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 that more than a quarter of chikungunya cases were spread within households and half occurred in homes less than 200 meters away. Women are 1.5 times more likely to develop the disease due to increased time spent at home, making them at higher risk of infection.
IDRI's TB Discovery Program will focus on developing more effective, cheaper, and faster-acting drugs to combat multi-drug resistant TB strains. The new funding from Eli Lilly will support the screening of over 500,000 compounds in search of potential TB drugs.
A study published by Durham University found that earworms, or songs that get stuck in your head, tend to have faster tempos, common melodic contours, and unusual interval structures. The researchers also identified specific songs with these characteristics, including Bad Romance and Don't Stop Believing.
UCSB scholar Mary I. O'Connor's new book highlights how economic migration and religious conversion have changed the social and cultural makeup of predominantly folk-Catholic communities in rural Mexico. Globalization is at the heart of this process, affecting the home communities of Mixtecs who travel to northern Mexico and the U.S.
D.J. Seo and his team aim to enhance National Weather Service rainfall maps for heavy-to-extreme events, benefiting emergency managers, water managers, and the public.
Researchers analyzed 21 ochre-processing tools from the Porc-Epic Cave site, revealing a range of techniques to produce powder of varying color and coarseness. The findings suggest high behavioral complexity in ochre use, with finer powders suitable for body painting and coarser ones for functional uses.
A new study finds that using emotion regulation strategies like reappraisal in situations with control over outcomes may actually hinder well-being, while those with higher well-being use these strategies more in uncontrollable situations. Context plays a significant role in the effectiveness of emotion regulation strategies.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded $200,000 to four university teams for their innovative solutions in food and agricultural science. The winning teams will receive funding to start a business and participate in an entrepreneurial immersion course to commercialize their inventions.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are developing miniature optical techniques to visualize the endothelium, a complex sensory system that monitors blood pressure and flow rates. The technology aims to revolutionize our understanding of vascular disease, including hypertension and atherosclerosis.
A St. Jude Children's Research Hospital analysis found that providing feedback to staff who report errors is crucial for improving patient safety. The study, published in the Journal of Patient Safety, suggests that hospitals should focus on informing staff about how their previous reports have helped enhance patient care.
A OU researcher received a 5-year $3 million grant to study the impact of e-cigarettes on smoking rates. The study will assess how effective different types of e-cigarettes are in helping smokers switch from cigarettes, and what impact switching has on cancer risk.
A US survey finds that while 51% of Americans are interested in science, only 28% have a sufficient level of scientific understanding. The adult literacy rate is driven by completion of college-level science courses and baccalaureate degrees. NASA's educational programs aim to boost science literacy among learners of all ages.
A study from the University at Buffalo found that venture capital-funded tech startups go public sooner and have more impactful innovation than those with angel investors. Venture capitalists provide a strong network to shape impact, while angel investors offer flexibility and longer-term experimentation.
The Wellcome Trust is transferring two major research programs, DELTAS Africa and H3Africa, to AESA's Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa, aiming to increase Africa-led research and address pressing health challenges. This shift reflects a significant change in international funding partnerships with African insti...
Researchers at Binghamton University will continue to investigate brain biometric technology with a new $900,000 grant. The project aims to strengthen understanding of the human brain's unique cognitive and psychological properties to improve secure authentication.
A UT researcher is leading a $3-million grant to develop a user-friendly interface for recording and sharing tree genomic data. The project aims to create an ecosystem of community databases for analyzing tree genomics data, providing tools for researchers and promoting public awareness of healthy trees.
Researchers have successfully created the first-ever iron-bismuth bond under extreme pressures equivalent to those within Mars' core. The new compound, FeBi2, shows promise in being superconductive and magnetic.
A new NIH-funded project aims to encourage young men at risk for HIV and other STIs to get tested using a personalized web app. The Get Connected app provides customized content based on users' risk profiles, values, and needs.
A new initiative aims to analyze ancient Alpine rocks for insight into the forces governing activity beneath the crust. Researchers will investigate thorium and uranium decay to lead in the subsurface, improving understanding of Earth's evolution and subduction processes.
Researchers found that unconscious increases in arousal affect participants' confidence in their visual decisions. This effect is counteracted by artificially increased arousal, suggesting a complex relationship between conscious introspection and physiological states.
