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.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed lab-grown heart patches that are safe for human trials after clearing important hurdles. These patches contain up to 50 million human stem cells programmed to turn into working heart muscle, potentially curing debilitating heart failure.
A recent grant award will support the study of new religious pluralisms in Singapore, examining how religion intersects with class and other categories of difference. The research aims to identify new forms of diversity within existing social groups, such as among Singaporean Chinese and Chinese migrants.
Researchers will investigate the relationship between cognitive dysfunction, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function in individuals with spinal cord injury. The study aims to develop interventions promoting independence, social integration, and improved quality of life for people living with spinal cord injury.
Researchers found that the combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax was highly effective in achieving complete remission with undetectable minimal residual disease in high-risk CLL patients. The study also showed that this combination therapy had no new toxic effects compared to individual agents.
The German Research Foundation is extending funding for a research project to improve weather forecasting capabilities. The project aims to understand the limits of predictability and develop better forecast models, potentially increasing accuracy beyond current seven-to-ten-day ranges.
Joanne Zhang, co-founder of life sciences startup Phytoption LLC, has been chosen to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in June. The event brings together top entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world to share knowledge and opportunities.
Researchers from computer science, psychology, mathematics and linguistics work together to develop new methods for processing and representing image information. The project aims to improve the detection of movement in video recordings and explore applications of augmented and virtual reality technologies.
The University of Würzburg's ToCoTronics SFB has secured additional funding to continue research on topological materials. The project aims to optimize material quality, generate new interfaces with superconductors and ferromagnets, and explore spin-orbital coupling with Coulomb interaction.
Researchers found that overweight adolescents have similar increased risks of developing heart disorders as obese teenagers. Cardiovascular fitness tests with boys and girls aged 10-17 showed no significant difference in heart rate variability between the two groups.
A study found that peak joy displayed during pitches is linked to better funding performance, but prolonged display can undermine success. The most effective times for enthusiasm are at the beginning and end of presentations.
A recent study found that organic animal farms increase bird numbers in agricultural environments, contrary to other environmental subsidies. The proximity of organic farms was particularly beneficial for insectivore birds.
The team found that the special nickel nucleus (78Ni) is more stable and rigid than other isotopes with similar numbers of neutrons. This discovery challenges current understanding of nuclear physics and has implications for our understanding of matter's origin.
A study of ancient fish ponds in Bolivia's seasonal drylands reveals intentional maintenance of fish habitats for food. The discovery supports a permanent human settlement, using ponds to store water and harvest fish year-round.
An investigation by The BMJ reveals that 25 Conservative MPs, including several leadership candidates, are connected to an organization part-funded by the tobacco industry. This has raised concerns about public health initiatives being put at risk under a new Tory leadership.
New research reveals that young adults are distressed by labels of narcissism and entitlement, which they believe are negative traits. Emerging adults have negative reactions to these labels, even when applied to their own age group.
A NYU researcher has won a $100,000 Gates Foundation grant to improve vaccination rates in Pakistan using artificial intelligence and mobile tools. The project aims to develop algorithms to prioritize resources and target efforts more effectively, predicting and providing feedback on optimal locations and times for vaccinations.
Researchers from the University of Malaga have found that combining 'Bacillus subtilis' and 'Pseudomonas' bacteria can improve plant growth and health. This study reveals that these bacteria can live in harmony, increasing their positive effects when used together.
Researchers have discovered a biochemical compound responsible for the rapid decline in blood pressure during sepsis. The compound, cis-WOOH, is formed by an enzyme and plays a signaling role in vasodilation, potentially leading to organ failure and death.
A $1.19 million NSF grant will develop a high school air quality curriculum in Riverside County, engaging over 2,000 students and addressing health impacts. The program aims to motivate underrepresented students in STEM activities and promote career opportunities.
A team at UTIA will determine key parameters for efficient logistics systems using innovative approaches, including evaluating alternative preprocessing technologies and modeling techno-economic analyses. The study aims to expedite commercialized cellulosic biofuel production by balancing cost and quality in feedstock logistics.
Dentist Sharukh S. Khajotia is investigating decay and tooth-colored filling materials to extend their lifespan, potentially saving patients' tooth structure and reducing healthcare costs.
