March 19, 2009
The NIAMS Update is a monthly digest published for those interested in the latest scientific news and resources on diseases of the bones, joints, muscles, and skin. We encourage further dissemination of this resource.
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Melanie M. Martinez, M.P.A.
Public Liaison Officer
Trish Reynolds, R.N., M.S.
Media Liaison
Janet S. Austin, Ph.D.
Director
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
niamsinfo@mail.nih.gov
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is grateful for the opportunity afforded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to further our mission to invest in vital biomedical research related to diseases affecting the bones, joints, muscles, and skin. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is well positioned to fund the best science in pursuit of improving the length and the quality of the lives of our citizens, while at the same time stimulating the economy. Read more about NIAMS' plans for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Applications for $1.5 Billion in Recovery Act Funds Now Available
Grants from National Institutes of Health Will Support Science and Research, Help Grow the Economy
NIH announced that applications for a total of $1.5 billion in grants funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are now available. The grants will fund scientific research, construction and improvement of research facilities, and the purchase of scientific equipment.
NIH Scientists See Retrovirus Capsid Pentamer for First Time
For the first time, scientists can see an elusive protein that forms part of the shell of a retrovirus—a finding that may help in the development of therapies to disrupt the functioning of retroviruses, which include the HIV/AIDS virus. The study, led by scientists at NIAMS, appears in the current issue of the journal Nature.
Roundtable Discussion on Muscle Biology and Diseases
In 2008, NIAMS began developing a new long-range plan for fiscal years 2010 to 2014 to provide a broad outline of opportunities and needs related to the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and, ultimately, prevention of diseases within the Institute’s mission areas. As part of this process, NIAMS hosted a series of roundtable discussions to get input and guidance from the scientific community about areas of research to include in the new plan. The summary of the roundtable discussion on muscle biology and diseases is now available.
Low Levels of Vitamin D Associated with Increase in Hip Fracture
Doctors have long known that factors such as advanced age, low body weight, and low calcium intake increase a woman's risk of hip fracture. Now, research supported in part by NIAMS has revealed another potential risk factor―low blood levels of vitamin D, a vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium from food.
NIH Research Matters: New Mediator of Bone Breakdown Discovered
Scientists have discovered a lipid mediator in blood that plays a key role in maintaining the balance between the build-up and breakdown of bone. Targeting this mediator may prove useful for treating bone degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
NIH Public Bulletin
Read about the latest public events, activities, and health information resources from the NIH in the latest issue of the NIH Public Bulletin.
Arthritis Pain May Keep People with Heart Disease Physically Inactive
Arthritis may create an additional barrier to using physical activity to help people manage their heart disease, according to a study by the CDC. Adults with both heart disease and arthritis are significantly more likely to be physically inactive than those with heart disease alone, the study said.
New Fast Facts Publications Available
Six new Chinese and one new English “Fast Facts” Publications are now available from NIAMS. These easy-to-read fact sheets describe different diseases of the bones, joints, muscles, and skin along with the causes and treatment options. The fact sheets also provide information on current research.
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009
Recovery Act Limited Competition: NIH Challenge Grants in Health and Science Research (RC1)
(RFA-OD-09-003)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Date: April 27, 2009
Recovery Act Limited Competition: Core Facility Renovation, Repair, and Improvement (G20)
(RFA-RR-09-007)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Date: September 17, 2009
Recovery Act Limited Competition: Extramural Research Facilities Improvement Program (C06)
(RFA-RR-09-008)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: May 6, 2009 (projects between $2 million and $5 million); June 17, 2009 (projects between $10 million and $15 million); July 17, 2009 (projects between $5 million and $10 million)
Recovery Act Limited Competition: High-End Instrumentation Grant Program (S10)
(PAR-09-118)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: April 6, 2009
Application Receipt Date: May 6, 2009
Clarification to RFA-OD-09-003 – Recovery Act Limited Competition: NIH Challenge Grants in Health and Science Research (RC1)
(NOT-OD-09-061)
Recovery Act of 2009: NIH Review Criteria, Scoring System, and Suspension of Appeals Process
(NOT-OD-09-054)
Addition of Recovery Funds to the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program
(NOT-RR-09-008)
NIH Roadmap Initiative Announcements
NIH-RAID Administrative Supplements for Preclinical Efficacy Testing of Candidate Therapeutics
(NOT-RM-09-010)
Other Research Announcements
Biomedical Research on the International Space Station (BioMed-ISS) (UH2/UH3)
(PAR-09-120)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: August 31, 2009, 2010, 2011
Application Receipt Dates: September 30, 2009, 2010, 2011
Manufacturing Processes of Medical, Dental, and Biological Technologies (SBIR [R43/R44])
(PA-09-113)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
Manufacturing Processes of Medical, Dental, and Biological Technologies (STTR [R41/R42])
(PA-09-114)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
IACUC 101 Workshop: Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) 2009 IACUC Conference: March 28-31, 2009, in San Diego, CA
(NOT-OD-09-048)
Revision: Notice of Re-issuance of Kirschstein-NRSA T32 (PA-08-226) and T35 (PA-08-227) Funding Opportunity Announcements
(NOT-OD-09-049)
NIH/AHRQ/CDC/FDA Restore Two Day Error Correction Window for Electronic Grant Applications Effective March 1, 2009
(NOT-OD-09-055)
Delays in Grant Application Submission due to Snow Storm, March 2009
(NOT-OD-09-057)
Change in Application Due Date for RFA-RR-09-003 Mutant Mouse Regional Resource Centers (Limited Competition U42) Applications
(NOT-RR-09-007)