News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University has awarded four new Environmental Venture Projects (EVP) grants worth $787,013 over two years. The projects focus on addressing environmental challenges in East Africa and India, including the impact of wildlife loss and climate change on human health and agriculture.
The Wallenberg Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WIRM) at Karolinska Institutet will focus on pioneering research in the blood system and stem-cell therapy, aiming to treat diseases like diabetes, spinal injuries, and neurodegenerative conditions. The grant strengthens the institute's infrastructure with advanced technical equipment...
The US Department of Defense has awarded over $1 million to a team of researchers at the University of Western Ontario to develop an antibody treatment for spinal cord injuries. The therapy targets inflammation caused by CD11d protein, which can limit damage and improve recovery rates.
The University of Utah has received a $2.4 million, four-year grant to track the growth of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in Utah 8-year-olds. The grant is part of a nationwide effort to better understand the increasing prevalence of ASDs, which affect about one out of every 110 American children.
Mary Tinetti, MD, MPH, received the 2010 Maxwell A. Pollack Award for her innovative program to reduce falls among older adults in Connecticut. The award recognizes her successful translation of research into practical application, improving public health and policy.
Researchers at UC are developing carbohyrate-based diagnostics for influenza virus using a $2.3 million NIH grant. The team aims to create rapid, user-friendly tests for early detection and accurate typing of the flu strain.
A new magnet system with a 21-tesla superconducting magnet will be built at Florida State University, enabling more precise analysis of complex samples and advancing the field of chemical analysis. The system is expected to yield major innovations in petroleomics, proteomics, and biofuels analysis.
Research published in PLOS Medicine found that pregnant women with an inherited condition making them more likely to form blood clots only face a small increase in the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. The study also showed no significant association between thrombophilia and placenta-related problems, suggesting that prescribing anti...
Researchers Wang and Chang have found Pliocene cyprinid fish fossils in the Kunlun Pass Basin, suggesting relatively extensive water systems in the area during the Pliocene. The study suggests a more humid climate and less amplitude of uplift compared to previous proposals.
Researchers at UTHealth and UH will use nanotechnology and new imaging techniques to study the effects of Amyloid-Beta on the brain. The goal is to create new intravenous delivery mechanisms for gamma secretase modulators, which could potentially protect against Alzheimer's development.
Two new UCSF studies detail the wide reach of the tobacco industry and its influence on young people, military veterans, and national healthcare reform. The analyses reveal industry 'youth smoking prevention' tactics and efforts to defeat healthcare reform under President Clinton.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been awarded a four-year $2.45 million grant from the New York Stem Cell Science Program to create an upstate center of excellence for basic stem cell research. The grant will be used to build sophisticated laboratories with high-throughput culture and imaging equipment, enhancing stem cell research...
A study of over 10,000 breast cancer cases reveals the long-term prognosis for ER-negative disease subtypes is better than previously thought. The research also identifies two sub-types within triple negative tumors with differing outcomes.
Six collaborative research projects aim to develop treatments, vaccines, or antimicrobial products for gastric flu, hepatitis B, dengue fever, and tuberculosis. Researchers will work together to shed light on bacterial signaling pathways and train immune cells to overcome viral infections.
Research published in PLOS Medicine found that the Mediterranean G6PD variant protects against Plasmodium vivax infection in Afghan refugees. The study suggests that G6PD deficiency may be retained in human populations due to its protective effects against Plasmodium vivax malaria.
Einstein College of Medicine receives significant NIH funding to continue its Diabetes Research and Training Center, supporting research into central nervous system role in diabetes, epigenetics, and diabetic complications. The grant enables the development of new therapies for prevention or treatment of diabetes.
Physician-scientists from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center present research findings on suicide prevention, with funding prioritized for post-hospital discharge care. They also explore the relationship between music and creativity through the analysis of composer Frederic Chopin's life.
A large population-based study found a small increase in heart disease risk linked to higher blood sugar levels, but the changes were not substantial. The researchers confirmed their findings in a systematic review of existing literature.
A multicenter team of researchers, including scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has received a NIH 'Glue Grant' to develop a strategy for discovering the structure and function of unknown enzymes. The research may result in new drug targets and lead to new enzymes for industrial reactions.
