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 USDA has awarded nearly $4 million in funding to help fight obesity and improve the health of our nation's children. The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) will support research to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents ages 2-19 years.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that ocelot densities in the Brazilian Amazon may be stable but lower than predicted. The research used camera-trap surveys to estimate ocelot density in a pristine forest area and found an average of 25 ocelots per 100 km2, which is lower than expected for the region.
Researchers are exploring the use of scanning lasers to measure road aggregate microtexture, aiming to improve the accuracy and sustainability of road construction. The project has the potential to lead to the development of new adhesive systems that make binding asphalt and concrete better and longer lasting.
The US Department of Agriculture is offering $130 million in funding for foundational agricultural research, education, and extension projects. This funding supports sustainable and productive plant and animal production systems, including certified organic production.
Researchers will identify and overcome barriers to using biomass from fuels-reduction and forest-restoration treatments. The goal is to sustainably use forest-based feedstocks to offset fossil fuels, improving environmental sustainability and human health while minimizing costs.
Researchers found that earthworms create the surales landscapes by depositing casts and building towers of dry habitat, which eventually form mounds. The study suggests that these worms engineer the ecosystem, creating habitats used by plants and other earthworms.
Dmitry Budker, Experimental Atomic Physics professor at Mainz University, receives a EUR 2.5M ERC Advanced Grant to systematically search for dark sector particles. The project aims to identify new techniques using magnetic resonance and magnetometry to provide direct connections to the dark sector.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati developed a simple in-home screening device to monitor blood-clotting levels, reducing frequent lab tests and costs. The paper-based test stick can quickly reveal changes in coagulation properties, allowing patients to detect potential issues early.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that wolf puppies do not follow the expected 50:50 rule in play interactions, instead showing more equal play with similarly aged partners. Adult wolves, on the other hand, exhibit self-handicapping behaviors to engage younger pups in play.
A study found that flame retardants used in tent manufacturing are released into the air within tents, potentially exposing campers to toxic compounds. The levels of these compounds can vary depending on the brand of tent, but may still pose a health risk to adults and children.
A new study published by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that heart attack rates are trending down nationwide, but lower-income communities continue to experience higher hospitalization rates for acute myocardial infarction. Despite similar declines in heart attack rates across all income levels, low-income communities have n...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that gamma-retroviruses preferentially insert near cancer-associated genes, suggesting a new tool for identifying genes driving specific cancers. This discovery could lead to the identification of potential therapeutic targets.
The TeSeR project aims to develop a cost-efficient and reliable removal module for satellites, reducing the risk of collision with space debris. Strathclyde is playing a significant role in this research, leveraging its expertise in satellite applications.
NJIT's TAB program provides free technical assistance to East Coast communities, prioritizing contaminated sites and developing grant proposals. The new $3 million grant expands the program into the Southeast, helping hundreds of communities across the Eastern US over five years.
The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) sent ten students to the PanAfrican Legume Conference in Zambia to learn about pulses and grain legumes. The conference, which drew over 500 participants from 46 countries, focused on sustainable systems for food, income, and nutritional security.
A new study reveals vast differences in treatment recommendations among physicians for brain hemorrhage patients. The variation was found to be influenced by factors such as the physician's specialty and experience with the condition. Researchers recommend that clinicians consider these variations when communicating with families, as i...
Researchers discovered that African trypanosomes use repetitive 70-bp regions to select new coat protein genes from an archive, evading host antibodies. This process could be crucial for reducing chronic infections of sleeping sickness if deactivated.
Scientists discover that temperature inversions and low-level atmospheric phenomena isolate the ice surface from the atmosphere, recycling water vapor and halting loss or gain of ice. This process, known as boundary-layer recycling, occurs in the center of Greenland's ice sheet and is surprisingly efficient.
A comparative analysis of three shark species in the Virgin Islands reveals distinct use patterns in deeper coral reefs. Lemon sharks show increased activity near group spawning aggregations, suggesting a link between fish prey location and shark movements.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded $15.6 million in grants to support research, education, and extension programs focused on promoting rural community development, economic growth, and sustainability. The grants aim to help rural areas address persistent poverty and create self-sustaining long-term economic development.
