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 survey of injured workers found that many felt pressured to return to work quickly, leading to high levels of stress and depression. Experts recommend improving communication between employers and employees, providing counseling services, and ensuring modified work is suitable.
Researchers found that buckwheat extract can reduce blood glucose concentrations in rats with chemically-induced diabetes by 12-19%, suggesting its potential as a management aid. The active component chiro-inositol may play a role in this effect, although further studies are needed to confirm the results.
A new study suggests that caregivers of patients with end-of-life dementia experience high levels of depressive symptoms while caring for their loved ones, but exhibit clinically lower depression after the patient's death. The research also found that caregivers report feeling relieved when their loved one passes away.
Binghamton University has received a $10 million grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders to develop more effective hearing aids. The project aims to dramatically improve speech intelligibility in noisy environments, benefiting over 28 million Americans with hearing loss.
The University of Rhode Island has been awarded a four-year, $3.5 million grant from the NIAAA to develop an Environmental Management approach for reducing college drinking. The research team, led by Associate Professor Mark Wood, will work with top student life officials and community members to create a program that addresses environ...
Researchers at UGA are using manmade tracers to study the exchange of gases between vegetation and the atmosphere. They aim to improve methods for evaluating carbon sequestration in plant canopies, a crucial step in understanding how much carbon is taken up by different ecosystems.
The project aims to develop new solutions to major wireless communications problems using advanced devices and software. Professor Dirk Grunwald of the University of Colorado at Boulder leads the networking component, focusing on building a new kind of wireless network that leverages radio-level decisions for efficient communication.
The EMIST project will test defenses against worms, denial-of-service attacks, and routing computer attacks. The experiments will run on the Cyber Defense Technology Experimental Research network (DETER), a new testbed built by UC Berkeley and USC.
Scientists at NIST have precisely measured the lifetime of neutrons using a powerful technique. The measurement is consistent with current theories about particles and forces of nature, providing valuable insights into the creation of matter immediately after the Big Bang.
A study found that exercise combined with caregiver training can improve physical activity, reduce depression, and enhance physical health and function in people with Alzheimer's. Caregiver education also played a crucial role in the program's success.
The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded VIDI grants to 79 talented young researchers who have developed innovative scientific research ideas. The successful candidates will receive funding to develop their own research lines, with NWO covering almost 70% of the budget.
Carnegie Mellon University has received a grant to develop and implement effective science instruction methods for middle school students at four urban Pittsburgh schools. The project aims to address the significant achievement gap faced by low-income African American children, who historically underperform on science tests.
Researchers at Cardiff University are exploring a new way to interact with computers using physical objects and acoustic waves. The project, TAI-CHI, aims to create giant 3D touch screens that can be used on any surface.
The Reading Tutor, a Carnegie Mellon-developed AI-powered talking computer, aims to improve reading skills in children. The $6M grant from the NSF will enhance its speech and user modeling technologies to better assess and assist students.
A study found significant positive relationships between forgiveness of self, others, and various health outcomes among people with spinal cord injury. Forgiveness has a positive effect on health, but its impact varies by type, suggesting an impact on treatment protocols.
A study by Professor Nick Mount reveals how Canadian writers who emigrated to the US in the 19th century formed expatriate communities that helped promote and publish their work. These communities provided valuable networking opportunities, enabling many Canadians to achieve literary success and make a living from writing.
Researchers aim to create a scalable, secure, and economical network with two-way symmetric data communications service at 100 megabits per second. The project will explore fundamental innovations in network design and management to support applications not yet envisioned.
The Department of Energy's national laboratories have received a total of 35 R&D awards, recognizing their cutting-edge technologies. The awards are shared among 11 laboratories and partner businesses and universities.
Michael Hsiao is developing graph-theoretic algorithms to reduce chip verification time, which could decrease costs and improve accuracy. His tools will be useful for the entire semiconductor industry, addressing the increasing complexity of modern chips.
A NASA grant is supporting a two-year study at Florida Tech to develop algorithms that can learn from historical data and detect potential problems with a space shuttle component. The research aims to improve the efficiency of monitoring systems, reducing the time and effort required to extract knowledge from experts.
