News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Researchers studying walleye fish in Minnesota waterways find high levels of estrogenic chemicals, linked to reproductive changes. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico aquaculture projects test new offshore cages to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable fisheries.
The UniProt database will consolidate existing protein databases SWISS-PROT, TrEMBL, and PIR to provide a non-redundant source of protein information. The new database aims to facilitate research on human disease and translate basic science into clinical applications.
The program aims to seed China with genetic expertise, focusing on medical genetics and responsible use of genetic research. Trainees will receive instruction in genetic epidemiology and biostatistics, as well as opportunities for postdoctoral positions or graduate studies.
Gene Network Sciences will use the federal grant to learn how pharmaceuticals work against cancer cells, creating computer models to identify nontoxic drug targets. The company aims to make drug-discovery more predictable for pharmaceutical and biotech companies with its new technology.
The grant will support five local projects focusing on stem cell transplantation, pneumococcal infection, combination drug therapy, gene therapy, and molecular biology of hemoglobin development. St. Jude sickle cell patients will have more opportunities for new therapies and participation in groundbreaking clinical trials.
A new Center for Health Disparities Solutions will bring together resources from Johns Hopkins and Morgan State University to conduct research, training, and interventions to address health disparities. The center plans to educate participants on conducting research on disparities and establish connections with healthcare advocacy groups.
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center receives $12 million SPORE grant to support head and neck cancer research, focusing on genetic susceptibility markers, angiogenic therapy, and other areas. The grant aims to accelerate progress in prevention, treatment, and early diagnosis of the disease.
The grant will develop new technologies to study G protein-coupled receptors and transcription factors, crucial for physiological responses. Researchers aim to create flat panels with multiple GPCRs to quickly assess drug candidates' effects.
The University of Illinois Chicago is developing a new model for dental education to address disparities in oral health care, increasing the diversity of the dental workforce. The program will provide community-based experiences and full scholarships to recruit minority and low-income students.
Researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have been awarded a $9.5 million grant to study the innate immune system and develop new cancer therapies. The project will explore how targeted therapies can be more potent in the presence of certain agents, and will involve multiple clinical trials and laboratory projects.
Dr. Berger's lab will expand its studies of idiopathic prostatitis and explore potential solutions using Botox and genetic stress factors. The grant will help develop a working model explaining the disease's puzzling manifestations.
The University of Houston has a rich history of space research, with contributions to NASA's Exobiology Program and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. Researchers are planning to go back to the moon and Mars to develop space outposts.
The research aims to identify genes contributing to the development of anorexia nervosa, a serious and potentially lethal illness. The study will build on recent genetic studies and gather data from 400 families affected by the condition.
The Avon Foundation has awarded $2.5 million in initial grants through its Progress for Patients program, supporting translational research on breast cancer at eight institutions. The grants focus on minority and underserved women, with a goal of closing the gap between discovery and delivery in breast cancer research.
The University of New Hampshire has launched a biomedical research network, NH-BRIN, with a $5.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The network aims to improve science understanding and capabilities in students and faculty across the state, enabling researchers to develop effective therapies and medicines.
Researchers tested clay to treat harmful algal blooms (HABs), removing 80-90% of toxins in laboratory experiments. The study also found Pfiestera piscicida, a bacterium affecting fish, may be widespread in oceans and sea bass.
The international Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium will collect and analyze genetic data from 2,500 families worldwide to identify genes contributing to the disease. The consortium aims to clarify the complex interaction between genetics and environment in type 1 diabetes.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded UCSD a total of $22 million over five years to support research in information technology. The OptIPuter project, funded at $13.5 million, aims to develop a powerful distributed cyberinfrastructure for data-intensive scientific research and collaboration.
The new 800 MHz magnet will enable researchers to study larger and more complex biological systems, including protein folding and complex formation. This advancement is expected to significantly improve understanding of normal biological function and regulation, as well as the development of diseases and drug response.
The UT Southwestern and U.T. Dallas are receiving a $8 million NIH grant to establish the first national clinical trials network for Sickle Cell Disease. The center will focus on treatment and research initiatives to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a gene called early flowering 4 (ELF4) that regulates when plants flower and maintains their daily rhythmic activity. The discovery may aid agriculture by optimizing vegetative growth and timing of flowering and seed production.
