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.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a Navy grant to develop new methods for testing composite materials used in aircraft parts. The project aims to predict defect formation and improve manufacturing processes, reducing costs and enhancing safety.
Scientists have developed a way to upsize nanostructures into light, flexible 3-D printed materials with unprecedented scalability. The new process creates lightweight, strong and super elastic materials with a 400 percent increase in tensile elasticity over conventional metals and ceramic foams.
A novel technique adapts image contrast to eliminate lighting effects, improving face recognition accuracy. The method uses an extended reflectance model with Fuzzy Inference System and Genetic Algorithm for real-time implementation.
Researchers will investigate chemical reactions causing nuclear waste to change over time. The goal is to predict these changes and design effective methods for remediation and safe disposal of highly radioactive materials.
Researchers collected unique data set after 2014 South Napa earthquake, showing afterslip concentrated in loosely packed sediment. This helps address question: Can geology be used as proxy for fault behavior? The findings have significant implications for earthquake hazard models and planning response.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is investing over $400 million in fundamental wireless research and infrastructure development. This support will enable novel technologies, applications, and services that can transform daily life through ultra-high-speed, high-bandwidth, and low-latency connectivity.
Rochester Institute of Technology professors Carlos Lousto and Manuela Campanelli have won separate grants worth $600,000 and $435,000 to advance gravitational wave astronomy. The funding will support research on black hole mergers and develop software tools for computational astrophysics.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is providing $8.3 million in funding for small businesses to develop advanced research projects. The Small Business Innovation Research program aims to stimulate technological innovations and strengthen federal research support for small businesses.
A £1.3m grant will enable Cardiff University and partners to further develop the LIPID MAPS resource, advancing global lipidomics research. The project aims to discover new lipids involved in disease processes and preserve a widely-used classification system.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a proto-Jê pit house in southern Brazil was continually occupied and extended over two centuries. The researchers used radiocarbon dating and Bayesian modeling to analyze the site, which revealed twelve well-preserved floors with different types of ceramics and renovation techniques.
A $450,000 grant will fund a collaboration between Indiana University and the US Navy to develop new methods for inspecting microelectronic components used in critical military systems. Computer vision technology will be applied to improve the integrity of electronic circuitry, reducing defects and ensuring equipment reliability.
Scientists at TUM develop a methodology to produce 2D quasicrystals from metal-organic networks, opening the door to new materials. They discovered a new set of building blocks for assembling various quasicrystalline structures.
Researchers used genetic sequencing to track gonorrhea infections across borders, revealing that 3/4 of cases in Brighton could be linked to earlier local cases. The study also found evidence of gonorrhoea spreading to and from Brighton from the rest of the UK and the US.
A University of Colorado Boulder study reveals that regular pedelec use improves cardiovascular health, boosts aerobic capacity, and regulates blood sugar control. By incorporating physical activity into daily commutes, riders can increase their fitness levels without requiring separate exercise sessions.
A new study found that major green donors allocate most of their climate mitigation funding to developing countries with large carbon sinks and good governance. This funding often overlooks least-developed countries, diverting public finance from poor nations and exacerbating global inequality.
A field study suggests a personalized privacy assistant app can simplify managing smartphone app permissions, with users adopting almost 80% of recommended settings. The app learns user preferences and provides quick recommendations, improving comfort with privacy settings.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania demonstrate a multiscale simulation of lead titanate oxide, providing new understanding of polarizations within these materials. The study shows that domain walls move across ferroelectric materials like wildfire, but can be easily stopped once the electric field is removed.
Researchers from Umeå University suggest implementing an EU-owned flight ticket tax as a sustainable alternative to funding the EU budget. The proposed carbon-based tax could reduce emissions and boost economic growth by redistributing revenue to reduce harmful taxes on labor.
A study of over 2.1 million people found that those who cooked at home more frequently had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that preparing meals at home can contribute to diabetes prevention efforts through improved nutritional and lifestyle habits.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that Mexico's nonessential food tax led to a significant decline in energy-dense food purchases, primarily among low and medium SES households. The study showed a 5.1% decline in taxed food sales beyond pre-tax trends, with lower SES households experiencing an even greater reduction of 10.2%.
