Articles tagged with Scientific Foundations
A new study reveals that the ancient Maya civilization developed its unique culture and architecture through broad cultural exchanges across southern Mesoamerica. The researchers found that the plazas and pyramids at Ceibal, Guatemala, were built around 1,000 BCE, predating other comparable examples by roughly 200 years.
Researchers from Michigan State University found that people's visual biases change when surrounded by members of their own group, perceiving threats as less serious. The study shows that having a group or coalition reduces the perceived distance of potential threats.
A Harvard-led team of researchers has created a new type of nanoscale device that converts optical signals into waves traveling along a metal surface. The device can recognize specific polarized light and direct it in one direction or another, opening the door to precise manipulation of light at subwavelength scales.
Researchers are using fossilized tree pollen and mammal fossils to understand how plants and animals responded to past climate changes. They aim to develop better models to predict forest responses to future climate changes.
Researchers have developed a new approach to testing the health and environmental effects of nanoparticles, taking into account their unique properties. The study's findings highlight the need for revised nanotoxicology tests that consider factors such as size and composition.
A recent study published in Language journal reveals that Philadelphia's traditional Southern accent is being replaced by Northern influences. The research analyzed neighborhood speech patterns over a century, finding two major patterns of change and their possible causes related to geographic neighbors.
Kevin Zollman, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has received a $400,000 NSF CAREER Award to investigate the economic factors influencing scientific problem choice and funding incentives. He aims to develop tools for policymakers to evaluate the effectiveness of different incentive systems.
Assistant professor of astronomy Misty Bentz will receive a five-year $862,769 NSF grant to measure distances to galaxies with known black hole masses and obtain clearer images of galaxies to predict black hole masses. This project aims to develop a shortcut for predicting black hole mass in any given galaxy through simple observations.
The Thirty Meter Telescope will be the most powerful telescope ever constructed, allowing researchers to detect and study light from the earliest stars and galaxies. With NSF's support, the project aims to push the boundaries of scientific discovery in astronomy.
Researchers believe neural synchrony is key to understanding how the human brain perceives and processes information. Synchrony code suggests precise timing coordination across neurons is necessary to control brain circuits.
A new SPB by COST and ESF explores LCS research's role in enhancing essential responses to Europe's broader challenges. Key findings highlight the importance of cultural literacy in shaping European identities and cultures.
Researchers at MIT and Brookhaven Lab use ultrafast spectroscopy techniques to study electron waves in custom-grown materials. They discover that CDWs are an independent instability and likely competing with the HTS state, not its root cause.
Richard A. Flavell and Ruslan Medzhitov have been awarded the 2013 Vilcek Prize for Biomedical Science for their pioneering work on the fundamental roles of the innate immune system. Their research has led to important insights into immune responses, with implications for various fields of biomedical studies.
A team of astronomers observed a massive star's mass-loss event about a month before its supernova explosion, providing evidence for a causal link between the two events. The study suggests that predicting such explosions could allow scientists to catch them in action.
The National Science Foundation has announced the 53 winners and honorable mentions of the 10th annual International Science & Technology Visualization Challenge. The contest, which received over 200 entries from 18 countries, featured outstanding visualizations that showcased complex scientific concepts.
Oregon State University will lead a $290 million project to design and build three new coastal research vessels, bolstering the US marine science research capabilities. The vessels will be designed for flexibility and environmental sustainability, addressing critical ocean issues such as climate change and marine ecosystems.
A multi-institutional team has discovered how ultra-thin lithium films on graphite walls control plasma behavior in nuclear fusion devices. The study reveals that oxygen plays a key role in bonding deuterium atoms, while lithium brings it to the surface.
Douglas Coleman, a retired Jackson Laboratory scientist, has won the Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Biomedicine from the BBVA Foundation and the King Faisal International Prize in Medicine. His work, alongside Jeffrey Friedman's, revealed chemical and genetic factors involved in appetite control and obesity.
Researchers find earliest recorded spring flowering in the eastern United States, exceeding 161-year history, due to warmer springs caused by climate change. Plants flower up to 4.1 days earlier with each degree Celsius rise in mean spring temperatures.