Researchers at Cornell University have successfully controlled the introduction of amino acids to pure calcite, increasing its hardness to values equivalent to biogenic calcite. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for creating stronger calcite systems and has significant implications for various applications.
A web-based guided self-help intervention has been shown to reduce the incidence of major depressive disorder in adults with subthreshold depression. The study found that 55 participants in the intervention group experienced MDD compared to 84 in the control group, resulting in a significant reduction in risk.
Researchers at the University of Toronto will investigate how environmental factors contribute to chronic conditions, with a focus on autoimmune disease, colorectal cancer, and respiratory diseases. The funding will help identify better ways to prevent and treat these diseases affecting millions of Canadians.
A study of 44 US climate-adaptation plans found that local communities apply diverse strategies to combat climate change, but often fail to prioritize goals or provide implementation details. The plans also lack clarity on metrics for measuring progress and addressing uncertainty related to climate-change impacts.
Scientists have discovered that silencing the molecular alarm, HIF-1α, reduces heterotopic ossification and disability in a rare bone disorder. By targeting this protein, researchers hope to develop more effective treatments for FOP and related disorders of heterotopic ossification.
Researchers uncover evidence that the Calusa people deliberately reworked and reshaped their shell midden deposits to create landforms, challenging previous ideas about their society. The study sheds light on the Calusa's complex relationship with environmental change and surplus production.
A study found that one in five underage youths consumed jello shots, which were associated with heavier drinking, physical fights, and increased risk of adverse consequences. The study's findings have important public health implications and suggest the need for interventions to address this consumption.
Researchers found that adding limonene accelerates cocoa butter crystallization at lower temperatures but inhibits it at higher temperatures. The study suggests using carefully chosen limonene concentrations and processing temperatures to achieve a smoother, more luxurious reduced-fat chocolate.
A study published in PLOS ONE identifies distinct patterns of seasonal influenza activity in the tropics and subtropics, grouping countries into eight geographical zones. These zones can inform targeted flu vaccination programs, providing valuable insights into optimal delivery timing and vaccine formulation.
Researchers found that male peacocks vibrate their feathers at resonance, which enhances the vibrational amplitude and suggests energetically efficient displays. The iridescent eyespots stay stationary during displays due to locked barbs, keeping them in place as loose barbs shimmer in the background.
Christof Paar, a Bochum IT security expert, has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant to explore and prevent cryptographic hardware backdoors that pose a major threat to the Internet of Things. The project aims to develop countermeasures against hardware Trojans that can compromise device security.
Professor Philippe Dubois has been awarded an FNR PEARL Chair to develop new sustainable composite materials from renewable resources. His goal is to replace fossil carbon with bio-composites, targeting applications in automotive and aerospace sectors.
A new study provides insights into the evolutionary trajectory of penguins in Australia, revealing a 20-million-year history of species dispersals. The research suggests that ancestors of modern little penguins arrived in Australia with the help of a strengthened Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
Carrot pulp is being used to create puffed snack foods with increased fiber and nutritional quality. The research found that adding the pulp increases puffiness without affecting taste or texture.
A new study from UC Davis Health System found significant disparities in state funding for autism services among racial and ethnic groups. Compared to white children aged 3-17, African Americans and Hispanics received significantly lower per-person spending, while adults with ASD over 18 saw a nearly $13,000 difference.
Researchers are conducting a groundbreaking study to understand how children cope with traumatic life events from ages 3-5. The five-year project will track hundreds of Kansas City children and their families, providing real-time assessment and interaction data to identify key factors influencing outcomes.
A Louisiana State University student-led team has been awarded a $200,000 grant to develop an instrument that will fly into a thunderstorm to measure how lightning produces high-energy gamma-rays. The project, called Correlation of Terrestrial gamma flashes, Electric fields and Lightning strikes, aims to study the electrical and radiat...
A study on live-bearing sea anemones found that offspring transition from using egg yolks to pre-natal and post-natal parental feeding during development. The researchers also discovered a possible link between size variation within the clutch and parent-offspring conflicts or sibling rivalry.
The University of Texas at Arlington will develop an online portal for disability history resources with a $40,000 NEH grant. The portal will provide a single point of access to various collections from archives, museums, colleges, and universities featuring historical materials on disability history.
