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 study found that participants who received lifestyle intervention or metformin had lower rates of type 2 diabetes development, with reductions of 27% and 17%, respectively. However, the interventions did not reduce microvascular complications such as eye, nerve, and kidney disease.
A study found that improving diet quality by 10% over four years reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by about 20%. This benefit was independent of other lifestyle changes such as weight loss or increased physical activity. Improving diet quality alone has significant health benefits.
Researchers have developed a system to track footballs in three-dimensional space using low-frequency magnetic fields. This technology can improve accuracy for referees and viewers, especially in situations where the ball is blocked from view or visibility is low.
A study led by Anna-Liisa Laine found that proximity to other meadows increases disease resistance in wild meadow plants. The research surveyed over 4,000 Plantago lanceolata meadows and their infection status with a fungal pathogen, revealing less disease in areas with dense meadow networks.
A University of Missouri researcher has received a four-year grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate the complexity of four distinct Luyia varieties in western Kenya. The study aims to document their linguistic properties and promote the value of these languages among their speakers.
A team of researchers at UT Arlington has developed an affordable and environmentally friendly field analyzer for detecting arsenic levels in water. The device can detect sub-part per billion levels of arsenic without using toxic chemicals, addressing a major public health concern worldwide.
Researchers found that human herpes simplex virus (HSV) -1 and -2 originated in chimpanzees, with HSV-1 present in humans for over 6 million years. The study suggests that HSV-2 emerged from ancient chimps around 1.6 million years ago, prior to the rise of modern humans.
The Fatherhood Research and Practice Network (FRPN) aims to evaluate fatherhood programs and communicate information leading to effective practice and research. The project focuses on three areas: fathers' engagement, economic security, and co-parenting/healthy relationships to improve program delivery.
Research by Virginia Tech architects found that green roofs can retain up to 50% of stormwater runoff, compared to 6% for traditional roofs. This reduces the risk of sewer overflows and stream erosion, making them a crucial tool in building resilient cities.
A new study reveals that exposure to air pollution early in life can produce harmful changes in the brains of mice, including enlargement of the lateral ventricles seen in humans with autism and schizophrenia. The findings are consistent with recent studies showing a link between air pollution and autism in children.
Researchers at Allen Institute for Brain Science will map connectivity patterns across whole brain in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to understand pathways through which the disease spreads and develop effective treatments.
Researchers at Washington State University have confirmed a 60-year-old prediction of atomic behavior using a super-cold cloud of atoms. This discovery opens a new experimental path to potentially powerful quantum computing by inducing coherent 'superradiant' behavior predicted by Robert Dicke in 1954.
Researchers are expanding their Child Exploitation Network Extractor (CENE) web crawler to track online child exploitation networks globally. The updated system will enable location-based tracking of servers and domain owners, helping identify countries hosting CE content.
UK researchers are developing new materials to create artificial corneas and contact lenses that can be manufactured in an environmentally friendly way. The project aims to reduce the financial impact of vision loss on individuals and the economy, with potential breakthroughs in treating age-related macular degeneration.
Brazilian physicists are taking advantage of increased funding to lead global research projects, including the Pierre Auger Observatory. However, they still face issues with science education and recognition, hindering their progress as a leading international community.
Researchers found that standard checklist approaches to studying menopause symptoms neglect non-Western women's understanding of their own experience. Dr Mwenza T. Blell's study highlights the importance of adopting alternative approaches to capture varied beliefs and understandings of menopause.
The new Centre for Doctoral Training in Photonic Integration for Advanced Data Storage will address the shortage of skilled professionals in this field by educating 50 future scientists and engineers. Students will collaborate with industry partners, including Seagate Technology, to generate new ideas and research opportunities.
A new study reveals that the Antarctic ice sheet is less stable than previously thought, with massive iceberg calving events causing rapid global sea level rise. The findings, published in Nature, provide direct evidence of the impact of Antarctic ice sheet instability on climate and sea levels.
University of Pittsburgh physicist Sergey Frolov has received a $3 million grant to explore the use of Majorana fermions in quantum computing. Theoretical findings suggest that these particles could enable the creation of novel, incredibly powerful quantum computers.
Researchers tracked two consecutive years of zebra migrations between Chobe River in Namibia and Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana, covering a straight-line distance of 250km (500km round-trip). The findings highlight the importance of trans-frontier conservation areas in preserving great terrestrial migrations.
