News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Researchers found specific early immune response signatures that developed into widespread activation after traumatic injury, leading to serious organ failure. The study provides insights into potential intervention strategies, including diagnostics, clinical trials, precision medicine, and novel therapies.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London secured £8.6m in grants to develop and implement salt reduction programs in China, aiming to prevent thousands of deaths from stroke and heart disease. A new Global Health Research Group will focus on improving mental health interventions in low-income countries.
The University of Warwick has received a £1.5 million grant from the NIHR Global Health Research Unit to develop culturally appropriate interventions for psychosis sufferers in India. The three-year project aims to improve early treatment, raise care standards, and use digital technologies to overcome infrastructure problems.
The University of Warwick has received a £5.7m grant to find better ways of delivering healthcare to people living in slums in Asia and Africa. The project aims to identify the best models for health service delivery and persuade politicians to make changes, benefiting nearly a billion people.
Cardiac arrest research funding decreased from $35.4 million in 2007 to $28.5 million in 2016, a decline of nearly 75%, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
A new risk score app, CAR-OLT, has been developed to predict cardiovascular complications in liver transplant patients. The app uses a unique blood flow model and is intended for use in those ages 18 to 75 with liver disease undergoing evaluation for liver transplantation.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago are investigating a new biological agent that mimics the effects of cooling when given during and after CPR. The agent, TAT-PTEN9c, has shown promising results in reducing cellular stress and improving survival rates for heart attack patients.
The FDA advisory committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of Novartis' CAR-T therapy Tisagenlecleucel, demonstrating impressive results in hard-to-treat leukemia patients. ACGT's funding played a crucial role in advancing the pioneering treatment.
A new sub-population of immune cells plays a key role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Targeting these cells could lead to new treatments with fewer adverse effects.
NYU Steinhardt received nearly $9.5 million to fund research on education in New York City, including studies on universal pre-K, Career Technical Education, and postsecondary success for English learners with disabilities.
Brown University is developing a fully implantable wireless brain interface system with 'neurograins' that can record and stimulate neural activity with unprecedented detail. The system aims to create a cortical intranet of wireless micro-devices for safe and precise brain-computer interaction.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has renewed funding for the University of Pittsburgh's Cardiovascular Bioengineering Training Program, which educates students in cardiovascular research and prepares them for careers in basic and translational cardiovascular research. The program focuses on three areas: understanding native and ...
Researchers at UVA are receiving $8.6 million in federal grants to support cutting-edge projects that could dramatically increase the number of lungs available for transplant and save lives. The funding supports efforts to detect post-transplant complications, prevent IR injury, and better understand its causes.
A novel property of tau protein has been identified, which may reveal a new step in the formation of pathological tau aggregates. The protein can condense into a compact droplet in a complex with RNA, retaining its liquid properties and creating conditions for vulnerability to aggregation.
A new study found that snakebites in rural Sri Lanka result in significant economic losses for individuals and the healthcare system. The annual costs are estimated at over $10 million, with victims experiencing median out-of-pocket costs of $11.82 and a loss of income of up to $33.21.
A retrospective cohort study of over 40,000 TBI patients found a significant increase in dementia risk after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Those with mild TBI had a 1.6% diagnosis rate, while those with moderate-to-severe TBI had a 3.5% diagnosis rate, highlighting the increased risk in middle-aged individuals.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC has received a seven-year, $6.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's NHLBI to study lung cell regeneration. The research aims to develop new therapies for common lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Kyle O'Connell, a fifth-year Ph.D. student at UTA, received a $19,695 NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants award to support his research on speciation in Sumatra using parachuting frogs. His project aims to test hypotheses about the formation of new species through genetic and genomic data analysis.
Astronauts are exposed to DNA damage due to zero gravity and cosmic radiation; an automated diagnostic procedure is being adapted for use in space, promising constant conditions for each sample. The device could also be used to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy.
A set of guidelines helps create, reference and maintain web-based identifiers to improve reproducibility, attribution, and scientific discovery in life sciences. Persistent identifiers enable the linking and discovery of data, but their robustness and uniqueness are crucial for usefulness.
