News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
A team of researchers at USC is launching a comprehensive study to investigate the connection between type 2 diabetes and dementia in adults with Hispanic ancestry. The five-year study will examine brain structure and activity, blood flow, blood glucose and insulin levels, and cognitive functioning in 200 participants.
The Beckman Institute has established a new national collaborative Biomedical Technology Research Resource to develop label-free optical imaging technologies. The center aims to create optical and computational imaging technologies that can serve as a resource for clinicians and researchers.
The University of Missouri has earned an $8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to expand its National Swine Resource and Research Center. The center will support research using genetically modified pigs to study human diseases, with a focus on therapies that can be translated from pig models to humans.
A new MUSC initiative aims to increase the number of women entrepreneurs by offering coaching, mentoring, and training opportunities. The program will pair trainees with successful biomedical entrepreneurs, providing valuable role models and guidance. By addressing gender inequity in STEM fields, STEM-CREW seeks to advance the careers ...
Researchers identified a kinase molecule that directs microglia activity, potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and MS. The molecule, called spleen tyrosine kinase, targets plaque buildup and debris accumulation in the brain.
A new $1.328M grant will help assess and improve the reporting quality in randomized clinical trial protocols and result publications using NLP methods. The goal is to promote high reporting standards, synthesizing evidence, and open science practices throughout the scientific ecosystem.
WayPath Pharma has been awarded a $225,000 Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award to develop new metabolic drugs targeting tumor stem cells and crossing the blood-brain barrier. The funding aims to advance treatment options for glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer with limited treatment options.
The Keck School of Medicine's Stevens INI has received a nearly $2 million grant to upgrade its storage system, increasing its capacity to handle vast amounts of brain imaging data. This will enable the lab to maximize scientific productivity and fulfill its promise to collaborate with researchers globally.
A new CAPSTONE study aims to identify inflammatory biomarkers associated with positive and poor outcomes in patients after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) strokes. By analyzing patient blood and plasma samples, researchers hope to develop targeted treatments to prevent long-term brain degeneration.
The USC COMPASS program aims to recruit and support students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in regenerative medicine. Scholars will receive a minor in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, as well as paid summer internships and mentorship opportunities.
The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System will provide ongoing care and research, aiming to improve learning and memory impairment in TBI patients. The system's site-specific study will examine the impact of aerobic exercise training on managing new learning and memory impairment.
Researchers at FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine are developing a pilot program to tackle health disparities by leveraging electronic health records, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The project aims to improve AI/ML delivery and research operations in community health centers and federally qualified health centers.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown biological contributor to postpartum depression: impaired autophagy, which limits the body's ability to clean up old genetic material. This finding may lead to new treatments and early identification of women at risk before they become ill.
A study found that eating late significantly affects hunger levels, calorie burn rate, and fat storage, with decreased leptin and increased adipogenesis. Late eating was also associated with slower energy expenditure and increased appetite.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC's Stevens INI has received a $149 million grant to study Alzheimer’s disease among diverse communities. The HABS-HD study aims to develop biomarkers that determine risk for developing the disease, addressing health disparities among Hispanic and African American populations.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that COVID-19 booster shots are essential for maintaining long-term immunity against infection, particularly among older adults. The results support the CDC vaccination guidelines recommending COVID-19 boosters and highlight the importance of continued research on factors affecting immunity.
The TTUHSC team will provide no-cost colorectal cancer screening and colonoscopies to underinsured and uninsured people living in South Plains region counties. The FIT-STOP program aims to find signs of early-stage colorectal cancer to prevent treatment needs, leveraging existing relationships with partners.
A potential new treatment for glioblastomas, a deadly form of brain tumor, is being researched using the medication letrozole. Studies have shown that letrozole can be effective in killing tumor cells and reaching target tissue safely.
A $1 million NIH grant will help MU researchers analyze the effectiveness of a HIPAA-secure text messaging platform in nursing homes. The study aims to improve quality of care and prevent costly hospital transfers by speeding up decision-making.
Researchers from NAU and University of Washington collaborate to create a safe and effective vaccine for Valley Fever, a fungal infection spreading due to climate change. The project aims to address the growing threat of emerging epidemics and prevent disease through vaccination.
Research from UVA Cancer Center finds that an unhealthy gut microbiome can trigger changes in normal breast tissue, facilitating cancer's spread to other parts of the body. The study suggests that targeting the gut-mast cell relationship could help prevent breast cancer recurrence and metastasis.
