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.
New research shows that female rhesus monkeys exhibit a bias toward images of the opposite sex when surrounded by red frames, mirroring human responses. This finding suggests an evolved biological mechanism underlying the 'red effect', which may not be unique to humans.
The NIH has awarded over $11 million to support research on using social media to advance the scientific understanding, prevention, and treatment of substance use and addiction. The studies aim to better understand how social media affects behavior and attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco, and other addictive substances.
Researchers at VIMS will develop tools to identify vulnerable headwater wetlands and provide climate-adaptation strategies for conservation. The project uses historical tidal-marsh observations to build a comprehensive picture of resilience.
Researchers from around the world have successfully explained the formation and propagation of stellar jets emitted by young stars. The team used a patented experimental device and numerical simulations to demonstrate that interstellar magnetic fields play a key role in confining these jets, which can travel vast distances.
Researchers will screen proprietary enzymes for digestibility of common ingredients found in Canadian pork and poultry feed and develop commercial products to improve feed conversion and producer profit margins. The project aims to reduce strain on the environment due to decreased animal waste and improve overall animal growth and health.
Scientists have developed a breath analyzer for dolphins, allowing for non-invasive diagnosis of health issues. The instrument captures metabolites in dolphin breath to identify changes associated with disease or environmental factors.
Researchers at UT Arlington are developing a new technology to detect metal fatigue in aircraft parts using micro- and nano-scale analysis. This will enable early detection of potential damages, ensuring safety and reducing costs.
Nathaniel Putzig, a senior research scientist at SwRI, has been awarded the NASA Planetary Science Early Career Fellowship for his work on detecting ground ice within sand dunes across the southern hemisphere of Mars. The grant will support his research project using morphologic and thermal data.
New research suggests that extinct giant kangaroos likely walked instead of hopped, with stiff backs and strong joints supporting their body posture. The study analyzed anatomical differences in limb bones compared to other kangaroo species.
The University of Illinois Chicago has established a new Research and Training Center to study the experiences of family caregivers caring for people with disabilities. The center aims to improve the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities and their families by understanding their needs and challenges.
Experts urge greater investment in ocean research to address pressing marine-related issues. The declaration sets a five-year roadmap for integrated policy-oriented ocean scrutiny and identifies four key policy goals: valuing the ocean, capitalizing on European leadership, advancing ocean knowledge, and breaking scientific barriers.
Griffith University and the Menzies Foundation have collaborated to create a national Menzies Health Institute Queensland, enhancing research excellence in allied health. The new institute will focus on addressing healthcare challenges and opportunities globally.
The Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) at Stanford University has awarded $10.5 million to seven research projects focused on advancing renewable energy technologies. These projects include the development of high-energy batteries, solar cells, and sustainable fuels.
The institute aims to discover a biomarker that predicts the onset of allergy and leads to novel vaccine approaches, aiming to develop a simple blood test to predict likelihood of resolution or development of an allergy.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $1.3 million grant to produce an oral history documentary about the 1984 Wilberg Mine disaster, which killed 27 miners. The film will be accompanied by multi-media components and leadership training for first-line supervisors.
A five-year, $20 million project will evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment strategies for women with uterine fibroids by building a national database. The study aims to answer questions about treatment outcomes, fertility, and symptom recurrence.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $18 million in grants to research nine teams of scientists working on 2-D atomic-layer research and engineering. These researchers aim to create new devices for photonics, electronics, sensors and energy harvesting by exploring the properties of two-dimensional materials.
A team of Clemson University researchers will use a $5.25 million grant from the US Department of Energy to advance nuclear monitoring, remediation and disposal technologies in South Carolina. The project aims to address key scientific issues related to radioactive contaminants and develop integrative models for radionuclide transport.
A study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison examines how attorney representation and limited legal assistance shape access to justice for low-income civil litigants. The research aims to inform policy and intervention strategies to address the 'justice gap' faced by three-quarters of unrepresented individuals in the US.
Research suggests that self-compassion is crucial for maintaining a positive body image, despite weight fluctuations. Women with higher levels of self-compassion exhibit better eating habits and fewer concerns about weight, body shape or eating.
The Archstone Foundation's Depression in Late Life Initiative aims to improve depression care for older adults through collaboration among primary care clinics, family members, friends, and community-based organizations. Depression affects 2-5% of older adults in the community and 50% in nursing homes.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $1 million in two grants to the University of Missouri to install a supercomputer enabling data-intensive research and education at MU. The new cyberinfrastructure (CI) engineer will collaborate with researchers to develop new tools and provide expertise for efficient data analysis.
A UT Arlington professor will use a $400,000 CAREER grant to team with Teach for America and create a geophysics-based curriculum for secondary school teachers. The project aims to improve scientists' preparation and increase predictability of hazards associated with future earthquake events.
Penn State researchers are teaming up to study how certain cues on mobile and web devices inspire mental shortcuts that predict user trust in online sites and social networks. The study aims to promote better interface design and educate users about mental shortcuts that compromise their privacy when online.
Researchers show that Alzheimer's patients experience sustained states of sadness and happiness despite little or no recollection of movie clips. The study highlights the importance of caregivers' actions on patients' emotional state, suggesting simple techniques can improve quality of life.
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.