News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
OurNotes aims to enhance communication and engage patients in managing illness more effectively and efficiently, leading to improved patient safety and quality of care. The project will explore the potential for patients to contribute to their own medical records, building on BIDMC's well-established work in patient engagement.
A new study proposes a new model to evaluate medical schools' production of academic physicians with biomedical research careers. The model uses relevant and accessible objective criteria, replacing the subjective criteria used in the current USN&WR rankings system.
Researchers have identified two novel compounds with high potency and low toxicity as potential new general anesthetics. The discovery was made using a high-throughput screening process that tested over 350,000 compounds, and the team is now working to optimize and test these compounds further.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has funded five high-value research projects worth £15.8M to tackle major scientific challenges in health, energy and agriculture. The projects will focus on producing clean energy, developing new medicines and protecting livestock from disease.
A recent study found that the US rate of investment in medical research declined from 2004 to 2012, while global investment increased, especially in Asia. The share of US medical research funding from industry grew from 46% to 58%, favoring biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
The Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded over $6.4 million to three nonprofit organizations: Sage Bionetworks, the Hypothes.is Project, and the Mozilla Foundation. The grants will support innovative research infrastructure solutions that promote collaboration, data management, and open science.
A comprehensive analysis found that the NIH spends only 7-9% of its budget on behavioral interventions to prevent NCDs, despite 70% of US deaths being due to these diseases. Increasing funding for prevention research could save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
Grants for young scientists have declined, with principal investigators under 36 years old making up only 3% of NIH grant holders in 2010. This brain drain threatens the discovery of new ideas and the advancement of academic science.
Researchers aim to convert human liver cells into pancreatic beta cells using a novel factor identified in mouse studies. This strategy could provide a patient-specific, autologous cell-based therapy for type 1 and potentially type 2 diabetes.
The A.S.P.E.N. Rhoads Research Foundation is awarding nearly $130,000 to seven investigators conducting promising research in clinical nutrition and metabolism. The grants will support projects on beta-Hydroxy-Methyl-Butyrate (HMB) and novel interventions for parenteral nutrition-related pathologies.
Two Louisiana Tech graduate students, Tyler Sonsalla and Taylor Tarlton, have been awarded Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research to support their research in small-scale solar thermal collectors and charge transport in nano-composite materials.
Researchers aim to predict which genes are expressed in dendritic cells based on specific conditions, aiming to explain why some people survive viral infections while others don't. This knowledge could lead to new treatments for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease by understanding faulty gene regulation.
Researchers found that a new malaria treatment combination of artemisinin-naphthoquine was non-inferior to existing therapy for uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, but more effective against another species. The study suggests this regimen could be considered for children in settings with multiple parasite species.
A Harvard study found that older adults are at increased risk of hospitalization during heat waves due to a range of health issues, including fluid and electrolyte disorders, renal failure, and urinary tract infections. The study's findings have significant implications for healthcare preparedness and prevention.
Rettsyndrome.org has awarded over $3.1 million in grants to researchers worldwide, focusing on basic, translational, and clinical research for Rett syndrome treatment and therapy development. The organization aims to accelerate research from discovery to medicine, covering a spectrum of Rett syndrome research.
A new instrument called BioP3 allows assembly of larger structures from small living microtissue components, potentially making whole organs like livers or kidneys. The device uses pre-assembled living building parts with functional shapes and a thousand times more cells per part.
Scientists have discovered that blocking the Notch pathway enables cochlear progenitor cells to proliferate and regenerate hair cells, potentially leading to new treatments for hearing loss. The study reveals a new function of Notch signaling in limiting proliferation and regeneration potential of postnatal cochlear progenitor cells.
A study found that high socioeconomic status, particularly in highly educated families, increases the risk of depression and discrimination among black young adults. Despite parental education's protective effect on white youth, high SES can lead to increased perceptions of being discriminated against, cancelling out its benefits.
Researchers will use deep genome sequencing and computer modeling to search for abnormalities in mRNA methylation, a newly discovered epigenetic process linked to diseases like cancer. The study aims to shed new light on the role of mRNA methylation in breast cancer.
The University of Nevada, Reno has partnered with Renown Health to bring new functional MRI technology to northern Nevada. This partnership will enable researchers to study neural activity patterns in the brain, revolutionizing neuroscience and leading to new discoveries about brain function and its impact on injury or disease.
