News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The National Cancer Institute has awarded nearly $4 million to the University of New Mexico Cancer Center and Sandia National Laboratories for a five-year partnership and training center. The award aims to advance new nanotechnology discoveries and develop cancer-relevant applications in clinical practice.
Two Portuguese researchers are awarded $100,000 to develop a novel approach to combat malaria. By harnessing the power of human antibodies against gut flora, they aim to prevent infection immediately after mosquito bites. The project's innovative method has the potential to revolutionize malaria prevention and eradication efforts.
A team of University of Washington undergraduate students has developed a low-cost ultrasound system that uses a modular design and off-the-shelf parts. The system aims to improve access to maternal healthcare in developing countries, where an estimated 1,000 women die each day from childbirth-related mortality.
A study of 3,015 individuals found that corneal arcus is associated with higher intraocular pressure and thicker corneas. Participants with corneal arcus were more likely to have high eye pressure but not glaucoma.
Dr. Vinita Goyal, a Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholar at Care New England, is conducting research into the accessibility of contraception services for female military veterans within the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Her study aims to identify gaps in women's healthcare services and inform policy improvements.
A recent study in PLoS Medicine reveals that doctors' interactions with drug companies continue to influence prescribing practices, affecting quality and cost of care. The research suggests that these relationships can compromise the autonomy of medical professionals.
Researchers critique the limitations of scientific approaches to eHealth evaluation, advocating for a new set of guiding principles. The authors argue that current methods are often flawed and fail to capture the complexities of healthcare in digital environments.
The Louisiana Alliance for Simulation-Guided Materials Applications (LA-SiGMA) will focus on three science drivers: electronic, energy and biomolecular materials. The alliance aims to build a critical mass of researchers in computational materials and biology through collaborations, shared courses and education.
A home visit program for high-risk mothers appears to increase the likelihood of waiting at least two years to have a second child. The program demonstrates benefits in rural areas, where it may be better suited to meet community needs and avoid overwhelming caseloads.
Researchers found that the DUX4 gene is normally expressed only in early development but its suppression is inefficient in FSHD patients. This leads to toxic bursts of protein causing muscle cell death and muscular dystrophy.
The NIH has awarded six grants totaling $12 million to promote scientific workforce diversity. The grants support innovative approaches to addressing the underrepresentation of diverse groups in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.
Susana T. Valente receives $240,000 grant from the Landenberger Foundation to explore novel ways to prevent HIV replication. Her research focuses on identifying molecular interactions between retroviruses and host cells.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $3.75 million grant to develop BigPlant v1.0, a computational tool that analyzes all sequenced plant genomes within a phylogenetic framework. The project aims to discover genes responsible for economic traits like seed development.
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund has awarded a $5 million grant to Omeros Corporation to discover and develop new drugs. The company's proprietary screening technology aims to identify compounds that interact with orphan GPCRs, potentially leading to treatments for cancer, obesity, and neurological disorders.
Researchers at UC San Diego are developing a national center for biomedical computing, iDASH, to share anonymized data and create novel algorithms. The grant aims to democratize science and bridge the computational divide between institutions.
A University of California, Riverside biologist found that adult Trinidadian guppies can mitigate the negative effects of a poor early start through flexible growth and reproductive strategies. This study suggests that adults can compensate for their early conditions through adaptive changes.
The NIH Recovery Act has awarded $300 million in shared instrumentation grants to support biomedical research. The grants will enable researchers to access powerful devices such as high-powered electron microscopes and supercomputers to accelerate discoveries in disease prevention, treatment, and cure.
The grants will advance research on retinitis pigmentosa, Huntington's disease and traumatic brain injury. The selected projects are expected to result in candidate drugs or cell therapies, which can be developed for clinical trials.
The LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans has been awarded a $12 million grant to conduct research on various diseases and develop new treatments. The grant will support the creation of a Louisiana Cancer Research Center and facilitate the growth of academic research scientists.
Researchers will investigate the complex interactions between alcohol consumption and HIV, including brain and liver damage, adherence to antiretroviral medications, and safe sex practices. The goal is to determine whether individuals need to stop or reduce their drinking.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine will examine the long-term effects of intrauterine cocaine and substance exposure on young adults' resilience. The study, which monitors participants since birth, aims to identify factors that foster resilience in the face of adversity.
