News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
UTA professor Paul Fadel receives a four-year NIH grant to study high sympathetic nerve activity in patients with chronic kidney disease and its link to ADMA, a natural occurring chemical in the body. The goal is to develop a treatment to lower sympathetic nerve activity and prevent dialysis, improving patient outcomes.
The USDA has awarded grants to 11 universities to research the use of nanotechnology in improving food safety, enhancing renewable fuels, increasing crop yields, managing agricultural pests, and more. The research aims to develop innovative solutions for addressing key challenges in agriculture.
Scientists create a 'hollow' version of the plant virus cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) which can be used as a carrier for drug molecules. This finding opens up new possibilities for cancer treatment and vaccine design.
A new study found that conservation research is predominantly conducted in less biodiverse countries, exacerbating the global biodiversity crisis. The study suggests that biases in the field of conservation science must be addressed to meet international targets.
A new 3-D modeling and data-extraction technique can reveal dynamics in protein crystals, improving the clarity of imaging and providing valuable information about protein motions. This approach has potential benefits for pharmaceutical industry and structural biology.
A study examined patients' willingness to pay for facial defect repairs, finding that large central defects were perceived as more valuable than small peripheral ones. The study used a socioeconomically diverse group of 200 observers and found an average 'willingness to pay' ranging from $1,170 to $7,875.
Researchers found a wide variety of genetic changes contributing to autism, including simple deletions and complex 'structural variants'. These mutations often disrupt genes involved in brain development, highlighting potential new targets for treatment.
Dr. Fyffe will compare care and benefits for service-related vs non-service-related spinal cord injuries in a three-year study funded by the Department of Defense Spinal Cord Injury Research Program. The research aims to optimize care for all veterans with SCI, improving health status and functional outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed quantum nanowire structures that can detect infrared light and measure electrical processes in thin-strand nanowires. The technology has potential applications in medical devices, environmental sensors, and night-vision imaging for military applications.
A study found that planned repeat C-sections are not associated with worse long-term health outcomes in children compared to vaginal births after cesarean sections. The only consistent difference was a slightly elevated risk for hospitalization with asthma in children born by C-section, but this was deemed clinically insignificant.
Ajay Jain, a SLU hepatologist, is researching preventative strategies for parenteral nutrition-associated injuries. He aims to understand the interplay of bile acid regulated pathways and assess the role of the gut microbiome during PN.
The NIFA-NSF Joint Plant-Biotics Interactions program supports research on plant-biotic interactions, focusing on fundamental mechanisms and translational efforts. Funding is available for projects addressing agriculture and relevance to plant health, with applications due in June and April.
A team of researchers is using computational models and data from actual patients to understand C. difficile colonization and infection. They aim to develop tools to prevent and treat infections that kill thousands annually.
The WSU-IMSD program aims to facilitate the entry, persistence, and success of underrepresented minority students into science majors, guiding them to pursue careers in academics and scientific research. The program has shown significant impact, with IMSD student graduation rates at 87% and 64% pursuing further degrees.
New research highlights the lack of study on threatened, non-charismatic Australian mammals such as fruit bats and tree rats. These species are crucial to ecosystem function but receive little recognition and funding.
Three researchers have received ACGT Young Investigator Grants to develop new treatments for leukemia/lymphoma, melanoma, and blood cancers. Dr. Yvonne Chen aims to improve CAR-T therapy, while Dr. Brent Hanks seeks to block the immune system's ability to destroy cancers using immunotherapy.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that medical marijuana programs with less regulation had higher enrollment rates, raising concerns about potential recreational users. The analysis of state-specific characteristics highlights the need for policymakers to differentiate among programs to interpret the effects of...
The University of Liverpool's National Institute for Health Research has announced a £100,000 funding boost for Zika virus research to tackle the current outbreak in South America. The funding will support eight projects focusing on diagnostics, clinical studies, and understanding the disease mechanism.
Dr. Ekaterina Dobryakova of Kessler Foundation has received a $70,000 Switzer Research Fellowship to study the motivational influences on cognitive fatigue in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study aims to explore whether rewards associated with performing a task can modulate cognitive fatigue in individuals with TBI.
The University of Missouri has received a $1.3 million NIH grant to improve protein structure prediction using deep learning techniques. The research aims to increase the accuracy of predicting protein structures, which is crucial for breakthroughs in drug discovery, precision medicine, and disease detection.
