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.
Researchers at ACS report a new authentication method for cacao beans, enabling verification of varietal purity and origin. This innovation has significant implications for the global chocolate industry, including conserving biodiversity and preventing adulteration.
Researchers discovered that paraffin wax molecules align similarly to liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, revealing a new connection between seemingly disparate products. This finding has significant value for the plastics industry, which relies heavily on injection moulding processes.
Researchers found dozens of phrases that pay and a few dozen more that signal likely failure, with reciprocity and social proof being key factors in successful campaigns. The study analyzed over 45,000 projects and identified language patterns that accounted for 58.56% of the variance around success.
A new UK-China project investigates the social and political factors driving low-carbon innovation in China, exploring its impact on global climate change. The project aims to inform opportunities for low-carbon transitions in China and beyond.
Researchers at the University of Chicago and Cornell University have developed a universal jamming gripper that can handle various objects on the same manufacturing line. The company Empire Robotics is now commercializing this technology, which has potential impacts in industries such as prosthetics and mobile robots.
An international team of astronomers has discovered a surprising new class of hypervelocity stars moving fast enough to escape the gravitational grasp of the Milky Way galaxy. The new stars are relatively small and have different ejection mechanisms than previously discovered hypervelocity stars.
Researchers propose an alternative way to allocate science funding by distributing funds collectively among the scientific community. This approach could save time, money, and encourage innovation, while also allowing for more flexible funding and potentially changing publication practices.
The Lancet research series aims to increase value and reduce waste in biomedical research by setting clear priorities, improving research design and conduct, and enhancing regulation and management. The series proposes metrics for stakeholders to monitor the implementation of recommendations.
The article reviews alternative target-oriented invisibility strategy, referred to as an 'inverse design', which integrates the technical advantages of forward strategies. This approach uses anisotropic materials and non-superluminal propagation to provide cloaking performance with a relatively broad bandwidth.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have developed a cheaper and more reliable alternative to animal testing, involving miniscule protozoa. The test showed significant variations in population growth according to mascara brand, with some killing the protozoa and others not harming them at all.
UC researcher Emily Catherine Egan found evidence that ancient palace floors were designed to replicate a hybrid of cloth and stone, serving both aesthetic and instructional purposes. She also discovered the first use of artist's grids on floor paintings, solving a longstanding riddle.
A new study reveals that the Atlas Mountains are floating on a layer of superhot rock, challenging the traditional model of mountain structure. The researchers used seismometers to measure the thickness of the lithosphere beneath the mountains and found it to be only about 35 km deep.
Researchers will investigate global practices and principles of life imprisonment, aiming to make recommendations on its application. The study will focus on human rights, conditions of service, and the controversial question of irreducible life sentences.
A study of over 20,000 Kickstarter campaigns found that entrepreneurs who emphasized their own projects were more likely to succeed than those who focused on themselves. The research also suggests that this approach is particularly effective for artistic ventures.
Researchers Dr. O'Neill and Botticello will study ways to improve disability statistics, focusing on disparities in employment outcomes and geographic concentration of people with disabilities. The goal is to bridge the divide between data producers and users, supporting better decision-making and more effective programs.
Researchers will measure mercury in atmosphere, snowpack, and soil to track its movement in the tundra. The study aims to understand the role of soils in mercury cycling and assess a theory of enhanced mercury deposition during Arctic winters.
A new study by Robert J. Brulle exposes the organizational underpinnings of the climate change denial movement, revealing a web of funding from conservative foundations and 'dark money' sources. The study found that donations to denial organizations have shifted towards untraceable pass-through foundations.
A recent study suggests that using management costs alone can lead to inefficient conservation investments, as countries with low costs often have limited public engagement and poor governance. This research highlights the need for donors to consider a broader range of factors when prioritizing their funding.
Researchers developed an algorithm that subtly modifies facial features to make a face more memorable. The system uses machine learning to analyze subtle trends in facial features and applies these changes to produce a new image. In tests, the algorithm succeeded in making faces more or less memorable in around 75% of cases.
A recent study by Concordia University doctoral graduate Devora Neumark found that engaging in house-beautification practices can help overcome the traumas associated with domicide. By repeating simple domestic actions, individuals can create a sense of order and rebuild their homes.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory detected cosmic neutrinos, overcoming challenges in building a colossal detector deep under the ice at the South Pole. This achievement gives astronomers a new way to study the cosmos.
A new Cornell University study found that nutrition report cards sent to parents can encourage healthy eating habits in their children. The pilot program showed that students selected fruits and vegetables more frequently, and flavored milk less often, after receiving the reports.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology has signed a research agreement worth US$50 million with Statoil to improve the rate of recovery from gas and oil wells in the Norwegian Sea. The funding will support several projects, including the Norne Village and VR Village initiatives.
