News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund has awarded nearly $15 million to three Washington state-based health research programs. The programs aim to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment through innovative approaches, including computational tools and ultrasound technologies.
A Barrow scientist has been awarded a major grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association to continue his research on myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness and fatigue. The $450,000 grant will focus on Th17 cells, which may play a key role in causing or intensifying autoimmunity.
Researchers will measure BPA levels in over 1,000 people with heart disease undergoing bypass surgery and thousands of individuals from Norfolk studied for over 10 years. The study aims to clarify whether BPA is linked to heart disease, which could impact public health by leading to controls on its use.
A new study led by LSU researcher Mandi Lopez aims to improve treatment of broken bones in horses. Adult equine stem cells have shown promise in repairing bone injuries, but little research has been done on the best combinations of stem cells and carriers.
Researchers tracked salamander movements across all three life stages to understand population stability. The study found that overland movement increased the likelihood of population persistence under low to moderate extinction risk scenarios.
A recent WHO report reveals 1.2 million annual road deaths, with driver obesity linked to higher injury risk in motor vehicle crashes. PLoS Medicine publishes research and magazine articles discussing policies to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists from injury.
Keystone Symposia has received a $1.37 million grant from the NIH to enhance diversity initiatives for underrepresented minority scientists. The grant will support programs such as outreach, scholarships, and a Fellows Program that provides mentoring and networking opportunities.
A study by Purdue University found that while federal funding for health departments has surged, its impact on local resources is limited. Leadership and director qualifications play a crucial role in supporting programs and activities.
A three-and-a-half-year study will enroll 400 patients to assess the safety of brain cooling in elderly stroke patients. The ICTuS 2 trial will use endovascular temperature modulation system and aims to improve outcomes after acute stroke.
Researchers at the South West Liver Unit are working on a groundbreaking project to find a vaccine for Hepatitis C. They have identified a group of people who were naturally immune to the disease and are studying how their white blood cells interact with liver cells and the body's immune system.
The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) has been awarded a $25 million 5-year grant from the NSF to continue its cutting-edge research in evolutionary biology. The center plans to expand its programs and add new initiatives, including graduate fellowships and international research partnerships.
A study published in PLoS Medicine examines the impact of HIV and noncommunicable diseases on poor countries' progress towards the UN Millennium Development Goals. The research found that these factors are strongly associated with the difficulty countries have meeting health targets, accounting for over half of the inequality in progress.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has awarded Medicago a $300,000 grant to study the immune response induced by VLPs. The research aims to develop leading plant-based VLP vaccines with potential benefits for global health, particularly in the developing world.
A study identifies five genes associated with early tooth development, finding that children with certain genetic variants tend to have delayed teeth and fewer teeth by age one. These children are also more likely to need orthodontic treatment as adults.
The California Institute of Technology has received over $33 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support a wide range of research projects. These grants will fund more than 90 jobs and contribute to breakthroughs in fields such as neuroeconomics, jet noise, and genomic sciences.
The March of Dimes has awarded $2.6 million to six scientists studying the causes of preterm birth, with a focus on predicting and preventing premature labor. The funding aims to improve baby health by understanding genetics, environment, and vitamin D's role in preventing preterm birth.
The University of Cincinnati researchers will investigate ways ILD appears in patient groups with autoimmune diseases and develop more efficient diagnosis and treatment methods. The study aims to identify specific biomarkers and medical records characteristics that predict the best treatment outcomes for ILD patients.
A study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that major diabetes complications are a significant economic burden on healthcare systems globally. The analysis found that hospital stays for stroke and heart disease were longest in Asia, while those for kidney problems were shortest. The findings provide new evidence on the cost of diabet...
The pea aphid's genome, sequenced by the International Aphid Genomics Consortium, has generated exciting questions about its symbiotic relationship with bacteria and its impact on agriculture. The genome's 35,000 genes suggest a complex life cycle with multiple adaptations to different environments.
