News
Mon, 06/24/2024
National research organization honors Life Span Institute scientists for commitment to research focused on people with disabilities
Jean Hall, director of Institute on Health and Disability Studies, received the distinguished service award from the organization, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life, independence, and inclusion of individuals with disabilities and their families through research.
Thu, 05/30/2024
Gatlinburg Conference draws 430 experts in IDD research from around the world
The Gatlinburg Conference kicked off with a panel on inclusive communication in research, which helped set the tone for the 56th annual event from April 17-19 in Kansas City, Mo.
Thu, 05/16/2024
Team leads special journal edition on including people with disabilities in research
A team from the KU Center on Developmental Disabilities in the Life Span Institute led the development of the Special Issue of Inclusion, the e-journal of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Wed, 05/01/2024
7 myth-busting facts about the risk of eating disorders
KU Life Span Institute researchers and other mental health experts reveal the truth about eating disorders in these facts that dispel the many myths around this serious condition.
Tue, 04/30/2024
Community mourns death of Life Span Institute researcher Morris Faiman
Morris “Morrie” Faiman, longtime faculty member and research professor at the Life Span Institute, died April 23 at age 91.
Fri, 04/26/2024
ATK Celebrates National Assistive Technology Month
Assistive Technology for Kansans staff, council members and supporters gathered April 17 at the Capitol in Topeka in celebration of Gov. Laura Kelly designating April as Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Kansas.
Fri, 04/26/2024
5 ways to better communicate with people who use AAC devices
As part of Assistive Technology Month in Kansas, we’re highlighting some of their advice on how others can help facilitate better conversations in and outside of the classroom to better allow everyone to participate in conversations.
Wed, 04/24/2024
Three winners of Patrick Guthrie Hawks for Hope Research Awards announced
The Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment has announced the three recipients of the Patrick Guthrie Hawks for Hope Research Awards.
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. ...