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.
This research project investigates how urban gardens impact ecosystems by analyzing soil health, microbe populations, water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings will inform policymakers and growers on how to make better land use decisions.
A new study reveals that protected areas can help large herbivores rapidly recover from war-induced declines. The study found that total biomass has substantially recovered since 1994, but species composition has shifted dramatically, with formerly dominant herbivores now outnumbered by smaller antelopes.
Researchers tested large-area perovskite solar cells in near space at an altitude of 35 km, demonstrating their ability to retain power conversion efficiency despite extreme conditions. The study found that a device based on FA0.81MA0.10Cs0.04PbI2.55Br0.40 retained 95.19% of its initial efficiency.
Research by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and international team of scientists shows that twisted magnetic fields have a limited number of possible evolutions, leading to the formation of a torus shape. The helicity of the twist constrains the outward expansion of plasma, resulting in a self-organized structure.
Astronomers have discovered a binary star system with PDS 27 and its companion just 4.5 billion km apart, making them the closest high-mass young stellar objects in binaries resolved to date. This discovery provides a valuable laboratory to test theories on high mass binary star formation.
Researchers at the University of Washington have created a robotic system that can strategize how to use a fork to pick up and deliver bites to a person's mouth. The robot used an object-detection algorithm and a new skewing-and-feeding strategy to successfully pick up hard foods but struggled with soft foods.
Guidelines update suggest children can begin some activity sooner, as long as symptoms don't worsen. Average time to move through stages of recovery varies from 48 hours to six weeks.
Global crop-growing regions will experience changes in rainfall patterns by 2040, even if Paris Agreement targets are met. Up to 14% of wheat and maize land will be drier while up to 31% will be wetter.
A team of researchers has identified intricate synchronization patterns in an experimental network, revealing the potential for complex behavior to emerge in even the simplest systems. The study, published in Science, explores how networks can exhibit unexpected coordination and coupling, with implications for understanding and control...
The Global Gag Rule is having a chilling effect, dampening debate, advocacy, and collaboration around abortion and other sexual and reproductive rights. Organizations are declining to participate in meetings where abortion or contraception is discussed, limiting the ability of organizations to deliver quality healthcare.
A new study from ESMT Berlin reveals that women have higher success rates at crowdfunding scientific projects than men. The research analyzed data from over 700 campaigns on Experiment.com and found that students and juniors are more likely to succeed in crowdfunding, with women obtaining more funding than men.
In a 15th century archaeological site in Peru, hundreds of bodies were found with cut marks suggesting chest removal during a ritual. The remains included over 140 children and 200 llamas, dated to around 1450 AD, indicating heavy rainfall may have inspired the sacrifice.
New research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) found that 67% of pregnant women in London aged between 16 and 24 years have mental health problems. Anxiety disorders are especially high, with social phobia being particularly prevalent.
Dr. Pamela Stover, a University of Toledo associate professor of music education, has been awarded a Fulbright grant to research the history of teaching music literacy through folk songs. She will delve into the institute's archives to study the development of the Kodály approach, which aims to preserve cultural heritage through music.
A research team from the University of Kansas has earned a $900,000 grant to investigate dark matter and dark energy. The team plans to use supercolliders, neutrino detectors, and computer simulations to search for indications of these mysterious entities.
Researchers Lee Vinsel and Andrew Russell aim to improve the lives of maintenance professionals through a global network and recognition. They received a $189,193 grant from the Alfred Sloan Foundation to connect leaders with maintainers in various industries.
The USC Dornsife Korean Studies Institute has launched a new predoctoral exchange program to support young scholars working on US-East Asia relations. The initiative aims to enhance understanding of the security environment in East Asia and promote policy issues.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a technique using bacteria to create biocement in coal ash ponds, making them stiffer and more difficult to spill. The resulting biocement can also trap potentially toxic metals in the coal ash, reducing environmental and public health concerns.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are launching a study to improve condom use and tackle STIs among young men in the UK. The study will examine whether online or face-to-face education sessions lead to better outcomes in reducing chlamydia rates among 2,200 men aged 16-25.
