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.
Volunteers in the Galaxy Zoo project develop extensive expertise about galaxy images and instruments, surprising researchers with their knowledge. Through online discussions, participants learn about artefacts and how to identify them, creating a culture of shared learning.
Researchers found that brains selectively treat gaining knowledge about favorable outcomes as a reward, but not unfavorable ones. People tend to spend money on advance knowledge of good events and avoid information about bad ones.
A new study aims to identify drivers of antibacterial resistance in Thailand, focusing on two species of bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The researchers will investigate how farm management practices, chemical pollution, and human behaviors influence transmission of these bacteria.
The University of California, Davis, is leading a $2.5 million USDA-funded project to develop a cow genomics program. This initiative aims to unlock the secrets of the bovine genome, enabling more efficient genetic selection for improved growth and disease resistance in cattle.
Researchers developed a robot that can rapidly detect odors from sources on the ground, including footprints. The robot uses a high-speed gas sensor to track invisible odor sources and read binary barcodes deposited on the surface.
University of Michigan researchers have made a breakthrough in treating Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) using gene silencing technology. They successfully reduced mutant RNA levels without toxic effects, offering hope for disease-slowing therapy.
A Northwestern University study found that a lifestyle intervention using a smartphone app, activity tracker, and small financial incentive can fully normalize unhealthy behaviors such as low fruit and vegetable intake and high screen time. Participants made significant improvements in their eating and exercise habits over a nine-month...
A study by Daniel Casasanto at Cornell University reveals that left-handed individuals' emotions are housed in the right side of their brains, contradicting traditional models. This suggests a revised approach to treating anxiety and depression, with strong left-handers potentially benefiting from an opposite treatment.
A new device developed by the University of Bath and Universidad de los Andes has been tested with an indigenous community in Colombia, providing a simple and real-time way to test water systems. The device measures key physico-chemical variables and monitors heavy metals, aiming to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.
The CONEX-Plus project will attract and professionally train 30 young researchers in various technological areas, including Energy and Nanotechnology. The five-year program aims to develop cross-cutting skills and accelerate professional growth through secondments and training actions.
Researchers identified 29 Antarctic fungi with proven action against Xanthomonas citri, the bacterium causing citrus canker. The isolated compounds inhibited bacterial growth by up to 98%, offering a promising alternative to copper-based control methods.
The New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Injury Research has awarded four grants to Kessler Foundation scientists to study learning deficits, cognitive assessments, neuropathic pain, and brain activity during exoskeleton-assisted walking. These $1.5 million grants aim to improve rehabilitative care for individuals with spinal cord injury.
Two joint projects between IST Austria and French research institutes will study how polarity, shape and mechanics of cells control cell division. Johann Danzl and Olivier Thoumine investigate the role of synaptic adhesion molecules in synapse function using optically controlled molecules and high-resolution optical imaging.
The Climate Science for Service Partnership China (CSSP China) has improved understanding of climate change effects and reduced climatic risks through research collaborations with the UK. The partnership has led to advancements in seasonal forecasting, crop security, and climate services.
The ViEWS system assesses the risk of three forms of political violence and makes predictions for countries and actors. The forecasts are compared to actual events and models are revised to optimize predictions, with a focus on transparency and open-source data.
The startup's tool identifies behavioral patterns and establishes a driving profile with high accuracy, enabling fleet owners to provide personalized guidance to dangerous drivers. The system also detects anomalies associated with drug use, drowsiness, or cellphone use while driving, allowing for prompt intervention.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University are developing new hydrate inhibitors using water-soluble polyurethanes and biodegradable compounds like polyvinyl alcohol and glucose. The goal is to create affordable and effective solutions to prevent gas hydrates from forming, which can cause serious technological disasters.
A study published in Acta Diabetologica found that people with diabetes and prediabetes who have lower sleep efficiency have poorer cognitive function than those with better sleep efficiency. The researchers also found that having diabetes was associated with lower cognitive function scores.
Researchers are developing an evidence-based training option to teach children with severe speech impairments to use commercially available apps as communication tools. The goal is to support the development of children with disorders such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, who often face social and educational challenges.
A new study by California Sea Grant reveals that even small amounts of running water can make a big difference for juvenile coho salmon in coastal California streams. The research found that pools interconnected by water can help young salmon survive through hot, dry summer months.
