News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
A team led by Boston College's Rebekah Levine Coley is studying the link between housing and child development in low-income families. The three-year project will analyze data from the Three-City Study to understand how housing influences children's physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development.
Scientists at Stroud Water Research Center are investigating how a stream's ecosystem changes as trees along the banks mature. The five-year NSF grant will provide funding for new data collection using cutting-edge technologies to study physical, chemical, and biological attributes of the stream.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association has awarded $13.5 million in grants to support new research on neuromuscular diseases, including muscular dystrophies and ALS. The funding will aid in advancing understanding of disease processes and developing therapeutic strategies for these devastating conditions.
Researchers at University of Washington develop tiny, battery-powered implantable devices that bridge impaired nerve connections and promote brain recovery from injury or disease. The devices can record nerve cell activity, process it, and stimulate cells in another brain region.
A study by Cornell University social scientists suggests that differences in resources and career choices rather than sex discrimination limit women's representation in STEM fields. The researchers found no systematic evidence of sex discrimination in hiring, funding, or evaluation when men and women had similar resources.
A £1.74 million grant from the National Institutes of Health has been awarded to improve treatment outcomes for Cystic Fibrosis patients by studying the role of anaerobes in lung damage.
The team aims to create images revealing micro- and macroscopic matter with improved clarity, surpassing traditional microscopy resolution by 10-fold. This enables scientists to study living tissue in its natural state without sample manipulation.
Researchers at Arizona State University developed a new method to determine biomolecule structures, achieving over 3 million clear diffraction patterns with the Linac Coherent Light Source. This milestone has significant potential for discoveries in biology, medicine, clean energy, and the development of targeted cancer drugs.
Two trials found that intermittent preventive treatment provided substantial additional protection against clinical malaria, severe malaria, and hospital admissions. A third trial demonstrated the effectiveness of community-based delivery by volunteer village health workers in rural areas.
Researchers identified four shared genetic risk loci for celiac disease and Crohn's disease, suggesting a common underlying mechanism. The study provides evidence that risk factors shared across related diseases can be identified by combining genetic data from clinically distinct conditions.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have received prestigious ERC Grants to develop new therapies against multi-resistant germs, study interactions between cellular components, and improve algorithms for image processing. The grants total €9.8 million.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that genetic sequencing is insufficient to understand human disease, highlighting the need for functional tests. The study used a suite of diseases called ciliopathies, which can cause various traits in patients.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine will continue studying manic symptoms in children with a renewed $7.8 million NIMH grant. The study aims to develop accurate diagnoses and predictive factors for bipolar spectrum disorders in youth.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will develop transient immunity against known and unknown disease-causing pathogens with a focus on rapid development within seven days. The project aims to address growing concerns of emerging and re-emerging pathogens through advanced diagnostics and medical therapies.
Thea Friedman, oncology basic research director at the John Theurer Cancer Center, has received a $2 million NIH grant to advance blood and marrow transplant research. Her team aims to develop personalized transplantation techniques using T cell receptor analysis to separate donor cells responsible for graft-versus-host disease from th...
A systematic review of eHealth technologies found weak and inconsistent evidence supporting their use. The study highlights the need for further evaluation of these technologies to ensure they improve patient outcomes and are cost-effective.
The University of California, San Diego's Trauma Epidemiology and Injury Prevention Research Center is expanding its older driver screening program to other counties, focusing on interventions for at-risk drivers. The program aims to identify and address medical conditions that may interfere with safe driving.
A rock concert raised £30,000 for cancer research by Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), supporting Dr. Alison Curnow's clinical PDT research team at the Peninsula Medical School and Royal Cornwall Hospital. The funding will enable them to continue their work on this relatively unknown light-activated anti-cancer drug therapy.
A recent study found that taking regular breaks while sitting can lower waist circumference and decrease inflammation. The research analyzed data from over 4,700 people and discovered that those who took more breaks had smaller waists and improved cardio-metabolic function.
