Yes, published = journal. I honestly don't know how long it takes to get reviewed... it varies. Depends how big of a journal it is, and how many things people want to nit-pick. Also can't really tell you much for basic vs. clinical.
I would never want to be a lab manager. It deals w/ too much of being online buying products for the lab. And honestly, I don't think I could make it all the way to be a PI... and wouldn't want to. I wouldn't mind doing research again in med school, but its not how I want to spend a major part of my time. And yes, finding grant money sucks. I dunno if I would have been less satisfied w/ my work if I couldn't have picked it, but I do know that I enjoy having something to work towards rather than just doing odd jobs for other people.
We are working for a therapy for neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. One thing we specifically work w/ is Batten's Disease, a disorder known as an NCL. But, we hope to find something that can be used for Parkinson's, strokes, etc.