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.
The NIH Enhanced Access policy lacks a definitive deadline for making research results available, putting grant recipients in a difficult position. Advocates urge the agency to report on progress toward full taxpayer access using metrics such as the proportion of deposited articles and lag time between publication and availability.
Scientists at UCSB study the relationship between recent severe storms and increased oil emissions from the Coal Oil Point seep field. Researchers estimate current oil emissions are many times pre-storm levels, with new areas of seepage appearing and gas driving the flow.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a gene defect that causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a prevalent and inherited nerve disorder. The discovery provides new insights into the nervous system and may lead to the development of targeted therapies for this debilitating disease.
A study of over 150,000 individuals in England and Wales found that the percentage of those living alone increased by 31% between 1971 and 2023, with men more prone to going solo after age 25. The trend is expected to continue, with younger generations increasingly choosing individual living.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered a protein called Chd1 that recognizes a flag on histones and attracts other proteins to turn genes on. This finding sheds light on how chemical information carried on histones is recognized and read during gene regulation.
Research by Susan Jung Grant and colleagues found that consumers process negative messages more slowly than positive ones, focusing on the root of the message rather than the negation. This leads to a specific sequence of processing, where affirmations are elaborated first and then negators are incorporated in judgment.
Researchers at the University of Utah are developing a wireless version of the Utah Electrode Array, which will enable people with paralysis to control devices with their minds. The project aims to implant the device in the brains of blind individuals and paraplegics, allowing them to see, stand, and walk again.
Male crickets fed high protein diets engage in more sexual calling and die sooner than those on low protein diets. This is because they spend extra resources on mating behavior, shortening their lifespan. In contrast, males on low protein diets tend to delay calling until later in life, maintaining their body weight for longer.
Nanotubes form along atomic steps due to iron nanoparticles' attraction to local fields created by the steps. The orientation and form of these steps can be controlled, enabling the production of different nanowire arrangements.
The American Association for Cancer Research and The V Foundation are awarding $600,000 in grants to four cancer research teams, led by top scientists, to accelerate progress against cancer. The grants will support translational research projects that aim to improve survival and quality of life for patients.
According to a new study by Caroline Hoxby of Harvard University, charter school students are more likely to be proficient in reading and math on state exams. For schools with at least 40% public funding, students perform particularly well. Charter schools in disadvantaged areas also show a significant advantage.
The UC Riverside Extension will provide support to trained teachers and day care providers in San Bernardino County with funding from First 5 California and First 5 San Bernardino. The organization will offer tuition assistance, training, and educational resources to help improve early childhood education.
Researchers are examining dynamic allocation of spectrum to increase efficient use among multiple service providers. This could enable temporary spectrum access, useful for emergency communications and new wireless services.
Researchers at Georgia Tech discovered that bosons placed in two-dimensional harmonic traps will crystallize when their repulsive interactions are increased. Theoretical simulations showed six bosons forming a polygonal crystal with one boson in the center.
Researchers have developed a self-cleaning coating that can be permanently integrated into fabrics, reducing the need for dry cleaning. The coating uses silver nanoparticles to repel dirt and water, making it easier to clean clothes with less water and frequency.
The UGA Graduate School will launch interventions to reduce Ph.D. completion rates, collecting data on entering and exiting students to identify areas for improvement. The project is supported by Pfizer and the Ford Foundation.
Researchers observed sea urchins growing new spines by depositing amorphous calcium carbonate before it crystallizes. This process reveals intricate growth patterns controlled by the template of the old spine.
A UCR-led team is using data and analysis to identify effective strategies for reducing poverty in rural areas of Brazil. The two-year project aims to provide insights that can inform public policies nationwide.
The US government has awarded grants to support HIV/AIDS research and treatment in resource-limited countries, including Cambodia, Peru, Thailand, and Russia. The grants aim to develop clinical research centers and evaluate new treatments for co-infections with tuberculosis.
A multidisciplinary team of investigators will track adolescent smoking patterns and predictors, including emotional well-being and social interactions, to identify factors influencing teen smoking behaviors. The study aims to improve prevention and treatment programs for teen smokers.
