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.
Researchers found five native Brazilian fruits, such as araçá-piranga, to contain bioactive properties like blueberries and strawberries. The study suggests these fruits could combat free radicals and chronic inflammation, potentially preventing diseases like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's.
Two Princeton astrophysicists have received funding to investigate the physics of merging neutron stars, which produce heavy elements found in our bodies. The project aims to improve our understanding of these events and their observable signatures.
Researchers at Chalmers University have developed a flexible terahertz detector using graphene transistors on plastic substrates. The device detects signals in the frequency range of 330 to 500 gigahertz, opening up various applications including imaging sensors and wireless communications.
Researchers will use synoptic climatological frameworks to assess predictability of anomalous coastal sea levels. They will also develop extreme event climate change indicators related to human thermal comfort. The aim is to help meteorologists better understand weather patterns for more accurate forecasting.
A University of Delaware research team is studying how people adapt to power outages and water shortages after disasters. The project aims to optimize risk management strategies and improve societal needs through a multifaceted approach combining engineering modeling techniques, social science methods, and real-world case studies.
A new study reveals combosquatting domains are 100 times more prevalent than typosquatting domains, and nearly 60% of abusive domains remain active for over a year. Researchers discovered legitimate companies registering trademark-containing domains that were later taken over by malicious attackers.
By analyzing regulatory networks for 38 tissues, researchers found that core components are combined differently with added genetic and environmental information, governing unique tissue functions. This work emphasizes the need to consider tissue context when developing therapies to minimize potential side effects.
Researchers developed a new method to create novel nanoporous materials with unique optical, magnetic, electronic and catalytic properties. The technique allows for the creation of tunable nanoporous materials with varying pore sizes by changing the composition of nanoparticles and liquids.
A research participant regained voluntary motor function, including standing and moving without stimulation, six years after a complete spinal cord injury. The recovery was achieved through extended activity-based training with epidural stimulation, challenging previous beliefs that severe injuries would not improve over time.
I_Systems' advanced control system Leaf enables companies to forecast consumption variations and optimize air flow and fuel intake, leading to cost savings. The technology has been successfully implemented by various customers in 25 industries, including Coca-Cola and Suzano Papel e Celulose.
Research finds that increased conservation spending is effective in reducing biodiversity loss, with countries like Brazil experiencing fewer threats and Chile facing more. A new measurement assigns percentage of responsibility to protect threatened species based on their range within a country.
UNIST researchers have been consistently chosen by Samsung Electronics to develop innovative futuristic technologies. The latest selection includes Professor Jeong Min Baik in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, who will receive follow-up support for his project on developing high power generators.
Research by Swansea University scientists improved nanowire stability, enabling more durable nanotechnology for future semiconductor devices. Atomic changes to metal catalyst particles revealed new physical evidence on barrier inhomogeneity, allowing nanoengineers to select device properties.
A new study by Northeastern University found that approximately 9 million handgun owners in the US carry loaded firearms monthly, while 3 million report daily carrying. The study revealed that gun owners are more likely to be male, aged 18-29, conservative, and from the South.
The pilot project identified significant bottlenecks in data sharing practices among IDRC-funded projects, including lack of resources, expertise, and tailored data management platforms. The study recommends empowering Program Officers with training and support to enhance policy implementation.
Kent State University professor Jonathan Maletic has received a three-year, $290,610 NSF grant to develop eye-tracking software that can track programmers' working environments. This project will enable more realistic studies of programmers' behavior, leading to better understanding of program comprehension and development.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory and UConn have discovered a material with extraordinary 'bounce' or super-elastic shape-memory properties, exceeding 13% recoverable strain. This breakthrough could lead to innovative applications in outer space and other harsh environments.
ISCA Technologies received eight grants from the USDA to develop environmentally-friendly pest control products and improve crop yields. The company will use naturally occurring pheromones, yeast species, and drones to control damaging insect pests and promote healthier bees.
A new species of manakin bird was discovered in Peru by analyzing its distinct song. The newly identified species, Machaeropterus eckelberryi, differs from local subspecies and shares similarities with Venezuelan tepuis birds.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative is expanding its efforts to develop new tools and technologies to understand neural circuit function and capture a dynamic view of the brain in action. Researchers are making rapid progress in visualizing the brain in action, identifying thousands of brain cells at a time, and developing innovative brain scanners.
