News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Researchers have developed a new oral enzyme therapy that allows celiacs to safely consume low-to-moderate levels of gluten. The therapy, which involves the use of EP-B2 and PEP enzymes, has shown promise in breaking down gluten proteins and preventing inflammation.
The Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation has established a case-based research and evaluation center at Case Western Reserve University. The Center will work with over 60 community organizations across the state to provide prevention and cessation programming, as well as analyze trends in tobacco surveillance data.
A study found that education and retraining programs reduced serious bloodstream infections associated with central venous catheters by 21%. The intervention, which included updating ICU policies and training modules for clinicians, also prevented 131 serious bloodstream infections and avoided over 250 additional hospital days.
The McGill University Health Centre has received funding to develop new insulin-producing tissue in the laboratory, which can be implanted into diabetics. This breakthrough complements research aimed at stimulating pancreatic cell regeneration and addresses a growing diabetes epidemic.
A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that pesticide use increases the risk of Parkinson's disease in men, with a higher likelihood of exposure compared to women. The study matched individuals with Parkinson's disease to those without, assessing exposure via farming occupation or hobbies.
The ECHO project grant funds innovative chemical research, including new synthetic methodologies and single metal nanoparticles in catalytic action. Researchers investigate ultrasmall magnets' behavior to understand fluid formation, and study peroxisomal enzymes' functionality and uptake.
Rutgers University researcher John Sinko has received a $1.7 million NIH MERIT award to continue his research on nanotechnology-based, targeted drug delivery systems for treating HIV-infected cells. The funding will support the design, development, and testing of novel anti-HIV drug delivery systems.
Lehigh University has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to improve its bioscience education and research programs. The grant will support the creation of new courses, research experiences, and infrastructure, including a Computational Biology Lab.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has awarded $86.4 million to 50 US universities to enhance undergraduate science education and promote diversity in the sciences. The grants will support programs that develop novel courses, provide hands-on research experiences, and increase science literacy among non-science majors.
Researchers are developing a new field in disaster mental health training to address the emotional needs of victims, first responders, and others affected by disasters. With funding from the DOH Grant, they have already trained 168 community-based mental health professionals and plan to expand their reach.
Researchers will explore ways to harness the body's natural healing process to heal deep wounds, including bone, muscle, nerves, and soft tissues. The goal is to develop regeneration of tissue in humans, inspired by the salamander's ability to fully restore lost tissue.
Researchers found that parasites can modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. The study suggests that improved hygiene may be responsible for the rise of IBD in developed societies.
The consortium aims to enhance the quality and consistency of materials used in drug tablets, processed foods, agrichemicals, and composite organic products. Research will focus on particle shapes, forces that bind materials together, and efficient production of structured materials.
Researchers studied brains of individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and found similar changes as those with Alzheimer's disease, including neurofibrillary tangles. The study suggests that existing tests need to be more sensitive to differentiate between underlying abnormalities.
Dr. Jin's study focuses on the role of oxidative stress in atherosclerosis, a process that speeds up hardening of arteries in Type 2 diabetes patients. His research may lead to new drugs preventing cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients.
Researchers at WWU are studying the impact of harbor seals on rockfish populations in northern Puget Sound. The five-year grant will provide baseline data on harbor seal numbers and diets, shedding light on the effect of these marine mammals on the region's fish populations.
The proposed approach would feature conditional approval followed by postmarketing studies required before condition removal. The FDA needs increased ability to regulate drugs after marketing with more resources for postmarketing safety studies.
The NIH is facing a decline in success rates for grant applications, but experts argue that the agency is a victim, not a culprit. The critics' misplaced anger threatens to undermine the credibility of the NIH with its patrons and public constituencies.
A team of law professors, physicians, and bioethicists will develop standards for tests on human subjects in research involving genetic technologies for enhancement. The project aims to identify differences between therapeutic and non-therapeutic enhancements and determine ethical conditions for conducting such research.
A new diagnostic test using NGAL protein has been shown to predict kidney transplant outcomes, with lower values indicating faster recovery and higher values indicating longer recovery periods. This breakthrough could lead to improved patient care and reduced risk of kidney failure.
