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 associations between Native American ancestry and various causes of death in Latin Americans. Mapuche ancestry was linked to gallbladder cancer and asthma, while Aymara ancestry was associated with increased risk of certain cancers.
TU Dresden will establish two new Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) and continue a third CRC, receiving significant funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). The new CRCs focus on interdisciplinary research topics such as vituperations and insults, and the adrenal's role in stress and disease.
Eric Palm, a University of Montana doctoral candidate, has received the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship to study animal movement using ecosystem-scale models for caribou. The research aims to understand consequences of land-use and climate change on caribou habitat and populations in the arctic-boreal region.
A national study of college and university administrators has found that female department chairs, deans, and provosts have different attitudes and beliefs than their male counterparts about how to retain women professors in STEM fields. Female administrators gave higher ratings to policies and strategies designed to improve the lives ...
A global research team has identified a new gene behind autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), a rare form of childhood kidney disease. The discovery uses whole exome sequencing to analyze genes simultaneously, revealing errors in the DZIP1L gene that cause kidney defects.
A new class of attacks, dubbed 'Cloak and Dagger,' allows attackers to take control of Android devices by overlaying the graphical interface with false information. The vulnerability arises from the combination of two legitimate permissions that power desirable features in popular apps.
A recent study by Scott D. Halpern and colleagues found that physicians were more accurate in predicting death but less accurate in predicting cognitive abilities in ICU patients. Nurses' predictions were also variable, with higher accuracy rates for in-hospital mortality and lower accuracy rates for cognition.
Positive trends in creating open and reproducible environments are underway, with more researchers sharing data and software. Technology is also improving, with new web-based management tools and data depositories being developed.
Scientists have developed a conductive paper that can contribute to flexible electronics, enabling scalable production on a large scale. The material, which costs $1.30 per square meter, conducts electricity while maintaining durability, making it suitable for future flexible electronics.
Natural and artificial beaver dams can alter stream temperatures to benefit temperature-sensitive salmonid species. Beaver dams increase surface water storage, reducing high temperatures in streams.
Researchers at Northwestern University have created bioprosthetic mouse ovaries using 3D printing, which not only ovulate but also give birth to healthy pups. The study's findings suggest that scaffold architecture plays a crucial role in follicle survival, paving the way for potential human applications.
The study found that the Northern Lenglongling fault was a more suitable seismogenic structure for the MS6.4 Menyuan earthquake. This is supported by field geological mapping and tectonic geomorphology analysis, which indicate the LLLF has been active since the Holocene.
Researchers found that humans prefer internal visual information generated by the brain to external images from the real world. This bias was observed in a study where participants chose between identical visual objects one generated internally and another externally displayed.
Johannes Henn, a leading theorist in scattering amplitudes, will develop new methods to calculate properties of the Higgs boson with greater precision. His work aims to simplify mathematical structures and improve calculations in quantum field theory.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered how ladybugs fold their wings by transplanting a transparent artificial wing onto an insect. The study revealed that the ladybugs use a combination of origami-like creases and abdominal movements to achieve complex folding, which has significant implications for engineering science.
The 'Moving Trades' project investigates the impact of international labor migration on skill formation in Norway, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. The study aims to understand how migrant workers influence firms' training behavior and potential institutional changes in vocational training.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that changes in tectonic activity may have driven a transition from water-bearing to dry, hot magmas over time. The researchers found differences in the physical structure and chemical composition of volcanic rocks along the Panama Canal.
A new study found that older adults who experience physical abuse are more likely to be abused again if they live with their abuser. Repeat victims were often abused by a relative and faced broken reporting systems.
The US needs a new approach to defeat the Islamic State by addressing root causes of conflicts, reconciling disenfranchised populations with governments. This requires long-term commitment to establish legitimate governance in Iraq and Syria.
Kirk Schanze is developing artificial light conversion systems inspired by natural photosynthesis, aiming to optimize the process and create efficient solar fuels. His goal is to contribute to a carbon-neutral energy future for the US and world.
