Articles tagged with Research Funding
Dutch chemists have developed a liquid containing metal nano-rods that can be regulated electrically to screen out sunlight. The rods' orientation is controlled by an electrical field, affecting light absorption and transmission. This innovative technology holds potential for applications in sunscreens and other devices.
Researchers at Purdue University discovered a new oxygen-sensing material that could improve car exhaust systems and medical devices. The material, ferroelectric thin film, shows promise for environmental and biological applications but has a drawback: its sensitivity to oxygen affects performance in computer memory.
A study of 510 preschool children found that those sleeping less than 10 hours a day are at risk for increased behavioral problems, such as oppositional behavior and aggression. The relationship between sleep and behavior problems is complex, with possible interaction effects between variables like temperament and parenting.
A new study found that women exercising vigorously while quitting smoking were twice as likely to succeed. This is attributed to physical exertion limiting weight gain and stress, making it easier for smokers to quit.
A well-controlled scientific study found no positive physical effect beyond moisturizing for 'thigh-reducing' creams. The study showed that applying the creams had no significant difference in upper-leg circumference compared to a lotion not touted as fat-reducing.
Research reveals that showing pictures of admired individuals from marginalized groups can significantly decrease unconscious prejudice. Exposure to images of admired blacks reduced levels of unconscious prejudice by one-third, while exposure to images of admired elderly people lowered ageism by a similar amount.
The UCSF Family Alcoholism Study aims to investigate the links between behavior, personality characteristics, and biological factors associated with alcoholism. The nationwide project enrolls heavy drinkers and recovering addicts with a family member participating, using telephone interviews, personality tests, and genetic analysis.
PhD researcher Jason Todd earned a patent for his research on a new, low-cost material for purifying proteins using chitosan beads. The technology has been licensed to LigoChem Inc., allowing them to purify antibodies at a lower cost.
Research found depressed mothers' flat-pitched speech hampers infant learning, leading to delays in acquiring language and cognitive milestones. Infants who heard low- or moderate-depression voices spent more time observing a checkerboard pattern.
Researchers developed smart concrete that changes electrical resistance in response to strain or stress, allowing for real-time vehicle weighing. The technology has the potential to reduce costs and increase efficiency in highway monitoring.
Researchers analyzed emissions data from over 2 million vehicles in metro Atlanta, finding that aging vehicles release more pollution as they get older. Fuel-injected vehicles tend to deteriorate slowly, but with people driving longer, catastrophic failures are expected to increase.
Researchers at the University of California San Francisco have found a way for cells to move accurately, using a dual molecular docking maneuver. However, a pathogenic microbe like Listeria monocytogenes can mimic this system, hijacking the cell's motility protein and causing infection.
Regular churchgoers live longer than those who seldom or never attend worship services. They can look forward to about seven more years of life beyond age 20. The research also revealed that women and blacks can enjoy especially longer lives if they are religiously active.
Researchers have created living nerve cell colonies on silicon chips that can be used to study the brain's functions and potentially develop new prosthetic devices. The colonies, grown from rat hippocampal neurons, can live for extended periods and communicate with each other through a matrix of electrodes.
University of Cincinnati engineer Peter Smirniotis has received a $270,000 NATO Science for Peace grant to collaborate with Russian scientists on degrading toxic chemical weapons. The project aims to minimize environmental harm and potentially lead to a marketable product that can help Russia boost its economy.
Researchers discovered three-dimensional record of locomotor behavior in Triassic-period dinosaurs preserved in fossil footprints. The tracks showed that both theropod dinosaurs and birds moved their feet in a similar way, with the toes collapsing together below the surface as the entire foot emerged.
Rice University researchers develop fullerenes that can be cleared from the body and specifically targeted to bone tissue. The findings have promise for medical applications such as nuclear medicine and drug delivery.
A team of physicists has devised a general theorem to explain the phenomenon of allometric quarter-power scaling, which describes how biological processes vary in predictable ways depending on an organism's mass. The researchers found that efficient transportation networks, including those in plants and animals, follow this scaling law.
Women are less sensitive to anesthetic drugs, waking up almost twice as fast as men when general anesthesia is discontinued after surgery. This may lead to a need for more anesthesia during procedures, impacting patient care and recovery time.
