News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Researchers aim to double the time window for corneal transplants from one week to two weeks after donor death to increase donated cornea supply. The five-year study will compare outcomes of 1,330 corneal transplants to determine if second-week transplants are as effective and safe.
The Hogg Foundation has awarded Scott & White Healthcare a $638,853 five-year grant to establish an internship program for doctoral psychology students. Thirteen interns will receive supervised training and experience, expanding the healthcare system's mental health services.
The Regenstrief Institute is launching an initiative to encourage and propel innovation in healthcare. The program focuses on enhancing the working environment and providing high-quality, lower-cost care. Research teams will be encouraged to develop high-risk, high-reward ideas that could disrupt current approaches.
The University of Nevada, Reno has received a $10 million NIH grant to enhance biological sciences research and collaboration. The project aims to understand cell communication and its role in human neurological diseases.
SUNY has received $4.3 million in NIH grants to support ROP research and participate in NeuroNEXT clinical trials. The grants aim to develop novel drug therapies to prevent blindness in preterm newborns and accelerate neurological disorder treatments.
The selected studies will evaluate the effectiveness of promising behavioral and medical treatments for core symptoms and associated medical issues in children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Three pilot projects focus on social engagement and language development in non-verbal individuals, while three o...
Researchers at Einstein College of Medicine will study the genetic basis of conotruncal defects, also known as CTDs, which account for more than one-third of all heart defects. The study aims to identify novel therapies and preventive strategies for these defects.
The Danforth Plant Science Center has been awarded a $5.5 million grant from the US Department of Energy to research the oilseed plant camelina as a potential replacement for petroleum-based fuels. The project aims to develop an enhanced variety of camelina that produces more oil per acre, increasing its carbon uptake and efficiency.
A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that consuming dietary supplements, including multivitamins and iron, is associated with an increased risk of death in older women. The study analyzed data from over 38,000 women and found that calcium supplements may actually reduce mortality risk.
Researchers aim to develop a safe and effective vaccine against Pneumocystis, a deadly fungus causing HIV-related pneumonia. The project has the potential to lower treatment costs and improve quality of life for individuals living with HIV.
A genome-wide association study found genetic variants associated with increased risk of low testosterone concentrations in men. The study, which pooled data from 14,429 Caucasian men, identified specific genes, including SHBG and X chromosome variants, linked to lower testosterone levels.
A Rutgers-affiliated company has received a $207,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a technology that analyzes tissue from breast cancer biopsies to predict how aggressive the disease is likely to be. This technology could help physicians and patients plan effective therapies with minimal side effects.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $1.1 million to the University of Rochester Medical Center to continue its 10-year-old program training researchers in China to investigate suicide causes and prevention.
The first NIH-funded Center of Research Translation will focus on personalized drug development for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aiming to find treatments effective for the majority of patients. The center will lay the groundwork for exon-specific drugs and optimize delivery and molecular targeting.
Estimating the severity of a flu epidemic can be done in real-time using serological data coupled with clinical surveillance data. This approach provides valuable insights for pandemic preparedness and response, making it useful not only for influenza pandemics but also for other emerging infectious diseases.
A team of researchers from Boston University's School of Medicine and College of Engineering have been awarded a $4.8 million NIH grant to develop a low-cost, multiplexed virus detection platform capable of rapidly detecting viral pathogens such as Ebola, Lassa Fever, and Marburg. The resulting diagnostic platform should be able to det...
The IGB and University of Illinois have received a $3.2 million NSF grant to train up to 30 graduate students in vertically integrated training with genomics. Students will learn to integrate genomic tools with traditional taxonomic approaches to study grand challenges in biology.
The University of Pennsylvania has received a $12.5 million grant from the NIH to accelerate medical research into new therapies for inherited forms of blindness and lung cancer. Researchers aim to use gene therapy and microscopic imaging tools to develop innovative treatments, potentially improving millions of lives.
LA BioMed has broken ground on a new research center for chronic diseases, consolidating collaborative efforts of investigator groups and serving as the new home for several clinical programs. The $9.7 million grant from NIH will support rapid deployment of shovel-ready projects and create jobs in the local economy.