Holger Puchta aims to control inheritance in plants to improve crop properties using nature's existing gene pool and cutting-edge techniques like genome sequencing and DNA scissors. The ERC grant will support his five-year project.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association granted Acceleron Pharma a $1.5 million award to support the clinical studies of ACE-031 in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients. The grant will enable gathering safe dosing and pharmacodynamic activity information vital to future studies.
A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that personal motivation is a crucial factor in determining how quickly patients return to work following total knee replacement surgery. Motivated patients were able to return to work an average of 8.9 weeks after surgery, while those with lower motivation took longe...
A new IVF prediction model developed by Scott Nelson and Debbie Lawlor uses data from 144,018 IVF cycles to provide a more accurate assessment of likely outcomes. The model identifies factors such as maternal age, duration of infertility, and oocyte use that affect the chances of successful treatment.
A study found that at least one in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime, with higher risks for the elderly. This highlights the need for more research using epilepsy surveillance data to inform healthcare planning and improve patient care.
The article presents a set of 10 guiding principles for health systems strengthening developed from a comprehensive review of the literature and consultation with experts. These principles aim to establish a common foundation for future discussions and strategies in global health systems strengthening.
Dr. John Wood will investigate energy production mechanisms in red blood cells to determine if glutamine supplementation improves physiology in athletes with sickle cell trait. The goal is to develop an easy and safe therapy to incorporate into athletic training regimens.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded two researchers, Ken Cadwell and L. Stirling Churchman, with the Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists. They will use the $100,000 funding to pursue innovative research in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
A team of scientists identified a set of brain proteins that accounts for over 130 brain diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The study provides a new way to study the evolution of the brain and behavior, and opens paths toward tackling these diseases.
Autism Speaks has awarded $2.309,233 in funding for 21 new research grants over three years, including pilot projects and special research initiatives. The grants focus on epigenetic and gene-environment influences, neurobiology, and studies concerning adolescents and adults with autism.
The Elsevier Foundation has awarded grants to institutions in Africa and Asia for projects focusing on telemedicine, infrastructure-building, and the preservation of primary source content. The grants aim to improve access to health information and support global health development.
The University of Houston will receive a $5 million grant from the Houston Endowment to strengthen its doctoral programs in key fields. The funding will support increased recruitment, retention, and graduation rates for highly qualified doctoral students.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have received grants to develop novel tests for early detection of lung cancer in high-risk patients. The grants will focus on identifying subtle differences in cells from the nose or mouth that can detect disease.
A cluster-randomized clinical trial in Ethiopia found significantly higher nasopharyngeal pneumococcal resistance to macrolides in communities randomized to receive azithromycin compared to untreated control communities. This study highlights the impact of antibiotic selection pressure on developing antibiotic resistance.
Medical students and doctors face challenges accessing and incorporating evidence into their practice as the available evidence base grows. A new HEA-funded mini-project will explore decision-making processes about where to obtain information, aiming to improve clinical time management and patient care.
Researchers are creating a new rapid test to detect sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in under 15 minutes. The system uses short fluorescently-labelled DNA sequences to identify the presence of an STI.
The University of Illinois has received a $662,836 NSF grant to establish a program mentoring Latino undergraduate students in quantitative biology and informatics. Four cohorts of students will participate in one-year research experiences, receiving fellowships for their work.
Researchers aim to create new therapeutics using novel insight into fat metabolism, targeting a type of fat cell that burns calories and reduces weight. The study builds on key discoveries about brown fat, a molecular furnace that generates heat by burning calories.
Researchers are working on four different projects: studying MTB infection, analyzing latent infection in humans, improving chemotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme, and exploring gene modification for stem cell selection. The funding will support a multidisciplinary team of experts in proteomics, genetic epidemiology, and cytokine bio...
A CCNY professor has received a $1.3 million grant to develop an artificial blood substitute that can be administered to injured troops on the battlefield. The artificial hemoglobin binds oxygen in the presence of carbon monoxide, potentially preventing or treating carbon monoxide poisoning.
Six scientists from Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey will receive the 2010 EMBO Installation Grants for 3 years. They will be integrated into the prestigious EMBO Young Investigator programme with networking opportunities and career development programmes.