Physicists at UTA are developing a global simulation model combining knowledge and experience from seven leading research universities to predict space weather effects with higher accuracy and detail. The project aims to reduce errors in GPS and communication systems by up to 30%.
Researchers found that young birds exhibit mature flight stroke early in development by leveraging leg and wing power, challenging existing ideas about flight origin. This discovery could provide insights into the evolution of flight in ancient theropod dinosaurs.
A new development tool is being proposed based on the concept of 'software quality information needs'. The tool aims to provide developers with the right kind of information about the current state of and the effect of changes on software quality. Three case studies will be conducted to develop metrics and measurement techniques to det...
A new RAND report finds that the US is insufficiently countering the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The report recommends more comprehensive training and advising of indigenous forces and forging political agreements to resolve key drivers of conflict.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine have invented a nanowire-based battery material that can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times without cracking. The breakthrough work uses a gold nanowire coated in a manganese dioxide shell and encased in an electrolyte made of a gel-like substance.
Micro aerial vehicles are expected to have a significant impact on various industries, but also expose users to unprecedented vulnerabilities. Researchers aim to develop consistent state estimation algorithms to detect abnormalities in drone sensing and compensate for malicious attacks.
A study found that math scores drop 5% in the first year of a budget cycle when tax-compression rules are triggered, disrupting planning and teacher assignments. School districts face uncertainty until state budgets are finalized, affecting resource allocations.
Steven Cavallo, OU meteorology professor, receives $170,000 Young Investigator award for his commitment to studying vortex dynamics. The prize supports his research on polar meteorology and contributes to the development of new scientific stories in atmospheric science.
Researchers at McMaster University have successfully coaxed tellurazole oxides into assembling themselves into cyclic structures, a major advance in supramolecular chemistry. The discovery creates potential for useful new materials in areas such as communication technologies, gas storage, and catalysis.
Dan Trefler, a renowned economist at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, has been awarded a 2016 Killam Prize for his groundbreaking research on international trade and competitiveness. His work has had far-reaching impact on public policy formation in Canada.
A USU aerospace engineering team is developing next-gen green rocket motors with a potential impact on the space industry. The team aims to determine if exhaust plumes from new motor designs can contaminate solar panels and other external spacecraft surfaces.
A University of Washington-led study found little to no evidence of price increases in Seattle relative to surrounding areas after the city's $15 minimum wage law implementation. The study surveyed employers and workers and analyzed commodity and service prices, concluding that the higher wages did not translate to significant cost hikes.
A new project, NANOBED-MX, will offer researchers and entrepreneurs access to space technology with minimal investment. The program builds on the UKube-1 CubeSat experience and aims to unlock commercial opportunities in developing countries.
Undergraduate students from around the country will participate in a 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at RIT, working on projects involving human behavior, cognitive processes, and sensing technology. The program aims to foster a new generation of scientists who approach research questions differently.
Funding for maternal and child health has grown faster than HIV, TB, and malaria since 2010. Despite this growth, global health spending remains stagnant, with total development assistance for health increasing only slightly between 2010 and 2015.
A father's family values can predict the family values held by Mexican-origin youth as well as the amount of time they spend with their families, according to new research. The study also found that parental acceptance and warmth play a crucial role in determining the link between family time and young adults' depressive symptoms.
Research by Dr. Sven Joubert reveals that Alzheimer's disease affects holistic face perception, leading to difficulties in recognizing faces of family members or celebrities. This impairment is observed even in the early stages of the disease, highlighting potential strategies for patients to recognize their loved ones for longer.
Researchers at UC Davis Health System found that state spending on autism services increases dramatically with age. On average, people aged 18 and over receive nearly two and a half times more funding than younger individuals with ASD.
Research reveals enlarged endosomes as early sign of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease and Down Syndrome. Abnormally active Rab5 protein disrupts axonal transport and neuronal function.
A UW-led research team will use a new scientific framework to model and defend against stealthy, continuous computer hacking attacks known as advanced persistent threats. The team aims to analyze the interactions between these threats and cyber defense mechanisms to combat them.
Young arthritis patients experience physical, emotional, social, and vocational consequences from treatment, emphasizing the importance of discussing concerns with healthcare providers. Active encouragement is necessary to achieve balance between disease control and treatment burden.