A new federal grant will develop training for thousands of future faculty in evidence-based teaching practices, aiming to foster interest and support all STEM students. The project, led by PSU Associate Professor Erin Shortlidge, has the potential to increase student success and close the opportunity gap for marginalized students.
The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation is accepting applications for the 2023 Hertz Fellowship, offering five years of funding to support research that advances the nation's security and economic vitality. Past recipients include Nobel laureates and notable leaders in science and technology.
Researchers at UVA have discovered the mechanism behind gene regulation during organ development, shedding light on how genetic material interacts with transcription factors to create different cell types. The study's findings could offer insights into the initiation of certain cancers and inspire new therapeutic development.
The CUNY Graduate Center's Nanoscience Connected to Life program will prepare diverse Ph.D. students for careers in biotech, clean energy, and other areas benefiting from bioinspired nanoscience. The $3 million NSF grant will fund dissertation research mentoring by faculty from multiple disciplines.
John Kershner, a Lehigh University PhD candidate, has been awarded a Fulbright research grant to continue his work on owl-inspired aero-acoustics in Germany. He will collaborate with researchers at Brandenburg Technical University and the DLR to experimentally test these designs.
Researchers created a graffiti-painting robot system that uses motion capture technology to record human painting motions. The team's cable-driven robot spray paints artwork with precision and speed, enabling the creation of human-style graffiti.
Two graduate students from Virginia universities selected to receive support through the Office of Science Graduate Student Research program will conduct research at Jefferson Lab. The program provides world-class training and access to state-of-the-art facilities, aiming to prepare students for critical jobs in science and innovation.
The new COBRE grant will help WVU recruit researchers and clinician-scientists to develop innovative solutions for preventing and treating incurable vision problems. The project aims to reduce visual disparities in West Virginia by understanding the complex combination of factors that contribute to these problems.
Researchers have discovered layered 2D materials that can host unique magnetic features, including skyrmions, which remain stable at room temperature. The discovery could lead to novel low-energy data storage and information processing systems.
Researchers, led by University of Miami associate professor Kenneth Feeley and graduate student Riley Fortier, have rediscovered Gasteranthus extinctus, a tropical plant species believed to be extinct for nearly 40 years. The discovery highlights the importance of conserving biodiversity in Ecuador's Centinela Ridge, which is home to h...
The University of Missouri has received a grant to help nurses discuss COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy with their communities. The project will equip nursing students with knowledge and confidence to promote public health through effective communication strategies.
A recent study led by University of Hawaii student researchers found that exposing rice coral larvae to warmer temperatures did not improve survival once the coral developed into juveniles. Instead, rearing at ambient temperatures maximized early life stage survival.
A recent study found that rainfall significantly affects the abundance of Vibrio vulnificus in the Ala Wai Canal, with moderate rainfall leading to high concentrations of the bacterium. The researchers suggest that while exposure is still a risk, precautions such as washing off with soap and water can minimize the danger.
A recent study by a UT graduate student has unraveled the enigma of how tectonic plates break Earth's rock-hard shell. By monitoring seismic images and matching them with rock samples, the researcher found that a small break in the Australian plate grew over millions of years until it unzipped and set in motion a runaway geologic process.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed a method to stabilize graphene nanoribbons and directly measure their unique magnetic properties. By substituting nitrogen atoms along the zigzag edges, they can discretely tune the local electronic structure without disrupting the magnetic properties.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals chemical heterogeneities in Apollo 17 sample troctolite 76535, indicating an early rapid cooling of the Moon. This finding challenges previous estimates of a 100-million-year cooling duration and supports initial rapid cooling of magmas within the lunar crust.
Vanderbilt researchers discover how a protein may treat schizophrenia, including reversing working memory deficits. Enhancing the activity of mGlu1 selectively increases the activity of specific inhibitory interneurons, restoring their ability to inhibit neuronal circuits.
A team of astronomers from the University of Arizona suggests that near-Earth asteroid Kamo`oalewa could be a miniature moon, with its spectrum matching lunar rocks from NASA's Apollo missions. The asteroid's orbit is similar to Earth's but with a slight tilt, making it unlikely to have originated from a typical near-Earth asteroid.
A new study by McGill University researchers found that COVID-19 lockdowns disproportionately affected graduate students' mental health, particularly among women. Women reported more stress related to remote teaching and caregiving responsibilities, leading to increased depressive symptoms.
