News on R&D across science and industry. Covers R&D awards, applied studies, quantum institutes, and university research initiatives.
A computational design tool developed by Disney Research enables users to create delicate, yet structurally sound, 3D objects with interconnected shapes. The tool helps identify and strengthen weak areas in the designs, making it possible for the general public to create beautiful artifacts that also withstand handling and shipping.
A carrot and stick approach to workplace safety may not be effective, instead, QUT researcher Dr Jason Edwards is working on a new strategy that combines educative and directive methods to promote safety excellence. This research aims to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce productivity losses due to injuries and illnesses.
Researchers at WSU have developed a multifunctional smart material with shape memory behavior, light-activated movement, and self-healing properties. The material can fold, unfold, remember its shape, and heal itself in response to heat or light.
A new study at CU Anschutz Medical Campus shows a program pairing junior faculty with seasoned mentors can significantly increase grants won. The Clinical Faculty Scholars Program helped participants win about four times as many grants as those who didn't take the course, with mean annual dollars increasing from $27,343 to $83,427.
Researchers tested facial recognition algorithms on a dataset of one million images from around the world and found that accuracy rates dropped significantly when confronted with more distractions. Google's FaceNet performed strongest, but other algorithms struggled to maintain high accuracy rates at scale.
Experts warn that crop yields will decline within a decade unless new and improved varieties are developed and adopted by farmers immediately. The research highlights the impact of temperature increases on crop duration, which can lead to reduced biomass and yield.
Researchers developed a model to analyze online support for ISIS, identifying key behavioral patterns and predicting the onset of major violent events. The study found that pro-ISIS groups can adapt and regroup under different names, making them challenging to track.
Arizona State University is developing a diagnostic test to measure absorbed radiation in individuals during a nuclear incident. The ASU Radiation Biodosimetry System (ARad) uses real-time quantitative PCR-based technology to estimate absorbed radiation.
A new €5 million European project aims to transform care for patients with multimorbid chronic conditions by developing a cloud-based system called C3-Cloud. The system will enable personalized treatment plans and improve coordination of care among hospitals, general practitioners, and social care organizations.
A new special section of Child Development journal investigates how children learn cultural norms through imitation, social interaction, and emotional expression. The research reveals a consistent set of tools across multiple cultural settings, with children 'overimitating' culturally appropriate behavior.
Researchers investigated late mortality rates among sepsis survivors and found a high rate of death within two years. The study suggests that pre-existing health conditions do not explain the increased risk of late death after sepsis, implying that treatments may be more effective than previously thought.
Retailers can boost profits by 7-10% by using higher prices with occasional sales for fashionable goods, according to a new study. The approach works because high-value customers are willing to pay more to avoid regret over not buying now, while lower-priced items attract price-conscious customers.
A new PLOS Medicine article highlights the need for strengthened national health systems, consolidated global emergency response activities, and enhanced research and development to prevent and respond to future infectious disease threats. The study's authors emphasize that system-wide accountability and continuous oversight are crucia...
The conference features research on mitral and tricuspid valve interventions, new devices for percutaneous coronary interventions, and approaches to treat heart failure and stroke. Key findings highlight the potential of TAVI for low-risk patients and the impact of recent trials on clinical practice.
Researchers developed a platform for autonomous aerial refueling of UAVs, utilizing binocular vision-based sensor and navigation system. The system allows the tanker UAV to capture images of the receiver UAV and estimate its pose, then control the boom towards the receptacle for refueling.
Researchers developed a rapid diagnostic method for Niemann-Pick disease type C using bile acid measurement in biological fluids. Early diagnosis is critical to limit neurological damage and treatment should be initiated promptly.
Researchers at the University of Oregon found that manipulating a cellular signaling network in mice can help understand how heart valves initially form. The study revealed that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling enables transitions between stages of valve development, controlling growth and size.
Robert Smith, a UM computer science assistant professor, was awarded a CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation to develop new analysis techniques for mass spectrometry. This advancement may lead to breakthroughs in fields like medical diagnostics, drug development, and research into Alzheimer's disease.
A team of scientists from Queen's University Belfast is collaborating on a novel gene therapy approach to reverse diabetes-linked blood vessel damage to the retina. The research aims to prevent disease progression and restore visual function, addressing a global challenge affecting over 90 million people.
