News on the grants and awards that fuel scientific work. Covers federal grants, foundation awards, gene-editing and disease programs, and shifts in funding policy.
Dr. David M. Engman, a renowned expert in Chagas disease research, has been awarded the prestigious ASIP-AMGEN Outstanding Investigative Award. His work focuses on understanding the mechanisms of Chagas disease and creating animal models to develop new treatments.
A study found that children aged 4-6 avert their gaze when performing difficult tasks or being tested by someone familiar. This finding has implications for teachers and social workers, who can use gaze aversion to identify 'improvers' versus those regressing.
A research team led by UNC School of Public Health is investigating how interactive digital games can be designed to increase energy expenditure among young adults. The study aims to understand the impact of game design elements such as controller types, player perspective, and presence on players' motivation and physical activity.
The 2nd EuroMinScI conference brought together young researchers to present their latest findings on mineralogy, Earth sciences, and the physics-based simulation techniques. Notable awards were given to Olga Narygina and Verity Borthwick for their outstanding work in experimental and theoretical modeling.
Researchers used recursion to correct errors in synthetic DNA building blocks, producing flawless long DNA molecules in just two rounds of construction. The new method improves upon existing methods by increasing speed and precision.
Researchers mapped and digitized smells, discovering a multidimensional map of odors that reveals the distance between molecules. The study found that the brain recognizes this map, similar to musical scales, supporting the theory that there are universal laws governing smell perception.
Low testosterone levels in men are often untreated, even among those with sufficient healthcare access, according to a study of Boston-area men. Despite this, treated and untreated men report similar healthcare visits, suggesting barriers may lie in diagnosis or prescription issues.
Glowing films developed by UC San Diego chemists can quickly reveal trace amounts of nitrogen-based explosives, providing evidence in crime-solving. The technology uses fluorescent polymers that emit blue light under UV light, detecting minute amounts of explosives.
Research shows tobacco promotions were extensive in Ontario stores, with chain convenience stores having large displays and signs advertising tobacco. The study found that tobacco promotions were higher among stores close to schools and in low-income neighbourhoods.
The Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency has awarded its first competitive research grants to Stanford faculty members, with a total of $358,000 in funding over the next 11-18 months. The grants support projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in transportation, building, and electricity sectors.
A study by University of Leeds engineers found that roasting energy crops using the torrefaction process can increase their energy content, reducing transportation costs and emissions. Willow emerged as the most favourable crop, retaining 86% of its mass and performing best in terms of energy yield.
A study funded by the Economic & Social Research Council suggests that everyday fears of crime are often linked to anxiety about social stability and neighbourhood breakdown. Researchers found that people's experiences of fear and anxiety are complex and multifaceted, rather than solely driven by concerns about immediate threats.
As people age, they experience more feelings of ease and contentment than younger counterparts. The study found that aging is associated with more positive than negative emotions, and more passive than active emotions.
The Department of Homeland Security has awarded a $589,000 continuation grant to Florida Tech associate professor Marcus Hohlmann for his research on using subatomic particles to detect hidden nuclear materials in cargo. The project uses muon radiography and a novel micro-pattern particle detector to identify potential threats.
Four faculty research projects at Oklahoma State University have been awarded funding from the Technology Business Assessment Group, totaling over $102,000. The projects focus on developing innovative products and technologies, including a 3D human tissue model, fiber optic sensor, data protection software, and recycled rubber composites.
Queen's University Belfast has received a £900,000 grant to develop successor to the World Wide Web through Grid technology. This will provide huge processing power on tap for industry, commerce, and academic research.
A low-vision therapy program significantly improved vision in veterans with diseases of the macula, with notable gains in reading ability, mobility, and visual motor skills. The study suggests that at least 10 hours of low-vision therapy is justified for patients with moderate and severe vision loss from macular diseases.
A study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found that British adult children help their elderly parents according to their needs, rather than past behavior. Parents with health problems are 75% more likely to receive help from their children.
OSU researchers received grants for projects with potential for commercially successful products, including noise-reducing aircraft composites and biosensors detecting objects like DNA and pesticides. The funding aims to accelerate technology development through collaboration between businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations.
