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 the University of Southampton found that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) tailored specifically for IBS is more effective in relieving symptoms than current standard care. CBT sessions delivered over the telephone or through an interactive website improved patients' quality of life and reduced symptoms after 12 months.
Researchers at University of New Hampshire found 14 wild bee species declining in the Northeast, including ground nesters and cavity nesters, with significant shifts in elevation and latitude. Climate change is affecting certain populations, particularly in coastal areas.
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is expanding its Sharing the Road program to educate high school students on safe driving practices around commercial vehicles. Through the program, researchers will visit 15 mid-Atlantic high schools and provide hands-on experience for thousands of teen drivers.
Researchers found that in metropolitan areas, over a quarter of young African American men reported having sex before age 13, with many experiencing unwanted or mixed feelings. The study emphasizes the importance of better access to sex education, sexual health clinics, and mental health counseling services for inner city male youth.
Current methods for measuring health impacts from oil and natural gas extraction are insufficient, with studies finding poor health outcomes near operations despite standard health benchmarks not being reached. The authors call for further research on emissions using accurate timeframes and proximity to extraction sites.
A new study aims to develop a standardized skin care guidance for elderly people in residential care, addressing common skin problems and improving quality of life. The SKINCARE study will investigate the effectiveness of the new program and provide training for care workers.
A team of researchers led by Madison Krieger used statistical analysis to find evidence supporting the theory that Beowulf was written by a single author. The study found consistent metrics throughout the text, including letter combinations, which lends further support to the idea of unity.
Community Noise Lab, launched by Dr. Erica Walker, explores the relationship between community noise and health through real-time sound monitoring, lab experiments, and community engagement. The lab aims to inform, empower, and impact communities, sharing ride-sharing science to advance public health research.
The Russian Science Foundation will support nine research projects from Ural Federal University, with funding ranging from 4-6 million rubles per year. This includes six new projects and three existing ones, which have been working since 2016.
The DFG is funding six new Research Units addressing various pressing research issues. The units will focus on improving the evaluation of whole genome sequences, investigating resilience in religion and spirituality, developing adaptive polymer gels, and understanding cytomegalovirus immune responses.
Researchers will assess and monitor changes in microbial ecology, water chemistry and nutrient availability in Pittsburgh's water system after adding orthophosphate. The study aims to understand the impact of orthophosphate on aquatic ecosystems and provide insights for other cities implementing this treatment.
Artificial microswimmers with forward and long-range vision form stable groups by perceiving the number of neighbors within their field of view. This process allows for efficient movement, evasion of predators, and adaptation to environmental stimuli without requiring precise location information.
Yale researchers have developed a new technology that allows sound to flow in one direction, enabling the control of acoustic resonators. This discovery offers possibilities for enhancing electronic devices that use these resonators. The technology also enables the controlled flow of heat from one object to another.
A team of researchers from the University of Hong Kong has added 13 new species to the existing list of ants, including three miniature trap-jaw ants and five non-native species. These discoveries highlight the importance of monitoring insect populations in Hong Kong and beyond.
Researchers found that spider monkeys who were isolated produced whinnies with a lower fundamental frequency, which traveled longer distances and improved re-establishing contact with their group. Listeners responded more quickly to these lower-frequency calls.
The ACMG Foundation established a student travel scholarship fund to address the genetic workforce deficit, supporting medical and graduate students attending the 2019 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting. The scholarship fund will benefit recipients through educational sessions, peer engagement, and research opportunities.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is leading the next phase of the Reframing Aging Initiative, a long-term social change endeavor to improve public understanding of aging. The initiative aims to counter negative views of aging and promote accurate perceptions.
Researchers aim to boost efficiency and avoid grid extension measures by increasing automation of grid operations. They are developing expert systems for real-time fault detection and co-simulation.
A study by Newcastle University reveals that the NHS dental budget is not being spent efficiently, with too much focus on orthodontics and specialist oral surgery. The team recommends investing in prevention measures and making services more accessible, such as opening new high street practices.
