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 funded by a $350,000 grant aims to examine how alcohol impairs women's ability to recognize and respond to risk of sexual aggression. The research will provide information on resistance strategies to help women engage in safer dating situations.
The Mayor of London is at the center of a complex pattern of governance, with partnerships between organizations playing a crucial role. Business sectors have been successful in getting their needs represented to the Mayor, but NGOs have struggled to organize effectively.
A new $4 million grant from the NIH will explore four sets of factors contributing to childhood stuttering, including language function, epidemiology, motor/physiological functions, and psychological factors. Researchers hope to identify risk factors and predictors for recovery.
The NIH has granted $3.5 million in funding to four institutions to enhance their human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research infrastructure. The funds will support the expansion, testing, quality assurance, and distribution of existing cell lines, enabling basic scientists to access these cells for research.
The LaserNet Fines instrument uses algorithms based on neural networking to analyze particulate matter, making accurate predictions with 97% accuracy. This technology has immense potential for improving the Navy's safety and readiness while reducing costs in multiple industries, including railroad, trucking, and construction.
Carbon nanotubes have been shown to exhibit exceptional mechanical properties, enabling the creation of high-speed electronic devices. The breakthrough could lead to the development of hand-held DNA detectors, superfast optical detectors, and computer chip speeds faster than current Pentium processors.
The project aims to develop detection and classification algorithms for multi-modal inverse problems, enabling robots to sense invisible signals and trace them back to their sources.
A Purdue University method estimates how much UV-B radiation people receive under different amounts of tree cover, affecting land use and skin cancer risk. The model suggests that even partial shade provides significant protection against skin cancer, with 90% tree-canopy coverage offering the equivalent of SPF 10 sunblock.
A national consortium led by Cornell University is proposing a 20-mile-long linear collider to detect the Higgs boson and explore supersymmetry and antimatter. The collider would accelerate beams of electrons and positrons at high energies, providing fundamental details about the origin of the universe.
Researchers discovered that a lack of autonomy at work increases the risk of prolonged fatigue by 1.5-2 times. Additionally, men who are overweight or physically inactive experience faster onset of fatigue, while women who are underweight have a threefold increased risk.
The Trio language requires precision in translation to convey expectations and avoid misunderstandings. With a complex grammar system, Trio speakers must specify verb forms to indicate whether they witnessed or understood information.
Scientists have discovered a key gene responsible for tomato ripening, which could lead to tastier and more nutritious grocery store tomatoes. The discovery allows researchers to moderate the ripening process, creating tomatoes that ripen at different speeds.
The Ford Foundation grant will help researchers define problems facing social sciences, compare historical trajectories in several countries, and foster international discussion. Academically, the social sciences face challenges due to shifting emphasis on science, technology, and quantitative research methods.
Researchers developed a Web-based display, CIP, to describe current icing conditions, which goes into service this week for meteorologists and airline dispatchers. A companion tool, FIP (Forecast Icing Potential), forecasts potential icing up to 12 hours ahead but is still in development.
The new center will explore various initiatives toward insulin independence without long-term immunosuppression. Researchers will investigate less toxic drugs and test donor islets protected by a sheath-like membrane to reduce immune response.
The U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) has established the Georgian Research and Development Foundation (GRDF), the Republic of Georgia's first independent grant-making science foundation. The GRDF aims to develop the country's scientific-engineering community through merit-driven research support.
The project aims to develop a 'Field-Portable Chip-Based Anti-Terrorism Microanalyzer' using 'laboratory on a chip' technology. This device will enable immediate detection of terrorist agents, benefiting first responders such as firefighters, police, and paramedics.
University of Southern Mississippi researchers developed an agricultural-based paint using soybean oil or lesquerella oil, reducing toxic pollutants. The paint, American Pride, has potential applications in various industries and will benefit the state's economy.
The Office of Naval Research has awarded $8.4M to 10 young investigators for their basic research in various science and engineering fields, including ocean circulation models, heat conduction, brain-inspired computing, microbial adhesion, mobile wireless networks, damage tolerance, weather predictions, and neuromorphic engineering.
