News


Tue, 04/23/2024

Two Life Span Institute Investigators Among 12 KU Research GO Recipients

Two Life Span Institute researchers were among 12 selected by the KU Office of Research for the 2024 Research Grant Opportunity Program, or Research GO. The office received 50 proposals, which underwent peer review.
Tue, 04/23/2024

Groups Raise Awareness During Youth Violence Prevention Week

The Youth Violence Prevention Center of Kansas City is joining community organizations and schools to mark a national week focused on preventing violence among youth.
Wed, 04/17/2024

Fair offers resources for youth with disabilities transitioning from high school

Youth who have disabilities and their families are invited to a resource fair on May 4 for Wyandotte County residents to help support successful transition from high school.
Fri, 04/12/2024

Three researchers honored for research achievements

The University of Kansas recognized Life Span Institute researchers John Colombo, Tyler Hicks and Lauren Ptomey last night at the University Research Achievement Awards celebration. ...

Thu, 04/04/2024

Director of Research Center at Life Span Institute Appointed to Census Committee

KU Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies Director Jean Hall has been named to the 2030 Census Advisory Committee (2030 CAC) and will serve as an expert in research examining the intersection of disability, health, employment, and community participation.
Tue, 04/02/2024

Special issue explores the complex genetic landscape around diverse IDDs

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) network has completed their 2023 publication section in the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders focused on "Etiological heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and polygenicity in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs)." The issue includes seven new publications from IDDRC investigators across the country. The full section is...

Mon, 04/01/2024

Families Impacted by Fragile X and Fragile X Gene Premutation Invited to Informational Event

The Kansas City chapter of the National Fragile X Foundation is hosting a meet and greet with providers and researchers at the University of Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (KCART). Clinical service and research opportunities for individuals with Fragile X or Fragile X gene (FMR1) premutations will be discussed.
Fri, 03/29/2024

KCART joins KU Baseball as it Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month 

The Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (KCART) will be joining KU Baseball to support autistic individuals and their families at the second annual Autism Family Day game
Tue, 03/26/2024

Life Span Institute to host global audience for developmental disabilities research conference

The KU Life Span Institute will welcome more than 350 scientists, graduate students and practitioners to the 56th annual Gatlinburg Conference on April 17-19.
Thu, 03/14/2024

REDCap Project Modifications in Production Status

The REDCap Production Status for projects provides a tools to review changes before potentially creating inconsistencies between existing data and any data collected after the change. We review the process for submitting changes, and what happens when “potentially critical issues” are flagged by the REDCap software.
Thu, 03/07/2024

Life Span Institute research explores impact of adaptive exercise for people with disabilities

KU Life Span Institute researcher Lyndsie Koon is leading three pilot projects assessing the effectiveness of HIFT to improve various health outcomes, including fall risk, metabolic health, strength, flexibility, quality of life, psychosocial health and more.
Fri, 03/01/2024

Three Life Span Institute central office staff honored

Life Span Institute staff Donna Burruss, Laci Ulrich, and Jennifer Myers Holwick were recognized for their service in late February.
Wed, 02/14/2024

Research team led by Kelsie Forbush among four awarded support for projects that advance racial equity

Kelsie Forbush honored for development of a new perinatal eating disorder screening tool for Black, Afro-Caribbean and African American individuals as 2023 KU Racial Equity Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Award recipient.
Tue, 02/13/2024

Life Span Institute researcher responds to NIH changes designation changes for people with disabilities

The National Institutes of Health has announced changes that will now designate people with disabilities as a population with health disparities.
Tue, 02/06/2024

Art therapy shows promise in residential treatment setting for women with substance abuse disorder

A study from KU researchers at the KU Life Span Institute's Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment of women in residential treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) indicates the creation of visual art indeed may be an effective strategy to reduce “delay discounting.”
Mon, 02/05/2024

KU alumnus publishes research on cannabis use and driving with support from Guthrie award

Will Davis, a KU alumnus mentored by Michael Amlung of the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, recently published research on cannabis use with the help of the Patrick Guthrie Hawks for Hope Award. 
Fri, 02/02/2024

John Colombo one of four Higuchi Award Winners

LAWRENCE — Four faculty members at two Kansas universities were named recipients of the Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Awards, the state higher education system’s most prestigious recognition for scholarly excellence. ...

Wed, 01/31/2024

Life Span Institute investigators recognized for research excellence at KU Athletics events

KU highlights exceptional faculty researchers who exhibit talent and tenacity in their academic disciplines, heightening the university's reputation as one of the nation’s leading research universities.
Wed, 01/31/2024

Study to explore potential for using app to measure hydration

Staying hydrated by drinking fluids is about more than quenching your thirst. Joints work better and can absorb the shock of movement. Toxins get flushed, your skin is more resilient and your kidneys can better remove waste. ...

Thu, 01/25/2024

Pilot Study Demonstrates Potential for PTSD Treatment Program for Veterans, First Responders

An intensive five-day treatment for veterans with PTSD had significantly lower drop-out rates compared to more lengthy interventions, according to results from a pilot study authored Bruce Liese, clinical director at the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment at the KU Life Span Institute.
Tue, 01/16/2024

ABATE study to test a vaccine for Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome

KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is participating in the first clinical trial testing a drug intended to slow down or even prevent Alzheimer's in people with Down syndrome, who are at high risk for the disease.
Mon, 01/15/2024

Community engaged research focus of 2024 Collaboratory

About 100 KU Span Institute staff, investigators and students gathered Jan. 11 for the 2024 Collaboratory at Maceli’s. ...

Tue, 01/09/2024

Books Provide Road Map for Educators, Schools to Promote Self-Determination

Two new books based upon research at the KU Life Span Institute provide a road map for educators, school communities and families to promote self-determination and use the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction, or SDLMI.
Tue, 12/12/2023

Researchers Concerned About Proposed Changes to U.S. Census

Researchers concerned changes to the American Community Survey, the most comprehensive survey of American life, has the potential to significantly disrupt the knowledge of and ability to conduct research about people with disabilities.
Wed, 12/06/2023

Double Data Entry, Data Validation, and Data Comparison in REDCap

Data validity is something that research teams are always concerned with (or should be concerned with). Building systems into data collection that mitigate the risk of invalid or erroneous data is a best practice, and there are many ways to do that. Well-designed online surveys and data collection instruments that...

Mon, 12/04/2023

Programs in Kansas Presented as a Model to Address Sexual Violence by Reducing Health Disparities 

Presenters from Kansas and the University of Kansas shared how initiatives in the state are working to end sexual violence using a framework of support structures that include reducing disparities and addressing social determinants of health.
Wed, 11/29/2023

KUCDD Advisory Group Honored for Leadership in Disability Education

The AUCD recently honored the Kansas University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities – Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Consumer Advisory Panel with the 2023 Gordon Richins Award for Leadership and Advocacy.
Mon, 11/20/2023

Grant to Support Project's Goal to Make Disability Data Accessible and Inclusive

With the support of new $2.25 million federal grant the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities project is poised to build on its more than 40 years of financial information translation and dissemination to bring those data stories to new audiences.
Fri, 11/17/2023

Accessible Home for the Holidays

If you're hosting friends or family who have a physical disability, you may worry about how to accommodate their needs. The good news is that, with helpful tips from the free “Making Homes Visitable” booklet, you can host loved ones for the holidays.
Tue, 11/07/2023

SOAR Conference Guests Share Strategies for Self-Advocacy, Disability Rights, and More

The 2023 SOAR Conference organized by and for individuals with disabilities hosted 200 guests to discuss self-advocacy strategies, disability rights, building healthy relationships, inclusion in research, and more. 

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