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 unique training programme co-created by people with learning disability has been launched to improve staff attitudes and empathy. The Who's Challenging Who training course was developed in partnership with people with learning disabilities whose behaviour had previously been labelled as 'challenging'.
A study analyzed nearly 3,900 children's screen time use and its association with parental education levels and child sex. The findings highlight the importance of considering sociodemographic characteristics when examining screen time patterns.
A new research training group funded by the German Research Foundation will investigate the role of interfaces in synthesizing soft advanced materials and manipulating their properties. The group aims to better understand self-organization processes in the presence of interfaces.
Researchers studied the effects of a baseball's wake on its movement towards home plate. A stable seam position can create a pressure gradient that forces the ball downward or upward, left or right. The study highlights the potential for pitchers to manipulate the ball's trajectory and speed using this technique.
A UMass Lowell professor has received a $1 million grant to advance his work on reducing asthma among low-income seniors. The program will install portable air filtration units in apartments with gas stoves to improve health outcomes.
A phase III study shows that HLX02, a Chinese-made biosimilar of trastuzumab, has an overall response rate of 71% at week 24, comparable to the reference medication. The treatment is safe and effective, with similar rates of adverse events and no differences in safety profiles or immunogenicity.
Researchers at UFABC in Brazil developed a glycerol fuel cell powered by niobium, promising to replace batteries in small devices and power electric vehicles. The technology reduces the need for fossil fuels and offers a sustainable energy solution.
A study from the University of California, Davis found a link between high levels of DDT and increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic disease in Asian Indian immigrants. Prior exposure to the pollutant may contribute to their higher rate of diabetes, even after migration to the US.
The UTA project uses a national grant to improve transportation for older adults living in assisted-living communities across the Dallas area. The team analyzes data from various sources and conducts surveys to understand mobility needs, usage of available options, and potential barriers.
W7energy's new class of polymer membranes could bring zero-emission fuel cell electric vehicles within reach, with projected costs one-third less than traditional fuel cell systems. The startup aims to commercialize the technology and expand its use in clean hydrogen production, battery storage, and carbon dioxide removal.
Researchers estimated Bitcoin mining's electricity consumption and carbon emissions in 2018, finding a lower impact than previously thought. The study showed that the majority of environmental harm comes from the use of mining equipment, with location being a significant factor.
The UTSA program is a cross-disciplinary collaboration to prepare students for careers in nuclear security, utilizing experimental and computational technologies. The project will support diverse students with strong backgrounds in nuclear science and technology, providing opportunities for research and career advancement.
A study examining state laws on abortion conscience rights found that these laws may compromise patient safety. The laws grant individuals and institutions immunity from liability for refusing abortion services based on their beliefs.
Researchers used modern technology to understand how ochre paint was created by hunter-gatherers in North America, revealing a temperature range of 750-850°C. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that individuals deliberately heated an aquatic bacteria to initiate color transformation.
OSU researchers aim to understand micro- and nanoplastic behavior in freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems. They will develop tools to identify these particles and investigate their effects on aquatic organisms, including oyster larvae and inland silversides.
A team of physicists has discovered a quadruple potential well in ferroelectric copper indium thiophosphate (CIPS), increasing the number of options in ferroelectric switching. This finding could lead to new operations and applications in data storage and electronics.
Anna Evmenova, a George Mason University Associate Professor, has received a $6,000 grant from Wiley Edu to refine and test an existing content slider in her EDAT 524: Universal Design for Learning course. The project aims to improve students' engagement in online self-assessment.
The study estimates that preserving 270 million hectares of native vegetation yields Brazil USD 1.5 trillion per year in ecosystem services such as crop pollination, pest control, and water security. This research supports the importance of Legal Reserves and Permanent Conservation Areas in maintaining environmental services.
Researchers have developed a new multilayered complex that displays high-performance near-infrared electrochromism. The complex, prepared by layer-by-layer coordination assembly on metal oxide substrates, exhibits two reversible redox waves and excellent electrochromic performance with a contrast ratio of up to 56% at 1150 nm.
The National Science Foundation grant will support the development of an open knowledge network to provide better information for agencies managing wildfires, water quality, and biodiversity conservation. The team aims to create automated methods to collect and share relevant information, improving decision-making processes.
