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 UT Dallas political science professor has received a grant from the NSF to extend coverage of the Correlates of War Projects' Militarized Interstate Dispute (MID) data through 2017. The project aims to collect data quickly and efficiently using new methods, including crowdsourcing.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a novel robotic communication approach that takes into account the listener's attention. The robot follows the person's gaze and adjusts its utterance to regain their focus.
Dr. Prerna Dua, associate professor of health informatics and information management at Louisiana Tech University, has been honored with the AHIMA Triumph Award for her research expertise in healthcare and decision support. The award recognizes her dedication to enriching the field of health information management.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology found that facial color affects early stage of subliminal processing of facial expression. Facial bluish color increases N170 latency effect compared to natural color, indicating modulation of fearful expressions in the subliminal condition.
A UMass Amherst study aims to create a market for locally sourced timber by using underused wood species in cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction. CLT's structural viability will be demonstrated, and computer models will be developed for advanced engineering analysis and design.
A new University of Georgia research study links gratitude to improved marital quality, finding that spousal expressions of gratitude are the most consistent significant predictor. Gratitude can counteract negative communication patterns and promote positive marital outcomes, even during stressful times.
The University of Houston has been awarded a $246,000 NSF grant to support summer research opportunities in China for 18 geoscience majors. The students will conduct landslide studies using GPS and LiDAR technologies in the Three Gorges area, with potential applications worldwide.
A study at the University of Gothenburg found that combining garden therapy and job coaching strengthens women's physical and mental health, improving their quality of life. The program included practical gardening, mental exercises, and social work to support women on long-term sick leave
Chitosan and chitin have been proven as effective, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternatives to bentonite and STABIFIX in clarifying beer. They reduce turbidity by up to 160 times, decreasing flocculation time and production costs.
A NYU researcher has received an NSF grant to develop 'privacy ideation cards' that explain US data-protection laws and regulations to software professionals. The project aims to integrate privacy into software design, promoting the "Privacy by Design" approach.
The School of Public Health will compare the SafeCare model, teaching parenting skills, with standard case management approach in a three-year project assessing parent and child well-being and reducing maltreatment risk. The study aims to provide information for better-informed health decisions.
Low-impact development technologies, such as green roofs and rainwater tanks, can help reduce waste and protect natural stream ecosystems. Researchers propose a shift towards distributed infrastructure to capture and reuse stormwater runoff, offering a solution to California's drought and environmental challenges.
A new study from the University of Michigan Injury Center found that positive peer influences are associated with reduced dating violence among teenagers. The research analyzed individual and social factors, including alcohol use, mental health, and social connections, to identify risk and protective factors for dating violence.
The Rutgers-led research team will develop systems and regulations for continuous manufacturing, increasing quality, safety, efficiency, cost and speed to market. Biocompatible polymer films are seen as a promising alternative to traditional tablets.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a technology using peptide mimics to combat parasitic nematodes, which infect crop plants and reduce yields by up to 50%. The project aims to protect crops like banana and plantain, grown by smallholders in developing countries.
A new model of investing has been developed to help bridge the funding gap between university labs and the marketplace, with some stunning successes reported. The traditional venture capital approach doesn't provide long-term investments necessary for early research development.
Rochester Institute of Technology has received two significant cyber security funding awards from the National Science Foundation and National Security Agency. The awarded projects focus on developing novel attack strategies to predict cyber threats and create preemptive systems for enterprise networks. Led by Shanchieh Yang, the resea...
Research by Dr Roman Kräussl and colleagues suggests that private equity fund performance is not significantly better than traditional stock market investments. The study found that expected returns from private equity investments are similar to those of listed securities, contradicting previous assumptions.
A recent study by University of Colorado Boulder and U.S. Forest Service found that people who believe climate change increases wildfire risk are not more likely to take mitigation actions on their property. However, those who reject climate science are more likely to engage in risk-reducing behaviors.
Dr. Yan Dong receives the $25,000 award for his contributions to understanding how drugs of abuse alter brain communication and mediate relapse behavior. He has identified key brain regions and mechanisms involved in motivation and reward.
A team of scientists at the University of the Basque Country has successfully simulated actions that contradict the fundamental laws of quantum physics in a laboratory setting. Using trapped atoms, they have reproduced symmetry operations previously thought to be impossible in the atomic world.
