News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
A University of Guelph professor will use DNA technology to monitor and protect Wood Buffalo National Park, a world heritage site threatened by climate change and industrial development. The project aims to develop a DNA-based early-warning system to identify critical environmental stresses and measure ecological risk.
Despite concerns about bias, most health professionals are unwilling to pay higher fees to eliminate commercial funding sources. The majority of respondents believe that commercial support introduces potential bias in CME activities.
The Einstein Aging Study will explore the relationship between cognitive and motor aging, as well as pain and stress, as novel risk factors for Alzheimer's. Researchers will assess biomarkers, genes, and neuro-imaging procedures to facilitate earlier diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
A £5M funding call aims to extract valuable chemicals from grain brewing co-products, enhancing the UK's biorefining industry and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Researchers will focus on overcoming bottlenecks and developing new methods for increasing product value.
The Alliance for Global Good has partnered with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev to support research programs focused on education, water desalinization, and third-world healthcare. The partnership aims to improve access to fresh water and reduce the prevalence of neglected tropical diseases in Jordan and Ethiopia.
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has partnered with Horizon Pharma to provide research awards to fellows and students in gastroenterology/hepatology. This year, three fellow abstract prize recipients have been awarded $1,000 each for their outstanding work. Additionally, eleven student abstract pri...
Scripps Research Institute investigators Joel Gottesfeld and Kristin Baldwin receive grants to explore stem cells' potential in biology and medicine. The funding supports studies on induced pluripotent stem cells, including methods to identify cancer-causing mutations and their impact on genetic diseases.
A $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will support Penn State's efforts to develop and evaluate an oral hygiene approach for patients with dementia. The project, led by Rita A. Jablonski, aims to reduce care-resistant behaviors and improve oral health through the application of neurobiological principles.
A novel vaccine technology using genetically engineered tobacco and lettuce plants could revolutionize the production of vaccines. The new method is expected to be more effective, safer, and cheaper than current methods, making it potentially life-saving for people in developing countries.
Penn State's Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Training Program aims to reduce child obesity rates through comprehensive training in ingestive behavior, nutrition education, and research methods. The five-year grant will support nine graduate students and provide on-the-job training in four career areas.
Ionita Ghiran's novel device uses magnetic levitation and cell phone technology to diagnose malaria outside the laboratory setting. The device is inexpensive, portable, and requires only a drop of finger-prick blood, providing a solution to the lack of suitable methods for malaria diagnosis.
A half-million dollar research grant aimed at relaxing the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood has not been accessed by Canadian researchers. The authors argue that new screening methods can detect HIV and hepatitis B and C early enough to protect the blood supply from infection.
A University of Colorado School of Medicine researcher has won a $100,000 grant to investigate the cause of preeclampsia, which affects four to eight percent of pregnant women in developed countries. The goal is to find a central unifying factor behind the condition, which kills over 75,000 women and babies annually.
The project aims to develop a Microbial Fuel Cell-based charger that can increase access to healthcare via mobile applications in sub-Saharan Africa. The charger would cost around $1 and could charge a phone in 24 hours, making it a low-cost solution for households lacking power.
A Virginia Tech researcher is working on developing mathematical-based computer models to help emergency managers better plan, train, and carry out complex evacuation tasks. The goal is to create efficient and safe evacuation strategies for hospitals and entire coastal communities.
A call for action proposes applying the International Health Regulations to antimicrobial resistance due to its global health threat. However, another expert disagrees that the IHR were intended to tackle all disease threats and that implementation would be impossible.
A study of night nurses reveals that a common sleep strategy used to adjust to working nights throws off their internal clocks, leading to poorer adaptation and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. The research found that genetic variations in circadian clock genes influence the effectiveness of this strategy.
The quality of healthcare in both public and private sectors in low-income countries is poor, with many services scoring low on infrastructure, clinical competence, and practice. Improving the quality of care in both sectors can be a pro-poor intervention to improve health outcomes.
A University of Houston researcher is developing new class of contrasting agents by using iron nanostructures to provide color to MRI images. This will enable easier interpretation and identification of internal tissues. The technology also has potential applications in tracking stem cells and targeting cancer cells.
The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation has awarded grants to three New York City-based researchers to explore potential treatments and causes of lupus. The foundation's investment has surpassed $17 million, making it a leader in lupus research and care.
