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.
Research at INRS demonstrates that small changes in enzyme structure can significantly impact its function. The study reveals how the subtle dance of atoms affects enzyme activity, shedding light on protein engineering failures and improving synthetic functional enzymes.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a gene, Hnrnph1, that is casually associated with the behavioral response to methamphetamine. This finding may have implications for understanding the genetic basis of methamphetamine addiction and developing novel therapeutics.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found a link between brain GABA levels and tactile learning, predicting learning success by baseline GABA levels. Higher GABA levels were associated with improved sensory learning potential.
A new study by New York University researchers shows that federally and non-federally funded research investments have a significant impact on the economy. The study found that 40% of PhD recipients took jobs in the private sector, with those in science fields disproportionately gaining placement in large and high-wage businesses.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have made groundbreaking discoveries about the behavior of TrCel7a, a cellulase enzyme that breaks down cellulose. By studying the enzyme's movements and interactions with cellulose fibers, researchers found that it operates slowly but is self-propelling, powered by energy from cellulose bonds.
Scientists have found a way to solve complex problems using a quantum computer traveling along 'open timelike curves' without breaking the laws of causality. This breakthrough allows for supercomputational power while maintaining the integrity of quantum principles.
Professor José Azaña has been elected Fellow by the Optical Society (OSA) in recognition of his remarkable contributions to ultrafast photonics. He is the only Quebec academic and one of three Canadian researchers among this year's group of 77 OSA Fellows.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that playing 3D video games improved memory performance by 12% in non-gamer college students, while 2D gamers did not. This suggests that environmental enrichment through immersive gaming may be a viable route to stem cognitive aging.
Research found that hedge fund activism initially bolsters target companies but weakens competitors, potentially reducing innovation and consumer growth. Average investors are more likely to hold stock in competitor firms, which may face reduced investment in research and development.
Professor Federico Rosei of INRS Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre has received the 2016 John C. Polanyi Award from the Canadian Society for Chemistry. He is known for his research on nanostructured materials and has earned several national and international awards.
Lili He will study mechanisms of how chemical pesticides penetrate fresh produce and move into plant tissues, affecting food safety for consumers. Her research uses innovative SERS techniques to detect trace amounts of pesticides without damaging samples.
The project aims to enhance access to nutritious food for the rural poor, particularly for women and children, by scaling up research and policy changes that promote a more diverse diet. Empowering women through leadership roles in producer groups and labor-saving techniques is also key to addressing malnutrition.
A new report reveals that increased funding for Ebola research and development comes at the expense of other neglected diseases, which cause more deaths annually than Ebola. Despite this, industry investment in R&D for Ebola, malaria, and HIV/AIDS increases, while funding for TB R&D decreases.
Helminck is honored for increasing the diversity of the mathematical research community through his work at North Carolina State University. He has successfully recruited and retained doctoral students from underrepresented groups, as well as directed programs to foster diversity in mathematics education.
Mutations in the nuclear lamina have been linked to various diseases including muscular dystrophies, heart disorders, and premature aging. TSRI researchers aim to understand the nuclear lamina's composition and protein interaction network to develop therapies for these diseases.
Researchers from Cyprus and Greece investigate Förster resonant energy transfer, a radiationless energy transmission process that promotes alternative contactless pathways for energy transfer. The study reveals the importance of understanding FRET in hybrid structures to develop novel devices with high efficiency.
Chapman University has been awarded a $4 million U.S. Army Research Office grant to develop advanced methods for extracting information from continuous microwave signals. The project, led by Dr. Justin Dressel, aims to improve upon existing error correction methods using superconducting quantum bits.
Researchers used metadata from calls and texts to estimate wealth and poverty in Rwanda, finding patterns such as varied pre-paid time purchases and daily calling rhythms. The study suggests an alternative to traditional censuses for governments to estimate wealth distribution, costing around $10,000.
A three-year project is launching to investigate neural network mechanisms of sequence generation in the hippocampus. The researchers aim to shed light upon the neuronal foundations of memory, a brain structure crucial for remembering personal experiences.
Researchers have developed a mechanism to extract single photons from a stream, enabling practical applications in quantum communication. The discovery relies on a physical effect called single-photon Raman interaction, which allows for the selective capture of individual photons.
