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.
A new study reveals that most Alaskans, regardless of political affiliation, share a common concern about the impacts of global warming. Key findings include major impacts on sea ice, permafrost, coastal erosion, and forest fires, as well as significant threats to local communities, families, and the environment.
The 3rd European Young Investigator Award (EURYI) ceremony honors 25 young researchers from across Europe for their groundbreaking research. The awardees will receive a diploma and €1.25 million in project funding to turn their scientific ideas into reality.
Researchers gathered at the ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Institute conference to discuss the current understanding of aqueous outflow pathways. The study aims to identify key unanswered research questions and explore new ideas for controlling high eye pressure in glaucoma patients.
The University of Victoria-led NEPTUNE Canada observatory will receive a significant boost in funding, allowing for expansion of its scope and scientific impact. The additional $20 million will enable more comprehensive studies on ocean-climate interactions, fisheries, gas hydrate deposits, and seafloor ecology.
The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory will receive a $11.7-million grant to build an innovative magnet that can generate extremely high magnetic fields using less power than traditional magnets. The new magnet will enable unique experiments in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to study proteins, nucleic acids, and other molecules.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Cornell a $3.3 million grant to increase the percentage of women faculty members in science and engineering departments over the next five years. The goal is to reach 20% women faculty by 2011, with an ultimate objective of having one-third of science and engineering faculty be women by 2015.
A new research program aims to teach computers to scan through text and sort opinion from fact, with the goal of improving national security. The project uses machine-learning algorithms to train computers on examples of text expressing both fact and opinion, enabling them to distinguish between the two.
The research team will investigate how design teams organize themselves and interact in open source projects, with a focus on the Apache Web server, PostgreSQL database, and Python scripting language. They aim to understand the impact of team structure on software quality and development speed.
Brown University will receive a major grant to boost the representation of women in academic science and engineering careers. The ADVANCE program aims to increase retention and career advancement, providing resources such as administrative shadowing and mentoring programs.
Stevens Professor K.P. Subbalakshmi receives a NSF Cyber Trust Program grant to develop secure low-power wireless technology through error-resilient encryption and power-adaptive design.
A study found that GAVI funding significantly increased childhood vaccine coverage in countries with less than 65% initial coverage, raising it to around 65%. However, countries with higher initial coverage showed no improvement. The estimated cost per child immunized was under $14, close to GAVI's original estimates.
Robert Angelici receives ACS Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Inorganic Chemistry, recognizing his significant service and outstanding research in inorganic chemistry. He has published over 370 papers and is known for pursuing unique research problems.
A growing concern among Americans is the rising cost of healthcare and access to medical services. The Lancet editorial calls for a comprehensive solution to address these issues, with a focus on improving the healthcare system for all Americans.
Florida Tech associate professor Dr. Jean-Paul Pinelli has received a $300,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop a wireless sensor network monitoring wind impacts on structures. The three-year research project will provide full-scale data on wind-induced structural stress during hurricanes.
Intraocular pressure increased in 90% of weightlifters during exercises, with higher pressures observed when holding breath. The study suggests that weightlifting could be a potential risk factor for normal-tension glaucoma.
Engineers are developing a new technique that accurately measures how sound behaves in indoor environments, enabling the design of acoustic spaces based on realistic information. This could lead to improved hearing aids and better listening experiences for millions of people.
Researchers are using the tiny fruit fly Drosophila to identify genes that impact on the spread of human cancer cells. By combining genetic screens with functional analysis in human cell culture models, they aim to discover novel proteins involved in cell migration and invasion.
Researchers found that small-town and rural school-based intervention programs significantly reduced short-term and lifetime methamphetamine use among adolescents. These findings suggest that brief but effective prevention programs can be effective in addressing the growing methamphetamine problem among teens.
The M/V Susitna will operate as a ferry between Anchorage and Port Mackenzie, while also being used as a technology demonstrator for the Navy's expeditionary warfare concepts. The vessel features a unique hull design with adjustable buoyancy and multiple modes of operation.
A team of Rensselaer researchers is working to improve the energy efficiency of green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by doubling or tripling their power output. By leveraging the piezoelectric effect, they hope to develop a process to make higher-intensity green LEDs that convert electricity into light more efficiently.