New research identifies three persistent gravitational wave observables that provide insight into the intrinsic properties of gravitational waves. These observables could someday help extract information from the Cosmic Microwave Background, offering a new window on the universe.
Researchers identified volatile compounds contributing to dark chocolate's distinctive aroma, including β-ionone and other essential components. By quantifying these substances using stable isotope dilution analysis, the team successfully reconstructed the scents of two dark chocolates with remarkable accuracy.
Eight researchers from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have been awarded $100,000 fellowships to conduct high-impact cancer research over two years. The Andrew Sabin Family Fellowship Program aims to encourage creativity and innovation in cancer research.
A PSU researcher is working to identify the behavioral health needs of NICU parents and develop a sustainable program to support them. Studies show that parents with babies in the NICU are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse.
University of Kansas researchers have secured a $1.7 million grant to develop an eating disorder screening tool for the military and Veterans Affairs. The project aims to identify organizational barriers to detecting and treating eating disorders, which can have a high mortality rate among mental health disorders.
The Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute will survey an estimated 3 billion acres of US ocean territory over five years, utilizing next-generation instruments like ROVs and AUVs. The institute's telepresence technology will allow the public to interact with scientists in real-time, improving the efficiency of ocean exploration.
A meta-analysis of 46 trials found soy protein reduces LDL cholesterol, supporting its inclusion as a heart-healthy food option. Researchers hope their findings inform the FDA's evaluation of soy protein.
Researchers analyzed six Iberian prehistoric beads and found that some had a multilayered coating made of tree resins, likely used to imitate amber's translucence. The study suggests unscrupulous traders may have substituted fake amber for true amber in tomb sites.
Research found that living alone is positively associated with common mental disorders across all ages and sexes. The prevalence of people living alone was linked to an increased risk of mental health issues, with loneliness explaining 84% of the association.
A recent study published in the Academy of Management Journal found that overconfidence and prolonged joy can lead to decreased funding. Presenters who flashed their biggest smiles for three seconds received more funding than those who did so for just two seconds, but those who smiled for four seconds lost funding
This study reveals lower cigarette use among pregnant US women compared to nonpregnant women, but identical e-cigarette use rates. E-cigarette use is more common among pregnant smokers than nonpregnant dual users.
Researchers from the University of Oregon found that female bonobos control meat consumption and sharing, similar to male-dominated chimpanzees. They also observed aggressive behavior towards adult males trying to take pieces of meat, but showed tolerance with subadult males.
Researchers successfully synthesized nanotwinned cubic boron nitride (nt-cBN) and nanotwinned diamond (nt-diamond) using onion-like boron nitride (oBN) precursors. The size change of oBN precursor results in distinct microstructures, leading to significant alteration of microstructure and performance in the produced materials.
Researchers developed a new class of anti-ice surfaces called low interfacial toughness (LIT) materials, which can shed ice from large areas with minimal force. LIT materials work by causing cracks to form easily beneath the ice, allowing it to readily dislodge.
Chemical engineers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a system that mimics feeding, fighting, and fleeing responses in microbial particles. The system uses catalyst-coated sheets to create chemical gradients, allowing particles to respond to their environment and interact with each other.
A national quality improvement programme in emergency bowel surgery failed to improve survival rates, with one in ten patients dying within 30 days. The trial tested 37 quality improvements, including more senior doctor involvement and better patient assessment, but found them too difficult to implement.
A study found that a patient's optimism can influence clinicians' survival predictions, leading to overestimation of time remaining. This bias may hinder timely end-of-life care decisions.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new class of coatings that sheds ice from even large surfaces with just the force of a light breeze. The coatings introduce a second strategy, low interfacial toughness, which encourages cracks to form between ice and the surface.
A new study reports the basic characteristics and energy propagation processes for internal waves (NIWs) induced by sequential typhoons. The study finds that NIWs excited by large-scale wind stress exhibit distinct features, including frequency shifts due to Doppler effects and variations in vertical phase and group velocities.
A new fossil crab species, Callichimaera perplexa, has been discovered, challenging our understanding of evolution and revealing a unique body form. The species has characteristics similar to crab larvae, with adults exhibiting disproportionately large eyes and oar-like legs that are the oldest record of adaptations for swimming.