Researchers found that overweight or mildly obese individuals have better survival rates after a stroke compared to those with normal body weight. The study suggests that increased weight may provide a 'metabolic reserve' that helps recovery from severe disease.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have made surprising discoveries about the properties of butterfly wings, shedding light on their structural origins. The study reveals that the whiteness on male butterflies' wings changes depending on the angle, and that this phenomenon is crucial for signaling and mating purposes.
Researchers identified distinct gut microbiota profiles associated with altered brain activity and emotional responses in healthy women. The Bacteroides group showed increased gray matter and hippocampal volume, while the Prevotella group exhibited reduced brain volumes and heightened negative emotions.
A survey of experts and novices found that cancer scientists overestimated the replicability of high-profile preclinical studies. In reality, none of the six completed studies by the Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology reproduced the original results. Training might help overcome cognitive biases in interpreting scientific reports.
A new study has found significant inequalities in malaria research funding in sub-Saharan Africa, with countries like Chad and Central African Republic receiving no investment. The study reveals that Tanzania and Kenya received the most research funding, while Nigeria received the most non-research funding.
A 14-year study found that slowed walking speed in older adults is associated with cognitive impairment, particularly in the right hippocampus. Regular measurement of walking speed and monitoring for changes may help detect early signs of cognitive decline.
Researchers develop ultrafast scanning fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to observe membraneless organelles. The technique reveals low-density, permeable structures, contrary to expected dense packing.
A new scientific statement highlights the need for more funding in biomedical research on heart disease, citing a significant return on investment for both health and the economy. The research has led to substantial economic returns through jobs, tax revenues, and products in the marketplace.
Experts at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified a key molecule, SIRP-alpha, that triggers innate immune system activation and leads to organ rejection. Sequencing this gene could lead to better donor-recipient matches and new ways to prevent transplant rejection.
A UK-wide collaboration is receiving additional £290,000 in funding to continue its work on a 'joined-up' approach to prisoner mental health. The research aims to develop and evaluate an integrated system of care involving therapy, medication, housing, training, and employment.
Researchers at UTA have developed a mathematical solution to optimize computing and network resource allocation in data centers, ensuring better user experiences. The new grant will allow for the development of a user-context-aware joint computing-and-networking resource allocation framework.
A genetic study suggests that human genes for coronary artery disease contribute to greater numbers of children, providing an evolutionary trade-off between early-life reproductive benefits and later-life disease costs. The study uses genome-wide scans and lifetime reproductive data to identify genetic variation linked to the disease.
Researchers found that mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells can mount a rapid and robust inflammatory response to bacterial superantigens, contributing to severe organ damage or death. The overzealous response leads to exhaustion of MAIT cells, resulting in immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to secondary infections.
A new report advances the integration of frailty research into care as we age, highlighting its importance in managing conditions like heart failure and HIV. The study aims to improve quality of life and guide healthcare decision-making for older adults.
Researchers found that minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) can accurately identify cause of death in newborns and children in Mozambique. MIA showed substantial agreement with complete diagnostic autopsy (CDA) for categorization of disease, with the majority of neonatal deaths due to infectious diseases.
Three Penn researchers, Elizabeth Grice, Vijay Bhoj, and Kara Maxwell, have been awarded $1.9 million in Burroughs Wellcome Fund grants to investigate skin microbiome functions and CAR T-cell immunotherapy for Hemophilia A. The grants aim to advance our understanding of human infectious diseases and cancer research.
Researchers at Wayne State University are working on a novel therapy for corneal bacterial infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The team is testing the role of microRNAs in regulating the innate immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced keratitis.
Researchers Francisco Diaz and Pak Kin Wong are developing a new contraceptive technology that targets two essential reproductive processes. Their project aims to identify effective, non-invasive, low-cost, and easy-to-use contraceptives by exploring novel approaches to contraception.
Researchers will explore personal and environmental factors influencing functional independence and community participation among racial/ethnically diverse people with SCI. The three-year $392,000 grant aims to improve outcomes among underserved groups living with SCI.
Researchers led by Barclay Morrison will examine concussion injury and recovery mechanisms using in vivo, in vitro, and computational models. The goal is to develop effective methods for preventing and treating concussion, with potential benefits for both acute and persisting neurocognitive dysfunction.
