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.
Two new studies will investigate strategies to improve care and outcomes for expectant and new mothers with opioid use disorder. The studies aim to identify the most effective ways to provide optimal care, improving birth outcomes and infant health.
Researchers at NYU and NYU Abu Dhabi will deploy sophisticated equipment to gather data on the Thwaites Glacier's collapse, which could lead to a 10-foot-rise in sea levels. The project aims to provide robust projections of sea level change over the present century.
Portland State University has been awarded a $275,000 NSF grant to explore the cryptography-breaking power of quantum computers and develop new computer science courses. The project aims to broaden participation in computer science among high school students and teachers.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has renewed the Veterans Business Outreach Center grant at the University of Texas at Arlington for $1.375 million over five years. The grant supports education, training, and consulting services for veterans starting or growing businesses in North Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
A study of Dutch research grants reveals that winning an early-career grant leads to more research funding, awards, and prestigious academic appointments. The 'Matthew effect' erodes quality of scientific research due to projects being funded based on status rather than merit.
Diabetes UK has committed £2.6 million to 19 new research projects investigating medieval remedies for foot ulcers, sleep disturbances as a predictor of Type 2 diabetes, and other forms of diabetes. The funding aims to reduce amputations, sepsis cases, and improve treatment options.
Researchers found that communities using a coordinated approach to prevention were more likely to reduce substance use, violence, and other antisocial behaviors in young adults. The study, conducted among 4,400 youth participants, showed significant long-term effects of Communities That Care (CTC) programs.
The lab will upgrade its unique computed tomography facilities to enable high-resolution, in situ, three-dimensional material characterization with unprecedented three-dimensional imaging quality and efficiency. The research aims to study physics phenomena governing manufacturing irregularities or defects in composite parts.
Researchers linked two sites in South Africa to the Toba volcanic eruption, demonstrating that ancestors thrived during the event. Microscopic glass shards found at these sites provide a precise temporal link between activities at one site and another.
A 3,000-year-old horse burial in Sudan has provided significant insights into the Kushite state formation and the role of horses in ancient Nubian culture. The discovery, dated to around 950 BC, reveals that horses were central to the state's identity and foreshadowed later developments in Nubian kingship.
The Morris Animal Foundation is awarding $750,000 to eight research projects aimed at improving horse health by preventing and treating foal pneumonia, laminitis, and septicemia. The studies will also investigate health problems in grey alpacas, including the development of a genetic screening test.
Scientists at NIST and partners developed a miniaturized device that generates precise frequencies of light, tracing back to an international measurement standard. The breakthrough reduces the size of optical frequency synthesizers from tabletop instruments to three silicon chips.
Researchers created a tiny electro-optic modulator that translates electrical signals into light at speeds 10s of times faster than current technologies. The device uses plasmonics and has the potential to integrate photonics and electronics on a single chip, revolutionizing information technology.
A Brazilian research team has developed a novel technique to produce high-performance silver nanoparticles with 32 times the bactericidal capacity of existing materials. The new method uses pulsed laser irradiation and reduces production costs, making it economically feasible for large-scale applications.
Researchers at Aalto University have successfully generated and detected entanglement in massive mechanical oscillators, opening doors for new quantum technologies. The achievement uses a theoretical innovation developed by Dr. Matt Woolley and Prof. Aashish Clerk to stabilize exotic quantum states.
A study by Florida Atlantic University researcher Kate Detwiler found that hybridization between red-tailed and blue guenon monkeys is common, with 15% of the population consisting of hybrids. The research suggests that social learning and environmental factors may contribute to this phenomenon.
Researchers analyzed over 4,000 grant applications from 2002 to 2008 and found that high-scoring early-career scientists accumulated more research funding in subsequent years. They were also more likely to achieve full professorship compared to low-scoring counterparts.
A common Great Barrier Reef coral species has enough genetic diversity to adapt to warming conditions, but its future remains uncertain. The model predicts that the coral will become more sensitive to temperature swings, but it will still survive for at least another century.
A new study from the University of Illinois provides video evidence of parental infanticide in dickcissel birds, challenging existing assumptions about this phenomenon. The researchers observed a female parent removing her own chick from the nest, raising questions about the ecological and evolutionary implications.
Scientists have developed a portable sensor array that can detect tiny amounts of chemicals emitted by humans, even at levels as low as three parts per billion. The device is light, affordable, and compact, making it ideal for first responders to carry or drones to use in search and rescue operations.
