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.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have devised a process called nanoparticle haloing that imparts stability to complex fluids, enabling control over phase behavior and structure. This approach allows for the creation of designer colloidal fluids with tailored properties.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded a $3 million grant to researchers at North Carolina State University to develop genetically improved strains of the fast-growing loblolly pine. The goal is to produce high-quality wood quickly and efficiently, reducing logging in natural forests and preserving biodiversity.
Researchers are using $1.7 million in grants to implant radio transmitters on sea lions to determine the causes of their rapid decline, with data stored on a satellite that can be retrieved after the animal has died. The project aims to find out why Steller sea Lions are dying at a rate of 75% in some areas.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are developing instruments to measure aerosol pollution's impact on climate. The devices will study aerosols' interaction with light, absorption of sunlight, and their effect on cloud formation.
The lab is developing new catalysts to optimize chemical reactivity and selectivity, while exploring electric charge transfer at the nanoscale to create more efficient energy-conversion devices. These studies could lead to advances in solar-to-electricity conversion and molecular electronics for faster computer circuits.
A new study challenges long-held beliefs that humans evolved from chimpanzee-like ancestors into upright beings and thrived in tropical grasslands. Soil analysis reveals that early humans preferred humid forest environments, contrary to expectations.
A Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study found that depression is a common issue among single mothers receiving welfare, with 40% reporting symptoms of clinical depression. Despite this, few receive mental health treatment, which may prevent them from gaining employment and becoming independent.
The Oceanography Society honors John Knauss, former dean of the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, for his groundbreaking work on fellowship programs and oceanographic education. The journal issue features articles on topics that interest Knauss, including the Law of the Sea and current research in the Pacific.
Studies of the Eastern California Shear Zone reveal significant temperature and heat flow differences between sides of a strike slip fault, leading to unequal ground movement during earthquakes. This discovery provides a more accurate method for modeling earthquake data, allowing computer models to better fit ground reality.
Women with a prior cesarean section who deliver by labor have a higher risk of uterine rupture compared to those who opt for another C-section. The study also found that use of prostaglandin to induce labor significantly increases the risk of uterine rupture.
A study published in Cognitive Therapy and Research found that life experiences at home significantly influence a child's perception of control, academic performance, and relationships. Children whose parents promote original thinking and independence exhibit stronger feelings of control.
The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) has awarded $10 million in new grants to support aging research, primarily focusing on junior faculty members. The grants will enable these investigators to make long-term commitments to the field of aging research.
A study found that African-American light smokers face health risks despite low cigarette consumption, highlighting the need for physician attention. Light smokers were less likely to receive quit advice and follow-up appointments than moderate and heavy smokers.
A study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research found that primary care physicians are more likely to provide smoking counseling than psychiatrists, particularly for patients with anxiety. Smokers with psychiatric conditions are less likely to receive quitting advice, highlighting the need for increased counseling efforts.
Researchers found that college students reading the New York Times online were less likely to read national, international, and political news compared to their paper-reading counterparts. This resulted in significant differences in readers' knowledge about public affairs.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute propose a new therapeutic target to prevent tissue damage caused by stroke, complementing current clot-dissolving treatments. Administering a Src kinase inhibitor within hours of stroke may reduce brain injury and potentially prevent long-term neurological damage.
A study published in Neuron found that ephrin-B3 plays a key role in the connection between the brain and spinal cord, which is essential for forming motor connections. The research provides new insights into mirror movement disorder, a rare condition characterized by involuntary symmetrical movements of limbs.
The new mathematical method drastically speeds up the time it takes to calculate the behavior of how drops form as they come out of a nozzle or faucet. This breakthrough has broad applications in improving industrial processes such as inkjet printers, photographic films, and analytical devices.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a computer program that can analyze handwriting and determine authorship with high accuracy. The software uses scientific criteria to quantify performance and increase confidence in identifying writers, which is essential for admitting handwriting evidence in U.S. courts.
A study from the University of Southern California found that regular use of permanent hair dyes increases the risk of bladder cancer in women. Women who use permanent dyes at least once a month for one year or longer have twice the risk of bladder cancer as non-users, with increased risks observed in frequent users over 15 years.
