Indiana U Scientist Gets $9M To Further Animal-Human Organ Research [Education News]

An Indiana University scientist is getting a $9 million boost from a biotech company to further his research into ways to use animal organs in humans. The IU School of Medicine says Dr. Burcin Ekser's four-year grant comes from Silver Springs, Maryland-based Lung Biotechnology PBC. That company was founded in 2015 by United Therapeutics Corp. to address the acute national shortage of transplantable lungs and other organs.

Multimillion-Dollar Grant To Help Pregnant Women With Opioid Dependence [Education News]

The University of Kentucky has received a multimillion-dollar grant to expand and improve a program to help pregnant women with opioid dependence problems before, during and after delivery. The Perinatal Assistance and Treatment Home (PATHways) program is helping women with medication, peer support and health services to reduce the number of babies born with an opioid addiction.

Norovirus Confirmed After 50 NY College Students Fall Ill [Education News]

Officials at a central New York college have confirmed that norovirus sickened over 50 students. Hamilton College in Clinton said Wednesday that testing confirmed norovirus. The highly contagious bug causes diarrhea, nausea, muscle pain, vomiting and other symptoms. Health officials say norovirus can be transmitted through human contact and contaminated surfaces.

Connecticut University Closes Because Of Student Illness [Education News]

A Connecticut university is shutting down for the day after about 100 students fell ill. John Clark, the president of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, says he consulted with state, local and university health officials before deciding to close the school for Monday.

Columbia University Launches Scholarship Program to Eliminate Medical School Loans for Students With Financial Need [On A Positive News In Education]

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons announced that it will launch a sweeping scholarship program in the coming academic year – several years ahead of schedule – that will make it the first medical school in the nation to replace student loans with scholarships for all students who qualify for financial aid.

UofA College Of Medicine-Phoenix Scientist Gets $1.65M Grant [Education News]

A scientist at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix has received a $1.65 million grant to find out how a traumatic brain injury changes communication in the brain. College officials say the project will use electrochemical assessment to evaluate traumatic brain injury in real time.

Marshall University Awarded $500k Grant For Diabetes Work [Education News]

Marshall University has been awarded a $500,000 federal grant to continue its work on diabetes prevention and lifestyle management. Republican U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins of West Virginia announced the grant Monday. His office said in a news release that the Appalachian Regional Commission grant includes $300,000 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rare Disease Day 2018: BioMarin Launches RARE Scholars Scholarship Program [Education News]

BioMarin announced the launch of RARE Scholars, an annual scholarship for students living with rare disease. The RARE Scholars program will distribute up to $20,000 each year in June, awarding $5,000 for undergraduate four-year or graduate studies or $2,500 for two-year or vocational-technical studies.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® Raises $4.3M During National Radio Event With Univision And The THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES T-shirt Movement [On A Positive Note Beyond Education]

WVU Team To Study Brain Implant's Ability To Treat Addiction [Education News]

A group of researchers at West Virginia University plans to study how a brain implant could affect opioid cravings for people with substance use disorder. Neuroscientist Dr. Ali Rezai is developing the implant, which will transmit electric impulses to the reward system of the brain.

Colleges In Vermont Prepare For Possible Mumps Outbreak [Education News]

The University of Vermont and St. Michael's College are taking steps to stop the possible spread of mumps on campus. UVM said in a letter sent out to students and staff members the university health lab is waiting for results on five possible mumps cases involving undergraduate students. WCAX-TV reports three cases of mumps have already been confirmed at St. Michael's College.

UMass-Lowell Professor to Monitor Athlete Health at Olympics [Education News]

University of Massachusetts Lowell physical therapy professor Alexandre Lopes is among the international experts in Pyeongchang studying the performance of the athletes for the International Olympic Committee. The research team is gathering data on how many athletes sustain injuries or fall ill during the games.