Researchers created a 3D underwater acoustic carpet cloak using transformation acoustics, hiding objects from detection instruments like sonar. The cloaked object mimicked the reflecting surface and was undetectable in every direction.
Research suggests that minimum insolation hours requirements for nearly zero energy buildings are unjustified, as they increase the risk of overheating. Dynamic solar shading proved to be more efficient than static shadings in reducing heat losses.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 29.2% in May 2017 to 29.7% in May 2018, up 1.7%. Employment First has been adopted in 49 states and the District of Columbia, with nearly every state acknowledging its goal.
Penn State engineers have developed a new lithium-ion battery that can charge electric vehicle batteries up to 10 times faster than current technology, regardless of temperature. The breakthrough could be a major selling point for customers and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
An international team, led by the University of Leicester, is using satellite data and UAVs to monitor land use, food and water security at the banks of the Ganges Basin. The project aims to optimize agriculture practices in the region and address climate change-induced threats to crop yield and production.
The European Commission has funded a €4 million research project to develop a new, potentially low-cost class of solar materials. The MAESTRO project will focus on increasing cell stability and boosting efficiency in perovskite-based devices.
The 5G-Crosshaul consortium developed a transport network that integrates backhaul and fronthaul, enabling flexible and software-defined reconfiguration of networking elements. This configuration allows for high-capacity transmission and low-latency switching.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program grant from the National Science Foundation to promote STEM teacher recruitment, preparation, and induction. The grant adds computer science and engineering teachers to the pool, benefiting students pursuing secondary certification.
Researchers from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and Technische Universität Dresden demonstrate the use of ultrastable film formation to improve OLED performance. This breakthrough leads to significant increases in efficiency and operational stability, with improvements tracked back to differences in exciton dynamics.
Ultrastable glass layers significantly increase OLED efficiency and stability by up to 15%. This breakthrough allows for better competition in markets like automotive lighting and head-mounted displays. The research was carried out jointly by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Technische Universität Dresden.
Researchers compared two tests for assessing learning deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS), revealing clear differences in performance. The Open Trial Selective Reminding Test (OT-SRT) identified all participants as impaired, while the California Verbal Learning Test II (CVLT-II) only identified 34% as similarly impaired. Differences in...
The KAW Story project will use one-on-one book reading to expose children with DLD to new words and test their ability to retain vocabulary. Researchers will also focus on testing kids' understanding of new words to determine optimal amounts of practice for memory consolidation.
Researchers analyzed 736 ZIKV positive patients and found that older veterans with underlying health issues were more likely to be hospitalized. Patients presenting with neurological symptoms were also more likely to be hospitalized. This study helps providers evaluate and treat patients with ZIKV infection.
A Montana State University professor has won a five-year, $3.12 million grant to conduct research on sexual and reproductive health among American Indian youth in Montana and abroad. The 'We Are Here Now' study aims to improve the health and well-being of indigenous youth through community-based participatory research.
San Francisco State University has received a $3.3 million National Science Foundation grant to develop teacher leadership skills and support the professional development of over 1,000 Robert Noyce scholars from 14 western states. The grant aims to promote greater equity and social justice in math and science education.
Researchers developed a nanomaterial treatment that strengthens aging canvas fibers and surface, increasing flexibility. This alternative method could replace conventional treatments, helping preserve iconic artworks like Van Gogh's paintings.
Researchers developed a user-generic musculoskeletal model that translates neuromuscular signals into commands for prosthetic devices. The technology has shown promising results in early testing with able-bodied and amputee volunteers, potentially paving the way for more intuitive and reliable prosthetic control.
The UK government has invested £1m in the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) to accelerate the development of a new treatment for drug-resistant gonorrhoea. This funding will enable sustainable access to the treatment in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of infection is greatest.
Juhyun Lee is using a new $251,000 grant from the American Heart Association to explore targeted delivery of messenger RNA to reverse damage caused by congenital heart disease. His goal is to modulate mechanical forces and reduce gene expressions to stimulate heart growth or healing.
The University of Utah's Masood Parvania is developing microgrid controllers that can distribute electrical power more efficiently and securely in case of a power outage. His team will test these technologies on a new laboratory setup, also aiming to educate the next generation of power engineers.
