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 University of Texas at San Antonio is partnering with Southwest Research Institute to develop innovative technologies for corrosion and energy projects. The two projects will focus on mitigating cracking and corrosion in piping and transportation systems.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo and San Diego State University found that niobium boride does not exhibit superconductivity, contrary to traditional manuals. Instead, pure niobium filaments in the material are responsible for its high-temperature superconducting properties.
The DFG is establishing 15 new Collaborative Research Centres to study ultra-fast spin dynamics, re-figuration of spaces, niche choice and construction, atmospheric pressure plasmas, and social-ecological transformation in rural Africa. The centres will receive €133 million in funding over four years.
The $554,000 NSF grant will establish a manufacturing and automation research center at Penn State Behrend, developing hands-on curricula for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes in PA, NY, and OH. The center will complement the college's K-12 outreach efforts and Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Center.
A team led by ecologist Lindsey Rustad sprays water over a portion of forest during an ice storm, simulating the event and studying its effects on forest health. They find that light icing can be beneficial for forests, thinning out branches and allowing new growth.
A new bioelectronic 'nose' has been developed to detect food spoilage by sensing the presence of cadaverine, a compound responsible for the stench of rotting bodies. The detector, which uses nanodiscs and carbon nanotube transistors, is selective and sensitive for cadaverine at low levels, enabling early detection of food spoilage.
The UMass Lowell team is developing a new electronic monitoring system, BEACON, that uses smartphones and sensor technology to promote and reward constructive behaviors among parolees. The system aims to provide positive support to help them avoid violations and recidivism.
The Cavendish Laboratory is set to receive a significant boost with £75 million government funding and an additional £85 million private donation, securing its position as one of the world's leading physics research facilities. The new facility will offer unrivalled resources for researchers in Cambridge and across the UK.
Paolo Falcaro and his team will analyze mechanisms and parameters related to the formation, control, and properties of MOFs. Their goal is to develop microfilms and microstructures with precisely aligned pores for smart components like microchips and sensors.
Researchers at Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute are studying depression in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to understand the relationship between activity levels and mental health. The study aims to fine-tune depression treatment for TBI patients by exploring behavioral activation therapy.
The MSU McNair Scholars Program, a five-year grant-funded initiative, supports 25 undergraduates annually and provides services such as undergraduate research projects, conference presentations, and graduate school preparation. The program has already seen significant success, with 136 students participating since its inception in 2009.
A new collaborative engineering project funded by NSF aims to make numerical computation of departure rates and route choice faster, enabling rapid rerouting and diversion. The project uses machine learning to develop statistical models of traffic flow, potentially reducing congestion by seconds, minutes or hours ahead of time.
NIFA's Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program and Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program support education and research-based knowledge for tribal communities. The programs address unique needs and problems of American Indian tribal nations through grants worth over $5 million in fiscal year 2017.
Researchers have discovered that visible light causes damage to skin cells, which is not blocked by conventional sunscreens. A colored sunscreen developed using nanoparticles coated with melanin provides protection against UVA, UVB and visible light.
Researchers from UC Davis predict certain traits, such as internal fertilization and long-distance mating signals, can help rare species persist during crises. These traits may provide advantages for chronically rare species when compared to more common species that are likely to face extinction during great extinction events.
A new study finds that while the US consistently provides more funding for development assistance for health than any other country, some high-income European nations have surpassed the US's assistance in per capita and expenditure measurements. The US ranking fifth at $714 contributed to DAH for every $1 million in national income.
A new study by Brazilian researchers resolves the 'fundamental paradox of stellar dynamics', describing galaxy clusters' violent relaxation as displaying unique behavior with entropy oscillation. Entropy increases at the end of the process, but fluctuates in the initial stage, contrary to conventional understanding.
A six-year program will provide multidisciplinary training to tackle urban and industrial runoff challenges and promote ecofriendly approaches to managing water and residual effluents. The grant supports INRS' Decontamination and Reclamation research area and ties in with NSERC's priority fields of environmental science and technology.
The Heilbrunn Department at Columbia University is conducting a study to measure the impact of the expanded Mexico City Policy on women's health and wellbeing in Kenya and Nepal. The research aims to assess the current policy's effects on access to life-saving services such as abortion, contraception, and HIV testing and treatment.