A team of scientists has identified genetic mutations that could potentially allow the bird flu strain H7N9 to spread between humans. The researchers found that certain mutations in a key protein could enable the virus to latch onto human cells, sparking concerns about a potential pandemic.
The UAF Institute of Arctic Biology and College of Rural and Community Development received a five-year, $4.25 million grant to establish the Alaska Native Collaborative Hub for Research Resilience. This hub will help communities adopt culturally relevant strategies to prevent suicides.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that genetic variants associated with higher body mass index (BMI) are linked to lower risk of Parkinson disease. The researchers used a Mendelian randomization approach to examine the relationship between BMI and Parkinson disease, and found an 18% lower risk of Parkinson disease amon...
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that funding from the US President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in sub-Saharan African countries was associated with a significant reduction in under-five child mortality. The analysis, which controlled for other factors, showed an average risk reduction of 16% in PMI-funded countries.
Santoro's projects aim to engage the public with marine microbes through interactive content and activities. The Deep Sea Memory Project will explore the connection between microbes and ocean memory, potentially revealing insights into climate change and environmental records.
The grants will support pre-clinical and clinical diagnostic and therapeutic research, including the development of new imaging agents and clinical trials on therapy safety and efficacy. The Brain SAFTIE initiative aims to identify gaps in existing knowledge and facilitate collaboration among experts.
Bee health expert Lynn Adler is studying the impact of sunflower pollen on honeybees and bumblebees. Her research aims to explore whether sunflower pollen can help bees fight off a common pathogen, potentially leading to new commercial products to support bee health.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that duration, biomechanics, and force influence the subjective effort associated with arm movements, while movement amplitudes have no effect. The researchers also discovered a link between brain functions involved in decision-making and movement execution.
A study published in Nature reveals a previously unknown connection between pathways that prevent heart cell renewal. The discovery opens the possibility of developing strategies to promote heart cell growth and regeneration. This finding may also lead to improved cardiac function in children with muscular dystrophy.
Research suggests that anesthesia may work by decreasing available information within brain areas, rather than disrupting connection between them
The University of Michigan has received a $58 million grant to support clinical and translational research, partnering with Michiganders of all ages and backgrounds. Over 50,000 volunteers have signed up for the MICHR registry, allowing researchers to reach out when a study needs participants.
Neurofibromatosis type I, an inherited disorder affecting brain development and function, will be studied by Assistant Professor Seth Tomchik. The disease predisposes individuals to behavioral symptoms such as ADHD, autism-like symptoms, learning disabilities, and chronic pain.
The ISTplus program is an interdisciplinary and international research environment that supports postdocs from various scientific fields. The two-year fellowships offer competitive salaries and additional funds for research and travel expenses.
Researchers found that mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia spread at about 100-200 meters per year in large release sites but had limited impact in smaller areas after two years. This suggests strategic releases can transform urban mosquito populations and virus transmission in cities.
The 'Keep Control' project aims to improve understanding and diagnosis of balance and gait deficits in older adults, with a focus on developing innovative treatment options. The initiative, coordinated by Kiel University, brings together experts from Europe to enhance diagnosis and therapy for fall-prone individuals.
The City College of New York is partnering with the University of Texas at El Paso to educate Hispanic doctoral students in environmental sciences and engineering. A $3.7 million NSF grant will fund the project, which aims to train and transition students to STEM instructional faculty positions.
Researchers at Georgia State University are studying the role of an enzyme in causing diabetic vascular diseases and exploring its potential as a new treatment. The study aims to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the disease and identify a strategy to protect against its development.
Dr. Terrie Taylor is using a $8.5 million federal grant to study why previous malaria prevention methods have been unsuccessful and how progress can be made in Malawi. Her team will focus on identifying 'reservoirs of infection' - people who are infected but not sick, and understanding mosquito behavior to develop effective treatments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute found that adherence to evidence-based practices and unit teamwork can reduce ventilator-associated events. The study showed a nearly 50% reduction in infection-related complications and pneumonia cases, leading to faster patient recovery and reduced hospital costs.
Alfonso Apicella, a UTSA biologist, is exploring the corpus callosum's role in auditory signals and its connection to neurological disorders like schizophrenia and autism. His research aims to better understand how brain hemispheres communicate and potentially develop new treatments.