A team of researchers at Vanderbilt University has developed a system of artificial cilia capable of monitoring mucus conditions in human airways to better detect infection, airway obstruction, or the severity of diseases like Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and lung cancer. The lead researcher was funded by an NIH/NIBIB Trailblazer Award. Source: Vanderbilt School of Engineering

NIBIB has designed an initiative called Enhancing Biomedical Engineering, Imaging, and Technology Acceleration (eBEITA) at HBCUs. Recently, NIBIB made its first round of eBEITA grants to two HBCUs.

In a study published in Small, researchers at the University of Rochester outline a new method for using ultrathin membranes to easily identify extracellular vesicles for rapid liquid biopsies. The method, called catch and display for liquid biopsy (CAD-LB), holds promise for diagnosing cancer quickly and affordably, and assessing the progress of therapies used to treat diseases. Source: University of Rochester News

NIH has announced winners of the RADx® Tech Fetal Monitoring Challenge, a $2 million prize competition to speed development of innovative medical technologies for fetal health diagnosis, detection and monitoring.

Metastasis remains the primary challenge to reducing cancer deaths worldwide. Now, a study by Memorial Sloan Kettering, published in Nature is providing unique insights into metastasis that researchers say point to new therapeutic opportunities. Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center News

Researchers are developing preclinical microgrippers that could be deployed throughout the upper urinary tract to grab tiny pieces of tissue and facilitate early detection of disease.

In a study published in Small, researchers at the University of Rochester outline a new method for using ultrathin membranes to easily identify extracellular vesicles for rapid liquid biopsies. The method, called catch and display for liquid biopsy (CAD-LB), holds promise for diagnosing cancer quickly and affordably, and assessing the progress of therapies used to treat diseases.  Source: University of Rochester News Center

A team of engineers at the University of Houston has published a study in the journal Nature on how international air travel has influenced the spread of COVID-19 around the world. By using a newly developed AI tool, the team identified hotspots of infection linked to air traffic, pinpointing key areas that significantly contribute to disease transmission. Source: University of Houston Newsroom

Researchers at Washington University Medicine have reduced scar formation and improved heart function in mouse models of heart failure using a monoclonal antibody treatment. The antibody that reduces inflammation could serve as cardio-immunotherapy for heart failure patients.  Source: WashU Medicine