A €2 million European Research Council grant has been awarded to NIOZ scientist Helge Niemann to investigate microbial breakdown of plastics in the ocean. Microbes may utilize plastics as carbon substrates, but key factors controlling degradation are largely unknown.
A new study led by Professor Robbie Wilson found that a player's skill is the most important factor in soccer success. Higher skill allows players to have a greater impact on the game.
Penn researchers discovered a universal signature, called softness, which predicts the location of defects in disordered systems. This finding enables the prediction of material failure and has implications for designing shatter-resistant glasses and predicting geological phenomena.
Amanda Botticello at Kessler Foundation leads a study on a six-week cognitive-behavioral intervention to enhance self-efficacy and community participation in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The five-year grant aims to enroll over 250 participants and improve outcomes for people with SCI.
Researchers have found that zebrafish can survive despite mutations by using workarounds such as regulating expression of related genes or skipping errors in DNA transcription. This study provides guidelines for designing targeted mutations and accelerating the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for human diseases.
The German Research Foundation will fund TRR 83 for a further four years to study biological membranes and their functions. Biological membranes with proteins and lipids mediate various functions, from barriers to signal transduction platforms.
Researchers at Northeastern University are working to bridge the 'practice science gap' by connecting practitioners with biodiversity research. The goal is to improve restoration project outcomes by applying scientific knowledge to practical implementation.
Researchers at Georgia Tech found that physical stress drove the evolution of multicellular bodies in yeast cells, allowing them to grow larger and more robust. This process was mainly driven by forces within the cells' physical structures, which pushed the snowflakes to evolve towards bigger, tougher bodies.
The IceCube detector has successfully measured Earth's absorption of high-energy neutrinos, confirming that the planet can block these particles. The study provides insights into neutrino interactions and is consistent with the Standard Model of Particle Physics.
Researchers construct whole-brain map of electrical connectivity in the brain, finding that low-frequency rhythms drive communication between frontal, temporal and medial temporal lobes. This work elucidates brain network communication during memory formation and supports efforts to enhance memory using brain stimulation.
A team of Japanese researchers from Kyoto University used gamma-ray detectors to study the effects of lightning on atmospheric elements. They found that lightning emits positrons, a form of antimatter equivalent to electrons, through interactions with nitrogen and other elements in the atmosphere.
The Cure Brain Cancer Foundation has awarded a $345,000 fellowship to Dr Ryan Cross to develop cancer-fighting immune T cells for brain cancer treatment. The research aims to improve patient survival rates and develop personalised treatments for children and adults with brain cancer.
A new study found that heavy rainfall can indicate upcoming outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses Zika and Chikungunya. The researchers developed a framework to predict where and when future outbreaks will occur, enabling municipalities to prepare measures to limit the spread of diseases.
A recent study by Penn researchers reveals that the Brazil nut effect plays a crucial role in explaining how rivers resist erosion. The phenomenon, where larger particles tend to rise to the top of mixtures, helps create an armor-like layer on riverbeds, protecting them from excessive erosion. This finding has significant implications ...
A recent study has shed light on the causes of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) by revealing how toxic alpha-synuclein clumps disrupt vital parts of neurons and spread through brain connections. The research, led by the University of Edinburgh, used advanced technology to visualize synapses in DLB brains.
John C. Stier, associate dean at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been named a Fellow in the American Society of Agronomy, the highest recognition bestowed by the society. He is recognized for his career contributions to the turfgrass industry and his service as a professor and researcher.
The University of Texas at San Antonio researchers aim to identify specific DNA markers that indicate fecal contamination, evaluate its level, and locate its origin. The project will also educate the public on ways to keep local water resources safe from contamination.
Researchers at Northwestern University have captured on video the collision and fusion of organic nanoparticles for the first time. This unprecedented view enables scientists to study dynamic phenomena in nanoscale materials systems.
The UTSA DEEP Learning in Texas Project aims to address professional shortages in school psychology and deaf education. Graduate students will complete cooperative coursework and gain hands-on experience through internships.
Researchers at George Mason University are developing a new ultrasound-based system to help people with upper-body extremity prostheses, including fine-tuned motor control of fingers and thumb. The technology differentiates between muscle groups better than electrodes on the skin surface.
