News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The grant aims to improve the quality of donated livers and reduce organ rejection in transplanted patients. Researchers will focus on developing novel therapeutic strategies to prevent graft rejection and opportunistic infections.
Martha Sajatovic, MD, receives international grants to develop and test adherence enhancement programs for chronic psychiatric disorders. The projects also explore patient-centered approaches to diabetes management, including Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs) and targeted training for illness management.
Researchers will investigate the role of Mustn1 in cartilage regeneration and skeletal repair using genetically altered mice. The study aims to elucidate a new protein family important for cartilage and bone biology.
Dr. Richard McIndoe receives $12.8 million grant to continue leading a national research initiative focused on diabetic complications, including nerve and kidney damage, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. The consortium supports short-term studies and summer programs for medical students.
A CCNY-led team, including expert Ana Carnaval, will receive $500,000 over five years for their project exploring biodiversity's effects on the planet and human well-being. The team's research aims to understand how biodiversity is generated, maintained, and lost, highlighting its crucial role in addressing societal challenges.
LSU Health New Orleans has been awarded a $10 million grant to support research on viruses that cause cancer. The funding will be used to study the molecular details of virus-host interactions and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are working on two major cardiovascular diseases: heart failure after heart attacks and resistant high blood pressure. They hope to create new treatments using a combination of engineered heart patches and novel molecular pathways.
Research reveals that estrogen hormones regulate gene expression through a multi-step process involving sequential recruitment of coactivators. The study, published in Molecular Cell, shows that the addition of specific coactivator CARM1 guides subsequent steps leading to gene activation.
The UMass Amherst STEM Ambassadors Program aims to draw in young people from underrepresented groups in STEM, providing mentoring and research opportunities. The program has seen improvement in retention rates, with students becoming prepared for labs and problem-solving.
A recent study found that European countries with high levels of biodiversity, such as Portugal and Slovakia, receive less funding for conservation than expected. The study suggests that the main European directives on conservation focus too much on bird species, leading to an underfunding of other taxonomic groups.
A new study published in PLOS Biology reveals that different firing patterns of neurons alter proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursors, which provide insulation to neuronal axons. The findings suggest a complex interplay between neurons and non-neuronal cells supporting them.
The UMass Amherst researcher will lead a multi-university project to design artificial autonomous systems with potential applications in personalized medicine and other areas. The goal is to mimic nature's mechanisms for autonomous responses, enabling new innovations and capabilities.
A study found associations between parental BMIs and offspring metabolic traits, but the link was not significantly stronger for maternal BMI, arguing against an intra-uterine mechanism. After accounting for offspring BMI, the data suggested that familial factors rather than intra-uterine overnutrition explain the relationship.
A new study from Penn researchers found a strong association between high moral reasoning and increased activity in the brain's reward system. This link suggests that positive motivations towards others play a crucial role in moral reasoning development, with higher levels of morality linked to more advanced principles and ethical rules.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has received two highly competitive post-doctoral Institutional Training Grants for genomic science. The grants will support training programs in translational medicine and informatics, as well as the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetics and genomics.
Ouyang aims to decipher RNA structure's role in post-transcriptional regulation, providing insights into health and diseases. He plans to develop a precise genomic blueprint for clinical diagnoses and prognoses, as well as new therapies for cancer and other diseases.
A new study has identified fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) as a potential target for treating alcoholic liver disease. The research found that FGF21 levels increase in the blood after alcohol consumption, providing protection against liver damage.
The University of Houston has received a $2 million grant to recruit cancer researcher Rohith Reddy, who will focus on next-generation technologies for detecting gynecological cancers. The institution also received a $1.3 million grant to expand tobacco cessation programs in substance abuse treatment centers.
A study by researchers at Mount Sinai identified a brain mechanism that makes siblings of bipolar patients resilient to the disease. The brain can adapt to its biological risk, opening new avenues for research on enhancing resilience.
Kolachalama's research aims to improve cardiovascular treatments by developing models for smarter artery care and improving drug-coated angioplasty balloons. The $231,000 Scientist Development grant will support his three-year study on the mechanisms of drug-coated balloon therapy.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute's Board approved $115 million to fund 20 comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) studies on various conditions. These studies will investigate the most effective approaches to care planning, opioid prescribing, palliative care and more.