Researchers will develop a situation-based prevention approach to address campus sexual assault, identifying and addressing risk factors. The project aims to provide culturally responsive practices and policies for survivors of domestic violence.
Two Cornell engineering professors, Paul Steen and Michel Louge, are sending experiments to the International Space Station (ISS) to study the behavior of water in microgravity. Their research aims to gain insights into contact-line mobility and inertial spreading of water droplets, which is important for manufacturing and coating oper...
A University of Washington study found that wait times for an Uber ride are shorter in lower-income neighborhoods, with average waiting times ranging from under four minutes to over 10 minutes across the city. Lower-income areas have a shorter average waiting time compared to wealthier neighborhoods.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that elderly people displaced by disasters may experience increased symptoms of dementia. Those who lost touch with neighbors and reported depression had the highest levels of cognitive decline.
Scientists at Binghamton University are developing a high-performance sensor to improve hearing aids, addressing limitations in microphone technology and noise understanding. The research aims to create more sensitive MEMS microphones for improved sound detection.
A 'risky-and-reliable' plant use strategy balancing wetland plants and seasonal grasses may have enabled the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle, driving Neolithization in Jordan. Fossilized phytoliths found at a 19,000-year-old site suggest an alternative to expected Neolithization pathways.
A study by University of Michigan professor Daniel Romero found that matching an opponent's linguistic style in presidential debates can lead to a bump in polls. Function words like conjunctions and quantifiers play a crucial role in this phenomenon, which is linked to processing fluency and easier understanding for third-party viewers.
The superradiant laser uses synchronized emissions of light from strontium atoms to improve atomic clock performance and create precise 'rulers' for space science. The laser's output is expected to be less sensitive to noise, making it sharper as a precision tool.
A study of wild chimpanzees found that female chimps maintain a stable social rank throughout their lives, whereas males' ranks fluctuate as they age. This unique strategy suggests that females consider long-term reproductive success over short-term gains.
Researchers from Penn State and industry partners aim to create low-cost, durable anion exchange membranes with novel cations for commercial-scale applications in fuel cells and electrolyzers. They will focus on stable polymers meeting ARPA-E requirements for resistance and cost.
Researchers at UTA are developing an AI system that assesses children's executive function skills, recognizing patterns of inattention and hyperactivity. The system provides recommendations for effective intervention and monitoring progress over time.
Researchers aim to create smart cities where buildings can monitor and adjust their energy usage in real-time, minimizing waste and stabilizing the grid. This technology has the potential to reduce blackouts and spikes in energy prices, making energy more efficient and sustainable.
Scientists at Michigan State University have developed a new framework to understand the complex relationships between urban water management and global sustainability. The study uses telecoupling processes to analyze the water dynamics of Beijing, China's capital city, and its impact on distant regions. By combining local and global p...
New technique predicts where cracks in skin begin and how much skin can be stretched, with potential applications for burn victims and medical creams. Researchers also found that cell-cell junctions are structurally the weakest points of the skin.
Rice University's Chao Center for Asian Studies has received a $150,000 federal grant to boost its Asian studies programs. The grant will support the development of new courses, teacher workshops, and speaker series aimed at enhancing teaching and public outreach.
Researchers at Rice University have created a laser-free, wireless system capable of delivering 1 terabit of data per second using pulse-radio technology inspired by Guglielmo Marconi. This breakthrough technology promises to revolutionize wireless communication with speeds 20,000 times faster than current 4G networks.
Kytai Nguyen, a nationally recognized professor of bioengineering at UTA, has overcome numerous challenges in her life and career. She was awarded the inaugural Embracing Challenge Award from Materials Today magazine for her perseverance and contributions to new knowledge in materials science and engineering.
The DFG is funding seven new research units with a total of approximately €15 million. The units will focus on various topics such as building design, metal-organic frameworks, and autoimmune diseases like pemphigus. The funding will enable researchers to pursue current issues in their fields and establish innovative directions.
UTA researchers have earned two grants to install longer-lasting fiber-reinforced concrete pipes in Texas and develop a 100-year service life protocol for Florida. The new standard describes a technically strong and durable reinforcement option that can be used for underground piping, with excellent long-term performance observed.
