Each year, approximately 18,000 Americans suffer from spinal cord injuries. By detecting intact nerve connections in the injured spinal cord, a newly developed imaging radiotracer has the potential to help diagnose injuries more precisely, monitor recovery, and evaluate the effectiveness of new therapies in clinical trials. Source: The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

A preclinical study in a mouse model of sickle-cell disease showed that stimulating brain regions with focused ultrasound can reduce pain hypersensitivity.

The low image quality of small, affordable MRI machines have prevented their widespread use. But a boost from AI could close the gap, bringing MRI to more patients.

A major challenge in self-powered wearable sensors for health care monitoring is distinguishing different signals when they occur at the same time. With NIBIB funding, researchers from Penn State and China’s Hebei University of Technology addressed this issue by uncovering a new property of a sensor material, which enabled them to develop a new type of flexible sensor that can accurately measure both temperature and physical strain simultaneously but separately to more precisely pinpoint various signals. Source: Penn State Materials Research Institute.

Rice University bioengineers have created a groundbreaking construction kit for designing custom sense-and-respond circuits in human cells. Published in Science, this research marks a significant advancement in synthetic biology, with the potential to transform treatments for complex diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. Source: SciTech Daily

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death globally. A new deep learning technique developed with NIBIB funding by a collaborative team of researchers could transform the way heart health is monitored, making it safer and more accessible. Source: WashU McKelvey School of Engineering News

 

Researchers from Mass General Brigham and collaborating institutions have developed a non-invasive approach to manipulate cardiac tissue activity by using light to stimulate an innovative ink incorporated into bioprinted tissue. Their goal is to develop a technique that can be used to repair the heart. Source: Brigham&Women's Hospital Research Brief.

Tiny implantable sensors are helping University of Oregon researchers optimize the process of recovery from severe bone injuries. In a new study, they use the technology to show that a resistance-training rehabilitation program can significantly improve femur injuries in rats in just eight weeks.

Source: University of Oregon Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact 

Five NIBIB grantees received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers: Ambika Goel Bajpayee, Northeastern University; Samira Kiani, University of Pittsburgh; Kanaka Rajan, Harvard Medical School; Parisa Rashidi, University of Florida; and William Renninger, University of Rochester. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Government on outstanding scientists and engineers at the early career stage.