News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $11.9 million in NARSAD grants to support innovative brain and behavior research related to mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The grants aim to advance treatments and therapies for these conditions.
The three-year ITaaU Network+ project aims to provide simple, safe, and usable IT services through smart technologies and information stores. Researchers will examine barriers to new users and develop collaborative research initiatives.
Jon Camden, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, has received a $600,000 CAREER grant to support his research in surface nonlinear spectroscopy. The project aims to develop new analytical methods for detecting molecules on nanoparticles.
A learning health system combines practice and research to rapidly apply best evidence in real-time clinical care. Group Health Cooperative's experience demonstrates the importance of strong leadership support, partnership between research and clinical operations, and effective communication for successful implementation.
Researchers analyzed medical group practices providing care for over 133,000 diabetic patients and found a significant reduction in healthcare costs with improved quality of care. The study suggests that investing in quality care can lead to cost savings without compromising patient outcomes.
Researchers found that male patrons give higher tips to waitresses wearing red, with a difference of up to 26.1% more than those not wearing red. The study suggests that red increases the physical and sexual attractiveness of women, leading to increased tipping behavior.
Researchers found that female common cuckoos with alternate color morphs, such as bright rufous, are more likely to slip past host defences and lay undetected. The study suggests that social learning plays a key role in the evolution of mimicry in cuckoo species.
Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging found that rapamycin improved function and extended survival in mice with a genetic mutation leading to dilated cardiomyopathy and rare muscular dystrophies. The study suggests a therapeutic possibility for human patients suffering from this form of disease.
Scientists have discovered a one-mile deep rift valley hidden beneath the ice in West Antarctica, contributing to ice loss from this part of the continent. The newly discovered Ferrigno Rift is part of a huge and yet poorly understood rift system that lies beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
A recent study by an international research group challenges the conventional wisdom that deforestation is solely caused by human activity. The research suggests that pre-human climatic changes may have led to the current open habitats of Daraina region in northern Madagascar, affecting the population of golden-crowned sifaka.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council has recognized six exceptional young researchers for their outstanding contributions to mental health research. The awards honor achievements in clinical and basic mental health research, including studies on vascular disease, synaptic dysfunction, and mood disorders.
The new hub will address pressing challenges in bioenergy, including reducing emissions and improving sustainability. It will focus on whole-life impact, cost-effective methods, and creating economic opportunities for the UK.
The European Science Foundation's Member Organisation Forum has released a report calling for improved interactions between researchers and society. The report highlights the need for better practice in science-society relationships, including transparent processes, proper rewards, and increased experimentation.
The American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) has awarded 22 new research grants to scientists studying innovative approaches to combat Alzheimer's disease, including repurposing existing drugs and examining the link between diabetes and cognitive decline.
Archaeologists and engineers at the University of Southampton are using advanced X-ray imaging technology to study Roman coins. The technique allows for non-invasive examination and identification of coins, which can also be used to read inscriptions and depict emperors' faces.
A special issue of Botany highlights CANPOLIN researchers' multipronged approach to pollination biology, examining topics such as climate change impacts and pollen limitation. The issue presents key findings on pollinator diversity and network analyses for conservation strategies.
Dr. Markus Schubert from Helmholtz Association aims to investigate fluid dynamics in bubble column reactors using X-ray visualization. The goal is to optimize processes and systems for efficient conversion of desired products, saving resources and energy.
Concordia University has been awarded $1.6 million by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to support research and training in sustainable development. The funding will be used to train approximately 20 students per year in renewable energy production and water optimization.
Scientists have developed a new method to accurately predict electron behavior in atoms and molecules, resolving the N-representability problem. This breakthrough enables more accurate calculations for phenomena such as combustion engine efficiency and atmospheric ozone depletion.
A study found a widespread decrease in sockeye salmon productivity along the western North American coast, with declines observed in both pristine and heavily disturbed habitats. The authors suggest shared mechanisms such as high mortality rates from predators or pathogens may be driving the trend.
The UK's new supercomputers, Emerald and Iridis 3, will enable researchers to tackle complex areas like healthcare, astrophysics, and climate change. The systems will be made available to businesses and universities through the e-Infrastructure South Consortium.
