News on R&D across science and industry. Covers R&D awards, applied studies, quantum institutes, and university research initiatives.
The Dartmouth Institute for Security Technology Studies has released a report detailing the technology hurdles faced by cyber crime investigators. The report identifies seven areas of concern, including log analysis, internet protocol tracing, and emerging technologies, to aid in combating cyber attacks.
Three exceptional researchers have been awarded the Young Minds in CNS Award for their innovative work on residual symptoms in bipolar disorder, serotonin receptors in anxiety disorders, and thalamic neurochemistry in schizophrenia. The $20,000 award will support career development and attendance at international congresses.
A recent California quake occurred near a forecasted anomaly within the margin of error of its location, validating the University of Colorado's earthquake forecasting method. The scientists used a 'state vector' to characterize seismic activity in southern California and developed a probability index to predict large earthquakes.
The Cardiff University team has successfully fabricated a tiny chromatographic extraction cartridge on a silicon chip, enabling easy and inexpensive mass production. The system can be integrated into rivers or factory processes to monitor mixtures flowing through it.
The University of Washington has been awarded a $16 million National Science Foundation grant to establish a center for materials and devices in information technology research. The center will receive funding over five years, with the potential for more than twice that amount over 10 years.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a technique to create nano-structured polymer films with tunable refractive index, enabling faster and cheaper conversion of electrical signals to optical signals. This innovation has the potential to speed up access to the Internet, making it more accessible and affordable for widespread use.
The AAAS Report XXVII: Research and Development FY 2003 provides a definitive guide to the President's R&D budget proposals. The report shows a record increase in federal R&D funding to $112 billion, driven by increases in defense and health sectors. Non-defense R&D would decrease slightly, while basic research would see a 7.9% growth.
The U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) has established the Georgian Research and Development Foundation (GRDF), the Republic of Georgia's first independent grant-making science foundation. The GRDF aims to develop the country's scientific-engineering community through merit-driven research support.
A 13-year study found that higher-quality child care benefits children's development, with more education and training among staff also contributing to better outcomes. Poor quality care can have negative effects on children's social and intellectual development.
A management science study finds public research has a significant impact on industrial R&D, with the pharmaceutical industry being a major beneficiary. The study reveals that public research contributes to both innovation and project completion, with materials science and computer science fields having the most widespread impact.
The AstraZeneca CNS Awards Program was launched in 2002 to support the career advancement of young physicians in central nervous system (CNS) fields. The program recognizes excellence in innovative research, educational efforts, travel, and materials, and offers a platform for award winners to reach their full potential.
A new $2.5M NSF grant will enable UNC scientists to conduct interdisciplinary studies and train researchers in comprehensive child development models. The study aims to capture the complexity of children's relationships with families, neighborhoods, cultures, and environments.
The US Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) has awarded $1 million grants to four Russian universities to improve their basic scientific research capabilities. The grant recipients include Moscow State Engineering Physics Institute, Perm State University, St. Petersburg State University, and Voronezh State University.
The Texas A&M University Institute for Countermeasures against Agricultural Bioterrorism aims to develop research tools to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks on agriculture. The institute will utilize cutting-edge technologies such as surveillance networking, satellite imaging, and biotechnology to create a proactive defense system.
Research by Susan M. McHale found that children who spend more time on structured activities like hobbies and sports tend to have better academic, emotional, and behavioral development. In contrast, excessive outdoor play or unstructured free time may lead to poorer grades and behavior issues.
The project aims to improve and conserve local, traditional crops being overlooked by major international research programs. Farmers will be actively involved in selecting and multiplying varieties of neglected crops, with new technologies for better cultivation and use.
The MilliWave Viscometer measures viscosity in molten materials, indicating chemistry and quality. It enables feedback control, maximizing waste loading and improving efficiency in glass production, with significant economic impact on environmental clean-up efforts.
Cornell University has been awarded a grant to develop the core infrastructure for a national online science library. The system will collect information from hundreds of sources in various formats and provide access via the World Wide Web.
Researchers developed a conflict early warning system to predict instability in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. The tool uses numerical scores based on civil contention, state repression, and violence to indicate a country's stability.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab and DuPont have developed a new class of catalysts that can accelerate the removal of oxygen from plant-derived compounds, converting them into alcohols for industrial use. The goal is to produce 25% of DuPont's revenues in 2010 from renewable raw materials.
Former Washington Post reporter, Charles Suplee, has been named the 2002 recipient of the American Chemical Society’s James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public. He will be honored at a luncheon on Oct. 12 and receive $3000, a gold medal, and a bronze replica.
Researchers applied game theory to assess the feasibility of a proposed national missile defense (NMD) system. They found that protection may be a placebo if widely believed to be effective, prompting a cautious approach to deployment. The study suggests focusing on research and development and exploring alternative credible alternatives.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new link design for wireless infrared local area networks that uses a multi-beam transmitter with a narrow field of view receiver. The system achieves a bit-error rate of one error per billion bits and uses milliwatt transmitted power levels.
The Maine Science and Technology Foundation is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the state's R&D investments to determine their impact on economic growth. The initial evaluation will assess existing data collection processes and propose a web-based system for ongoing assessment.
The International Development Research Centre presents four case studies on ICTs in Latin America, highlighting their impact on civil society organizations and indigenous communities. These projects showcase the potential of technology to bridge development gaps and promote social change.
A Navy laboratory has successfully demonstrated an AI-powered tutoring system that reduces the number of instructors needed for team training. The system tracks keystroke and eye movement to provide real-time feedback, enabling more effective high-functioning teamwork.
Researchers developed a new welding technique combining infrared sensors and predictive modeling to create the best seam possible. This approach promises to save the Navy up to $10 million per year at Ingalls shipyard alone, reducing the need for costly corrections.
The President's Information Technology Advisory Committee recommends increasing funding for long-term research programs and computing infrastructures. The committee highlights four areas deserving of increased research funding, including software development and high-end computing.
Researchers have developed cost-effective methods for manufacturing ultralight porous metals that can be used in various applications including cooling motor drives and reinforcing aircraft parts. The new materials are lightweight, extremely heat resistant and strong in three dimensions.
Scientists have found that unusually extensive stratospheric clouds over the South Pole contributed to the near-record-size ozone hole in Antarctica. POAM III measurements provide valuable insights into how Earth's ozone layer responds to global temperature changes and decreasing atmospheric chlorine levels.
A new solid sorbent air sampling material developed by ORNL has been licensed by Supelco, offering a cost-effective way to detect and measure airborne pollutants. The sol-gel sorbent's improved thermal stability allows for higher temperatures, increasing its productivity and selectivity in sampling organic contaminants.