Scientists discovered a previously unrecognized degradation process in silicone-urethane plastics used in medical devices, including pacemakers and defibrillators. The plastics break down within 3-6 years under conditions simulating the human body.
Richard Seto and Jing Shi, professors at the University of California, Riverside, have been elected APS Fellows for their innovative work in relativistic heavy ion physics and spin transport in organic semiconductors. Their research has led to significant discoveries in the study of hadronic matter and Quark Gluon Plasma.
The University of Tennessee's Beacon supercomputer, powered by Intel Xeon and Xeon Phi processors, achieved a world-record efficiency of 2.499 billion floating point operations per second per watt. The system used only 44.89 kW of power to produce 112.2 trillion calculations per second.
Professor Uffe Haagerup received the 14th European Latsis Prize for his pioneering work in operator algebra, a field with significant applications in quantum field theory. The prize recognizes his unique achievements and contributions to mathematics, solidifying his reputation as a leading mathematician.
A new four-year program aims to draw young artists into science careers by integrating art, biology, and physics. The project, Project STEAM, offers summer academies, science cafés, and activity kits to inspire interest in science among art-interested students, particularly girls.
The University of Michigan will establish M-STEM Academies with a five-year grant to attract diverse group of science, math and engineering students. The program aims to provide support system for high-ability students, increasing the number of STEM graduates with high GPAs.
A new partnership aims to broaden participation in computer science programs and enhance teacher training nationwide. The Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance seeks to replicate successful state-level initiatives, growing the pipeline of students in US computer science programs.
A $2.6 million NSF-funded study will investigate the impact of a redesigned Advanced Placement (AP) science curriculum on student outcomes and educational progress. The research, led by University of Washington's Associate Professor Mark Long, aims to inform educators and policymakers in strengthening STEM teaching.
Researchers at Georgia Tech discovered that hopping robots can use a stutter jump to reduce energy consumption, with potential applications for future rescue and exploration robots. By analyzing nearly 20,000 jumps, the team found that taking a short hop before a big jump can allow robots to conserve power as much as ten-fold.
Peter Liddicoat, a research fellow at the University of Sydney, won the contest with his six-month preparation burlesque circus show on manipulating aluminum alloy crystal structures. His win marks the first time a Ph.D. dance based on pure mathematics has taken top prize.
The University of Colorado Boulder has developed graphene membranes with tiny pores that can efficiently separate gas molecules based on size. This technology holds promise for enhancing natural gas production while reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plant exhaust pipes.
Researchers will develop new tools to monitor and understand performance for diverse applications on HPC systems. The goal is to improve the ability to track resources and increase productivity among stakeholders.
Researchers at RIT and Raytheon are developing larger, cheaper infrared detectors grown on silicon wafers. This technology could enable more scientists to access infrared astronomy, find exoplanets, and study the universe's acceleration. The new detectors may also advance remote sensing and medical imaging.
Researchers are developing smaller, lighter antennas with directional beamforming to increase user capacity by 50-100 times in the millimeter-wave spectrum. The project aims to relieve pressure on 4G wireless networks and offer tremendous value to the $1 trillion cellular industry.
A new report by the European Science Foundation highlights ten key issues in innovation policy, including the need for context-specific policies and better understanding of knowledge transfer. The report calls for a more evidence-based approach to innovation policy, with a focus on public value and risk-sharing models.
A five-year study aims to understand why some urban schools excel in science education, considering the entire educational environment and stakeholder interactions. The project will provide recommendations for school leadership and organization practices to inform educators around the country.
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.
Researchers developed a new spin-polarized organic LED (spin OLED) that can be brighter than regular organic LEDs, producing an orange color. The device uses a unique property called spin to transmit information, enabling the creation of 'spintronic' technology.
A new study has detected BPS, a BPA substitute, in thermal paper receipts and many other products. The researchers analyzed 16 types of paper from the US, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, finding BPS in all receipt papers and 87% of currency samples.
Researchers have identified a master regulator gene, Spi-B, essential for the development of M cells, which play a crucial role in initiating immune responses. This discovery could aid research on oral vaccines and inflammatory bowel diseases by providing valuable insights into M cell differentiation and function.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are developing a system that uses motion-sensing technology and video gaming technology to monitor seniors' movements and detect changes in health. This allows for early interventions and enables residents to remain in their own homes for longer.
