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 have discovered how Leishmania donovani uses physiological response to low oxygen levels to establish a chronic infection. The parasite induces the expression of HIF-1α, a master regulator of cellular response to hypoxia, in monocytes and macrophages.
D.J. Seo, a UTA professor, will use a $281,790 grant to implement hyper-resolution modeling in the National Water Model, allowing for street-resolving details and more accurate flooding predictions. The resulting model will enable officials to pinpoint specific neighborhoods impacted by flooding.
Dr. Yu Zhang received nearly $3.7 million from the NIH's NIDCR to develop strong yet natural-looking materials for restorative dentistry. His research aims to create aesthetic, strong, and abrasion-resistant materials by developing new zirconia-based ceramics.
A new protective textile developed at the University of Delaware using shear thickening fluid technology will protect astronauts from punctures and projectiles in space. The technology has been awarded a $750,000 grant to produce a prototype for NASA's Journey to Mars mission.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered a unique magnetic behavior in ultracold atoms, which is consistent with the Fermi-Hubbard model. The team found that applying a strong magnetic field caused the atoms to line up in an alternating pattern and lean away from each other.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a new financial product to attract long-term private investors to emerging energy technologies. The goal is to address the 'valley of death' – the gap between seed investment and later rounds of financing when startups have scaled up and are profitable.
A study found that people with an independent self-construal tend to reject public appeals for charitable giving, seeing them as social pressure. In contrast, those who value interdependence are more likely to respond positively, feeling a sense of belonging to a movement.
The article warns that Brexit will likely have far-reaching effects on the UK's health service, including increased risk of NHS staff shortages, loss of funding, and reduced public health protections. The authors highlight the need for policymakers to consider these risks and prioritize health issues in Brexit negotiations.
The OU Innovation Hub and OCAST have launched a statewide initiative to increase Oklahoma's participation in the Small Business Innovation Research program. The effort will implement 10 new programs across the state, including workshops, mentorship programs, and commercialization resources.
Researchers have developed an environmentally friendly process to transform olive mill wastewater into sustainable products. The process involves embedding the wastewater in cypress sawdust, rapidly drying it, and then subjecting it to pyrolysis to produce bio-oil and charcoal pellets.
A study by Oregon State University finds that truckers who can't find safe places to park and rest face significant economic costs, with at-fault crashes resulting in approximately $75 million of 'crash harm' over a 7-year period on one stretch of highway.
Recent satellite imagery reveals a 5% decrease in panda habitat since 1976, with an average patch size decreasing by 23%. The main culprit behind this decline is the increase in road density, which has fragmented the habitat.
Researchers at MSU are developing more effective human-robot collaborations for search-and-rescue missions. The joint efforts of humans and robots can improve efficiency and accuracy in underwater rescues.
Srinivas Rangarajan, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Lehigh University, received a research grant from the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund to investigate olefin production. The study aims to develop more energy-efficient catalysts for producing olefins directly from shale gas.
The UM Rosenstiel School has received over $14 million in funding to continue research on the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Researchers will focus on analyzing unprecedented data and publishing new findings, while also studying the impacts of crude oil on ecologically and commercially valuable fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
A study found that babies who watched an adult struggle before succeeding tried harder at their own difficult task compared to those who saw an adult succeed effortlessly. The researchers also discovered that direct interactions made a difference in how hard the babies tried.
Researchers gathered data from over 16,000 students and found no evidence that motivation decreased despite prolonged effort on a single task. Instead, motivation increased as new tasks were completed, suggesting that self-control may be stable throughout the day.
Researchers are struggling to develop better varieties of crops like coffee and bananas due to the complexity of their multiple chromosomes. A $47,000 grant is funding an international meeting to collaborate and compare findings on polyploid crops.
A NYU College of Dentistry team will compare the effectiveness of two cavity-prevention techniques in elementary schools in the Bronx, with a focus on improving oral health equity. The five-year study aims to determine the most effective school-based prevention methods and their impact on quality of life and student achievement.
The Mathematical Association of America has awarded funding to support projects increasing diversity in mathematics across all levels of education. The $150,000 grant will benefit women and underrepresented groups in mathematics through projects such as math camps, mentored research, and enrichment activities.