Researchers found that supplementing cell cultures with nicotinamide riboside protects cells and prevents malignant transformation. The compound may be used in chemoprevention to prevent cancer development.
The five-year grant will prepare 18 master's-level scholars in AAC practices to improve services for children, teens, and young adults with complex communication needs. Scholars will develop competencies in evidence-based practices related to instruction, assessment, collaboration, and individualized support.
A Michigan State University scientist is leading a NOAA-funded project to create a three-month, automated drought outlook that will be released weekly to the public. The system aims to provide more notice of potential droughts, including flash droughts, and help policymakers and stakeholders prepare for these events.
A Brazilian scientist proposes a new definition of glass as a non-equilibrium, non-crystalline state of matter that appears solid on a short time scale but relaxes towards the liquid state. This definition challenges traditional views of glass as a solid and highlights its unique properties.
Researchers Enrica De Cian and Emiliano Fiori from Ca' Foscari University of Venice have won ERC Starting Grants for their projects on energy adaptation and the origins of Middle Eastern interreligious polemic. The grants total €3 million, attracting international talent to Italy.
A new ERC Grant project, ELWar, investigates how war influences electoral behavior in six postwar Balkan states over three decades. The study aims to identify the agents of postwar politics and their impact on societal decisions made after violence.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $5.4 million in grants to study the environmental impact of genetically engineered organisms and develop methods for monitoring their dispersal. Researchers will investigate probiotics, CRISPR gene-edited trees, and other biotechnology innovations to inform food safety p...
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a powerful RNA switch that can activate genes thousands of times better than nature, providing precise control over gene expression. This technology has potential applications in diagnostics, metabolic engineering, and regulating RNA networks.
A study found that mating induces sexual inhibition in female jumping spiders, causing them to reject subsequent male suitors. Females commonly store sperm from their first mating and can use it for the rest of their lives.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the total flying insect biomass decreased by more than 75 percent over 27 years in protected areas. Insects play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, pollinating 80 percent of wild plants and providing a food source for 60 percent of birds.
The Translational Genomics Research Institute has developed novel processing methods for single-cell RNA sequencing, enabling researchers to identify genetic sources of diseases and tailor treatments. This breakthrough is crucial for understanding cancer and improving patient care.
Researchers will investigate brain aging and Alzheimer's using advanced bio imaging technology on a representative sample of 1,310 Tsimane adults. The project aims to understand the relationship between vascular health and Alzheimer's risk.
The Canadian Foundation for Innovation provides a $1.8 million grant to Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute (RRI) to upgrade its MRI and MEG machines, enabling researchers to pursue unique ways to protect brain health during aging and prevent dementia.
Researchers at UTA will improve CT scanning technology to detect manufacturing flaws and structural damage in composites. The goal is to increase the reliability of composite aircraft and address a critical need for large-scale inspections.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are using unmanned aerial vehicles to create highly accurate 3D and profile maps of storm debris in Beaumont, Texas. The project aims to help the city prioritize cleanup efforts by providing an accurate representation of the debris.
The NSF's Smart & Connected Communities program has awarded $19.5 million to 38 projects across the US, focusing on public safety, water systems, community health, energy, transportation, and rural planning. Researchers will collaborate with diverse stakeholders to address challenges and transform communities.
Dr. Mark Stockman's research aims to create wave-guiding effects without magnets, using rotating nano-laser fields instead. This innovation has potential applications in the optical telecommunications industry and could make transistors more resilient to radiation damage.
Scientists at Princeton University have enhanced scanning tunneling microscopy to capture signals from the elusive Majorana fermion in iron wires on a lead crystal. The study detects a unique quantum property called spin, which distinguishes the particle from other quasi-particles and provides a signature of its existence.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory has received funding to commercialize a gas atomization nozzle design for producing metal powders with customizable sizes and improved quality. The funding will support the adaptation of this technology in industrial manufacturing processes.
The Columbia team will use machine learning and advanced techniques to filter out extraneous data and aid in the detection of gravitational waves. With a $1 million NSF grant, they aim to contribute to LIGO's historic breakthroughs and advance understanding of the cosmos.
