Articles tagged with Research Funding
A new orthopaedic brace has been developed to help paraplegics regain independence. The SEPRIX device supports the torso, legs, and allows bending of knees during walking, facilitating rehabilitation and everyday life.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill will study nanotube-based materials with potential applications in energy storage and display technology. The five-year grant aims to understand the chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties of these molecules.
A National Research Council panel recommends more automation in air-traffic control to enhance safety and efficiency. The panel advises against fully automating tasks that require human judgment, instead focusing on tools that assist controllers with understanding and predicting situations.
University of Michigan researchers have created the smallest biosensors ever developed, which can detect subtle changes in living cells' biochemistry. These probes, called PEBBLEs, contain dye that glows when exposed to specific ions or molecules, allowing real-time monitoring of cell processes.
Engineers create instrument to monitor sputtering deposition in real-time, enabling scientists to optimize material properties. The technique allows for precision and quality control in coating processes.
A year-long study predicts severe impacts of global warming on North American prairies, with water shortages and habitat loss threatening migratory birds. The changing climate could lead to further ecosystem upheavals, forcing native species out as nuisance plants move in.
Researchers found that the immune system targets unwanted invaders by introducing mutations in genetic material, increasing antibody diversity. The study identifies Pms2 enzyme as key player in hypermutation process, which may contribute to cancer growth.
Researchers estimate a new volcano could erupt in northern California within 400,000 years due to a magma chamber discovered 20 kilometers into the earth's crust. The Lake Pillsbury area, near San Francisco, is identified as a possible location for the eruption.
Penn State researchers are collecting and analyzing urine samples from women aged 35-60 to understand patterns of change during perimenopause. The study aims to identify changes leading up to menopause, which could benefit women and their physicians in making choices about hormone replacement therapy.
Researchers at Henry Ford Health System discovered evidence that male brains shrink faster with age than female brains. Brain regions involved in thinking, planning and memory show greater age-related shrinkage in men. The findings may help explain sex differences in age-related brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
A new four-year project aims to create a comprehensive early-childhood math curriculum that reflects the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The project, titled 'Building Blocks,' will use activity models and play-based learning to develop mathematical objects and actions in young children.
Research by Dr. Dan A. Oren may help alleviate SAD symptoms such as fatigue, sadness, weight gain, and sleep problems. His study suggests that blood absorbs light energy from the sun, regulating biological clocks and behavior.
The discovery of 92-million-year-old fossil ants in New Jersey amber confirms the existence of ants during the Age of Dinosaurs. The fossils show a metapleural gland, essential for ants' social system and ecological dominance.
Researchers found a significant unmet need for treatment among urban HIV-positive women, who reported decreased sexual desire despite adequate testosterone levels. The study suggests that diagnosis and clinical attention are warranted to address this disorder.
A recent study by Yale University School of Medicine researchers found that nearly 30% of people over 72 years old regained their ability to perform essential activities of daily living. The strongest predictor of recovery was age, with participants aged 85 or younger being more likely to regain independent ADL function.
A five-year study led by National Jewish researcher Mary Klinnert will assess the value of regular home visits by nurses to homes of low-income children at high risk of asthma. The study aims to determine if intensive nurse home visits can reduce asthma prevalence or symptoms among these children.
Researchers identify eight physical indicators of stress, including blood pressure and cortisol levels, that can predict deadly consequences. Exercise is shown to be an effective antidote to break the cycle of chronic stress and its associated health problems.
Researchers directly observed the 'healing' process of an earthquake fault in California's Mojave Desert. The post-quake 'healing' restores the Earth's crust stiffness and renews resistance to rupture. The study provides insights into the faulting cycle, strain accumulation, and fluid presence controlling earthquakes.
Purdue University researchers are constructing a Mach 6 wind tunnel to study supersonic airflow and its effects on aircraft. The new facility will conduct experiments in airstreams traveling at six times the speed of sound, producing a quiet-flow Reynolds number of 13 million.
Astronomers produce high-resolution images of Jupiter's auroras, revealing details about the planet's atmosphere and its moons. The new images, made possible by improved instruments on the Hubble Space Telescope, show comet-shaped swaths of light and a faint electromagnetic footprint from Ganymede.
