Articles tagged with Research Funding
A randomized controlled trial found that using StopAdvisor increased the likelihood of quitting among lower-income smokers by 36%. The website was designed to mimic the support provided by NHS stop-smoking advisors and improved quit rates among those with lower socioeconomic status.
Researchers identified patterns in courtship and male-to-male combat behaviors across 70 snake species, revealing evolutionary relationships between behaviors. The study found that different clades developed unique behaviors, such as coiling without neck-raising and body-bridging, which replaced earlier toppling behavior.
North Carolina State University researchers aim to improve educational software by incorporating facial expression, body language, speech, and other cues to respond to students' emotional states. The goal is to customize program responses based on verbal and nonverbal cues.
A Northwestern Medicine study found that people drink more alcohol on days when they exercise, particularly Thursdays to Sundays. The study used smartphone technology to record daily physical activity and alcohol use, and found uniform results across age groups.
Researchers at USC isolated a transcription factor, FBH1, that modulates circadian rhythms based on temperature, allowing plants to adapt to changing environments. This discovery could lead to heartier plants better equipped to deal with climate change.
The University of Delaware has received a $3.3 million NSF grant to develop a program that aims to increase the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women faculty, particularly in STEM fields. The five-year program will provide research support and mentoring opportunities for faculty.
Researchers confirmed earlier findings of verbal overshadowing, where witnesses' descriptions impair their ability to select a suspect. The study found smaller effects in replications, suggesting sample sizes may have been too small to detect the effect reliably.
The ASU Institute of Human Origins will conduct a multifaceted research project to increase understanding of human evolution, with a focus on cognition, culture, and cooperation. The $4.9M grant will support 11 linked projects, including studies on tool use and large-scale cooperation.
Aalto University researchers have developed a pilot plant that converts CO2 and steel slag into PCC, a highly valuable resource. This innovative process reduces greenhouse gas emissions and minimizes waste, offering significant economic and environmental benefits for industries.
A new research study will analyze how changes in diet and lifestyle affect long-term wellness and contribute to healthy aging. The Stanford Prevention Research Center will lead the study, which aims to identify lifestyle and environmental factors that help people maintain their health and wellness as they age.
The team used LiDAR technology to create a detailed map of the site, capturing structures that were previously inaccessible due to dense jungle canopy. By exploring these uncharted areas, researchers gained a better understanding of ancient Maya city-states and their interactions.
A UC Davis engineering professor has developed a technique to mass-produce thin silicon blades at lower cost. The new technology enables the production of sharp blades with reduced manufacturing costs, opening possibilities for incorporating electrical and optical technologies.
Researchers identify five key themes for scientific advancement in humanitarian response, including better use of non-humanitarian data, robust methodologies, and local participation. The evidence base for many current practices remains weak due to lack of data and inadequate information sharing.
UTSA has been awarded a $500,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop a security mechanism for cloud-based infrastructures. The goal is to provide users with comparable control over their virtual assets as they had on-premises.
Scientists at UT Arlington have discovered a way to cool electrons to extremely low temperatures using nanotechnology, potentially reducing energy consumption of electronic devices by over 10 times. This breakthrough could lead to the development of energy-efficient transistors and improve military electronics.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University and other institutions will develop computer models of stars to simulate the process of element creation. The project aims to understand the formation of heavier elements in the early universe, shedding light on the universe's evolution and diversity.
The NSF grant will expand Climate Central's efforts to produce and deliver localized climate science content and professional development opportunities to TV meteorologists. More than 150 weathercasters are participating, and the goal is to add an additional 200 weathercasters to the project.
A pilot study among low-income African-Americans in Detroit found that texting is the preferred method of collecting real-time information from community members. The study suggests that texting can help give a voice to underrepresented populations and tap into their needs.
Research by University of Southampton finds improved midwifery services lead to virtuous cycle of increased demand, deployment of more midwives, better services, and improved outcomes. The study's findings highlight the crucial role of initial investment, women's demand for care, and health professionals in driving this cycle.
The University of South Florida will partner with three fire departments to test the effectiveness of supervised exercise programs and web-based interventions on reducing low back pain and disability. The study aims to identify safe and effective exercise interventions for firefighters at risk of back injury.