Researchers identified a polyoxometalate (POM) molecule that inhibits HIV protease, providing a potential second line of attack against the virus. The discovery could lead to reduced spread of drug-resistant strains and delayed onset of full-blown AIDS.
A wearable translator is being developed by ONR to provide real-time language translation for the military and civilians. The device will be able to understand context and generate appropriate translations, benefiting various professionals such as airport personnel and tourists.
Cornell University Library is exploring the idea of creating permanent digital archives for scholarly journals, known as Project Harvest. The project aims to address concerns about preserving literature that is now being distributed in electronic form.
As people age, they experience a decrease in muscle strength, but an increase in endurance. To address this issue, Maury Nussbaum and Laura Wojcik are conducting a study to understand how tasks can be adjusted to accommodate older workers' work capacity.
A Duke University study reveals that long-term genetic instability in cancer cells can be induced by stresses beyond DNA damage, including nutrient starvation and heat. This persistent genetic instability may play a key role in carcinogenesis and could help explain the large number of mutations seen in cancer cells.
Researchers have successfully introduced a new gene into the unfertilized eggs of rhesus monkeys, resulting in several pregnancies and live births. The breakthrough technology has the potential to develop animal models of diseases with greater resemblance to human conditions.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that Gram-positive bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus use cholesterol-dependent cytolysins to inject toxins into host cells, paving the way for entry of other proteins. This finding could lead to new approaches in treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
Eye attacks, also known as Ischematic Optic Neuropathy (ION), are a sudden lack of blood flow to the eye resulting in painless but catastrophic consequences. A new multi-center clinical trial aims to determine whether neuro-protection can minimize collateral damage and prevent second eye involvement.
Researchers found that sediment on the sea floor has a different electrical potential than surrounding salt water, allowing for sustainable fuel cell power. This innovation could significantly reduce costs of ocean monitoring and enable continuous operation of self-sustaining equipment.
A team of astronomers, including an undergraduate researcher, detect the presence of massive stellar explosions in a distant galaxy using quasar light. The discovery reveals six super bubbles formed at nearly the same time, releasing energy equivalent to 10,000 suns over their lifetimes.
Researchers identified 168 young stars in the Orion star forming complex, about half the mass of the sun. The discovery provides important constraints for theories on how fast planetary systems can form, suggesting solar-like stars can form planets in around 10 million years.
Scientists have found a link between the combination of two widely used agricultural pesticides and Parkinson's disease in mice. The study, led by Deborah Cory-Slechta, suggests that everyday environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease.
The researchers designed and made a rotaxane-based nano motor powered by sunlight, which operates according to a four-stroke cycle. The system works continuously without consuming chemical fuels or generating waste.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified an imprinted gene called PEG3 on human chromosome 19, which is linked to ovarian cancer and gliomas. This discovery sheds new light on the role of imprinting in human disease and has implications for our understanding of autism.
A new study by University of North Carolina researchers finds that financial factors are a major contributor to the racial disparities in mammography rates among black women. The study, which controlled for other variables, found that black women who received a recommendation for mammography were more likely to have health insurance an...
Researchers have identified a region in the right prefrontal cortex that can rapidly distinguish emotional information from visual stimuli. This finding suggests that neurons in this area can modulate visual information processing and may play a crucial role in responding to potentially threatening or dangerous stimuli.
A new UCLA study suggests that a high-fat diet may contribute to the development of osteoporosis by reducing bone density and mineral content. The research, published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, could lead to new treatment options for osteoporosis, a disease affecting over one million people annually.
Researchers at USC's Information Sciences Institute have developed an AI system called 'elves' to manage their daily lives, using GPS tracking and automated scheduling. The system has shown success in handling the team's professional lives over an extended period.
A survey of over 6,700 individuals found that smoking and heavy drinking are linked to poorer food choices and increased health risks. The study suggests that targeting multiple risk factors simultaneously is crucial for effective health promotion.
Researchers have identified a potent neurotoxin called kalkitoxin, which appears to block sodium channels in neurons. This finding could lead to new treatments for conditions like pain, epilepsy, and potentially stroke by selectively activating or blocking sodium channels.
Researchers in Japan discovered that avocados contain compounds that can slow down liver damage and improve liver health. The study suggests that avocado extracts may be a promising treatment for viral hepatitis, but further studies are needed to confirm the results.
