News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
A UK-based study found that expanding flu vaccination policies to include children aged 5-16 could significantly reduce the number of flu infections and deaths. The current policy targets adults over 65 and high-risk groups, which has shown success in reducing morbidity and mortality.
The research team will investigate ways to reduce the burden of illness associated with prematurity by improving air-breathing transition and delaying umbilical cord clamping. They aim to develop strategies to prevent brain injury and long-term consequences such as cerebral palsy.
The UK is tackling the issue of food poisoning caused by Campylobacter coli through a new two-year study funded by the Food Standards Agency. Researchers will analyze 500 genomes from various sources to identify genetic markers that can help track the bacteria's presence in different environments.
A new study by Brown University researchers projects that expanding home-delivered meal programs to 1% more seniors would save most states money, with Pennsylvania seeing the greatest net savings of $5.7 million annually. This expansion would enable 1,722 more Medicaid recipients to avoid nursing homes and improve their quality of life.
Dr. Vivian Budnik is studying a novel mechanism of communication between the nucleus and cytoplasm, called nuclear envelope budding, which may lead to new understandings for various tissue dystrophies and aging disorders. Understanding this process could provide insights into diseases such as muscular dystrophies and Herpes virus-type ...
Researchers at Jefferson Orthopedics have developed a potential treatment for post-traumatic joint stiffness in military personnel, using an antibody that curtails collagen fibril production. The study aims to reduce joint stiffness and prevent osteoarthritis in soldiers who sustain traumatic injuries.
A large-scale genetics study is underway to investigate the genetic causes behind increased rates of schizophrenia and psychiatric disorders in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome patients. The four-year grant from the NIMH will advance understanding of this under-recognized neurogenetic condition and potentially inform new treatments.
Denise Krch, PhD, of Kessler Foundation has been awarded a $600,000 NIDRR grant to develop a virtual reality program that targets executive functioning impairments in individuals with TBI. The project aims to improve problem-solving, mental flexibility, and divided attention in those with moderate to severe impairment.
NYU has been awarded a grant to create a comprehensive biomedical research training program to prepare students and postdoctoral scholars for careers beyond academia. The program will provide career-training workshops, professional development, and job search support to approximately 1,100 trainees.
Researchers will investigate methylation markers in blood to predict chronic depression with a $3 million NIH grant. The findings may lead to more tailored treatment plans and improved management of the condition affecting nearly 15 million American adults.
Researchers will analyze reviews and manipulate demographic factors on grant proposals to determine if biases exist in the NIH's peer review system. They aim to understand mechanisms behind proposal decisions and identify potential causes of disparities in funding rates among different groups.
Two University of Utah researchers, Adam Frost and Ryan O'Connell, received the NIH Director's New Innovator Award to launch innovative biomedical research projects. The awards support visionary investigators pursuing science with high potential to transform scientific fields and accelerate health improvements.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $5.9 million grant to the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth for its Lung Biology Center of Biomedical Research Excellence. This funding supports cystic fibrosis research and translates basic science into clinical applications.
Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth will advance tissue-engineering technologies with a $75 million grant. The goal is to restore or replace damaged tissue and organs, benefiting both military and civilian populations.
A new UCLA-led study examines the effects of childhood abuse and lack of parental affection across the body's entire regulatory system. The research finds a strong biological link between negative early life experiences and physical health, with parental warmth offering protection against these effects.
The Albert Einstein Cancer Center has received a $17 million NIH grant to continue its research into cancer's underlying causes and new approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. With the renewal of this grant, AECC will investigate five interdisciplinary research programs supported by 14 specialized shared resource facilities.
The torrent frog's superior attachment abilities enable it to securely attach to extremely wet, steep, and rough surfaces. Researchers discovered that the frog uses its toes, belly, and thighs to adhere to the surface, with increased use of these areas on steeper slopes.
The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) aims to develop a framework for evaluating genomic variants relevant to disease and patient care. The grants will support the development of standards formats for data deposition and analysis, as well as categorization of clinical relevance for variants.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that combining acupuncture or counselling with usual care can significantly reduce depression symptoms in patients with recurring depression. The study also showed a reduction in serious pneumococcal infections, highlighting the importance of vaccination in reducing these diseases.