Cognitive therapy has been shown to improve the lives of severely impaired schizophrenic patients, reducing symptoms and promoting recovery. By helping patients set concrete goals and overcome defeatist beliefs, treatment encourages engagement in activity and motivation, leading to better functional outcomes and reduced hallucinations.
G-Zero Therapeutics, a UNC spin-off, has received a $3 million Small Business Innovation Research Grant to commercialize technology protecting patients from cellular damage caused by radiation or cancer chemotherapy. The grant will fund the development of treatments for bone marrow toxicity resulting from radiation and chemotherapy.
The Elsevier Foundation OWSD awards recognize eleven talented women scientists from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean for their research excellence. The winners will receive a cash prize of US$5,000 and are expected to act as role models to other girls and young women considering a career in science.
Dr. Malgorzata Borowiak has been awarded a grant from the Helmholtz Association to return to the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch, Germany, as head of a Young Investigators Group. She aims to contribute to diabetes research by studying beta cell development.
Researchers advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships between academia and industry to improve population health and address health inequities. They also propose training grants to bridge the 'valley of retirement' as experienced researchers retire.
The European Medical Research Councils' White Paper assesses the current status of biomedical research in Europe and its international collaborators. The report highlights five key recommendations to improve the quality of life for Europeans and address global challenges.
Four Washington-based teams will receive grants to develop and test prototype health products, including a device for atrial fibrillation detection and a technology to monitor older adults. The Life Sciences Discovery Fund aims to promote the translation of promising technologies into marketable products.
The NIH will provide funding for eight innovative neuroscience education programs aimed at increasing science literacy and interest among K-12 students. These programs, led by investigators across the US, will use creative strategies such as touch tablet technology and interactive learning centers to engage students in neuroscience.
A study of over 1,100 women found hip fractures increase short-term mortality rates for women aged 65-79 and those aged 80+, even after controlling for underlying health status. Healthy women in this age group are at increased risk of death after a hip fracture.
A survey of US primary care physicians reveals that nearly half believe their patients receive too much medical care, while 52% think the amount is just right. The authors suggest that reimbursement systems should encourage longer visits to reduce pressures on physicians.
Rommie Amaro, UCI assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and computer science, has been selected by President Obama for the Presidential Early Career Award. Her work employs large-scale computing resources to discover new drugs and explore complex biological mechanisms.
The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network has received a $12 million federal grant to continue its work in supporting clinical research, developing best-practice guidelines, and providing tool kits for families and physicians. The funding will also support the development of additional research within the ATN, including clinical trial...
Researchers will explore how gene networks in the rice leaf respond to changing environmental conditions, particularly temperature and water availability. The study aims to develop crop varieties that can thrive under a range of circumstances, improving food security globally.
A study by an international consortium has identified five new genes associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The research, published in PLOS Genetics, found that these genetic variants contribute to the development of CAD and heart attacks, particularly in South Asian populations.
The University of Texas at Austin researchers have been awarded NIH grants to create novel therapeutics for treating heart disease. They will also develop technology to significantly reduce the time and costs required to test drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.
A researcher at Indiana University is investigating the most effective ways to present information about the HPV vaccine to young women, in an effort to boost vaccination rates. Her study will assess how women process and understand the information, as well as their attitudes and intentions toward vaccination.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $3.54 million grant to fund translational bioengineering research that employs engineering techniques to develop healthcare improvements. The award will support research partnerships between clinicians and engineers, with the ultimate goal of accelerating new technologies into patient care.
A $1.1 million grant aims to boost under-represented students in health-related research, fostering diversity and addressing disparities in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases. The program will provide mentorship, research training, and financial assistance to 16 students from diverse backgrounds.
A new plant breeding approach developed at the University of California, Davis, could significantly improve crop yields and disease resistance for staple foods like cassava and banana. The method allows breeders to create hybrid seeds that carry DNA from only one parent, dramatically reducing the time required to develop new crops.
A new evidence-based tool has been developed to evaluate doctoral programs in African universities, incorporating perspectives from students, staff, and policy makers. The tool aims to strengthen capacity and justify external funding inputs, benefiting universities across different countries.
A new microscope technology allows scientists to see individual elements in immune cells, including protein filaments and granules that destroy infected cells. The study reveals that these granules pass through openings in the cell skeleton to reach their targets.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that genotyping patients with hepatitis C can improve doctors' ability to predict treatment response. The study identified an interaction between IL28B, HLA-C, and KIR genes as a mechanism for viral control, potentially leading to improved therapies.