Yuri Lvov, a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute faculty member, has been honored with two prestigious awards for his outstanding research in weak turbulence theory and deep internal ocean waves. His work aims to improve weather prediction accuracy and semiconductor laser efficiency.
Women tend to make greater tonal movements and use more intonation in questioning, enabling clearer differentiation between statements and types of questions. The findings suggest that women prioritize clarity and are less afraid of adopting a position of dependency in communication.
Research by Margriet van Eikema Hommes shows that shadows in Raphael's painting became darker over time, changing the contrast and creating a theatrical effect. The study provides insights into the original composition of Renaissance paints and their aging process.
A symposium at AAAS explores the gap between practitioners of science and the public, discussing efforts to promote general scientific literacy through community involvement and education. Researchers and educators highlight successful programs and strategies for effective outreach.
The GRIP aims to combat 'brain drain' by providing partial salaries and research support to well-trained young investigators returning home. Eligible scientists can compete for funds through a peer-reviewed process.
Economist Robert Moffitt has received a $1.3 million MERIT award to investigate the relationship between welfare reform and out-of-wedlock childbearing, exploring potential factors beyond just welfare benefits.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect potential tropical cyclones using satellite data, allowing for earlier warning times of up to 40 hours. This technique uses wind speed data from the SeaWinds scatterometer on NASA's QuikSCAT satellite to identify areas of rotating winds.
Researchers at the new Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments will develop tools to gauge risks associated with hazardous waste sites and clean up pollutants. The center's initiatives focus on urban livability and brownfield redevelopment, aiming to create jobs and improve tax bases while addressing environmental concerns.
A $46,000 grant will aid in identifying and addressing environmental issues facing ten National Park units. Mary-Jane James-Pirri will conduct field assessments and compile literature to create a comprehensive document on wetland health and management.
The Northeast Organic Network (NEON) will examine ways to enhance production and consumption of locally grown organic food in the Northeastern United States. Over two years, NEON will develop enterprise budgets and support tools to improve organic farming management.
Chemical oceanographers at the University of Rhode Island used naturally occurring radium to estimate ground water input to coastal systems. The study found that ground water was a significant source of radium in Rhode Island salt ponds.
Kilkelly's research explores the historical performances of jazz-tap dancing, considering constructions of gender, race, class, and sexuality. She aims to increase appreciation for tap dancing as a valuable art form revealing American culture.
Researchers have discovered that an octopus's brain operates like a general in command of troops, issuing orders to independent peripheral nervous systems. This decentralized control enables the octopus to perform complex tasks with high maneuverability and flexibility.
Scientists at RTI in North Carolina have developed a high-efficiency thermocouple device that can make something hotter or colder over 20,000 times faster than current devices. This innovation has the potential to convert heat into electrical energy more efficiently and could lead to affordable plug-in modules for widespread use.
A new study found that smoking cessation programs may be less effective for black smokers than for white smokers, with a 23% quit rate compared to 34% after one year. However, the difference narrowed over time, suggesting that interventions without specific adaptations for black participants may still be effective.
A study led by Drs. Eva S. Lefkowitz and Karen Fingerman found that middle-aged women take charge in conversations with their aging mothers, using positive language to maintain good relationships. The researchers recorded 46 mother-daughter pairs and discovered a low level of negativity in their interactions.
The University of Houston's Texas Learning and Computation Center has received a $3.5 million EPA grant to develop a new computer model predicting ozone concentrations in the region's air. Researchers will examine factors such as population growth, emissions, and weather data to improve the model's accuracy.
Researchers have developed a new sensor that improves the sensitivity and reliability of current prototypes for landmine detection. The sensor uses specially designed disposable fluorescent polymer beads that can be easily replaced, reducing degradation and retraining problems.
A new compound has been developed that offers intense cooling properties without the taste or smell of mint. The compound is 35 times more powerful than mint and lasts twice as long, making it ideal for a range of consumer products.
Paul Roman will investigate how scientific orientations and attitudes impact treatment centers and therapeutic communities, with a focus on retention and resource attraction. His research aims to improve substance abuse treatment systems' quality and stability in dynamic environments.
The University of Oklahoma College of Engineering has received a $500k NSF grant to improve customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management. The research aims to increase the accuracy and speed of due date promises, resulting in significant impacts on companies' revenues, operating expenses, and customer satisfaction.