Researchers have found that magnetite nanocubes can form chiral helices when exposed to an external magnetic field. The helices are formed through a balance of competing forces, including the Zeeman force and dipole-dipole magnetic force.
The University of Houston is building a one-of-a-kind piece of equipment to further research on superconductivity and thermoelectricity, aiming to make these technologies more commercially viable. The $1.8 million project will help find materials with higher transition temperatures and lower costs.
A survey of Northeastern organic dairy farms found that 85% ranked a steady, fair milk price as their top challenge. The cost of organic mixed grain feed has increased substantially, leading to declining profit margins for farmers. This is the first study to assess the research and educational needs of organic dairy farmers in the region.
A study by Solange Cadore and colleagues found that dark chocolates in Brazil contained high levels of lead and cadmium. The researchers tested 30 commercial samples and found that the highest amounts of these metals were present in dark chocolate products, posing a health risk to children who consume them.
Researchers at Indiana University have isolated a process that damages the lungs of donors who suffered from traumatic brain injury, which may lead to improved lung transplant outcomes. The study found that fluid accumulation in the lungs occurs within hours after head trauma, limiting oxygenation and reducing lung function by nearly 80%.
A seven-year research partnership aims to improve socioeconomic conditions for Aboriginal Peoples through greater involvement in education, health care, and sustainable development. The project also explores Aboriginal civil society, governance, and relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
The University of Houston's CMCD program aims to reduce student disruptions and increase instruction with research-based classroom management strategies. The four-year study will focus on third and fourth-grade students in 30 elementary schools, exploring the effectiveness of CMCD interventions.
Researchers at UT Dallas have won nearly $1 million in defense grants to develop high-frequency integrated circuit design equipment. The instrumentation, including a hybrid load pull system and a millimeter wave antenna measurement system, will be available for use by TxACE members and outside industrial users.
A new method, called compressive direct measurement, allows researchers to reconstruct a quantum state at 90 percent fidelity using only a quarter of the measurements required by previous methods. This technique speeds up the process and takes just 20 percent of the total measurements needed.
The EuropeanPioneers programme supports 25 startups and SMEs in EU with 4.5 million Euros, targeting Smart City Services, Social Connected TV, Pervasive Gaming, and E-Learning.
Researchers from the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority and Wuerzburg University devised a new way to authenticate organic produce. Their report uses nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to differentiate between conventional and organic tomatoes.
Researchers found that stone-tipped spears created larger and wider wound cavities than sharpened wooden spears, despite not penetrating deeper into gelatin. This could indicate a greater 'killing power' for tipped spears.
Researchers have developed the thinnest-possible semiconductor junctions, made in sheets only three atoms thick, allowing for flexible and transparent computing, LEDs, and solar technologies. The discovery enables new kinds of transistors, LEDs, nanolasers, and solar cells to be developed within a single atomic plane.
The NSF has awarded two grants to expand its National Innovation Network through the I-Corps program, supporting innovation education, research, and infrastructure in Southern California and Texas. The new nodes will join five existing regional hubs, fostering mentorship, research, and entrepreneurship.
A study by UCLA social scientists found that men who march in unison with others perceive a potential foe as smaller and less intimidating, leading to increased feelings of power and aggression. The researchers theorize that this phenomenon may be an evolutionary adaptation that favors individuals moving in coordination with groups.
Researchers at JILA have confirmed the presence of spin symmetry in strontium atoms, which could lead to breakthroughs in simulating exotic materials and understanding quantum phenomena like superconductivity. The discovery was made possible by an ultra-stable atomic clock, allowing for precise measurements of atom interactions.
Researchers found land snail shell remains from ~30,000 years ago in Cova de la Barriada, Spain. The discovery suggests that ancient human populations used snails as a food resource in Europe ~30,000 years ago.
A University of Kansas professor is leading a grant project investigating the effects of nitric oxide synthase on muscle growth. The study aims to understand how this compound can be used to promote muscle growth in various populations, including athletes and the elderly.
Annulla Linders' research reveals that family members of victims witnessing executions has transformed the process and audience, re-personalizing executions with emotional satisfaction for families. Currently, 18 US states allow intimates to witness executions, complicating arrangements and public perception.
