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.
Ashfaq Adnan's team uses 3D printing to create multilayered materials for smart helmets, absorbing impact energy and deflecting directed energy attacks. The resulting helmets will be lightweight and resistant to blast impacts, alerting soldiers to potential dangers.
Spain's university R&D&I expenses have increased moderately, driven by growing public spending on teaching staff, which rose from €5.55B in 2012 to €6.51B in 2019. The IUNE Observatory reports a surge in scientific production and international funding, with the top universities in Spain attracting significant research grants.
The ASMBS Foundation has awarded two research grants totaling $50,000 to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on adolescents with obesity and the effects of cannabis use after bariatric surgery. The studies will help improve the understanding of these conditions and develop effective therapies.
A study of 344 volunteers reveals that remotely supervised exercise classes were more effective than in-person sessions or unsupervised online sessions in improving physical and mental health. The researchers attribute this to the increased intensity of exercises under remote supervision, which led to better outcomes for participants.
Researchers at University of Missouri-Columbia use $4 million in grants to connect with 200 middle school teachers through ECHO platform, aiming to improve student outcomes and reduce teacher stress. Prosocial education practices, including kindness, empathy and internal praise, are found to positively impact student behavior.
Researchers studied dairy cow behavior by making them walk in a straight line to identify optimal gaits. The study provided valuable insights into kinematic characteristics of normal gait, enabling the development of more efficient breeding programs.
Navdeep Kaur Brar has been awarded the IADR John A. Gray Fellowship to support her research on antibiotics and microbiome impact. The $10,000 fellowship aims to provide training and experience in dental or related research.
Regular physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior are linked to lower risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Studies found that exercising for just two hours a week can lower OSA risk by 54%, while spending less than four hours watching TV daily reduces the risk by 78%. Increasing physical activity in leisure time or reducing se...
A randomized trial in Bangladesh shows that training in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method increases rice yield and profit by 14-17% and 22-31%, respectively. Additionally, household well-being is higher for farmers in training communities compared to those without training.
A WVU-led team, supported by a $4.78 million NIH grant, has increased COVID-19 testing in rural West Virginia through mobile vans and community partnerships. The project has served 38 counties and administered over 2,265 tests, with a focus on communities of color.
Andrea Alù, founding director of Photonics Initiative at CUNY ASRC, received the world's largest unrestricted prize for early-career scientists. His research discoveries in materials science and physics have brought about advances in electromagnetics, nano-optics, and acoustics with potential applications in various fields.
Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed a novel method to predict the optimal cation substitutions in lithium-ion batteries using first-principles calculations. The study reveals that nickel can be partially substituted with platinum and palladium to increase battery discharge capacity, while other e...
Researchers aim to understand jets' composition and launch mechanisms by combining theory, observation, and modelling. The goal is to develop a concordance model of jets, overcoming historical divisions between scientific approaches.
A new machine-learning model uses vocal features from phone conversations to identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease. The study found a novel prediction model that can detect dementia risk using telephone conversations.
Researchers propose a new method to realize Majorana zero modes in monolayer Fe(Te,Se) using an in-plane magnetic field and electric gating. The study demonstrates that the material is a promising platform for topological quantum computation with scalability and electrical tunability.
Scientists from Cornell University have found evidence of explosive volcanic activity on Venus, using phosphine gas as a geological signature. This discovery supports the idea that volcanism is responsible for phosphine's presence in the planet's upper atmosphere.
Dr. Anthony Shum, MD, receives $80,000 from the ATS Research Program and chILD Foundation for his project on defining childhood ILD in COPA syndrome. The study aims to link the innate immune adapter molecule STING to disease.
Kuo-Chu Chang is developing a knowledge graph-based information sharing system with the US Department of Navy. The project aims to improve communication and collaboration among teams.
A new evidence review finds that commonly used household products increase the risk of asthma due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by paints, cleaning products, and more. The study suggests labelling these products with health warnings and advising people to ventilate their homes while using them.
The MOLLER experiment has received new grants totaling $9 million to support its precision measurement of the electron's weak charge. The grants come from the National Science Foundation and Canadian Foundation for Innovation, with matching awards from Research Manitoba, enabling higher-statistics results.