A Yale study found that public consensus on climate change is shaped by cultural values, not science literacy. Members of the public become more divided on climate change risks as they become more science literate and numerate.
Researchers developed a new model to understand collective behavior of defects during ion bombardment, revealing three mechanisms: dual layer formation, subway-glide mode growth, and adatom island eruption. This breakthrough enables predictive design capability for controlling surface patterns and stresses in nanotechnology products.
Clemson University researcher Julia Frugoli has been awarded a nearly $600,000 four-year grant to study how plant roots communicate with each other to control growth. This research could lead to nitrogen-free farming methods that increase food supply and benefit agricultural production.
A $373,256 grant will be used to re-curate and modernize the West Virginia Biological Survey Museum, which houses over 21,000 specimens. The project aims to preserve the nation's largest museum collection of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles from West Virginia.
The study found that Chile's sandy beaches experienced lasting changes due to the earthquake and tsunami, with uplifted beaches showing rapid recolonization of intertidal species. The data provides insight into human-altered coastal landscapes, which could inform future projects.
The Merkin Family Foundation will fund promising Broad Institute scientists as Merkin Institute Fellows, supporting bold research in areas like stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The program aims to create a pipeline of talented researchers advancing science and medicine at the Broad Institute.
A new study using satellite mapping technology reveals there are twice as many emperor penguins in Antarctica than was previously thought. The research provides an important benchmark for monitoring the impact of environmental change on the population of this iconic bird.
A new study using high-resolution satellite mapping technology has counted over 595,000 emperor penguins in Antarctica, nearly double the previous estimate of 270,000 to 350,000 birds. The research provides an important benchmark for monitoring the impact of environmental change on these iconic birds.
The University of Pennsylvania is leading a $10 million National Science Foundation project to develop computer-assisted programming tools that can make coding faster, easier and more intuitive. The ExCAPE team aims to leverage advances in verification technology to help programmers avoid mistakes in the first place.
A study from Purdue University found that golfers who see the hole as bigger tend to putt more successfully. The researchers used an optical illusion to manipulate the size of the hole and correlated it with scores.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has received a $1.8 million grant to expand a program encouraging Native middle-school students to pursue science and technology careers. The PREPARES project will provide professional development and mentoring to educators, enabling them to incorporate climate research into thei...
Robert J. Wood, an Associate Professor at Harvard University, has won the prestigious Alan T. Waterman Award for his innovative research in biologically inspired robotics and microfabrication. The award recognizes his work on developing robotic flying insects and a new fabrication technique inspired by children's pop-up books.
African-American women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS in the US, with 44% of new infections attributed to this group. The NC State project seeks to improve prevention materials targeting African-American female college students through culturally relevant messaging and language strategies.
A University of Washington group has launched a unique Design Help Desk to match science students with design consultants, aiming to improve figure creation and convey complex information clearly. The drop-in clinic offers free service Mondays and Wednesdays, primarily for graduate students in science and engineering.
Three University of New Hampshire faculty members have received prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Awards from the National Science Foundation. Yannis Korkolis will investigate microforming processes, while Wheeler Ruml will advance renewable energy from the ocean using waves and tides.
Researchers have developed a new catalogue of loss-of-function (LoF) variants to better understand the normal function of human genes. The study identifies over 1000 LoF variants, some of which are rare and potentially harmful, while others may not have a significant effect on health.
A new scientific report concludes that online dating offers some benefits but falls short of its potential. The authors suggest that existing matching algorithms neglect crucial factors in predicting long-term relationship well-being, leading to limited effectiveness.
Graham Johnson's entry, a collaboration with colleagues, won first place in the video category for its visualization of complex 3D data sets. The winning tool enables scientists to compare parameters of complicated structures at a glance.
A new study from Ohio State University finds that most political partisans don't avoid news sources with opposing views. In fact, those who visit partisan sites are more likely to also view opposition websites, suggesting a greater willingness to engage with diverse perspectives.
A new analysis of 124 wetland studies reveals that restored wetlands rarely reach the quality of their natural counterparts. After 50-100 years, they are still 23% less in terms of carbon resources and have a 26% lower variety of native plants.