Researchers at McGill University discovered that melatonin supplements increase bone volume and density in elderly rats, making them stronger. This finding suggests that melatonin may be a useful tool in combating osteoporosis.
Researchers at Brown University discovered that tiny muscles called plagiopatagiales embedded in a bat's wing membrane can adjust stiffness and curvature during flight, fine-tuning aerodynamic performance. The muscles tense on the downstroke and relax on the upstroke, working in synchrony to stiffen the wing.
A University of Alberta researcher has developed a paper-based diagnostic tool to detect deadly food-borne pathogens such as E. coli. The device, slightly larger than a postage stamp, is designed to be extremely portable and self-contained, allowing for daily testing on farms in developing countries.
Paul Goode's research aims to understand how patriotism and nationalism impact regime legitimacy in Russia. He plans to conduct ethnographic observation, interviews, and focus groups with Russian citizens in Tyumen, Western Siberia.
Researchers are investigating leadership roles in highly effective, collaborative teams that can troubleshoot problems and minimize conflict. The UCF-NASA study aims to develop a taxonomy for selecting or composing teams according to desirable social roles.
Researchers at the NH Agricultural Experiment Station will investigate plant-soil interactions to reduce environmental nitrogen losses. By understanding how plants coordinate microbial priming to coincide with plant demand for nitrogen, they aim to create more efficient agricultural systems.
A genetic study has identified three distinct subspecies of humpback whales in the North Pacific, North Atlantic, and Southern Hemisphere. The findings suggest that these populations have been isolated for thousands of years, with some populations migrating only between warm equatorial waters.
A study of over 4,500 women with a history of gestational diabetes found that increased physical activity significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week had a 47% lower risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
A study found that NYC's Safe Routes to School program reduced injuries and saved $230 million through safety interventions such as widening sidewalks and installing speed humps. The program, which cost $10 million, also gained 2055 quality-adjusted life years in NYC.
Research suggests that when women in developing countries own land, they gain power and are less likely to experience violence. Women use land as a proxy of power, strategically leveraging it to change the power dynamic in their relationships.
University of Houston physicists are exploring subatomic particles to understand the fundamental nature of the universe, including matter/antimatter asymmetry. They will use $1.2 million grant for separate but related experiments involving neutrinos and leptons.
Wind speeds on migration predicted annual survival, male arrival date, female egg laying, and productivity of yellow warblers. Higher westerly wind speeds associated with lower apparent annual survival due to increased in-flight mortality risk.
A study published in Psychological Science found that women's sexual satisfaction in long-term relationships is linked to their changing use of hormonal contraception. Women who were on the pill or had never used it reported higher levels of sexual satisfaction compared to those who changed their use during the relationship.
A new study reveals that athletes who have a lifelong history of endurance events may experience abnormal heart rhythms due to molecular changes in their heart's pacemaker. Elderly athletes are more likely to need artificial pacemakers fitted compared to normal adults.
Researchers from UT Dallas have created electronic devices that become soft when implanted inside the body and can deploy to grip 3-D objects. The biologically adaptive, flexible transistors might help doctors learn more about what's happening inside the body and stimulate the body for treatments.
A Baylor University study reveals that making amends gives permission to let go of feelings of guilt and shame, allowing individuals to forgive themselves for past wrongs. The research also found that women are less self-forgiving than men and that the more serious the offense, the less likely one is to self-forgive.
Researchers conclude that Antarctica's West Antarctic Ice Sheet will likely disappear within a few decades, with the Thwaites Glacier disappearing in centuries. The ice sheet contains enough ice to cause another 3-4 meters of global sea level rise.
A study published in the Journal of Ecology found that between 45-48% of the world's plants are woody, contradicting initial assumptions and expert opinions. The researchers developed a statistical method to account for sampling bias and made their data and methods openly available.
The article highlights the potential of social enterprise businesses in creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The author, Elaine E. Katz, details two successful examples, Hudson Community Enterprises and Destination Desserts, which have generated revenue and provided market-driven pay rates for employees.
Nadine Kabengi, a Georgia State University professor, has been awarded $750,000 from the Department of Energy's Office of Science for her early career research. She will study metal oxides and solution interfaces to complete a systematic study of thermodynamic properties.