Researchers at UCLA and UCSF will map gene regulatory regions to understand how genetic variants affect brain development. They aim to build a comprehensive catalog of cell types in the developing brain and identify specific cell types and genomic regions that mediate the risk of brain diseases.
A team of neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University aim to create an ultra-high resolution molecular atlas of the brain, enabling precise gene delivery to specific cell types. This project has the potential to revolutionize treatment of fatal brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston will create a coordinating unit for biostatistics, informatics, and engagement to advance knowledge about human brain neurons. The project aims to produce an open-access digital brain cell reference atlas to improve understanding of neurological functions and disorders.
Researchers at UMC Utrecht will investigate how intestinal microbiota impacts cancer immunotherapy and therapy side effects. The project aims to develop microbiota-targeted therapies to improve ICI treatment effectiveness and reduce severe inflammation.
The grant aims to disrupt systemic barriers hindering underrepresented groups' participation in the life sciences. Northwestern will hire 15 new tenure-track faculty and deploy innovative strategies to ensure their success.
A new genomic test can predict a patient's risk of developing severe COVID-19, according to research from the University of Virginia Health System. The test, called CovGENE, analyzes genes expressed in a person's blood to determine if they may experience a severe disease course with increased risk of death.
The Rising Black Scientists Awards has expanded its scope to include the physical, earth and environmental sciences, with key support from the Elsevier Foundation. Winners will receive $10,000 to support their research and a $500 travel grant.
The Florida Summer Institute in Biostatistics and Data Science recruits students from underrepresented groups, providing a rigorous quantitative education. The program introduces college students to statistical methods and applications in biomedical research, highlighting health disparities and social drivers of health.
Researchers at UVA will study organelles in cancer cells to identify new pathways for understanding and fighting cancer. By focusing on the interactions between genes, proteins, and organelles within cells, they hope to develop fresh clues about therapies.
The University of Ottawa-led team aims to bridge the gap between heart and brain health by developing new diagnostic tools and treatments. They will focus on improving patient outcomes for disorders linked to both organs.
A new project aims to develop resources and AI models to assess biomedical publications for citation accuracy and integrity, benefiting researchers, journals, and policymakers. The project, led by Associate Professors Halil Kilicoglu and Jodi Schneider, received a $300,000 grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society awards Kessler Foundation a five-year grant to continue the long-running MS Fellowship in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation program. The grant provides funding for postdoctoral fellows to work on rehabilitation research projects.
The Kessler Foundation has received significant funding to advance research on spinal cord injury, including studies on epidural stimulation and shockwave therapy for spasticity. The funding will also support the SCI Medicine Fellowship Program, which has trained approximately 50 specialists in spinal cord injury.
The American Federation for Aging Research and Hevolution Foundation announce a pilot, global research grant program supporting junior investigators in aging biology and geroscience research. The program provides up to $375,000 each for three-year awards to conduct innovative approaches in aging research.
A team of researchers from Ritsumeikan University in Japan has elucidated the mechanism behind the liquid-solid phase transition of FUS protein that leads to ALS. They discovered a new therapeutic target, arginine, which suppresses FUS aggregation and could delay ALS progression.
A University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus faculty member has received a DOD grant to study noninvasive biomarkers for vascularized composite allograft rejection. The goal is to develop a simple saliva test to monitor patients for signs of graft rejection, reducing the need for frequent biopsies.
The program, one of only 18 nationwide, will support eight Ph.D. students and five postdoctoral fellows each year for five years, focusing on biomedical informatics and data science. The grant is the seventh renewal of support for a multidisciplinary training program that began over 30 years ago.
The University of Arizona professor is working with biomedical experts to explore the feasibility of using mmWave radar technology on falling detection and fall risk analysis. The NIH award supports a three-year study to investigate how well the technology can estimate fall risks, determine falls, and be accepted by senior citizens.
The Midwest Antiviral Drug Discovery Center, led by the University of Minnesota, aims to discover effective responses to pandemics through basic, translational, and clinical research. Researchers at UIC are developing an antiviral therapy for filoviruses like Ebola with a potential drug ready for human testing within three to five years.
A WVU researcher is studying corollary discharge circuits in fruit flies to better understand how the brain integrates sensory information and coordinate movement. The goal of this research is to shed light on human disease and human performance, with potential applications for improving fighter pilot safety.