Researchers designed a therapeutic fusion protein that triggers increased S1P receptor activity, recovering blood vessel health in mice with various vascular diseases. The combination of ApoM-Fc and S1P reduced blood pressure and mitigated tissue damage.
The PCORI Board approved $10 million for two studies to compare strategies for reducing unsafe opioid prescribing and improving pain management. The studies will focus on Medicaid payer strategies and healthcare provider interventions to expand non-opioid approaches, with the goal of providing evidence-based information to improve pati...
Researchers will investigate regulatory mechanisms and biomarkers of healthy aging, aiming to understand why the immune system weakens with age. The study may lead to new treatments for age-related health issues, such as increased vulnerability to infections and cancers.
In fiscal 2016-17, UCI researchers secured $378 million in grants and contracts, with a strong focus on health research and collaborations with companies. The funding reflects continued support for the university's world-class faculty, facilities, and community-based programs.
Researchers will investigate how loss of protective barrier protein TCPTP contributes to IBD and identify novel molecular pathways. They aim to correct intestinal barrier defects using JAK signaling pathway inhibitors, which are being tested in clinical trials.
Researchers Kartik Chandran and Jonathan Lai will develop broadly active monoclonal antibody therapies for Ebola and extend the strategy to Marburg virus. They will also investigate how hantaviruses enter the human body.
A University of Oklahoma biology professor has been awarded a $1.2 million National Science Foundation grant to investigate the impact of climate on terrestrial arthropod communities. The project aims to generate standardized field data on ground-dwelling arthropods, which are abundant and diverse animal groups.
Two researchers, Suneel Apte and Jeffrey Holmes, have been awarded grants to study the extracellular matrix, a key component in heart health and disease. Their research aims to uncover novel disease markers and targets for developing drugs to treat cardiovascular disease.
A report by three neurosurgeons highlights industry's growing role in funding neurosurgery research, while also addressing ethical concerns and disparities. The authors advocate for careful oversight and disclosure to maintain high ethical standards.
Scientists explore gene therapy for injured peripheral nerves, aiming to improve functional recovery after microsurgical repair. The approach involves modifying a directional cue for nerve cells to promote fast regeneration and functional recovery.
A cohort of 861 adults aged 70-90 years showed that greater reaction time variation predicted all-cause mortality. The findings suggest that reaction time variability could be an independent marker for predicting shorter time to death, even when accounting for other risk factors.
The Regenstrief Institute is developing a novel, real-world automated patient identification system to tackle the challenge of matching patients with their medical records. The system aims to address the issue of inaccurate or incomplete patient data, which can lead to preventable medical errors and poor health outcomes.
The UH biotech program will expand to five colleges and universities nationwide, implementing its innovative approach to integrating classroom instruction and research. The program aims to demonstrate its effectiveness across various higher education institutions and has the potential to address real-world issues such as environmental ...
A four-year grant will explore nanoparticle-mediated manipulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors to limit intestinal inflammation and promote wound healing in IBD patients.
The University of Michigan Injury Center has received $2.5 million from the CDC to continue its research on preventing injuries such as opioid overdoses, concussion, and motor vehicle crashes. The center aims to reduce injury by publishing innovative research and translating it into practice for local communities.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is developing an intervention to empower patients with glaucoma to take a more active role in their treatment. The study aims to improve communication between patients and ophthalmologists, leading to better medication adherence and reduced intraocular pressure.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a grant to advance emergency care in Southern California. The Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN), led by LA BioMed, aims to conduct large-scale clinical trials to improve patient outcomes for cardiac arrest, trauma, and other medical emergencies.
A team led by Clemson University's Sarah Harcum aims to improve the stability of Chinese hamster ovary cells used to manufacture biopharmaceuticals, which could lead to lower drug prices and increased patient access to expensive medicines.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that an Australian trapdoor spider diverged from its African relatives two million years ago, contradicting the theory of geographical separation. The researchers propose that long-distance dispersal across the ocean may have played a key role in the spider's evolutionary history.