Researchers at Clemson University are exploring unconventional methods of growing peaches organically using paper bags, which may improve yield and reduce reliance on pesticides. The project aims to provide an innovative strategy for organic peach growers in the southeastern US, increasing productivity and economic returns.
UNIST professors Kwanpyo Kim, Jung-Min Kee, and Kyudong Choi have been awarded the 2016 Chung-Am (TJ Park) Science Fellowship for their innovative research on 2D materials, protein post-translational modifications, and fluid dynamics. The fellowship provides funding support to pursue their chosen research topics.
Scientists found that adding a viscous solvent, or thickener, to a primordial mixture could facilitate the self-duplication of RNA and DNA strands. This discovery provides evidence for the origins of life on Earth, suggesting that gene replication may have occurred in environments with varying concentrations.
A $1.7 million grant will study climate change impacts on the Menominee Nation's forest, informing decision-making about forest management. The project aims to understand how tribal values inform forest management decisions in a changing climate.
A new survey found that consuming sugary drinks with combo meals increases calorie intake in children and teenagers by an average of 82 calories. The study suggests that unbundling menu options may help reduce calorie consumption and curb childhood obesity rates.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $382,650 in grants through the Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program. The program aims to increase participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields, with a focus on rural areas.
IDRI aims to develop a safe and effective Zika vaccine using RNA-based technology, which can be rapidly manufactured without requiring egg growth or bacteria cultivation. The institute plans to leverage the Zika virus's own machinery for expression of immunogenic proteins.
A Clemson University scientist is studying how alterations in a complex brain pathway cause neurological disorders like autism and epilepsy. The researcher aims to determine the role of amino acid transporters in brain development.
The National Science Foundation is funding a project to develop non-destructive analysis of plant leaves in breeding lines, enabling rapid screening of breeding materials. The goal is to produce higher-indicin yielding breeders seed stock, increasing the cost-competitiveness of plant-derived indigo dye.
A HKU undergraduate student applied THMOCALC phase-equilibrium modeling technique to determine pressure-temperature conditions of Eastern Hebei mafic granulites. Her research yielded accurate results, reflecting an origin related to underplating of mantle-derived magmas.
Associate professor Chris Packham will use a $387,214 NSF grant to observe local galaxies and understand the nature of their central black holes. The project aims to uncover how these supermassive black holes influence galaxy formation.
A $248,083 grant supports UTSA professor Wassim Ghannoum's research on high-strength rebar, aiming to establish new concrete structure standards. The project could cut steel costs by a third and have positive environmental effects.
A team of researchers has discovered the three-dimensional structure of infectious prions, revealing a four-rung β-solenoid architecture that allows for replication. This finding rules out existing theories and proposes a novel templating mechanism involving protein-protein interactions.
Dr Diane Saunders has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council starting grant to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving host adaptation of yellow rust on cereal crops and grasses. The goal is to develop new varieties of wheat with enhanced resistance to yellow rust.
Research suggests that financial incentives for fundraisers can compromise their ability to convey sincerity, leading to lower donation rates. Despite this, incentives may still engage unmotivated individuals and recruit top talent.
Researchers found that people who abandoned personal informatics tracking experienced no real difference in their lives, but had varied emotional responses. They also discovered that lapsed users responded differently to seeing their old Fitbit data presented in new ways, depending on their personal tracking history.
A new study estimates that human hookworm infection results in over 4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally, with China facing up to $6.7 billion in productivity losses annually. The infection is estimated to cost between $7.5 billion and $138.9 billion in productivity losses worldwide.
Scientists have created graphene audio speakers for mobile devices with a sound quality comparable to existing systems. The new fabrication method uses ultra-thin graphene aerogels that don't vibrate and can be mass-produced for use in mobile devices.
Researchers have identified a unique set of protein markers in human hair that could be used to distinguish individuals. The findings demonstrate the robustness of these proteins and estimate that they would be sufficient to provide a unique pattern for an individual among a population of one million.
A study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior found that sex in later years can have contrasting effects on cardiovascular health for men and women. For older men, frequent sex increases the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems, while moderate amounts of sex may promote health among older women.
Mass drug administration in Liberia reduced malaria incidence, but actual treatment compliance was low due to misconceptions about health interventions. The study found a significant decline in monthly malaria fever cases from 4.3% to 1.5% after the intervention.