The StopInfo program, developed at the University of Washington, integrates with OneBusAway to provide crucial information on bus stops, including location, safety features, and stop closures. The app has been found to be generally helpful for blind riders, promoting spontaneous travel and confidence while riding.
A new study by Christin Munsch found that men who requested flexible work arrangements for childcare-related reasons were viewed more favorably than women with similar requests. Those who made flexible work requests for childcare were perceived as more respectable and likable, leading to greater support and approval from employers.
Kansas State University physicists are part of a collaborative project that seeks to understand how light interacts with matter. The National Science Foundation's EPSCoR grant will help develop tools for controlling molecular processes using laser technology.
The National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities have awarded over $4 million to support the documentation of nearly 40 endangered languages. These awards will build research infrastructure and encourage long-term collaboration with host countries, as well as involve significant community engagement.
Researchers tracked 35 blue sharks for up to 1,000 days and found evidence of a discrete central North Atlantic nursery. Juvenile female blue sharks migrate seasonally while juvenile males expand their range southward, with males displaying greater behavioral variation.
A study published in PLOS ONE found evidence of ancient Egyptian mummification practices dating back to the Late Neolithic period, around 4500-3350 BC. The discovery suggests that early Egyptians may have used natural products to preserve bodies, laying the groundwork for later Pharaonic mummification techniques.
Rice University physicist Emilia Morosan has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to investigate unusual quantum materials. Her research aims to uncover fundamental properties of these compounds, which may lead to new discoveries in condensed matter physics.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have discovered a new class of hybrid perovskites with exceptional performance in solid-state thin film solar cells. The materials demonstrate high light-to-electricity conversion efficiencies approaching 20% and are easy to process using coating and printing techniques.
The Bureau of Reclamation's Desalination and Water Purification Research Program will provide funding for four laboratory-scale projects and three pilot testing projects. This funding aims to develop new technologies to address desalination needs in river basins throughout the West, ultimately improving US water supply resilience.
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will image the entire visible sky twice per week, providing a vast amount of information on short-lived transient events, dark matter, and dark energy. The project is a partnership among NSF, DOE, and private contributors, with operational support from researchers worldwide.
Researchers used 3D models of the woodpecker to understand its anti-shock biomechanical structure, which stores most impact energy in the body and reduces it in the head. This study could provide guidance for designing anti-shock devices and structures for humans.
A consortium of Missouri universities and research institutions will examine how climate change affects agriculture in the state. Researchers will focus on plant stress, soil changes, and regional weather patterns.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have created an origami robot that can fold itself into arbitrary shapes, crawl away, and perform active folding structures. The robot's mechanical design enables it to walk using a synchronized motor system.
A study found that juvenile loggerhead turtles in the South Pacific Ocean swim against prevailing currents at a rate of 30 cm/sec. The turtles use multiple sensory cues to detect current flow and orient themselves for swimming.
A UTSA researcher has been awarded a grant to create computer models that can predict and address the complex factors contributing to food insecurity in West Africa. The project aims to produce sustainable food security solutions for the region.
A pay-for-performance scheme introduced in the North West region of England reduced patient deaths in the first 18 months but had no further impact. Meanwhile, quality of care continued to improve over two years.
Researchers found that frontal EEG lateralization is a key indicator of emotional flexibility, with left-sided lateralization associated with flexible responses and right-sided lateralization linked to inflexible ones. The study suggests that training can improve left-sided lateralization and enhance emotional flexibility.
A team of UC Riverside engineers will characterize, analyze, and synthesize van der Waals materials for novel electronic devices, optical detectors, and energy conversion systems. The research aims to produce new material synthesis techniques and enable practical applications in ultra-thin film materials.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati suggests that taking online breaks at work can have benefits for productivity and worker well-being. The study found that workers take online breaks to balance their work and personal responsibilities, leading to greater levels of satisfaction and focus on their job.
The Gulf of Mexico dead zone measures 5,052 square miles this summer, slightly smaller than last year's record high. Nutrient runoff from agricultural activities continues to affect the nation's coastal resources and habitats in the Gulf.
Climate researchers found that recent rapid Atlantic Ocean warming has affected climate in the Pacific, strengthening trade winds, accelerating sea level rise in the western Pacific, and causing eastern Pacific surface cooling. The study highlights the impact of Atlantic-Pacific coupling on global climate trends.