A Henry Ford Health System study suggests recognizing four fundamental quality factors in the safety of care category and assigning equal weights to eight measures would produce more accurate results. This alternative approach could make hospital star ratings more meaningful and unbiased.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a way to combine multiple skyrmions into 'skyrmion bags' that can store and transfer data more efficiently. This breakthrough technology has the potential to increase data storage capacity, reduce power consumption, and pave the way for next-generation computing devices.
Researchers found that complex artefacts don't necessarily prove human ancestors had sophisticated reasoning, but rather an accumulation of improvements made across generations. The study used chains of volunteers to tackle engineering problems and showed that understanding was not necessary for improvement.
A meta-analysis found that liquid meal replacements led to an average of five pounds more weight loss compared to conventional low-calorie diets. Additionally, these liquid meal replacements contributed to better reductions in body mass index and systolic blood pressure.
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSPO) awarded $35 million in Research Grants to 34 winning teams, including 9 Young Investigator Grants and 25 Program Grants. The grants fund cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research projects globally.
The European Research Council awards €2.4 million grant to investigate collective identity, self-identity, and social cognition. The project, led by Professor Dan Zahavi, aims to understand the relations between individuals and groups.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have made a patent-pending discovery that certain enzymes in roundworms behave differently than in humans, with amino acids potentially playing a key role. The findings advance scientific efforts to develop new pesticides to manage parasitic nematodes and reduce crop damage.
A new study uses crop models and local expertise to pinpoint communities most in need of support for adaptation and mitigation. The tool assesses climate risk vulnerability and projects impacts by 2050 on crops like rice, maize, and coffee.
A study on turtle ants found that gynes have larger brain volumes than soldiers and minor workers, while their brains differ in regions associated with cognitive processing. The authors suggest that these differences may aid in performing specialized tasks, and could provide insight into the evolution of caste specialization.
Two new Emmy Noether Independent Junior Research Groups at Charité will explore the use of deep brain stimulation to treat neurological disorders and the regulation of immune responses in the nervous system. The groups, led by Dr. Andreas Horn and Dr. Christoph Klose, will receive over €1.7 million in funding for three years.
Scientists have developed a new triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) called SLIPS-TENG, which can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in harsh environments. The device uses a slippery lubricant-impregnated porous surface to address durability and biofilm coverage issues.
A RIT professor is using a $486,124 NSF grant to explore how experiential learning improves student interest in STEM fields. The research aims to develop practical assessment tools and design a project-based physics course for freshman students.
A study published in Heliyon found that trained musicians exhibit greater executive control of attention than non-musicians, with improved performance linked to increased years of training. This suggests that musical training can enhance cognitive abilities beyond music-specific skills.
The EASI Genomics project provides free-of-charge access to cutting-edge European genomics facilities, supporting diverse genomics projects from study design to bioinformatic analysis. The first call for proposals focuses on sequencing of ancient DNA and microbiome analysis.
This observational study reports on outcomes for smallest infants born under 400 grams, highlighting the importance of timely intervention in improving survival rates. Overall, the study found that these tiny infants can survive and even thrive when receiving necessary medical support.
The NIU FoodMASTER program uses food as a tool to teach mathematics and science, leading to increased student engagement and academic performance. The $930,000 NIH grant will expand the initiative to K-12 teachers and educators nationwide.
Researchers discovered that women undergoing perimenopause experience significant changes in body composition, including increased fat mass and decreased lean body mass. The study also noted ethnic/racial differences in the impact of menopause on body composition.
Dr. Jeffrey Stanton, a recognized expert in multiple domains of I-O psychology, has been awarded SIOP Fellow status for his impactful work. He is acknowledged for his forward-looking research and publications in fields like cybersecurity and measurement development.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown brain area that processes auditory words, but not visual ones, in patients with primary progressive aphasia. Despite struggling to verbalize words, these patients could still communicate through writing and reading.
Researchers have discovered three key paths for coupling magnetism and ferroelectricity, enabling the interaction between spin moments and electric dipoles in solids. This breakthrough has significant implications for materials science and engineering.
The Chapman Brain Institute aims to advance efforts in the neurophilosphy of free will through a four-year research project. Researchers will use advanced analysis techniques to decode decisions and actions before they take place and compare human brain activity when making arbitrary versus deliberate decisions.