Lancaster University engineers create smart road surfaces that harness and convert vehicle vibration into electrical energy, generating up to two Megawatts per kilometre. This technology could save taxpayers around £1,800 to £3,600 per day in street lighting costs.
A recent study by University of Illinois economist Hope Michelson found that wait-and-see strategies among farmers in Nicaragua can lead to increased participation in supply chains. The study suggests that incentives may be necessary to encourage risk-takers to join the market, as early adopters bear initial costs and benefits.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that funding cuts to mental health services in schools and clinics reduce access for adolescents with mental health problems. Young people without treatment are more likely to suffer from depression later in adulthood.
A new study in Miami-Dade County, Florida found that time spent outdoors affects Zika virus transmission and spread. Residents who spend more time outdoors are more likely to be infected, while those with high indoor exposure risk infect fewer people but spread the virus faster.
A study by USC researchers found that women's sports receive nearly the same level of coverage as men's sports, with subtle sexism still present in mainstream broadcast coverage. Women's stories averaged only 77 seconds on SportsCenter, compared to men's stories, and are often framed in a 'gender-bland' way.
Researchers at University of Utah Health discovered a molecular pathway responsible for cleft palate formation and identified a new treatment to reverse this defect in mouse pups in-utero. The Wnt-based treatment restored palate fusion in all tested pups without adverse health effects.
A Brazilian startup has developed an animal detection system that uses sensors and transmitters to warn drivers of potential wildlife crossings. The system, called Passa-Bicho, aims to reduce roadkill and collisions by providing early warnings to drivers, covering hundreds of meters ahead.
The PCORI Board has approved $97.9 million to fund 11 studies comparing different approaches to improving care for conditions like opioid misuse, multiple sclerosis, and sickle cell disease. These studies aim to provide evidence-based information to inform healthcare decisions.
INRS professors Bernard Giroux and Jinyang Liang receive funding to develop geophysical monitoring tools for environmental risks and real-time brain imaging techniques for studying membrane dynamics in neurons. This research has potential applications in material sciences and optical physics.
A $3.3 million grant will fund a study to manage crapemyrtle bark scale, a new, devastating exotic pest impacting the industry's $66 million worth of crapemyrtle sales. The study aims to develop effective control methods and improve understanding of consumer preferences.
For the first time, astronomers have measured how a galaxy's spin affects its shape, finding that faster-spinning galaxies are flatter and spiral galaxies with faster spins have more circular disks. The study used a new instrument, SAMI, to analyze data from 845 galaxies.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a nearly $800,000 grant from the US Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop new computer simulation models for characterizing the impact of severe earthquake conditions on reinforced concrete structures. These tools will provide engineers wit...
Researchers have developed a new promising feedstock for biojet fuel that could replace up to 65% of national jet fuel consumption. The feedstock, called lipidcane, produces oil-rich sugarcane that can be converted into biodiesel or jet fuel.
A recent grant of $1.8 million will support research on mixed-income community-building, with a focus on promoting social equity and inclusion in US cities. The funding will enable the National Initiative on Mixed-Income Communities (NIMC) to launch an innovation network and profile exemplary initiatives.
Researchers are developing an autonomous detection system for divers and mines to secure underwater infrastructure. The system combines active acoustic remote detection with target recognition by an approaching Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), improving coverage and response times.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington have discovered a connection between hypoxia, a condition with reduced oxygen flow, and HOTAIR, a noncoding RNA linked to several types of cancer. This study offers hope for developing new drug treatments by targeting HOTAIR.
A joint research project between universities in Germany will survey 6,000 refugees and other immigrants to understand their characteristics, experiences, and future plans. The study aims to assess how different immigrant groups integrate into German society, including those from EU member states and non-EU countries.
When two people walk one in front of the other while carrying a stretcher-like object, they typically synchronize their gaits. This synchronization is associated with quadrupedal gaits, particularly pacing and trotting. Mechanical coupling changes walking gaits, reducing step length and movement speed.
A study found that listening to happy music, specifically classical music with positive valence and high arousal, facilitates more divergent creative thinking. Participants who came up with the most original solutions scored higher in divergent creativity.