The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research published five English-language books examining Dutch culture from 1650 to 2000. The books cover topics such as science, art, music, literature, education, religion, and urbanization.
Geologists challenged the idea that the Tibetan plateau is losing elevation as it spreads out over India. Instead, new research suggests the plateau is being compressed between the Indian subcontinent and the North China block, causing Tibet to split like an orange squeezed by a vise.
Researchers found that both young and old drivers struggled to detect important changes while using hands-free phones, leading to slower reaction times and increased errors. The impaired reactions were significant enough to pose a danger to drivers.
Scientists at Ohio State University discovered ancient fossils of arthropods composed of tiny bacteria fossils, providing evidence of exceptional preservation. The bacteria self-fossilized, replicating the body of the animal and preserving its shape and texture.
The Peabody Archives at UGA will digitize over 5,000 vintage TV tapes using a robotic system, preserving American history and culture for scholars and researchers. The grant is part of the Save America's Treasures program, supporting the preservation of national significance.
Researchers find that ancient corals built skeletons mostly of calcite, contrary to the long-held belief that this mineral is fixed over time. The study also reveals that corals in ancient seawater grew more slowly than those in modern water.
A new internet-based library for coral reefs has been created by NASA, providing a comprehensive world data resource on coral reefs and adjacent land areas. The library will help improve local assessments of reef resources around the world and provide access to reliable global satellite datasets for mapping coral reefs.
Dr. Moran's research focuses on the ecology and diversity of coastal bacteria, which influence sulfur emissions, carbon storage, and energy acquisition in marine surface waters and coastal marshes. The award supports her investigation into these processes, shedding light on global climate regulation.
Clemson University receives a $600,000 NSF grant to support biomaterials research and the growth of an advanced materials industry cluster. The grant aims to facilitate technology transfer between academia and private industry, promoting economic development in South Carolina.
A new project aims to produce software that can discover, visualize, and explore patterns in large collections of full-text humanities resources. The goal is to make these collections more useful for research and teaching.
The grant will fund new research in high-risk areas, improve infrastructure, and enhance commercialization of nanotechnology to spur business growth. The award supports Penn State's role as an engine for economic growth in the central region and Commonwealth.
A study of 216 acute stroke patients found that lack of improvement within 24 hours of alteplase treatment was associated with a higher risk of poor outcome and death at 3 months. Patients with elevated glucose levels, cerebral cortex involvement, and delayed treatment also had longer hospital stays.
A multi-university study found that levels of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors were significantly lower in people with severe clinical depression. The researchers also found that those who had been taking antidepressants before death had levels closer to normal.
A recent study found that dementing patients' hyperactivity is worsened when care-providing family members employ a non-adaptive strategy, which includes being impatient and irritated. Adjusting this approach can help alleviate behavioural problems and improve the quality of life for both carers and patients.
A supersized virtual library is being developed by a team led by New Jersey Institute of Technology professor Michael Bieber, PhD. The library will consolidate reference listings from public, university and online digital libraries, providing users with customized search results and automatic link additions.
Virginia Tech will lead two research projects worth $17 million each, focusing on integrated pest management and sustainable agriculture in developing nations. The projects aim to reduce pesticide use, increase farm income, and promote ecologically sound practices for improved food security.
The UT Prevention Research Center will continue its work in translating research into practice, with a focus on Texas youth and communities. The center's programs, including Coordinated Approach to Child Health and Familias, aim to prevent health-related problems such as diabetes and asthma.
A team of researchers discovered security flaws in the Internet Chess Club, a widely used online platform with over 30,000 members. They found that users could easily cheat and access sensitive information without proper security measures, emphasizing the need for experts to create secure systems.
The Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium will continue to support collaborative student-faculty research projects in astronomy for the next two years. The program has funded over 160 students and nearly 300 presentations since its inception.
Researchers have developed a method to stabilize and control the conductance state of single molecules using tailored intermolecular interactions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of molecular memory components with reduced power usage.
