was directed towards commercially high-profile conditions such as cancer and diabetes, with companies prioritising public involvement, research engagement, and advocacy.
A study found that UK heart failure patients receive suboptimal care, with gaps in screening, follow-up, and medication doses disproportionately affecting women and older individuals. The study suggests improvements are needed in health services design to support high-quality care.
The Maine INBRE program has received a $18 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to strengthen biomedical research and research training in Maine. The program provides opportunities for undergraduate students and young faculty members to gain research experience and skills, leading to advancements in hum...
The NINDS R35 grant will fund the Casaccia lab's work to elucidate signals regulating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in healthy brains, addressing normal and dysfunctional cell behavior. This award supports long-term research on regenerative properties of progenitor cells and their role in neurological diseases.
A pre-clinical study investigates the use of nicotine-like medications to reduce limb damage caused by inflammation. The research could potentially modulate the immune response to protect limbs after an injury.
A genomic collision may explain why many kidney transplants fail due to genetic incompatibility between donor and recipient. The study found that recipients with two copies of a deletion near the LIMS1 gene had a significantly higher risk of rejection when the donor kidney had at least one full-sized version of the same gene.
Researchers will investigate stress chemicals and circuits in the brain to understand persistent changes in sleep and circadian rhythms. The study aims to develop new brain targets for medication development and improve diagnosis accuracy.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention has received a five-year, $3.75 million grant from the CDC to expand its Med-South Lifestyle Program, which aims to reduce chronic disease risk in rural and minority populations.
A study of nearly 134,000 patients found that age significantly impacts the risk of death for ICU patients, extending beyond the initial hospital stay. The association between age and mortality risk was observed even three years after discharge.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have made a groundbreaking discovery about how neurons function normally. By artificially augmenting the electrical signals of isolated neurons, they found that the cells can adjust to changes in their environment without significant harm. This finding could lead to new treatments for spinal co...
Researchers found buprenorphine office visits increased from 0.04% to 0.36% of ambulatory visits between 2004-2015, with 13.4 million visits from 2012-2015. Buprenorphine prescriptions were more common among white patients than those of other races/ethnicities.
A new study by Duke University scientists reveals that tropical and subtropical fish are taking up residence on shipwrecks and other sunken structures off the North Carolina coast. The artificial reefs created by these structures serve as stepping stones for fish moving northward in search of suitable habitat.
Stand Up To Cancer has awarded five research teams a total of $1.25 million to explore cross-cutting questions in cancer treatment through innovative collaboration. The grant program aims to bring together outstanding researchers from different teams to make use of the extraordinary talent across the SU2C community.
A $30 million federal grant will accelerate the search for a universal flu vaccine that can provide longer-lasting protection. The study, which involves over 2,000 sets of mothers and infants from the US and Mexico City, aims to understand how the immune system responds to first flu virus exposures.
A new study found that running caused forced vibrations in the wings of a primitive dinosaur, potentially leading to passive wing flapping. This motion could have developed earlier than gliding flight and may have contributed to the evolution of flying in birds.
Laxman Gangwani's research project aims to explore the protective effects of senataxin on spinal muscular atrophy motor neurons. The goal is to identify potential therapeutic targets in humans if the research shows a positive role for senataxin in a mouse model of SMA.
The Center for Translation Neurotrauma Imaging (CTNI) aims to pioneer biomarkers, diagnostics, and therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. The facility will create novel brain imaging techniques to track subtle changes in the brain after neurotrauma.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $2.7 million grant to the Leadership Alliance to support expanded mentoring opportunities for underrepresented groups in biomedical science. The grant will provide funding for workshops, research career development, and one-on-one mentoring for students and junior faculty from historicall...
Researchers will assess whether mass treatment with primaquine can prevent relapses of Plasmodium vivax malaria along the borders of Thailand and Myanmar. The project aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a preventive malaria treatment that could benefit up to 80% of the population.
The UCI Skin Biology Resource-based Center will provide critical research infrastructure and resources for investigating skin biology and diseases. The center aims to discover fundamental mechanisms that may ultimately improve the understanding and treatment of skin diseases.
The study aims to explore the differences between B cells and antibody-secreting cells in accessible and inaccessible tissues, which may impact autoimmunity, transplant rejection, and resistance to infections. The researchers will analyze tissue samples from 90-100 donors over five years.
A study of over 25 million pregnant women found that quitting smoking during pregnancy significantly lowers the risk of preterm birth. The research also revealed that smoking cessation rates at the start and during pregnancy have increased in recent years.
Researchers found that light-intensity physical activity is associated with larger brain volume and healthy brain aging. The study suggests that achieving even moderate levels of physical activity may be beneficial for preventing dementia.
The study examined the privacy practices of popular apps for depression and smoking cessation, assessing both policy disclosures and actual data sharing. Researchers found that 36 apps shared user data with commercial third parties despite inadequate privacy policies.
NRG Oncology received $95 Million in NCI funding for six years, based on exceptional peer review scores. The organization will focus on increasing accrual, supporting young investigators, and raising awareness of clinical cancer research.
The UTSA researcher will work with 300 students over three years, assessing their oral language proficiencies and English reading outcomes. The project aims to inform instruction and assessment for bilingual/DLL students.
A recent study by Georgetown University Medical Center found that only a quarter of PCORI-funded trials between 2015-2018 examined primary care, while specialty care received the majority funding. The study's authors argue that this is wasteful, as most healthcare is accessed within primary care settings.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that oxytocin administration can block excess drinking in alcohol-dependent rats, suggesting a potential novel pharmaceutical intervention for treating alcohol-use disorder. Oxytocin also blocked altered GABA signaling in the brain region affected by alcohol dependence.
Researchers at ICFO have developed a graphene-enabled photodetector that operates at room temperature, is highly sensitive, and very fast. This breakthrough enhances the performance of existing terahertz detectors, paving the way for the creation of fully digital low-cost camera systems.
The PATHS program, funded by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grants, aims to empower underrepresented students to succeed in STEM fields at UC San Diego. The initiative replicates successful models from UMBC's Meyerhoff Scholars Program and offers research experiences, team learning, peer counseling, and more.
A study by UCSF researchers found that nearly one in seven kidney donors experience potentially adverse events related to their donation. Long-term systematic renal monitoring and routine checkups for living kidney donors are recommended to prevent renal failure and cardiovascular issues.
Researchers found elevated tau protein levels in brain regions affected by CTE in living former NFL players with cognitive and mood symptoms. The study also discovered a correlation between years of tackle football played and tau protein levels.