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.
Dr. Amy Azano is leading initiatives to improve rural education, including the Summer Enrichment Experience at Virginia Tech and the Appalachian Rural Talent Initiative. The programs focus on providing academic and social experiences for rural middle-schoolers and increasing access to gifted education in high-poverty schools.
The nTIDE report shows increases in employment-to-population ratios and labor force participation rates for working-age individuals with and without disabilities. These modest gains indicate a trend back to pre-COVID employment levels, suggesting better employment outcomes going forward.
Researchers at DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory receive $2 million in funding to investigate magnetic reconnection and plasma blobs that can disrupt communications satellites. They aim to recreate conditions in the magnetosphere using a device resembling an enormous silvery barrel tipped on its side.
A team of environmental engineers has presented a model that predicts where a disease will spread from an outbreak, in what patterns and how quickly. The model, based on data from county health agencies, shows similar patterns across regions, including urban and rural areas.
A new study published in Science Advances found that increased access to birth control in Colorado led to a 14% decrease in the percentage of young women who left high school before graduating. The program, which expanded access to more forms of contraception, also showed improvements in graduation rates among Hispanic women.
A study found that increased access to birth control in Colorado led to a 1.66 percentage-point increase in high school graduation among young women one year after the initiative was introduced. The research provides evidence for the U.S. Title X program's goal of ensuring low-income and uninsured residents can complete their education.
Researchers will examine Latin America's role in shaping international order during the nineteenth century, drawing on multinational archival work. The study aims to contribute to debates on historical International Relations and republicanism, shedding light on British-Latin American relations.
Researchers develop light-emitting metallacages via coordination-driven self-assembly, overcoming aggregation-caused quenching challenges. The AIE phenomenon enables high luminescence efficiency in aggregate states, enabling applications in sensing, biomedicine, and catalysis.
A recent survey study estimated that the percentage of US adolescents who reported at least one diagnosed concussion during their lifetime has increased. The study found that nearly 3% of adolescents in the United States experienced a concussion, with higher rates among males and those participating in contact sports.
A new study explains that strike-slip faults, which were previously believed to trigger only small tsunamis, can generate unusually large waves like the devastating Palu tsunami in 2018. Researchers discovered a mechanism for these massive tsunamis to form, suggesting other coastal cities may need to reevaluate their risk level.
Researchers developed a technique to automatically search for simulation configurations that test various behaviors of automated driving systems. The proposed method uses evolutionary computation to discover configurations leading to specific features of driving behaviors, such as high acceleration and deceleration.
A Brazilian study tested pet dogs and cats of humans diagnosed with COVID-19, finding 40% of cats and 31% of dogs were infected. Under half displayed symptoms, suggesting transmission may be more common than initially thought.
Lutz Ackermann's ERC Advanced Grant project aims to replace toxic reagents with green electricity and control electrocatalytic transformations of biomolecules. The project combines two resource-saving concepts to minimize waste products and bypass lengthy synthesis sequences.
A recent study published in the Journal of Business Venturing found that entrepreneurs whose facial expressions conveyed a mix of emotions during funding pitches were more successful. The study analyzed nearly 500 pitch videos and found that varying three emotional expressions (happiness, anger, fear) led to the most fundraising success.
Two compounds, (-)-geosmin and 3-methyl-1H-indole, are found to be primary contributors to the musty and moldy scents of cocoa beans. Measuring their amounts within cocoa beans could help detect off-putting scents and flavors.
Workers who faced the room and had relatively few desks in their line of sight rated themselves more focused and productive, as well as their teams being better bonded. Staff at window desks also felt more productive than those sitting beside walls.
Researchers have identified a new species of frog with unique fluorescent properties, found in Brazil. The newly discovered species is highly poisonous, posing a threat to its ecosystem.
The Brownfields Assistance Center at West Virginia University has helped communities resurrect once lifeless properties since 2006. The Center's expertise and guidance have enabled neighborhoods in the Mid-Atlantic region to transform brownfields into community assets, generating economic opportunity and jobs.
A global research team has created a previously unknown two-dimensional material called beryllonitrene, which exhibits a distorted electronic lattice structure. This new material has great potential for applications in quantum technology, including high-performance computing and secure communication.
