News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded a four-year, $5.1 million grant to develop nanopore strand sequencing, a rapid real-time technology that can sequence a person's DNA in 15 minutes with minimal sample preparation time. The goal is to make genome sequencing cost-efficient and routine medical care possible.
Boston University researchers have received a $4.1 million grant to refine their nanoscale, low-cost DNA sequencing method that could lead to individual genome sequencing for less than $1,000. The team's solid state nanopores are uniquely positioned to compete with current DNA sequencing methods for cost, speed and accuracy.
A three-year grant from NIH will fund a UChicago-Argonne team developing single-cell confinement technology for cultivating microbes in the human gut microbiome. This project aims to overcome traditional cultivation limitations and target poorly understood sulfur-reducing bacteria associated with ulcerative colitis.
A five-year analysis of Australian news stories found that stories written by specialist health journalists working for a single media outlet were of higher quality than those written by less experienced writers. The study highlights the importance of this source of health literacy as traditional media faces financial challenges.
A research team created a quadrupedal molecular machine with four 'hooves' to study how multiple parts move. The team found that the molecule uses a pacing gait, but cannot use tunneling to zip through the surface corrugation.
Researchers will use genome sequencing and equipment to profile small RNA expression in plants, aiming to improve biomass yields and quality for bioenergy production. The project focuses on Miscanthus and other grasses with high potential biomass yields.
Researchers at Northwestern University and Duke University will study opportunities for improving the FDA's 510(k) product review process and examine the lifetime benefits of implantable devices. The studies aim to build evidence-based policy and improve patient outcomes.
The Office of Naval Research has awarded a $7.5M grant to Boston University to develop unmanned aircraft inspired by the flight mechanics of bats, birds, and insects. The project will investigate biological capabilities for agile flight and integrate engineering design with biological studies.
A study of ghostwritten articles reveals how pharmaceutical companies like Wyeth promoted unproven hormone replacement therapy benefits and downplayed potential harms. The analysis shows that ghostwriting was used to mitigate risks associated with Prempro, a brand of menopausal hormone therapy.
A commentary calls for a new funding model with strategic priorities to ensure America's position as a world leader in biomedical research. The current system has not evolved to keep pace with science, leading to stagnation in discoveries and innovation.
A recent study by Group Health Research Institute and the University of Washington found that 86% of patients agreed to share their de-identified genetic information in a federal database. The study suggests that researchers should ask for consent before sharing data, even if participants initially agree to it.
The NIH grant will support research into novel treatments for muscular dystrophies, including gene replacement and repair methods.
The University of Minnesota's Institute for Mathematics and its Applications has received a $20.5 million NSF grant to continue its tradition as one of the nation's top math institutes. The IMA brings together world-class mathematicians with experts from other scientific disciplines to tackle real-world problems.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that IT-based programs can support clinicians to close gaps in CVD care delivery, including risk assessment and patient self-management. The authors emphasize the need for a supportive social and political environment to fully realize the potential of these programs.
Iowa State University researchers will develop an instrument to reveal single molecules, test food contamination technology, and design taller wind turbine towers. The grants aim to grow the state's economy through commercialization of university technologies.
A research project at the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter has won a £140,000 grant to study the effect of hydrogen sulfide as an anti-inflammatory agent. The study found that slow and sustained delivery of H2S reduces inflammation by increasing levels of the body's own anti-inflammatory molecules.
A research team has identified a DNA sequence in individuals with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) that causes the gene DUX4 to be more active. The study suggests that this protein is toxic to muscle cells and may hold key to developing new treatments or potentially curing FSHD, a progressive condition affecting 300,000 people worl...
Researchers estimate ITN coverage in 44 African countries between 2000 and 2008, with some countries scaling up coverage to over 60%. However, others, such as Nigeria, remain undercovered. The study suggests increased development assistance for health is related to improved ITN coverage.
Researchers found that long-lived aspen clones experience reduced sexual performance and increased risk of extinction with age. The study, published in PLOS Biology, used molecular clock estimates to determine the age of individual clones and measured male fertility.
