News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
A new study published in PLOS Biology found that plant parts with longer lifespans, such as stems and roots, have lower mutation rates compared to those with shorter lifespans, like leaves and petals. The researchers also discovered that plants with more future prospects for mutations tend to have lower relative mutation rates.
The £1.1 million project aims to develop bioresorbable stents that prevent complications associated with metal stents, treating severe peripheral vascular disease. The new device will dissolve between 18-24 months, preventing life-long presence of metal stents and associated chronic inflammation.
A new study has discovered that the enzyme STK25 regulates Hippo signaling in a novel manner, leading to its deregulation in human cancers. This finding may enable the development of new anticancer therapeutic options.
Professor Thomas Rudel received a €2.5 million ERC Advanced Grant to study how Chlamydia evades the human immune system and cause chronic diseases like cervical cancer. The grant aims to develop new therapies to overcome this 'blindness' and improve treatment outcomes for Chlamydia infections.
The UMD Institute for Genome Sciences has been awarded $17.5 million to continue its genome-based investigation of polymicrobial infectious disease outcomes. The grant will support research into host-pathogen-microbiome interactions, focusing on multiple bacteria, fungal pathogens, and parasitic tropical diseases.
The Prometheus Center for Excellence in Translational Research aims to develop antibody-based therapies against four highly lethal viruses with no approved vaccines or treatments. The project will leverage existing research on ebolavirus and apply it to other emerging viruses, focusing on virus transmission from animals to humans.
Researchers are developing a system to test multiple biomarkers at once and a smartphone-based analysis and reporting system for disease monitoring and home care. They aim to identify predictive biomarkers to empower patients to monitor their own disease and prevent serious complications.
Researchers at Goethe University are investigating the development of synthetic drugs from natural substances, economic mechanisms in the Internet, and the connection between social inequality and societal stability. The EU has funded three projects: SYNPEP, POLAR, and COOKIES, which aim to improve our understanding of these issues.
A new study found that HIV-infected veterans with elevated depressive symptoms have a 23% higher mortality risk compared to those without HIV. In contrast, depression was not significantly associated with increased mortality in HIV-uninfected individuals.
A team of researchers led by H. Paul LeBlanc III has developed a software prototype aimed at reducing the time companies spend training data analysts, using statistical knowledge in real-world research problems. The NSF grant will help them refine their product and develop a suite of software products for commercial use.
Konstanz researchers Dina Dechmann, Alex Jordan, and Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin receive HFSP grants to study seasonal brain change in shrews, coordination in animal groups, and network design inspired by plant societies. The projects aim to uncover new approaches to fundamental biology problems.
Dr Elena Esposito is studying how algorithms predict the future's impact on society, focusing on personalized insurance, precision medicine, and predictive policing.
Researchers developed a new statistical tool to observe interaction among variables influencing phytoplankton abundance over time. They identified a synergistic effect between water temperature and phytoplankton predation, providing insights into spatial synchrony of phytoplankton blooms.
TGen has received two grants totaling $6.1 million to study deadly lung diseases such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), with an estimated 50,000 US patients diagnosed annually. Researchers aim to identify genomic factors driving the disease and develop more precise treatments.
An investigation by The BMJ found that many NHS trusts are keeping secret details of their partnerships with drug companies, despite official guidance for transparency. Joint working arrangements between the NHS and industry have spent over £7.5m on projects such as ADHD medication reviews and age-related macular degeneration treatments.
Researchers at VUMC and TGen are studying Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and irreversible lung disease affecting 50,000 Americans annually. The grants will help identify specific gene expression changes driving the disease, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments.
Researchers will compare DNA from sepsis patients who died and survived to isolate signals and identify future drug targets. The study, funded by Sepsis Research, aims to better understand how genes govern sepsis recovery.
A meta-analysis from Penn Nursing's Center for Health Outcomes & Policy Research has linked better nurse work environments to lower odds of negative outcomes, including patient mortality. The study analyzed data from over 2,600 hospitals and found a strong association between the nurse work environment and patient and clinician well-be...
Researchers have identified microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) as a pivotal protein in the maintenance of melanocytes and survival of melanoma cells. A chemical inhibitor of MITF has been found to prevent growth of human melanoma cells, suggesting that MITF expression levels can predict sensitivity to such therapies.