People with autoimmune rheumatic diseases are more likely to develop heart attacks and strokes due to chronic inflammation. Regular exercise improves vascular function, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and promoting structural recovery of damaged arteries.
The International Culture Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi will be relocated to the University of Kansas due to a grant from the National Science Foundation. WVU researchers will duplicate the collection and send it to Jim Bever at KU for cultivation, with the goal of sustaining cultures in perpetuity.
Engineers can now determine material properties like stress and strain from images of their internal structure, reducing computational complexity. The AI-powered approach uses computer vision and machine learning to generate estimates in real-time.
A new study proposes a deep learning-based model for cross-lingual voice conversion with controllable speaker individuality, improving over previous models' drawbacks. The model applies language embedding and F0 modeling with control over the fundamental frequency contour.
A $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation will support algebra teachers' professional development at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The goal is to create new online materials that help students better understand algebra and develop critical thinking skills, ultimately leading to improved learning outcomes.
Two Norwegian University of Science and Technology professors have been awarded prestigious ERC Advanced Grants. The grants will fund research on mobile robots with advanced chemistry, providing up to NOK 25 million in support over five years.
The EU is funding a research project led by Saarland University's Jan Reineke to develop safer and more secure computer systems. The goal is to redefine the interface between software and hardware, making it both efficient and secure for critical areas like airbag controls and energy supply.
Researchers successfully employ hard X-ray transient grating spectroscopy to study phonon response and material properties at the nanoscale. The technique, which uses subnanometer wavelength pulses, reveals insights into bulk and nanostructured materials.
A new analysis of air pollution data from five large Chinese cities found statistically significant differences between locally-reported and US embassy-reported measurements. The study suggests that when air quality is poor, local stations systematically report lower PM2.5 levels than reported by US stations.
A study of 58,389 European adults found no link between weight gain and improved cognitive performance in older age. The research suggests that weight gain may even be associated with poorer cognitive outcomes.
Recent study suggests that biblical texts in Dead Sea Scrolls were written by multiple scribes with mirrored writing styles. Artificial intelligence-based writer identification technique provides new evidence on unknown scribes.
A study across 12 countries found that people tend to underreport COVID-19 protocol violations due to feelings of guilt and social pressure. The study suggests that a guilt-free approach may increase self-reported non-compliance with preventive measures.
Pedram Hassanzadeh, a fluid dynamicist at Rice University, has been awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER grant to investigate the physics behind atmospheric blocking events that cause extreme weather. His research aims to improve climate modeling capabilities and predict how these events will change in the future.
Scientists studied how many bubbles form in beer when poured into a glass. They estimated between 200,000 and 2 million bubbles can be released from a half-pint of lager before it goes flat.
Researchers emphasize the need for material advances in quantum computing hardware to create complex qubits. The study explores various materials and proposes strategies for tackling technological challenges. Sophisticated control of these materials is crucial for achieving quantum advantage.
The astronomy industry has a long way to go before achieving gender parity, with women making up less than one-third of professional astronomers by 2080. Implementing 50:50 hiring ratios and retention initiatives, such as exit surveys and work-life balance improvements, can help reach the goal of 30% female representation in a decade.
Researchers developed DANNCE, a 3D deep-neural network that can capture behavior and track movement in freely behaving animals from single video cameras. The tool has broad impact on animal behavioral studies, enabling standardized definitions of behaviors and tracing emergence of behavior over time.
A systematic review found that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) significantly increase the risk of stroke, with a 86% increased risk compared to non-TBI patients. Stroke risk remains high for up to five years after injury.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has approved a $1.2 million grant to extend the AUH interdisciplinary seminar series at Cornell University for three years, focusing on social justice and equity in the built environment. The new funding will support two projects: Design Justice Workshop and Urban Justice series.
A revised handgrip cutoff value of 32 kg for men and 21 kg for women can accurately identify mobility impairment, increasing the likelihood of early diagnosis by 88% for men and 89% for women. This revised metric promotes preventive treatment to avoid muscle weakness and mobility loss.