Researchers are tracking short- and long-term exposure to oil and dispersants in Gulf Coast salt marshes. The goal is to document changes in Spartina grasses, plant growth, and marsh animals and microbes.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine are expanding their studies on immunotherapies for peanut and egg allergy through a renewed $29.9 million grant from the NIH. The team is also investigating new treatments, including a peanut protein patch applied to the skin to treat peanut allergy.
Researchers aim to mitigate radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome using stem cell-based therapies. The new grant will support the development of bone marrow transplant techniques and identify chemical agents that accelerate repair and regeneration of irradiated stem cells.
The University of Maryland will be the only academic institution in the US to possess a 950 MHz NMR spectrometer, enabling researchers to study large proteins and interactions with unprecedented resolution. The instrument will facilitate studies of protein assemblies, ubiquitin marking, and cellular function.
A $1.7 million NIH grant supports UT Dallas researcher Dr. Michael Kilgard's investigation into nerve stimulation as a long-term cure for tinnitus. The goal is to retrain the brain to ignore nerve signals that simulate ringing, offering a possible permanent end to the condition.
The Membrane Protein Structural Dynamics Consortium aims to unite structure and function through dynamic studies of membrane proteins, enabling better drug development for diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
A randomized controlled trial found that adding raltegravir to standard antiretroviral therapy had no effect on low-level viral load in HIV-positive individuals. The study suggests that residual viremia may be due to the release of HIV from stable reservoirs, requiring new therapeutic strategies to cure HIV infection.
Chapman's research aims to simplify the development of portable applications, enabling medical equipment manufacturers to create advanced software for embedded multicore processors. The collaboration has led to the creation of open-source training material and graduate courses introducing UH students to multicore programming.
The University of Louisville has received a $3.15 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to support its cancer research program in Owensboro. The funding will be used to create new faculty positions and expand the research program, with a focus on developing plant-based pharmaceuticals.
Yoed Rabin is developing biothermal technologies for cryopreservation and cryosurgery using vitrification, glassy materials, and wireless temperature sensors.
The University of California, Riverside has received six grants from the UC Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program to fund research on thirdhand smoke and cigarette smoke's effects on reproduction. The grants total over $850,000 and will support multiple labs working on tobacco-related research at UCR.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital will study traumatic brain injuries in sports, vulnerable groups, and motor vehicle collisions. The hospital aims to improve care for rural Canadians lacking access to trauma centers during the critical 'golden hour'.
A global distribution map of P. vivax malaria identifies regions with extremely low or unstable transmission, where control and elimination are relatively good prospects. The study estimates that 91% of exposed individuals live in Central and South East Asia.
To eradicate malaria, it is essential to comprehend the private lives of mosquitoes beyond their usual habitats. The authors emphasize that current vector control measures are insufficient to break the Plasmodium falciparum transmission cycle in highly endemic areas.
Michigan State University is creating a cross-discipline, mentored program to increase the number and diversity of researchers in women's health with a $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The program will help junior investigators by matching them with mentors and protecting their time to focus on research efforts.
Three unusual cases of patients with listerial meningitis were presented, highlighting that Listeriosis in developing countries does not follow the usual pattern. The cases did not match the typical profile of newborns or elderly individuals, suggesting a different risk factor profile in these regions.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Kerry Courneya will investigate the impact of physical activity on breast cancer outcomes in a five-year study. The study aims to explore how physical fitness levels affect disease recurrence, treatment completion, and quality of life in women with breast cancer.
The University of Houston received a $2.4 million grant to fund postdoctoral scientists researching cancer biology and computational disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach aims to tackle the most pressing problems in cancer research.
The MRC refused to fund IVF research that led to the birth of Louise Brown, citing concerns about embryo quality and patient safety. The researchers argue for more complex reasons, including strategic errors by Edwards and Steptoe in their funding application.
African Americans with hypertensive nephrosclerosis have a higher rate of developing end stage renal disease (ESRD) than dying prematurely, according to a new study. The study analyzed data from the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK) trial and cohort phase, finding that ESRD rates exceeded mortality rates ...
A recent study has discovered that a protein known for its role in type 2 diabetes may also be involved in heart disease and other metabolic disorders. The findings suggest potential drug targets among gene networks, offering new avenues for treatment.
The large-scale roll-out of adult male circumcision (AMC) in Orange Farm, South Africa has been successful in reducing HIV prevalence. The study's findings suggest that AMC can be a feasible short-term strategy for HIV prevention in low-income communities with high HIV prevalence.