A new study found that when people focus on the inherent traits of something, they are more likely to assume that the patterns they see around them are good. However, when participants were exposed to information about external factors, they became more flexible in their thinking and less likely to think that the way things are is good.
Researchers created bowtie-shaped silver nanoparticles to study quantum phenomena, enabling strong coupling between photons and single quantum systems. The ability to control this coupling could lead to the development of more powerful computing and encryption devices.
Julia Ljubimova, MD, PhD, receives grant to advance research on tumor nanoimmunology and develop new generation of drugs for brain, breast, lung cancers. The goal is to improve immune system and block tumors from forming.
Researchers discovered that serpentine-tolerant Arabidopsis arenosa plants have adapted to extreme conditions through natural selection and gene borrowing. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of plant adaptation, which can be used to develop stress-resistant crop varieties.
Researchers developed a visual cloud computing architecture to streamline data processing in disaster situations. The system helps first responders and law enforcement make informed decisions by providing critical visual data, such as suspect tracking and hazardous material detection.
Researchers from University of Miami Miller School of Medicine's John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics are studying genetic factors contributing to Alzheimer's disease risk. The institute is expanding research to include African-American populations, a diverse and underrepresented group in Alzheimer's disease research.
The Gerontological Society of America's Journalists in Aging Fellows Program supports award-winning coverage of aging issues by connecting reporters with experts and trusted sources. The program highlights the need to change attitudes and expand possibilities in storytelling about aging.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a technique to produce long chain molecules with trefoil-like shapes, which could lead to more stable protein structures and high-value polymers. The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year grant to scale up the production of knotted polymers.
A team from Southwest Research Institute suggests that asteroid impacts during the early days of Earth's history led to a massive greenhouse effect, stabilizing temperatures and delivering essential elements for life. This mechanism may have played a key role in sustaining liquid water on our planet.
A historic $54.5M donation from hospital foundations will propel women's and children's health research, improving outcomes through peer-reviewed grants, researcher recruitment, and incubator services. The University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is a key partner in this transformative gift.
Russell Johns and his team aim to revolutionize alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding to improve oil recovery efficiency and production, benefiting the US energy sector and surfactant industry. They will develop methods for creating optimal chemical balances and simulate fluid behavior in reservoirs to predict oil recoveries.
The Department of Energy has awarded $4.4 million to advance 12 clean energy technologies, including a solar system for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and materials for more durable dams. These technologies aim to accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge energy solutions developed in national labs.
A recent study by UC Davis and UN World Food Program found that refugees receiving cash aid can create significant economic benefits for their host countries. The researchers discovered that each additional refugee increased local income by up to 96% in one of the camps, with most of this money spent on goods and services outside the c...
Two USU professors will receive grants to study accident-tolerant nuclear fuels and improve computer models for reactor cooling systems. The research aims to advance understanding of fuel behavior, performance, and computational tools for improved safety.
Researchers found that some male banana fiddler crabs in Australia use a coercion tactic to mate, trapping females in tight burrows. This strategy increases mating odds for males when females enter first.
To reduce sea turtle mortality in Chesapeake Bay, researchers are releasing 'Frankenturtles' into the bay, tracking their movement and studying how wind and currents affect a dead turtle's trajectory. The goal is to gain insights into likely causes of sea-turtle death and develop safe zones for these imperiled marine reptiles.
The University of Delaware-DuPont team has received an NSF grant to investigate a new approach to manufacturing small-scale structures that are cheaper, lighter and defect-free. The research aims to create ultra-small features using self-assembling macromolecules and block copolymers.
The UPSC Berzelii Centre at Umea University has been granted a five-year extension of funding as a Vinnova Competence Centre. The centre's research groups have successfully collaborated with industrial partners to translate basic research into applications in the Swedish forest industry.
Researchers are designing cooperative robots to empower people with disabilities to safely travel and navigate unfamiliar environments. A gaze-controlled robotic system is also being developed to enable people with motor impairments to fetch objects by looking at them.
A review of physical employment standards aims to improve age- and sex-neutrality and address nutritional health, hydration, protective clothing, and load carriage. The special issue consolidates international perspectives on best practices in employment standards.