A new study by the University of Tennessee will examine the intersection of being LGBT and a caregiver, highlighting elevated risks of poor health. The project aims to collect comprehensive data on the LGBT ADRD caregiving experience to inform intervention development.
The Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS) is a research project exploring crisis management and environmental crises in Latin America. International fellows from various disciplines are investigating six aspects of crisis management through dialogue and exchange.
Researchers have developed a hybrid material combining molybdenum disulfide and azobenzene that exhibits unique optical and transport properties. The structure makes the material attractive for building compactable and malleable quasi-two-dimensional transistors powered by light.
A team of scientists has developed a new method for synthesizing nanographenes on non-metallic surfaces, including metal oxide surfaces. This innovation enables the creation of electronic nanocircuits that could replace existing microelectronics.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new blueprint to understand and predict the properties of complex nanoparticles. The study enables the synthesis of polyelemental nanoparticles with up to seven different elements, providing a vast playground for exploring novel catalysts and light-emitting nanostructures.
Researchers at UC Davis are studying how international security alliances like NATO break down due to free riding and unequal burden-sharing. The study aims to improve understanding of the conditions that lead to these problems, with implications for policy decisions.
Researchers have developed guidelines for accurately dating ancient clam gardens, revealing that Indigenous peoples on the Northwest coast have been harvesting shellfish for at least 3,500 years. The study provides new methods for tracking mariculture trends through time, supporting long-term food security practices.
The NSF awards funding to further develop Open OnDemand, a platform providing web-based access to high-performance computing services. The project aims to simplify access to HPC resources, making it more accessible to new users and disciplines.
A study has revealed a rare assemblage of sharks and rays from nearshore environments of Eocene Madagascar, including one new species, Carcharhinus underwoodi. The fauna shares similarities with ecosystems across North Africa but is uniquely lacking in sandsharks.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute has approved funding for two projects focused on improving patient care and outcomes, including a phone-based peer support program for obstructive sleep apnea patients and a community health worker intervention to improve satisfaction and reduce hospitalization among low-income patients.
A study published in Psychological Science found that participants' brains automatically attended to their own faces, even when they were instructed not to. The researchers used EEG to monitor brain activity and confirmed that the phenomenon occurs with more complex stimuli like faces, which require detailed analysis to recognize.
A UMass Lowell researcher explores the human dynamics behind plea deals, finding that over 95% of US criminal charges are resolved by guilty pleas. Her new NSF grant-funded project aims to reduce false guilty pleas and improve justice system services for defendants, using a computer simulation to test variables affecting plea decisions.
A €2.5M research project aims to enable European university researchers to translate their research outcomes into market-ready products and services. The OpenInnoTrain project connects European and Australian research centers through scientific exchanges, workshops, and hackathons.
A randomized clinical trial among over 1,300 students found that offering breakfast in the classroom increased the proportion of students with obesity. However, this effect did not translate to a combined measure of overweight and obesity after 2 ½ years.
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Surgery found that surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis in adults is very safe, with more than 97% of procedures being minimally invasive. The study analyzed 7,778 appendectomies and found that only 3% resulted in complications, making it a low-risk option.
Researchers used biomechanical modeling to determine that the Leptarctus primus skull is most similar to an American badger's, indicating a primarily carnivorous diet but also potential for omnivory. The study uses CT scans and virtual modeling to reconstruct feeding habits in extinct animals.
The University of Texas at Arlington's new wind tunnel will be used for Navy grants to develop heat shields for hypersonic vehicles and measure plasma flow. The facility will also house a femtosecond laser system to non-intrusively measure temperature and composition.
New research reveals CEOs control information release and manipulate markets to lower share prices, benefiting themselves through stock options. Despite regulations, CEOs continue to exploit their informational advantage to bypass oversight.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed an innovative nanocoating technology that can degrade microplastics using visible light, reducing energy consumption and byproducts. The technology showed a 30% increase in degradation of low-density polyethylene microplastic residues.
A recent study found that handwritten font on menus can convey a sense of love and care, leading customers to believe healthier food options are better for their bodies. This perception influences customer behavior, including increased social media interaction with the restaurant's brand.
About half of women and men who experienced dissatisfaction with their sex life before bariatric surgery improved in five years. Fewer depressive symptoms before and after surgery were associated with better improvements in sexual satisfaction for both men and women.