A new ancestor of modern sea turtles has been found in Alabama, dating back to the Late Cretaceous epoch. The discovery reveals two distinct species within the Peritresius clade, expanding the known evolutionary history of these marine reptiles.
The Casey Strale Foundation has raised over $150,000 for TGen ACC research, supporting life-changing work by Dr. Sunil Sharma and his team in developing new treatments for this rare cancer. The foundation's efforts aim to honor the memory of teenager Casey Strale, who lost his battle with ACC.
The Brazilian chip SAMPA will upgrade the detection system in ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider, enabling the detection of thousands of particles per second. The new system will increase the collision rate by a factor of 100, from 500 to 50,000 collisions per second.
Human activities significantly impacted the Yangtze River's channel evolution between Datong and Xuliujing. Erosion with a volume of 4.7 hundred million cubic meters occurred due to decreased sediment discharge following the Three Gorges Dam closure.
A new study by IHME found that global spending on HIV/AIDS peaked at $49.7 billion in 2013 and reached a total of $562.6 billion between 2000 and 2015. Governments accounted for the majority of funding, with development assistance making up 30% of total spending.
The Hobby School at the University of Houston is conducting a five-year survey to study the impact of Hurricane Harvey on residents' properties, behaviors, and policy attitudes. Early results show significant support for policies to mitigate future disasters, such as reservoir construction and floodplain restrictions.
The UTSA Open Cloud Institute is supporting collaborative R&D partnerships and creating educational opportunities through a $200,000 grant program. The institute is also launching a graduate-level certificate program in cloud computing to incorporate cloud expertise into engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity degrees.
Using computer modeling, University of Oregon scientists have unveiled a thick crustal transition zone that may control the movement of magma emerging from the Earth's mantle. This discovery provides a new explanation for the geology underlying recent seismic imaging of magma bodies below Yellowstone National Park.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a water-based zinc battery with high energy density, rechargeability, and intrinsic safety. The new technology combines old battery chemistry with a novel aqueous electrolyte, overcoming limitations of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
KTU has won EUR 2.4 million Horizon 2020 funding to attract top academics, boosting innovation economy and strengthening its competitiveness in the European Research Area. The project focuses on Industry 4.0's impact on management practices and economics.
The project, led by Pacific Northwest National Lab, aims to develop a new method for producing and harvesting seaweed for biofuels. The team plans to deploy a three-mile-long recycled carbon fiber cable adrift in the open ocean to cultivate macroalgae.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $318,778 grant to create a campus-wide assistive technology program. The program will teach undergraduate students how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
The OU mathematics department will use a $3 million NSF grant to study active learning methods for improving STEM student success. The project aims to develop models that work at any institution, with a focus on helping underrepresented minority students succeed in introductory math courses.
A national survey by Kessler Foundation reveals that 69% of people with disabilities are striving to work, overcoming barriers through job preparation and negotiation. The study also finds that many employees report experiencing and successfully addressing obstacles such as negative attitudes and pay disparity.
A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing explores how injured black men in Philadelphia perceived their psychological symptoms after injury and the factors that guided their decisions to seek professional mental health help. The study found that despite suffering from severe psychological symptoms, very few ...
Planets in short-period binary star systems are at risk of being ejected due to tidal forces, which slow down stellar rotations and expand orbital periods. This process removes at least one planet in 87% of multiplanet circumbinary systems, making them less suitable for habitability studies
A groundbreaking study by Gladstone and Google AI uses deep learning to analyze cell images, identifying features that humans can't detect. The method uncovers important information that was previously impossible or problematic for scientists to obtain.
The University of Texas at Arlington's System for Undergraduates to Reach Goals in Education (SURGE) program has received a new four-year NSF grant. The program provides funding for high-achieving, financially disadvantaged undergraduates pursuing degrees in mathematics, with a focus on mentoring and research opportunities.
The animated short film aims to raise public awareness about the challenges of liver failure and liver cirrhosis. The film highlights the DIALIVE technology, a novel liver dialysis device undergoing clinical trials to assess its safety and efficacy.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will study the ocean's twilight zone using next-generation robotic vehicles and sensors. The project aims to understand the region's ecosystem, its potential benefits for humanity, and its impact on climate regulation.