A team of researchers will use new methods to analyze and interpret neural data, developing theoretical models to understand the underlying mechanisms. The project aims to improve understanding of brain function, even when only a small fraction of cells are directly observed.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recognizes six young researchers for their outstanding work in brain and behavior research, including Jennifer Felger and Ilana Witten. The awards support innovative ideas in neurobiological and psychosocial research to unlock mysteries of mental illness.
Tardigrades' DNA shows no evidence of extraordinary survival means, contradicting previous ideas. The genomes provide insight into their close relationship with nematodes and potential applications in biotechnology.
Alex Huang, MD, PhD, receives funding to continue fighting childhood cancer with a focus on immune system activation and tumor evasion strategies. The award supports breakthrough research at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the National Cancer Institute's 'moonshot' initiative.
A Kansas State University-led team will use the grant to establish a cognitive and neurobiological approaches to plasticity center, supporting research on brain development, cognitive flexibility, and aging-related impairments. The center will also renovate laboratory facilities and recruit new faculty members.
The University of Rochester has been awarded $19 million from NCATS to coordinate a network of over 50 institutions nationwide, aiming to accelerate research into health benefits. The grant will support 20 new personnel and expand the university's existing efforts in biomedical research.
Researchers argue that basic legal and ethical principles surrounding consent are unclear, threatening the validity of large-scale biobanking projects. The authors call for explicit policy action to address these issues.
A randomized trial found that same-day ART initiation improved retention (80% vs. 72%) and evidence of ART working (53% vs. 44%), with further improvements needed to hit UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. The study supports accelerating HIV testing and treatment processes.
A longitudinal study of over 500,000 UK participants found that higher neuroticism reduces the risk of death for those in fair or poor health. A specific aspect of neuroticism related to worry and vulnerability was associated with lower mortality, regardless of self-reported health.
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing new therapeutic treatments and targets for environmental remediation for cholera using a zebrafish animal model. The goal is to better understand the infectious cycle and genes involved in causing the disease.
Researchers at Wayne State University are exploring leukodystrophies and genetic Leukoencephalopathies, rare disorders affecting the central nervous system. They will use a zebrafish mutant line of Vacuolar Protein Sorting 11 to better understand the progression and model for a disease causing progressive vision loss.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have been awarded a $5.8 million CIRM grant to develop an immunotherapy that targets cancer stem cells using CAR T-cell therapy. The treatment aims to improve the ability of immune cells to target and kill multiple types of cancers.
A new study uses Google search data to track dengue fever in underdeveloped countries, providing accurate and timely estimates of disease prevalence. The method, called ARGO, combines Google Trends data with government-provided clinical data to alert governments and hospitals when elevated dengue incidence is anticipated.
The University of Delaware research team, led by Jennifer Biddle, will investigate how environmental factors affect gene expression in microbes. They aim to develop a new method for detecting epigenetic signals, which could have wide-ranging impact on human health and renewable energy.
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) announces its annual meeting, featuring the presentation of research awards and grants totaling over $300,000. The grants include the Steven P. Arnoczky Young Investigator Grant, Sandy Kirkley Grant, AOSSM/Sanofi Osteoarthritis Grant, Fellow Research Award in Basic Science, F...
The researcher will use historic resting eggs of Daphnia retrieved from Wisconsin lakes to observe the process as it transpired in nature. The project aims to determine if behavioral plasticity promotes or impedes adaptation, providing insights into how organisms adapt to environmental changes.
The NIH grant supports collaboration with German researchers to develop a new reprogramming technology that can replace neurons lost through stroke, traumatic brain injury, and brain diseases. The goal is to restore function and potentially lead to new therapies for neurological injuries and diseases.
Researchers observed rapid immune cell changes within minutes of a traumatic injury, with some cells increasing and others decreasing. These changes reflected both innate immune activation and suppression, suggesting simultaneous processes. The study highlights the dynamic nature of the immune response to trauma.
Neuroscientists have created a low-cost imaging and microscope system for research, training, and teaching, called FlyPi. The system uses 3D printing and open-source components to perform standard lab protocols at a fraction of the cost of commercially available solutions.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered a new mechanism that helps slow down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like motor neurone disease and dementia. The study found that tuning up the DNA's natural repair toolkit can prevent the death of nerve cells triggering these diseases.