The new collimator sets up Newtonian mechanics that could be adapted for practical use in beam-driven gyroscopes, helping track motion and changes in location. It also enables experimental physicists to create complex quantum states, and its beams are streams of unwavering inertia due to the atoms' mass and momentum.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire found that high-altitude auroras, known as Poleward Moving Auroral Forms (PMAF), cause drag on satellites by producing moving pockets of air. These 'speed bumps' were previously thought to be a simple phenomenon, but are now understood to be more complex and structured.
Researchers reproduced geomagnetic jerks using a computer simulation that mimicked the Earth's core conditions. The study revealed hydromagnetic waves as the primary cause of these events.
The US Department of Energy has announced $20 million in funding for artificial intelligence research, with a focus on improving grid operation and management. The projects aim to develop faster grid analytics, better asset management, and sub-second automatic control actions to reduce costs and avoid grid outages.
A $10.7 million NIH grant will fund the establishment of a Gonorrhea Vaccine Cooperative Research Center, with Oregon State University's Aleksandra Sikora working to develop a vaccine against gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease that causes significant harm if untreated or improperly treated.
Researchers estimate tweet infectivity from early retweets to predict virality, finding that infectivity is a key driving force in determining tweet lifespan. A hybrid model combining infectivity and community models yields the most accurate predictions, highlighting the complexity of social network interactions.
Researchers from Otago Global Health Institute aim to increase TB notifications in Indonesia by implementing an electronic referral system and educating private healthcare providers. The study, funded by $650,000, will shed light on the issue of unreported TB cases and its impact on global health.
A new study suggests that mass drug administration (MDA) can reduce malaria infections in communities where participation is high. The findings highlight the importance of approaching communities in an engaging and appropriate manner to encourage their involvement in MDA.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers explores the effects of tai chi and mindfulness meditation on people with multiple sclerosis (MS), comparing their impact on physical balance and psychosocial well-being. The pilot study aims to validate community-based classes and lead to a larger scale study.
Researchers at UTA work with TxDOT to improve soil monitoring and predictive modeling, reducing slope failures and increasing road resilience. The projects also aim to enhance the transportation system's reliability and safety.
Research from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business found that transparency in charitable organizations on crowdfunding platforms increases donations and fundraising. Regular operational updates significantly increase financial benefits, with each work-related word in updates boosting donations by $65 per month.
The US Department of Energy has awarded 86 grants totaling $95 million to small businesses in 21 states. These Phase II research and development grants will support scientific innovation and create jobs. The selected projects include advanced materials, energy storage, and IoT applications.
A £1.8m funding boost will help researchers at the University of Edinburgh improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes for Crohn's disease, a condition affecting 120,000 people in the UK. The study aims to develop a non-invasive test using blood or stool to determine if the inflamed bowel wall has healed after treatment.
Researchers aim to identify effective strategies for reducing violence in internationalized civil wars, which have the most fatalities and are difficult to resolve. The project will analyze conflict management approaches, create a barometer to measure changes in conflict levels, and provide policy recommendations.
Research by SDSU finance professors found that mutual fund managers invest more in firms with similar political leanings, leading to lower returns and higher volatility for clients. The study analyzed over 1,300 active mutual funds and 16,655 firms, revealing a partisan bias among fund managers' portfolios.
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago found that injured miners who worked shifts longer than 9 hours tended to have irregular schedules or less than two years on the job. Long work shifts were associated with a 32% increased risk of injury resulting in death and a 73% increased risk of multiple worker injuries.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a method to construct biohybrid systems that incorporate Vorticella microorganisms. The system demonstrates the conversion of linear motion to rotation, enabling the creation of autonomous fluidic valves and wearable smart microsystems.
Researchers developed a new method to alleviate chronic inflammatory disease by inducing mitophagy and removing damaged mitochondria. The treatment with choline kinase inhibitors reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and prevented inflammation in mice with genetic diseases such as Muckle-Well Syndrome.
Scientists at the University of New Hampshire have documented a unique event called fast negative breakdown, which shows that lightning can form in clouds through an upward pathway. This discovery provides new insight into how lightning begins and spreads, and may lead to a better understanding of this natural phenomenon.