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 team of Binghamton University researchers will explore advanced grid-forming PV inverter control technologies to integrate renewable energy sources into the US electric grid, aiming for increased reliability and scalability. The three-year project will focus on developing a new grid-forming control algorithm at a hybrid PV plant.
Researchers at Aarhus University are developing physics-informed data-driven models to improve wind farm flow simulations, optimization, and control. The new framework aims to capture complex interactions between atmospheric turbulent flows and the environment using big data in real environments.
A new machine learning system can correctly diagnose particle accelerator component issues in near-real-time, providing operators with actionable information to mitigate problems. The system achieved accuracy rates of 85% for fault detection and 78% for fault type identification during its first two-week test.
Researchers Matt Kasson and Angie Macias are studying the association between millipedes and fungi, revealing tremendous fungal diversity among colobognathan millipedes. The team plans to document fungal diversity associated with half of the US species, potentially uncovering new undescribed fungal species.
The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus has been shown to transmit the Zika virus and trigger large outbreaks in a simulated environment. However, experimental studies suggest that the mosquito's infection rate is low, making it unlikely to cause major Zika virus epidemics.
A research team studied processing speed deficits in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and found similar brain activation patterns with older healthy individuals. The study suggests that SCI individuals compensate for processing speed deficits by relying on executive control and memory areas of the brain.
A two-year grant from the New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research is funding a study by Dr. Jean Lengenfelder at Kessler Foundation to test a new treatment for emotional processing deficits in children with TBI. The research aims to improve emotional processing skills, social interactions, and quality of life for affected children.
Dr. Helen Genova will lead a three-year randomized controlled trial using virtual reality job training to improve social competency skills for individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, aiming to increase employment outcomes. The study is the first to use this program in this population.
Researchers studied a 40-year-old bunchgrass prairie in Montana and found that climate change is altering the ecosystem. Annual aboveground primary production increased by 110%, but plant composition changed with a 108% increase in invasive species, while dicot non-grass plants decreased by 65%.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, children have difficulty reading emotions on masked faces, which can affect their social interactions. The study suggests that this inability may be more pronounced in everyday life.
Researchers used VR simulations to study goalkeepers' ability to stop free kicks, finding that defensive walls can block their view and impair performance. The study suggests that VR simulations could be useful in other sports, such as soccer.
The University of Arizona team led by Zheshen Zhang is creating a prototype of an entangled sensor array to improve navigation, health care, and communication technologies. The project aims to develop affordable, compact optomechanical sensors for vehicle navigation and other applications.
Dr. Tonya Vitova and Professor Laurent Schmalen are awarded ERC Consolidator Grants to study actinide bonds and develop energy-efficient communication technology. Their projects aim to improve the environmental behavior of actinides and reduce complexity and energy consumption in communication systems.
Furloughs for people with disabilities increased to 23% in November, while continuing to decline for those without disabilities. The recent surge in COVID-19 cases is taking a toll on workers with disabilities, and the unemployment rate rose for both groups.
A new study by Dr Andrea Baronchelli and colleagues reveals a connection between cryptocurrency coding and market behavior. The researchers found that 4% of developers contribute to the code of two or more cryptocurrencies, questioning the transparency surrounding the coding process.
Researchers developed an AI-based technology to predict phenomena by preserving physical laws, including energy conservation. This approach uses digital calculus and geometric approaches to accurately estimate energy reduction in various phenomena.
The German Research Foundation is extending the SFB 1288, 'Practices of comparing', with €11.9 million in funding for an additional four years. The interdisciplinary research network will continue to study the historically variable practices of comparing and their ordering and changing power.
A UBCO research team has developed advanced ice sensors that can detect frost and ice build-up in real-time, enabling improved safety and efficiency in aviation and renewable energy applications. The patented sensor is being tested by the aviation industry for approval and also being adapted for use in wind farms.
Dogs trained with aversive methods showed increased cortisol levels and stress-related behaviors compared to those trained with reward-based methods. The study suggests that aversive training techniques may have a negative impact on dog welfare, especially when used at high frequency.
Researchers at UNICAMP conducted over 120 experiments to model Mars' long, slow-moving barchan dunes. They identified five basic types of interaction between the dunes, including chasing and merging mechanisms.
