News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The NIH has awarded funding for 24 research projects developing non-traditional antibacterials, including therapeutic bacteria and phage therapy, to combat increasing antibiotic resistance. The grants aim to provide new treatment options for deadly infections.
A new research network, CompSustNet, aims to develop computational solutions for creating a sustainable future. Researchers from multiple institutions will collaborate on complex issues like smart electrical grids and renewable energy management.
Researchers at Boston University aim to advance synthetic biology by creating a toolbox of carefully measured and catalogued biological parts. The project will use computing engineering principles to develop an open-source repository of biological pieces that can be used to engineer organisms with predictable results.
A joint team from Kessler Foundation and NJIT is developing new applications for wearable robotic exoskeleton devices to improve mobility and enable safer, more independent functioning for people with spinal cord injuries, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and stroke. Researchers are also evaluating the efficacy of existing robots for resto...
Cornell University has launched a multi-institutional virtual research lab called CompSustNet, exploring new directions in computational sustainability. The $10 million NSF grant will bring together researchers from 12 institutions to develop novel solutions for sustainable future challenges.
The NSF is investing $30 million in three Expeditions in Computing projects that aim to explore the frontiers of theoretical computer science, synthetic biology and computational sustainability. The grants will support large-scale research teams working on formal methods for software development, a novel toolkit for computational bio-d...
A $3.82 million NIH grant will prepare the Schistosomiasis Vaccine (SchistoShield) for human clinical trials, aiming to reduce infections in millions worldwide. The vaccine has potential impact on up to one billion people and is part of a broader research effort with over $11.5 million in total funding.
Dr. Christine Grant, NC State University, received the 2015 AAAS Mentor Award for supporting diverse students in chemical engineering. She has mentored hundreds of students, including underrepresented minorities and women, resulting in an increase in their pursuit of Ph.D.'s.
A study found that employed individuals reduced their alcohol use at work but increased their consumption after work and excessive drinking during the Great Recession. Middle-aged workers were more likely to drink during this period due to increased financial and family stress.
Two studies published in PLOS Biology reveal that researchers rarely provide full protocol, data, and transparency to verify or replicate their work. The findings highlight the need for improvement in reporting practices, which can lead to wasted funding and biased results.
A team of researchers has shed new light on the relationships between cartilage structure and function, revealing microdomains that behave differently from surrounding tissue. This discovery paves the way for more effective treatments of meniscus tears and osteoarthritis.
A study found that doctors give less compassionate nonverbal cues to black patients compared to white patients, potentially leading to miscommunication and mistrust. The researchers suggest that physicians be aware of their verbal and nonverbal communication to build trust with black patients.
Scientists are exploring the potential of bacteriophages, which target specific bacteria, to prevent and treat intestinal illnesses like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli in children. The research aims to develop a new approach for treating food poisoning in developing countries.
A new study reveals that random mutations can give rise to novel genes, leading to the evolution of new molecular functions. The researchers identified thousands of human-specific genes and found that certain macaque genome elements are less present than expected.
The Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering will receive funding to support research on implantable devices that promote brain plasticity and reanimate paralyzed limbs. The goal is to achieve proof-of-concept demonstrations in humans within five years, laying the groundwork for eventual clinical devices approved by the FDA.
Case Western Reserve University Professor Ozan Akkus is building a souped-up Raman microscope into FastRAM, which can provide images of materials in seconds to minutes instead of hours. The new device would allow researchers to analyze dynamic processes like chemical reactions as they occur.
A $16 million NIH/NINDS grant will fund a seven-year study to create methods for detecting and diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) during life. Researchers will examine risk factors, develop clinical criteria, and investigate genetic and head impact exposure risks.
Dr Eric Robinson's £500,000 grant aims to develop a theoretical model on why portion size affects energy intake. The study seeks to identify optimal reductions in portion size to promote long-term weight loss.
Researchers at IST Austria have received ERC Starting Grants for their innovative projects in biochemistry and computer science, exploring the mechanisms of self-organizing properties of bacterial cells and developing new cryptographic schemes.
New research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that nearly 40% of shift workers who participated in a test drive after a night shift were involved in a near-crash event. The study demonstrated an increased risk of drowsy driving related motor vehicle crashes, especially during the daytime commute.
