News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
A recent study by UCSF researchers found that supporting entrepreneurs in academia can lead to extraordinary traction in translating academic research into public benefit. The study found 60 new companies and 75 bioscience entrepreneurs in just six years, generating over $230 million in funding.
Amanda Botticello received a $736,216 NIH grant to investigate the role of environmental factors in rehabilitation outcomes for spinal cord injury. The study aims to identify community-level factors that threaten physical, psychological, and social gains during rehabilitation.
INRS is launching two new nanotech labs focused on neurotechnology and nanobiophotonics. The labs will support research in emerging fields with high potential for future innovations in health and information technology.
The University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work has been awarded a three-year, $480,000 grant to place approximately 20 bilingual graduate students in internships with Harris County agencies. The grant aims to provide culturally competent mental and behavioral health services to underserved populations.
A joint UMCP and UMB research project has been awarded a new $2 million grant to continue developing a small robot that could aid neurosurgeons in removing difficult-to-reach brain tumors. The robot, called MINIR-II, is fully MRI-compatible and will be controlled by the physician, with targeting information obtained from real-time MRI.
Researchers found that small genetic variations can accumulate and contribute to the risk of autism spectrum disorders. In families where only one child has ASD, 40% of the risk is inherited, rising to 60% in families with multiple affected children. These findings provide new insights into the genetic factors underlying ASD.
Boston Medical Center is implementing a two-year grant program to train healthcare providers in Massachusetts about incorporating screening and intervention for unhealthy alcohol and other drug use into their practices. The program aims to reduce risky behavior and promote early intervention and prevention strategies.
Researchers at VCU School of Medicine have identified the key and door of a bacterium responsible for tick-transmitted diseases, which could lead to the development of a single vaccine protecting against multiple bacteria. The study focuses on the protein OmpA, which mediates infection in host cells.
The university will extend its world-class structural biology facilities by developing a state-of-the-art instrument for the new synchrotron user facility. The grant aims to provide detailed structural information that can benefit the entire scientific community.
A scientist from Scripps Research Institute has received a grant to develop new chemical reactions for the laboratory preparation of rare natural products, including anticancer and antifungal agents. The project aims to establish a firm scientific foundation for driving medicinal pursuits with improved efficiency.
The NIH-sponsored workshop recommends that preclinical animal studies be reported with more detail, including randomization and data handling, to improve replicability and interpretation. This aims to funnel promising therapies to patients more efficiently.
The University of Michigan has been awarded a $21 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish the Center for HIV RNA Studies, which aims to better understand the HIV virus on a molecular level. Researchers hope that this breakthrough could lead to innovative treatment approaches for AIDS and other diseases.
Rice University biochemist James McNew is probing the key protein atlastin in the genetic disorder HSP. The study aims to build up a better understanding of how atlastin works and why its defects cause HSP.
Maia Raymundo, a UOG master's candidate, has been awarded the National Geographic Society Young Explorers Grant to research the critically endangered Philippine naked-backed fruit bat. Her fieldwork in Negros Island yielded a sighting of an adolescent bat, a significant discovery in her quest to understand the species' status.
The MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program has selected 18 reporters to cover various aging concerns such as family caregiving and financial elder abuse. The program aims to provide in-depth coverage of these topics, shedding light on the challenges faced by older Americans.
The funding will support clinical trials of wireless biosensor systems and rapid pharmacogenomic diagnostic tests to track heart attacks and Type 1 diabetes. Scripps Digital Medicine aims to revolutionize healthcare with breakthrough technologies, including DNA sequencing tools.
A collaboration developed and studied a community-based first response training program in a remote Indigenous community in northern Canada. The program, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Northern Ontario Academic Medical Association, improved emergency care outcomes.
A study of Western Sahara refugees found that obesity affects more households than acute malnutrition, stunting, and underweight in children. The double burden of obesity and malnutrition is a significant issue in refugee populations, emphasizing the need for targeted food assistance programs.
A new research project led by associate professor David Nogués-Bravo will test historical data on species extinction to improve prediction methods for climate change. The study aims to protect threatened species and inform decisions to prevent extinctions.