Researchers at Duke University and Johns Hopkins University have identified a key brain switch that regulates neuron migration, which may help in early detection of schizophrenia and other conditions. The study suggests that up to 10% of psychiatric illnesses are driven by defects in this switch system.
Dr. Mala S. Mahendroo will investigate biological mechanisms and causes of premature birth with a new $600,000 Burroughs Wellcome Fund grant. She aims to develop an imaging tool to assess collagen changes that precede preterm birth.
Angelique Whitehurst receives grant to study genes that support tumor cell survival and develop new therapeutic targets. Her work aims to selectively destroy tumor cells while leaving normal tissue unharmed.
Researchers have developed a computational model to clearly identify significant genome variations, which will aid in understanding the impact of such variations on cell functions and treatment outcomes. The approach was tested using Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium responsible for hospital-acquired infections, and showed promising ...
Researchers at Arizona State University and the UK have created a platform using biological nanowires to funnel excess energy from photosynthesis directly into fuel production. This innovation aims to increase the efficiency of photosynthesis, enabling the production of sustainable bioenergy.
Two articles in PLOS Medicine emphasize the importance of addressing issues that restrict open access to information in developing countries. Experts propose improvements to journal quality assessment standards and increased collaboration between publishers, authors, and readers from these regions.
The Human Frontier Science Program has awarded 85 Fellowships to young scientists from around the world. The Long-Term and Cross-Disciplinary Fellows will receive training in 12 different countries, while Career Development Awards support their transition to independence.
Dr. Hongwei Yu's lab will explore the factors controlling mucus overproduction and develop a treatment to inhibit alginate biofilm formation in CF patients. The grant aims to improve treatment of bacterial infections and enhance quality of life for CF patients.
The American Association for Cancer Research and the Landon Foundation will present three INNOVATOR Awards to recognize emerging mid-career researchers. The awards support innovation in cancer prevention, international collaboration, and personalized medicine research.
Carey Anders will receive a $181,000 grant to test the effectiveness of PARP-inhibitors and nanoparticle agents in treating triple-negative breast cancer brain metastases. The research aims to improve survival rates for women with this aggressive form of breast cancer.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the American Association for Cancer Research awarded 10 grants totaling nearly $3 million to support innovative pancreatic cancer research. The recipients will be honored at the AACR Annual Meeting, with a focus on building a comprehensive and coordinated pancreatic cancer research community.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and AACR have awarded Jennifer M. Bailey and E. Scott Seeley $600,000 grants to pursue groundbreaking research on pancreatic cancer initiation and progression. Their projects focus on novel insights into KRAS mutations and transport proteins as modifiers of oncogenic signaling.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has recognized 24 new grant recipients for their groundbreaking research in cancer treatment and prevention. These grants support innovative projects focused on invasive bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, skin tumorigenesis, tumor microenvironment, head and neck cancer radiation response...
Researchers at University of Minnesota develop technology to convert CO2 into hydrocarbon fuels using bacteria and sunlight, a potential solution to fossil fuel depletion and climate change. The process uses ketones produced by bacteria as feedstock for diesel fuel production.
A study of pregnant women with autoimmune diseases found specific genetic mutations associated with preeclampsia. The research suggests new genetic targets for treatment and potential tests to identify women at risk of developing the condition.
The DSF Charitable Foundation has given a $3.9 million grant to Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST) to develop novel biomedical tools for monitoring and manipulating gene expression. The grant will support the development of peptide nucleic acids, synthetic analogs of DNA and RNA with ex...
Dr. Werner Mueller, a Springer editor and professor at Mainz University, has won the European Research Council's ERC Advanced Grant for his work on biosilicate research. His goal is to develop biological supporting structures made of biosilicates that can produce bone tissue in humans.
Researchers will recruit 450 people age 70 and older for a five-year study to identify cognitive factors that influence mobility. The study aims to reveal specific abilities and brain structures that correlate with mobility problems, with the goal of preventing mobility decline and disability.
Two-year grants fund direct clinical services, technical assistance, medical evaluations, training, and public awareness campaigns to prevent elder abuse. The center aims to promote aging with dignity and make an impact on the local and national scale.
A study found that authors receiving industry funding were more likely to publish articles promoting menopausal hormone therapy, which may encourage physicians to continue prescribing the therapies. The study's authors caution healthcare providers to exercise caution when reading such articles.