Scientists have developed a new flexible thin film device that stores enough energy to provide critical back-up power for portable electronics. The device is made from nickel and fluoride, with tiny holes allowing ions to flow easily, and can bend and fold thousands of times with little loss in performance.
A University of Illinois study found that dividing household tasks affects marital satisfaction mainly for wives, with equal sharing linked to happiness. Couples with similar expectations and behaviors are more satisfied, highlighting the importance of open communication in managing household labor.
An international team has completed the first mapping of virtually all global glaciers, including their locations and sizes. The 198,000 mapped glaciers will contribute significantly to rising seas over the coming decades as temperatures rise.
The BrightFocus Foundation has honored five outstanding scientists in the fields of macular degeneration and glaucoma. Researchers from California, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, and Texas received $3.5 million in grant awards to study new treatments for these eye diseases.
Researchers used the interstellar medium as a lens to magnify and observe radio wave emission from a small rotating neutron star, achieving highest resolution ever measured. This technique allowed them to study pulsars, which emit pulsed radio waves, and potentially unlock new insights into their physics.
A large-scale seafloor survey found widespread presence of bottles, plastic bags, fishing nets, and other types of human litter across European seas. Litter was found at all depths, from shallow waters to 4500-meter waters, with the highest density in submarine canyons.
Researchers provide first rigorous formulation supporting Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, enabling precise characterization of information accessible in quantum experiments. The work highlights the fundamental limits of measurements in quantum physics and may corroborate the security of quantum cryptographic protocols.
Researchers at Lund University found that participants accepted manipulated words as their own in 85% of non-detected trials, suggesting a significant role of auditory feedback in speech meaning. This challenges traditional models of speech production, instead suggesting that speech is influenced by both internal and external factors.
Carnegie Mellon University has received a $7.5 million grant from the Department of Defense to develop a new mathematical approach using Homotopy Type Theory, a connection between abstract geometry and computational logic. The research aims to provide a computational foundation for mathematics and improve theoretical computer science.
A University of Cincinnati researcher explores the Maya perspective on material objects and finds interesting parallels with today's online culture. The study reveals that the Maya considered material possessions alive and even named them, leading to questions about the nature of reality.
A new study published in Diabetologia found that increasing daily coffee consumption by more than one cup per day can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 11%. Conversely, decreasing coffee consumption by more than a cup per day increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 17%.
Researchers fabricate hemihelix shapes from flat parts using rubber strips and discover a critical aspect ratio for their formation. This phenomenon may lead to creation of new molecules with unusual properties.
A new amplifier design for mobile phone masts has been developed, achieving 50% efficiency compared to the current 30%. This could lead to a massive 200MW reduction in load on UK power stations and a corresponding decrease in CO2 emissions. The project aims to make a valuable contribution to meeting the UK's carbon reduction targets.
Researchers funded by NSF discover that some landscapes underlying the massive Greenland ice sheet may have remained undisturbed for almost 3 million years. The team analyzed chemical composition of silts from an ice core and found evidence of a continuous cover of Summit, Greenland, with minimal surface erosion during warmest periods.
A new defense framework will be developed by UT Dallas professor Dr. Zhiqiang Lin to detect, diagnose and repair kernel malware attacks and enforce a prevention mechanism. The framework aims to detect malicious code sequences in the core of computer operating systems and prevent kernel malware infections.
A family of tri-diagonal compact schemes with independent dispersion and dissipation properties are developed to resolve flow fields with a wide range of length scales. The proposed scheme optimizes dispersion while controlling dissipation, allowing for more accurate simulations of compressible flows.
A new analysis by NASA-funded researchers suggests that vitamin B3 could have originated from carbon-rich meteorites. The team found high levels of vitamin B3 and related molecules in eight different meteorites, which support the theory that extraterrestrial sources may have assisted the origin of life.
A new study questions the Environmental Protection Agency's emergency water treatment guidelines, suggesting they may be too harsh and impractical to carry out. The researchers found that using more chlorine bleach than necessary can kill disease-causing pathogens, but is often not feasible due to lack of proper equipment and supplies.
Scientists have developed a new type of inexpensive barcode that can be added to documents or currency to foil attempts at making forgeries. The barcodes are made from lanthanide-doped upconversion materials and are invisible to the naked eye.
A submarine canyon offshore from the strait that separates the U.S. and Canada supplies most of the water coming into Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Canada's Georgia Strait. This intense flow and mixing contribute to the region's high productivity and mysterious ocean conditions.