News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
A study published in BMC Pediatrics finds that active maternal smoking, passive exposure, and even quitting during pregnancy can cause genetic damage in the developing fetus. This damage may have lifelong repercussions for the exposed fetus, affecting survival, birth weight, and susceptibility to disease.
The Hamill Innovation Grant program supports high-risk, high-impact research at Rice University, aiming to develop new technologies and treatments for various diseases. Four inaugural awards will fund research in areas such as respiratory viruses, protein titin, glycosaminoglycans, and resveratrol biosynthesis.
The NIH is funding eleven High-End Instrumentation grants, worth nearly $18 million, to support the purchase of new state-of-the-art equipment. These instruments will enable researchers to accelerate their studies into the underlying mechanisms of disease.
The Rice nanophotonics lab has been awarded a $3 million NSF grant to train graduate students in the emerging field of nano-optics. The program aims to create leaders with technical and professional skills needed for breakthroughs in advanced technologies, including biomedicine, environmental remediation, and homeland security.
The WEHI team will conduct research on parasite behavior, drug targets, and vaccine development to combat malaria and leishmaniasis. The ultimate goal is to prevent infection or reduce illness severity with effective treatments.
Researchers are developing genetically altered malaria parasites to stimulate immunity against the disease. The goal is to boost the immune system in a similar way to how the altered polio bacteria triggers immunity against polio.
A Carnegie Mellon psychologist will investigate how a person's social environment influences their health and well-being. The study aims to determine which biological factors are impacted by social well-being to affect health.
The Australian Government has allocated $100 million for medical research, funding universities and research institutes across the country. This investment aims to enhance health and economic outcomes, with a focus on cancer, heart disease, and other key areas of research.
The Sydney Melanoma Unit has been awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council Program Grant, providing $7.8 million to support its vital research. The grant aims to identify molecular factors that determine an individual's risk of melanoma and develop more effective treatments.
The Joint Center for Structural Genomics will determine a large number of high-resolution structures of biological molecules using new methods and technologies. The researchers aim to tackle challenging structures such as large protein assemblies and proteins essential for all organisms.
Argonne National Laboratory has received a $50 million NIH grant to expand the information available to researchers on biomedically important proteins. The grant will refine existing methods for structure determination, making it possible to produce over 250 protein structures per year.
The NIH is funding a high-throughput screening center network at Scripps Research Institute and Scripps Florida to identify proof-of-concept molecules for studying human health and developing new treatments. The three-year grant aims to accelerate the application of chemical biology to understand physiology and pathophysiology.
At the DoD 'Era of Hope' breast cancer meeting, Vanderbilt-Ingram researchers presented their groundbreaking research on various aspects of breast cancer, including tumor microenvironment, diagnostic imaging, and biological pathways. The conference brought together a diverse group of researchers to share their work and collaborate with...
The NIH/National Library of Medicine (NLM) will administer a new public health information expert training program, funded by the $3.68 million grant. The program aims to develop more public health professionals skilled in applying computer technology to enhance their work.
Khalili will investigate the molecular mechanisms causing JC virus reactivation in AIDS patients, which can lead to the fatal disease PML. The researcher aims to understand how HIV triggers JC virus infections and develop new treatments for demyelinating diseases like MS.
Researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center will study the diet and activity levels of Eastman Kodak employees to develop evidence-based tools to promote healthy work environments. The goal is to reduce obesity and improve overall well-being among Kodak's workforce.
A study found that approximately 69% and 84% of US residents had access to level I or II trauma centers within 45 and 60 minutes, respectively. Rural areas were often without timely access to these centers, while urban areas had better access due to higher concentrations of trauma centers.
A study of international adoptees found that they have fewer behavior problems than domestic adoptees, with lower rates of mental health referrals. However, clinicians should be aware of higher risks for problem behaviors in domestic adoptees who experienced neglect or maltreatment in their pre-adoptive period.
The University of Houston is developing DNA probes to detect emerging pathogens using advanced genomic computations and bioinformatics. The goal is to rapidly identify microorganisms and viruses that could be used in bioterrorism attacks.
The University of Rochester Medical Center's RCMBR pilot studies explore how mind drives or prevents disease, including depression following heart failure and psoriasis. Researchers aim to develop tailored treatments by understanding the impact of stress, personality traits, and mental health on physical diseases.