The discovery of Eoconfuciusornis zhengi provides evidence for the evolution of Confuciusornithidae family and its link to early avian flight. The fossil's unique features, such as increased deltopectoral crest size and keel, indicate a significant adaptation for improved flight capabilities.
NC State University is leading a $236,000 nationwide effort to recruit and mentor young researchers to study disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. The project aims to train well-equipped experts to analyze disaster impacts, building on earlier projects led by Texas A&M University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ian Appelbaum's $484,370 grant from the US Department of Defense will explore spin transport in silicon to enhance integrated circuit design and speed. His team has previously demonstrated successful electrical spin injection, transport, manipulation, and detection in pioneering research published in top journals.
A new study found that young and homeless drug-users are more likely to exit treatment early, with nearly a quarter exiting within 30 days. Problem users who are younger, homeless, or not currently injecting face significant barriers in traditional drug services.
LUX detector, funded by NSF and DOE, searches for WIMPs in 4,800ft underground South Dakota mine, aiming to detect rare dark matter particles, the largest discovery since antimatter in the 1930s.
Researchers developed an improved OLED sealing process to reduce moisture intrusion, improving device lifetime. The new method uses a thin-film barrier made from a high-density SiON film, resulting in no degradation after seven months in an open-air environment.
Researchers found that surface meltwater can penetrate thick ice and accelerate ice flow, with a significant impact on fast-moving outlet glaciers. The study suggests a new plumbing system for the ice sheet, where meltwater can lubricate the base and reduce friction.
Researchers at Arizona State University are exploring the potential of electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) technology to improve hearing in individuals with profound hearing impairment. By combining electric and acoustic stimulation, EAS has been shown to provide significant benefits, including improved performance in noisy environments.
Tanzania has made significant progress in reducing child mortality, with a 24% decline between 2000 and 2004. Key interventions such as increased funding for healthcare, decentralization of financing, and coverage of essential child-survival services have contributed to this success.
A study by University of Kentucky researchers found that targeted mass media campaigns can be successful alone in convincing young adults to adopt safer sex practices. The campaign effectively increased condom use and intentions to use condoms, resulting in a significant reduction in unprotected sex occasions.
The study reveals that high-temperature superconductors do not rely on a 'glue' binding electrons, but instead utilize their strong repulsive forces to facilitate superconductivity. The researchers used specialized equipment to measure electron pairing mechanisms and found unique quantum properties at warmer temperatures.
Kristjan Haule, a Rutgers physicist, has received a $50,000 Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship to develop computer simulations predicting properties of novel materials with layers only a few atoms thick. These materials have the potential to replace traditional semiconducting devices for solar energy conversion.
Dr. Joe Z. Tsien's research identifies critical memory genes and manipulates them to enhance or impair memory in mice, shedding light on the molecular basis of learning and memory. His work also explores the role of teamwork and neural activity in intelligence, with potential applications for treating diseases like Alzheimer's.
Florida State University has been awarded a two-year $2.5 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture to provide climate forecasting for farmers in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The research will help farmers make informed decisions on planting crops such as peanuts, cotton, and strawberries.
Yang's project aims to create ultra-high-speed single electron memory devices based on CNTs, which could replace silicon transistors in future electronics. The team will investigate novel in-plane CNT structures for high-speed and low-power applications.
The University of Delaware's Institute of Energy Conversion will receive $3.75 million from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Initiative to continue researching photovoltaic-based solar cells, aiming to produce high-efficiency solar cells and expand its expertise in new areas.
Researchers Isabelle Brocas and Juan D. Carrillo present a situation where one party controls public opinion despite having access to the same information as others. This phenomenon, known as 'influence through ignorance,' occurs when power comes from controlling the flow of public information rather than possessing private information.
PTL will test concentrator PV systems and work with manufacturers to certify products, develop warranty information, and measure up against industry standards. The goal is to fill a need for reliability tests, subjecting modules to extreme conditions to simulate operational lifetimes.
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing an integrated system of thermochemical and catalytic technologies to efficiently produce ethanol from plant biomass. The new nanotechnology-based catalyst addresses selectivity and control issues in the old chemistry, enabling efficient production.
The George Institute is tracking global funding for R&D of neglected diseases in developing countries through a 5-year survey. The study aims to provide donors with an updated overview of investment gaps and prevent duplication of efforts.