The $2.3 million NIH grant will support Innovative Programs for Enhancing Research Training (IPERT), a mentorship program aimed at increasing diversity in science and health care. The project will provide grant-writing and teaching skills training to faculty from minority-serving institutions.
A study by University of Jyväskylä researchers found that varying environmental conditions increase the potential for invasive species to spread. Communities poorly adapted to changes are more susceptible to invasion.
A new photometric telescope, Sun-THz, will measure solar flares on the International Space Station. Developed in Brazil, it will work alongside a Russian instrument to take consistent measurements.
The X-Arapuca is an enhanced version of the light detector developed by Brazilian researchers, providing greater efficiency and introducing minor modifications. The device will be installed in the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), a project searching to discover new properties of neutrinos.
Screen time in young children has significantly increased since a 1997 study, with most of it spent watching TV. The study tracked daily screen time among American children under 6 years old and found that total screen time among toddlers increased by nearly 2 hours per day.
Researchers from São Paulo and the UK presented advances in new battery development to address increasing demand for energy storage. Lithium-air batteries have great potential for use in transportation, power distribution networks, and can store energy for up to 24 hours at a low cost.
A global study analyzing thousands of case studies found that eight out of ten total knee replacements and six out of ten total hip replacements will last 25 years. The study provides reliable data on the long-term outcomes of joint replacement surgery, giving patients and clinicians a better understanding of what to expect.
A University of Texas at Arlington researcher is leading a high-powered team in the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Grid Optimization Competition. The team has secured $250,000 in funding and aims to develop software solutions for efficient energy delivery through the nation's power grid.
A new analysis of 65 million projects found that smaller teams are more likely to introduce new ideas to science and technology, while larger teams often develop and consolidate existing knowledge. This challenges recent trends in research policy and funding toward big teams.
Researchers found that low-calorie diets can protect the brain from neuronal cell death associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cerebral vascular accident. Caloric restriction also improved insulin secretion and increased mitochondria efficiency in cells.
Research at McGill University found that musically unexpected events elicit reward prediction errors in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region associated with musical pleasure. This discovery establishes music as a neurobiological reward capable of motivating learning and pleasurable listening experiences.
A new UTA study highlights the critical role of non-profit organizations and businesses in providing support and funding during disasters. The research found that voluntary groups are essential for successful post-disaster coordination and recovery, but need government funding to improve their capabilities.
Spotted lanternflies modify their diet and coloration to become distasteful and signal this to predators. The insects accumulate specific chemicals from tree juices, making them toxic to birds, which learn to avoid them based on their bright colors.
The University of Illinois Chicago will lead a $3 million project to design and develop GAMEPLAY, a system that identifies security vulnerabilities in web software. Once identified, the system will generate patches for these vulnerabilities, known as exploits, to improve software security.
Researchers used a Random Forest algorithm to model the spread of invasive alien tree Prosopis juliflora in eastern Ethiopia, revealing an area equivalent to half of neighboring Djibouti was invaded in just 35 years. The study suggests that river courses and road networks are key drivers of its invasion.
Researchers found that walnut consumers had lower depression scores and experienced greater energy levels, concentration, and optimism compared to non-consumers. Walnut's unique fatty acid profile was also associated with the benefits.
Dr. Ami Pflugrad-Jackisch will use the NEH fellowship to complete her book 'The World of Westover: Mary Willing Byrd, Gender, Slavery, and the Economics of Citizenship in Revolutionary Virginia.' The study examines how Byrd's interactions with the state, military, and market were out of the ordinary for a woman during that time.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that unfamiliar words in hyperlinks slow down reading speed, but color choice has no significant effect. Readers tend to dwell longer on linked words and re-read sentences if the hyperlink word is uncommon.
A new oviraptorosaur species, Gobiraptor minutus, was discovered in the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia. The specimen features unusual thickened jaws and histological analyses indicate that it likely belonged to a young individual.
Researchers found that female manakins can produce a male-specific 'chee-poo' vocalization when implanted with testosterone, while untreated females cannot. In contrast, juvenile males who received testosterone exhibited vocalizations closer to those of treated females than adult males in the wild.