Consuelo De Moraes at Penn State has received a $100,000 grant to investigate the link between malaria infection and odor cues that attract mosquitoes. Her research aims to identify a chemical signature of malaria infection, potentially leading to new diagnostic tools.
The University of Miami will receive a $1.4 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to strengthen its undergraduate science education program. The program aims to attract first-generation college students and those from underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a total of $2 million in grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to support its precollege and undergraduate science education initiatives. The four-year grants will fund academic programs that encourage high school and undergraduate students to engage in active research, fosteri...
The Science Posse program, developed by Brandeis professor Irv Epstein, recruits and trains underrepresented students for college-level science. The program has seen significant success, with all currently enrolled students planning to major in science and many attending prestigious summer research programs.
The University of Florida has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from HHMI to support collaborative undergraduate research initiatives. This funding will enable students to work with faculty members trained in different disciplines, fostering a cross-disciplinary approach to solving human health problems.
Researchers discover that most of the genomic output from dark matter transcripts is associated with existing genes. Only a small percentage of these transcripts remain unexplained and appear to be background noise.
Guy Rouleau has been awarded a $100,000 NARSAD Distinguished Investigator grant to study schizophrenia in 10 Pakistani families. The funding will support whole exome sequencing to identify genes associated with the disorder.
A large population-based study found that individuals treated with vitamin A analogues do not have an increased risk of fractures. The research, published in Archives of Dermatology, analyzed data from two nationwide registers and found no association between retinoid use and fracture risk at any skeletal site.
The American Cancer Society has awarded $50.7 million in new national research and training grants to 93 institutions across the US, with a focus on early career researchers and innovative ideas addressing various types of cancer, including prostate, endometrial, and liver cancers.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded $1 billion in grants to construct, repair, and renovate scientific research laboratories across the US. These grants are expected to create or sustain jobs nationwide while fostering scientific advances that may lead to improved human health.
A study predicts that rising global temperatures could lead to the extinction of 20% of all lizard species by 2080, with many species already living at thermal limits. The research, led by Barry Sinervo, used field data and modeling to forecast extinction risks for various lizard species worldwide.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop an evolution-proof pesticide that could prevent malaria. The project aims to use a virus to instruct the mosquito to die after transmitting the malaria parasite, reducing the risk of resistance.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill have received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Exploration Grant to develop a long-term, reversible male contraceptive. They plan to use therapeutic ultrasound instruments to depletion testicular sperm, making it impossible for men to father children.
A $2.7 million NIH grant will help identify how cognitive impairments affect heart failure patients' self-management behaviors, aiming to improve patient health and reduce medical costs. The four-year study will evaluate the relationship between cognitive abilities and self-management behaviors.
A genome-wide association study has identified three new genetic loci significantly associated with quantitative eye colour variation, explaining over 50% of the trait's variance. The study used high-resolution full-eye photographs to quantify human eye colour along multiple dimensions.
The University of Missouri received an $8.5 million grant to explore the role of microcirculation in cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of death. The research will focus on the smallest blood vessels in the body and their contribution to health and disease.
A team of researchers will investigate how chromosomes untangle to expose genes that give cells their biological traits. They will tackle three independent projects: disassembling nucleosomes to reveal gene DNA, understanding protein facilitation of assembly and disassembly, and studying nucleosome movement in living yeast cells.
The National Academies Keck FUTURES INITIATIVE has awarded $1.25 million to 13 research projects in synthetic biology, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaborations and innovative approaches. The grants will support the development of new technologies and methods for capturing diverse biological machinery from arbitrary environments.
Researchers will test a combination of two hormonal gels on men's skin to suppress sperm production and prevent pregnancy. The study aims to develop a male contraceptive that would give men greater control over their reproductive choices.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Michigan State University a $282,606 grant to fund a 10-week summer research program in plant genomics. Undergraduate students will participate in research projects alongside internationally respected scientists, gaining hands-on experience and developing research skills.