A study projects ischemic stroke costs to reach $1.52 trillion from 2005-2050, with African Americans and Hispanics facing higher costs. The American Academy of Neurology urges Congress to increase NIH funding to halt the impending epidemic and save lives.
Researchers William Minicozzi and Tobias H. Colding break new ground in understanding minimal surfaces, discovering they are composed of fundamental building blocks like planes, catenoids, and helicoids. This breakthrough has significant implications for fields such as nanotechnology, where minimal surfaces can be extremely useful.
A new study establishes a direct connection between global warming and hurricane intensity, predicting increased damage from Atlantic hurricanes. The research uses statistical analysis to link average air temperatures during hurricane season to sea surface temperatures, vital for nourishing hurricane winds.
The SWAN system uses robotic technology and auditory signals to guide users through unknown territory, providing real-time audio cues to aid the blind and firefighters. Researchers have developed a wearable computing system consisting of a small laptop, tracking chip, and bone-conduction headphones.
Men with low testosterone levels after age 40 face a higher risk of death over a four-year period compared to those with normal hormone levels. Testosterone decline is associated with decreased muscle mass, bone density, and increased mortality.
Researchers at MIT are testing kayak-based robots called SCOUTs, which use surface navigation to communicate wirelessly. The goal is to create a team of robots that can work seamlessly together with minimal human direction.
Florida State University will use a $6.2 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to build a more accurate hurricane prediction model. The new model, developed using FSU's supercomputer, aims to improve long-range hurricane forecasts and estimate the number of tropical storms in a season.
Researchers will conduct experiments on college students with normal vision to determine optimal training patterns for visual analysis and how it can improve performance for people with certain deficits and disorders. The findings could provide insight into vision deficits such as dyslexia.
Researchers at Kent State University are studying a new class of liquid crystal molecules with a boomerang shape to enhance flexoelectricity. This phenomenon has the potential to be used in environmentally friendly micro-power generators.
Professor Blinkhorn has received the prestigious Dean Memorial Award for his significant contributions to oral health research and public health. He is recognized as a leader in Europe's Oral Health Services Research, with an impressive publication record and expertise in team leadership.
Dr. Holst receives the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Behavioral Sciences & Health Services Research, sponsored by Sunstar Butler, for her expertise in dental service delivery and public health programs. The award recognizes her contributions to oral health trends and research among various populations.
Professor Ainamo's decades-long research on older adults' oral health care needs has shaped treatment guidelines and improved understanding of stomatological disorders. The IADR Award recognizes her outstanding contributions to geriatric oral research, stimulating progress in basic and clinical epidemiology.
The 'culturally situated design tools' (CSDTs) program uses computer software to educate students about the mathematics principles behind various cultural designs. Preliminary research shows a statistically significant increase in math achievement and positive attitudes toward IT careers for students exposed to CSDTs.
A research team, led by Yoshitomi Okura, is returning to Mount McKinley for the fifth time to collect data on the mountain's extreme winds. The team is equipped with two anemometers, a standard and ultrasonic device, to measure wind speed and sensor accuracy.
The Telescope Array in Utah will be 10 times more sensitive than previous experiments and aim to answer the mystery of cosmic rays' origin. The observatory will use fluorescence detectors and scintillation detectors to measure air showers and search for sources of ultrahigh-energy particles.
Researchers found that naive bats quickly learned to associate a new frog call with edible prey by observing their neighbor eating, even when the call comes from a frog they wouldn't normally eat. The study shows that fringe-lipped bats can rapidly track fluctuations in prey abundance and composition through their social learning skills.
Researchers successfully transplanted embryonic pancreatic tissue from pigs into mice with reduced immune responses, enabling fully functional insulin production and normal blood sugar levels. The study's findings warrant further pre-clinical research on primate models to explore the potential for human transplantation.
The University of Auckland is launching a new Pinot noir research program to better understand the grape variety and its qualities. The program aims to enhance New Zealand's wine making reputation by analyzing grape varieties, wine making processes, and reactions.
The National Science Foundation and Department of Defense partner to provide funding for Florida Tech's Summer Astronomy Research Program (SARA). Undergraduate students from across the country participate in a nine-week research program, working with faculty mentors and presenting their findings.