EnterUp's AI-driven system uses spatial collaborative filtering to personalize online searches, resulting in a 25% increase in property sales conversions. The technology also extends the range of offerings by suggesting areas with similar characteristics, such as nearby shopping malls.
Researchers studied dive patterns of five toothed whale species in the Bahamas and found that two beaked whale species took exceptionally long, deep dives for their size. This suggests that these whales may extend their foraging dives by shifting from aerobic to anaerobic respiration.
Dr. Yuze Sun is developing an optofluidic gas-analyzing microsystem to detect biomarkers in human exhaled breath for early stage lung cancer detection. The technology aims to replace invasive biopsies and needle pokes with a non-invasive screening method.
The University of Houston-led Texas Center for Learning Disabilities will tackle the issue of adolescents struggling to read with an $8.4 million grant. The team, led by experts in psychology and education, aims to develop effective interventions to help English learners and students with reading difficulties.
Engineers at MIT developed a new model to simulate dynamic soaring in albatrosses, finding that shallow arcs help birds stay aloft with less effort. The research also sheds light on the optimal flight pattern for wind-propelled drones and gliders.
Web-based treatments have been found to significantly increase employment rates among individuals with severe mental illness. The studies show that participants worked for three times the number of hours and earned almost $2000 more than the control group.
A new study by Indiana University found that homicide is the largest contributor to potential years of life lost among black Americans. The study revealed significant disparities in mortality rates between black and white Americans for all causes of death.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been awarded $12.5 million to develop a new laboratory that will research fundamental properties of plasma to better understand the universe. The lab, known as WiPPL, will combine expertise and equipment from two existing projects to simulate astrophysical phenomena on Earth.
Researchers develop magnet-free non-reciprocal components on silicon chips for millimeter-wave frequencies, enabling full-duplex wireless communications, high-speed data transfer for self-driving cars and virtual reality, and transforming 5G networks.
A new study by McGill University researchers reveals that the brain's motor signals play a crucial role in distinguishing complex sounds. By anticipating the occurrence of next tone, the motor system sharpens auditory perception, even when participants remain still.
Kavitha Sarma, a researcher at The Wistar Institute, has been awarded the NIH Director's New Innovator Award for her work on epigenetic regulation and chromatin biology in neurodegeneration and cancer. The $1.5 million grant will support her research efforts to identify new therapeutic targets.
Participants rated positive images as smoother and less choppy than neutral and negative images, even when fading at the same rate. The emotional content of the images affected how people experienced time, with higher approach motivation leading to smoother perceptions.
Researchers aim to create a cyber network of 'things' that adapt as the mission evolves, with a focus on cognitive abilities and data fusion. The alliance will explore new predictive battlefield analytics and services, leveraging advancements in unmanned systems and machine intelligence.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports has shown that the Nanopatch, a microscopic vaccine delivery platform, is more effective at combating poliovirus than traditional needles and syringes. This breakthrough has significant implications for the eradication of polio, a disease responsible for tens of millions of cases worldwide.
Research by University of Nottingham academics reveals common areas causing concern for both individuals with hearing loss and their loved ones, including communication difficulties, emotional strain, and social isolation. The study emphasizes the importance of involving partners and family members in rehabilitation plans to ease the p...
A team of UMass Amherst computer scientists are part of a four-institution consortium awarded $4.5 million by the Army Research Labs to develop predictive battlefield analytics and services. The project aims to create a seamless network between humans and technology to give soldiers a competitive edge in future military operations.
A study by Cornell University psychologist Amy Krosch found that when resources are scarce, prejudiced individuals discriminate more against black recipients than white recipients. Egalitarian participants, on the other hand, tend to give more funding to protect racial minority group members.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that wound healing is triggered by a complex series of calcium signals in cells. The team found that cells use both gap junctions and protein signaling to respond to injury, allowing them to differentiate between different types of wounds.
Researchers will use state-of-the-art imaging techniques to gain new insights into neural circuit function, critical for addressing visual and neurological disorders. The grant aims to fill a major gap in understanding how neurons process information, crucial for treating brain-related conditions.
A team led by University of Iowa physicist Craig Kletzing has won $1.25 million from NASA to conceptualize a potential mission to study the interactions between the sun and Earth's magnetic fields. The mission, called TRACERS, aims to better understand how the solar wind affects our planet and its technology.