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.
A multi-state project will establish a nationally coordinated consortium to increase wheat yields through genetic advancements and breeding programs. Wheat geneticist Dr. Shuyu Liu and breeders Dr. Amir Ibrahim and Dr. Jackie Rudd will contribute to the major effort to improve wheat yields dramatically over the next decade.
The USDA is providing up to $5 million in funding for research on cyber-physical systems to improve efficiency and sustainability in the agricultural industry. This initiative aims to develop data-driven analytical tools throughout the food supply chain to promote smarter decision-making and reduce waste and increase safety.
Researchers at FAU's Computer Chemistry Center are developing an AI application to predict odor molecules, neutralizing undesirable smells in packaging and products. The project aims to improve product development efficiency, reducing trial-and-error experiments.
Physicists at Goethe University Frankfurt have made a pioneering discovery about the phase transition from an electrical conductor to an insulator. The researchers found that both electrons and the atomic lattice play a significant role in the transition, contrary to common textbook opinion.
Researchers have developed an ultra-high-speed optical fiber sensor that can detect structural damage in real-time, with a sampling rate of up to 100 kHz. This breakthrough technology has the potential to monitor the health of various structures and applications in robotics.
Scientists analyzed hundreds of viral genome sequences to identify evolutionary patterns in rabies viruses that jump between host species. The study found unique trends in bat-related and dog-related rabies strains, suggesting different evolution rates and host jumping mechanisms.
The DFG is establishing seven new Research Units to tackle pressing issues in various fields, including predicting human behavioral patterns and studying the matter inside planets. The first funding period will receive approximately €17 million.
The researchers created synthetic materials that can react to their environment, recover from damage, and even self-destruct once their usefulness has come to an end. They developed microcapsules that contain a healing agent released automatically when exposed to specific environmental changes.
Researchers aim to understand how particle shape influences catalytic activity and design more efficient catalysts for CO2 recycling reactions. The goal is to convert climate gas CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels.
A study found that having fun at work is significantly related to informal learning, which includes unstructured forms of learning. Fun activities supported by management enhance wellbeing and create a safe environment for learning. Managers' support for fun matters more than their support for learning.
A UK-based research project aims to improve vehicle fuel efficiency by using lightweight, thermoplastic polymer springs. The innovative design is expected to lower emissions and enhance air quality, ultimately contributing to improved public health and environmental impact.
Rochester Institute of Technology professor Owen Gottlieb has received a $99,800 NSF award to design a capacity-building program for early-career gaming scholars. The grant will provide mentorship, networking, and research opportunities to support the next generation of game designers and developers.
A team of researchers at UNIST has discovered the underlying physics of suppressing ELMs using magnetic perturbation. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, confirms that ELMs can be weakened by losing energy through interaction with turbulence induced by MP.
A new NIH-funded study aims to test ways family members can maintain their health while caring for relatives with bipolar disorder. Researchers will match caregivers with tailored self-management techniques, including breathing exercises and training in self-help skills, to reduce stress and improve overall health.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced $4 million in funding for biotechnology risk assessment research. This funding will support the development of science-based evaluations for genetically engineered organisms, including plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms.
Researchers have identified an aerosol, calcite, that can counter ozone loss while reflecting light and cooling the planet. The discovery aims to mitigate the risks of solar geoengineering by neutralizing sulfuric acid emissions.
The EPA awards $1.1 million in grants to Virginia's VIMS and DEQ to protect and restore its wetlands, advancing the state's goal of preventing net loss and increasing ecological function. The funding will support efforts to identify vulnerable wetlands, develop management plans, and inform decision-making for development and preservation.
Researchers from UTA's College of Architecture and Civil Engineering have won three federal grants to develop sustainable transportation systems and infrastructure for the Dallas/Fort Worth region. The grants will focus on innovative funding policies, performance management, big data analysis, and transportation system competitiveness.
Researchers will develop a non-invasive method to track polar bear response to climate change by analyzing epithelial cells shed from their gut during defecation. The project aims to gather information on polar bear health, diet, and genetic diversity for use as a baseline against future climate change impacts.
Case Western Reserve University researchers are scaling up a prototype iron-flow battery to provide cleaner and cheaper power when renewable energy sources are ebbing or demand is peaking. The battery can store excess electricity and increase overall efficiency.