Harvard and UF researchers identified a component of the human immune system that appears to prevent type 1 diabetes in a group of people at high risk. The protein interleukin-4 (IL-4) is produced in large amounts in these individuals and may suppress the arm of the immune system involved in the destruction of insulin-producing cells.
Research by Joanne Schneider found that women who interpret their exercise experience positively tend to exercise more often, intensely, and for longer periods. In contrast, those who focus on bodily movements report exercising less often, less intensely, or for shorter periods.
University of Michigan researchers use ultra-high speed custom software to simulate coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their effects on the Earth's magnetosphere. The simulations, run on a supercomputer, can predict solar wind events up to 17 times faster than real time.
A new study published in Nature has provided the first evidence of reduced sediment amplification in Southern California during large earthquakes, shifting the debate towards the engineering view. The research suggests that seismic hazard posed by local sediments may be underestimated in current engineering practices.
The AAAS awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to science, including Peter H. Raven for his service to ecology and sustainability, and Bert Richard Johannes Bolin for his leadership in international research programs on climate change. The winners of the 1997-1998 AAAS Science Journalism Awards will be an...
A new report examines the trend towards increasing GHG emissions in 14 developing and transitioning nations, highlighting potential mitigation options. The Berkeley Lab's Environmental Energy Technologies Division has organized workshops with scientists from 35 nations to develop global climate change assessments.
Researchers identified 29 barriers to end-of-life care discussions, including patient and physician reluctance. Despite most patients wanting to discuss their care preferences, only a minority actually do so.
A new University of Washington study finds that student evaluations often misrepresent instructors' abilities, favoring teachers of easier courses and penalizing those of tougher subjects. The researchers propose reforms to improve the evaluation system, such as incorporating measures of students' learning outcomes.
A Harvard Medical School study found that gambling disorders among adults in the US and Canada have increased to 1.29%, affecting 0.84% in the past decade. The research suggests that increased social acceptance and accessibility of gambling may contribute to this growth.
Researchers propose a novel approach using shock waves to detect plastic land mines, leveraging acoustic signals reflected off buried objects in granular beds like soil. The system could provide critical information about the size and shape of an object, helping identify land mines.
Top researchers gathered at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to discuss breakthroughs in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, aiming for improved cure rates and reduced side effects. Rearrangement of the ETV6/TEL gene is associated with favorable treatment outcomes, enabling safer alternatives to radiation therapy.
The UB Department of Social and Preventive Medicine has produced significant innovative research in various epidemiological fields. The university's recognition of its contributions to the field highlights the important contribution that their training programs have made to the field of epidemiology and prevention.
Scientists found that blocking melanocortin-4 receptors impaired leptin's ability to reduce food intake and promote weight loss. Activating the receptor may help treat obesity by overcoming leptin resistance, a common cause of excessive weight gain.
A new study found that people with dyslexia exhibit lower brain activity in the visual cortex, which may predict their reading speed. The researchers used functional MRI imaging to measure differences in brain activity between dyslexics and non-dyslexics.
Researchers have designed a new crab trap that significantly reduces turtle mortality by allowing turtles to access air during low and high tide. The modified trap has caught over 1,000 turtles in two years with only one loss, while increasing the number of crabs caught.
A USC study found that prostate cancer patients who use erection aids after surgery report similar levels of sexual functioning to those who haven't undergone surgery. The researchers found that erection aids allowed patients to recover their sex lives, rivaling even nerve-sparing surgery.
A recent study found that inadequate pretrial preparation can lead to decreased reporting of rape cases. Researchers suggest that prosecutors provide more helpful instructions, such as giving a tour of the courtroom, to increase trust and comfort for survivors. This can help improve the justice system's response to rape victims.
Researchers Andrea Cooper and Julie Inamine are investigating why Mycobacterium avium causes disease in AIDS patients despite humans not being natural hosts. The studies aim to identify genes responsible for the bacteria's virulence and develop drugs to prevent disease.
A study of 4,364 Canadian youngsters found that starting tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drug use at an early age significantly increases the risk of long-term addiction. The research revealed that the major risk period for substance use begins around age 12 and peaks between 15 and 19.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Williams College a $143,912 grant to equip a new laser facility, bringing together four research labs and a student workspace. The new equipment will enable researchers to measure optical wavelengths accurately and support a broad range of research in atomic, molecular, and optical physics.
