Latest Brandeis University Stories

Daniel Perlman '68 solves phytosterol dispersability problem Senior Brandeis research scientist Daniel Perlman ’68 has discovered a way to make phytosterol molecules from plants dispersible in beverages and foods that are consumed by humans, potentially opening the way to dramatic reductions in human cholesterol levels. A U.S. patent (number 8,460,738) on the new process and composition was issued on June 11. Phytosterols in plants and cholesterol molecules in animals are highly...

New simulations help scientists understand how —and why — viruses spread It’s not a hacker lab. At Brandeis University, sophisticated computational models and advances in graphical processing units are helping scientists understand the complex interplay between genomic data, virus structure and the formation of the virus’ outer “shell” — critical for replication. “We hope that some of what we are finding will help researchers alter virus assembly, leaving viruses unable...

Knowledge Foundation and Oak Ridge National Laboratory brings the 2nd Biosurveillance Symposium and Biodetection Technologies 2013 to Alexandria, VA on June 17 - 19, 2013. Boston, MA (PRWEB) May 22, 2013 Industry leaders from around the world will convene in Alexandria, VA for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Biosurveillance Symposium on June 17th which will take place at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. Held in conjunction will be the Biodetection Technologies 2013 conference on...

Boston IVF - collaborating with Brandeis University - selected by HHS to participate in public awareness campaign BOSTON, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston IVF, a leading medical practice providing specialized infertility treatment since 1986, has received a two-year federal grant, totaling $1 million, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve patient understanding of and interest in donating frozen embryos resulting from in vitro...

Position on economic ladder and race impact recovery A new study from The Pew Charitable Trusts, "Making Hard Choices: Navigating the Economic Shock of Unemployment," examines how American families cope with unexpected financial setbacks and how those periods of economic uncertainty draw down financial resources. The report studies families across race and income levels, revealing different experiences resulting from unemployment and the difficult choices many of them face. Building...

Same gain in income produces far greater wealth for white households than black families New research shows the dramatic gap in household wealth that now exists along racial lines in the United States cannot solely be attributed to personal ambition and behavioral choices, but rather reflects policies and institutional practices that create different opportunities for whites and African-Americans. So powerful are these government policies and institutional practices that for typical...

For years policymakers have attempted to replace Medicare’s fee-for-service payment system with approaches that pay one price for an aggregation of services. The intent has been to reward providers for offering needed care in the most appropriate and cost-effective manner. But many of these programs have known pitfalls, says Stuart Altman, an economist and the Sol C. Chaikin Professor of National Health Policy at Brandeis University's Heller School for Social Policy and Management. On...

NORFOLK, Va. and BOSTON, Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently selected ValueOptions(®) and its subsidiary, Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP), for a CMS Health Care Innovation Award. The award includes a $2.67 million grant to fund a new program which will use recovery peer navigators and incentives that will help to improve substance abuse treatment outcomes and reduce costs for the Commonwealth. MBHP will...

Researchers calculate surveillance and prevention of mosquito-borne disease known as 'break-bone' fever could save $5 for every $1 invested As public health experts warn that the spread of dengue fever could prove more costly globally and cause more sickness than even malaria, a new report published today in the May issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene finds each year dengue is inflicting a US$ 37.8 million burden on Puerto Rico and that every $1 invested in...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Driven by its commitment to "invest in the people with the values, ability and passion to change the world," the Mandel Foundation has awarded a $5 million grant to the West Palm Beach Library Foundation (WPBLF). With this significant and notable gift, the West Palm Beach Library will be renamed in perpetuity as the "Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach." In addition, representatives of the Mandel Foundation will...