A University of Kansas study found that US grant programs providing training to international military and civilian personnel since 1995 are tied to fewer conflict-related civilian casualties. In contrast, arms-sales programs have no effect on improving human rights in foreign countries.
The study reveals that a single antibody can block an envelope protein's function, enabling the scientists to mathematically model the amount of antibodies needed to neutralize HIV-1. The findings could aid research into nAb-based vaccines and treatments, which have proven complex to develop.
In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers found that female Drosophila buzzatii fruit flies use courtship songs to pick mates of their own species. The study suggests that this preference may have driven speciation in the cluster. Female preferences for specific songs varied among individuals.
Scientists at the Center for BrainHealth propose a systematic model for drug addiction research, focusing on craving as an intense urge to use drugs. They plan to reanalyze brain scans to quantify craving and its effects, potentially leading to targeted treatments.
Researchers analyzed high-speed endoscopic videos of vibrating vocal folds and audio recordings to study register changes in professional sopranos. They found distinct vocal fold vibratory patterns, including abrupt transitions and temporary loss of contact, which correlate with audible register breaks.
The University of Illinois Chicago has received an $8 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to develop effective tobacco tax systems in low- and middle-income countries. The grant will support global research, policy development, and public awareness campaigns to reduce worldwide demand for tobacco.
Researchers at USC Viterbi are working on three MURI projects: one on cybersecurity to combat increasing threats, another on advancing quantum computing, and a third on developing improved polymers for energy use. These grants bring $8.4M in funding to support innovative research in these areas.
The UTA team will collaborate with three pilot sites to test the effectiveness of maker-based competencies on undergraduate learning. The program aims to provide experiential learning opportunities that cut across subject areas and encourage collaboration, adaptability, and creativity.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed hybrid circuits that leverage both digital and analog components to improve the computational power of chaos-based systems. By distributing computation between digital and analog circuits, they achieve exponential reductions in computational time and enhance noise tolerance.
The University of California, Irvine has received a $9.6 million grant to conduct malaria control research in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to assess the impact of environmental changes on malaria epidemiology and transmission.
Brown University researchers aim to build a user-friendly system that continuously controls for statistical validity in interactive data exploration. They will tackle the 'multiple comparisons problem' and develop new theory on how to evaluate sequences of data queries, aiming to promote better data science.
The Trump administration's proposed plan for the EPA includes defunding several programs related to climate change, public health, and pollution. The plan would cut $2.6 billion from the agency's budget, affecting more than 4,000 jobs and various research grants.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $1 million in funding to strengthen food and agricultural science education in insular areas. This program aims to increase the number of students pursuing food and agriculture careers by strengthening institutional capacities in instruction and curriculum.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that shortening standard consent documents did not affect comprehension, but early delivery and in-person explanations improved it. Concise forms showed promise in streamlining ethics committee reviews, but further testing is needed.
Researchers discovered bifacial, serrated points with pressure flaking technique and hafting on projected weapons. The findings suggest early use of projectile technology in southern Africa during the Middle Stone Age.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $800,000 to enhance distance education in the agricultural sciences for students in remote geographic regions. This funding will support higher education institutions in US insular areas to develop online courses and programs in food and agricultural sciences.
A study found that delaying colonoscopy after a positive fecal immunochemical test result by more than 10 months increases the risk of colorectal cancer and advanced-stage disease. The researchers discovered this association specifically for patients with stage II-IV colorectal cancer.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture is providing $18 million in funding to support the next generation of agricultural science professionals. The program aims to strengthen pathways for students and researchers in agriculture-related fields, from primary school STEM education to fellowships for new scientists.
A new study reveals that people with multiple sclerosis can show signs of the disease five years before its official diagnosis. Researchers analyzed health records from 14,000 patients with MS and found that they were more likely to visit their physicians and fill prescriptions earlier than others.
Physicist Laurens Molenkamp has won an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council to study exotic superconductors in topological insulators. This project aims to explore their potential use in quantum computers.