A proposed technique from physics can help remove experimenter bias in social science research, improving confidence in published studies. Researchers suggest using blind analysis to prevent confirmation biases and ensure more accurate conclusions.
A new app will automatically create a mobile-friendly website where one does not exist, saving time and frustration. Using deep web mining, the app taps into databases behind websites to provide seamless access.
A study published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research found that regular physical activity can significantly reduce asthma symptoms. The research, led by Concordia University, suggests that even moderate exercise such as walking or yoga can have a positive impact on asthma control.
Scientists found that specific neurons, required for dopamine production, drive parental care in females while serving a different function in males. Elevating these neuron's activity enhances oxytocin levels and triggers maternal actions in female mice.
Researchers aim to create ultra-high temperature materials using entropy-stabilized alloys, which can withstand temperatures of 2,000 degrees Celsius. The team will develop new experimental approaches and computational techniques to identify promising materials.
The Bootstrap curriculum is a 10-week classroom module that helps students learn algebra by creating their own video games using key concepts like variables, functions, and the Pythagorean theorem. The $1.5 million grant from NSF will support research and workshops to train 600 additional teachers.
A Baylor University study found that students with higher 'intellectual arrogance' tended to perform better academically, particularly in individual coursework. In contrast, humble individuals received higher evaluations from team members on group projects.
A new study by Ohio State researchers found that more than 40 percent of child car seats do not align properly with vehicle seats. The study analyzed 3,600 potential combinations and recommended measuring cars to ensure the best fit, as proper installation is crucial for child safety.
A $5 million NSF PIRE grant is awarded to Penn State's Center for Language Science to translate the science of language learning into education. The project aims to harness recent discoveries on bilingualism benefits to inform educational practice and policy, bringing science to classrooms globally.
Researchers at INRS have developed a micro-supercapacitor with unprecedented energy density, exceeding existing electrochemical capacitors by 1,000 times. This innovation combines the strengths of supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, making it suitable for various applications.
Kansas State University has upgraded its nuclear reactor control console with a new system funded by a $1.5 million grant from the US Department of Energy. The upgrade will improve compatibility with current equipment and enable researchers to access data more easily for lab experiments.
The University of California, Santa Barbara, has been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the US Department of Education to strengthen student success and retention. The grant will focus on two main areas: first-year experiences and faculty professional development, targeting underrepresented students in specific majors and courses.
A large worldwide study found that smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) are at nearly twice the risk of developing small cell lung cancer compared to those without COPD. The study, published in EBioMedicine, analyzed data from 24 case-control studies and estimated the risk more precisely than before.
Two University of Toronto scientists developed a new research framework to measure agricultural impacts using functional trait-based ecology. The approach focuses on how plants respond to and affect changes in their environment, providing insights into crop diversity, nutrient cycling, pest repellence and drought mitigation.
Researchers at the University of Rochester and Chinese institutions investigate if CO2 decrease caused Earth to cool 3 million years ago. They test hypothesis that iron-rich dust from Asian deserts fertilized North Pacific Ocean algae, reducing atmospheric CO2.
Physicists at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new approach to carry out precision calculations of the forces acting between protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei. This method uses effective field theory and a new method for analyzing theoretical uncertainties, allowing for a more accurate description of nuclear systems.
Researchers from Southampton's Optoelectronics Research Centre demonstrated the use of optical phase conjugation to improve transmission capacity in long-haul optical systems. They successfully doubled transmission capacity using a dedicated dark fibre network, showcasing potential for high-capacity signals over long distances.
Dr. Zhiqiang Lin has developed a technique that allows monitoring of virtual machines for invasions and viruses, bridging the semantic gap in data structures. This breakthrough has the potential to improve cloud security and protect online services from malicious intruders.
A mouse model study published in PLOS Pathogens reports a causal link between prenatal malaria exposure and subsequent neurocognitive impairment in offspring. The research identifies key molecular mechanisms involved, including C5a signaling, which can be targeted to improve cognitive development.
