News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Research finds Polish Agency for Health Technology Assessment has reached 'gold' transparency standard, but still lags behind in disclosing conflicts of interest and drug prices. The study suggests that increased transparency is crucial to protect public health from undue influence by big pharma.
The first human settlers on the Scandinavian peninsula followed two distinct migration routes, resulting in a genetically diverse population. Genetic variants linked to physical performance and reduced skin pigmentation were found, indicating adaptation to cold environments.
A new study demonstrates how climate change can drive the collapse of marine food webs by altering trophic flows and promoting cyanobacterial proliferation. This can lead to reduced food availability for top predators, negatively impacting marine species diversity and fisheries productivity.
A team of six MSU professors aim to increase women's representation in agricultural science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. They will provide an online course targeting freshman and sophomore students, highlighting the diversity of roles and contributions by women currently working in agricultural careers.
A UTA researcher is leading a $400,000 project to create new pipeline-coating technology for six state transportation departments. The goal is to extend the design life of storm-water pipes and culverts by up to 50 years.
Clinical commissioning groups in England received over £3.7 million in payments from drug companies that were not disclosed to patients and the public. The findings show that only two-thirds of payments and a quarter of their value were listed in registers or declarations published by CCGs.
Research found that frequent alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death among those in lower socioeconomic positions. Moderate drinkers had a lower risk than infrequent drinkers. The study's findings highlight the need to consider socioeconomic factors when making recommendations on alcohol consumption.
Researchers discovered a new protein, CTL1, essential for ion homeostasis in plants. It regulates vesicle trafficking and affects plant growth and development by controlling auxin transporters.
Researchers identified a cluster of genes associated with antidepressant response in a mouse model, which were validated in human patients. The study suggests that molecular signatures can predict individual responses to treatment, potentially improving the quality of care for depressed patients.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that short-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution and ozone is linked to a higher risk of premature death among the elderly in the US, particularly those who are low-income, female, or Black.
Researchers found that increasing distance between bacterial membranes can block protective response, making them vulnerable to antibiotics. This new insight could lead to novel treatments and make currently available antibiotics more effective.
The KU center will continue to enable researchers to make breakthroughs in cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and bacterial infections. The $10.8 million grant supports research at KU and regional institutions, including core labs for genomic analysis, lab-on-a-chip devices, and molecular probe synthesis.
Seven researchers from Portugal, Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, and Turkey will receive €50,000 grants to set up independent laboratories. The funding aims to improve European science competitiveness by supporting talented scientists in countries with limited research resources.
Researchers developed micro-grippers that can navigate PacMan-like virtual mazes with up to 3.4 body-lengths per second. The grippers' shape and size were crucial for successful navigation.
Kansas State University researcher Anna Zinovyeva is studying microRNAs to understand their role in regulating gene expression, with potential breakthroughs for human health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The $1.8 million grant will support her lab's exploration of new leads in microRNA regulatory activity.
Researchers at Penn Medicine found that individuals with schizophrenia's own perceptions of their experiences can influence treatment outcomes. Cognitive insight, measured by the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, is a significant predictor of neurocognition and not vice versa.
The European Research Council has awarded a €2 million ERC Consolidator Grant to TU Darmstadt's Heinz Koeppl for his project 'CONSYN', which aims to improve the design of synthetic genetic circuits. The grant will support computational modelling and computer-aided circuit synthesis to overcome experimental challenges in synthetic biology.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded six grants totaling $836,494 to support farmer safety and health. The AgrAbility program provides direct agricultural assistance, education, and networking to farmers with disabilities, while the Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification (YFSEC) Program delivers time...
Scientists have developed a machine learning approach to identify distinct dolphin click patterns in large datasets. The algorithm, presented in PLOS Computational Biology, can distinguish between species in the wild and potentially aid remote monitoring of wild dolphins.
The IST Austria lab of Daria Siekhaus will explore the role of MFSD1 in metastasis in mice and humans. The project aims to understand its involvement in changes to proteins and their impact on metastasis.
The UK government has allocated £11 million to three interdisciplinary research consortia, advancing healthcare sensing systems research and addressing pressing health issues. The funding will support the continuation of vital collaborations, furthering the UK's status as an innovation nation.