Scientists analyzed ancient ocean sediments to reconstruct past CO2 levels, finding that elevated CO2 led to the early Eocene epoch's extreme warmth and subsequent cooling. The study provides insights into understanding ancient climate and predicting future climate change.
A new study from Harvard predicts that regions of the US could experience up to nine additional days of unhealthy ozone levels per year by 2050. Global climate change is expected to exacerbate heat waves and increase ozone episodes.
The Maine Algal Research and Innovation Accelerator (MARIA) will be a center for developing universal algal standards, exploring new and varied ways that algae could be incorporated into products. MARIA aims to accelerate innovation in natural products created using micro and macro algae.
A data sharing pilot project will report and reflect on data policy challenges in development research. The project, which involves 8 case studies, aims to develop a model open research data policy and implementation guidelines for funders.
A study published in Addiction found that almost half of all drinking occasions in the UK involve moderate, relaxed drinking at home. Meanwhile, groups of friends often move between home and pub drinking, consuming high amounts of alcohol. The research reveals a complex picture of British drinking culture, challenging common stereotypes.
UTARI researcher Endel Iarve will lead a three-year project to predict the strength and life of rotor blade assemblies using discrete damage modeling. The goal is to extend advanced computational techniques to larger aircraft structures, improving life prediction in rotorcraft structures.
Dr. Harissios Vliagoftis has been appointed as the GSK-CIHR Chair in Airway Inflammation, focusing on protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) research to help patients with asthma breathe easier. His work aims to develop biomarkers and treatments that can minimize discomfort and side effects.
A new method has been developed by HKU astronomers to estimate more accurate distances between planetary nebulae and the Earth. The technique uses three sets of data, including object size, brightness, and dimming, to create a robust distance scale that can provide distances accurate to 20 percent.
ATLAS project aims to break performance and cost barriers in inertial sensors using atomic frequency reference and MEMS Coriolis Gyroscope. The goal is to achieve robust GPS-independent navigation and guidance for the US military.
The Journal of Dairy Science has expanded its article collections to include six new subject areas, including Tail Docking, Listeria monocytogenes and Dairy Products, and Casein. ADSA members can access full content through individual membership or institutional subscription.
Scientists at ETH Zurich and IBM Research have developed a new method to manufacture micro-objects with precisely defined magnetic, non-magnetic and differently charged areas. The technique enables the creation of small rods, tiny triangles and basic three-dimensional objects.
A Penn State psychologist argues that big data can enhance our understanding of human development by aggregating empirical work from multiple investigators. This approach could also enable personalized medicine and wearable data-collection with more accurate results.
A new study by MIT economists suggests that increasing research and development (R&D) funding for clean energy technologies is crucial to hasten the transition to a greener economy. The researchers propose a policy framework that combines R&D subsidies with a carbon tax to make clean energy more economically competitive.
A new analytical model for e-sports has been developed by researchers, enabling the prediction of game outcomes and analysis of individual player performances. The model generates detailed statistics about players' behavior, helping game developers understand recurring patterns in their performance and discover ways to improve the game.
The European Solar Telescope (EST) has been selected for a strategic scientific installation in Europe, aimed at studying solar phenomena with unprecedented accuracy. The four-meter diameter telescope will enable researchers to understand the magnetic activity of the sun and violent eruptions affecting terrestrial communications.
A team of researchers is developing a new mooring system for floating offshore wind turbines that uses an integrated network of anchors and lines to hold dozens or even hundreds of turbines in place. This proposed system aims to save money and require fewer anchors and geotechnical site investigations.
A new review proposes using cheap and quick point-of-care tests to measure beta-amyloid levels in the blood, enabling doctors to deliver personalized care and improving patients' quality of life. The tests could be especially beneficial for patients in developing countries where access to healthcare is limited.
The NREC has been selected for four major federal research projects totaling over $11 million, focusing on topics such as automated stress testing and transformative wheel technology. The center anticipates hiring additional staff to augment its existing team of around 100 researchers.
Satish Nadig, a promising young researcher, has received the National Institutes of Health's Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award. The $580,000 grant will support his three-year study on targeted drug delivery for organ transplantation, aiming to minimize harmful effects of immunosuppressant therapy.
The Zika virus has been linked to neurological diseases, with estimated 1.5 million cases reported so far. Researchers are urging a rigorous approach to understanding the effects of the virus and developing treatment measures.