Researchers found that targeting a specific fungal component could render Candida albicans harmless, providing a potential new approach for treating deadly infections. By inhibiting the acidification of the fungal vacuole, the fungus can no longer form deadly filaments, allowing it to coexist peacefully with humans.
Peter Barrance, a senior research scientist at Kessler Foundation, received the 2013 Clinical Biomechanics Award for his study on tibiofemoral contact location changes associated with lateral heel wedging. The study used weight-bearing MRI and was funded by NIDRR.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $50 million to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and other institutions to create a national cyberinfrastructure for the biological sciences. This grant will enable scientists worldwide to analyze large datasets efficiently, addressing global research priorities.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has received a $20.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to lead a health research network across 13 universities in the Mountain West. The Clinical Translational Research Infrastructure Network (CTR-IN) aims to improve research capacity and address regional health conce...
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $50 million grant to create a national cyberinfrastructure for the biological sciences at the University of Arizona. The iPlant Collaborative will provide computational tools and services for analyzing large datasets, advancing understanding of biology beyond individual research groups.
Researchers used whole genome sequencing to identify unique mutations and a previously undescribed disease gene NEK2 associated with retinitis pigmentosa. The study highlights the importance of rare structural DNA variations in Mendelian diseases.
Researchers are investigating the links between maternal nutrition, BPA exposure, and offspring obesity. Studies aim to understand how neural development in the womb can lead to overeating and obesity later in life.
The Entomological Society of America has awarded Monsanto Research Grants and Student Travel Awards to three students: Chelsea Wright, María Cristina Carrasquilla, and Chandra Moffat. The grants will fund their research projects on vector-borne diseases, entomology ecology, and host-associated differentiation.
Li Qian, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, has received a New Scholar in Aging Award from the Ellison Medical Foundation. The award provides four years of funding to support her research on regenerating or repairing injured heart cells.
A study involving 83 physicians and 42 healthcare personnel found that modest monetary incentives resulted in a significant 8.36% increase in patients with controlled blood pressure. However, combined team incentives had no significant effect on physician behavior.
Boston Scientific will provide a $600,000 unrestricted grant over three years to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research and Technology Initiative. This funding will support research in technology, innovation, and education in gastroenterology and hepatology.
A UMass Amherst polymer scientist is working on a four-year, $1.08M grant to develop new ways to control the process of reading precise nucleotide order in DNA chains as they pass through a nanopore. The goal is to create cheaper, faster and more accurate gene sequencing for medical research and healthcare.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a bomb-detecting laser that can identify micro traces of explosive chemicals on clothing and luggage. The low-energy laser uses two pulses to detect chemical frequencies, providing excellent sensitivity and robust performance on virtually all surfaces.
The National Human Genome Research Institute has awarded grants to eight research teams to explore nanopore-based DNA sequencing technology. This approach involves threading single DNA strands through tiny pores, allowing for real-time sequencing of individual molecules at low cost.
Rice University has been awarded a $2.8 million National Science Foundation grant to establish a multidisciplinary training program in neuroengineering for graduate students. The program, led by bioengineer Robert Raphael, will focus on problem-based learning and the development of online educational resources.
Children's Mercy Hospital will assess the benefits of rapid genome sequencing in diagnosing acutely ill babies, with a focus on improving speed and cost-effectiveness. The grant aims to evaluate the use of STAT-Seq technology to help physicians make timely diagnoses and provide families with answers quickly.
The new center aims to better explain the brain and generate ideas for addressing disorders like autism. Brown University will establish a COBRE Center for Central Nervous System Function to study key questions in neuroscience of attention and related behaviors.
A matched-peer controlled study found that an outside mentoring support program increased the number of peer-reviewed research publications, federal grants, and professional activities among minority-serving science faculty members. The program showed significant results in advancing academic interests.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that community voluntary male circumcision services in Orange Farm, South Africa significantly reduced HIV infection levels. The study estimated that without circumcision procedures, the HIV rate among men living in this community would have been 15% in 2011.
Four UCLA researchers received significant funding to advance promising stem cell therapies for HIV/AIDS, prostate cancer, and sickle cell disease. Drs. Jerome Zack, Robert Reiter, Donald Kohn, and Gerald Lipshutz will use the grants to develop innovative treatments with potential to revolutionize disease care.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that nearly 54% of individuals diagnosed with HIV presented late to clinics, with some populations experiencing increased late presentation. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better health outcomes and reducing the risk of transmission.