A spinoff company has received a $2.5 million NIH grant to build a prototype scanner that can detect early-stage breast cancers with high accuracy, potentially changing medical practice in breast imaging. The scanner uses Cone Beam CT technology to eliminate structural overlap and capture clearer images of small tumors.
The grant aims to develop smart nanoparticles that can deliver photoactivated molecules to kill tumors while sparing healthy tissue. These nanoparticles will also deliver corrective genes to treat genetic disorders and inhibit viral infections or cancers. The project targets diseases like hemophilia, cancer, and viral infections.
Researchers at Rutgers are studying the effects of plant extracts on metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by obesity, hypertension, and high insulin levels. The center aims to identify chemical compounds with therapeutic potential and develop new treatments for this growing public health concern.
Researchers developed an Interactive Scanning Electron Microscope (iSEM) system to simulate the capabilities of a $200,000 analytical instrument in classrooms. Students can measure and analyze objects in detail, simulating real-world experiments previously only accessible to graduate students.
Dalton Conley, a prominent NYU sociologist, has been recognized as one of the nation's top young sociologists by the National Science Foundation. His research focuses on how socioeconomic status and advantage are transmitted through generations, leading to social inequality, and explores how biological and social factors interact to pr...
A Cornell graduate student has been awarded the AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leader Award. The winner, Laughlin, will participate in a two-day event in Washington D.C., meeting with Congressional leaders and attending briefings by key government officials. She will also discuss federal programs supporting biological research.
Barron and Monteiro-Riviere's project explores fullerene interactions with skin cells, aiming to develop new nano-biohybrid materials. The researchers will investigate physiochemical properties of fullerenes to predict uptake and activity.
The University of Pennsylvania will direct a three-year project exploring the relationship between the mind and spirituality. The initiative aims to advance fields like cognitive neuroscience, theology, and philosophy by examining issues related to love, compassion, and epistemology.
Researchers will investigate the safety and effectiveness of polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from plants like flaxseed, echium, and borage. The studies aim to prevent and treat inflammatory diseases, with an estimated one in three Americans suffering from such conditions within two decades.
A Rutgers scientist will use a new grant to investigate schizophrenia genes, with the goal of finding better treatments and reduced morbidity. The researcher aims to analyze genetic data using a new statistical analysis method and investigate a recently described class of genes involved in the central nervous system.
The IADR Distinguished Service Award was presented to Tom Lehner for outstanding service to the Association. The E.W. Borrow Memorial Award was given to George Stookey for his research on oral health prevention, and several fellowships were awarded to support young researchers in dental sciences.
A new study by Penn State researchers suggests that elderly residents do not necessarily reduce school tax bases, but policy changes like property tax rebates can decrease spending. The study found that loyal senior citizens willing to pay higher taxes for the school district can support educational funding if they feel an emotional at...
The SMA Foundation's donation will support the discovery and advancement of novel products to treat SMA, a genetic condition affecting 55,000 people worldwide. Key researchers at Columbia University are working on developing treatments using innovative approaches such as drug discovery and clinical trials.
A new state-of-the-art hospital will provide patients in Michigan and globally with access to U-M's world-class medical care for newborns, children, and pregnant women. The proposed facility will house current services and expand research and treatment capabilities.
Researchers at UT Southwestern will investigate the consequences of space radiation exposure on human health, with a focus on lung cancer and its prevention. The $9.8 million grant will enable the development of new cell systems and animal models to study high-energy particles in space.
The NYU Child Study Center will provide the 8-week Life Enrichment Program to address persistent needs of children of uniformed personnel and their caregivers. The program aims to decrease distress, increase energy and confidence, improve parent-child relationships, and increase social support for surviving spouses.
A study by Eliesh O'Neil Lane explores the roles of IRB members and how to improve the decision-making process. The composition of IRBs affects the types of issues discussed during reviews, with defined roles needed for scientists, non-scientists, and nonaffiliated members.
University of Houston professor Arnold Eskin's research suggests the biological clock regulates long-term memory formation, with neural circuits shutting down at night. His studies on Aplysia reveal that circadian rhythms influence memory formation, but not short-term memory.
The EMBO/HHMI Startup Grants will provide up to six grants of $50,000 per year for three years, with an additional $25,000 per grant from participating countries and EMBO. The initiative aims to strengthen science in Central Europe by offering resources and career opportunities to young independent scientists.