The National Technology Center for Networks and Pathways will develop fluorescent probe technologies to investigate real-time interactions in living cells. This work aims to generate molecular biosensors for preclinical research, ultimately improving hospital-based diagnostic medicine.
Sarah Elgin, a renowned biologist, has been re-funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) for her research on chromatin structure in fruit fly gene regulation. Her workshop, Research Explorations in Genomics, aims to make biology education accessible to students and faculty nationwide.
HHMI's Janelia Farm Research Campus aims to promote high-risk, high-reward research by providing internal funding and a flexible environment. The campus will feature small research groups, active bench scientists, and excellent support facilities.
An interdisciplinary team of scientists and physicians has developed guidelines for treating severely injured patients, focusing on inflammation response and genetic factors. The project aims to improve patient care through standard treatment procedures and tailored treatments based on genetic data.
A new curriculum at the University of Kentucky aims to teach healthcare professionals to evaluate and prescribe medications in a cost-effective manner, reducing influence from pharmaceutical marketing. The program will be taught online and in classrooms to medical students, physician assistants, and practicing clinicians.
Researchers have developed nanogenerators that can harness energy from body movement and other simple motions to produce significant amounts of electricity. These tiny machines could enable the creation of implantable medical devices, smart clothing, and other applications that require continuous power supply.
The J. David Gladstone Institutes will develop and implement a three-year, stem cell-specific curriculum for 10 postdoctoral fellows using the first third of $2.4 million grant. The program aims to educate scholars from various scientific backgrounds in stem cell biology and disease.
Researchers have discovered a bacterial adhesive that is 70 newtons per square millimeter strong, comparable to the downward force exerted by three cars. This finding suggests that the substance may be the strongest glue in nature, surpassing common commercial glues.
A new Kent State group called the Center for Health Literacy aims to improve the health literacy of adults and families. The project will evaluate all aspects of the health information-seeking process and make recommendations to help health-related institutions craft more effective health information programs and services.
The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) has awarded several ultrasound research grants to its members through the Educational Enhancement Research (EER) program. The recipients include T. Douglas Mast, PhD for quantitative real-time monitoring of thermal ablation using pulse-echo ultrasound imaging and Roxana Vlad, MSc ...
Dr. Daniel Rader, a leader in preventive cardiovascular medicine and cholesterol metabolism, has been awarded a $6 million grant to develop new therapeutic approaches for reducing heart disease risk. His research focuses on boosting HDL (good cholesterol) levels and function.
Researchers found that the feedback system regulating eye growth doesn't consider all spatial frequencies and only focuses on the finest detail present. This discovery has implications for the development of myopia and suggests that images of low contrast can be just as effective at initiating growth as blurred images.
The Human Frontier Science Program awarded Young Investigator grants to 29 young scientists from 12 countries, with a focus on interdisciplinary research. The program also provided postdoctoral fellowships and Career Development Awards to support talented young scientists in setting up their independent laboratories.
The University of Maine is investing $10M in forest biorefining research to create new products from wood, including fuel ethanol, plastics and specialty chemicals. The project will also explore ways to sustain forests and make them more valuable to the economy.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) offers several awards and fellowships to support promising cancer scientists, including the AACR-GERTRUDE B. ELION CANCER RESEARCH AWARD, CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS, and AACR-Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation Career Development Awards in Translational or Prevention Lung Cancer ...
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has expanded its scholarship program to promote inclusivity in cancer research, supporting early-career scientists from underrepresented groups. The program provides financial support for conference attendance and research expenses.
The grant unifies labs, extending technologies and adding computation and visualization resources. Researchers will analyze large volumes of data from non-invasive imaging technologies to study brain function, detect cognitive impairment, and improve biometrics-based security.
A five-year project aims to investigate the under-representation of women in top leadership roles in medical schools, with a focus on cultural change and action research. The study will examine the marginalization of minority and generalist faculty as well.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNM) has awarded $30,000 in grants to three institutions in China and India. The SNM/GE Healthcare Visiting Physician/Scientist Program Grant will cover travel and per diem costs for a one- or two-week visit to lecture, train, and consult on molecular and nuclear imaging.