A new solar power generator prototype developed by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and US research teams will be deployed on a NASA flight to the International Space Station. The compact system could provide unprecedented watt per kilogram of power, critical to lowering costs for private space flight.
Researchers are developing new metal conductors to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), addressing limitations such as high cost and poor performance. The new technology, funded by a $1 million DOE grant, aims to improve OLED displays with enhanced brightness and flexibility.
A study by Brazilian researchers found that listening to instrumental music attenuates cardiac stress while driving, increasing parasympathetic nervous system activity and reducing sympathetic nervous system activation. This can contribute to the creation of cardiovascular preventative measures for situations of acute stress.
A new study from Duke University found that a home visiting program for newborns and their families can significantly reduce child maltreatment investigations. The program, Family Connects, resulted in a 44% lower rate of child abuse investigations during the first two years of life.
A team of Penn State researchers is investigating the deformation properties and poromechanical behavior of anhydrite-containing rock samples. Their goal is to improve models that predict the evolution of permeability and seal in areas where anhydrite is found.
Researchers have discovered a critical point in supercooled water where thermal expansion and compressibility exhibit anomalous behavior. Theoretical model developed by Brazilian researchers can be applied to any system with two energy scales, including iron-based superconductors.
The SPRING project aims to develop all-graphene platforms using spins for information processing, potentially enabling faster and power-efficient components.
A study by Weizmann Institute researchers reveals that around 4% of left-handed women have excellent senses of smell despite lacking olfactory bulbs in their brains. The findings challenge conventional theories on the necessity of olfactory bulbs for the sense of smell.
Chemistry Professor Siegfried R. Waldvogel from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has received the 2020 Manuel M. Baizer Award, an international recognition of his pioneering work in electrochemistry and its applications. The award highlights Waldvogel's contributions to sustainable chemical product manufacturing through electrosynth...
The Center for BrainHealth has awarded five scientists with innovative research grants to study brain health and performance. These studies aim to improve understanding of brain disorders and develop new treatments, including biomarkers for dementia and multiple sclerosis.
Michigan State University (MSU) has led the creation of a new International Research Network for Nuclear Astrophysics (IReNA), funded by the National Science Foundation. IReNA connects expertise in nuclear physics, astrophysics, and related fields to advance understanding of the origin of elements and dense nuclear matter.
Researchers analyzed capsaicinoid and capsinoid content in three chili peppers as they ripened. Capsaicoids accumulated earlier and at higher levels than capsaicinoids in some types of peppers, with potential implications for breeding studies and development of functional foods.
A four-investigator team led by University of Delaware physicist Marianna Safronova has won a prestigious Synergy Grant to build a nuclear clock, which will be far more sensitive than atomic clocks. The project aims to search for undiscovered physics effects and detect dark matter particles.
A $700,000 NSF grant will help researchers optimize lower limb robotic exoskeletons for patient comfort. The project aims to create a deeper interaction between humans and machines through machine learning techniques and co-learning.
The University of Arizona is receiving $2.5 million in federal funding to train students as educational interpreters and teachers for K-12 students with visual impairments. This program aims to address a shortage in these fields, providing opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships.
A study of over 14,000 US teenagers found that mint was the most popular JUUL flavor among 12th and 10th graders, while mango was favored by eighth graders. The findings raise questions about regulations to reduce e-cigarette use by adolescents
The £3m Cyber-SHIP Lab aims to address key cyber security challenges in the shipping industry by assessing connected systems for weaknesses. It will bring together experts in cyber security and information systems, featuring a range of maritime technologies.
A new research project aims to improve natural disaster emergency preparedness and response in countries badly affected by earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. The RESPOND-OR project will investigate issues relating to emergency response management of large-scale natural disasters in Indonesia and Sudan.
A Canadian study found that provincial bans on electronic cigarette sales to minors were associated with significant reductions in e-cigarette use among young people. The findings suggest that strict regulations can be an effective way to curb the growing vaping epidemic among minors.
A large-scale study of over 11,000 West Point cadets reveals that both cognitive and non-cognitive factors predict success outcomes. Grit is crucial during Beast Barracks, while cognitive ability is the strongest predictor of academic grades in the classroom. Physical ability also plays a key role in determining graduation rates.