Research by Louisiana State University found that women are perceived as more trustworthy by crowdfunding investors, increasing the likelihood of securing financial backing. This perception leads to a funding advantage for women in crowdfunding, allowing them to overcome gender bias and increase their odds of success.
A mass-drug administration program reduced scabies complications by 62% among Eritrean and Ethiopian asylum seekers. The program, implemented from January 2014 to March 2016, led to a significant decrease in scabies-related bacterial skin infections and rashes.
Researchers discovered tooth wear linked to bit-wearing on ancient donkey remains from the Early Bronze Age (EB) period. The findings suggest that donkeys may have worn bits as early as 2700 BCE, long before the introduction of horses.
A new study estimates Bitcoin's minimum current energy usage at 2.55 gigawatts, with predictions suggesting it could consume up to 7.7 gigawatts by the end of 2018. The network's growing electricity demand raises concerns about its sustainability and impact on climate goals.
A multidisciplinary team at KU is tackling the fundamental science underpinning IoT security, focusing on solutions to side-channel attacks and securing information in the cloud. The team aims to improve resilience and trust between computers, essential for addressing growing cybersecurity concerns.
The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has received a significant grant of $15 million from the Marcus Endowment Fund, allocated for various research projects, academic positions, and campus expansion. This donation is part of a larger gift of over $400 million made by Howard and Lottie Marcus to establish the endowment.
A national survey found an increase in US adults who have ever used e-cigarettes, with a decrease in reported current use between 2014 and 2016. Electronic cigarettes were marketed for smoking cessation and as an alternative to conventional cigarettes.
A study of scientific articles found that minority women face a disadvantage, but it is less than the sum of being black or Hispanic and being a woman. The probability of being last author increased over time for all groups, with black scientists and women facing slower progress.
A new method has been developed to induce a sense of illusory ownership over an invisible body by focusing on the body action, allowing for communication in cyberspace and potential skill learning. The study found that only the hands and feet can induce a sense of ownership over the invisible body.
Firat Testik, a UTSA professor, aims to enhance rainfall estimations and climate modeling with his research on microphysics of rainfall. He will focus on understanding raindrop collisions and size distribution to develop more accurate weather radar predictions.
A 34-million-year-old fossil discovery in Antarctica has provided significant insights into the evolution of baleen whales. The ancient whale, Llanocetus denticrenatus, had well-developed teeth and gums instead of baleen, suggesting a transition from biting to filter feeding occurred over time.
A study from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business found that female entrepreneurs seeking initial investment through crowdfunding efforts are perceived as more trustworthy than their male counterparts. This perception increases overall investment in female-led ventures, leading to higher funding success rates.
The Steel and Metals Institute at Swansea University will transform the UK iron and steel making industry into a low-carbon, resource-efficient sector. The research focuses on smart steel processing of high-value products, including sustainable packaging made from steel.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that the occurrence probability of three lemur species increases with forest fragment size, while its impact on isolation varies depending on the species. The researchers suggest that maintaining habitat area may be crucial to maintaining populations in a fragmented landscape.
Hawking's final theory on the origin of the universe predicts a simpler and finite universe, contradicting the prevailing theory of eternal inflation. The new theory, developed by Hawking and ERC grantee Thomas Hertog, proposes that the universe is reasonably smooth and globally finite.
A new framework helps interpret engravings on stone artifacts, suggesting Neanderthals engaged in symbolic activities. Researchers analyzed a flint flake from Crimea and concluded that the incisions were deliberate, requiring fine motor skills and attention to detail.
The DynaMORE project aims to develop a personalized computer model that can measure and enhance psychological resilience in individuals. The model will provide support to those experiencing difficult stages of life or trauma, offering recommendations to improve resilience and prevent stress-related problems.
Brazil's new synchrotron light source, Sirius, has selected 23 suppliers from 18 firms to develop its high-tech components. The suppliers were chosen based on their ability to develop world-class advanced technologies and meet the project's strict parameters.
A new USC study shows that gentrifying neighborhoods become more white, with minority communities changing racial makeup in 18-30% of cases. Most ascending neighborhoods primarily black or Hispanic become mixed-race, while whites become the majority in only 11% of these areas.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board has approved $74 million in funding for nine new comparative clinical effectiveness research studies. These studies will investigate various conditions that impose significant burdens on patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system.