vincent Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 $50 million for local scientistsSeattle scientists are receiving nearly $50 million toward research aimed at protecting the world's most vulnerable people from malaria ? one of the leading killers on the globe ? and to develop a quick blood test to check people for a variety of diseases while still in the field. The grants to researchers at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (SBRI) and the University of Washington are among 43 awards announced yesterday by the Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative, a project with major funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Nearly $437 million is being awarded so far to scientists in 33 countries for research to improve health in developing nations. Projects range from vaccine development and developing more-nutritious crops to controlling insects that spread disease. "We were overwhelmed by the scientific community's response to the Grand Challenges," Dr. Harold Varmus, chairman of the initiative's advisory board, said in a statement. More than 1,500 requests for funding were received. "Clearly, there's untapped potential among the world's scientists to address diseases of the developing world." The initiative is funded by $450 million from the Gates Foundation; $27.1 million from the Wellcome Trust, a London-based charity that funds health research; and $4.5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, a Canadian government agency. More grants ? on top of the $437 million announced yesterday ? will be awarded later this year, a foundation spokesman said. Decisions on which projects would be funded have been two years in coming. Scientific advisers settled on more than a dozen challenges that, if met, would have the best chance of improving health in the developing world. In Seattle, SBRI researchers received two grants, totaling $32.5 million, for projects aimed at developing a malaria vaccine. The mosquito-borne disease kills more than 1 million people a year, about 90 percent of them children in Africa. "It is hard for people who aren't here to understand what a grip malaria has on communities and how widespread it is in Africa," SBRI scientist Patrick Duffy said from Tanzania, where researchers are trying to learn which malaria parasites affect children the worst. "It is our dream to contribute to a solution." Duffy, the principal investigator on the project, and his colleagues have conducted previous research that showed a specific form of the malaria parasite causes the disease in pregnant women. During their pregnancies, women develop antibodies and, eventually, natural immunity to malaria. The researchers have made progress toward developing a vaccine using the pieces of protein from that particular type of malaria. A new project, which received $19 million from the Grand Challenges program, will try to identify the forms of malaria parasite that cause the most severe disease in children. Some children who manage to survive about two years of malaria also develop natural immunity. So, like in the other research, it's hoped proteins from those parasites could be used to develop a vaccine, Duffy said. "My guess is that based on the pregnancy studies, it is a good hypothesis," said Duffy, who is collaborating with scientists from Tanzania, Denmark, and Brown University in the United States. In the second SBRI study, vaccine studies previously conducted on mice will be conducted on humans. In earlier work, Stefan Kappe and his colleagues found that removing certain genes from a malaria parasite caused it to hang up in the mice livers, so it couldn't enter red blood cells to destroy them and cause devastating fever and anemia. While the parasite was in the liver, the mice developed antibodies and were protected from additional infection. Now armed with a $13.5 million Grand Challenges grant, Kappe and other scientists will use the technique in the malaria species that affects humans, Plasmodium falciparum. He will expand the research in mice for three years, then move to human volunteers in the following two years. Kappe will collaborate with scientists at the Walter Reed Institute of Research in Washington, D.C., and with researchers in Germany and Australia. At the UW, Paul Yager, a professor of bioengineering, and colleagues will use a $15.4 million grant to develop a handheld device for blood tests. In remote areas of Africa and other places, there are no facilities for crucial tests for disease. So health workers would place a patient's blood on a credit-card-size test panel, then load the card into the new device to get readings within minutes that would reveal conditions ranging from bacterial infections and nutritional status to HIV. The technology would help patients get treatment faster and warn of potential outbreaks of highly contagious diseases such as SARS. "Depending on the test, workers could see if they might need to institute a quarantine," Yager said. PATH, the Seattle-based organization that develops health technologies for developing countries, is helping guide the project. Also collaborating in the research are Nanogen of Redmond and Micronics of San Diego, both developers of medical diagnostics. Seattletimes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yuxi Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 $50 million to fight malaria vaccine, bl To fight malaria vaccine?Well, a little more money doesn't hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makeshift Hammer Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 From our greedy hands into those of the needy........well done Mr. Gates. <sarcasm> Your software is so expensive i had to go without the latest gen ipod (albeit i have the last few still) and a fourth p.c :( When will you ever treat us as fairly as you do others :( </sarcasm> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowPHP Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 People say he uses sly tactics to get ahead in the market. I for one say; So what? He puts it to a very good cause. I dont see any other company doing this.