The research team will analyze the remaining two enzymes necessary for riboflavin production and build a 'riboflavinator' in a test tube. This understanding could lead to improved methods for treating diseases and improving public health.
The University of Cincinnati is conducting a study on a potential new treatment for pancreatic cancer using SapC-DOPG, a nanotechnology drug delivery system. The treatment has shown promise in reducing tumor growth by 50-80% in animal models and aims to develop an effective immunotherapy treatment.
Huddersfield researchers are working on a new project to develop novel and sustainable molecular materials that harness light to drive useful chemical reactions. The project aims to address the limitation of using rare and expensive elements like ruthenium and iridium in current applications. By exploring the intrinsic properties of li...
Scientists have discovered a molecule that binds to the deadly Shiga toxin, reducing its toxic effects. The compound, MMβA-mono, helped identify the inhibitory molecule that can bind to the A-subunit of Stx2a, a lethal subtype of the bacterial toxin.
Jianhua Zhao's five-year, $2.4 million grant will focus on proteolysis, the process cells use to break down and recycle unused proteins, with implications for cancer treatment. Cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) will be used to study protein recycling and its structures, opening new avenues for cancer research.
Washington University in St. Louis' Zhang lab has been awarded a $458,490 NSF grant to refine their synthetic biology platform for producing muscle fibers with improved material properties. The team plans to examine genetic changes associated with titin protein and create fibers with defined sequences to study material properties.
The NIH announced five cash prize winners and four honorable mentions in its Maternal Health Diagnostics Challenge. The winning technologies aim to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, with a focus on detecting and differentiating common pregnancy-related conditions.
A Dartmouth-led research team will assess the effectiveness of visit information provided to older adult patients and caregivers in improving quality of life. The CHRONICLE Trial aims to determine whether audio recordings or written summaries are more effective in sharing healthcare visit information.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved funding awards totaling $258 million to support 26 new research studies. These studies aim to fill evidence gaps and improve healthcare decision making for a range of high-burden conditions, including mental health, heart conditions, asthma, bone fractures, and sinus...
A study of over 500 patients with multiple myeloma reveals a high prevalence of genetic alterations in oncogenic pathways, leading to treatment resistance. The research found a specific link between RASopathies and mutations in these pathways, offering new insights into the development of resistance mechanisms.
Price E. Dickson, Ph.D., received a $407,000 NIH grant to investigate the genetic mechanisms driving social reward and cocaine addiction. The study aims to identify genetic signatures associated with preference for social interactions over addictive drugs.
Kessler Foundation researchers will conduct studies on brain injury, knee osteoarthritis, and pediatric cerebral palsy using mixed-reality technology, robotic exoskeletons, and cycling feedback systems. The grants aim to improve safety and mobility for elderly individuals with cognitive impairments and those with neurological disorders.
A third of COVID-19 patients experience neurological symptoms due to SARS-CoV-2's effect on the central nervous system. Researchers now investigate mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 signaling in the CNS microvasculature with a new NIDA grant.
Researchers found that men who lose their Y chromosome as they age are more likely to experience deadly heart scarring and earlier death. The study suggests an existing drug may help counteract the effects of this loss, potentially leading to longer, healthier lives for affected men.
A UTSA professor will use a five-year $550,000 grant to study natural language processing and develop NLP models tailored to specific population groups. The goal is to improve the accuracy and relevance of these models in everyday applications.
Researchers found that factory-calibrated continuous glucose monitors are sufficiently accurate for estimating blood-sugar levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. The devices showed 'clinical reliability', with almost 99% of readings accurate enough to be used without confirmatory fingerstick blood sugar readings.
A study by Michigan Medicine researchers has identified oncostreams, highly active cells connected to brain tumor growth and invasion. The team found that eliminating Collagen 1 production from tumor cells reduces tumor aggressive behavior. This discovery could lead to novel therapeutic targets for treating lethal brain tumors.
Rensselaer researchers will use a five-year grant to develop novel inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 virus's CLpro and PLpro proteases. The team aims to create an orally bioavailable drug that can be administered at home, with the potential for improved antiviral activity when combined with other drugs like remdesivir.
A team led by Professor Anton Henssen is investigating extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in cancer research. The researchers aim to understand how DNA rings contribute to tumor aggressiveness and develop effective therapies to slow them down.