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.
The US military seeks to protect its troops against chemical attacks with a new color-changing fabric developed by University of Cincinnati Professor Anastasios Angelopoulos. The fabric, made from the polymer Nafion, detects chemical agents in the air while preventing them from interacting with the skin.
A first-of-its-kind study from LSU shows that journalists can increase media trust by defending their profession while also doing more fact checking. The combination of these two actions had positive effects on mainstream news use and confidence in facts in politics, but fact checking alone did not.
Researchers found clear electronic evidence of non-Fermi liquid behaviors in an iron-based superconductor, Ba0.6K0.4)Fe2As2. The study showed that the normal state is fully incoherent with no quasiparticles along a well-defined Fermi surface.
A new study from Cornell University suggests that graphic warning labels on cigarette ads have a significant anti-smoking effect on children and young adults. The research found that these warnings can cancel out the appeal of smoking as cool and fun, reducing the influence of social cues in advertising.
The National Trends in Disability Employment - Monthly Update (nTIDE) shows modest increases in employment-to-population ratio and labor force participation rate for Americans with disabilities. The data continues the upward trend of economic indicators for people with disabilities, reflecting higher demand for workers.
The UTA College of Architecture is working to advance water research with a focus on sustainability through its new UNESCO chair and a $1 million STARs grant. The college aims to explore ways to equitably manage the region's water resources, building on existing research efforts.
Researchers have identified a natural flavonoid, 2'-Hydroxyflavanone (2HF), effective in treating Leishmania amazonensis infections. The compound showed no side effects and reduced parasite loads and lesion sizes in infected mice.
Researchers have created a new artificial intelligence that can effectively defeat captcha security systems used by most popular websites. The algorithm, based on deep learning methods, requires only 500 genuine captchas to train, making it highly efficient and able to launch attacks with low effort.
A recent study of IAU members found that professional astronomers engage with the public more than scientists in any other field, with an average of 18 outreach activities per year. The majority prefer traditional methods like lectures and school talks, while fewer use social media and digital platforms.
A Champalimaud Centre researcher will explore how social environment and spatial factors influence an insect's defensive strategy, shedding light on brain mechanisms that underlie behaviour. The grant will fund novel experiments using fruit fly models.
A potential joint US-Mexico opioid epidemic is looming due to relaxed regulations, increased demand, and pharmaceutical pressure. The study highlights the need for US resources to mitigate a possible epidemic in Mexico.
Researchers have discovered a way to create artificial magnetic fields using graphene sheets with a twist, enabling the control of electronic properties through electrical fields. This breakthrough has clear technological potential and could lead to new materials with unique properties.
Research reveals US groundwater supply is smaller than previously thought, with potable supplies extending only an average of 1,800 feet below ground. This finding contradicts previous studies suggesting that fresh groundwater extends much deeper.
A PLOS study found that Australians who understood the health benefits of physical activity and its risks associated with inactivity were more likely to engage in regular exercise. The research suggests that knowledge of specific health conditions linked to inactivity may play a key role in influencing physical activity behavior.
A recent study found that Delaware's comprehensive background check policy led to a significant increase in firearm background checks, with no comparable effect in Washington and Colorado. The study suggests that enforcement and compliance issues hindered the policy's impact in these states.
Researchers at RCSI are developing six prototypes to remove Contaminants of Emerging Concerns from drinking water and wastewater in rural India. The project aims to provide clean drinking water to 2.1 billion people without access to safe sources.
A new study highlights the previously underexplored consequence of wake effects from upwind wind farms on downwind neighbors' energy production. The research demonstrates that these effects are measurable and predictable yet remain largely unaccounted for in current U.S. property law.
The DFG funds two new Collaborative Research Centres at TU Dresden to investigate comprehensible software systems and correlated magnetism. The centres aim to create predictable and understandable computer systems, as well as develop materials with unique magnetic properties.
A new study finds that British children with intellectual disabilities are more likely to live in areas with high outdoor air pollution, such as diesel particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. This increased exposure may impede cognitive development and contribute to the higher risk of intellectual disability.
Bruno Jedynak, a PSU math and statistics professor, has been awarded nearly $500K to continue his research on the largest family history study of Alzheimer's disease. The study involves over 1,580 middle-aged participants and aims to understand the disease's progression by identifying biomarkers.