A new study by UM researchers found that shallow-reef corals are more closely related to their shallow-water counterparts over a thousand miles away than they are to deep-water corals on the same reef. This challenges previous expectations and highlights the need for protecting shallow water corals in the Florida Keys.
Five exceptional early career scientists will receive new grants from NIEHS to study the effects of environmental chemicals on human health. The ONES awardees will investigate how pollutants, such as arsenic and dioxins, cause harm and promote allergies.
A Kansas State University engineer has received a $300,000 NSF Manufacturing Machines and Equipment grant to improve the manufacturing of ultra-thin precision parts for high-performance products. The new process will enable efficient machining of brittle materials without compromising part quality.
A study led by SUNY Downstate Health Science University found increased risk of obesity among Filipino immigrants living in the New York City metropolitan area. The findings suggest that prolonged US residency erodes the health advantage initially carried by immigrants, a process known as 'unhealthy assimilation'.
A University of Texas at Arlington engineer is developing a computational model to measure how and when battlefield blasts can cause devastating damage to neurons in the brain. The research aims to quantify the effects of blasts on brain cells, providing new insight into brain injuries caused by combat scenarios.
Demirel is using proteins to coat biomedical swabs, enabling gene analysis from tiny amounts of blood or biological samples. The project has market potential in forensics, genetics and medicine industries.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) will lead the Direct Volunteers Pilot Studies under the first grant awarded in the federal Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The program aims to engage 1 million or more U.S. volunteers, providing a platform for expanding precision medicine approaches.
Researchers found that trehalose prevents the buildup of fat in liver cells by blocking the transport of energy from sugar into liver cells. This triggers autophagy, a natural process where cells consume stored fats and other waste materials. The study suggests that trehalose may offer a potential treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver...
Research suggests that minimum unit pricing (MUP) and volumetric taxation are more effective in reducing health inequalities compared to other tax options. These policies target cheap, high-strength alcohol and can lead to significant decreases in mortality rates among lower-income groups.
An international task force has updated definitions of sepsis and septic shock to bring clarity to diagnosis and treatment. The new definitions include the quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) to help clinicians diagnose septic patients and start life-saving treatment.
The Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) received a grant from the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) to develop non-animal test methods for fragrance materials. The project aims to characterize respiratory effects using computational approaches and in chemico techniques.
Orion Berryman, a UM assistant professor, has received a $675,000 CAREER grant to study multidentate halogen bond donors for supramolecular catalysis. He will use the award to design molecules that complement sulfur compounds and teach students about chemical concepts through 3-D printing.
Dr. Elliot J. Androphy and his colleagues will test compounds to determine the best candidate to treat spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease affecting voluntary muscle movement. The grant aims to increase SMN proteins in mouse models to mitigate the disease.
Researchers will develop software using virtual human models to predict injuries and recommend training modifications based on individual soldier characteristics. The program aims to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in US Marines and potentially benefit veterans and older adults with musculoskeletal injuries.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are studying the interacting roles of the sympathetic nervous system, sensory nervous system, and immune system in preclinical models of back pain and neuropathic pain. The goal is to understand how timing of a nerve block treatment affects chronic pain relief.
A recent AAAS panel discussed the potential of citizen science and information technology to drive sustainability. Projects like eBird and Aviaching are collecting valuable data on bird occurrences and habitat representation, while UDiscoverIt accelerates the discovery of new sustainable energy materials.
Researchers found that less than a third of PCORI-funded grants were implemented in primary care settings, contradicting the organization's goal. However, PCORI successfully diversified its funding by awarding 25% of grants to PhD-holding principal investigators.
Researchers determine when coral died with precision of up to one to two years, revealing dramatic loss of coral cover near Bowen, Queensland. The study provides a benchmark for monitoring the recovery of these reefs.
Assistant Professor Yuze Sun is developing an all-liquid optofluidic laser for cancer detection and other biosensing applications. The laser's adaptive nature achieves high-precision tuning, making it biocompatible and bioconfigurable.
The LouLou Foundation and Penn Medicine's Orphan Disease Center have established a Program of Excellence to tackle the severe neurodevelopmental impairment and seizures caused by CDKL5. The program aims to develop effective treatments through collaboration with academic labs, companies, and biopharma industry.