Wayne State University researcher Jeffrey Ram is using EPA grants to develop effective ballast water treatment systems and an early warning system for invasive species in the Great Lakes. The goal is to minimize the impact of existing invasive species and prevent new ones from entering the lakes.
Nine LCC science projects have received $1.2 million in WaterSMART funding to support research on climate change impacts, water efficiency, and ecosystem health. These projects will inform federal, state, and local managers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, and Northern Mexico.
Patients in another clinical trial have reached the two-year mark following infusion of processed adult stem cells, while a new $12.8 million NIH grant renewal aims to perfect cardiac stem cell therapy for heart regeneration after a heart attack.
The NSF has provided a six-year, $13.6 million grant to establish a multi-university center at Duke University and N.C. State University to investigate soft matter research. Researchers will focus on creating new materials with defined characteristics for various applications, including organic solar cells and tissue implants.
Researchers will examine the effectiveness of state and local anti-smoking programs across the US. The study aims to inform government policy decisions and allocate resources efficiently. Tobacco control in California has already saved over $86 billion in health costs.
The Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders will provide funds for four cores to support collaborations between programs and help jump start new investigations. The Center aims to enhance research productivity of investigators in musculoskeletal tissue injury and repair.
A recent study argues that existing financial protection measures are insufficient and advocates for new indicators to identify those unable to afford healthcare. The findings highlight the need for improved measurement of financial protection in health systems to better support vulnerable populations.
The ASCB's online image library has won The Scientist's 2011 Readers' Choice Award for favorite website, showcasing over 3,250 searchable images. The library, funded by the NIH, has attracted 65,000 visits from 157 countries and welcomes contributions from researchers worldwide.
Drs. Peter Cadieux and Hassan Razvi have been awarded a $566,000 grant as part of a $2.2 million initiative to explore novel coatings that significantly reduce bacterial adherence to urinary tract stents and catheters. The research aims to improve prevention and treatment of urinary device-associated infections.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology are developing innovative anti-corrosion materials with superhydrophobic properties to repel water and prevent corrosion. The grant will support the study of nanoscale wetting dynamics on these surfaces using an environmental scanning electron microscope.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association has funded 40 new research initiatives targeting nearly two dozen progressive neuromuscular diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). New projects are underway in the US and internationally to find effective treatments for these diseases.
Two articles argue that film rating recommendations can create an economic incentive for producers to avoid tobacco imagery in youth-rated films. In contrast, other experts disagree, citing concerns about censorship, confounding factors, and the effectiveness of adult classification, suggesting alternative approaches to address public ...
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Dartmouth Medical School a $11 million grant to establish a network of institutions in northern New England for quantitative biologists. The Center of Biomedical Research Excellence will recruit, train, and support young scientists to investigate the interaction between genes and environment.
Researchers will use genome-wide association studies to identify genetic variants associated with diseases, enabling the adjustment of patient medications and prevention of diseases. The eMERGE network has already identified genetic variants linked to dementia, cataracts, type 2 diabetes, and more.
The University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is receiving over $7 million from the National Institute on Aging to continue its research and clinical initiatives focused on treating Alzheimer's disease. The funding will support ongoing programs, including telemedicine services, brain donation, and outreach efforts.
Valley Presbyterian Hospital will receive a $500,000 grant to implement policies and procedures promoting exclusive breastfeeding among new mothers. The three-year initiative aims to enhance the hospital's ability to provide intensive training, new procedures, and postnatal support to encourage more mothers to rely on breast milk.
A two-year NIH-funded study analyzing 83,000 grant applications found a significant 10 percentage point gap in research funding between white and black applicants. Despite accounting for demographic factors, the researchers discovered that applications from black researchers were less likely to be scored and had worse scores.
A recent NIH-commissioned study found that black applicants were 10 percentage points less likely than white applicants to receive research project grants after controlling for factors such as education and affiliation. The study highlights the need for action to address racial disparities in the biomedical workforce.
Veterinary researcher Scott Kenney received a prestigious USDA grant to investigate the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis behind porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. The two-year grant aims to better understand how the virus causes reproductive failure in sows and respiratory diseases in piglets.