A recent study analyzed data from over 5,900 US adults, revealing that nearly half are physically inactive and spend more than 8 hours daily sitting. The research also found that 1 in 4 adults sit for extended periods, highlighting the need for initiatives to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior.
A team from Arizona State University and Virginia Tech will work with 100 shelters to evaluate three types of fostering: check-outs, brief sleep-overs, and traditional foster experiences. The goal is to explore how to foster dogs most effectively and improve their adoption prospects.
A researcher at Georgia State University has received a three-year grant to study how nanostructured materials affect the passage of substances. The goal is to design more efficient desalination and energy harvesting technologies, which could provide new avenues for resource management.
The study reveals that TIM chaperone proteins facilitate the transport of channel and transporter proteins across the outer mitochondrial membrane. The ring-shaped chaperones have six water-repellent brackets to prevent protein aggregation, a common cause of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Dynamical downscaling methods aim to improve fine-scale climate information by integrating regional climate models with global climate models. Recent research reviewed these methods, highlighting their merits and limitations in constraining model biases through bias correction techniques.
Researchers at Penn State will investigate a new approach for removing rare-earth fission products from molten salt baths using liquid metals. The goal is to increase the recovery efficiency of rare-earth elements and minimize nuclear waste.
Researchers are using geopolymers and sustainable cement materials to strengthen highway embankments in the Paris, Texas district. This project aims to reduce carbon footprint by replacing traditional materials with waste-based alternatives.
A study by Ummat Somjee and colleagues found that male leaf-footed bugs invest more in their large hind legs than females do, which are used as weapons in male-male duels. The team measured energy use of live bugs with and without hind legs to calculate the hidden energetic cost of maintaining these structures.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Professor Hillard Kaplan's project a total of $6.9 million to study the prevalence and causes of Alzheimer's disease among the Tsimane people in Bolivia. The research will explore the relationship between lifestyle, diet, and exercise on dementia risk in two Native American populations.
Researchers identified early career publications as a contributor to the racial gap in NIH funding, suggesting that mentoring interventions can help convert grant funding into competitive publication records. The study found that black or African-American scientists reported fewer papers and citations compared to their white counterparts.
A Late Miocene ape maxilla was discovered in the Kutch basin, western India, significantly extending the southern range of ancient apes in the Indian Peninsula. The specimen, dated to around 11-10 million years ago, belongs to the Sivapithecus genus and provides new insights into human evolution.
A recent study found that consuming whole cranberry powder reduced the negative effects of low-fiber, animal-based diets on the gut microbiota. The study showed that cranberry compounds helped maintain beneficial short-chain fatty acids and reduced potentially carcinogenic secondary bile acids.
The University of Copenhagen has received a grant to upgrade its ALICE and ATLAS detectors, allowing for increased collisions and the discovery of new particles. The upgrades aim to unveil the remaining 95% of the universe's substances, which are currently provisionally understood.
The California Safety and Wellbeing Survey found that 25% of adult Californians live in households with firearms, while 40% include children under 12. The survey also revealed that nearly 3,200 people died from firearm-related injuries in California in 2017.
Rutgers is creating a regional Mental Health Technology Transfer Center to train mental health practitioners and support the implementation of evidence-based research. The center will focus on increasing access to treatment, prevention, and recovery services for underserved populations.
Scientists have identified a wild tea plant in China that contains virtually no caffeine and may provide the health benefits of regular brewed teas. The newly discovered plant, known as hongyacha, was found to contain several potentially health-promoting compounds not found in regular tea.
Researchers have developed a natural way to prevent enzymatic browning in pastry dough, driven by polyphenol oxidase (PPO). A combination of white wine and lemon juice inhibits PPO activity and prevents discoloration, making it an attractive alternative to synthetic additives.
UTA researcher Weidong Zhou is developing a bioresorbable sensing platform for brain implants that can be absorbed by the body, eliminating the need for surgeries. This device will increase patient comfort during recovery and reduce complications from monitoring devices.
A novel technique uses 3D analysis to study bone wear patterns, providing controlled experimental protocol for archeological investigations. The study sheds light on the manufacturing and use of early human tools, revealing that duration of use is the largest determinant affecting surface wear.
Researchers will develop and test a multi-interface in-vehicle environment to explore how technology can enable safe commutes that combine work with driving. The project aims to increase productivity, well-being, and profitability for workers and firms.