A $4.4 million study is exploring ways to improve the US melon industry through consumer evaluations, sensory panels, and collaboration with growers and grocery store chains. The goal is to enhance sustainability and profitability by emphasizing consumer preferences and industry-driven needs.
A small pilot study suggests that neurofeedback can improve symptoms and overall recovery in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Eight of the twelve patients responded well to treatment, with five achieving remission.
The USDA has invested $12.6 million in funding doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships for agricultural science research and education. The program aims to foster a diverse pool of skilled professionals to tackle pressing food system issues, including plant health, production, and animal welfare.
The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 27.2% to 29.5% in August 2017, reflecting a prolonged stretch of gains. Transportation barriers can be overcome through targeted training programs and services, expanding access to employment and community activities.
The study highlights São Paulo State as a prime example of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, where firms can benefit from each other's presence. Knowledge-intensive firms should connect to optimize resources and expand their competencies. The analysis also explores cross-border developing zones and innovation policies.
A new study by University of Missouri researcher Brett Johnson found that while people dislike extreme speech, there is less support for outright censorship, instead advocating for clear policies promoting healthy public discourse.
A second Autonomous Terrestrial Laser Scanning system will be installed on Greenland's Helheim Glacier to monitor ice loss rates and improve sea level rise predictions. The new data will help understand glacier dynamics and variability, enabling better estimates of future sea level rise.
UConn chemistry professor Doug Adamson has patented a process to exfoliate pure graphene, a substance that is 100 times stronger than steel. His technology uses a thermodynamically driven approach to un-stack graphite into its constituent graphene sheets.
New research suggests that corals build their hard, calcium carbonate skeletons faster and in bigger pieces than previously thought. This active construction method helps them grow much faster and with greater control.
Researchers develop 'dip-and-dry' approach for selective solar absorbers, exhibiting high performance and durability. The new method yields highly efficient SSAs with contrasting optical properties for solar and thermal radiation.
The University of California, Davis has received a $4.5 million grant to develop improved disease-resistant strawberry varieties. The project aims to reduce the use of fumigants like methyl bromide and promote sustainable production in the US strawberry industry.
Brown's Data Science Initiative aims to bring together experts from various fields to develop new tools for applying data to complex problems. The grant will support intensive research activity and workshops bringing top researchers to campus to work on improving predictive power of mathematical models.
A NASA technologist is developing a self-calibrating hybrid space magnetometer that combines the precision of fluxgate and atomic magnetometers. The device will be ideal for CubeSat and small satellite missions, enabling simultaneous multi-point observations and studying Earth's ever-changing magnetic fields.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered a link between acid-sensing receptor TDAG8 and panic disorder symptoms. The study found significantly increased levels of TDAG8 in patients with panic disorder, correlating with symptom severity and treatment response.
A new project aims to investigate the effects of the forcing technique on mathematics and philosophy, promising a revolutionary paradigm shift. The funding of about 900,000 euros will support Carolin Antos' research for five years.
Researchers at UTA are refining their ClaimBuster tool to verify facts in new forms of media and publications, and automate the process. The expanded tool aims to improve information accuracy and transparency, benefiting consumers, businesses, and professionals.
A new fossil discovery in the Dominican Republic provides evidence for a major radiation of flies (Calyptratae) during the Cenozoic Era, with the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event playing a crucial role. The study estimates that this diversification occurred around 50 million years ago.
The University of Alberta has acquired a new optical brain-imaging tool called Imagent, which measures brain activity and blood flow non-invasively. This technology allows researchers to study brain function in real-time, with potential implications for job training, professional development, and artificial intelligence.
A nine-month research project involved a control group and two groups of older people who learned to play video games or developed their own games. The results showed that the game developers performed significantly better than the control and player groups in terms of mental health, quality of life, cognition, and functional capacity.
A new study suggests that airblast injuries from the black powder torpedo may have killed the crew of the Confederate submarine HL Hunley. Researchers reconstructed the blast using a scale model and found that it could have caused pulmonary and brain trauma to the cabin crew.
The H.L. Hunley's explosive torpedo instantly killed its crew of eight due to a powerful shockwave that traveled through soft tissues, particularly lungs and brains. Researchers estimate the likelihood of fatal lung trauma to be at least 85% for each crew member.