A Scripps Research Institute scientist has been awarded $2 million to investigate the impact of aging on a unique type of nerve cell involved in memory. The study aims to understand how gene expression changes with age and may lead to the development of novel therapeutics for age-related diseases.
The Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care has received a $1.18 million NIH grant to train surgical residents as researcher-surgeons, focusing on tumor microenvironment and novel targets. The program aims to equip future surgeon-scientists with the skills needed to succeed in cancer research.
A new analysis found that despite federal efforts to diversify clinical research, the number of studies including minorities remains low, and scientists from minority communities are less likely to receive funding. This lack of diversity poses a significant risk to understanding and addressing health disparities in the US population.
Biomedical engineer Prof Helen Lu has received a $1.125M grant to develop a nanofiber-based device for tendon-to-bone integration in rotator cuff repair, aiming to improve healing outcomes and reduce re-tear rates.
A study found a transient increased risk of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction after herpes zoster diagnosis, peaking within the first week. The risk gradually decreased over six months.
The authors argue that study populations should mirror the global community to capture human biological variability. They also recommend enforcing racial and ethnic diversity among study participants, increasing financial support for NIH, and empowering agencies to improve diversity in clinical research.
SLU scientist John Tavis has received a $2.2 million NIH grant to develop a cure for the hepatitis B virus. His team aims to create a combination therapy that can kill the virus, which causes chronic infection and liver damage in millions of people worldwide.
A Clemson University team will study the effects of conservation easements on land-use patterns, public participation, and ecosystem integrity. They will compare outcomes for easements with differing purposes and levels of public oversight.
Three high-value research projects will receive £13.9M in funding to develop cheap and effective vaccines for poultry, create self-fertilising plants and breed elite lines of wheat. The projects are led by world-leading researchers and will address major scientific challenges with five years of funding.
In Texas, a citizen science program utilizing public surveillance tracked the distribution and infection prevalence of triatomine insects, showing 63% infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. The study suggests that citizen collections are a valid way to document insect distribution, providing a unique sample for disease vector studies.
Two researchers at TU Dresden have been awarded EU funding to investigate neurogenesis and cell cycle regulation, aiming to produce human neurons and improve cancer treatment strategies. The projects will focus on understanding the biological rules of neurogenesis and the interaction between cell cycle machinery and redox systems.
A £5.5m research project aims to tackle air pollution in Beijing, which poses a serious threat to human health, particularly among China's 500 million urban residents. The five four-year projects will investigate the concentrations and sources of urban air pollution, its effects on health, and potential solutions.
The National Institutes of Health is funding the development of three innovative robots to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The robots, including a smart-walker for elderly mobility and a hand-worn device for visually impaired grasping objects, aim to enhance independence and quality of life.
Clemson University has received a $150,000 grant from Wells Fargo to support research on Armillaria root rot, a devastating fungus that causes significant annual losses in the peach industry. The funding will allow researchers to apply advanced genetic and computational techniques to build a foundation for solving this critical problem.
Researchers found that Ebola virus blood levels are strong predictors of fatality, with case fatality ratios increasing with viremia levels. The study used laboratory and clinical data from 699 patients to model the association between viremia and CFR.
Prof Elizabeth Hillman has received a $1.83 million NIH BRAIN Initiative grant to further develop SCAPE, a high-speed 3D microscope that images neurons in large brain volumes. This breakthrough technique surpasses previous speed barriers, enabling scientists to study neural activity and circuit function.
The University of Illinois aims to increase the water use efficiency of sorghum by reducing transpiration through stomata and shifting photosynthetic activity. The project predicts a 40% improvement in water use efficiency, unlocking over 9 million new acres for energy crop production.
The University of Warwick has been awarded funding for 15 PhD studentships in quantitative cellular dynamics, molecular microbiology, and anti-microbial resistance. The partnership with the Medical Research Council will provide a strong interdisciplinary training programme to produce future leaders in biomedical research.
Researchers at MassGeneral Hospital for Children and MIT will develop pathogen-specific bacteriophages to disarm Shigella flexneri, a cause of millions of infections worldwide. The project aims to create an innovative therapy to protect beneficial bacteria affected by antibiotic treatment.
A modeling study suggests that countries will likely miss the 90-90-90 treatment target by 2020 due to funding gaps. The estimated gap in financial resources needed versus available for ART scale-up ranges from $19.8 billion to $25.0 billion.