A new test for cyanobacteria toxins in freshwater systems could simplify testing, but results show the survival probability of female northern right whales is declining. The model suggests that preventing two female deaths per year could prevent extinction by 2202, with only about 300 northern right whales remaining.
The Center for Molecular Imaging will combine cutting-edge imaging technologies with new knowledge about genes and proteins to develop ways of seeing cancer as it begins, grows, and is killed. The laboratory discoveries made by its scientists could accelerate everything from diagnosis to the development of future medications.
Researchers will analyze data to predict and control harmful algal blooms and red tides in Narragansett Bay, affecting marine life and local aquaculture. The study aims to enhance understanding of bay ecology needed for effective management and use of resources.
Researchers at URI Graduate School of Oceanography have been awarded a $35,000 grant from the Vetlesen Foundation to investigate pathways for transport of copepod Calanus finmarchicus and its relation to climatic variations.
Researchers will investigate how wetland landscape, circulation features, and restoration strategies affect fecal pollution levels. The study aims to resolve the controversy over whether coastal wetlands generate or filter out fecal pollution, with potential implications for beach water quality and habitat preservation.
The CEGS program supports interdisciplinary research in genomics and its applications in understanding human biology and disease. Two new grants will focus on vertebrate diversity and cell signaling, potentially leading to major insights into genome changes that underlie evolution and human biology.
The Molecular Sciences Institute (MSI) has been awarded a $15.5 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute to develop computer models of cellular signaling, aiming to predict intra-cellular signaling and enable more precise targeted treatments for diseases.
Dr. Scott, a Columbia University neurobiologist, has won a major career award from the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation for her research on the Drosophila gustatory system. The $500,000 award will support her work over five years, enabling her to investigate how the brain translates sensory stimuli into behavioral responses.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of an electric barrier in preventing Asian carp from passing through a simulated barrier near Romeoville, Illinois. The study found that only one fish out of 381 attempts successfully passed through the barrier, and smaller fish were less susceptible to the electric current.
Researchers will examine genes responsible for prostate cancer growth and identify potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. The study aims to understand why prostate cancer spreads into bones, leading to a better understanding of this disease and potential treatments.
Researchers are using nature's existing engineering networks to develop more efficient and sustainable methods for engineering organisms. This approach allows for the introduction of desirable traits without stressing the organism, making it a promising area of research for biosensors, enzyme development, and future medical applications.
Washington University will receive $2.2 million to support a range of undergraduate science education initiatives, including summer research fellowships and programs to promote diversity in STEM fields. The university plans to use the funding to develop new curriculum and laboratory courses, as well as expand its outreach programs for ...
A five-year, $14.8 million NIH-funded award will support HIV/AIDS research in China, focusing on epidemiologic and behavioral interventions, pathogenesis of the virus, safety and efficacy of anti-HIV drugs, and vaccine development. The award aims to improve HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention measures in resource-limited countries.
A common soil bacterium produces a toxin that kills zebra mussels, causing major problems in water-dependent infrastructure. Preliminary tests indicate the microbe does not harm other species, paving the way for commercialization and potential use as an eco-friendly control agent.
Researchers are enhancing genetically altered algae to maximize its ability to pick up trace metals in Lake Erie, a potential game-changer for Great Lakes bio-remediation. Meanwhile, efforts to eradicate invasive Spartina anglica in Puget Sound aim to support native birds and the seafood industry.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences have developed a new treatment for common warts, which was successful in 74 percent of patients in a pilot study. The treatment involves injecting approved skin test antigens into a wart to stimulate the body's immune response and destroy the virus.
The project focuses on fundamental breakthroughs in nanostructured macromolecular materials, with potential applications in military uniforms, miniaturized machines, displays, sensors, and actuators. Branched macromolecules will be studied to provide information for the development of high-tech surfaces and structures.
Researchers examine the evolution of collaboration, from World War I to modern-day global partnerships, highlighting its benefits and impact on scientific productivity. The study also delves into how emerging technologies like email and the Internet have revolutionized research collaboration, making it more diverse and effective.
The NIMH RAPID grants program funds small projects to yield information helpful in designing large-scale studies on prevention and treatment of mental illnesses resulting from exposure to mass violence. Six supplemental grants have also been awarded to existing studies to gather new information specific to the 9/11 events.