New research reveals no link between economic growth and child undernutrition rates in India, highlighting the need for targeted health interventions. Experts emphasize that poor health is linked to inequality, requiring inclusive growth strategies to address social determinants of health.
Cedars-Sinai's COACH for Kids program will provide comprehensive screenings, immunizations and early treatment to over 25,000 medically underserved children annually. The $20,000 grant expands vital healthcare services to homeless children in need.
The Boston Medical Center will receive a $245,000 grant to enhance its Centering Pregnancy program, which has been shown to decrease late preterm delivery by up to 40% and increase pregnancy knowledge and satisfaction with care. The grant aims to promote preventive care and address health disparities in Massachusetts.
A three-year NSF grant is supporting research on the mechanisms of infrared imaging in pit vipers and pythons. Graduate students are studying the proteins responsible for this ability, while undergraduate researchers are training Burmese pythons to perform complex behaviors in response to thermal signals.
The Sea Grant programs have awarded over $1.1 million for six projects studying the effects of nitrogen, red tide, and climate change on Long Island Sound's ecosystem. Research results will provide valuable information to resource managers throughout the watershed.
A recent study found that only 2% of meta-analyses reported funding sources, while 62.5% of included RCTs had pharmaceutical industry funding. Author financial disclosures were also underreported. The lack of transparency may compromise readers' understanding and appraisal of the evidence.
The Lupus Research Institute has awarded $3.6 million in grants to support cutting-edge research on the devastating disease. Investigators will explore how the immune system goes awry and develop novel approaches to correct manifestations that cause tissue and organ damage.
The March of Dimes is investing $2.4 million in new funding for research on predicting and preventing preterm birth, a leading cause of infant death. Five scientists will study low doses of carbon monoxide, genes, blood tests to identify high-risk women, and fetal membrane weakening.
Researchers argue that IRBs often neglect reporting and methodological quality in preclinical experiments, leading to inadequate risk-benefit assessments. A proposed solution suggests considering evidence on risks and benefits of agents targeting related biological pathways.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute will receive $21.3 million to study genetic changes in cancer and develop new diagnosis, treatment, and prevention approaches. The institute will also lead a $17.1 million program to study blood cell production and function.
A study funded by a $700,000 grant from the National Trauma Institute aims to improve blood-clot prevention medication dosing for critically ill or obese trauma patients. TEG technology will be used to guide physicians in determining the optimal dose of Lovenox.
The Aetna Foundation has funded a two-year study at Boston University School of Medicine to examine the root causes of obesity among African-American women. The study aims to identify small changes individuals can make and policy-level changes that can impact weight gain and obesity.
The University of Miami has received a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to design and assess an innovative competency-based premedical curriculum. The new curriculum will focus on integrating basic science concepts with clinical cases to teach students critical thinking skills and prepare them for future medical practice.
The McKesson Foundation has awarded $1.3 million in Mobilizing for Health Research grants to six U.S. institutions to study the use of mobile technology in diabetes care and management. The studies aim to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs through innovative mobile health solutions.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that health behaviors play a weaker role in socio-economic disparities in mortality among European cohorts compared to British Whitehall II. The findings highlight the importance of understanding cultural differences in the social patterning of unhealthy behaviors.
Acute lung injury is a significant healthcare burden with over 75,000 deaths annually. A new study led by Boston Medical Center will compare novel therapy airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) with traditional ARDSNet treatment to improve patient outcomes.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have identified a gene that governs how neurons form new connections. Without this gene, mice showed difficulty learning and didn't display typical memory ability. The study provides clues to memory and learning, potentially offering opportunities for early intervention after birth.
A recent study found that most medical devices recalled due to serious risks were initially approved through expedited processes or exempt from regulatory review. The FDA's 510(k) process, intended for low- to moderate-risk devices, was used for 71% of recalled devices.
A new study from University of Cambridge found that testosterone administration negatively affects women's ability to mind read, an indication of empathy. The effects are predicted by a fetal marker of prenatal testosterone, the 2D:4D ratio.
The Chicago Biomedical Consortium has secured a five-year funding extension of $25 million from the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust. This support fuels innovative multi-institutional collaborations, resulting in over 200 published papers and $118 million in grants.