Researchers have identified two new genes, ING3 and EPDR1, that affect bone-forming cells and may lead to stronger bone mineral density and fracture prevention. The study's innovative use of three-dimensional genomic geography analysis could also aid in the discovery of new treatments for other genetic diseases.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that inflammatory monocytes facilitate the progression of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in mice, contrary to their expected role as immune cells. In the absence of these monocytes, murine survival is improved and fungal burden decreases.
A study found that a specific klotho genotype interacts with severe PTSD symptoms to accelerate cellular aging. This interaction highlights the potential role of klotho as a therapeutic target for protecting against age-related inflammation and loss of neural integrity.
Butler Hospital has been awarded a $12 million, five-year COBRE grant to focus on clinical-translational brain research. The goal of the Center for Neuromodulation (CCN) is to develop novel treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases by understanding and testing methods to change brain circuit functioning.
The University of Minnesota is leading a $9.7 million NIH grant to develop an implantable device that can restore more natural hearing to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The new technology aims to bypass the cochlea and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, improving activation in noisy environments and music.
James Bray, a UTSA psychologist, is training first responders in Houston to recognize prescription opioid overdoses and administer naloxone. This project aims to provide treatment services for overdose victims through the Houston Recovery Center.
Caterina Strambio De Castillia has been named a CZI Imaging Scientist and received over $1 million in grant funding to develop standardized tools for microscopic imaging. The grant aims to facilitate sharing of reproducible datasets, analytical procedures, and analysis results among biomedical researchers.
A team of researchers, including University of Utah engineers, are working on a new procedure to restore hearing loss using an implantable device that sends electrical impulses to the auditory nerve. The device has shown promise in improving sound resolution and compatibility with existing hearing aids.
New research reveals a previously unknown mechanism for microbes to conserve energy in lean times. By ejecting their flagella, bacteria can avoid switching to a stationary phase and prevent potential leakage of cellular contents.
A University of Texas at Arlington nursing professor has been awarded $6.575 million in grants to combat debilitating musculoskeletal diseases such as sarcopenia and osteoporosis. His research aims to advance discovery of how aging leads to these conditions, with the goal of developing new diagnostics and treatments.
This analysis of US outpatient prescribing records reveals a two-to-three-fold variation in opioid prescribing metrics among states, with significant implications for policy and public health. Researchers suggest that this data can inform state-specific laws, policies, and interventions to address opioid-related problems.
A study of a single male narwhal found that it spends over half its time diving to depths of over 700m in search of halibut, cod, and squid. The whale can also last for several days without eating, using stored energy reserves.
The Detroit Cardiovascular Training Program at Wayne State University has received a significant boost from the NIH, with $1.29 million in additional funding. The program, which began in 2014, will now offer training to six trainees instead of four, strengthening its ability to attract top talent.
Researchers discovered a 'snapping organ' in planthopper bugs that enables them to produce fast, rhythmic motions of their abdomen to attract mates. The mechanism involves the release of stored elastic energy, allowing the bugs to communicate effectively despite their small size.
Researchers at University at Buffalo are developing an online intervention based on motivational interviewing to help dental patients improve oral health behaviors. The program aims to promote behavior change by guiding patients to identify their own reasons and plans for change.
Researchers at Children's National Hospital will examine genetic mutations causing nephrotic syndrome using Drosophila. The goal is to develop targeted treatments for pediatric patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.
Black-majority neighborhoods in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago face disparities in access to trauma centers, with racial/ethnic disparities only significant in New York after accounting for poverty. The study suggests trauma planning should address racial equity, particularly in densely populated areas like New York.
A Marshall University researcher has been awarded a nearly $500,000 NIH grant to investigate the role of thymidine phosphorylase in thrombosis. The study aims to clarify the pathways mediating TYMP-enhanced platelet activation and establish pharmacological inhibition as a novel anti-thrombotic therapy.
A new technology aims to bridge the gap for visually impaired students in STEM fields by using robotics, touchscreen technology, and sound. The project focuses on developing graphics and simulations that can be felt and heard, enabling equal access to math, engineering, and science concepts.
Weidong Zhou aims to develop energy-efficient lasers using nanophotonic cavities and nanostructured materials, enabling faster data transmission and sensing applications. His research explores carrier dynamics and quantum dots to achieve maximum efficiency.
