News & Events

NIAMS Update March 2009

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NIAMS - National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Update - An online resource for the NIAMS Coalition, Council, and Colleague
March 19, 2009
Introduction
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.
Contat Information

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

Spotlight
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act logo 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.


News
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.




Other Federal News
Black/White Disparity in Knee Replacements
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of American adults may develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in at least one knee over their lifetime, with an equal risk of developing this disabling condition among whites and blacks. Total knee replacement is an effective method of reducing pain and improving physical function among those with disabling knee osteoarthritis, but whites have been more likely to undergo the procedure than blacks.


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.




Publications
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.

   What Is Acne? (Chinese)
   What Is Back Pain? (Chinese)
   What Are Knee Problems? (Chinese)
   What Is Osteoarthritis? (Chinese)
   What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis? (Chinese)
   What Are Sprains and Strains? (Chinese)
   What Is Pemphigus? (English)




Funding Announcements
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










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