Dr. Larysa Pevny, a UNC neuroscientist, has received a $1 million federal grant to study the genetics of neural stem cells and their potential in developing transplantation therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Her research aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in regulating neural stem cell differentiation.
A $1 million NIH grant will support Wilfredo Colón's study of familial ALS, a hereditary version of the disease. The research focuses on SOD1 enzyme mutants that lead to the disease's progression.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation awards a $10 million grant to Jeffrey Kordower, PhD, of Rush University Medical Center, to develop embryonic stem cell lines for Parkinson's disease treatment. The goal is to create dopaminergic cells that can be used in research and potentially lead to new treatments.
A five-year study will analyze how nursing staffs are organized in 160 US hospitals to improve patient care quality. Researchers will examine nurses' experiences, job satisfaction, and relationships with healthcare professionals.
The researchers aim to create a prototype for real-time measurement of complex processes within cells. This technology could lead to more effective drugs and insights into human disease.
Pamela Douglas, a Johns Hopkins University senior, is analyzing DNA from children suffering from Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata, a devastating disease that causes stunted limbs and mental retardation. Her work may yield clues to the development of a treatment for this rare but fatal disorder.
The new UI Center for Research on Processes in Evolution will investigate the evolution of drug resistance in microbes and determine how specific viruses choose their hosts. This research could help identify patterns in evolution and constraints, shedding light on nature's workings and future disease threats.
The Keck Foundation is funding a $750,000 grant to develop a 3D fusion microscope at Northeastern University. The instrument will enable three-dimensional imaging of biological specimens using five advanced technologies, with applications in embryonic development and spinal cord injury research.
A new $2.5M NSF grant will enable UNC scientists to conduct interdisciplinary studies and train researchers in comprehensive child development models. The study aims to capture the complexity of children's relationships with families, neighborhoods, cultures, and environments.
The U-M Medical School is developing an interdisciplinary CAM curriculum, integrating theory, evidence, and practice to enhance learning. The program aims to increase medical students' knowledge of CAM, promoting a deeper understanding of the healing relationship between physician and patient.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that predicting preterm birth remains challenging due to low predictive value of current tests such as ultrasound and fetal fibronectin. The study suggests that prematurity in America is on the rise, with a 23% increase in premature births since the 1980s.
A multi-center study led by Dr. Jay Iams found that home uterine monitoring has no clinical value in predicting early birth, despite its widespread use for high-risk women. The study's results reinforce previous findings that ambulatory monitors are not more effective than other diagnostic tools or surveillance programs.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded $16.25 million in new grants to 43 outstanding biomedical researchers from Canada and five Latin American countries. The recipients are investigating various biomedical topics, including parasitic diseases and cancer.
Researchers are developing new rehabilitation techniques to help mild stroke patients improve their attentional control, motor skills, and response consistency. The study aims to identify specific deficits and develop targeted therapies using magnetic resonance imaging.
UT Southwestern Medical Center has been awarded $3.6 million in funding to support 19 research projects across various disciplines. The largest grant will go towards developing a cancer-detecting blood test, which has already shown promising results in clinical trials.
A Stanford research team aims to understand how C. crescentus's genes communicate with one another, exploring its potential as a bioremediation agent. The goal is to create a comprehensive 'owner's manual' for the bacterium, which can help DOE meet its challenges in toxic waste cleanup and energy production.
Researchers will combine surgical robotic systems with telemedicine to train surgeons-in-training in complex, minimally invasive procedures. The proposed system will feature shared control of a single set of 'arms' and haptic feedback for immersive training.
The University of Georgia will conduct four-year $3.97 million project to build genomic tools for sorghum and apply genetic maps to improve sorghum biology and productivity. Researchers aim to identify genes involved in making seeds and producing biomass, potentially leading to sustainable energy sources.
A team led by Haim H. Bau will model transport of liquids, particles, and cells in microconduits to study biological interactions. They will use low-temperature co-fired ceramic tapes to fabricate prototypes.
Yale University has been awarded a $1.3 million pre-center grant to prepare for the potential establishment of a Center of Excellence in Biomedical Computing. The grant aims to train new scientists in interdisciplinary areas of biomedical computing, addressing a critical shortage identified by NIH.