Scientists successfully extracted and sequenced mitochondrial DNA from black widow spider webs, identifying the spider architect and its prey. The detectability of DNA remained consistent for at least 88 days after living organisms were removed.
A study published in Nature reveals that MECP2 Duplication Syndrome can be reversed using an antisense oligonucleotide strategy. The therapy, tested on adult mice with the condition, normalized symptoms after four weeks and restored normal brain function.
A study found a strong correlation between eggshell porosity and covered or exposed nest types among extant archosaurs. This suggests that eggshell porosity may be used as a proxy for nest type, allowing researchers to infer the type of nest built by extinct archosaurs.
Researchers have developed a simple and rapid way to treat an immune-related disorder in mice, which could eventually help multiple sclerosis patients. The approach attaches disease-related protein fragments to spleen cells, preventing brain and spinal cord inflammation.
The research aims to investigate the feasibility of using many-antenna base stations to serve multiple users simultaneously, addressing scalability and interference issues. By leveraging ArgosNet, a custom-built experimental test bed, the team will advance MIMO technology to meet the 1,000x data challenge in 5G networks.
A University of Texas at Arlington engineer is co-leading a team to develop tools that can convert temperature changes into electrical energy. The goal is to create energy-harvesting microdevices for sensing systems and other applications, which could have a widespread impact on meeting the global energy challenge.
A recent study monitored 800 participants' blood sugar levels in response to over 46,000 meals, revealing highly individual responses to different foods. The researchers developed an algorithm predicting individualized responses based on lifestyle and microbiome analysis, which was successfully applied to new participants.
The new Peatland Code targets the restoration of one million hectares of peatlands over five years, which could save up to 220 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050. UK peatlands are a natural filter for drinking water and store more than three billion tonnes of carbon.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are using formal, methods-based testing to automatically discover bugs in development environments for cyber-physical systems. The technique, known as randomized differential testing, generates random programs and models, then translates and compiles them to identify defects.
The German Research Foundation supports a new Transregional Collaborative Research Centre TR 172 'Arctic climate change' with up to two additional funding periods. The project aims to investigate the causes of the above-average warming in the Arctic and improve the accuracy of climate models.
Researchers at the Babraham Institute have discovered a delicate balance between three key transcription factors that determine the fate of trophoblast stem cells. This balance, rather than the presence or absence of individual factors, dictates whether stem cells self-renew or differentiate into specialized cell types.
The Show-Me Healthy Marriages and Relationships program aims to improve parenting skills, economic stability, and personal well-being in low-resource Missouri residents. Through a five-year project, 2,000 participants will receive wrap-around services, including relationship education classes and text messaging support.
The University of Huddersfield is conducting a £350,000 research project to measure 'learning gain', defined as improvement in knowledge, skills, and employability. The project will survey hundreds of undergraduates who participate in additional activities beyond their course curriculum.
New York University researchers have received a three-year, $2 million grant to investigate new ways to deploy electrons and reconfigure physical properties. The project aims to create improved semiconductors, magnets, insulators, and other materials for faster, more energy-efficient computing devices.
The merger of Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller poses significant global health risks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The new company's expansion plans in Africa are driven by targeting low-income consumers, echoing the strategies of transnational tobacco companies.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo have created an electrically-controllable valley current device that may pave the way to ultra-low-power computing devices. The device uses pure valley current, which is non-dissipative and does not produce heat, making it a promising alternative to traditional electronics.
The new Transregional Collaborative Research Center 'Waves to Weather' aims to improve forecast models by analyzing ensemble forecasts and studying predictability. Scientists will investigate the physical processes and interactions behind severe weather events, with the goal of developing new models and methods to extend forecast range.
The Self, Motivation and Virtue Project at OU is funding interdisciplinary research on moral self and virtue development. Researchers are studying topics including integrity, cultural narratives, and Buddhism's central claims about the self.
Researchers at INRS have discovered a coronavirus protein mutation that slows the spread of the virus in the central nervous system and reduces its neurovirulence. The study sheds light on how persistent coronavirus infections take hold and may help prevent associated neurological diseases.
The project aims to shed light on EU-Turkey relations, explore Turkey's historical role, and develop scenarios for future relations, including potential partnerships and membership. The research will create a basis for policy recommendations and inform EU-Turkey relations.