Dr. Eric D. Heggestad has made significant scholarly contributions to trait structure-performance relations and psychological measurement. He has been recognized with SIOP Fellow status for his rigorous, innovative work.
The ASA special issue calls for a rethinking of statistical inference, moving beyond the use of p-values and instead reporting continuous quantities that describe what the value means in scientific context. This shift aims to promote reproducible science and diminish the impact of statistical significance on publication and funding.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that people from North Africa were among the first to colonize the Canary Islands, arriving by 1000 CE. The researchers analyzed ancient mitochondrial genomes and identified lineages consistent with radiocarbon dating evidence, suggesting a complex and heterogeneous process of colonization.
The new center aims to increase understanding of Down syndrome's biology and neuroscience, developing novel interventions and technologies to improve quality of life for people with the condition. It will also provide training opportunities for early career scientists and students.
Researchers from Ural Federal University and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus are working on a two-year project to develop new materials with improved piezoelectric properties. The goal is to create lead-free multifunctional materials for various electromechanical devices.
Researchers develop twisted silicon nanowire approach to separate n-type and p-type dopants, enabling stable p-n junctions. This method simplifies the manufacturing process and lowers costs.
A team of faculty and students are designing innovative technologies to cut noise from supersonic military jets using a 'swirl' technology. By generating rotational motion in the jet exhaust, they aim to reduce noise by three decibels, cutting acoustic power in half.
Researchers develop small capsules from brown algae that hold macrophages, increasing blood flow to damaged limbs. The treatment aims to reduce the need for amputations in people with CLI, a condition affecting up to 60,000 new cases per year in the UK.
Researchers found five common metaphors used by men to describe their partner's miscarriage, including 'lost gift' and 'chaotic movement'. These metaphors revealed societal expectations around masculinity and pregnancy. The study aims to encourage couples to co-cope with miscarriage through metaphorical expression.
Researchers have discovered the superconducting properties of phosphine P2H4 and P4H6 under high pressure. The findings suggest that P4H6 is responsible for superconductivity at high pressures, with a Tc estimated to be 67 K.
The SCOPE project aims to harness plasma energy to transform the production of fertilisers, enabling tailored production for individual environmental conditions. Successful completion could lead to small-scale, flexible fertiliser plants that can produce up to 50,000 tonnes per year.
Researchers at the University of Akron aim to understand how lipid mediators exacerbate asthma symptoms, hoping to discover new treatments. The study will combine leukotriene and prostaglandin blockers to create a more potent asthma treatment.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that a critical piece of the monarch butterfly's annual cycle was missing - the fall migration. The team built a multi-scale model and included environmental factors like temperature and landscape greenness to account for year-to-year variations.
Researchers from Harvard and Stanford have developed an integrated, on-chip frequency comb that is efficient, stable and highly controllable with microwaves. This breakthrough enables the creation of compact light sources for optical communication in data centers, facilitating fast and accurate data exchange.
A randomized trial of Smart Choices 4 Teens, an online family prevention program, found significant reductions in teen alcohol use and related problems. The program decreased drinking days, amount consumed, and parent-teen communication about social host laws.
Researchers found that night shift workers reported a higher rate of overactive bladder and poorer quality of life compared to day shift workers. The study highlights the importance of addressing increased urinary frequency in nightshift workers, particularly those under 50 years old.
Researcher Ramana Vinjamuri receives a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to study how the brain controls complex hand movements and create near-natural robot hands for individuals with disabilities. His goal is to improve daily tasks and develop cybersecurity applications.
Researchers developed the free software 'CoinEater', which recognises and blocks crypto mining on websites without user approval. The software scans over 100,000 pages daily to detect cryptojacking and pop-up scams.
An international team of scientists successfully reversed the flow of time on IBM's quantum computer, simulating a particle's scattering and returning it to its initial state. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient quantum computer operation and improved error correction methods.
The study found that percentage-based evidence and human interest stories increased engagement, while discussing overall problem magnitude didn't. Researchers used a nonprofit's health care access campaign to test the effectiveness of different messaging approaches.