Researchers at TSRI are developing a potential heroin vaccine to block the drug's active products from reaching the brain. The vaccine trains immune system antibodies to recognize and bind to heroin molecules, reducing the risk of relapse in recovering addicts.
Researchers tracked whale sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, revealing they use both near-surface and deeper waters for feeding, with some staying at depth greater than 50 meters continuously for over three days. The study found complex patterns of habitat utilization likely driven by shifting ocean conditions and prey distribution.
University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists successfully grew functional vocal cord tissue in the laboratory using bioengineering techniques. The tissue was able to transmit sound and showed similar characteristics to native tissue, paving the way for potential clinical applications.
Researchers have found a potential treatment strategy for glycogen storage disease Ia by inducing autophagy in liver cells, which reduces fat and glycogen levels. A drug called rapamycin stimulates autophagy and improves liver size and function in animal models.
Researchers tested 20 pneumococcal serotyping methods, finding that a microarray analysis with culture amplification is top-performing but a cheaper method offers an affordable alternative. The study's findings aim to improve vaccine development and evaluation in low-income countries.
A University of Cincinnati professor examines how casting agents with anthropological training navigate conservative views in the fashion industry. Her research reveals that these individuals often turn to creative outlets like documentaries and blogs, highlighting the evolving role of anthropology in understanding professionals.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a simple way to send peptides into cells and tissues. The new method uses a densely packed brush to protect peptides from digestion and enhance their ability to enter cells without altering their biological function.
Researchers find per capita public health spending declining from $281 in 2008 to $256 in 2014, reflecting a $40.2 billion loss to disease prevention and related programs. This decline reflects the nation's 'dangerously out of balance' healthcare system, where more is spent treating disease than preventing it.
A new short-crested lizard, Probrachylophosaurus bergei, has been found in Montana, exhibiting an intermediate nasal crest between non-crested ancestors and larger crests of adult Brachylophosaurus. This discovery provides insights into the evolution of dinosaur species and sheds light on the transitional forms between different groups.
A new clinical score, L-TRiP(cast), predicts the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with a leg cast. The model was validated in two independent cohorts and identified high-risk patients with an accuracy of 80.8%.
QUT research has received a $1M funding boost to explore the use of Australian plants in combating golden staph infections, healing chronic wounds, and treating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The project aims to improve treatment options for millions of people worldwide suffering from these conditions.
A new Northwestern Medicine study has identified thousands of genetic pathways that regulate insulin production and blood sugar control in the pancreas, which could lead to new therapies for children and adults with diabetes. The researchers created a detailed map of genes controlled by the circadian clock's transcription factors.
A $9.4 million grant is being used to test a transdermal nicotine patch for improving memory loss in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI affects millions of people worldwide and is the stage between normal aging and dementia when others notice mild memory problems.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that estrogen receptor β promotes the growth of endometriosis by allowing abnormal cells to escape immune surveillance. Elevated levels of this protein were found in human tissues and studies in mice showed a similar effect, highlighting a new target for effective treatment.
A study of over 2,200 obese patients found that bariatric surgery leads to significant improvements in bodily pain, physical function, and walking speed. However, patient age, income level, depressive symptoms, and pre-existing medical conditions can affect the likelihood of improvement.
Lesly Temesvari will research the cellular biology and life cycle of Entamoeba histolytica to develop drug therapies or a vaccine. Improving sanitation is also crucial in preventing the spread of amoebic dysentery.
Researchers at Einstein and Berkeley will develop new instruments to image genes and proteins in living cells, enabling visualization of gene regulation processes. The grant aims to create powerful microscopes and fluorescent probes to reveal mechanisms controlling gene expression.
Researchers at Georgia State University have been awarded a $2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the impact of diabetes on cardiovascular health. The team aims to develop new therapies targeting damaged mitochondria to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that sleep fragmentation is especially detrimental to positive mood, leading to a 31% decline in positive mood after the second night. Interrupted sleep also affected different domains of positive mood, including energy levels and feelings of sympathy and friendliness.
Dr. Michael Brand's research focuses on understanding how the brain can be stimulated to regenerate, aiming to develop new therapies for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. The ERC Advanced Grant will support his investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying the zebrafish brain's ability to regenerate itself after a lesion.