A study analyzing oxygen isotopes in fossil teeth from red deer near the Adriatic Sea found seasonal migration patterns, which may have influenced Paleolithic hunter-gatherers. The researchers suggest that the migration patterns of red deer and mountain goats in the region may have impacted human mobility strategies.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that 32.9% of 3- and 4-year-old children in low- and middle-income countries are struggling with cognitive or socioemotional development. The research estimated that 80.8 million children, or 32.9% of those living in these countries, are failing to meet basic milestones.
Researchers from Scripps Research Institute have been awarded $1.3 million to optimize probes for a new cancer treatment approach. The study focuses on the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors (ROR) gamma and molecules that bind to it, aiming to trigger immune cells to attack tumor cells.
A team led by University of Central Florida researcher Debashis Chanda is developing a novel infrared detection technology that could improve night vision, meteorology, and space exploration. The new detector will be tunable and able to see a range of bands, producing high-resolution images without the need for cooling.
Researchers developed CIBs using PB and PBAs as electrode materials, achieving reversible capacities of 40-50 mAh/g. The excellent cyclability is attributed to the durable structure and charge balance during insertion and extraction of calcium ions.
The study reveals that the petunia has a complicated genetic history, having undergone one whole genome triplication shared with all the Solanaceae family. The released parental petunia genomes will be a valuable resource for scientists studying symbiosis, self-fertilization and circadian rhythms.
A new study found no connection between hospital safety culture survey scores and actual improvement in patient infection rates. Despite efforts to improve safety culture, many hospitals reported minor changes in survey scores despite significant reductions in infections.
A chromosomal rearrangement increases HOXB8 expression in facial skin, affecting feather development, leading to the growth of long facial feathers. The study provides a model for exploring the regulation of HOX genes in different parts of the body during development.
In a study on colonial orb-weaving spider Cyrtophora citricola, researchers found that males were twice as likely to mate with well-fed females, suggesting they are choosier due to high mortality rates. Females ate over 80% of their mates, implying cannibalism may promote male mate choice.
Geophysicist Professor Boris Kaus of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has received a EUR 150,000 ERC Proof of Concept Grant to test new methods for locating oil and gas reserves in sedimentary basins with salt deposits. The grant aims to demonstrate the economic feasibility and cost-reducing potential of these methods.
Kamesh Subbarao, a UTA aerospace engineer, has received a $201,000 grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop an algorithm for cooperative control of multiple spacecraft. The algorithm aims to address uncertainties and time delays in data transmission, enabling better analysis of collected data.
Researchers at the University of Exeter are leading two major projects to advance our understanding of environmental change. The first project uses £3.7m funding to develop methods for predicting regional climate phenomena such as storms, sea ice changes and rainfall in the tropics over the next 100 years.
The RDA Data Share program has selected 14 fellows for its 2016 cohort, with a focus on strengthening careers in data science and data sharing. Fellows will work on their own projects and collaborate with RDA working groups over 12-18 month terms.
A national study led by Michigan State University sociologist Hui Liu found that for men, an unhappy marriage may actually slow the development of diabetes and promote successful treatment once they do get the disease. Women with good-quality marriages were more likely to have a lower risk of developing diabetes five years later.
A microscopic parasite causes blindness, birth defects, and severe health consequences in hundreds of millions worldwide. Dr. Zhicheng Dou aims to develop a 100% cure for the disease by designing drugs that starve the parasite from host cells.
A new King's College London study challenges the fantasy model of multiple personality disorder, suggesting that traumatic experiences such as neglect or abuse in childhood are a major contributing factor. Researchers found a continuum of trauma-related symptom severity across groups, with patients with DID exhibiting the highest scores.
Researchers developed a portable, disposable sunburn sensor made from safe and benign materials that can be easily calibrated for different skin tones and sunscreen levels.
A new study found that only 6% of general practices in the UK offer email consultations, while none are using internet video. Despite policy pressure, few GPs plan to adopt alternative methods to improve access and efficiency.
Research finds radically-altered subcellular activity in women carrying BRCA1/2 mutations, opening door to new preventative strategies and non-invasive test development. These changes were similar to those seen in ovarian cancer specimens, providing hope for reducing invasive surgery.
Researchers will collect and analyze ISIS propaganda to identify themes, claims, and polarizing language used to encourage political extremism and violence. The study aims to strengthen UK intelligence services' capabilities to combat violent organizations' initiatives.