Researchers will develop tools for nano-scale manufacturing and apply them to biosensors for early disease detection and nanotube memory chips. The collaboration aims to create new products contributing 2 million jobs and $1 trillion in revenue by 2015.
Researchers at the Center for Internet Epidemiology and Defenses will measure and analyze live Internet epidemics to develop robust defense mechanisms. They plan to construct large-scale monitoring instruments to provide early warning of incipient outbreaks and craft practical solutions to counteract new outbreaks.
The AAAS expert panel emphasizes the need for new scientific research to improve voting performance, focusing on technologies, voters' knowledge and behavior, election administration, and accountability mechanisms. This research will help ensure maximum voter participation, trust, and integrity while guaranteeing privacy.
Researchers at MIT and partners successfully integrated a photosynthetic protein complex with a solid-state electronic device, paving the way for efficient energy generation. The innovation uses spinach chloroplasts to create a dry environment that stabilizes protein complexes, enabling the development of practical organic solar cells.
Researchers developed a new trust model to interpret subjects' performance in a simple task. The model factors in doubt and found that many students expressed doubt despite being told it was unlikely. This challenges the assumption that humans are irrational when doubting instructions.
The Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program supports up to 42 new Doctoral Fellows with a two-year fellowship and career development enhancements. A pre-dissertation award also encourages more social work doctoral students to consider gerontology.
A researcher is creating a new health program that takes into account an individual's ethnic identity to improve health outcomes for African Americans. The program, which will involve 1,000 participants categorized into five ethnic identity groups, aims to match educational materials to each person's cultural beliefs.
A novel experiment revealed that experts in fine visual distinctions can process faces and other objects using the same neural networks, contradicting previous theories. This discovery has implications for our understanding of autism, national security, and expert recognition abilities.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have successfully grown a single-wall carbon nanotube, reaching a world-record length. This breakthrough has the potential to enable new types of nanoscale electro-mechanical systems, including micro-electric motors and nanoconducting cables.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have invented a new fuel cell material called Battellion TM that can reduce the cost of production, making it more economically viable. The material has improved stability, conductivity, and manufacturing processes, allowing for longer service life and reduced weight compared to existing materials.
Researchers at LSU are working on developing a better aircraft self-diagnostic system that can detect problems earlier, recommend the best course of action, or take control of the flight. The goal is to improve flight safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
Researchers discovered a significant increase in arm regeneration frequency among fossil crinoids during the Middle Paleozoic Marine Revolution, coinciding with the diversification of predators and prey adaptations. The findings suggest that broken arms may be collateral damage, rather than direct targets of predation.
A study published in Physical Review E found that a loss of just 2% of US power grid substations can cause catastrophic failure. Researchers identified high-load transmission substations as critical points, emphasizing the need for increased redundancy and distributed generation.
Researchers will create mechanical systems with one or two motors to accomplish tasks currently done by robots. The goal is to provide a cheaper and lower maintenance alternative for assembly line designers.
Researchers will examine current level of relationship satisfaction among original participants, comparing it to their initial responses. The study aims to understand how increasing legal recognition affects gay and lesbian couples' relationships with families.
A US national study is seeking women who have donated eggs prior to May 2001 to understand their physical and emotional experience. The research aims to analyze the role of payment in women's motivation to donate eggs, a practice common in the US but not allowed in other countries.
Connexions, an open-source courseware platform, has received a $1.25 million grant from the Hewlett Foundation to enhance usability and increase available knowledge. The project aims to promote knowledge sharing worldwide without copyright restrictions.
Researchers found that residential development is the primary cause of sweetgrass scarcity, and basket makers support alternative management plans. They propose setting aside land for growing sweetgrass and working with island residents to access the resource.
A study of 137 newborns found significant brain damage in 36% of early-born and 61% of term-born babies, suggesting that birth-related injuries are often overlooked.
A UK university study found significant brain damage in 36% of premature babies and 61% of full-term infants before labor began. This suggests that key signs were often overlooked during childbirth, leading to potential mismanagement of pregnancy and labor.