Global Health Briefs - August 2014
July / August 2014 | Volume 13, Issue 4
NIH plans bold brain research agenda
The NIH is embracing a new bold scientific vision for brain research, recommended by an advisory committee. Under the 12-year Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, NIH will seek to map brain circuits, measure fluctuating patterns of electrical and chemical activity within those circuits and study how their interplay creates unique cognitive and behavioral capabilities. It is estimated the initiative will cost $4.5 billion.
USAID marks 50 years of global health
USAID has published a book describing its accomplishments improving global health over the past five decades, including reducing deaths from diarrhea, malaria, HIV/AIDS and maternal complications. "50 Years of Global Health: Saving Lives and Building Future," is a record of the agency's achievements and a catalog of lessons learned.
Midwifery study shows urgent need
Properly trained and supported midwives could potentially reduce maternal and newborn deaths by two-thirds, according to a study released recently by the U.N. Population Fund. The State of the World's Midwifery report details the vast shortage of midwives in 73 developing countries and estimates investments in midwifery training could yield a 1,600 percent return on investment.
EU overhauls clinical trial legislation
Legislation recently passed by the European Union will make clinical trials cheaper and more transparent, the EU said. Researchers need apply only once for trials running in several countries and all results must be published. Low-risk trials may sidestep some regulations.
African nations committing to research
A growing number of sub-Saharan African countries are funding science and technology research in a meaningful way, according to a study of 17 nations conducted by the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University. There is a wide range and diversity of science funding configurations across the region, the report noted.
- Science Granting Councils in Sub-Saharan Africa individual country reports and the full final report
Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University
Accordia hails Uganda's diseases unit
The Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University is transforming the region's health with its world-class training, research, prevention and treatment programs, according to the Accordia Global Health Foundation's report on a decade of investment.
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