The article recommends a package of care for ADHD in low- and middle-income countries, including screening high-risk groups, psycho-educational interventions with caregivers, and behavioral interventions. The authors propose this approach to improve recognition and management of ADHD conditions.
A new automated cluster detection tool identified hospital infection clusters that were not detected by routine methods, providing valuable real-time guidance. However, the rate of T cell count drop was found not to be helpful in deciding when to start HIV treatment.
Researchers at Iowa State University have won a total of $16.38 million in federal grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. These grants support research projects focused on advanced biofuel production, public health intervention programs, and scientific research.
The development of guidelines for better reporting of health research is crucial for understanding study importance and accuracy. The authors, key developers of several important guidelines, have created a substantial new resource to promote better reporting.
Researchers at Children's Hospital will engineer human cells into new tissues to treat blood diseases, cancer, and other disorders. Two NIH grants focus on developing embryonic stem cells for platelet supplies and induced pluripotent stem cells for custom-tissue production.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has received a $100,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to trace its alumni and build an influential network of global health practitioners. The project aims to identify current leaders in low- and middle-income countries and strengthen capacity building.
The Montreal Heart Institute has received $4.8 million in financing to support two research projects focused on genetics and genomic medicine. The projects aim to create diagnostic tests and therapeutic approaches for lactic acidosis and improve the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases.
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that high-altitude climbers experience corneal swelling, but their vision remains unaffected at elevations of up to 20,670 feet. The authors suggest that oxygen levels may play a crucial role in maintaining corneal health.
Dr. Kim Orth's pioneering work focuses on mechanisms bacteria use to cause disease, expanding the frontiers of chemistry through innovative research. Her discoveries have important implications in medicine, especially in understanding and treating infectious diseases.
Case Western Reserve University has received a $250,000 challenge grant from Johnson & Johnson Services Inc. to support science and medicine projects aimed at improving human health. The university will match or exceed the commitment, with grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000.
A new wound treatment has received $529,450 in funding to speed up healing of chronic wounds like burns and ulcers. The treatment uses antibodies to suppress a protein that restricts wound healing, promising benefits for the aged, obese and diabetics.
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has received six Department of Defense grants totaling $2.8 million to advance breast cancer research. The grants will support innovative medical research in the field of breast cancer, including studies on novel oncogenes and antitumor T-Cell responses.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology's IHE-RO program has been awarded a grant to develop interoperability standards and build test tools software. The goal is to create universal health records for cancer patients and improve communication between radiation oncology equipment.
The National Science Foundation grant will help scientists study the response of amoebae to electric fields, which could reveal genes and molecules responsible for detecting these signals. This knowledge could have implications for wound healing and tissue engineering, as well as basic science research.
Dartmouth researchers have received a five-year $18.8 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop cyber security tools for the power grid. The 'Smarter Grid' project aims to integrate information technologies with real-time authentication, integrity, and confidentiality.
The article highlights the importance of microscopy quality control in maintaining unbiased comparative effectiveness research. The authors emphasize that science should prioritize society's needs over political interests.
A demographic study estimated that 125.2 million women are at risk of malaria each year, with most cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The study found that pregnant women and their unborn babies are highly vulnerable to malaria, leading to thousands of deaths annually.
A global health system must accomplish five core functions: agenda-setting, financing and resource allocation, research and development, implementation and delivery, and monitoring and evaluation. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in this framework.
The Comprehensive Center of Excellence in Disparities Research and Community Engagement (CEDREC) will engage in collaborative research and outreach programs aimed at addressing health disparities. CEDREC will focus on improving the health of medically underserved African-Americans in Central Harlem and the South Bronx, where one in thr...
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and AACR awarded Zeshaan Rasheed a $600,000 grant to study cancer stem cells in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The grant aims to develop novel therapies targeting cancer stem cell growth and spread.
The article examines the organizations, actors, and arrangements involved in malaria research and delivery, speculating about future directions. The authors analyze the institutional innovations and funding structures that shape the global health system, highlighting the need for effective knowledge-action linkages.