Researchers at Penn State University have identified Speckle-type POZ Protein (Spop) as a key regulator of bone development. The study reveals that Spop positively regulates Hedgehog signaling during bone formation, leading to reduced bone density and brachydactyly-like symptoms.
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture has allocated $3.8 million for research, education, and extension to support organic farming and promote the growth of the organic sector. The grants aim to improve technologies, methods, and cultural practices in organic farming systems.
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to decode neuronal activity from MEG recordings, confirming theoretical predictions and showing that invisible images can be partially maintained in high-level brain regions. This study challenges current understanding of conscious perception and demonstrates the power of machine learning tools.
American scientists have identified two new basslet species in the Caribbean, characterized by distinctive hourglass-shaped markings. The discoveries were made using a submersible to collect specimens from deep reefs and are part of the Smithsonian's Deep Reef Observation Project.
A study found that West African cities with lower male circumcision rates in 1950 tended to have higher HIV-2 prevalence from 1985. Male circumcision is known to reduce HIV-1 prevalence, suggesting that lack of circumcision may have driven initial HIV-2 emergence.
Researchers found that high-resolution brain scans using magnetoencephalography (MEG) can detect concussions more accurately than traditional methods like MRI or CT scans. MEG measures changes in brain communication between areas, allowing for earlier diagnosis and potentially improved treatment and recovery processes.
The project aims to establish a theoretical framework for low-latency wireless communications, enabling the design of novel systems with improved efficiency. Current systems rely on large correction codes to protect against transmission errors, but future systems will exchange information in real-time, requiring shorter correction codes.
The US Department of Transportation has awarded $14 million to the University of Washington-led Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium to improve regional mobility. The grant will focus on addressing diverse mobility challenges, including alleviating traffic congestion and improving transit accessibility for people with disabilities.
Dr. Elisabeth Binder receives the Eva King-Killam Research Award for her groundbreaking work on molecular mechanisms of psychiatric disorders. Her research has been published extensively, with over 170 papers in top-tier journals.
The Transportation Research and Education Center at Portland State University has secured a five-year, $15.6 million federal grant to focus on mobility and access to opportunity. The program will expand research areas such as walkability, smart cities, and data-driven tools.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered that the hippocampus is crucial for constructing scenes in one's mind when imagining the future. This finding sheds light on how the brain supports the capacity to imagine the future and identifies key brain regions involved.
The Seed Box programme at Linköping University is allocating grants to researchers worldwide to investigate environmental issues through interdisciplinary and artistic methods. Projects such as Herbarium 3.0 aim to increase awareness of plant-human interactions and create new pathways forward for sustainable practices.
Researchers have developed free online tools to improve crop breeding, including molecular breeding tools that enable breeders to select the best parental lines and perform marker-assisted backcrossing. These tools are being used in Africa to develop corn varieties with greater resistance to viruses.
Researchers have identified bitumen from the Middle East in a 7th century ship buried at Sutton Hoo in the UK, indicating a previously unknown trade route. The presence of this rare material suggests that it was deliberately included in the burial chamber, possibly as an ornamental or prestigious raw material.
A study published in BMJ Open found that Tai Chi significantly improved the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans, including managing intrusive thoughts and physiological arousal. The program was well-received by participants, with nearly 94% reporting favorable impressions.
Researchers analyzed White Painted and Bichrome Wares from three sites in Turkey's Hatay region, using x-ray and neutron analysis to determine production origins. The study suggests a complex pattern of trade and social interactions between Cyprus and the Amuq Valley during the Iron Age.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered a correlation between groundwater helium levels and stress on inner rock layers near the epicenter of earthquakes. The study found that high-stress areas had higher helium-4 levels in groundwater, suggesting a potential risk indicator for earthquakes.
Jorge Cueto's PhD thesis focused on developing telescoping structural systems for 'rise on demand' flood walls, which can be installed below ground level and raised when flooding occurs. His company, Smart Walls Construction LLC, recently received a $225,000 NSF grant to test and commercialize the invention.
Research from NC State University and American University found that capacity grants stimulate long-term financial growth for nonprofits. However, specific financial capacity grants do not provide additional benefits compared to other types of capacity grants.
A recent study published in Journal of Vision found that women and men process facial information differently, with women exhibiting a stronger left eye bias and exploring faces more thoroughly. The researchers used eye-tracking technology on almost 500 participants to analyze their scanning patterns.