Professor Raymond received the Canadian Geotechnical Society's 2016 Colloquium Lecture honour for his proposed talk on precise measurement of thermal properties in geological materials. He is a scientific leader in geothermal energy, advancing knowledge of analysis and energy modelling for geothermal applications.
NOAA has awarded grants to three companies to develop ocean acidification-resistant abalone strains, genetics-based selective breeding protocols for mussels, and sustainable multi-species marine algal aquaculture in Maine. These projects aim to tackle significant obstacles in US aquaculture and explore novel solutions.
Researchers have found an explanation for the key experiment in Japan's spin caloritronics field. They applied measurement methods to generate pure spin currents in magnetic isolators, differing from original expectations.
A 9,000-year-old case of human decapitation has been discovered in Lapa do Santo, Brazil, featuring amputated hands and v-shaped cut marks on the jaw and vertebrae. The remains are believed to demonstrate sophisticated mortuary rituals among hunter-gatherers in the Americas.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are working on developing a hybrid walking exoskeleton that combines functional electrical stimulation (FES) and powered frames. The goal is to create a more efficient and effective system for paraplegics to walk, with potential applications in rehabilitation science and consumer technology.
A Washington State University researcher is building a comprehensive family audio database with funding from the National Science Foundation. The database will combine recordings of children's communications with their parents and siblings, enabling researchers to study family communication dynamics and disorders in greater detail.
Researchers are speaking to refugees and migrants to understand their journeys across the Mediterranean, aiming to inform EU policy on migration. The project focuses on European island arrival points in Greece, Italy, and Malta, providing valuable information for charities and organisations.
Researchers developed a custom silicone guide implanted with biochemical cues to promote both motor and sensory nerve regeneration. The study showed improved walking ability in rats within 10-12 weeks, paving the way for human trials.
Researchers investigated whether rhythmic skills are linked together or separate, finding that beat tapping and rhythm memory are distinct abilities. The study suggests that these skills may track differently with specific language functions.
Researchers at U-M Water Center will measure green infrastructure effectiveness in managing stormwater overflows and reducing phosphorus in the Detroit River. The project aims to fill knowledge gaps on the river's contribution to Lake Erie nutrient loading, enabling policy options to be developed.
A new study could lead to a single drug that treats both diseases. The research focuses on the link between Abeta peptides and type 2 diabetes, offering hope for therapeutic advances.
Researchers at INRS have developed an optical chip that can generate cross-polarized photon pairs, paving the way for more efficient and low-cost telecommunication networks. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize optical communication and applications such as signal processing and spectroscopy.
A UTHealth researcher has received a $544,329 CDC grant to develop region-specific educational materials and implement outreach on Chagas disease in South Texas. Approximately 20-30% of infected persons will enter the chronic phase, which can manifest as heart disease or gastrointestinal issues.
Oberdan is tracing the efforts of a group of intellectuals from diverse fields, including Moritz Schlick's Schlick Zirkel, who developed logical empiricism as a scientific philosophy. The research aims to provide insights into how scientists think about science and its implications for philosophical inquiry.
The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program provides funding to organizations responding to stranded marine mammals and collecting health data. Funding supports rehabilitation and conservation efforts for marine mammal populations in the wild.
The University of Maryland has established two new endowed chairs in mathematics and computer science, thanks to a $2.1 million funding match from the state's Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative. The Michael and Eugenia Brin Chair in Mathematics and the Reginald Allan Hahne Chair in Computer Science will be recruited through this program.
A University of Texas at Arlington engineer has developed a way to program robots using observation and feedback. Robots will learn the function of a task, rather than just replicating motions, allowing them to achieve the same outcome without human intervention.
A UTSA computer science professor has received a Department of Army grant to create an image searching algorithm for combing through large amounts of surveillance videos. The goal is to identify individuals more quickly, especially in crowded and hectic situations like the Boston Marathon bombing.
A University of New Hampshire scientist has discovered a promising target for combating plant parasitic nematodes, which cause significant crop damage worldwide. The phosphodiesterase enzyme (PDE) inhibitor compound may provide a safer alternative to traditional chemical pesticides.
University of Cincinnati quantum chemistry researcher Thomas Beck develops new methods to calculate the thermodynamics of ion hydration, leading to more efficient renewable energy devices. His findings have garnered international respect and recognition from top physicists.