Scientists at Disney Research developed an automated approach to generating life-like character motions, easing game designers' workload and providing instant feedback. The system seamlessly integrates into existing pipelines to produce virtual characters that can autonomously reason about their environments.
Researchers from HRL Laboratories used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve pilot learning in a realistic flight simulator. The study found that subjects who received tDCS showed improved piloting abilities, with enhanced skill retention and faster learning rates.
Researchers from UTARI and Pitt are developing an automated seat cushion to prevent pressure ulcers in wheelchair users. The smart seat cushion technology includes real-time pressure monitoring and automated pressure modulation capabilities to alleviate pressure buildup and discomfort.
Researchers developed a software framework called plant to investigate how plant species coexist with varying traits. The tool examines physiological rules and functional trade-offs in vegetation structure and diversity.
Disney researchers have developed a method to estimate pose and predict orientation of objects, using similarities in how different types of objects appear from the same angle. The system proved effective in predicting pose even for unseen objects, with applications in self-driving cars and other computer vision tasks.
The BMJ and UCSF have developed an e-learning program called Research to Publication, which offers a comprehensive range of 48 online modules focused on clinical and public health research. The program aims to empower early career researchers and institutions in developing countries to build their research capacity.
BMJ is offering free online resources to help healthcare professionals keep up with the latest developments and guidance on diagnosing, advising, and treating patients affected by the Zika virus. The resources include information from leading health organizations such as WHO, Public Health England, and CDC.
A group of researchers created a unique 1D nano electronic system on the surface of a solid and observed its electronic state using photo-emitted electrons. This discovery will help elucidate the mystery of unique electronic properties of 1D nano metals.
A new portable medical tablet pc, UNI-Pad, has been developed by Conecson Co., Ltd. and UNIST, enabling the transmission of medical data from patients directly to health professionals. The device can take various vital signs and is planned for commercialization in diagnosis of additional conditions.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed reconfigurable origami tubes that can change cross sections to operate at different frequencies for antennas or switch liquids in microfluidic devices. The tubes employ the Miura-ori pattern and can be designed with exact properties needed for various users.
Private companies like DuPont have reduced their basic research units in response to business demands, shifting focus towards quicker return on investment. This change has implications for the scientific community, which may see a decrease in groundbreaking discoveries.
China is now the second-largest performer of research and development, accounting for 20 percent of global R&D. The US leads in S&E but faces challenges from Southeast and South Asia, with China playing a key role.
The US Department of Energy has announced a significant investment in grid modernization research and development, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing infrastructure security. The new funding will support critical research and development over the next three years to help modernize America's electrical power grid.
The DESTCloud platform validates disaster tolerance and fault tolerance of wide-area distribution systems in a virtualized environment. It enables training for complex disasters and interference, allowing for preemptive evaluation of system performance during large-scale disasters.
Research shows that restoring and protecting streamside meadows can help keep streams cool for the California golden trout, which are threatened by rising temperatures. The study found that water temperatures approached the upper limit of tolerance in areas with suitable habitat, but were cooler in ungrazed meadow areas.
Jérôme Waser has been awarded the Springer Heterocyclic Chemistry Award 2016 for his exceptional contributions to heterocyclic chemistry. His research focuses on developing new reactions and synthesis methods, particularly those employing hypervalent iodine derivatives.
Researchers at RIKEN QBiC have developed a new method for monitoring mouse sleep cycles using the Snappy Sleep Stager, a non-invasive and automated system. The system has identified a new short-sleeper gene, Nr3a, which is associated with schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression, all of which are linked to sleep disturbances.
A £2M BBSRC-Newton Fund project aims to develop and apply new molecular biology techniques to reduce the impact of major aquaculture diseases. The project will help early warning systems for disease outbreaks in low-income countries, improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
Researchers created a new way to coat solid electrolyte around electrodes, solving problems of gasification and poor permeability. The breakthrough enables high-ion conductivity and air stability in all-solid-state lithium batteries.
Researchers create novel VTD mechanism for conventional propeller engine UAVs, allowing redirection of thrust to improve maneuverability. The proposed technique demonstrates improved performance in plateau missions with enhanced stability and control.
Scientists pin down structure of ALS-associated protein clumps, providing first definitive evidence of their toxicity. The breakthrough could lead to the development of drugs to stop clump formation and stem disease progression.