Researchers identified the function of a protein controlling allergic diseases, which can lead to medication development for autoimmune disorders and certain cancers. Increasing this protein blocks CD4+ T lymphocytes responsible for producing cytokines triggering allergic reactions.
New research presents significant breakthroughs in brain-computer interfaces, enabling improved prosthetics and therapies for people with conditions such as paralysis, stroke, and blindness. Advanced technologies are being developed to restore task-related sensations to amputees and improve vision for the blind.
The University of Arizona has received a $1.075 million NSF grant to support underrepresented minority students in engineering graduate programs. The Bridge to the Doctorate program combines financial assistance with opportunities for professional development, aiming to bridge the gap between minorities and STEM doctorates.
A research gap means millions of people are living with the lasting side-effects of cancer treatment, affecting their quality of life. The National Cancer Research Institute has identified ten key areas for research to tackle these issues, developed by patients, carers, and experts.
Researchers found that dietary restriction maintains cellular fitness in intestinal cells, preventing age-related damage and leaky gut. A rich diet promotes excessive cell loss and permeability, linked to human conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
The Society for Neuroscience has presented a record-breaking 261 Trainee Professional Development Awards to young researchers from around the world. This represents a 28% increase from last year's awards, reflecting the program's growing impact on supporting the next generation of neuroscientists.
Researchers at Yale University found that majority-group members hold negative views of minority-group individuals with dual identities due to perceived disloyalty. However, this bias can be mitigated when minority-group members demonstrate loyalty to the majority group.
A systematic review of US-based studies reveals confusion and gaps in participants' understanding of genetic privacy. Participants frequently conflate privacy with confidentiality, control, and security, but also value benefits such as access to genetic information from tests over privacy protection.
Dr. Michael Rosen, a leading biophysicist, has been recognized as UT Southwestern's first Allen Distinguished Investigator. His research focuses on protein phase transitions and biomolecular condensates in the cell nucleus.
Researchers aim to combat white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungus affecting bat populations, by exploring the use of ultra-violet light to clean cave environments. The study, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, could potentially enhance bat survival rates, supporting critical ecosystem services.
The University of British Columbia study suggests that cacao was domesticated around 1,500 years earlier than previously thought in South America. Archaeological evidence from Ecuador shows that people were harvesting and consuming cacao 3,900 years ago.
A new study reveals that most Americans overestimate the low concern levels of minorities and lower-income people for environmental threats. The research found a paradoxical pattern where those groups report high levels of concern despite being underestimated.
Researchers at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute found that older adults exhibit greater eye movements but weaker brain activity when forming memories from visual information. This breaks the usual linkage between what we see and how we remember, leading to unfamiliar objects despite repeated viewing.
Dr. Susan Fullerton, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, has received the 2019 Marion Milligan Mason Award for her novel work on ion transport and next-generation electronic devices. The award recognizes her contributions to advancing women in the chemical sciences and provides funding and leadership development opportunities.
The Army Research Laboratory has granted over $130,000 to Kent State University's Blake Stringer to study propulsion systems for intermediate-sized drones. The goal is to create a drone that can serve various functions, such as supply delivery and personnel extraction.
Researchers have created wood sponges that selectively absorb oil from water, then can be squeezed out and used again. The sponges absorbed 16-41 times their own weight in oil, comparable to or better than other reported absorbents.
The University of Texas at San Antonio's College of Business has received a $2 million grant from the Defense Intelligence Agency to expand its Master of Science in Data Analytics program. The three-year grant will allow for the development of new courses, research collaborations, and internship opportunities with industry partners.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the glass sponge Vazella pourtalesi has persisted on the Scotian Shelf, which experiences strong multi-decadal variability in temperature and salinity. The sponge's ability to adapt to these changes suggests its potential response to future climate change.
Researchers will work together to develop tools and methods to manage machine learning risks, including methods to defend against adversarial inputs and develop robust training methods. The center aims to foster a long-term research community in trustworthy machine learning.
The SwRI team developed a fuel-saving orbital tour for a future Pluto orbiter, allowing it to explore the Kuiper Belt after surveying Pluto. The study also demonstrates an electric propulsion system can power the orbiter to fly to other Kuiper Belt objects.