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasker Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 that's not too much money considering that have over 50 billions dollars only his personal fortune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makeshift Hammer Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 that's not too much money considering that have over 50 billions dollars only his personal fortune. 586133912[/snapback] It's a lot compared to what others dontate. But you're right, compared to the other Billions the gates foundation has donated it isn't much at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y0sh Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 that's not too much money considering that have over 50 billions dollars only his personal fortune. 586133912[/snapback] Every little helps. How much have you donated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolslacker Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Every little helps.How much have you donated? 586133957[/snapback] I agree. I have read that he has donated so far about 23 billion dollars, which is about 45% of his total wealth. He is always helping the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincent Posted June 28, 2005 Author Share Posted June 28, 2005 He can donate to the: Ripgut needs a 1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe and a 3 bedroom house in Tempe AZ along with a 2nd house in Sedona AZ with a HUGE telescope, cause ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webeagle12 Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 lets play a game "buy me a house" :shifty: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergeantNoob Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 He's worth that much but he can't get all that money in cash. I'm surprised the Linux fanboys didn't come here and say "i dunt car wat bill gates do,he is evil, burnhim" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Douglas Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 I agree. I have read that he has donated so far about 23 billion dollars, which is about 45% of his total wealth. He is always helping the world. 586133977[/snapback] Yeah, that really great to see someone giving up to 45% :) I remember seeing an article about what percentage the famous, rich people have donated, and I remember Bill Gates being near the top (although there were a lot that gave up to 170% of their wealth to charity). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Dick Montage Subscriber² Posted June 30, 2005 Subscriber² Share Posted June 30, 2005 People always seem to have a go at Bill Gates when he donates money. Usual lines are: * So? He has loads more! - True, but not in any format that would be of use - it's all tied up. * So? It helps with his tax! - Not even remotely true, this is not BG the person, it's his foundation. I say that the guy is truly a nice bloke with good intentions towards the global community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdcase Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 People say he uses sly tactics to get ahead in the market.I for one say; So what? He puts it to a very good cause. I dont see any other company doing this.. 586133901[/snapback] so you are saying that its ok to lie, cheat, and steal as long as you do something good with the spoils? :blink: If he was as deified as you guys make him out to be then I assure you he would charge a more fair price for his software, would work more diligently with the open source community for the betterment of mankind, and would demonstrate in his daily behavior the caring and compassionate nature with which you have so blindly endowed him. *pop* back to reality... He is just a man, and a selfish little worm of a man at that. He overcharges for his product and made his fortune by playing dirty and strongarming companies into doing his bidding. The fact that he "gives" so much to these causes is probably more a function of subliminal guilt than true philanthropy. There is a point in life when even selfish little capitalists realize that they will not live forever, and that they have more money than they will EVER use. Some give a portion away for ego ("Hey, look how even greater I am than you thought!"), some give out of internal guilt ("I feel guilty deep down for stealing all this money from hard working folks over the years"), some give for tax reasons, and a very very few give because they have a change of heart and truely recognize their power and consequent responsibility to humanity. Sadly, I don't think BG is one of the latter. He is a selfish little wraith of a man who lied and cheated his way to untold riches. Stop deifying this guy will you? He doesn't deserve your devotion. Seriously. :sleep: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Dick Montage Subscriber² Posted June 30, 2005 Subscriber² Share Posted June 30, 2005 CDcase: How much have you given to charity recently? To be fair, express it as a percentage of your income. Also, worthy of note: Bill Gates is not Microsoft! Microsoft is a company that Bill Gates founded and runs. People may dislike his business decisions, but they make the company money - that's sort of his job! As for calling him a selfish little worm: Once again, how selfish? Express this as a charitable donation percentage! Also a little worm? He's bigger and more powerful than we will ever be. And you have absolutely ZERO evidence as to his motivations towards his donations. I know I haven't any either - but I'm not questioning them, am I! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClintEastman Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 CDCASE - So your saying that if Bill pulled down the price of Windows (Office, xbox) that will cure AIDS, Malaria and help the poorest parts of the world have a better life that they (like anybody else) deserve? You really have to be the most selfish person I have ever happened across on Neowin.. EVER! Go and pull your head out of your arse and talk crap somewhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Dick Montage Subscriber² Posted June 30, 2005 Subscriber² Share Posted June 30, 2005 Agreed. The price of Windows is fair IMHO - it represents the cost people are willing to pay to use it. If it didn't, it wouldn't sell so well. Economics seems to be out of some people's grasp though. But that's sort of off topic, as the cost of Windows has NOTHING to do with the percentage of wealth BG donates! I keep harping on about percentages, as it put's us on a more level playing field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony-inpo Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 parkquark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryonhowley Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 CDCASE: You need to lay of the drugs it has ****** with what little mind you had. A person like you described would not give to anything but himself. If you think Microsoft products are to high DO NOT use them. As for the rest of your comment well you are just talking out of your ****ing ass. With out a dought you are the selfish little worm of a man you were talking about in your ****** up post. So tell us all you stupid dumb **** how much of your net worth have you given to any charity? My guess would be not one ****ing dime. So just shut the **** up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolslacker Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 Yeah, that really great to see someone giving up to 45% :) I remember seeing an article about what percentage the famous, rich people have donated, and I remember Bill Gates being near the top (although there were a lot that gave up to 170% of their wealth to charity). 586142315[/snapback] I saw that, too. That article also had the amount that percentage made. As far I remember, Bill had the highest ratio. He overcharges for his product and made his fortune by playing dirty and strongarming companies into doing his bidding. 586142352[/snapback] Here is an idea for you, create a OS that's better than MS. Sell it for the price you like it and I'll BUY your 100th copy even if it costs more than windows. Windows is MS's product and they can charge whatever they want. If you really don't like it, don't use it. I'll even help you give you two options: linux, Mac. CDCASE - So your saying that if Bill pulled down the price of Windows (Office, xbox) that will cure AIDS, Malaria and help the poorest parts of the world have a better life that they (like anybody else) deserve? You really have to be the most selfish person I have ever happened across on Neowin.. EVER!Go and pull your head out of your arse and talk crap somewhere else. 586142407[/snapback] I agree. People like CDSASE, discourage people like Bill not to donate and help community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makeshift Hammer Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 If you wanna complain about the cost of software, then look to companies other than MS. If you want to make music on your comp you'll have to pay THOUSANDS of dollars/pounds for one prog. Nuendo3 for example is little short of $2,000. and they are FAR from being the most expensive. for what windows actually does and allows you to do, you aren't paying anything at all for it. Once you've paid your money, you have a support structure that has a ten year (i think) cycle. other apps you have to pay for the support on top of the product itself. Jeez, even steinberg make you pay an extra $20 (for an usb dongle) just to run the prog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yudi_lks Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 Interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad_onion Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 ive alays thought he was a nice guy. people seem to think you cant be a good person and capitalist at the same time which isnt true. really all of us here are capitalists because we have much more than we need and all want to make money. bill hasnt really lied or cheated his way to success, just the company which he partially owns uses their monopoly to make more money which is fair game imo. steve jobs is doing it right now with iTunes and iPod yet no ones complaining that he isnt giving his fortune to help the world :s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phedot Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 so you are saying that its ok to lie, cheat, and steal as long as you do something good with the spoils? :blink:If he was as deified as you guys make him out to be then I assure you he would charge a more fair price for his software, would work more diligently with the open source community for the betterment of mankind, and would demonstrate in his daily behavior the caring and compassionate nature with which you have so blindly endowed him. *pop* back to reality... He is just a man, and a selfish little worm of a man at that. He overcharges for his product and made his fortune by playing dirty and strongarming companies into doing his bidding. The fact that he "gives" so much to these causes is probably more a function of subliminal guilt than true philanthropy. There is a point in life when even selfish little capitalists realize that they will not live forever, and that they have more money than they will EVER use. Some give a portion away for ego ("Hey, look how even greater I am than you thought!"), some give out of internal guilt ("I feel guilty deep down for stealing all this money from hard working folks over the years"), some give for tax reasons, and a very very few give because they have a change of heart and truely recognize their power and consequent responsibility to humanity. Sadly, I don't think BG is one of the latter. He is a selfish little wraith of a man who lied and cheated his way to untold riches. Stop deifying this guy will you? He doesn't deserve your devotion. Seriously. :sleep: 586142352[/snapback] And correct me if I'm wrong... You use Windows right?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fighter-X Posted July 2, 2005 Share Posted July 2, 2005 Why do some people see bill gates as bad person just cause hes rich. Without him we wouldn't be having these super 3D games and stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts