Research Roundup: What we’re reading this week

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

The National Institutes of Health has launched a new program that will pair researchers with certain pharmaceutical industry compounds to help scientists explore new treatment options for patients.

The TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative and GHTC member Aeras have announced a new memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaborative efforts to advance the world’s most promising tuberculosis vaccine candidates.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved fiscal year (FY) 2013 budget legislation for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill would provide the FDA with $2.524 billion for FY 2013, which is $12.5 million more than the spending plan submitted in February by President Obama and $27.47 million more than the current fiscal year.

The House Appropriations Committee has proposed reducing the State and Foreign Operations account by more than $5 billion for FY 2013. The State and Foreign Operations account—which saw an overall increase in President Obama’s budget request—funds the US Agency for International Development and the State Department, as well as programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.