Researchers identified strategies to increase repeat giving from individual donors and identify more committed givers. Multiple giving options and targeted marketing helped retain givers for longer periods. The study provides insights to nonprofits to structure their fundraising efforts and increase the impact of every dollar raised.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a wearable, flexible transmitter that can send wireless data over long distances. The device uses a copper mesh with a wavy pattern to maintain its resonance frequency even when stretched or compressed.
Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that citicoline restored optic nerve signals in rats with glaucoma, reducing vision loss and slowing nerve cell decay. The study suggests a new mechanism for treating the condition, which affects over 60 million people worldwide.
A new audience measurement model is needed for streaming platforms due to changing consumer habits. The study proposes new parameters, including audience retention and popularity metrics, to measure viewership and analyze market position.
A study found that test-optional admissions policies at selective private institutions led to a 3-4% increase in Pell Grant recipients, a 10-12% increase in first-time Black, Latinx, and Native students, and a 6-8% increase in women enrollment. However, these gains were relatively small compared to the overall student body.
Researchers are developing a new therapy to alleviate painful side effects of chronic drug treatment in Parkinson's patients. They're also working on a technology to safely locate abandoned oil and gas wells using drones, addressing an environmental hazard across the US.
A research consortium led by City's Professor Nabil Aouf will develop next-generation AI-based GNC systems for space exploration. The study aims to make a formal link between AI-based machine learning and control theory-based reasoning.
A new two-year project aims to develop an agent-based modelling framework explicitly focusing on cyber security and privacy aspects of the MaaS ecosystem. The research will model important aspects of a real-world MaaS ecosystem, including cross-sector and cross-organisational interactions.
A new study found that weighted funding formulas in California led to an increase in charter school enrollments of low-income students. However, the study also suggests that some charter schools may be 'cream skimming' high-achieving students, and that policymakers need to carefully design weighted funded systems to address this issue.
The Carolina Population Center at UNC Chapel Hill has received a $38.2 million NIH grant to continue the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which tracks adolescents from adolescence to middle age. The study aims to understand how early life experiences impact adult health and well-being.
A rare PLD3 mutation in Alzheimer's patients disrupts lysosomal recycling, leading to fewer β-amyloid plaques and less cognitive decline. Boosting PLD3 may have a protective effect against the disease.
A new test has been developed to evaluate expressive language skills in individuals with Down syndrome, offering a more effective approach than current methods. The test was found to be reliable and consistent across different versions, making it suitable for most individuals between the ages of 6 and 23.
The Clean Propulsion Technologies project aims to create a common vision and sustainable business solutions for the Finnish powertrain industry. The research focuses on developing groundbreaking engines working in fuel-flexible RCCI mode and hydrogen-fueled engine concepts.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will establish a new research observatory in Gakona, Alaska, to explore the upper atmosphere and geospace environment. The observatory will use instruments such as the Ionospheric Research Instrument and lidar to study space weather and its effects on Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere.
A University of Illinois project aims to improve youth health data literacy through a two-year program. Fifteen teens from across the state will participate, conducting needs assessments and presenting findings to local audiences.
A team of New Jersey researchers has shown that changes in perceptual certainty and response bias, two central metrics of signal detection theory (SDT), correlate with changes in cognitive fatigue. SDT measures change as a function of changes in brain activation.
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics has identified six genetic variants that add up to determine the risk of several blood cancers in pre-disposed dog breeds. The study found that dogs carrying five or more of these mutations had a very high risk of developing blood cancer during their lifetime.
Researchers will investigate how humans have influenced changes to floodplains and when this began, shedding light on the global relevance of an 'anthroposphere'. The project will employ innovative methods combining archaeology, geosciences, and history to understand human-environment interactions.
Researchers developed a comprehensive model to estimate lifetime microplastic exposure, accounting for variable levels from different sources and populations. The model predicts that adults can accrue an average of 50,100 microplastic particles by age 70.
Researchers investigate shockwave boundary layer interactions, with a focus on transitional regime experiments and simulations. Better understanding of these interactions could prevent catastrophes in high-speed vehicles.
A study published in PLOS Genetics identified the RORB gene as necessary for rabbits to perform their characteristic jumping gait. The researchers used a rare breed of domesticated rabbit with a developmental defect to pinpoint the cause, finding a specific mutation in the RORB gene that disrupts the animal's ability to jump.