The new center will offer staff and peer mentoring support in accessing financial aid, academic, career, and wellness services. It aims to bridge financial, language, and cultural barriers faced by Southeast Asian students.
A new Dartmouth study found that a neural code shared across brains is responsible for recognizing familiar faces, including social and personal information. The study used hyperalignment to align brain responses into a common space, revealing high decoding accuracy in areas outside of visual processing.
A $3.7 million multicampus grant will train 32 graduate students in high-energy physics instrumentation, addressing a long-standing workforce training deficit in the field. The program, led by UC Davis, aims to prepare students for careers in academia, industry, or national laboratories.
A new study led by a University of Maine graduate student found that 50% fewer frogs died from vehicle collisions in spring 2020 compared to previous years. This decline was part of a broader reduction in animal road fatalities during the pandemic, similar to findings in other studies worldwide.
A recent study suggests that strike-slip faulting is an active deformation mechanism on Titan's surface, driven by diurnal tidal stresses and pore fluid pressures. The researchers found that shallow faults near the equator are optimally oriented for potential failure, which could facilitate material transport and affect habitability.
Two PhD students, Maria Bolar and Megan Foley, are the first from Northern Arizona University to receive awards from the US Department of Energy. The program prepares graduate students for STEM careers by providing research opportunities at DOE national laboratories.
A science communications internship at MUSC helps scientists in training share research with the general public, improving laywriting skills and restoring trust. The program has produced over 100 science news stories and exposed interns to diverse career paths related to science communication.
Researchers discovered an alternating pattern of tooth replacement in ancient birds, similar to dinosaurs and crocodilians. The study suggests that the genetic controls for tooth replacement survived even after the split between birds and crocodilians millions of years ago.
Research from Dartmouth College reveals that making and breaking eye contact during conversations can create a dynamic balance between shared attention and individual expression. Pupillary synchrony decreases after eye contact breaks, allowing for creativity and new thoughts, while also signaling shared understanding.
A recent study reveals that colleges struggle to provide adequate mental health support to Asian and Latino students due to interdependent cultural values and shame. The study suggests that culturally tailored treatment services addressing these issues can improve help-seeking behaviors.
A long-running survey of ants at Stanford's Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve found that the distribution of Argentine ants has receded by 30% since 1994. Climate change was identified as a significant factor in this decrease, particularly during an extreme drought from 2012 to 2015.
Researchers at CU Boulder's ATLAS Institute have developed shape-changing objects inspired by origami that can bend, wiggle, and flutter using artificial muscles. The 'Electriflow' designs utilize hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic actuators to create paper-thin, fast-moving, and almost silent objects.
Research reveals eastern spadefoot toads spend more time above ground than previously believed, contradicting a century-old misconception. The study used spotlighting to detect large numbers of the endangered species in various habitats.
A new Iowa State University study found sleep disruption limits the amount of information provided during an interview, with participants who were sleep-restricted providing 7% less information about past crimes. Lack of sleep also impaired motivation and made it harder to remember details.
Researchers at Penn State have used supercomputers to find materials that can accelerate hydrogen production from water using photocatalysis, a process that harnesses sunlight. The team identified six promising candidates, which could potentially reduce the cost of hydrogen production and make it competitive with gasoline.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new prototype software to facilitate pattern-making in foundation paper piecing quilting. The algorithm is based on a graph structure called a hypergraph and allows users to design patterns without having to consider the geometry, ordering, and constraints of the technique.
Researcher Morgan Podraza examines the representation of trauma in horror films, arguing that the final girl trope can be reimagined as a space for healing and futures for people with trauma. The analysis highlights the need to acknowledge trauma and its ongoing effects, rather than just focusing on survival.
A University of Otago study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that transitioning into PhD study in New Zealand does not lead to a significant drop in mental health. The research used data from the Graduate Longitudinal Study New Zealand, tracking students before and after entering a PhD program.
David Moutard, a Wayne State University graduate student, has been selected to participate in the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program. He will conduct research at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and study transient astronomical events, including supernovae and tidal disruption events.
A study found that watching meaningful films like 'Hotel Rwanda' can make people feel more prepared to deal with life's challenges. These films are associated with positive reactions such as feeling a sense of purpose and being motivated to pursue significant goals. The key elements of these films, including poignancy and emotional ran...
Researchers created a new map of the Schrödinger basin, a key area for understanding the moon's geological history. The map provides guidance for robotic rovers to collect high-priority rock samples from this region.