Researchers at Tufts University will develop devices to improve the collection, storage and transport of blood samples in field settings, enhancing sample reliability for disease surveillance and diagnostics.
A study by Northwestern University and Harvard University found that shared decision-making between doctors and patients increased 14% from 2002 to 2014, resulting in better-informed patients who opt for fewer marginal treatments.
Researchers found that selective breeding for high yield reduced the flexibility of corn varieties to respond to variable environments. This reduction in plasticity comes at the cost of maximum productivity.
MossRehab's Drucker Brain Injury Unit and MRRI have been recognized for excellence in TBI treatment and research. The facility has continuously funded research on outcome prediction and treatment since 1997.
Researchers in Brazil and the Netherlands explore using single-cell algae to remove pollutants from sewage waste, producing large amounts of biomass for composting. The decentralized system could enable small communities to treat their own black water, reducing the need for industrial-scale fertilizers.
Researchers found that supervised exercise accelerated ulcer healing time by 22 weeks compared to compression therapy alone. The study suggests benefits for patients with venous leg ulcers, including cost savings.
Fossils of the oldest mammals related to mankind have been discovered on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, dating back 145 million years. The two teeth belong to small, rat-like creatures that lived during the time of the dinosaurs and are the earliest undisputed fossils of mammals belonging to the line that led to human beings.
Researchers aim to create adaptive autonomous agents capable of self-reflection and adaptation in complex environments. The project will focus on developing AI and machine learning techniques to enable UUVs and other agents to operate reliably in uncertain conditions.
UC3M has secured over 7 million euros in contracts with companies, supporting its R&D efforts. The university is also active in European Horizon 2020 programs, with 50 projects approved and seven ERC projects funded.
Scientists have successfully created tiny protein-based gelatin-like clumps called hydrogels inside living cells using a novel technique. This breakthrough advances research into the suspected contributions of hydrogels to human diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers examine how civilians respond during disasters, highlighting the emergence of 'swarming' collective action. They aim to re-think traditional concepts like preparedness and response to marginalize vulnerable populations.
The National Trends in Disability Employment - Monthly Update shows a 9.3% increase in employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities, outpacing those without disabilities. Effective practices and processes for inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace are identified as key factors.
Researchers can increase their work's impact by using visual storytelling and developing a media product following a Four Phase Media Development Model. This model involves four steps: scoping, development, release, and review to ensure success.
A five-year study by UC Davis researchers assesses stress hormones and emotions in up to 250 Mexican-origin families in Sacramento. The study aims to understand how daily stresses affect parent-child interactions, physical and mental health, and school readiness.
The USDA has invested $3 million in three colleges serving Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians to prepare students for careers in food, agriculture, and natural resources. The University of Hawaii and the University of Alaska Fairbanks will develop pathways to recruit underrepresented students into their programs.
Researchers at George Washington University will follow children with autism through adolescence and into adulthood to understand differences in ASD risk between boys and girls. The study aims to identify biomarkers of developmental pathways that might differ for boys and girls, and generate insights on how to further explore the data.
The invasive South American palm weevil is killing California's iconic palm trees and threatening the state's $89 million-per-year date industry. Researchers are developing semiochemical formulations to monitor and control populations in an effective, economical, and environmentally-friendly manner.
Researchers at Penn University have demonstrated the ability to control liquid crystal patterns, which could be useful in creating patchy colloids and microscopic particles with functionalized surfaces. The study was led by Lisa Tran and Randall Kamien and has potential applications in biosensing and energy harvesting.
The UK's exit from the EU has led to uncertainties in future policies and funding for research enterprise and science-related higher education. Many researchers worry about accessing grant money and collaborating with EU partners.
University of Miami Professor Daniel Benetti has been awarded a $967,000 grant from NOAA to develop hatchery technology for three economically important marine fish species. The project aims to create an affordable supply of seed for commercial producers, relieving pressure on wild stocks without negative economic impacts.
The City College of New York has received a $174,895 NSF RAPID grant to investigate the impacts of post-hurricane land-atmosphere interactions on convective and precipitation processes in the Caribbean region. Researchers will conduct field studies in Puerto Rico to improve their understanding of storm development and intensification.