Researchers seek to confirm that deep brain stimulation can help patients with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and understand the disrupted brain network. A clinical study will examine the effects of DBS at different sites and assess treatment effectiveness.
The Case Western Reserve University PhD program has received a $850,000 grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to develop a novel curriculum and administration of the program. The program aims to prepare students for translational research and clinical applications.
A recent study by Turi King and colleagues found that men who share surnames are more likely to have similar Y chromosomes, suggesting a common ancestor within the past 20 generations. The research has implications for genealogy and forensic science, as it may enable surname prediction from DNA alone.
Millimeter wave therapy has been used in Eastern Europe to alleviate over 50 conditions, including heart disease and cancer. A new Temple University study aims to investigate its effectiveness for pain relief, immune system modulation, and chemotherapy improvement, with the goal of introducing a non-invasive treatment option.
The Yale Center will assess and improve public health workforce training, develop new continuing education curricula, and collaborate with other CDC-funded centers to increase preparedness resources.
A team of scientists found that individual neurons in the auditory cortex respond more strongly to stimuli conforming to the 1/f rule than to others. This selective sensitivity leads to a more accurate representation of natural sounds within the brain.
The Generation Scotland project is a multi-million pound initiative that will follow the health of 50,000 Scots family members over the next generation. The study aims to explore the causes of common diseases and identify those at high risk of developing genetic conditions.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNM) has awarded $75,000 in grants to support innovative pilot projects in molecular imaging/nuclear medicine research. The grants will fund research projects focused on cancer diagnosis and treatment response, including the use of existing radiotracers for new applications.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNM) has awarded a $25,000 grant to aid in the development of new pilot projects focused on molecular imaging and nuclear medicine for cancer diagnosis and treatment response. The grant will support research led by Dr. Yu at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
In 2005, Research to Prevent Blindness awarded over $7.9 million in grants to support eye disease research at 46 medical schools nationwide. The funding enabled significant breakthroughs in understanding and treating various eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Treena Arinzeh, a NJIT engineer, has received two new grants to develop stem cell therapies for spinal cord and cartilage injuries. Her research aims to regenerate nerve tissue and promote bone growth using nano-scaffolds.
NIH-funded scientists developed a glycan array tool to detect changes in flu viruses that precede human infection. The technology can monitor the emergence of efficient flu strains from avian origin.
A Barrow researcher has received a $965,000 grant to investigate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain's pleasure-reward centers. The research aims to develop novel drug treatments for nicotine dependence, building on previous findings that an anti-depressant medication, bupropion, mimics nicotine's effects at these receptors.
A new federal grant will support joint faculty appointments, biomedical projects, and research collaborations between Florida Tech, FSRI, and other universities and companies. The funding aims to develop countermeasures for radiation exposure and other health issues associated with long-duration space missions.
Researchers have discovered that polyphosphate accelerates blood clotting and delays its breakdown, leading to longer-lasting clots. The Center for Hemostasis Research at the University of Illinois will continue to study this discovery to develop effective treatments for uncontrollable bleeding.
The Case Department of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University has been awarded a $110,000 grant by the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) organization. The grant will support research into blinding eye diseases.
The Cambridge Templeton Consortium has received $2.8 million to investigate the emergence of biological complexity through various fields, including molecular biology, social sciences, and philosophy. Researchers will explore questions about the development of intelligence, human self-awareness, and design in nature.
A recent study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found a significant link between genetic risk factors and myelin breakdown in the brain. The research suggests that assessing myelin health through MRI may help identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, allowing for targeted prevention strategies.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has awarded $14 million to 28 international researchers in the Baltics and Eastern Europe over a five-year term. The grants will support research in various fields, including neuroscience and infectious diseases, and provide resources for equipment, supplies, and training opportunities.
Researchers will use a tumor biopsy or blood examination to identify a 'gene signature' that indicates aggressive prostate cancer, allowing patients to make informed treatment decisions. The study aims to improve outcomes for up to 30% of men with prostate cancer who do not require radical treatments.
ASH's Minority Medical Student Award Program (MMSAP) aims to motivate minority medical students to enter the field of hematology. The program provides a research experience for students from the US and Canada, with the goal of increasing diversity in hematology.