Researchers at Georgia Tech are testing the Next Generation Warning Decision Support System (NG-WDSS) to improve tornado forecasting and warning times. The system uses advanced image processing, artificial intelligence, and other algorithms to provide more efficient and effective warnings for severe thunderstorms and flash floods.
Researchers found that epithelial cells contain an anti-virus alarm system which triggers persistent inflammation in asthma. The study challenges the traditional view of asthma as an allergic response and suggests a new approach to treatment.
A two-month research trip to Antarctica led by Temple University biologist Robert W. Sanders aimed to study microorganisms and retrieve samples from the extreme environment. The National Science Foundation funded the work, which will contribute to understanding biology at the limits of life.
Researchers at UC Davis report a significant breakthrough in superplasticity, achieving the ability to stretch metal without breaking at lower temperatures. The discovery involves using nanostructured materials, which are 1,000 times smaller than microcrystals, resulting in stronger and more practical materials.
Researchers at UC Davis used fluorescent microscopy to observe motor proteins carrying cargoes through a live roundworm cell. The findings provide valuable insights into the cellular transportation system and demonstrate a technical method for future research.
A recent study analyzed gender differences in precancerous changes in smokers' lung tissue, finding that women develop a distinct pattern of bronchial changes and are more susceptible to tobacco-related carcinogens. This research underscores the importance of considering gender in lung cancer screening methods.
Terminally ill patients in Oregon are more likely to receive care that aligns with their advance directives, resulting in higher patient satisfaction and reduced hospital deaths. The state's low in-hospital death rate can be attributed to its extensive resources for in-home hospice care and adult foster care.
A new spin-off company, Chirologix Pharmaceuticals Inc., will be formed to research and develop promising antibacterial agents. The company has secured a $750,000 round of financing led by the Western Technology Seed Investment Fund.
Researchers have compiled a vast collection of gamma-ray spectra, enabling identification of radioactive materials and prediction of decay. The data includes over 315 reference spectra and more than 371 associated decay schemes.
The brain resolves conflicts between senses by inventing a new reality, as demonstrated in a study using a spinning device that recreates childhood experiences. This internal modeling allows the brain to create a sensation of movement even when the body is stationary.
A new 'stress-sharing' prosthetic device has been shown to stimulate bone development and prevent loosening and failure in patients with cancer. The device directs forces on the leg bone rather than the metal implant, reducing the risk of complications and allowing patients to function long-term.
University of Notre Dame researchers have successfully demonstrated a functioning transistorless logic gate using quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) technology. The device consists of four quantum dots connected in a ring by tunnel junctions, enabling digital data to be encoded in the positions of only two electrons.
A brief, non-confrontational intervention treatment significantly reduced alcohol consumption and related problems among high-risk college-age drinkers. The study found that students who received the intervention cut their drinking by 23%, compared to a 5% decrease in the control group.
Researchers discovered that a mutant form of the presenilin-1 protein causes a significant reduction in amyloid formation. The study provides insight into the interaction between two key molecules involved in amyloid formation, which may lead to advances in therapeutics research.
Estrogen therapy has been shown to alter brain activation patterns in postmenopausal women, increasing activation in areas associated with verbal memory and registration, similar to younger adults. The study used fMRI technology to observe changes in brain function while performing memory tasks.
A $500,000 grant will support research to develop methods for estimating the productivity of Pacific salmon stocks and improving pre-season forecasting. The goal is to help managers choose appropriate target numbers of spawners in response to changing environmental conditions.
A recent survey by Cornell University's Program on Employment and Disability found that companies' health, life, and disability insurance costs rarely rise due to hiring employees with disabilities. However, attitudinal stereotypes about people with disabilities persist in the workplace, leading to fewer job offers and firings. Many HR...
Scientists find that telomerase enzyme contributes to chromosome stability beyond telomere length, offering a new target for extending cell life span and combating cancer. The discovery suggests a novel approach to manipulating the enzyme for therapeutic purposes.
A study of 899 home-based workers in nine states found that nearly 59% were male, with the average worker being 44 years old and married. Home-based businesses generated $19.7 billion in annual income, contributing 3% to total personal income.
Bugscope is an online platform that allows students to conduct their own insect research using advanced microscopy technology. The platform, developed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, provides students with access to a scanning electron microscope and real-time discussions with experts.