Researchers at Louisiana State University are conducting vital studies to understand the effects of the ongoing oil spill on marine ecosystems, including oyster beds and the health of naturally-occurring bacteria. Additionally, LSU faculty are exploring how people cope with major disasters through social networks, shedding light on a c...
Five young Portuguese researchers have been awarded starting grants from the European Research Council to study the processes underlying cell division, ageing and adaptation. Their work has implications for understanding cancer, age-related syndromes and infertility.
The Institute for Clinical & Translational Science at UCI will receive a five-year, $20 million NIH grant to speed up the translation of scientific discoveries into medical advances. The grant aims to support multidisciplinary research and foster community involvement in various fields.
LSUHSC has received a $2.1 million grant to study the role of T-helper cells in preventing Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, a life-threatening infection linked to HIV/AIDS and other immune deficiencies. The research aims to identify effective vaccines that can activate these cells to prevent or treat PCP.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have successfully imaged the open state of a K+ channel, allowing for better understanding of its effectiveness in treating cardiovascular diseases. The study has implications for improving pharmaceutical efficiency and enhancing the quality of cardiovascular-related drugs.
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has awarded 13 collaborative and 3 individual research grants worth $1.54 million to top scientists exploring cancer differentiation therapy. The recipients are experts in reprogramming cancer cells, with a focus on finding new treatments for various types of cancer.
The lack of a policy in Canada hinders treatment accessibility for rare diseases, where pharmaceutical companies may hesitate due to small markets. The authors propose defining rare diseases and developing patient registries as short-term solutions.
A recent study found that traditional vision screening methods for adolescents often fail to detect hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. The researchers used a comprehensive eye examination to assess 2,353 year 7 students and found that no reliable cutoff point could be established for detecting these conditions.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is developing a novel therapy for Alzheimer's disease by targeting the toxic plaque in the brain. The therapy uses biopharmaceutical proteases that can degrade thousands of plaque molecules, potentially delivering a catalytic benefit even if only small amounts pass through the cell barrier.
Strong health research systems are needed to address bottlenecks in implementing effective interventions for maternal, newborn, and child health in sub-Saharan Africa. Investing in African scientists, institutions, and systems is crucial to deliver solutions tailored to local problems.
Actin capping protein (CP) regulates filament elongation by capping the dynamic end of the filament. Two regulators, V-1 and CARMIL, modulate CP activity in different manners. The new study reveals that CARMIL uncaps filaments by suppressing twisting movement required for tight-barbed end capping.
The Wellcome-Wolfson partnership is funding £30 million of large-scale university infrastructure projects in the UK. This initiative aims to facilitate internationally competitive biomedical research, enabling scientists to make groundbreaking discoveries and turn them into clinical applications.
The Parkinson's Disease Foundation has announced $1.2 million in research awards to support scientists studying the cause of and potential treatments for Parkinson's disease. Funding will go towards projects exploring dopamine regulation, tobacco compounds, and more.
Three scientists from Scripps Research will receive funding to develop advanced cancer therapies. Glenn Micalizio, Thomas Bannister, and Douglas Kojetin will explore novel protein targets and cancer treatment pathways.
The Elsevier Foundation TWOWS Awards honored twelve talented young women scientists from various regions for their groundbreaking research. The award aims to promote wider participation and excellence in science among developing countries' promising scientists.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that traditional neurological exams are inadequate for predicting survival in cardiac arrest patients. Despite poor motor examination scores, 20% of patients survived and showed good outcomes.
A recent study found that 20.4% of peer-reviewed articles published in 2008 were freely available online, with the highest share in Earth Sciences (33%) and the lowest in Chemistry (13%). The study suggests that author-posted manuscript copies dominate certain fields, while OA journals are more common in Medicine and Biochemistry.
CIMIT has awarded over $3 million in seed grants to support innovative medical research projects targeting brain injuries, pain management and improving care for wounded warriors. The selected projects aim to accelerate medical innovation and improve patient care through novel approaches and clinical systems.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai are studying the mechanisms of how human immune systems reject or accept transplanted brain stem cells. The team aims to develop new stem cell therapies for patients with ALS, Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.