A new study found that misconduct accounts for two-thirds of all retracted scientific papers, with fraud or suspected fraud being the leading cause. The number of retractions has increased 10-fold since 1975, attributed to a winner-take-all culture in science that rewards publication and reputation over integrity.
A University of Michigan School of Public Health fellow analyzed data on 53 diseases over 19 years, finding that strong advocacy organizations received significantly more funding. This shift in policy prioritizes patients with particular diseases as recipients of research funds, based on perceived moral worthiness.
Researchers are investigating the mechanisms of atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients, exploring whether HIV infection itself is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A study using transgenic mice could provide insight into how HIV causes lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and potentially lead to new trea...
Autism Speaks has awarded nearly $5 million in research grants to support various studies on autism, including the effects of pregnancy medications on future generations. These grants will fund projects that aim to identify biomarkers for response to autism medications, develop new interventions, and expand food choices for picky eater...
The UCSD-based Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research Consortium will continue its critical work on understanding CLL's development and progression. The five-year grant will enable researchers to develop new drugs and treatments for the disease, which affects over 15,000 people annually in the US.
A 5-year, $134 million grant from the National Institute of Health will support a clinical trial examining four glucose-lowering medications for type 2 diabetes treatment. The study aims to determine which therapy most effectively and safely reaches and maintains near normal levels of blood glucose.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has received a three-year grant to study healthy and unhealthy teen dating relationships. The research aims to improve the quality of teenagers' dating relationships and prevent subsequent domestic violence in adult intimate relationships.
Large donors are forcing the World Health Organization to re-evaluate its priorities and agenda-setting process. This shift towards 'multi-bi financing' has raised concerns about the control of international agencies by participating governments.
The PLOS Medicine Editors report on the delays and changes in scope of the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Health Report 2012. The original report was planned for publication in 2012, but it has been delayed until 2013. The focus of the new report will be on universal health coverage, but its scope is still unclear.
Bioengineers from UC San Diego are playing a key role in the NIH's new metabolomics program, which aims to accelerate diagnosis and disease treatment. The project will analyze millions of microorganisms living within the human body, providing insights into their role in health and disease.
A new tracking technique using chemical signatures has been validated as an effective alternative to satellite tracking for loggerhead turtles. The method helps identify key feeding areas and migration routes, aiding conservation efforts.
Researchers Stuart Aaronson and Ross Cagan received a $351,713 grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate signaling pathways responsible for Wnt oncogene addiction. They aim to discover potent drugs that can disrupt this addiction in tumor cells, increasing the efficacy of therapy for Wnt-activated human cancers.
Dr. Timothy Bestor's research could overturn a 20-year-old theory of carcinogenesis, instead proposing that methylation changes kill incipient cancer cells. The study aims to develop new methods to differentiate between 'driver' and 'passenger' epigenetic events in tumor development.
The University of New Hampshire will receive two new instruments, a DNA sequencer and a computer cluster, to advance its genome studies and space science research. The new equipment will enable researchers to study emerging diseases, environmental changes, and space weather with greater precision.
A large analysis of over 100,000 participants found that statins have a very small effect on preventing venous thromboembolic events. The study suggests that high-dose and low-dose statins have no effect on blood clots.
A University of Minnesota research team is developing a biodegradation technology using naturally-occurring bacteria to remove contaminants from fracking wastewater. The goal is to make the water suitable for re-use in fracking and significantly reduce industry's water usage.
Researchers will investigate sulfenylation, a process that can lead to cellular stress and damage, to find new treatments for lung and breast cancers. The study aims to modify the process with potential drug compounds to diagnose and monitor diseases.
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has awarded $19 million in grants to harness nanoscale technologies to dramatically reduce the cost of DNA sequencing. The goal is to address challenges such as speed, accuracy, and price, enabling widespread use of genomics in research and clinical care.
Duc Dong, Ph.D., receives NIH New Innovator Award to explore genetic reprogramming as a means to grow replacement organs. The technology aims to induce new tissue development in zebrafish, allowing for rapid screening of genes and chemicals important for efficient genetic reprogramming.
A study has identified five genes responsible for human facial morphology, with three previously implicated in vertebrate craniofacial development and disease. The remaining two genes are new players in the molecular networks governing facial development.