The UMass Amherst researchers have developed a portable sensing device capable of detecting and subtyping foodborne pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. This technology has the potential to quickly identify outbreaks and pinpoint the responsible food or ingredient.
Lehigh University Art Galleries has received a prestigious federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to create and implement a strategic plan. The 'Museums Empowered' grant will support staff training in outcomes-based, visitor-centered practices and collaboration with peer institutions.
Researchers at UTSA are reexamining bone mineral density and proteoglycans to improve fracture risk assessments. Studies show that BMD captures only 50-60% of actual bone fragility fractures, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach.
A study found that Trump's immigration statements made Latino immigrants feel unsafe and anxious, leading to delayed healthcare access. The survey of 452 undocumented immigrants revealed a significant impact on their perceptions of safety and emergency care.
Interventions aimed at reducing obesity, sedentary behavior, smoking cessation, and improving physical activity have the potential to delay or reduce frailty. Age is a strong predictor of frailty, with other variables such as modifiable risk factors like obesity and lower body strength also being significant risk factors.
A new study found that girls are less likely to engage in physical activities, with reduced social support and modeling from parents and peers. Interventions targeting peer modeling may help mitigate age-related decline in physical activity among girls.
A study released in PLOS ONE identified 75 species of mosses and liverworts preserved alongside Ötzi, providing insights into the ancient Alps ecosystem. The bryophyte community around 5,000 years ago was similar to today's, while non-local species confirm Ötzi's route through the Schnalstal valley.
The LEGO Foundation has awarded a $3.2-million grant to Boston College's Research Program on Children and Adversity to expand its Sugira Muryango intervention for extreme poverty families in Rwanda. This will impact over 10,000 children and 14,300 parents, with the goal of empowering caregivers through playful parenting initiatives.
Researchers will conduct baseline studies on stream morphology and aquatic habitats before bridge construction and develop predictive models for Texas Department of Transportation. They aim to determine the downstream ecological impacts of bridge construction on freshwater mussels and assess floodwater's force on typical bridges.
Researchers at the University of Washington found GEDmatch vulnerable to multiple security risks, including extracting sensitive genetic markers and impersonating relatives with fake profiles.
A study reveals that protected areas worldwide are not reducing anthropogenic pressure on natural habitats, with chronic underfunding and local community disengagement identified as key factors. Satellite data analysis found increases in human encroachment in over 90% of global regions, particularly in the tropics.
The 'hidden politics' of climate engineering were exposed at the UNEA-4 meeting, highlighting concerns about governance, transparency, and funding. The discussion revealed a significant split between the US and EU on geoengineering strategies, with the US opposing a preliminary governance framework.
The Helmholtz International Lab for Optimized Advanced Divertors in Stellarators (HILOADS) has been approved to conduct research on stellarator projects. HILOADS brings together institutions from Germany and the US, including the Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The project aims to develop o...
A Swansea-led project aims to provide clean, affordable and reliable power to local communities in developing countries using perovskite solar cells. The £800,000 funding will support the construction of demonstrator buildings and collaboration with experts from five countries.
A new study models fracture chain reactions from meltwater ponds on Antarctica's ice shelves, finding a speed limit to their damage. The research suggests that while pond fracturing is short-ranged, rapid surface melting can trigger catastrophic collapses like Larsen B.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers warns that rollbacks of US energy regulations could lead to increased CO2 emissions, slowed progress in reducing pollutants, and worsening air quality. This could result in higher costs for healthcare and finances due to increased cases of respiratory illness.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have developed a novel technique to detect cutting-edge trends in research by analyzing keywords. They analyzed thirty million research papers and found that emerging topics tend to generate new topics. This method could be used to prioritize funding, investment, and innovation in emerging areas.
A team of WPI researchers has received a $3 million NSF grant to investigate human-robot interaction in the workplace. The project will train 120 graduate students from various STEM fields to develop skills for navigating robot-assisted work environments.
Analysis of 126 local vessels and seven imported Attic ceramics revealed the presence of Mediterranean grape wine earlier than expected. This suggests that wine was available to all members of the community, at least early in Heuneburg's history, complicating previous assumptions about elite consumption practices.
The Tapis Project aims to simplify access to powerful supercomputers and manage data from diverse sources. The platform offers event-driven computing, streamlining workflows and enabling hands-free analysis.