The Genetics Society of America has announced the recipients of the 2010 DeLill Nasser Travel Awards, which support young geneticists attending national and international meetings or laboratory courses. The six winners will use their awards to attend various conferences and workshops in the US and internationally.
The University of Plymouth is investing £500,000 in joint research with the Peninsula Dental School to tackle key areas in oral health. The research will focus on statistical epidemiology, virtual reality, and nanotechnology, aiming to ease dental anxiety and develop more aesthetically pleasing materials.
A new study indicates a decline in biomedical research funding, sparking concerns about the growing national autism public health crisis. Autism Speaks calls for increased funding to explore factors contributing to the increase in autism prevalence and to develop more effective treatments.
Zachary Mainen, coordinator of the Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, receives €2.3M ERC grant to study serotonin's function in the brain and its impact on behaviours such as eating and sleeping. The grant aims to develop novel tools for making definitive tests of serotonin function.
A study found that biomedical research funding in the US has decelerated and may have even fallen when adjusted for inflation. Funding growth was not accompanied by an increase in new drug and device approvals.
The rate of increase for biomedical research funding in the US has slowed since 2005, with a decrease in National Institutes of Health and industry funding. Industry remained the largest contributor to biomedical research, accounting for 58% of expenditures, while NIH contributions decreased by 8.6% from 2003 to 2007.
National health systems play a crucial role in making progress in global health, according to Julio Frenk. Strengthening these systems can improve performance by addressing leadership, institutions, systems design, and technologies.
Researchers will investigate protein expression in synapses to understand long-term and plastic memories, potentially revealing insights into post-traumatic syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. The €1.6 million grant will support international collaboration between Israeli and German institutions.
The college has received a $20,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Program to further study contaminants in Presque Isle State Park's recreational waters. Researchers aim to quantify hazardous chemicals like Triclosan and Fluoxetine to ensure water quality and public health
The NIH is awarding grants to strengthen S.T.E.M. education nationwide, targeting young people in biomedical careers and improving science literacy in adults and children. The $18.3 million funding supports research to develop practical interventions for tomorrow's classrooms and addresses issues of equity in S.T.E.M. competencies.
Researchers at Brandeis will explore the behavior of active matter using interdisciplinary approaches, aiming to shed light on biological structures like flagella beating. The project seeks to elucidate the properties of active matter at length scales ranging from microscopic to macroscopic.
The W.M. Keck Foundation has completed its 11-year Distinguished Young Scholars Program, awarding nearly $55 million to 54 young scientists who have gone on to publish pioneering work and assume leadership positions in their fields. The program provided flexible funding support to young investigators.
A study in northeastern Italy found a decrease in cystic fibrosis incidence with increased carrier screening, particularly in the eastern region. The rate of decrease was greater in the eastern region due to extensive use of mutation analysis.
LA BioMed will receive over $4.5 million in Recovery Act grants to support groundbreaking research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, heart disease, liver disease, cancer, and a vaccine against Candida infections. The grants will also create jobs and fund vital research.
Women in rural areas are at risk of inadequate health care coverage due to age, retirement, and lack of internet access. To address this issue, researchers are developing programs to provide critical health information and affordable healthcare.
The global spread of HCV 1a and 1b subtypes coincided with transfused blood use and intravenous drug expansion, but slowed after anti-HCV screening implementation. Phylogeographical analysis suggests the most plausible route was from developed to developing world.
The UT Southwestern Medical Center program will train Ph.D. students in translational medicine through a yearlong curriculum and clinical research opportunities.
Researchers aim to develop a database of nanoparticle behavior, enabling the prediction of particle fate and design of targeted treatments. Eight classes of nanoparticles will be studied in a two-year project.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has awarded Penn State's nuclear engineering program nearly $1 million to boost nuclear education and expand the workforce. The funding will support a radiochemistry education program with a new laboratory course providing hands-on experience for students.
The center will study autoimmune diseases, with a focus on multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, aiming to find new treatments by understanding the immune response mechanisms.