Researchers can detect regional groundwater flow paths in the Eastern Snake River Plain aquifer using radiogenic isotope ratios. By analyzing variations in strontium-87 and strontium-86, they identified faster and slower flow zones aligned with sediment-filled valleys.
A single gene mutation extends fruitfly lifespan by doubling it from 37 days to 69-71 days while maintaining high functioning and fertility. The Indy gene is associated with altered metabolism and energy utilization, pointing to potential benefits for human lifespan through genetic modification.
A new platinum-based cancer drug, BBR3464, has shown promising activity against ovarian cancer that is resistant to cisplatin. The drug, developed by Nicholas Farrell and his team, has been found to be significantly more potent than cisplatin and may offer new hope for the treatment of this devastating disease.
Researchers at UMass developed a new technique for creating densely packed arrays of magnetic nanowires using self-assembling polymer scaffolds and electrodeposition. This technology has great potential in magnetic data storage and could be used to fabricate other array devices with nanoscale dimensions.
Scientists have developed a unique way to study elephant seals using tiny sensing devices attached to their coats. These devices provide valuable information on sea temperatures and pressure, even at depths not normally reached by research ships or satellite sensing.
Researchers at Cornell University have successfully demonstrated hybrid nanodevices that can administer drugs and treatments using biomolecules and tiny nickel propellers. The devices are powered by ATP and can be assembled, maintained, and repaired using life's physiology.
A University of Toronto professor's comprehensive review of research on media violence reveals no link between watching violent shows and aggressive behavior. The majority of studies found little to no evidence of a correlation between media violence exposure and increased violence in viewers.
Researchers have discovered a new family of anti-viral compounds, guanidinoglycosides, that target the genetic structure of HIV essential to its replication. These compounds aim to prevent HIV from forming and spreading throughout the body by targeting the 'Rev' protein responsible for producing and spreading infected cells.
Clemson researchers, led by Michael Pursley, are developing a wireless communication system that can transmit voice and digital data, making it more reliable and portable than current systems. The new system has the potential to revolutionize military communications and could also be used in disaster relief and fleet-based services.
Researchers used satellite images, fossils, and radiocarbon dating to estimate the prehistoric productivity of the Colorado River Delta. The study found that shellfish production declined by 20-fold due to human diversion of the river's flow.
Researchers at UC Davis found that spirulina significantly increases cytokine production in cultured immune cells, promoting a cell-mediated immune response. This could provide potential benefits for protecting against intracellular pathogens and parasites.
The development of 'smart' flaps could significantly improve the efficiency of supersonic engines by minimizing flow separation. By recirculating air within the boundary layer, these flaps prevent turbulence and increase engine performance.
A new method for identifying specific proteins in blood or tissue samples uses protein microarrays to create a molecular 'portrait' of the sample. This technique has been shown to detect specific proteins in concentrations of less than one part per billion, with potential applications in clinical diagnosis and drug development.
A team of scientists from the University of Massachusetts suggests that some Nasca lines in Peru may mark underground water sources. The research project, detailed in Discover magazine, indicates that the lines depict natural forces and are aligned with groundwater associated with faults in the bedrock.
University of Florida researchers found above-average temperatures significantly reduce rice yields, potentially reducing global food supply by 20-40%. The study suggests that warmer temperatures could force rice yields to zero by 2100.
The Max Planck Society awarded twelve scientists with the Research Award for International Cooperation in 2000, recognizing outstanding scientific achievements. The prize goes to four foreign award winners and eight German researchers across five disciplines, facilitating collaboration and new discoveries.
Researchers found ancient soil in South Africa with organic carbon dating back 2.6-2.7 billion years, indicating microbial mats developed on land during rainy seasons. The findings suggest the development of terrestrial biomass more than 1.4 billion years earlier than previously reported.
The Fogarty International Center has awarded $9 million to U.S. universities to support international training and research in population-related sciences, focusing on reproductive processes, contraceptive development, and demographic studies. This funding will help address global population growth trends and health disparities in deve...
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories discovered that dancing tin crystals can convert chemical energy into forward motion, overcoming friction between tin and the copper surface. This phenomenon could lead to surprisingly efficient nanomotors that can be controlled externally and refueled.