A novel treatment targeting solitary B cells improved lung disease in CVID patients, offering a safer alternative to broad immunosuppressive therapies. Researchers identified elevated IgM levels as a marker of lung disease progression, allowing for precise timing of treatment and potential future therapeutic targets.
A study published in PLOS Medicine has confirmed and quantified the association between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and microcephaly in Brazil. The research found that women infected with Zika virus early in pregnancy were almost 17 times more likely to have a child with microcephaly.
A recent grant will allow researcher Wendy Walker to study immune cell contributions to sepsis, a life-threatening disorder with a high mortality rate. Her goal is to manipulate these cells to improve clinical outcomes and potentially cure the disease.
A researcher has received a $960,000 grant to further study the 'scissor-like' protein GGT, which is overexpressed in several types of cancers. The goal is to develop a new drug that can block GGT's activity and provide insight into how to treat these diseases.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine and the Kellogg School of Management found that women principal investigators received an average grant amount of $126,615 compared to $165,721 for men. Despite equal backgrounds, women face a significant funding disadvantage that can impact their career advancement.
The integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia has been awarded a five-year grant to advance innovative ideas from discovery to implementation. The institute brings together partners with established strengths in biomedical research, data science, and clinical trials to transform translational research.
Researchers have discovered a combination drug therapy that may effectively combat pancreatic cancer. The Pancreatic Cancer Collective, led by Martin McMahon and David Tuveson, has received funding to support clinical trials of the new treatment.
A UCI researcher has been awarded $2.7 million to investigate the role of ion channel transporters in neurological disorders such as epilepsy. The research aims to develop new therapeutic agents targeting these complexes to treat human disease.
Research tracked drinking habits of over 4,000 people from teens to thirties and found most mothers returned to pre-pregnancy drinking patterns within five years. The study also reported that 15% of mothers with a child aged five or older reported binge drinking in the past week.
Researchers have identified anomalies in the dorsal language stream of the brain connected to speech in children with apraxia. This discovery could lead to more targeted treatments for children with the debilitating disorder, which affects their ability to form social relationships and quality of life.
The study analyzed data on over 351,000 opioid-related deaths from 1999 to 2016, revealing a significant increase in mortality rates in the eastern United States. Synthetic opioids were found to be driving these increases, prompting policymakers to reconsider their strategies for reducing opioid-related deaths.
A UVA researcher is developing a new approach to determine molecular structures, which could lead to breakthroughs in drug discovery and disease treatment. The method, called Serial Solution Scattering Structure Determination (S4D), aims to collect small amounts of information from many easily prepared samples.
A large study found an association between whole grain and high dietary fiber intake with a lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings suggest that incorporating more whole grains into the diet may help reduce liver cancer risk.
Boston University School of Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $482,400 NIH grant to bolster the development of physician-scientists. The grant will support a summer research program for first-year medical students, providing them with research experience and opportunities to present their work at national conferences.
A researcher at Georgia State University is studying how dietary fiber can protect against diabetes and other metabolic disorders. The study aims to develop new strategies to maintain a healthy gut-microbiota relationship, which could enable safe treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield have made a groundbreaking discovery in decomposition theory, which will enable greater accuracy in the manufacture of complex products. The breakthrough is expected to offer more functionality and significantly lower costs for advanced manufacturers.
A new smartphone-based tobacco cessation study aims to help smokers quit using a tailored messaging system that predicts when they are most likely to relapse. The app, called Smart-T, has shown promising results in previous studies, with 22% of participants quitting smoking compared to 15% in other groups.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that a combination of two drugs, including an immunotherapy agent, significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates compared to a standard treatment. The results suggest that the new treatment may become a new standard for first-line treatment for patients with metastatic kidney cancer.
A new study published in Nature Human Behavior found no evidence of racial or gender bias in the initial review phase of National Institutes of Health grants. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison analyzed over 400 reviewer responses and found that reviewers were focused on the grant applications themselves, rather than ...
Two Clemson University bioengineers, Will Richardson and Naren Vyavahare, have received NIH grants for new research related to the heart, totaling $4.1 million. They are working on projects aimed at treating cardiac fibrosis and reversing vascular calcification, which could impact millions of patients with cardiovascular disease.
A study conducted in rural Uganda found that verbal autopsy interviews performed by community health workers provided more accurate data on deaths than traditional health facility-dependent surveillance methods. The results showed that many deaths were not reported due to incomplete or inaccurate patient registration at health facilities.