UCI scientists Marian Waterman and Aileen Anderson receive grants totaling $2.6 million to study human stem cells for therapeutic use and biomedical innovation. The research will further understanding of how stem cells survive and remain pluripotent, potentially leading to breakthroughs in induced pluripotent stem cell therapies.
Michigan State University has established a new Center for Women's Health and Reproduction Research with $6.8 million in funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Asgi T. Fazleabas, a leading infertility researcher, will lead the center and bring expertise to women's reproductive health.
LA BioMed is participating in the international IPM020 study of a dapivirine-containing microbicide gel to evaluate its safety and absorption. The study aims to reduce HIV transmission among women, with the goal of reducing the cycle of infection that has led to millions of deaths worldwide.
Nurses who are interrupted while administering medication appear to have an increased risk of making medication errors. Interruptions during task preparation and administration contribute to inefficiency and errors, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Iain Buxton, a pharmacology professor at University of Nevada School of Medicine, received a share of $2.6 million in grants to study genetic variants contributing to preterm birth. His study aims to predict and prevent preterm births by identifying alterations in a specific gene.
The University of Iowa Superfund Research Program has received a five-year, $16 million grant to investigate the health impacts of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water, soil, and air. The program will also explore novel clean-up methods using plants.
Professor Kathleen Keef is awarded a four-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of Health to investigate the control of motility in the internal anal sphincter. This research has significant implications for fecal incontinence, affecting millions of Americans and leading to various quality-of-life issues.
A Georgetown University Medical Center research team is developing new smoking cessation drugs based on an unconventional theory about nicotine addiction. The theory suggests that nicotine addiction results from smokers trying to maintain the increased number of brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in a desensitized state.
Researchers found that combining telephone counseling with a daily written diet plan significantly increased fruit and vegetable intake among participants. The study suggests that personalized support can motivate individuals to make healthier food choices.
Twelve new research projects on infectious diseases and immunology have been awarded grants by A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council and Singapore Immunology Network. These projects aim to develop better vaccines and improve clinical care for patients, with a focus on viral infections and the human immune response.
The intersection of foreign policy and global health interests can prioritize certain health concerns over others. Global health diplomacy is being used as a means to further foreign policy objectives, such as improving security or projecting power.
The Wellcome Trust extends its Seeding Drug Discovery initiative with a £110 million investment over five years. This support enables the progression of promising drug discovery projects to attract follow-on investors and develop novel medicines.
Einstein will increase research space and recruit new stem cell scientists with the new facility expansion, focusing on four broad themes: stem cell biology, genetics, cancer stem cells, and translational stem cell research. The renovation is expected to create 150 new jobs and drive scientific innovation for multiple diseases.
Jonathan Brody has received a 2010 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-AACR Career Development Award to support his innovative research on pancreatic cancer. He aims to extend funding and translate his findings into clinical settings.
The University of Arizona Superfund Research Program will receive $14 million to investigate metal-laden dust, water contamination and their health effects. The program aims to minimize mine dust and water leachate, stabilize arsenic residuals, and monitor pollutant distribution in air and water.
A study of 740 medical interns found that those with long work hours, medical errors, and a history of major depression were more likely to develop depressive symptoms. The study also identified a genetic variant associated with an increased risk of depression in high-stress situations.
The Southwest Oncology Group's operating grants have been renewed for six years, with a total expected to exceed $120 million over the period. The renewal supports comparative effectiveness research and will primarily fund member institutions nationwide.
Scientists argue that a 'Global Fund for Health' would improve transparency and efficiency in international health aid. The current system masks variances, making it difficult to accurately trace health funding.
Autism Speaks has awarded 16 new research grants totaling $5.2 million over three years to advance autism science and advocacy. The grants focus on early detection, underlying biological processes, and targeted treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
LA BioMed will receive a $9.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to construct a new research center focused on chronic diseases such as COPD, cardiac disease, and HIV/AIDS. The center is expected to create up to 190 new jobs and enhance clinical research activities.
A universal influenza vaccination program in Ontario, Canada, reduced influenza cases by two-thirds and deaths by more than a quarter. The program's economic attractiveness was found to be comparable to targeted programs, with an estimated cost-effectiveness of Can$11,000 per quality-adjusted-life-year gained.