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In this regular feature on Breakthroughs, we highlight some of the most interesting reads in global health research from the past week.

January 16, 2014 by Nick Taylor

In this regular feature on Breakthroughs, we highlight some of the most interesting reads in global health research from the past week.

GHTC member the International Vaccine Institute and the Institute for Translational Vaccinology have agree to collaborate on vaccine research and development and to promote capacity building in low- and middle-income countries. The partnership will focus on improving available technologies, as well as regulatory processes.

The House and Senate Committees on Appropriations have released a fiscal year (FY) 2014 omnibus appropriations bill . Funding for global health programs at the US Agency for International Development saw some increases, while the National Institutes of Health remains woefully underfunded—even with an increase of $1 billion over last year’s post-sequestration levels.

Results of an early-stage clinical trial show that stem cells taken from patients’ own bone marrow could be used to treat multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). More tests will be required before this treatment option is validated as a possible alternative to current TB drugs.

New research from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine has found that a form of malaria attacks red blood cells by “clamping down on cells with a pair of proteins.” This finding may aid scientists in the design of better vaccines and drugs against malaria.

About the author

Nick TaylorGHTC

Nick Taylor is a senior program assistant at GHTC, where he supports GHTS communications and member engagement activities.