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 revealed that global guidance for preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSI) is not effective and needs revision. The FALCON trial found no superiority of interventions like alcoholic chlorhexidine skin preparation and triclosan coated sutures over lower-cost alternatives.
A new project aims to empower people who are blind to independently review and protect their personal visual content from accidental privacy leaks. Researchers have developed novel computer vision algorithms that can detect sensitive information in images and videos, allowing users to blur or remove private content before sharing.
A recent international workshop aimed to turn plans for a crewed lunar observatory into reality. The workshop, led by Vanderbilt astrophysicist Karan Jani, brought together experts from GW science, planetary science, and lunar exploration to discuss the geophysical properties of the moon and opportunities for observation.
Researchers create efficient, designer infrared light sources with near-arbitrary spectral output, enabling molecular sensing technologies and various applications. The innovative process leverages heat-driven design and machine learning, reducing optimization time from weeks to minutes.
Researchers aim to understand language development in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and Fragile X syndrome by examining grammar skills and executive functions. The study will gather data on a two-year developmental window, providing comprehensive insights for families and potential improvements in communication.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has introduced two career development awards to support underrepresented minority scientists in cancer research. The awards, valued at $300,000 and $375,000 over three years, aim to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field.
A new study examines vaccination misinformation on social media, revealing that fear-provoking messaging fuels its spread. The research team developed predictive models to identify true and false information on Twitter, categorizing messages as positive or negative cause-effect statements.
A Binghamton University researcher has received a $1.74 million grant to investigate how prenatal alcohol exposure affects anxiety in offspring. The study aims to understand the relationship between corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and anxiety, with potential implications for diagnosis and treatment of human patients.
The cost of establishing laboratories to track antimicrobial resistance in Southeast Asian hospitals is substantial, making it challenging for many countries to implement such programs. Financial support is crucial to overcome these costs and provide effective antimicrobial resistance monitoring.
The University of Idaho's Deep Soil Ecotron facility will be a game-changer for understanding soil ecosystems, allowing researchers to conduct experiments at unprecedented depths. By studying deep soils, scientists can better understand how organisms respond to global environmental change and improve carbon sequestration.
Mainz University has secured first place in the field of Physics and fourth place overall in the natural sciences, receiving EUR 67 million in DFG funding. The university's efforts to invest in life sciences have resulted in significant growth, with Medicine and Biology disciplines experiencing a notable increase in DFG funding.
The PHAse Space MApping experiment, a complex plasma physics research project at WVU, aims to study the motion of ions and electrons in plasmas. The facility can measure three-dimensional motion at very small scales and is capable of performing detailed measurements.
A simulated screening process for a pancreatic cancer clinical trial showed that Black patients were significantly more likely than white patients to be excluded from trials. The study found that nutrition and infectious disease criteria disproportionately excluded Black patients, while a history of prior cancer treatment excluded more...
The Georgia State University's National Center for Sexual Violence Prevention aims to reduce violence in high-risk populations. Researchers will focus on evidence-based interventions and study real-world implementation of accessible interventions.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center has received $3.2 million to upgrade its Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, enhancing research on infectious diseases including COVID-19. The lab, a Biosafety Level 3 facility, will receive advanced equipment for basic research and preclinical studies.
Researchers develop VICE biosensor to assess toxicity of substances on human cells, providing a non-invasive method for early detection. The technology aims to address limitations of current toxicological assessments, which often fail to detect long-term side effects.
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a 'huge' impact on sexual abuse survivors going through the criminal justice system, with support services reporting referral increases of up to 366%. Services have reported supporting clients for longer periods due to delays in the justice system.
Researchers warn that future exoplanet direct-imaging missions need to make multiple observations to differentiate between planets. In 36% of solar systems, an Earth-like planet can be misidentified with a Mercury-like planet, and in 72% of cases, it could be mistaken for a Venus-like planet.
Researchers identified five specific mutations prevalent in Delta Plus infections compared to Delta, highlighting the need for expanded antiviral tools. The findings provide clues on how the virus mutates and evade antibodies produced from previous COVID-19 infections or vaccinations.
The NSF has renewed the Physics of Living Systems graduate research network at Rice for five years, connecting students and educators across institutions to share resources and data. The award will fund local expenses and training programs, as well as efforts to grow faculty and student numbers in the field.