VirusDetect is a free, open-source bioinformatics pipeline that analyzes small RNA datasets to identify both known and novel viruses. Researchers can predict the presence of RNA viruses, DNA viruses, and viroids using an antiviral defense system called RNA interference (RNAi).
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered how the human antibody C10 prevents Zika infection by locking proteins into place, preventing viral DNA entry. Disrupting fusion with C10 may be more effective than targeting docking in preventing Zika infection.
Researchers have discovered unexpected cells in the protective membranes covering the brain that produce new neurons after birth. This finding challenges current ideas about the brain's ability to heal and regenerate, and opens up new possibilities for developing new therapies for brain damage or neurodegeneration.
The coconut crab's claws possess the strongest pinching force of any crustacean, with a maximum recorded force of 3,300 newtons, surpassing that of other crustaceans and most terrestrial animals except alligators.
Researchers at UMass Amherst are partnering with the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) program to test and improve its effectiveness in addressing health disparities among low-income African-American men. The study aims to develop a national model for improving health outcomes among this population.
A team of international researchers has developed a scheme to protect groups of quantum particles and enable their coherent transportation. The proposal, based on the ideas of physicist David J. Thouless, utilizes topological pumping to move quantum states along a line of miniature quantum circuits.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that flagellar motility of P. aeruginosa is the main factor required to induce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The researchers developed an assay to quantify the levels of P. aeruginosa flagellin and found that immotile strains failed to stimulate NET formation.
A new study analyzed tooth wear patterns on fossil teeth from East African hominins and found that Paranthropus aethiopicus and Paranthropus boisei had softer diets than previously thought. The researchers' findings contradict previous isotopic evidence suggesting these species ate high proportions of fibrous, abrasive C4 plants.
A new networked system of smart homes, HomeSHARE, will advance research on older adults' health and independence. The IU-led project installs high-tech sensors and equipment in 15 elderly volunteers' homes to collect data.
The University of Plymouth is expanding its work supporting farmers and families in rural Kenya after receiving a second grant from Comic Relief. The partnership has already seen the number of shops up and running across the country rise to 77, with the aim of doubling that number by the end of 2018.
A new $4.1 million grant will study a training program specifically for principals to improve school safety. The Safe and Civil Schools Leadership program aims to help principals create and maintain safe learning environments by collecting data, creating behavior leadership teams, and implementing clear expectations.
The German-Polish research project NOMECOR aims to reclaim metals from tailings and make mineral components usable for cement production. Scientists will use microorganisms to remove copper and other valuable metals, as well as investigate the chemical methods for this process.
A Colorado State University team is testing a promising new way to clean up PFCs using electrolysis-based technology that harnesses electricity-induced chemical reactions in the groundwater. The method transforms organic compounds into benign substances, offering a game-changing solution for environmental cleanup.
Research finds a 19% drop in mercury concentrations in Atlantic bluefin tuna over an 8-year period, linked to regional emissions reductions. Industry efforts have led to a 4.3% annual decrease in mercury levels in north Atlantic waters.
Researchers found that precise bids are more effective with novice negotiators who interpret high precision as a sign of competence. However, experts prefer moderately precise bids, and providing a rationale for a highly precise bid can counteract the negative effect. The study's findings have broad relevance in everyday negotiations.
The Freshwater Lab, a University of Illinois Chicago-based environmental research and policy center, has been awarded grants to host a Great Lakes mayoral summit. The summit will bring together diverse Great Lakes mayors to collaborate on urban water priorities and build an alliance with the Midwest academic research community.
A new iPad game was shown to be more effective than traditional patching treatment in improving vision outcomes for children with amblyopia. After just two weeks of playtime, the game improved visual acuity by more than double that achieved with patching.
Scientists created a nanosensor design that combines three-dimensional plasmonic nanoparticles with exceptional points, enabling enhanced sensitivity and smaller size. The new technology has the potential to revolutionize portable health monitoring and security applications.
The Exascale Computing Project has awarded $34 million in software development funding to 35 research organizations, covering various components of the software stack for exascale systems. The funding aims to enable application developers to write highly parallel applications that can target diverse exascale architectures.
Researchers at UC San Diego have fabricated a semiconductor-free microelectronic device using metamaterials, showing a 1,000% increase in conductivity. The discovery paves the way for faster and more powerful devices, as well as more efficient solar panels.