Research found patients with PD were more likely to have had a hip fracture or injurious fall in the years preceding their diagnosis. Individuals who suffered injurious falls were also at higher risk of being diagnosed with PD in following years.
Researchers at UTA are using ultra-thin semiconductor lasers to create more efficient and power-consumption systems for computers and data centers. The technology has the potential to be applied in various fields, including medicine and consumer electronics, enabling devices with increased speed, bandwidth, and capabilities.
A UTSA researcher has received a $670,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop novel liver-stage antimalarial treatments. The goal is to stop the malaria parasite before it causes disease, which would protect people living in areas with high malaria burden.
A new ERC Starting Grant will fund the first systematic study on the impact of European earthworms on plant communities and soil food webs in North America. The research aims to examine the effects of higher temperatures and reduced summer rainfall on earthworm invasions, shedding light on biodiversity loss and ecosystem functioning.
Researchers developed a six-question online quiz to predict STIs in young women, with promising accuracy. The quiz assesses behaviors linked to STI risk and can encourage teenage girls and young women to get laboratory tests.
Scientists have developed a flexible nanogenerator made from cellulose that can harness energy from the body, including heartbeats and blood flow. The device has been shown to charge capacitors and power small electronics.
A study analyzing off-label promotion rulings in the UK and US reveals that the UK's self-regulatory mechanism may be ineffective in detecting and deterring off-label marketing. The authors suggest increasing protections for whistleblowers and introducing meaningful sanctions to address this issue.
Researchers at TTUHSC El Paso are conducting studies on gastroparesis to pioneer new therapies and prevent the disorder. They will lead efforts locally within the Department of Internal Medicine, focusing on potential new surgeries and a study on the genetic basis of the disease.
The University of Louisville has received a $2.55 million grant to establish the Kentucky Rural & Underserved Geriatric Interprofessional Education Program (KRUGIEP), which aims to address workforce shortages, culturally appropriate care, and chronic disease burden in rural areas.
Dr. James Poulet, a neuroscientist at the Max-Delbrück Center, has received a €2 million ERC Consolidator Grant to continue his research on how the brain generates sensory perception. The funding will support his team's efforts to understand how different sensory inputs are integrated to create a coherent percept.
The European Research Council has awarded Proof of Concept grants worth EUR 150,000 each to 135 ERC grantees, exploring the innovation potential of their research. The grants support researchers in bridging academia and the market, creating new opportunities for jobs and products.
A modeling study finds that gradual and countywide closures are most effective strategies in reducing influenza transmission, with lower social costs than nationwide closures. These approaches can contribute to limiting the impact of future pandemics.
A Georgia State University researcher has received a four-year grant to investigate how killer T-cells can be enhanced to fight colorectal cancers after radiation treatment. The goal is to develop more effective combination treatments that combine radiation therapy with immunotherapy.
A Columbia University team led by Elisa Konofagou will develop a new method for using focused ultrasound to stimulate peripheral nerves, potentially treating chronic pain and neuropathy. The four-year grant aims to advance the field of electrical prescriptions for targeted neural and bio-interface technologies.
A team of FAU researchers is developing highly porous biomaterials to support bone and wound healing in patients with conditions like diabetes. The goal is to use mesoporous nanomaterials to release medication locally, reducing side effects and avoiding doses.
A $4 million NSF grant will fund research at MUSC and UAB to map changes in blood flow when specific neurons fire. This could lead to new treatments for neurological diseases by understanding the mechanisms of neurovascular communication.
A Georgia State University researcher is investigating how the adaptive immune system can control intestinal bacteria to prevent inflammation in the gut. The project aims to identify a way to activate the mucosal immune system to reduce levels of bacteria with high potential to promote inflammation.
Researchers have developed a human in vitro cellular model of Cockayne syndrome, a devastating neurodegenerative condition. The model reveals key aspects of the disease, including altered electrophysiological activity and impaired neuronal function.
A simplified three-dose intramuscular (i.m.) artesunate regimen has been shown to be non-inferior to the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended five-dose i.m. or i.v. regimen for treating severe malaria in African children. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, found that 78% of children treated with the simplified regimen had ov...
The Scripps Research Institute scientists will use click chemistry to discover novel drug candidates, aiming for more selective and potent medicines. The research may lead to improved therapeutics and PET protocols for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.