The University of Minnesota celebrated the opening of the “gateway to the Biomedical Discovery District,” the new Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building (CCRB), earlier today.

The CCRB is the fifth addition to the University’s Biomedical Discovery District, a complex of the most advanced research buildings found anywhere in the state. The facility joins the Lions Research Building, the McGuire Translational Research Facility, the Winston and Maxine Wallin Medical Biosciences Building and the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research.

No one wants to see their pet fall ill, but due to the U of M’s groundbreaking research in canine brain tumor surgery, some dog owners can find comfort knowing their pet’s ailment may be advancing human cancer treatments…

A new Sesame Workshop initiative will get big backing from a University of Minnesota researcher. Little Children, Big Challenges: Incarceration supports families with young children who have an incarcerated parent, through the use of interactive and age-appropriate resources. Minnesota is one of just 10 pilot states involved with the effort.

The program was highlighted at the White House in Washington, D.C.  Rebecca Shlafer, Ph.D., assistant professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Department of Pediatrics, took part in the event.  Shlafer was joined by other experts in this field from across the country in an effort to call attention to the importance of this serious issue.

Researchers in the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering have produced a flying robot controlled solely by the operator’s mind. This exciting study used a first-of-its-kind noninvasive system that holds the potential to aid people suffering from paralysis or other neurodegenerative diseases…

Editor’s note: For more news of the JAMA study please visit our Storify page.

New research from researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School shows that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is twice as effective for the control of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia when compared to intensive lifestyle medical management consisting of dietary change, physical activity, exercise and medication.

The study, “Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass vs. Intensive Medical Management for the Control of Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, and Hyperlipidemia” appears in the June 5, 2013, issue of the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), and was led by Sayeed Ikramuddin, M.D., professor of surgery at the University of Minnesota.

A new University of Minnesota study shows that the recession of 2007 to 2009 led to a decline in out-of-pocket spending for privately insured children with special health care needs. Using data from the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, researchers also found that children without such needs were not affected by the recession. However, all adults in those children’s families had significantly lower out-of-pocket spending during the recession. This finding suggests that parents may reduce their personal medical care during difficult economic times to meet their children’s health care needs.

The analysis, “Recession Led To A Decline In Out-Of-Pocket Spending For Children With Special Health Care Needs” appears in the June issue of Health Affairs, and was led by Pinar Karaca-Mandic, Ph.D., assistant professor in the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.