Researchers will study coastal algal bloom risk and nutrient sources, create models to forecast HABs and develop action plans to reduce them. The project aims to restore the physical, chemical and biological integrity of near-shore waters globally.
Researchers at Penn Medicine measured the collaborative nature of translational medicine using network analysis, finding that ITMAT members' collaborative papers doubled since 2006. They also discovered that researchers were more likely to collaborate within their own departments and institutions rather than across them.
Researchers warn of 'dire' funding situation for biological research databases, highlighting the need for long-term sustainability. A study reviews business models and suggests a global change in funding policies is necessary to support cyberinfrastructure.
Researchers are studying a rare form of Hepatitis E affecting middle-aged and elderly men in the UK. The two-year study will examine liver problems in hospital patients and explore transmission through contact with pigs and products.
Dr. Rodrigue's five-year grant will examine the role of risk factors in shaping brain and cognitive aging, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease and vascular health. The project aims to develop preventive approaches for successful aging.
A team led by Dr. Julian Goldman is developing a prototype healthcare intranet to enhance the integration of medical equipment and electronic health records. The project aims to create a national resource for medical device interoperability R&D, testing, and validation.
A national research team led by UC San Diego scientists created the first lipidome of human plasma, discovering hundreds more fats than previously known. The findings reveal lipids' diverse roles beyond energy storage and cell membrane building, including signaling molecules that may play a role in diseases like diabetes and cancer.
A $12 million grant is being used to develop a disease registry for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in children. The registry will provide real-time information on thousands of IBD cases across the country, allowing doctors and researchers to assess treatment strategies and identify the most successful approaches.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison doctor has won a $2 million grant to develop video games that uncover and neutralize implicit biases against women, minorities, and people with disabilities. The project aims to change attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in academic institutions, ultimately increasing diversity in STEM fields.
The La Jolla Institute will host research projects throughout the San Diego biomedical community, exploring genetic triggers of disease and developing new therapies for cancer and other diseases. The Center is expected to propel immunology research and catalyze a broad base of basic and clinical investigations.
University of Missouri researchers create a National Botanical Research Center to investigate the safety and efficacy of botanical dietary supplements, focusing on five key plants that may aid in preventing strokes, prostate cancer, and infectious diseases.
A UH researcher has received a $250,000 pre-seed grant to develop the Blue Scale, a device that tracks cardiac function in the home and sends alerts to physicians. The device, which resembles a bathroom scale, uses biosensors to monitor vitals and can detect heart failure with accuracy.
Georgetown University School of Medicine family medicine physician Susan Okie provides an overview of changes made by the FDA under Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. The FDA has adopted a more proactive approach to its public health mission, and is working to address growing pains within the agency.
The Field Training Guide, developed by Johns Hopkins researchers, aims to improve research ethics training for field workers. The guide addresses key aspects of human subject interaction and is freely available online.
The Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation has received a $362,102 grant from the US FDA to develop new biological and immunological biomarkers for TB vaccine development. The project aims to evaluate four mycobacterial growth inhibition assays and identify T-cell immune responses associated with protective vaccines.
Global malaria funding has increased by 166% since 2007 but falls 60% short of the required $4.9 billion for comprehensive control in 2010. Meanwhile, 21 countries, including 12 in Africa, have received adequate or near-adequate funds to implement effective malaria interventions.
A University of Oklahoma research team will explore the biological stability of current and next-generation fuels, measuring their impact on biocorrosion activity. The five-year total grant aims to provide a scientific basis for assessing alternate fuels and mitigating fuel biodeterioration and biocorrosion problems.
The International Rett Syndrome Foundation has awarded $1.5 million in research grants to advance understanding of the disorder and develop treatments. These awards will support innovative studies on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying Rett syndrome.
Researchers Paula Gardiner and Robert Saper at Boston Medical Center have been awarded NIH grants to investigate the effectiveness of integrative medicine in treating chronic lower back pain in low-income minorities. Their studies will expand knowledge on the use of herbal supplements and yoga as treatments for this common condition.