A multidisciplinary team led by David E. Sahn will explore access to health education and nutrition, including HIV/AIDS, poverty traps, and food insecurity. The research aims to better understand the economic and social constraints that hinder Africa's poor from prospering in growth-oriented reforms.
The UrbanSim project will use advanced software to create realistic animated streetscapes showing the potential impact of current decisions on urban development. The system will integrate data from various sources, including demographic and economic information, to provide a comprehensive understanding of long-term effects.
A new specialty license plate will fund whale research in Florida waters, with $25 registration fees going towards conservation efforts. The license plate will be unveiled at a ceremony in Destin, Florida, on October 17th and is expected to raise funds for whale-related research and conservation.
The establishment of these centers brings together unique research expertise to perfect islet cell isolation and availability techniques. The centers aim to improve cellular viability, function, and shipping procedures for patients with type 1 diabetes.
A Johns Hopkins University team is developing a speech recognition system to help historians sift through Holocaust survivor interviews in languages other than English. The system aims to improve access to the archive's vast collection of video interviews.
A Virginia Tech student has made significant discoveries about air bubbles in drinking water, which can interfere with treatment processes and lead to pathogen contamination. The research is being used to identify problems at two California water treatment plants and has the potential to prevent water-borne diseases.
Pat Roberts recognized for strengthening K-12 science education, promoting increased civilian and defense research funding. He established advisory committees and introduced bills improving math and science teaching quality.
Researchers are using airborne laser swath mapping and ground-based scanning laser technology to gather precise 3D data of the affected areas. The UF-led team aims to detect any damage to the foundation and assess structural integrity.
A team led by Jonathan M. Smith from the University of Pennsylvania aims to engineer better security features into mainstream computers through open-source collaboration.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a 'Self-Aiming Camera' that uses a simulated neural network to analyze sensory input, process it, and make decisions in real-time. The camera can learn and improve its abilities over time, enabling discrimination between targets such as humans and vehicles.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a new technique combining coherent nonlinear optical spectroscopy and near-field microscopy to detect quantum coherence in extended structures. This breakthrough enables sub-wavelength resolution, bringing nanotechnology closer to sophisticated devices.
Professor Ian Hacking argues that classifications like 'football hooligan' and 'sex addict' can shape people's identities, while also highlighting the potential negative consequences of such labeling. His research emphasizes the importance of understanding how these classifications impact individuals and society.
New McGill researchers have been awarded $1.76 million in funding for new equipment and installations, with Quebec agreeing to match the amount. The funding will support various campus projects and research initiatives across multiple institutions affiliated with McGill.
Researchers at ONR and DARPA are developing OSCAR, an oceanic fuel cell that harnesses organic matter in sea sediments to generate electricity. The early versions of OSCAR have been generating about 50 milliwatts per square meter, sufficient power for small calculators.
Researchers are testing new advanced weather technology to monitor rainfall in watershed basins as small as one square kilometer. The technology will provide more precise and accurate flood and flash flood warnings, helping emergency management officials prepare for events.
The University of Ulster will launch a 'green' power research centre with a £600,000 grant from the UK-based Science Research Investment Fund. The centre will focus on cutting-edge research into renewable energy sources such as wind, photovoltaics, and small hydro schemes.
A research team at the University of Ulster and Queen's University of Belfast has developed a mobile intelligent agent that finds the most reliable internet connection at the best price. The tool will negotiate quality connections in real-time, transparently and instantly.
Two Dartmouth researchers, Erland Schulson and Carl Renshaw, propose a theory that brittle materials like rocks and ice crack in the same manner. They identify a specific type of cracking mechanism, 'comb' cracks, which leads to collapse in both ice and rock.
Virginia Tech researchers have created a Selective Ion Trap (SIT) device that can capture and preserve chromium six in the field, enabling faster and more accurate analysis of contaminated groundwater. The device uses a plastic membrane to trap chromium six without allowing it to transform into less reactive forms.
Researchers will model and study supernovae to discover how they occur and the complex physical processes involved. They aim to understand challenging issues in theoretical and computational physics, advancing national security interests.