Researchers have discovered that corals can acquire their symbiotic algae from the fecal pellets of giant clams. This finding suggests a novel route for the transportation of Symbiodiniaceae to corals, which could have significant implications for our understanding of coral-algae interactions.
Physicists at HKUST and Purdue University successfully simulated a system where multi-flavor fermions behave like bosons in three dimensions, a phenomenon known as bosonization. This discovery opens up new avenues for studying strongly correlated materials.
Researchers have developed an evaporation-based approach using propylene glycol to create a gel-like plug that blocks sweat ducts, slowing perspiration. This metal-free antiperspirant could provide a comfortable and effective alternative to traditional products.
A doctoral thesis found that flexible working arrangements can improve efficiency targets if employees' preferences for work arrangement are taken into account. Employees often appreciate flexible schedules, but may struggle with maintaining focus outside of traditional hours.
Researchers developed a wearable device called Biomechanics Sensor Node that captures user data and controls virtual environments. The system stimulates sensory systems, especially sight and hearing, to intensify central nervous system information input and output.
Researchers have identified key challenges in understanding photophysics and photochemistry of carbon nanocolloids, a promising candidate for technological and biomedical applications. The findings may pave the way for using adaptable, non-toxic, and sustainable nanomaterials in various fields.
Researchers at FAU have achieved a record resolution of 7 nanometres in X-ray microscopy, allowing for direct imaging of nanostructures. This breakthrough enables significant advances in research into nanostructures, solar cells, and magnetic data storage.
Farmers in Tanzania misuse fertilizers at low rates due to misconceptions about quality. A study found that appearance affects their willingness to buy, with poor-looking products commanding lower prices. The researchers interviewed farmers and recorded transactions to analyze the impact of physical appearance on fertilizer purchases.
A new $1 million Federal Government grant will enable a major upgrade to the Murchison Widefield Array, giving the giant radio telescope greater power to process signals from distant outer space. The upgrade will allow researchers to detect finer frequency and time observations, improving their ability to study the universe.
UC Riverside is receiving $6.3 million to combat the deadly fungus Laurel Wilt and other challenges threatening American avocado production. The university will develop next-generation technologies to manage diseases like Phytophthora root rot and soil salinity, which can severely reduce fruit yield and quality.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has launched a pilot academic exchange program with ColPos Cordoba, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund. The program aims to increase partnerships between US and Mexican higher education institutions, promoting cultural exchange and techn...
Researchers from the University of Bristol and Phasecraft have developed new strategies to solve the Fermi-Hubbard model using optimised quantum circuits with limited device size. The study suggests that current supercomputers are unable to solve instances of the model, but near-term quantum devices can.
Researchers from Aarhus University and Stanford University aim to create a sustainable technology for local-scale production of green ammonia. The project, called 'A new twist on ammonia production', seeks to improve the efficiency of electrochemical synthesis using 'designer' hydrogen-binding mediators.
A Rutgers University study found that fathers' engagement in their children's lives can improve mental health and behavior, reducing behavioral problems. The researchers analyzed data from 5,000 children born between 1998 and 2000 and found a significant gap between poor families and those with higher socioeconomic status
A University of Missouri researcher studied an island fox and its mainland relative to understand human evolution. The study found that the island fox's smaller body size was likely due to adapting to its new environment, not a disease.
Researchers Barbara Mazzolai and Andrea Toma at IIT have been awarded ERC grants for their projects on intelligent plant robots and new photosynthesis technologies. The projects aim to create collective behavior in plants and develop nanotechnology devices for storing solar energy in hydrogen.
A RIT professor is leading a research project to develop low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells using a reusable substrate process. The goal is to reduce the cost of these efficient solar cells, which can power devices like smartphones, drones, and cars.
The study found that black people and women were the most affected by the pandemic, with three informal workers losing jobs for every one formal worker terminated. The emergency aid program had a limited impact, mainly benefiting large employers and those on minimum wage, but failed to cover small and medium enterprises.
A global comparison of two happiness tests reveals that cultural context is crucial for accurate measurement. The interdependence-focused Japanese test was more reliable in East Asian countries, while the independence-focused US test performed better in Western European nations.
Christina Felfe has won a prestigious ERC consolidator grant to investigate the role of parents, classmates, and socialization processes on the formation of group preferences. Her five-year project aims to measure children's group belonging and behavior towards their own and other groups.