Three projects have won awards from NIBIB and HHMI to enhance interdisciplinary training for graduate students, sharing successful strategies among institutions. The resources developed through the grants will be disseminated to the broader research community, impacting biomedical science advancement.
A new Northwestern University study developed a formula that accurately predicts a young scientist's success in the life sciences, considering factors like publications, h-index, and high-impact journal articles. The formula is more than twice as accurate as existing methods for predicting future success.
Huei-Sheng Vincent Chen, PhD, receives $1.58 million CIRM Basic Biology IV award to develop personalized models of inherited heart conditions using stem cells derived from patients' own skin cells. The goal is to develop new therapies for these diseases and better understand their causes.
A University of New Hampshire researcher has received a $62,521 grant from NFL Charities to study the safe removal of protective equipment from injured players. The grant will allow Erik Swartz to work with high-fidelity human patient simulators at WakeMed Health and Hospitals in Raleigh, N.C.
Researchers have discovered a new species of African monkey, the lesula, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The species is threatened by local bush meat hunting and has a limited range of 6,500 square miles, making it vulnerable to extinction.
The American Physiological Society has received funding to support programs aimed at increasing diversity in STEM fields. The new grants will provide opportunities for undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented groups to participate in online courses, research studies, and career development.
Rhode Island Hospital has been awarded a $10.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support translational research on cartilage and joint health. The five-year project aims to develop treatments and preventative tactics for diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and bone-related cancers.
Francois Baccelli, renowned French mathematician and engineer, joins The University of Texas at Austin as the first Simons Chair in Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering. He brings a $1.5 million grant to establish a new Center in Information and Network Science.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been awarded a $8 million 5-year grant from NASA to study the origin and evolution of life on Earth. The research team will use genomics to explore deep evolutionary time, searching for signatures of early collective states of life.
Six UC San Diego researchers received over $7 million in CIRM funding to study human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cells. Their work aims to develop unlimited sources of transplantable beta-cells for diabetes patients and promote immunological tolerance to hESC-derived tissues.
The university has received nearly $24.5 million in grants, including almost $14 million for the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and its Complications study. The funding will help researchers investigate the long-term effects of glycemia on diabetes complications and improve healthcare quality in targeted communities.
A Yale center has received a $15 million NIH award to investigate sex differences in autism spectrum disorders, with the goal of identifying causes and developing novel treatments. The research aims to understand why autism is almost five times more common among boys than girls.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awards UC Irvine $5.6 million for Alzheimer's research, while Dr. Henry Klassen receives $17.3 million to develop stem cells for retinitis pigmentosa treatment. Researchers aim to advance human clinical trials using stem cells to improve memory in people with Alzheimer's disease.
The National Science Foundation has awarded funding to the Gramene project for a 5-year period, supporting the development of a Plant Reactome. This will increase the functionality of Gramene, which already provides valuable comparisons across and within sequenced plant genomes.
The study suggests that three-quarters of the human genome can be transcribed into RNA, leading to a redefinition of what defines a gene. This implies that many regions previously thought to be non-functional may have functional roles.
The new center will use over 30 mass spectrometers to analyze thousands of molecules in cells, identifying environmental triggers for diseases like childhood diabetes. Metabolomics research also aims to develop personalized treatments by understanding how patients respond to different doses of medication.
The Center for Autism Research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has received a $2.2 million NIH grant to study brain development in infants as early as three months old. Researchers aim to identify biomarkers for autism and develop more effective treatments.
Two UNC researchers, Dr. Joseph Piven and Dr. Linmarie Sikich, have been awarded $12.6 million grants to establish new autism research networks and conduct studies on early brain markers and oxytocin-based treatments. These grants further solidify UNC's position as a premier institution for autism research.
A framework for point-of-care testing is proposed to address barriers in low- and middle-income countries. The authors emphasize the importance of focusing on point-of-care programs rather than technology itself.
A multinational group of authors has found a strong association between Southeast Asian ovalocytosis and protection against malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax. The study suggests that P. vivax malaria may have contributed to shaping the unique host genetic adaptations in Asian and Oceanic populations.
The University of Missouri's Coulter Translational Partnership Program has awarded funding to five teams of physicians and engineers to improve healthcare. The program aims to turn laboratory discoveries into new products and services for patients, leveraging MU's substantial resources for biomedical innovation.