Scientists have developed a new method to study sprites, the high-altitude companions of lightning strikes, using radio signals. By analyzing these signals, researchers can now estimate the number of sprites spawned by a single thunderstorm with greater accuracy.
A new way to immunize against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium has been developed, providing a fresh alternative to antibiotics in fighting this deadly microbe. The antibody blocks the toxin delivery system, allowing lung cells to mount a defense and prevent delivery of toxins.
Researchers at Cornell University are studying turbulent flows by releasing tiny polystyrene spheres into a water flow, tracking their movement through a laser beam. The goal is to gain a fundamental understanding of turbulence, which could lead to practical applications in weather modeling and fuel efficiency.
Researchers have developed a new MRI technology that uses xenon gas to generate high-resolution images of the heart and lungs in living laboratory rats. The system detects signals from polarized xenon molecules, allowing for direct measurement of blood flow through organs.
The MIT researchers' new model explains minute differences in magma composition by shifting densities due to iron and silicon, offset by soaring temperatures. This resolves the long-standing debate on convection in the Earth's mantle, providing a new framework for further investigations.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new way to study the chemistry of life using tiny, cell-sized containers called vesicles. These vesicles allow for the creation of minuscule chemical reactions that can mimic the conditions found inside living cells.
A recent study published in Addictive Behaviors found that women smoking menthol cigarettes inhale more deeply, resulting in higher nicotine exposure. The study also showed that these smokers tend to take their first cigarette earlier in the day, increasing their nicotine dependence.
Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University have identified a key brain peptide, orphanin, that regulates the body's inner clock and controls the circadian rhythm. The discovery opens new avenues for understanding sleep disorders and natural light cycles.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will launch a management academy to boost training for public health professionals in four states. The academy aims to improve how health departments nationwide serve citizens, addressing concerns discussed for decades.
A team of researchers will conduct an exhaustive analysis of rock samples, magnetic characteristics, and isotopic compositions from a depth of 15,000 feet in the Mauna Kea volcano. The project aims to learn more about mantle plumes and their role in producing volcanic eruptions.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have developed a new method to convert used french fry oil into biodiesel, producing a higher grade fuel with less waste and at a lower cost. The process eliminates the need for acid neutralization and wastewater, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Researchers found that dietary choline deficiency changes brain structure in developing rats, reducing cell division and increasing premature cell death. The study suggests a similar effect on human babies, highlighting the importance of prenatal nutrition for long-term cognitive health.
A team of researchers led by Christine MacKenzie aims to create efficient intelligent tools for performing tasks in both virtual and real environments. The goal is to achieve direct vision and manipulation in a virtual hand lab, enabling humans to use their fingers as pointers.
A study by Duke University researchers found that the longer a person used the popular diet drug combination fen/phen, the greater the likelihood they had a heart valve abnormality. Mild or greater aortic regurgitation was detected in 8.8% of patients who used the drug for three months or more, compared to 3.6% of a control group.
Scientists at Georgia Tech create a device that can accurately measure the mass of small particles by inducing resonance in individual carbon nanotubes. This technique has potential for weighing viruses and other sub-micron scale particles.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researchers found that highly depressed individuals have reduced autonomic regulation of blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart damage. Exercise was shown to be an effective treatment to restore this function and improve heart health.
Scientists are modifying bee venom to develop cancer treatments with fewer side effects than traditional drugs. The goal is to create immunotoxins that target cancer cells specifically, overcoming major drawbacks of chemotherapy.
A University of Michigan study found that seniors who volunteer for less than an hour a week are more likely to live longer. The study analyzed data from 1,211 older adults and discovered that volunteering is directly associated with increased survival rates, rather than just being a result of better health.
Researchers used 'silencing genes' cloned from electrically quiet human heart tissue to quiet firing nerve cells, demonstrating a potential gene therapy approach for conditions marked by excessive nerve excitability. The system was fine-tuned with an insect hormone-based control switch, allowing for temporary silencing of nerve cells.
A new form of herpesvirus has been identified as the cause of nearly a dozen young North American zoo elephant deaths. The virus, found to be latent in most African elephants, can spread to Asian species through transmission from infected African elephants in zoos. Early detection and treatment with antiviral drugs can save lives.
The University at Buffalo's Center for Hearing and Deafness has received a $5.7 million grant to study acquired hearing loss, affecting 28 million people in the US. The center will investigate four projects on peripheral and central auditory system function.