According to a new analysis, health spending is expected to increase rapidly in high-income countries, while low-income countries are projected to see relatively slow growth. This could lead to rising out-of-pocket costs for people in emerging economies, leaving the poorest unable to afford care.
A new type of footprint made by 247-million-year-old reptiles has been discovered in the Pyrenees. The discovery suggests that archosauromorphs played a large role in vertebrate recovery following the Permian mass extinction.
A study highlights the importance of increased funding for geriatrics education, citing a vital need for dedicated time and financial support. The Geriatrics Academic Career Awards (GACAs) program played a crucial role in training over 41,000 health professionals since 1998.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced funding opportunities to develop new biobased products and biomaterials from renewable sources. The program aims to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign energy and create economic opportunities in rural communities.
The Kinder Foundation has awarded a $10.7 million grant to Rice University's Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC) to expand its innovative work in the Greater Houston region. HERC will focus on creating a direct line of communication between education researchers and decision-makers.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced $6.3 million in available funding for projects supporting resilient agriculture and forestry production systems. These investments will help producers, land managers, and decision-makers develop valuable tools to address climate-related challenges.
A study in Berkeley, California found that a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages reduced sales of these drinks by 9.6% while increasing water consumption by 15.6%. The effects of the tax varied by store type, with larger chains passing through the tax more consistently than independent stores.
Rettsyndrome.org has funded six new research projects worth $775,000 to accelerate treatments and therapies for Rett syndrome. The projects focus on drug development and brain mechanisms underlying the disorder.
A research group at Toyohashi University of Technology has developed a technology that can recognize Japanese digits and monosyllables with 90% and 60% accuracy, respectively, using brain waves. This achievement paves the way for an EEG-activated typewriter and potentially empowers handicapped individuals to regain voice communication.
A comprehensive national survey of 12,000 people will examine the relationship between faith and work, as well as religious discrimination in the workplace. The study aims to understand how Christians navigate their workplaces and careers while integrating their faith.
A new study finds that patients with certain pre-operative conditions, such as smoking or depression, are more likely to become long-term opioid users after surgery. The research suggests that other factors contribute to the risk of prolonged opioid use beyond the normal recovery period.
The USDA has allocated $150.2 million through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) to support projects addressing key agricultural, food, and natural resource problems. The funding aims to develop innovative technologies and sustainable management strategies for livestock, crops, and critical underlying resources.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced a $462,000 grant program to support disaster preparedness and response in agricultural communities. The program aims to educate farmers, rural youth, and communities on emergency preparedness and response through targeted projects.
A new study reveals that veterans with a history of physical or sexual abuse before 18 have reduced ability to concentrate compared to those without abuse. The study found abnormal brain connectivity, particularly between the amygdala and frontal areas, associated with concentration issues.
A study by Cardiff University researchers found that both the UK and US prioritize renewable energy sources over fossil fuels in their energy systems. The public in both countries express concerns about water contamination and long-term impacts of horizontal drilling for shale energy.
A research team has discovered a 'helical molecular glue' that attracts two structurally-different clockwise-helical molecules. This finding opens the door to creating new polymer materials with various properties. The discovery was made using poly(lactic acid) and other related polymers.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science directly observed crystallization process on molecular level, validating recent theories and showing that knowing how crystal grows can predict end structure. The study found that dense phases lead to lower energy barrier and more stable crystals.
Cin-Ty Lee, an earth scientist at Rice University, has won a Guggenheim Fellowship to investigate how continents emerged from oceans and their effect on nutrient cycling. He will explore crystal growth and kinetics in magmatic and hydrothermal conditions.
The European Research Council awards €2.4M to Thomas Sunn Pedersen for creating the world's first matter-antimatter plasma. The plasma is expected to exhibit extraordinary properties and may reveal new discoveries in astrophysics.
The USDA is providing $18 million in funding to support 19 historically black land-grant colleges and universities, aiming to enhance their research, teaching, and extension programs. This investment will benefit students, professors, and institutions, with a focus on addressing nutritional security challenges and fostering a strong ag...