A new grant initiative aims to increase Tennessee's hardwood exports to Vietnam, leveraging the state's top three hardwood lumber-producing status. The project will assess market opportunities and provide trade insights, with the goal of capturing increased market share in Vietnam.
Dr. Laura Payne's research will explore potential links between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and menstrual cycle changes in adolescent girls. The study aims to measure levels of estradiol, progesterone, inflammation, and antibodies to determine the effects of COVID-19 vaccines on menstrual cycles.
Scientists at Aarhus University are working on a nano-sized brain-inspired computer that can harvest its own energy, making it the smallest and most efficient AI system yet. The project aims to reduce power consumption by 12 orders of magnitude compared to modern supercomputers.
Researchers aim to produce enough mRNA vaccines from spinach and lettuce to rival traditional shots. They're exploring chloroplasts as a key to making plant-based mRNA vaccines that can be stored at room temperature.
Researchers found that dance impacts health in key areas, including sense of identity, belonging, and self-worth. They call for more collaboration with dancers and co-research with participants to better capture the benefits of dance on its own terms.
The UMass Amherst Reich Lab, led by biostatistician Nicholas Reich, will continue to advance real-time forecasting methods during infectious disease outbreaks thanks to a five-year NIH grant renewal. The lab's flu forecasting collaborative has been designated as one of two national Influenza Forecasting Centers of Excellence.
A nearly $2 million NSF grant will accelerate the hunt for low-frequency gravitational waves using high-precision timing observations of exotic stars called millisecond pulsars. WVU's Maura McLaughlin is principal investigator on the project, which aims to discover new types of gravitational waves and expand the IPTA's reach globally.
Five innovative research projects tackle fundamental questions of environmental and earth science, including the origins of Earth and life on Mars. The studies aim to advance our understanding and lead to important scientific breakthroughs.
Three Lehigh University faculty members received federal grants to study reading interventions, supports for students with disabilities, and teachers of students with autism. The projects aim to improve reading growth for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The RIT workshop series on sustainable computing aims to create computers with environmental consciousness from raw materials to recycling. Keynote speakers will discuss trends in computing and its environmental footprint.
Researchers at UMD are developing CRISPR-Combo systems to improve genome editing and crop regeneration. The technology aims to reduce the time and cost of breeding new crop varieties with enhanced nutritional and agronomic traits.
The NIH is funding a $185 million research initiative to study genomic variation and its impact on human health and disease. The project aims to identify relevant genetic variants for clinicians, leading to improved treatment options.
Researchers uncover a 500-million-year-old 'worm-like' fossil, expanding the number of worm-like species known from this time period in North America. The discovery provides new clues about prehistoric environments and ecologies, helping scientists better understand the diversity of ancient animals during the Cambrian explosion.
Thanks to a 3-year grant from the Arcadia Fund, IUCN will promote and improve researchers' open access to high-quality conservation knowledge. A lack of access to scientific literature is a major obstacle for roughly half of surveyed conservation experts.
A new NIH grant will fund research on how beneficial microbes in infant gut use nitrogen from human milk to support pediatric nutrition and development. The study aims to understand the interactions between mother's diet, breast milk, and infant needs, as well as the role of probiotics and maternal lifestyle.
The Dartmouth Engineering team will conduct research on planetary science relating to icy planets' geophysics and astrobiology, aiming to understand the nature of these worlds and their habitability. The project will provide valuable tools for interpreting measurements taken by future missions.
A new study found that breast cancer screening rates dropped significantly among women aged 50-74 at community health centers serving lower-income populations. The decline would have resulted in 47,517 fewer mammograms and 242 missed breast cancer diagnoses if trends had continued.
Georgia State University researcher Vince Calhoun has received a $3.5 million grant to develop new methods for capturing dynamic connectivity in the brain and identifying biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers aim to analyze real-time connectivity patterns to predict future cognitive decline.
A research study is being conducted to understand muscle fatigue in older adults, with a focus on its effects on mobility and daily activities. The study aims to develop a new metric called fatigability to assess an individual's change in performance and perceived effort in response to standardized activity.
The Milken Institute has released a roadmap to increase autoantibody screening for Type 1 Diabetes, with the support of The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The goal is to ensure effective screening, which can diagnose T1D early, prevent life-threatening conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis, and develop therapeutics.
