U.S. SCIENTISTS SEEK JOBS ABROAD AMID FUNDING CUTS

Amid cuts to science funding and workforce reductions under the Trump administration, U.S. researchers are increasingly seeking career opportunities abroad. An analysis of data from Nature’s job platform revealed a 32% rise in U.S. scientists applying for international positions between January and March 2025 compared to the previous year. Similarly, job searches abroad by U.S. scientists grew by 35%, with a notable 68% increase in March alone. This shift is partly due to funding cuts, including the abrupt termination of over 200 federal HIV/AIDS research grants and reductions in NIH and COVID-19 funding. The exodus of U.S. researchers has prompted European institutions, like Aix-Marseille University, to launch initiatives to attract U.S. scientists. Applications to European institutions increased by 32% in March 2025, with interest also growing in countries like China. Meanwhile, concerns about academic freedom and funding in the U.S. have fueled anxiety among graduate students and postdocs. (Nature)

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NIH FREEZES FUNDING TO UNIVERSITIES AMID POLITICAL PRESSURE

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has suspended new grant and contract payments to several universities, including Harvard, Brown, Northwestern, and Cornell, following an order from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These universities, along with others, received a warning from the Trump administration about potential enforcement actions for not meeting obligations to protect Jewish students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. NIH was instructed not to disclose the reasons behind the funding freeze to the affected schools. The cuts are part of the administration’s broader push to slash spending through the “Defend the Spend” initiative, which also impacts healthcare grants. Harvard faces additional funding cuts, with $3.2 billion in grants potentially at risk due to public defiance of the administration’s demands. Meanwhile, NIH has restarted some grant reviews, though updates to funding priorities reflect a shift away from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. A leaked OMB plan also proposes a 40% budget cut for NIH. (Fierce Biotech)

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VIETNAM REPORTS FIRST HUMAN CASE OF H5N1 IN 2025

Vietnam has reported its first human case of H5N1 avian flu in 2025, involving an 8-year-old girl from Tay Ninh province. The child, who has a history of heart surgery, initially developed symptoms on April 11, including fever, headache, and vomiting, and was later diagnosed with encephalitis. Despite negative respiratory tests for H5N1, a cerebrospinal fluid sample confirmed the infection. The girl had prior contact with a poultry flock that had suffered mass deaths two weeks earlier. Although infections involving only the central nervous system are rare, they have been reported before, such as in 2004 in Vietnam. The H5N1 virus strain that infected the girl has not been fully identified, but concerns have been raised about a reassortant H5N1 strain circulating in the Greater Mekong region, combining older and newer clades. The patient remains on a ventilator with stable vital signs. (CIDRAP)

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SCIENTISTS IMPROVE CRYO-EM RESOLUTION FOR SHARPER PROTEIN IMAGES

A team of scientists has refined cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), a technique that images protein structures, to achieve higher resolution images. Cryo-EM works by using electron beams to map proteins, but these beams can damage the proteins due to their power. Traditionally, liquid helium cooling (at 4K) was expected to improve the resolution by reducing radiation damage, but it caused images to appear fuzzier. The issue was traced to the ice surrounding proteins, which expanded at lower temperatures, distorting the images. The team addressed this by modifying the microscope’s stage, using gold to reduce charge buildup and shrinking the holes in the stage to minimize ice expansion. The result was a 1.5-fold improvement in resolution, enabling sharper images of proteins, particularly membrane proteins, which are difficult to capture using other methods like x-ray crystallography. This breakthrough could significantly enhance drug development by allowing for more detailed protein structures to be imaged. (Science)

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PARKINSON’S TREATMENT ADVANCES WITH SUCCESSFUL STEM CELL TRANSPLANT TRIAL

In a groundbreaking clinical trial, researchers at Kyoto University successfully transplanted nerve cells generated from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into the brains of Parkinson’s disease patients, offering hope for new treatments for the progressive disorder. The trial involved seven patients, and no major adverse effects were observed. Four patients showed improvements in their Parkinson’s symptoms, which had become difficult to manage with medication. The transplanted cells, derived from human iPS cells, were transformed into dopamine-producing nerve cells, which were then implanted into both sides of each patient’s brain. The cells successfully produced dopamine, helping to alleviate symptoms. While mild side effects, such as itching and temporary kidney function decline, were reported, no serious issues, like cancer, were observed. Sumitomo Pharma Co. plans to apply for approval to manufacture and sell this treatment by the end of fiscal 2025. The study’s findings were published in *Nature* on April 16. (Asahi Shinbun)

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ESTROGEN’S ROLE IN NEUROLOGICAL HEALTH REVEALED IN NEW RESEARCH

Estrogen, long known as the “female sex hormone,” plays a vital role beyond reproductive health, influencing bone strength, skin health, inflammation, and even brain function. While traditionally associated with sexual health, recent research has revealed estrogen’s significant impact on neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and migraines. Estrogen is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat cells, and is also synthesized in the brain, where it helps modulate neuron activity and support neuroplasticity. As estrogen levels fluctuate, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, its effects on the brain become more pronounced. Neuroscientists are now studying how estrogen affects cognitive function, particularly in women experiencing menopause, where its decline may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Research into estrogen’s neurological roles has led to therapies, such as estriol for multiple sclerosis, and has inspired new approaches to hormone therapy. However, there is still much to understand, particularly about estrogen’s timing and its role in neuroprotection. (New York Times)

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BREXIT LEAVES U.K. CANCER PATIENTS FACING DRUG ACCESS CHALLENGES

Five years after Brexit, cancer patients in the U.K. are facing significant challenges due to red tape and increased costs. A report from Cancer Research U.K. and other experts reveals that the U.K.’s departure from the European Union has made it harder for doctors to provide life-saving drugs through the National Health Service (NHS). The cost of importing oncology drugs has surged, with some trials seeing shipping costs increase tenfold. U.K. patients have been excluded from critical clinical trials and access to investigational drugs. The bureaucracy has also delayed essential drug testing and made securing research funding more difficult. The exclusion of U.K. researchers from European cancer research efforts has negatively impacted both U.K. and European cancer research. The report calls for a “mutual recognition agreement” to streamline cross-border trials. In response, the U.K. government has announced new regulations aimed at reducing delays and supporting international trials by 2026, with the goal of revitalizing the country’s medical research efforts. (Fierce Biotech)

Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

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