Researchers at Virginia Tech and UTA develop software simulator for future wireless networks. The project involves six faculty members and 15 students.
The Oregon Research Institute has received significant NIH grants to investigate the causes of early alcohol use and its effects on adolescents. The studies will explore the role of family, friend, school, and neighborhood influences on alcohol use among White and African American youth.
The MIT team has achieved a record-low temperature of 500 picokelvin, six times lower than the previous record of 3 nanokelvin. This breakthrough could lead to vast improvements in precision measurements and new insights into atomic physics.
UGA researchers aim to expand understanding of 'metalloaromaticity' and explore new classes of aromatics with diverse backgrounds in organic, inorganic, and computational chemistry. The project has significant industrial applications, including superconductivity.
Dr. Ginis receives two-year grant to improve hurricane forecasting model and enhance storm prediction capabilities. The model, developed in collaboration with NOAA scientists, aims to better understand and predict extreme winds and heavy rain causing $5 billion in annual damages.
Researchers studied two binary star systems, predicting regular flare cycles similar to the Sun's magnetic cycle. The team used continuous monitoring of radio waves to discover patterns in flare strength, indicating active and inactive cycles every 50-120 days.
Researchers aim to better understand the nuances of language comprehension in individuals with right hemisphere stroke, which often affects word meanings and phrases. The study will use MRI scans to determine if lesion location impacts communication deficits.
The American Physiological Society (APS) has awarded over $33,000 to its 2003 undergraduate research fellows. The fellowships provide stipends and travel funds to support the research of talented young scientists.
Researchers found that active involvement in forming an idea, known as generative learning, reduces false memory. Participants were more likely to accurately remember words from a list they created themselves than those presented by others.
A new study found that a drug can temporarily improve tactile acuity by reorganizing brain activity, offering potential treatments for learning disabilities and chronic pain. The treatment involves finger stimulation with a drug, which boosts the number of neurons involved in processing tactile information.
Scientists at Imperial College London have developed a biofeedback system that provides instant visual feedback on rowing technique, helping rowers harmonize their movements and avoid lower back pain. The research has shown significant benefits in reducing injuries and improving performance in the sport.
A specific group of brain proteins called alpha-Neurexins is essential for activating communication between neurons, and its absence disrupts synaptic transmission. This discovery expands knowledge of synaptic transmission and provides new insight into how the brain works.
A three-year project studies the Dhyanna of Entering into Non-Conceptuality, an 8th-century scripture considered authentic Buddha's teaching. The research aims to show similarities between Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism and how they have been interpreted differently throughout the ages.
A new species of the gentian family, Macrocarpaea apparata, has been discovered in Ecuador. The plant was found to have yellowish-white bell-shaped flowers that emerge only as darkness falls, mirroring the magical concept of apparition.
The University of Rhode Island's Teacher Research and Mentoring Armada program recruits master teachers for summer research experiences, mentoring, and standards-based curricula implementation. The program also enables researchers to incorporate teachers into their projects, disseminating results to the broader educational community.
A long-term study of 952 households will investigate how farming strategies change with each generation and the impact of human characteristics on deforestation rates. The research aims to determine whether subsequent generations have a reduced learning curve for forest conservation.
Researchers at NIST have invented composites that can promote re-growth of natural tooth structures efficiently. These bioactive, biocompatible materials can be used to stimulate the repair of defective teeth, minimizing decay under orthodontic braces and potentially in root canal therapy.
The Field Museum has received a grant to preserve and conserve its extensive collection of Chinese textiles, featuring 1,200 embroidered folk textiles and 1,000 historical costumes. The museum's unique holdings provide valuable insights into traditional Chinese textile decoration techniques and symbolism.
Professor Elizabeth Legge explores how British art marketed itself as a failure to gain cultural credibility in the US. She argues that this strategy tapped into American perceptions of British art as gauche and incapable of irony, generating mutual indignation between the two nations.
A recent study found that daily smokers experience impaired time estimation when abstaining from cigarettes for 24 hours. This impairment may contribute to feelings of stress and decreased focus, highlighting the need for further research on nicotine's effects on attention processes.