A University of Arizona researcher is using a $2.3 million NIH grant to explore the role of SIRT1 in anxiety and depression. The study aims to develop novel antidepressants that target this protein, which has shown promise in reducing stress-induced anxiety.
A new clinical trial aims to test a novel treatment protocol that combines medication with follow-up support to prevent opioid relapse after recovery from an overdose. The trial, led by F. Gerard Moeller and Warren Bickel, involves patients receiving the investigational treatment in emergency rooms followed by outpatient care.
Researchers at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University are studying the effects of traumatic stress in women and brain function to improve understanding of impulse control. The five-year grant will support non-invasive imaging techniques to explore brain function in living humans and laboratory animals.
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research has launched the Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline to translate new discoveries into cancer therapies. The pipeline selected 10 projects for funding and will provide guidance from industry and academia experts.
Researchers at Boston University are developing a novel approach to deliver anti-retrovirals directly to lymphatic tissues to combat HIV replication. This targeted approach aims to improve drug penetration and eradicate virus reservoirs.
UC San Diego researchers receive nearly $8 million to develop and test stem cell-based treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The funding will support testing of novel therapeutic approaches targeting cancer stem cells in AML, which is responsible for a high relapse rate in the disease.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals that earlobe attachment is influenced by an interplay of at least 49 genes. This complex genetics challenges traditional teaching methods, which often focus on dominant and recessive genes.
Xiaocheng Jiang will use the $450,000 grant to develop innovative method of observing fundamental cellular and molecular processes using atomic-resolution electron microscopic methods. The platform could enable new insights about biologically significant processes such as bioelectrical signaling and cancer metastasis.
Biologists document changes in teeth and skull structure in two mouse species over the past 50 years, with the white-footed mouse showing more pronounced changes. The findings suggest a reversal in population proportions and highlight the consequences of climate change for small mammals.
Researchers from Princeton University and Uppsala University report a new species of bird developed on Daphne Major island after interbreeding between two distinct species. The study reveals that the emergence of this new species occurred in just two generations, highlighting a critical step in speciation through hybridization.
A mathematical model published in PLOS Medicine estimates that reducing the PMI budget by 44% would result in 67 million more malaria cases over four years. Maintaining funding would prevent 162 million cases and save 692,589 lives between 2017 and 2020.
Research reveals that fish continuously change which neighbor they pay attention to for seamless collective movement, challenging previous assumptions about coordination strategies. This finding has implications for optimizing and automating complex processes like swarms of drones.
Post-stroke delirium and spatial neglect affect approximately half of individuals with right-brain stroke, increasing their risk for prolonged stays and rehospitalization. Stroke survivors with spatial neglect are more likely to develop delirium, suggesting that these conditions may share a common brain mechanism.
The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System will improve quality of life for people with traumatic brain injury through comprehensive care, research, and resource dissemination. The system aims to optimize individual outcomes by addressing complex medical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges.
The NSF grant will enable Lehigh to acquire an E-XPS instrument, giving researchers unparalleled access to surface elemental composition and chemical state information. This capability will overcome limitations of traditional XPS instrumentation, advancing the fundamental science and design of advanced functional materials.
A new three-year Qualitative Research Award from the Department of Defense will explore strategies used by veterans with spinal cord injury to succeed in the workplace. Researchers will compare data from Spinal Cord Injury Model System and Veterans Health Administration to identify barriers and success factors.
The University of Copenhagen's new Collaborative Research Programme in Biomedical Innovation Law (CeBIL) aims to translate groundbreaking biomedical research into affordable therapies. CeBIL will study novel legal frameworks for drug development incentives and regulations, taking into account patient needs and market complexities.
A research team led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has identified 11 biomarkers that distinguish fatal Ebola infections from nonfatal ones. These biomarkers may aid in future treatment efforts and help clinicians prioritize scarce resources for the sickest patients.
Researchers at MUSC are testing whether mesenchymal stem cells can help people with treatment-resistant lupus. The study, led by Gary Gilkeson and Diane Kamen, marks a milestone in lupus research and aims to develop better treatments.