Researchers found that some caterpillars have bodies covered with molecules identical to those of the plants they inhabit, making them 'invisible' to ants. Others produce a caloric reward for ants to coexist, demonstrating a form of chemical mimicry and potential adaptive advantage.
A joint research project has achieved a new milestone in ultra-fast control of magnetism by investigating femtosecond time-resolved x-ray scattering signals. The results indicate a faster recovery of chiral order compared to collinear magnetic order dynamics, suggesting that twists are more stable than straight magnetic configurations.
Researchers found that knee replacement surgery using a tourniquet increases the risk of serious complications by 73%, including blood clots, wound infections, and the need for further surgery. Patients who underwent surgery with a tourniquet reported an average 19% more pain after surgery compared to those without.
The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina has published a report on the future of ageing and life course research in Germany, outlining recommendations for advancing research on ageing. The report highlights challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and compares Germany's performance to other countries.
The Smellicopter drone uses a live moth antenna to sense chemicals in the air and navigate towards sources of interest. It can also avoid obstacles using infrared sensors and doesn't require GPS, making it suitable for exploring indoor or underground spaces.
Research finds that higher Head Start enrollment mitigated poverty growth among families with young children during the Great Recession. States with higher levels of enrollment experienced less poverty growth and a faster, more stable economic recovery.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen find that computer algorithms cannot optimize packing of objects in two dimensions without overlap beyond four or five items. The study's findings have significant implications for industries such as clothing manufacturing and metal processing, where efficient material cutting is crucial.
The VARIPath project aims to develop a 'crystal ball' for predicting disease progression in viral respiratory tract infections. Researchers will analyze virus evolution and host immune response characteristics using high-throughput sequencing techniques. This could lead to personalized treatment strategies and improved prognosis.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities decreased to 29.1% in November 2020, while the labor force participation rate increased slightly to 33.6%. Despite this decline, people with disabilities remain engaged in the workforce and are entering or reentering the labor market.
Researchers used satellite-tracked buoys to simulate ancient ocean migrations. They found that the vast majority failed to reach the Ryukyu Islands due to adverse weather conditions, suggesting intentional navigation. The study provides evidence of Paleolithic people's bold exploration and migration.
Amali Samarasinghe, a researcher at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and UTHSC, received the Charles and Amelia Gould Innovation Award to study eosinophils in asthma. The award aims to improve personalized approaches to therapy for children with asthma.
Research by Brazilian scientists reveals that as trees grow faster, their lives get shorter, offsetting carbon storage. This trade-off impacts forest carbon uptake and highlights the need for more effective climate change mitigation strategies.
New research on glass beads from archaeological sites in Mali and Senegal suggests a more intricate network of trade exchange during the emergence of Sahelian states. The findings shed new light on medieval commerce, revealing previously unknown regional connections.
Research aims to examine impact of organisational cultural tightness on employee creativity and firm innovation in Asia. Tight cultures may hinder certain aspects but potentially foster other creative aspects.
Researchers found that inflammasomes, a type of immune cell complex, are activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to excessive inflammation and potentially life-threatening complications. The study provides new insights into the disease's progression and suggests potential therapeutic targets.
A three-year grant has been awarded to Montclair State University and Kessler Foundation researchers to explore treatments for long-term memory impairments in individuals with traumatic brain injury. The study aims to develop innovative treatment strategies directed at process-specific remediation of cognitive and neural mechanisms und...
A new Brazilian study found that dreams during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown are related to mental suffering and fear of contagion. The computational assessment of dream reports used in the study reveals these emotional connections.
Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University have successfully designed and fabricated a microcavity on a lithium niobate chip, achieving integrated light source in the communication band. The innovative technology realizes the potential of lithium niobate thin films for efficient optoelectronic integration.
A study published at the University of Exeter Medical School has discovered specialized nerve cells called speed-sensitive cells in the brain's entorhinal cortex that malfunction in Alzheimer's disease. This malfunction disrupts the brain's map, leading to spatial navigation difficulties.
Lauren Greenlee will investigate iron and oxygen atoms using X-ray spectroscopy to improve battery materials and water treatment. The project aims to design catalysts for polymer conversion and recycling, leading to enhanced industrial applications.