The new Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Center at Dartmouth will advance understanding of arsenic exposure's effects on maternal and child health. The center aims to gain insights into the consequences of low-level arsenic exposure, particularly on fetal growth and development.
A $7 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will support a four-year research project to develop clinical guidelines for pre-eclampsia diagnosis and treatment in lower- and middle-income countries. The project aims to reduce maternal, fetal, and newborn deaths related to pre-eclampsia.
Researchers have identified seven genetic variations associated with both ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease, highlighting a potential new understanding of how AS develops. The study suggests that these immune cells may play a key role in the development of AS.
AnaLisa DiFeo will investigate microRNA profiles and their association with chemotherapy sensitivity in ovarian cancer tumors. Her research aims to identify new drug targets for overcoming chemoresistance and improving treatment outcomes.
A cluster of articles in PLoS Medicine highlights the need to improve global health estimation and data measurement. Experts argue that the process has become overly politicized and that action is needed to address the most vulnerable populations' health needs.
Researchers found that women with migraine with aura are twice as likely to have no significant disability from stroke. This association may be due to smaller vessel mechanisms leading to mild strokes. The study's results offer reassuring news for migraine sufferers, suggesting a lower risk of severe outcomes.
A new foundation model will provide funding and support for research at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, selected by committee. The project aims to help Israel's economy through successful innovation and commercialization of promising research.
A combination of increased domestic funding and foreign loans led to a dramatic increase in tuberculosis case finding in China. The study highlights the importance of evaluating the links between financing for health and TB control.
The DFG will establish 11 new Collaborative Research Centres, receiving €94.4m for four-year projects on astrophysics, immune systems, and data analysis. New CRCs focus on efficient lift systems, self-organisation in physics & biology.
Scientists at the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow are using a £1 million grant to investigate the causes of serious diseases like heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
William Ja, a Scripps Florida scientist, received $60,000 grant from the Glenn Foundation to continue his work on longevity-enhancing manipulations. He also received a two-year grant of approximately $200,000 for non-surgical sterilization methods for dogs and cats through the Found Animals Foundation.
Dr. Jay Kolls has been recognized with the prestigious MERIT Award for his work on a discovery that plays a critical role in the body's defense against pneumonia. His research uses genetically engineered mice to investigate the role of lung epithelium and explore how cells control infection defense in the lung.
The NIH has awarded a five-year grant to develop a painless, self-administered flu vaccine using patches containing tiny microneedles. The technology aims to improve vaccination rates, especially among children and the elderly, by reducing the need for medical personnel.
Four New York University researchers have been recognized for their groundbreaking work in various scientific fields. Evgeny Nudler, Daniela Schiller, Neal Weiner, and Elza Erkip received funding to support their research on transcription, memory, dark matter, and wireless communications.
The global burden of disease associated with poor hygiene, sanitation, and water supply is substantial, accounting for nearly 20% of all child deaths worldwide. Four papers in the PLOS Medicine series highlight the need for urgent action to improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hand-washing practices.
The NSF grant will support the design and construction of a portable spectrometer to work with a powerful new 36 tesla magnet. This will enable researchers to perform transformative science in an unexplored magnetic-field range for applications such as biological tissues and battery materials.
Researchers at OHSU are exploring the safety and effectiveness of a non-surgical female sterilization method that uses polidocanol foam to close fallopian tubes, potentially reducing unintended pregnancy rates. The study aims to provide a game-changing family planning strategy for women in low-resource settings.
The Halpin Foundation-ASN Research Grant has enabled researchers to study the PCP pathway's role in regulating podocyte architecture and nephrin organization. This finding establishes a mechanism for the regulation of foot processes in membranous nephropathy.
The NSF-funded ADVANCE Program aims to increase women's representation in STEM at the University of Maryland. The program will implement interconnected strategies to transform academic environments and promote the professional growth of all women faculty members.
Weill Cornell Medical College has received $200,000 in new funding from the Gates Foundation for tuberculosis research. The grants will support projects led by Dr. Carl Nathan and Dr. Kyu Rhee, aiming to understand the genetic mechanism of TB emergence from latency and develop new therapies.