A study by sport psychologists at the University of Washington found that providing parent workshops alongside coach training decreases performance anxiety and stress in young athletes. The research demonstrated the effectiveness of this combined approach in improving the youth sports experience.
Researchers discovered a higher frequency of vitiligo in a Romanian community compared to surrounding populations, suggesting a genetic component. However, the disease's onset required environmental triggers, indicating that genetics alone may not be enough to explain its development.
According to a study of 3,047 trauma patients, most experience moderately severe pain one year after injury. Pain severity is highest in joints and extremities, and varies by age and sex, with younger adults more likely to experience pain than older adults.
The Office of Naval Research selected 27 proposals for funding based on merit review. Young Investigator Awards provide up to $100,000/year for three years to support research and teaching careers.
The study analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program and found that non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients showed significant improvements in five- and 10-year survival rates, with increases ranging from 26.8 to 27.1 percentage points across all age groups and tumor subtypes.
A team of researchers discovered that a common fly's motion-sensitive neurons emit spikes very often and precisely, revealing a more complex language than previously thought. This new understanding challenges traditional assumptions about neural networks and could lead to the development of more efficient artificial intelligence.
Researchers at Brown University have found that schistosomiasis japonica is significantly more debilitating than previously thought, with a 0.098-0.186 disability impact score. The study's findings suggest that current measures of the disease's burden may underestimate its true impact.
A NYU College of Nursing researcher has been awarded a $4.1M grant to study the work decisions and career changes of newly licensed registered nurses over an eight-year period. The study aims to understand factors that promote retention of these professionals and inform health care organizations' efforts to retain qualified RNs.
Researchers have identified a new compound that blocks an early step in programmed cell death, known as apoptosis. This process is triggered by mitochondrial division and can lead to cell death during heart attacks and strokes.
The ESRC is funding two new research centers, the Centre for Population Change and the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, to explore migration, fertility, and ageing. The centers will provide evidence to support policy-making in these critical areas.
A team of linguists, led by Professor Michael Krauss, will document 11 endangered languages in Alaska using a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to preserve the Atuuan dialect, Southern Tsimshian, and other critically endangered languages.
NASA awards CU-Boulder $1 million to lead the study of a space observatory that will find Earth-like planets and detect biomarkers like methane, oxygen, and water. The project plans to launch a 4-meter telescope into an orbit roughly 1 million miles from Earth, with a giant starshade to block starlight.
The P2P-Next project aims to create a Europe-wide 'next-generation' internet television distribution system based on P2P technology, allowing audiences to stream and interact with live content. The research project will also explore community building around favorite content via a personalized system.
The Great Ape Trust of Iowa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Universitas Nasional in Jakarta, Indonesia, to enhance academic cooperation and conserve Sumatran orangutans. The partnership will provide opportunities for students from around the world to study rapidly disappearing orangutans in the wild.
Researchers have developed a shirt that harnesses energy from the wearer's motion to power portable devices, generating up to 80 milliwatts of power per square meter of fabric. The technology, called the piezoelectric effect, converts mechanical stress into electrical energy.
Engineers at the University of Leeds have developed a new device that uses a specially-woven web to assist weak hearts, increasing internal pressure to improve blood flow. The web-based device eliminates the need for life-long drug therapy and reduces the risk of blood clots.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have made a breakthrough in diagnosing pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects up to 15% of pregnancies. A user-friendly diagnostic kit is being developed to test pregnant women, with potential savings estimated at £500m for the NHS.
Researchers found that when new products are released, consumers focus on the company's brand and perceptions. In contrast, when products have already been launched, evaluations are based solely on the brand's strength. This study reveals the importance of considering temporal frames in consumer research.
A new study found that vehicle interlocks significantly reduce DWIs among first-time offenders, with a 60% lower risk of repeat offenses. This economic benefit is substantial, saving $3 for every dollar spent on interlocks.
The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) offers a unique opportunity for young scientists to expand their knowledge and skills by working on scientific projects. The ECNP Research Grant for Young Scientists provides up to €50,000 funding for projects in neuropsychopharmacology or closely related disciplines.
Carnegie Mellon will lead a team to develop and promote a regulatory structure for the safe and economical capture, transport and deep geological sequestration of CO2. The grant is part of a $100 million Climate Change Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a cleaner economy.