Researchers discovered that SpA, a staph protein, causes B cell suicide in mice. Properly dosed injections of SpA may control immune system over-activity and potentially treat lupus. The study provides a promising lead for future development of B-cell based therapy.
Researchers are studying how our brains perceive and process facial features to understand face recognition. They believe that well-formed and well-known objects like faces are perceived in parallel processing, while difficult patterns may be processed serially.
According to a Penn State study, African-Americans are more likely to support higher cigarette taxes, particularly among younger Blacks, those at higher educational levels, and former smokers. The study found that increasing taxes can decrease smoking prevalence rates and generate revenue for tobacco cessation programs.
A 2002 NASA study found a significant decline in coral cover and species diversity after the 'black water' event, which was caused by a bloom of microscopic marine plants. The dark water reduced sunlight absorption, affecting the ecosystem.
A new study by Ohio State University found that Republicans who frequently engage in political debates with others who share their views tend to have a more balanced perception of media bias. In contrast, Democrats' perceptions of media bias do not differ based on who they talk to. The study suggests that conversational contacts influe...
The Avon Foundation-AACR International Scholars in Breast Cancer Research program provides two-year grants to four junior-level faculty members from limited opportunities countries. The program aims to enhance breast cancer research and clinical care globally.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that chromosomal problems exist within each individual cell, leading to developmental abnormalities. The study suggests that current techniques used for reproductive cloning do not work in nonhuman primates.
The GSK Drug Discovery and Development Research Grant Program provides funding for innovative research into HIV/AIDS treatments. Researchers will be selected based on the potential importance of their project, originality, and ability to conduct the proposed research.
Ultra-wideband technology offers advantages in communication due to its wide spectrum range. The technology allows for efficient transmission and reception of data without interference, enabling military communications to remain secure and domestic devices to achieve higher data rates.
A Penn study reveals that 200,000 Philadelphia households struggle to afford housing due to decreasing incomes and increasing costs. The city's low-income households rely on wages, not welfare, for income, which has decreased by 30% in the last 35 years.
The Chemical Heritage Foundation has received a grant from the William Penn Foundation to support strategic planning. This funding aims to increase operating revenue and visitor numbers at the foundation's facility, as well as enhance online and on-site access to its library and archives.
A study has identified a vast network of subsurface streams and ponds in the northern Gulf of Mexico basin that are believed to contain significant amounts of untapped oil and gas. The discovery, made by Cornell University professor Lawrence M. Cathles, estimates that these reserves could be as large as those found in the North Sea.
The University-Assisted Community Schools Program has been selected for a $100,000 prize to recognize its high-quality organizational work improving children's lives. The program, developed by Penn faculty and students, focuses on solving community problems in areas like environmental health, literacy, and nutrition.
Bierman and Landry will conduct research to improve Army land managers' understanding of landscape change and detect mustard gas using porous materials. The projects aim to expand research opportunities in states with limited federal funding for university research.
Northumberland is renowned for its rich collection of prehistoric rock art, with up to 500 examples still existing in the field. A new website featuring the archive will display information at varying levels of complexity, providing valuable research and teaching resources.
A team of Cornell physicists and engineers are developing an instrument that can track hundreds of particles simultaneously, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of turbulent flows. The technology has the potential to improve climate models and predict how pollutants disperse in air or water.
Despite years of decline, trade unions are finding new ways to gain support and influence, such as community links and international agreements. Research shows that partnerships with employers and local consultation can drive growth, but challenges remain in certain workplace environments.
The Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) has introduced a new professorial fellowship scheme to enable top scholars to pursue innovative research. The fellowships will run for three years, providing funding for PhD students, research assistants, and travel expenses.
The European Commission will present its research policy and funding activities at the AAAS meeting, aiming to create a European Research Area (ERA) with better coordination and cooperation. The EU's goal is to boost competitiveness and improve citizens' quality of life through significant resources mobilized via the Framework program.
Truong Nguyen will receive $120,000 funding to develop a video decoder that generates additional frames to produce smoother video sequences. The technology aims to enhance live video applications like videoconferencing and surveillance over wireless connections.