Researchers analyzed millions of articles and patents to find that scientific research is often conservative, with scientists prioritizing established knowledge over risk-taking. However, they identified more efficient approaches that could unleash innovation, including a focus on exploring new connections and taking greater risks.
A new study found that the thickness of the cortex in the fusiform face area (FFA) can predict a person's ability to recognize faces and objects. The researchers discovered an inverse relationship between FFA cortical thickness and visual expertise, with thicker FFA cortex linked to better non-face recognition.
Researchers have developed a new mathematical method to characterize non-uniform semiconductors with improved efficiency and precision. The method measures electrical conductivity in a single piece of material using a magnetic field, revealing variations across the entire sample.
Physicists at JILA have created a denser quantum crystal by packing about five times more molecules into it, allowing for the study of correlations among molecule spins and entanglement. The crystal's high density enables scientists to investigate complex effects that may lead to new materials for electronics.
The project aims to enhance wheat crop yields by understanding the genetic basis of more efficient photosynthesis. By combining diverse expertise and next-generation DNA sequencing, researchers will identify key genes responsible for improved crop performance.
Researchers analyzed 118 proto-porcelain and 35 impressed stoneware sherds, finding distinct chemical profiles that suggest raw materials were sourced locally. The discovery sheds light on the origin of Chinese proto-porcelain and its glazing techniques.
A team of psychologists and engineers from SMU and the University of Maryland have received a $2 million NIH grant to create a wearable device for pediatric asthma patients that monitors air quality and identifies individual triggers. The device aims to alert patients before an attack, improving treatment outcomes.
A new theory suggests that mood can aid adaptation to environmental changes by reflecting recent changes in reward availability. This effect may help explain the causes of mood disorders and predispose individuals to conditions like bipolar disorder.
Dr. Aria Nosratinia is investigating ways to break wireless messages into microstreams, reducing interference, and developing methods to detect malicious hardware modifications known as hardware Trojans. His research could lead to better wireless communication and increased network capacity.
A new UC Davis study finds that identifying and addressing dyslexia as early as first grade can close the achievement gap with typical readers. Implementing effective reading programs at younger ages shows promising results in narrowing this disparity.
Chapman University has been awarded a $1.5 million Department of Energy grant to investigate the controls of methane production in peatland ecosystems. The project, called SPRUCE, aims to determine the levels of warming at which ecosystems will reach a critical change in temperature and carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have made a breakthrough in developing cold-tolerant corn plants by increasing Rubisco enzyme levels, which can help them withstand harsh winter conditions. The new technology could enable farmers to harvest twice and increase crop yields.
UC Davis researchers develop ultra-low-power sensors with near-zero power consumption, targeting continuous and passive monitoring of environments. The goal is to extend sensor lifetime from months to years, enabling always-on sensing without significant power drain.
A new consensus guideline recommends that researchers share genomic findings with family members when necessary to avert imminent harm. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of protecting participant privacy and involving relatives in decision-making.
Researchers from USF propose a new form of computing that leverages interaction-dependent state change of nanomagnets to solve complex functions significantly faster than traditional computers. The approach has been shown to be 1,528 times faster than IBM ILOG CPLEX on certain problems.
A federal grant will fund a new course at the University of Illinois and support training for clinicians in conducting early interventions with people who abuse substances. The training uses a computer simulation called SBIRT, which identifies clients at risk of substance abuse problems and teaches clinicians how to respond accordingly.
Researchers from McGill University found that people are highly accurate at judging emotions based on head movements alone, even without sound or facial expressions. This discovery could aid in the development of automated emotion recognition systems or human-interaction robots.
Jesse Little's three-year grant aims to develop guidelines for designing aircraft that can withstand structural and heat stresses of sustained supersonic flight. The study focuses on understanding shock waves interacting with near-surface air flows in three dimensions.
NYU researchers have developed a new game-based online simulation training program called ALIVE, which helps firefighters understand how to fight modern residential fires and minimize their cardiovascular risk. The training module is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The University of Texas at Dallas will collaborate with researchers to create a research tool that uses big data to provide updated information on civil protests and unrest, as well as study Colombia's efforts to protect its power grid from attacks. The project aims to drive decisions on foreign policy, international relations, civil w...