A recent study suggests that newborns to three months old should be stimulated to hold and reach for objects. This stimulation helps their social, motor, and cognitive development. Researchers propose a novel approach to understanding imitation and manual activities, including exercises such as placing the baby's hands on different tex...
Dr. Jessica Blackburn of Vanderbilt University has been awarded a $100,000 ATS/GSK Research Grant to investigate COPD epithelial remodeling and the role of YAP/TAZ activation in the disease. The grant will support her studies on COPD's cellular mechanisms.
Researchers found diabetics use half as much force to hold objects, unlike those with other neurological diseases. The study developed a new methodology to measure grip force, providing potential for quick and easy diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that ancient Islamic tombs in Sudan are distributed according to large-scale environmental factors and small-scale social factors. The tombs cluster around central 'parent' points, likely representing older tombs of importance, with smaller scale distribution influenced by nearby older structures.
A comprehensive checklist for eliminating gender bias in academia is provided by researchers Anaïs Llorens and Athina Tzovara. The study highlights various forms of gender bias, including their impact on women's careers, work-life balance, and mental health. By implementing this checklist, individuals can remedy these biases and create...
A $10 million grant from The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research will support a six-year project to measure dairy farming's greenhouse gas footprint and develop strategies to reduce emissions. The study aims to make the US dairy industry carbon neutral while supporting farmer livelihoods.
The UArizona Center for Rural Health will continue its mission to improve health and wellness in rural Arizona with a $4.4 million grant from HRSA. The program aims to address significant health disparities affecting Native American and Latinx populations.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that summer sea ice in the Last Ice Area, a region north of Greenland and Canadian Arctic Archipelago, is declining due to global warming. The study suggests that this area may not be as resilient as previously thought, raising concerns for polar bears and walruses that rely on the ice.
Researchers have reduced the discrepancy between theoretical and observed amounts of lithium by around 10% thanks to a new experiment. The study used particle beams, detectors, and an observational method called the Trojan horse to scrutinize one of the Big Bang nucleosynthesis reactions.
A survey study investigated the association between surgical resident grit and burnout, finding that residents with higher grit levels were more likely to experience burnout. The study suggests that grit may be an important factor in preventing burnout among surgical residents.
The Future of Science Film Fellowship aims to amplify conversations about race, equity, and inclusion in science through storytelling. Emerging filmmakers will receive stipends, research support, and mentorship to develop impactful films.
The 6G Life research hub aims to strengthen Germany's digital sovereignty by developing key technologies and collaborating with industry. It will also address ethical issues and ensure the transition is accompanied by societal concerns.
A study involving 154 volunteers found that wearing transparent masks increased comprehension of speech by 10%, even for those with normal hearing. The study's findings suggest that visual cues play a significant role in facilitating communication during masked conversations.
Researchers aim to detect malware in IoT networked devices using a principled approach. They plan to develop resource-aware distributed malware detection and reliable feature extraction methods.
A recent study found that coral reefs in the South China Sea adjust their trophic patterns in response to environmental conditions. By analyzing zooxanthellae density, nutrient levels, and light intensity, researchers discovered that corals can shift from autotrophic to heterotrophic modes of nutrition, enhancing their adaptability to ...
Seven PhD students at DGIST have been chosen for a two-year research project funded by Korea's National Research Foundation. They will focus on developing new materials and nano-structural designs to overcome existing solar cell limitations.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that TET enzymes play a crucial role in keeping immune cells on a healthy track, suggesting potential new avenues for controlling cardiovascular disease. The study also identified the minor but important role of TDG enzyme in immune cell demethylation.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell has received a $1.8 million federal grant to develop legged robots that will assist sailors with shipboard firefighting and maintenance. The robots will be designed to prioritize personnel safety, particularly during fires, and reduce maintenance time.
A research team led by ECU's Natasha Bell has received a $1.2 million grant to overcome barriers to growth in North Carolina's aquaculture industry and strengthen wastewater infrastructure. The project aims to develop new ecological engineering treatment technologies, including hybrid constructed wetlands and novel 3D-printed materials.
A study of UK junior doctors highlights a lack of access to clinical and emotional support, leading to chronic stress and mental health issues. Researchers are calling for a cultural shift towards more supportive leadership and work environments.
Researchers used the Ising model to demonstrate the role of social distancing and isolation in reducing virus transmission. By comparing infected people to 'spin-up' electrons and non-infected people to 'spin-down', they showed that quarantine is key to mitigating transmission.