The Smalley/Curl Fund for Innovation supports research in medical diagnostics and drug delivery using gold nanorods. Rice University faculty receive one-year grants to develop novel ideas with the potential to impact all areas of nanotechnology.
The RAE's focus on funding has compromised training of medical students and high-quality translational research. The authors propose abolishing the RAE, recommending efficient peer-review mechanisms to recognize research excellence without compromising clinical academics.
UCI's undergraduate research programs will receive a $900,000 funding boost from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. The programs, launching this summer, will allow students to conduct interdisciplinary research in biomedical and health promotion fields.
Researchers found that genetic selection for low aerobic capacity in rats led to high cardiovascular risk factors, mirroring human data on fitness and survival. The study suggests a link between impaired oxygen metabolism and disease, supporting the importance of aerobic health.
The University of Arizona will collaborate with IBM to build a massive storage environment for diverse types of life sciences data, including MRI images and genomic sequences. The project aims to scale to petabytes of data and enable researchers to manage, integrate, and access their digital assets.
The LCLS X-ray free electron laser will enable breakthrough science and imaging at the atomic scale, with initial funding of $54 million. Construction is set to begin in 2006, with a new center for ultrafast science expected to be operational by 2009.
A study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found that the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy use remained steady among US adults between 1997 and 2002. The total number of Americans using any CAM therapy remained at 72 million, with changes seen in the choice of therapies used.
The von Liebig Center has awarded $1.8 million to 39 projects led by Jacobs School faculty, with a focus on removing inflammatory mediators from plasma and developing handheld gas analyzers for lung disease diagnosis. Researchers will also explore new materials and techniques for creating high-efficiency LEDs.
The Chicago Biomedical Consortium has awarded a $1.5 million grant to the University of Illinois Chicago for its Proteomics/Bioinformatics Demonstration Project. This project will utilize advanced technology, including a Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometer, to study proteins and their interactions.
The study aims to understand the complex linkages between environmental change, whale population dynamics, and human societies in Alaska's Arctic ecosystem. Collaborators will investigate climate variability, ice reduction, and its impact on local whaling practices and global commerce.
A new NIH grant will investigate the molecules that direct activation of eggs during fertilization, with the ultimate goal of applying this knowledge to infertility and contraception. The grant will also fund summer work for researchers and equipment for the study.
Saneron CCEL, a biotechnology R&D startup, has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the NIH to develop Sertoli cells combined with stem cells for treating spinal cord injuries. The company aims to provide readily available, non-controversial stem cells for cellular therapies.
The Lilly Endowment is providing Indiana University with a $53 million grant to enhance its life sciences research capabilities. The funds will be focused on metabolomics and cytomics, emerging fields that aim to better understand metabolism and cell function.
UGA's Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases has received a grant to train Brazilian scientists in bioinformatics, aiming to combat tropical diseases such as schistosomiasis. The program will support the development of analysis infrastructure and provide opportunities for trainees to work with NIH-funded studies.
Researchers at Illinois have developed a new class of biological sensors using single-walled carbon nanotubes. These sensors can detect glucose concentrations in human tissue, providing potential applications for diabetes management and other medical conditions.
The Leducq International Network Against Thrombosis aims to encourage idea exchange between institutions researching thrombosis in vascular disease. The five-year grant will support faculty and students exchanging research time and technology.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is awarding up to $10 million for graduate training programs integrating medical and pathobiological knowledge into Ph.D. research.
The National Center for Regenerative Medicine will enable groundbreaking research discoveries using non-embryonic stem cells to treat thousands of patients annually. The center's education programs will train personnel in performing innovative research and delivering world-class patient care.
The NIH has awarded a grant of $540,000 to train 1,200 middle school teachers in the use of MedMyst, a web-based science curriculum that uses interactive computer adventures to teach kids about infectious diseases and microbes. The training will allow teachers to enrich the science curriculum for 150,000 students over two years.
LSU Assistant Professor Mette B. Gaarde has been awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for her groundbreaking research on attosecond pulses of light. These pulses, produced in the interaction between intense laser pulses and atoms, can capture electrons as they rearrange during chemical bonding events.
Researchers aim to block harmful immune response in brain inflammation and remove beta amyloid plaques with anti-CD40 ligand antibody and investigational vaccine. The study builds on previous USF laboratory studies tracking the role of microglia in Alzheimer's disease.