Researchers at The University of Nottingham have successfully created a stable version of the elusive 'trophy molecule' using a novel method. The team's achievement offers a viable alternative to current nuclear fuels, with superior high densities, melting points, and thermal conductivities.
Research funded by ESRC finds that Avon Representatives in South Africa earn enough to cover household expenditures, placing them in the top half of black females in their community. The study highlights the benefits of entrepreneurship training, financial autonomy, and self-confidence for women.
Jason Lewis's P.o.E.M.M. project develops ten new digital poetry apps that combine poet-created content with interactive elements, including user-generated and Twitter-based poetry. The project has received recognition from the Electronic Literature Organization, and its apps are available for download through iTunes.
A new study reveals that women in hedge funds struggle with 'adulting' due to societal expectations of maturity and work-life balance. Women face problems at every stage of adult life, from getting hired to balancing work and parenthood, whereas men are given more opportunities to settle into corporate life.
A Michigan State University study found that online shoppers tend to be happier when they receive an offer rather than making one. This can have significant impacts on the fast-growing e-commerce industry. By putting customers in the receiver role, businesses may be able to fill more hotel rooms and airplane seats.
Dr. Elizabeth McGlynn, a renowned expert in health services research and quality evaluation, has been recognized with the 2012 AcademyHealth Distinguished Investigator Award. Her landmark studies have significantly improved our understanding of US healthcare quality.
The symposium aims to examine how multidisciplinary research into epigenetics can help provide answers to societal concerns, including the impact of poverty and social deprivation on child development and health outcomes. Emerging research shows that environmental factors can influence gene expression, leading to lasting epigenetic marks.
The study reveals that Stonehenge was built as a monument to unify the peoples of Britain after a long period of conflict between eastern and western regions. The monument's alignment suggests it was more significant during winter solstice than summer solstice, with evidence pointing to a unified cultural shift around 3,000 BC.
A new report by the Technology-Enhanced Learning Research Programme recommends enhancing learning through digital technology to equip students with computational thinking skills and confidence as digital collaborators. The report outlines 12 recommendations to transform education's use of technology.
A study by Brunel University found that only a few percent of older people in these communities receive formal care from the wider community or government. Women, particularly daughters and wives, play a crucial role in caregiving, but many face isolation and loneliness. The researchers emphasize the importance of family support for de...
The UK government has invested £6.5 million in 16 research and development projects to stimulate innovation in the manufacturing sector. The projects aim to develop new technologies that can create high value through novel processes, advanced product manufacture, resource efficiency and production techniques.
New research reveals that simulating weather and water conditions before a race can predict a yacht's behavior with accuracy, giving sailors a competitive advantage. The study uses virtual simulation to model resistance on the hull, comparing results with physical tests.
Researchers propose using longer focal lengths (100mm) for mobile device photos and shorter lengths (50mm) for larger screens. The study found that people tend to view small pictures from closer distances, resulting in distorted images.
Researchers discovered that the Microprocessor complex adjusts its production levels based on available precursor miRNA, reducing the risk of chopping off-target RNAs. This finding has implications for efficiently producing small RNA therapies for diseases.
The study found that the voluntary sector accounts for 5% of the UK's workforce, with London and the South East having a significant concentration of third sector employment. The region's share of third sector employment is less in areas considered disadvantaged.
Aaron R. Jex has made significant contributions to the study of parasitic species, developing molecular-based tools for detection and identification. His research also focuses on exploring the genomics and transcriptomics of parasites of global socioeconomic importance.
Geoffrey L. Smith, a renowned virologist and leader in the field of microbiology, has been awarded the GlaxoSmithKline International Member of the Year Award. He is recognized for his numerous original contributions to virology and his role as a leader in various scientific institutions.
A re-analysis of data from the InterAct case-control study found that waist circumference is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, independent of body mass index (BMI). Waist circumference was a stronger risk factor in women than in men.
Scientists at Washington University, Stanford University, and Columbia University identified rhythmic brain cell firing patterns coordinated across populations of neurons in the motor cortex. These patterns were linked to different kinds of shoulder muscle movements, providing new insights into the brain's control of movement.