Researchers worldwide experience funder suppression of negative health behavior intervention trials, with one in five reporting pressure to delay, alter, or not publish results. Funders' influence can distort research outcomes, hindering the development of effective public health strategies.
A University of Missouri researcher is using a grant from the National Science Foundation to explore how time can factor in a building collapse. She's conducting thousands of hours of laboratory tests to determine the breaking points of reinforced concrete building materials.
A UC Riverside materials scientist has received a $2 million grant to improve the scalability of quantum computers, allowing them to operate at room temperature. The project aims to create design guidelines and manufacturing strategies for hybrid organic-inorganic structures that can produce quantum computers on a larger scale.
A machine learning analysis has identified 50 genes strongly associated with neurological aging in both Drosophila fruit flies and humans. The study suggests that fruit flies could be used as a model organism to further investigate aging-related processes.
SK bioscience's GBP510 vaccine candidate has shown promising safety and immunogenic response in Phase I/II clinical trials. IVI will partner with SK on global Phase III trials to accelerate development and WHO approval of the vaccine.
The Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) will be a key tool for answering important scientific questions in astrophysics, offering sensitivity and resolving power 10 times greater than the current VLA. Construction could begin by 2026 with early scientific observations starting in 2029.
A new Rutgers study suggests that food companies use the terms "cell-based" or "cell-cultured" when labeling seafood products made from fish cells. The study found that both terms meet FDA regulations and help consumers understand the production process, while also recognizing potential allergens.
A research team at Kansas State University is working on a three-year project to monitor a cancerous tumor's immune state to assess immunotherapy interventions. The goal is to drive more tumors into a favorable state, ultimately contributing to improved cancer immunotherapy treatment.
Yiping Qi's team will test new delivery technologies for CRISPR-Cas12a to develop a pipeline for genome editing in carrots. They aim to create more nutritious and hypoallergenic carrot varieties with improved nutritional value and reduced allergenicity.
Researchers develop hands-on labs to educate high school students about AI and cybersecurity ethics issues, aiming to increase empathy for vulnerable populations. The project uses functional near-infrared spectroscopy to assess the impact of these labs on brain regions associated with empathy.
A team of Lehigh University researchers is studying a promising alternative catalytic process based on solid acid catalysts for ethylene dimerization. Using in situ and operando molecular spectroscopy, they aim to understand the surface structures of the catalyst and design more active catalysts with reduced environmental impact.
A new £40k project at the University of Huddersfield aims to improve diversity in the screen industry by studying social media influencers. The researchers will analyze how these creators use multiple platforms to build their brands and collaborate with legacy media organizations.
The University of Washington is leading a new NSF institute focused on using artificial intelligence to understand dynamic systems, which describe chaotic situations where conditions are constantly shifting and hard to predict. The institute aims to integrate fundamental AI theory with applications in critical technological areas.
The UMass Amherst AI-EDGE institute will focus on designing wireless edge networks that are efficient, reliable, and secure. The goal is to solve long-standing distributed AI challenges by analyzing and managing vast amounts of data in real-time.
The study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to nutrition support for children in family child care settings, with a focus on rural-urban disparities. Researchers aim to understand the drivers of these inequities and inform policymaking in a post-pandemic world.
The National Science Foundation has funded a five-year $20 million grant to NC State University to develop AI tools for education. The institute will create AI platforms that generate interactive story-based problem scenarios and analyze student data to customize educational scenarios.
A 2 MWel power plant will be built in Saudi Arabia, combining CSP and desalination techniques to achieve unprecedented efficiencies. The DESOLINATION project aims to provide low-cost renewable electricity and fresh water for the GCC region.
The University of Huddersfield's Centre for Precision Technologies will receive £3m funding to drive advancements in machinery design and performance. The project aims to grow the UK's advanced machinery capability to a £2 billion export capacity within ten years, creating over 30,000 high-value manufacturing sector jobs.
A high-status Bronze Age woman and her twins were found in a Szigetszentmiklós urnfield cemetery, with remains indicating she was 25-35 years old at death. Strontium analysis suggested she was born elsewhere and moved to Hungary between ages 8-13.
A new $2.7 million grant from the US Department of Energy will support a three-year research effort to identify and store quantum information in solids, enabling significant advancements in quantum computing. The project aims to build a database of viable qbits by analyzing defects in solids.