Researchers Harry Roberts and Bob Carney are studying the animals that live near oil and gas seeps in the Gulf, including bacteria that feed on hydrogen sulfide gas. They will use the Alvin submersible to take them down to the bottom of the Gulf, where they hope to discover new species and learn more about these unique communities.
Carbon nanotubes have withstood pressures up to 40 gigapascals, making them ideal for nanoscale hydraulics and cylinders. The researchers discovered that nanotubes can perform similar functions at the scale of atoms and molecules, including extrusion processes.
A 700-page report suggests key mechanisms for levee failures in the US, built upon data and field investigations supported by National Science Foundation grants. The Berkeley-led team's findings aim to improve emergency planning and response strategies for natural disasters.
Phuc M. Huynh, an electrical engineering major at UH, has been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for his research on infrared bandpass filters that can increase energy efficiency. With a grade point average of 3.89 and recognition from prominent faculty members, Huynh is well-deserving of this honor.
The gene CGI-58 boosts the activity of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) up to 20-fold, solving a puzzle in lipid storage disease CDS. This activation limits lipid accumulation and restores normal fat breakdown.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a process to overcome difficulties in combining nanotubes with other materials, leading to improved composites. The new material demonstrates remarkable improvements in strength, toughness, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity.
The University of Pittsburgh's Mascaro Sustainability Initiative has received a $506,000 grant to establish the Sustainable Engineering Fellowship Program. The program will engage diverse students in translating fundamental sustainability science into real products and processes.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a vast repository of casual conversations, labeling every syllable and sound. The Buckeye Speech Corpus offers a unique resource for scientists studying communication, speech sciences, linguistics, and more.
Research by Vanderbilt University's Stephen Camarata and Richard Woodcock found females have a significant advantage over males on timed tests and tasks, especially among pre-teens and teens. The study highlights the need for teachers to understand sex differences in processing speed and teaching strategies.
A Canadian study found that ICD device replacements due to advisories resulted in significant complications, including death, in 8.1% of cases. The study highlights the need for guidelines to determine appropriate treatment for patients with advisory devices.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals over 663,000 people treated in US emergency rooms for lawn mower injuries between 1996 and 2004. Safety tips, such as wearing protective gear and keeping children away, are crucial to preventing these injuries.
Researchers investigated the growth of urban communities in northern Netherlands between 1350 and 1650, analyzing factors driving urban 'mists' and cultural industry development. The studies also explored the emergence of new towns as instruments for politics, economics, and culture in late Middle Ages.
A study led by Binghamton University aims to address cardiovascular disease in rural women, who face unique challenges such as limited access to healthcare and healthy habits. Researchers will employ two techniques: community intervention and nursing interventions, tailored to individual readiness to change behavior.
Researchers developed a microfluidic instrument to measure interfacial tension between two fluids. The device tracks changes over time as drops move through the channel, producing a measurement in approximately 1 second.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have determined that the temperature difference between air and water controls the amount of mist at Niagara Falls. The study found that a higher temperature difference results in a thicker and more substantial mist plume, contrary to previous reports linking high-rise hotels to increased mist levels.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is digitizing historic plant type specimens, featuring over 30,000 samples from the 18th century. This project provides a valuable resource for researchers worldwide, particularly those in developing countries with limited access to research libraries and herbaria.
Scientists create new OLED technology that enables 100% efficiency and prolongs lifetime by using a fluorescent dye, paving the way for mass-manufacturable, low-cost lighting solutions. The invention has the potential to revolutionize interior lighting and transform ceilings into giant light panels.
Penn State's Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies is recycling 500,000 discarded tires into road fill, reducing sediment pollution and mosquito breeding grounds. The project uses bailed tires to fill degraded dirt roads, incorporating drainage structures to prevent water runoff.
A recent study found that professionally staffed school libraries in Ontario are linked to higher student achievement and positive attitudes towards reading. The study recommends increasing the number of trained teacher-librarians and better funding for library resources to improve literacy levels across the province.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have discovered significant structure in the current-voltage characteristics of a transistor laser, allowing them to study the elusive electronic structure. The research enables the development of transistor lasers that can operate at different speeds for various commercial applications.
Yuzbashyan will use the funding to attend technical conferences and collaborate with specialists globally, aiming to promote new technologies like quantum computing and superconductivity. He plans to bring researchers from Great Britain to Rutgers and fund graduate research assistant positions.