Researchers at UChicago have successfully brought multiple molecules into a single quantum state, a major technological feat. This achievement has the potential to open new fields in quantum physics and chemistry, enabling innovative applications such as unhackable networks and earthquake sensors.
A systematic review of literature found that only 17% of quality improvement articles in PICUs met high standards, highlighting a need for better reporting practices. The study suggests that bringing the KAIZEN philosophy to kid healthcare can improve the timely delivery of medical care.
Three UNIST graduate students, SangIn Kim, ByeongEun Lee, and YeonSong Choi, have been awarded the prestigious 2021 Asan Foundation Medical Bioscience Scholarship for their innovative work in DNA damage response, degenerative brain diseases, and disease genomics. The award provides financial assistance and recognizes their contribution...
A new report suggests interventions in graduate education to create more supportive environments for TNB students. The existing literature highlights the association between discrimination against TNB college students and negative psychological outcomes, such as suicidal ideation.
Red supergiants are extremely bright but difficult to study due to their complex upper atmospheres. Astronomers have now developed a new technique to estimate their surface temperatures using iron absorption lines. By combining these temperatures with accurate distance measurements, researchers found consistent results with theory.
Shyla Cooks and Karl Palmquist have been selected as the 2021 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award recipients. They demonstrate an interest and aptitude for working at the intersection of science and policy, with a focus on education and environmental issues.
A new trace fossil, Glossifungites gingrasi, has been named after University of Alberta paleontologist Murray Gingras. The discovery provides insight into ancient water salinity levels and helps narrow down the type of organism that created the burrow.
Research!America and the Rita Allen Foundation have awarded grants to 19 graduate student-led science policy groups across the US. These virtual activities aim to involve local communities and policymakers in issues of shared importance, including data visualization projects, podcasts, and policy-oriented science fairs.
A study reveals systemic gender and racial inequities in US chemistry graduate programs, leading to lower retention and completion rates for underrepresented groups. Inadequate financial support and poor peer interactions also hinder career aspirations.
Active matter systems, which can move under their own power, have been found to spontaneously order without higher-level instructions. Researchers developed a theory that predicts certain types of active matter will enter
Researchers at Penn State created functional membraneless 'protocells' from short polymers that can sequester RNA and maintain distinct internal microenvironments. The protocells were stable in various salt concentrations and performed certain functions of a protocell, suggesting they could be relevant models for early life on Earth.
Fowler leads a team of researchers collecting algae and invertebrates from 13 marinas along the East Coast to detect novel species invasions and monitor established invaders. The study aims to train the next generation of taxonomists through collaborations with local scientists and public outreach efforts.
A new paper in Nature Ecology and Evolution outlines strategies to improve fieldwork safety for researchers from diverse backgrounds. The authors recommend proactive measures such as notifying others of data collection locations and training supervisors to address these issues.
A team of engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder has designed a robot inspired by pufferfish to improve drone safety. The PufferBot features an inflatable airbag that can expand in size to prevent dangerous collisions between people and machines.
Research team successfully visualized intracellular calcium concentrations in the Venus flytrap, revealing that its short-term memory can be explained by changes in calcium concentration. The study demonstrates how a single contact event triggers a burst of calcium ions, which then trigger a second stimulus to close the trap.
A UC Riverside-led study found that the drug tofacitinib can repair permeability defects in the intestine caused by overactive immune cells. The study suggests that patients with a specific gene mutation may have a better response to this drug, improving targeting of treatments.
Penn State researchers discovered that adding background noise can enhance weak signals in manmade sensors, a phenomenon common in the animal world. This technique, known as stochastic resonance, can be used to detect other signals with low energy consumption and space requirements, making it suitable for deployment in IoT applications.
Two UC Davis historians will craft 80 biographies of women involved in western US national parks, connecting their lives to the struggle for voting rights. The project commemorates the 19th Amendment and supports inclusion of women's stories in park education and media programs.
A graduate student has identified a new marine wood-boring trace fossil, Apectoichnus lignummasticans, found in the University of Alberta's Drill Core Collection. The discovery provides evidence that the shallow sea covering Western Canada extended into Saskatchewan roughly 100 million years ago.
The EIC Center at Jefferson Lab has awarded six fellowships to early-career researchers working on advancing the science program of the Electron-Ion Collider. The fellowships provide $36,000 stipends and support R&D efforts towards realizing the potential of the collider.