A UC Irvine infectious disease specialist is leading a three-year study on new methods to prevent staph infections in people with MRSA bacteria. The project aims to reduce MRSA infection risk across the continuum of inpatient and outpatient care.
The Einstein research aims to understand the role of proteins in normal biological processes and disease pathways. The project will focus on determining the structures of thousands of biomedically important proteins.
Eight new researchers will receive funding for their studies on autism spectrum disorders, including genetics, neuroscience and clinical research. The fellowships aim to support the growth of a promising cadre of young autism scientists.
The NIH has awarded $290 million in grants for structural biology research, focusing on determining protein shapes and functions. Four large-scale centers will operate pipelines for protein structure determination, including centers for mitochondria and membrane proteins.
Researchers aim to create more effective aerial vehicles by studying how animals sense their surroundings, enabling them to navigate in low-light conditions and around moving objects. The project seeks to balance short-term navigation with long-term goals, such as reaching a final destination.
The new research program aims to address pressing concerns in the plant sciences, including food production and human health. It will provide critical support to up to 15 plant scientists over five years, selecting those with exceptional talent and innovative ideas.
Two new Udall Centers will advance Parkinson's disease research, focusing on genetic studies, brain circuit disruption, and novel treatments. The NINDS investment aims to accelerate basic, translational, and clinical research to find a cure for the devastating illness.
Dr. Michelle A. Williams receives two major NIH grants totaling $5.6 million to study complications affecting pregnancy, including abruptio placentae and partner abuse's impact on preterm delivery. Funding will support genomic testing and statistical analysis at Swedish Medical Center and UMDNJ-RWJMS.
The National Cancer Institute has awarded a five-year, $13.6 million grant to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment through nanotechnology advances. The grant will support research efforts led by Dr. Joseph DeSimone and Dr. Joel Te...
The grant aims to strengthen Louisiana's biomedical research infrastructure and workforce by connecting undergraduate universities with research-intensive institutions. The program will provide research opportunities for students and faculty, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and increasing the state's research competitiveness.
African-American women with type-2 diabetes will receive health education through either face-to-face or virtual Second Life methods, with the goal of overcoming barriers to healthier lifestyles. The study aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of virtual health education for this population.
The NIH awarded a $2.4 million grant to increase diversity in the neuroscience field by preparing minority students and those with disabilities for careers in neuroscience. The grant will support undergraduates from two universities and provide seminars, mentoring, enhanced curricula, and hands-on research experience.
African-American victims of motorcycle crashes are 1.5 times more likely to die from their injuries than similarly injured whites, despite wearing helmets. Injury-prevention programs may not be sufficient to protect all riders equally.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine has awarded $100,000 to Mo Salman, Nikkita Patel, and Brittany Gross for their innovative projects advancing veterinary medicine. Salmon's work focuses on infectious disease management, while Patel and Gross develop public outreach initiatives and sustainable dairy farms.
A Virginia Tech researcher is developing a massive data collection system that relies on information captured by 'citizen scientists' to aid in disaster response. The system uses smartphones to collect photographic and sensor data from affected areas, which can be quickly sifted through by responders.
Two LSU research groups investigate the impact of oil and dispersants on the Louisiana salt marsh ecosystem and genetic structure of wildlife populations. The studies aim to understand short- and long-term effects of chemicals on natural systems.
A pilot study has been funded to evaluate a new approach to weight loss and physical activity in people at increased cardiovascular risk. The Waste the Waist programme aims to encourage behaviour change through lifestyle modifications, targeting individuals who are at risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular Innovation Institute researchers have received a $2.027 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to further develop an implantable pump for patients with single ventricle heart disease. The device has the potential to revolutionize treatment by reducing surgeries and improving survival rates.
The University of Illinois Center for One Health Illinois is tackling the gap in surveillance by recruiting experts to build a system for sharing environmental and health data. The center has funded several small-scale research projects and is seeking to fund new studies that integrate human, animal, agricultural, and ecosystem health.
The amount of development aid for maternal, newborn and child health in developing countries doubled between 2003 and 2008. However, the aid was not highly targeted to countries with the highest rates of maternal and child mortality, resulting in some recipient countries receiving far more aid per birth and per child than others.