A new study funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council found that vitamin D3 supplements are more effective in raising vitamin D levels in humans than vitamin D2. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,000 people, suggests that vitamin D3 may be better for overall health.
Research finds that belief in God is associated with better theory of mind, a cognitive ability to understand others' thoughts and feelings. The study also explores the gender gap in religious belief, suggesting that women tend to be more religious than men due to differences in mentalizing abilities.
Research reveals voluntary organizations can successfully change behavior in local settings through collective action and alternative infrastructures. However, scaling up these initiatives to reach the wider public is a challenge, requiring additional government support.
A UK research team is using a novel 'back-casting' approach to transform cities for healthier lives by creating visions of alternative urban futures with drastically reduced CO2 emissions. The study will develop realistic and radical engineering solutions to achieve these goals while ensuring social acceptance.
The EPSRC has awarded five-year fellowships worth £1 million each to Drs Geoffrey Nash, Harish Bhaskaran, Ajoy Velayudhan, and Peter Foote to address the gap in UK manufacturing research. The fellowships aim to strengthen links between industry and academia, driving growth and innovation.
The UK's world-leading researchers in synthetic biology will establish platform technology with a new grant of almost £5 million. The platform technology will be based on an information system – SynBIS – which uses a web-based environment, hosting BioCAD and modelling tools for the field.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered a method to safely remove gold plating from fossils without damaging them. This innovative technique uses industrial electro-plating and polishing methods with liquid salts called 'ionic liquids', which are environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck successfully produced the first Bose-Einstein condensate of erbium, a complex element with strongly magnetic properties. This achievement expands the possibilities for studying fundamental questions in quantum physics and offers new insights into quantum magnetism with cold atoms.
Researchers studied thale cress under high temperature conditions, finding that plants with reduced stomata exhibit greater water loss and leaf evaporative cooling. This adaptation may promote the diffusion of water vapor from stomata, cooling the plant.
Saks Fifth Avenue's month-long charity drive raised $1.1 million for 196 organizations, including $17,000 for TGen biomedical research. The program linked customer accounts with chosen charities, allowing for significant charitable contributions.
Concordia University has received $3.4 million in funding to advance composite materials manufacturing technique AFP, keeping Canada at the forefront of aerospace research and teaching.
Researchers have gained new understanding of how our sense of hearing works, finding a key link between touch and sound. The study reveals that specific proteins play a vital role in detecting high-frequency sounds and has implications for future research into hearing and touch.
Research funded by the Wellcome Trust suggests that prosthetic lower limbs and robots' legs could be made more efficient by making them less human-like. The study found that people walking normally, women in high heels, and ostriches produce similar forces on the ground due to their unique gait patterns.
Researchers at McGill University turned back the clock to understand the evolution of sex differences in water striders. They found that male traits, such as elaborate antennae, were shaped by a struggle between sexes during mating, leading to increased mating success.
Scientists trim fruit fly males' spines using precision laser surgery and monitor mating success, finding spines aid reproduction before sex. The study sheds light on the evolution of male genital traits, suggesting a similar process to secondary sexual traits.
A U-Mich study tracks changes in retirement plans after the Great Recession, finding that people who postponed retirement also expected to leave less for their heirs. Most respondents planned to work an additional 1-3 years due to financial losses, but few aimed to recoup their entire economic loss
AcademyHealth has awarded its inaugural Presidential Scholarship to five early-career researchers, offering them access to the Annual Research Meeting and exclusive mentorship opportunities. The scholarship program aims to nurture the careers of budding researchers in health services research.
The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation funds a $45,000 pilot internship program at TGen to provide hands-on biomedical research experience for high school and undergraduate students. The program aims to inspire future leaders in the field of neuroscience and brain tumor research.
The CATT study found that Avastin and Lucentis were similarly effective in maintaining vision for AMD patients, with two-thirds of patients retaining 20/40 or better vision after two years. However, the study highlights the need for further research on dry form AMD and a stronger national commitment to funding eye research.
Researchers suggest increased predation by grey seals may be responsible for Atlantic cod's delayed recovery on the eastern Scotian Shelf. Further investigation is needed to identify underlying factors affecting high adult death rates.