Researchers at Kent State University will investigate the use of probiotics during exercise in a hot environment. The study aims to understand how probiotic supplementation affects physical performance, psychological status, and cognitive function under heat stress.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that recent health care reforms in England did not lead to the expected decrease in hospitalisations and specialist visits. In fact, there was an increase in outpatient specialist visits, resulting in 3.7 million additional specialist visits between 2012 and 2015.
A study by Penn State researchers found that EMTALA violations are often caused by confusion about the law and conflicting priorities between healthcare professionals. Hospitals may not report suspected violations due to financial pressure, referral burdens, or reluctance to maintain good relationships with other hospitals.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine are studying the genetic protections against Alzheimer's disease using two existing longitudinal studies on aging. The study aims to identify networks of genes in healthy centenarians that protect them against dementia, which could help identify new targets for drugs to treat Alzheimer's.
A study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that nearly 40% of middle-aged adults with functional impairment experience further decline or death within 10 years. Functional impairment is more common than previously thought, affecting over 1 in 5 adults before age 64.
The University of Arizona Health Sciences has been awarded a $943,000 grant to study the effects of simulated space radiation on the human gastrointestinal tract. The Human-Microbial Cross-Talk 'gut-on-a-chip' platform will provide insights into how solar events and cosmic rays affect humans in space.
The American Heart Association has awarded $2 million in grants to researchers, clinicians and computer engineers to develop precision medicine projects. The grants will support the use of cloud computing and data analytics to improve cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.
A special issue of PLOS Medicine presents groundbreaking research on HIV prevention, treatment, and cure. Studies reveal improved outcomes with combined interventions aimed at linking patients to care and retention, as well as substantial benefits for people with HIV.
The Academy supports innovative research in rheumatology education and promotes teaching excellence, resulting in the creation of unique curricula, iBooks, and mobile apps. Grant recipients have produced national meeting abstracts, given presentations, and written manuscripts, enhancing their careers and improving patient care.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified the key player in the immune system's defense against Candida albicans, a fungus that causes oral thrush. The study reveals that a fungal toxin called Candidalysin plays a crucial role in triggering an immune response to prevent infection.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded over $13.6 million in Young Investigator Grants to 196 promising young scientists, supporting innovative research into psychiatric disorders affecting one in five people. The grants aim to identify causes, improve treatments and develop prevention strategies for conditions like addic...
A five-year, $2.6 million grant will fund the Pregnant and Mothers Postpartum Enhanced Recovery-Oriented Residential Services (PAMPERRS) program at Santa Maria Hostel in Houston. The program aims to treat underlying mental health conditions in high-risk pregnant and postpartum women seeking recovery services.
Patients with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing serious liver disease compared to those with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a large population-based study. The study found that systemic inflammation plays a significant role in the development of liver disease in these patients.
A new study from Penn researchers shows that a reflexive system of the human eye also produces a conscious, visual experience that may be related to excessive light sensitivity. The findings suggest that people have brain activity and a visual experience in response to invisible light pulses that stimulate melanopsin cells.
Researchers developed a mathematical model of cefixime resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, estimating that treating up to 25% of cases with cefixime would not lead to resistance re-emerging. The study suggests cefixime may be an effective alternative to current treatments in the fight against antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhea.
A national study has launched mobile stroke units, which bring highly trained personnel and advanced medical equipment to patients in need of rapid treatment. The units have shown promise in improving patient outcomes and efficiency, with the potential to enable faster diagnosis and treatment of strokes.
The South Carolina Cancer Disparities Research Center aims to understand the reasons behind racial and ethnic health disparities in cancer research. The center will increase SCSU's ability to conduct cutting-edge research, inspire new generations of researchers, and engage the general public in cancer research.
The American Cancer Society has awarded Boston University School of Medicine with a three-year, $270,000 Institutional Research Grants program award to support early-stage cancer research by junior faculty. This funding will provide grants per year and is valued for its opportunity to establish proof-of-concept.
Multiple sclerosis is believed to be a single disease with varied symptoms due to the same underlying biological mechanism: immune system attack on nerve cells. Computational simulations support this hypothesis by reproducing the variability of disease courses seen in patients.
A nearly complete Jurassic ichthyosaur fossil was discovered in India, measuring over 5.5 meters in length. The fossil is believed to belong to the Ophthalmosauridae family and is thought to have lived between 165-90 million years ago.