Iowa State University has been awarded a major National Science Foundation grant to drive innovation in rural broadband connectivity. The $8 million grant will support the development of affordable wireless technologies to connect families, schools, farms, and communities across the state.
Researchers found that up to 40% of lead in airborne particles comes from legacy leaded petrol, highlighting the persistence of contaminants introduced by human activities. Long-term low-level exposure to lead can have detrimental health effects, and measures should be taken to reduce further lead emissions.
Training stroke survivors to walk at a faster speed can help improve the brain function that enables people to walk and perform another task simultaneously. Advanced brain imaging found changes in the brain consistent with adaptations necessary for controlling gait in complex environments, supporting the findings.
Zach Lerner, a mechanical engineer at Northern Arizona University, has received an NSF CAREER award to develop wearable robotic exoskeletons for long-term gait rehabilitation. The project aims to understand the interplay between disease severity and wearable assistance, with potential to transform treatment of walking disabilities.
New research adds lattice potential to quantum droplet analysis, producing stable fundamental and vortical modes. The study improves understanding of BEC dynamics and opens door for new species creation.
The phase III trial found that adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor to anti-HER2 treatment in breast cancer does not improve pathological complete response rates. The study enrolled 454 patients with high-risk HER2-positive early breast cancer and evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant atezolizumab versus placebo.
Researchers generated first-of-its-kind data on lightly reinforced concrete walls, which helped revise New Zealand Concrete Structures Standard and U.S. Building Code Requirements. The dataset, published on NHERI DesignSafe cyberinfrastructure, revealed hidden damage in walls that led to improved understanding of earthquake engineering.
A study replicated Paleolithic lighting systems using archaeological evidence, revealing diverse features among the different systems. The researchers found that wooden torches worked best for exploring caves, while grease lamps were suitable for lighting small spaces over a long period.
A new study by the University of Surrey found that drivers in developing cities inhale a significant amount of fine air pollution particles even after spending short time in pollution hotspots. The research also showed that cities with lower GDP per capita experience higher economic losses due to PM2.5 car exposure.
Anthropologists at Binghamton University have received a grant from the National Geographic Society to study ancient Rapa Nui communities' water management techniques. Their research will focus on coastal seeps and inland resources, shedding light on how past populations dealt with freshwater scarcity.
A Horizon 2020 project aims to develop an efficient biotechnological production platform that creates synergy between strain engineering strategies and microbiomes. The project will create novel treatment options in biomedicine beyond biotechnology, leveraging the resilience of microbial communities and their metabolic plasticity.
Millimeter wave technology offers significant promise for improving wireless network speed and reliability. Researchers are developing machine learning-based schemes to advance the technology, addressing challenges such as channel estimation and blocking from obstacles.
Gabriel Isaacman-VanWertz will measure concentrations of reactive organic gases in a forested field site and simulate rain events to quantify the removal of pollutants from the atmosphere. His research may provide fundamental insights into the chemistry of the atmosphere and improve air quality predictions.
A new NSF-funded project will focus on developing data-driven methods and algorithms to make cyberinfrastructure more resilient against ransomware attacks. The goal is to provide actionable cyber threat intelligence to mitigate this debilitating threat.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that children aged 3-5 years old can only recognize happiness and sadness on 40% of occasions when wearing facemasks. This limitation highlights the challenges of social interaction for young children during the pandemic.
The SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) inactivates human proteins crucial for immune response, cardiovascular function and blood clotting. This link may explain COVID-19 symptoms of heart damage, blood clots and inflammation.
Researchers in the Southern Levant identified substantial historical sea level changes, with a 2.5m rise occurring around 2000 years ago. This finding has significant archaeological implications for the region.
A study of organic residues on ceramic pottery from rural and urban Sicily during the 9th to 12th century AD reveals a diverse range of vegetables, fruits, beeswax, and animal food products. The findings are consistent with Arabic literature's colorful dishes and highlight regional differences in cuisine preferences and ceramics use.
Researchers from Mainz University and Fraunhofer Institute collaborate with Iranian and Iraqi partners to provide drinking water to settlements on the Persian Gulf. The goal is to use temperature-sensitive polymer gels to convert seawater into drinking water, enabling an energy-independent process.