Researchers at BIDMC are investigating a new noninvasive therapy called Spinal Associative Stimulation (SAS) that combines TMS and peripheral nerve stimulation to activate weakened muscles in patients with spinal cord injuries. SAS aims to increase voluntary activation of residual undamaged spinal-cord fibers, promoting clinical recovery.
Researchers found that platelets activate a screening process allowing lymphocytes to exit the bloodstream without causing bleeding. This discovery opens avenues for further research into the role of platelets in vascular health and inflammation.
A Texas A&M University biologist is working on a potential drug to combat the deadliest form of gut bacteria, C. difficile, which causes 14,000 deaths annually in America. The researcher aims to develop an inhibitor that prevents the spores from growing and causing disease.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $11.8 million to 200 new Young Investigator grantees conducting basic and clinical research on mental illness causes and treatments. This marks the 27th year of the program, which has invested over $300 million since 1987.
A team of UCLA researchers is working on a new approach to improve the quality of donor livers, aiming to reduce organ rejection and increase transplant survival rates. They plan to target specific immune activation pathways and enhance local mechanisms that promote liver regeneration.
Researchers found that commercial Alternative Quality Contract programs reduce spending and improve quality for Medicare beneficiaries served by participating providers. Providers in these plans implement systemic changes that result in higher-value care for all patients, not just those covered by the plan.
Researchers at the Seaver Autism Center will test Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) in children with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, a severe type of autism. IGF-1 has shown preclinical promise in reversing nerve cell communication deficits and restoring learning and memory abilities.
A multidisciplinary team led by Irina Buhimschi at Nationwide Children's Hospital has been awarded a Grand Challenge grant for their low-cost, paper-based urine test to diagnose preeclampsia. The test enables early diagnosis of the condition in resource-limited areas, reducing morbidity and mortality related to preeclampsia.
Dr. Pilkar will analyze walking patterns and response levels to FES interventions using 3D Motion Capture System and Electromyogram (EMG) System.
The University of Montana has received a $1 million grant from the US Army to further develop a drug that limits damage caused by traumatic brain injuries. The research aims to create a therapy that can be administered within hours of exposure to blast-force energy waves, potentially saving soldiers' lives.
Researchers found that food-restricted mice exhibited increased susceptibility to cocaine and other illicit drugs due to heightened dopamine neuron firing in the substantia nigra region. This association may help develop new treatments for psychostimulant abuse by targeting adaptations in brain function.
A BIDMC research team will assess the use of microRNAs as biomarkers in predicting complications in patients who have suffered heart attacks. The goal is to identify microRNA biomarkers that can predict poor health outcomes after heart attacks.
The University of Louisville Diabetes & Obesity Center has won a second $11.25 million COBRE grant to continue its research on diabetes and obesity. The center aims to develop new prevention methods and treatments for these conditions, which are major health threats in the US.
Four research projects, including insulin gene therapy and a revolutionary sensor platform, will receive funding from the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics to develop new therapies for diabetes management and prevention. The selected researchers were awarded $2 million in total.
A study using a driving simulator found that adolescents with ADHD who were distracted while driving demonstrated more variability in speed and lane position than their non-ADHD peers. Texting significantly impaired the driving performance of all adolescents, including those with ADHD.
The UT Southwestern Geriatrics section has received a $1 million four-year grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to enhance interprofessional education and patient safety. The grant will support a curriculum that incorporates virtual and face-to-face experiences, as well as faculty development and training.
A new study by Indiana University found that schools implementing coordinated school health programs saw increases in students' physical activity levels. The programs included before- and after-school walking programs, classroom activity breaks with physical activity, and club sports.
A Marshall University researcher has developed a technology for repairing skin injuries using nanotechnology. The $20,000 grant will help produce device prototypes and market the product to potential customers.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that the setting of scientific peer review panels, such as using teleconferencing technology, has little effect on the outcome of the review process. The researchers reviewed over 1,600 grant applications and found that panelists engaged less discussion during teleconference reviews.
Dr Lindsay Hall's five-year research project will investigate the establishment of infant gut bacterial communities and their protection against infection. The study aims to explore new probiotic bacteria to restore the microbial community and enhance the body's ability to fight infection.