A recent study sequencing the genomes of 45 avian species has provided the most reliable tree of life for birds, shedding light on their rapid emergence from a mass extinction event. The findings reveal that modern birds diverged rapidly and their sex chromosomes have evolved differently than those in humans.
Washington State University researchers are working on a five-year NIH grant project to develop new bone-like coating materials that will allow titanium-based implants to integrate better into the body. The goal is to improve implant success rates, particularly for younger patients and those undergoing revision surgeries.
UTHealth School of Biomedical Informatics has received $7.3 million in grants to develop health information technology solutions. Researchers are working on projects to mine medical data, make electronic health records user-friendly, and improve patient safety.
Two researchers at the Max Delbrück Center will use $1.9M and $1.5M ERC Starting Grants to investigate DNA repair mechanisms in B lymphocytes and direct cell reprogramming using C. elegans. The grants aim to advance understanding of immunodeficiencies, cancer predisposition, and tissue regeneration.
A recent study found that the number of US medical schools with student-run free clinics (SRFCs) has increased by more than half, with 106 institutions participating in the program. The SRFCs provide essential healthcare services to underserved populations and offer valuable educational opportunities for medical students.
A comprehensive genetic study found that more patients with ALS have a genetic origin than previously believed. Patients with mutations in multiple genes experience earlier disease onset. The study suggests that genetics may play a larger role in ALS, potentially affecting over one-third of all cases.
A new wireless implantable shunt technology developed by Dr. Ashish Nimgaonkar has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of patients with refractory ascites, a condition where fluid builds up in the abdomen. This technology allows patients to manage their fluid drainage needs at home, significantly improving their quality of life.
The National Science Foundation has awarded rapid response grants to support researchers in understanding the fundamental nature of Ebola and its impact on public safety. The grants will fund projects that explore new methods for virus detection, disinfection, and medical response, as well as research into risk assessment and behavior.
Physician-researcher Sumeet Chugh receives $2.36 million grant to develop prevention strategies for sudden cardiac arrest. The study focuses on patients aged 35-59 years old and aims to identify risk factors, including sex hormones and genetics.
A research collaboration involving six universities worldwide aims to assess diabetic neuropathy using specialized eye tests. The project will pool data from over 600 patients worldwide to help answer key questions about the performance of these new eye tests.
Researchers at UNH are investigating how certain plants and bacteria communicate to form beneficial partnerships. Using next-generation sequencing tools, they aim to understand the chemical signals between Frankia bacteria and actinorhizal plants.
Louisiana Tech University has been awarded a $1.45 million grant to produce more highly-effective secondary math and science teachers through the UTeach program, which aims to address the need for qualified STEM educators. The university will work with partners to increase the number of highly-qualified STEM teachers in the region.
A UT Arlington researcher has won a $200,000 grant to screen Hispanic patients for depression and provide education on the disease and its treatment options. The project aims to dispel myths and reduce stigma associated with mental health care among Hispanics.
An international team of researchers identified 20 real or perceived barriers to public health data-sharing, classifying them into six categories. The team proposes creating a treaty for global data-sharing and commissioning a body to monitor and facilitate data exchange.
Researchers are developing a new type of cell therapy to treat liver cirrhosis, which claims 4000 lives in the UK each year. The therapy aims to reduce scarring and rebuild the damaged organ from within using macrophages.
Scientists at 10 US observatories are improving understanding of Earth's critical zone with a $1.35 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The CZO Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI) will develop networked sites to address pressing scientific questions on regional and global scales.
New research examines the effects of powered prosthetic leg errors on users, revealing some mistakes are insignificant, while others can cause noticeable instability. The team aims to improve decoding accuracy and minimize mechanical work changes to create more reliable prostheses.
A new randomized controlled study, SPADE symptom pentad, investigates sleep problems, pain, anxiety, depression, and energy/fatigue in primary-care patients. The study aims to improve patient care by exploring how symptom scores can benefit physicians' treatment.
A new vaccine is being developed to prevent canine gum disease, a common condition that affects most dogs by three years of age. The vaccine targets the most common types of bacteria causing periodontal disease in dogs.
The University of Louisville Department of Pediatrics has received a one-year, $50,000 grant from the St. Baldrick's Foundation to hire a nurse coordinator for neuroblastoma and sarcoma patients on clinical trials. The grant aims to provide additional access to clinical trials for local patients without having to travel elsewhere.