Researchers at Leang Burung 2 rock shelter on Sulawesi island discovered archaic cobble-based cores and flakes indicating human occupation at least 50,000 years ago. The findings provide key insights into early human occupation and cultural evolution in the Indonesian region.
A new Tulane University study using optical dating found that the rate of land building from river diversions will be dwarfed by wetland loss. The study suggests positioning diversions in areas with greatest potential for land-building and protecting population centers.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute professor Michael Amitay has received a $894,000 grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to study flow separation on swept wings, which could lead to improved aerodynamic performance. The project aims to clarify and classify the origins of unsteadiness and turbulence in 3-D large-scale se...
A University of Pittsburgh bioengineer uses experimental and computational approaches to study the neural mechanisms of eye movements directed to stationary and moving objects. The team records activity in neurons of the superior colliculus to understand how the brain processes visual information during saccadic eye movements.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a way to study the brain of a bat as it flies, recording brain activity for the first time in naturally behaving animals. The team observed bursts of activity in midbrain cells as the bat shifted attention, providing insights into how brains process information in real-world situations.
A study analyzing four beach nourishment projects in San Diego County found that mechanically placed sand moves significantly, with some areas receiving more sand than was initially added. The research provides insight into the behavior of nourishment sand and its potential unintended consequences.
Researchers have developed a new waveguide technology that suppresses bend loss in 3D photonic integrated circuits, allowing for the creation of compact devices. The technology uses femtosecond laser direct writing to inscribe modification tracks in fused silica, increasing refractive index contrast and reducing bending losses.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased to 31.7% in March 2018, up from 28.6% in March 2017. This represents a 10.8% increase and the longest duration of job gains in five years.
Researchers have proposed a theoretical device that leverages Majorana fermions to act as a thermoelectric tuner, allowing for the filtering of thermal energy. The device consists of a quantum dot connected to a Kitaev wire with ring-shaped majoranas at its edges.
The NIH has completed a comprehensive genomic analysis of 33 cancer types, revealing new insights into tumor origins, progression, and vulnerabilities. The PanCancer Atlas provides a detailed understanding of how tumors arise in humans, enabling better informed clinical trials and future treatments.
A study found that postnatal Zika virus infection in rhesus macaque infants resulted in persistent brain structure and function abnormalities, as well as behavioral and emotional changes. The researchers recommend long-term clinical monitoring for affected infants.
Scientists have developed a method to combine up to eight different metals in a single nanoparticle, creating stable alloys with useful applications in the chemical and energy industries. The new technique uses shock waves to heat and cool the metals, producing homogeneous nanoparticles with broad catalytic properties.
A University of Delaware researcher is studying a naturally occurring dietary supplement, nicotinamide riboside (NR), to boost nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels and potentially treat age-related cardiovascular dysfunction. The study aims to improve physiological function in humans by reversing age-related declines in NAD+.
Research from the University of Central Florida suggests that parental-control apps may be counterproductive, reducing trust and increasing online risks for teens. Studies found that authoritarian parents are more likely to use these apps, which can limit teen autonomy and hinder their ability to respond to online threats.
Researchers discovered dozens of giant footprints on Scotland's Isle of Skye, providing key insight into the evolution of dinosaurs during the Middle Jurassic period. The tracks were made by long-necked sauropods and sharp-toothed theropods, with some dating back to around 170 million years ago.
Researchers found that allowing transgender youths to use their chosen name in various settings significantly reduced symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, and attempts. The study revealed a 71% decrease in severe depression, 34% decrease in suicidal thoughts, and 65% decrease in suicidal attempts.
A study by Cornelia Lawson et al. reveals female scientists with young children receive less funding and citation rates compared to their male counterparts. The researchers highlight the need for support systems for women with childcare responsibilities.
The SAGE Ocean Concept Grant Program has awarded over $100,000 in funding to support the development of new tools that enable social scientists to work with big data. The winners include Quanteda Studio, MiniVAN, and Digital DNA Toolbox, which aim to make text analytics and network analysis more accessible to non-specialist researchers.
A study from Binghamton University reveals that funders on crowdfunding platforms prioritize a seller's reputation and opportunism over their competence in delivering the promised product. As product complexity increases, concerns for the seller's reputation also rise, while concerns over delivery ability decrease.
Researchers have created a rechargeable yarn battery that can be twisted, stretched, and cut into multiple pieces, each powering a device. The battery maintains its charge capacity, is waterproof, and shows promise for wearable electronics.