A portable, hand-held biosensor has been developed to detect a wide range of medically important chemical compounds. The device, capable of detecting tiny concentrations of specific molecules, may represent a new type of practical and affordable device for various medical applications.
The University at Buffalo's National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research has been awarded a $10 million grant by the NSF to study advanced technologies for minimizing earthquake damage. The center aims to quantify the earthquake threat, develop new technologies, and improve emergency response through the use of advanced technolo...
Hopkins neurologist Jeffrey Rothstein's team finds 65% of ALS patients have mutations in EAAT2 protein, which could lead to early diagnosis and treatment. The new test aims to detect these mutations in cerebrospinal fluid to enable doctors to check for ALS at first sign of symptoms.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that glucocorticoid can inhibit expression of TNF-alpha gene, halting inflammation and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Understanding this mechanism could lead to better drugs with fewer side effects.
The Comet Nucleus Tour mission, led by Cornell University, aims to study the composition of comet nuclei and assess their diversity. The mission will take images and comparative spectral maps of at least three comet nuclei, analyzing dust and gas flowing from them.
Researchers developed a synthetic human hormone that triples platelets received from each donor, improving recovery of platelets in patients undergoing chemotherapy. An increased supply would give physicians more options for treating chemotherapy patients and make transfusions more affordable.
The Society of Actuaries Foundation hosts a forum on math mentoring at the elementary school level, bringing together teachers, actuaries, and companies implementing a $120,000 two-year grant program. The session focuses on feedback from the first year and adjusting projects for the second year.
Cornell University has received a $10 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support research in earthquake loss reduction. The funding will focus on developing advanced technologies to predict and mitigate earthquake damage, with an emphasis on improving emergency response systems.
Cornell University is developing a PICT capable of attaching integrated circuits with at least 10 times more connections than today's most powerful chips. The goal is to meet technology goals for microprocessors with 5,400 connections by 2009 and 7,300 connections by 2012.
Researchers at Yale have successfully measured an electric current flowing through a single organic molecule, a crucial step towards creating smaller, faster, and cheaper computers. The feat could lead to the development of billions of transistors on a single chip, replacing traditional silicon-based semiconductors.
Researchers have discovered that common antibiotics like streptomycin can cause hearing loss and kidney damage in some individuals. Using iron chelators to prevent the formation of toxic molecules could provide a safe and inexpensive solution.
A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that young people with early-onset mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety disorders, are more likely to have children in their teenage years. The study also suggests that expanding mental health coverage may be an economical step to take.
Researchers Cecilia Soderberg-Naucler and Jay Nelson identified the host site where human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) resides and developed an activation mechanism in specific white blood cells. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for HCMV-related complications, including birth defects and transplant deaths.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a new protein receptor, TACI, that interacts with CAML to trigger the immune response. This finding may lead to more effective cancer treatments for leukemia and lymphoma patients.
Boston University is participating in the National Computational Science Alliance to build a network of advanced computers for complex problem-solving in fields like cosmology and nanomaterials. The university will establish a regional center, MARINER, offering training and access on high-performance computing resources.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a modified filtration system that effectively traps heavy metals and improves water quality. The partial exfiltration trench (PET) system shows trapping efficiencies ranging from 82 to 97 percent, even in heavy rainstorms.
The Sandia invention enables research development of EUV lithography, patterning faster and more memory-dense microchips. This light source is brighter than synchrotron radiation and takes less space.
Research suggests that aging has a modest impact on sensory perception, particularly smell, taste, and touch. Most older adults can detect scents and flavors similar to those of younger individuals.
The new beam line will provide opportunities for UK scientists to study the properties of magnetic materials that could impact on computers, electric vehicles, and storage media. The instrument generates intense X-rays, allowing for detailed analysis of atomic and magnetic structures.
Researchers developed a program to target high-sensation seeking teens, showing promise in reducing illicit drug use among adolescents. The study found decreased use of liquor and marijuana, increased perceived risks of substance abuse, and a greater increase in negative attitudes towards drugs for high-sensation seekers.