The Carnegie Institution has received Phase II Grand Challenges Explorations funding to develop a transformative strategy for controlling rice blight, a major challenge to food security. The project aims to achieve broad, durable resistance to the disease and apply its findings to existing rice breeding initiatives.
The study reveals that cooperation emerges when individuals assemble into groups that interact through repeated Public Goods Games. The authors propose an evolutionary game theory model, which suggests a large set of possible responses depending on previous levels of group cooperation. Ultimately, the most successful strategy is 'All-o...
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants to 15 scientists conducting innovative projects in neurobiological and behavioral research. The grants are valued at $1.5 million and aim to understand and treat psychiatric disorders affecting one in four people.
Researchers analyzed whole-genome sequences of 17 supercentenarians, but found no rare protein-altering variants significantly associated with extreme longevity. One individual did carry a variant associated with a heart condition, which had little impact on their health.
Researchers at Boston University will identify biomarkers for TB infection and disease progression, aiming to reduce mortality rates. The study aims to develop new tools for preventing and treating TB, a deadly disease affecting millions globally.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison will continue its Inner-City Asthma Consortium research with a $70 million, seven-year grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The project aims to reduce asthma severity in inner-city children and develop effective treatments.
The Chicago Biomedical Consortium is launching a $3 million Infrastructure Initiative to promote investment in high-impact scientific equipment at its member universities. The initiative aims to make modern instrumentation available to the CBC research community, enabling them to stay at the forefront of biomedical discovery.
A study found that hospitalized cardiac patients exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, and subsequent heart attacks. Only 17.3% of patients recalled being asked about their SHS exposure by healthcare professionals despite the known risks.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been awarded two substantial grants to further develop and utilise its Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage (EHPC) model. The first grant, worth $2.5 million, will investigate whether a nasal spray flu vaccine alters pneumococcal carriage.
Kansas State University's Konza Prairie Biological Station will continue to conduct long-term ecological research with a renewed $6.76 million NSF grant. The grant supports research on the impact of land-use change, climatic variability, and restoration ecology on tallgrass prairie ecosystems.
Fidel Santamaria and his team aim to transform traditional approaches to understanding brain networks using a power-law framework. They will build computational tools to analyze and model power-law dynamics at multiple scales, from molecules to behavior.
UC Riverside professors Eamonn Keogh and Sang-Hee Lee, along with Mindy Marks, are developing a cell phone-based game to encourage healthy behaviors. The team aims to use financial incentives to motivate participants in both the US and sub-Saharan Africa.
LA BioMed researcher Frans J. Walther is receiving Phase II funding to develop an aerosol form of synthetic lung surfactant, which could reduce complications in premature babies. The grant will support the development of a new treatment that can be easily administered in resource-limited settings.
A study found that adenotonsillectomy significantly decreased acute asthma exacerbations and episodes of status asthmaticus in children with asthma. The procedure may help alleviate underlying asthma severity by addressing related obstructive sleep apnea.
Temple University School of Medicine has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop a non-invasive maternal blood test that predicts abnormal fetal neurodevelopment. The project aims to identify biomarkers in maternal blood that can predict healthy fetal brain development and guide interventions.
A study published in CMAJ found that hospitalized patients and families prioritize discussing preferences for care, patient values, prognosis of illness, fears or concerns, and additional questions regarding care. However, these elements are infrequently discussed, leading to low concordance between preferred and prescribed goals of care.
Researchers developed a simple coating to render small batteries harmless if ingested, reducing esophagus damage and potentially eliminating deaths. The cost-effective solution uses a quantum tunneling composite to conduct electricity only under pressure.
The Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods at Case Western Reserve University has won a $4.35 million grant renewal to support its efforts in designing and disseminating interventions that prevent chronic disease in urban neighborhoods. The center's collaboration with the Health Improvement Partnership-Cuyahoga County and...
The HMS Center for Biomedical Informatics has received two major government grants totaling nearly $28 million. Researchers will create a platform merging electronic health records with genomic data to gain deeper insights into neuropsychiatric illness diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Schoggins has received a $2.385 million NIH New Innovator Award to pursue research on why bats can harbor numerous viruses without getting sick. The award supports his lab's work in understanding the science behind this phenomenon.