University of Missouri researchers found that encouraging healthy adults to be more physically active can improve their cardiorespiratory fitness. The study suggests that recommendations from healthcare professionals and simple interventions can effectively boost physical activity levels and lead to better health outcomes.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that police activities in Thailand, including urine drug testing and coercive tactics, may lead to riskier behaviors among people who inject drugs. The study, conducted in Bangkok, highlighted the need for better integration of public health policy with policing activity.
A study published in BMJ Open found that UK women scientists receive fewer studies funded and less money than their male peers in infectious disease research. Women's total share of funding ranged from 14% to 27%, with men receiving most of the total investment.
NJIT's Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities Program will continue to provide scientific, planning, and engineering expertise to communities in the New England and Mid-Atlantic region. The program aims to transform underutilized properties into productive use, improving environmental conditions and strengthening communities.
A new study investigates the potential toxicity of nanoparticles on human immune cells, finding that eosinophils respond to nanoparticle contact. The research aims to establish standards for worker protection and regulation of nanoparticle use.
Researchers Karine Nahon and Jeff Hemsley study thousands of blogs, posts, and tweets to explore the origins and impact of internet memes. They argue that viral information can shape public opinion and have a lasting impact on society.
Researchers at the American Dental Association's Anthony Volpe Research Center have received a $2.2 million grant to develop new resin composite dental fillings. The goal is to create self-healing systems that can significantly extend the life of composites, addressing the issue of current materials degrading over time.
A new study explores the experiences of patients suffering from chronic pain, highlighting themes of body image issues, uncertainty about the future, and feeling lost in the healthcare system. Building a new relationship with the body and redefining normality can aid the process of living with musculoskeletal pain.
The NASA airborne mission is using a low-frequency radar instrument to map the sub-glacial bedrock hidden beneath thick ice sheets. The Multichannel Coherent Radar Depth Sounder (MCoRDS) measures ice thickness and maps sub-ice rock by sending radar waves down through polar ice.
Researchers found that toddlers who interacted with food in a high chair learned words for nonsolid objects more effectively due to familiarity with the setting. The study showed that changes in environment and exploration help children acquire early vocabulary, linked to better later cognitive development.
A study by University of Nottingham researchers found that Malaysian drivers are less likely to identify situations as dangerous and react to them later than British drivers. The study suggests that hazard perception tests may need to be adapted for developing countries where road safety is a primary concern.
A systematic review found that non-physician clinicians regularly interact with pharmaceutical sales representatives, receiving gifts and samples. Most reported favorable views of these interactions, with some concerns about potential bias and conflict of interest.
Florian Schreck has received the ERC Consolidator Grant for his research on quantum many-body systems. His team will investigate new phenomena using strontium atoms, which have unique properties that allow for precise measurement and new material discoveries. This award recognizes Schreck's outstanding research results in Innsbruck.
Researchers analyzed 2,475 patients and found that sex-specific chest pain characteristics were not useful for differentiating between women with heart attacks and those with other causes of chest pain. The study concluded that chest pain characteristics should be used in conjunction with ECG and cardiac markers to diagnose heart attacks.
Scientists at Rochester Institute of Technology will simulate extreme black holes with support from a $525,000 grant. Their contributions will help advance the international effort to confirm the existence of gravitational waves and black holes, anticipating new field discoveries.
A potential science bubble has formed in cognitive neuroscience due to massive investments and promises of game-changing explanations. The value of these investments may not be supported by actual scientific results, highlighting the need for re-evaluating research funding structures.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has detected 28 high-energy particle events from cosmic accelerators, providing the first solid evidence for astrophysical neutrinos. The signals are more than one million times more energetic than those observed in 1987 and originate from outside our solar system.
Researchers using a particle detector made of ice at the South Pole have found evidence of high-energy neutrinos originating from outside the solar system. This discovery has significant implications for neutrino astronomy and could lead to a better understanding of cosmic sources.
The University of California, Riverside researcher is using sensors to count and classify insect vectors, providing real-time information to plan effective interventions. She aims to create an open-source library of insect wingbeat signatures and behaviors to aid researchers worldwide in combating malaria.
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at UC Irvine has received a $100,000 grant to further develop its stored energy solar stove, which enables carbon emissions-free cooking. The technology uses a solar collector to concentrate sunlight on an energy storage device, storing heat that can be released as needed.
Researchers developed a new statistical model to forecast summer rainfall in the Southeast, identifying key climate factors that influence rainfall intensity. The three-cluster finite normal mixture model improves accuracy for seasonal predictions.
A team of engineers from BU and MIT have engineered a wrinkled surface that sheds liquid much faster than a smooth one, reducing contact time by 37%. The innovative approach uses surface texture to reshape drops as they recoil, making surfaces stay drier longer.
Research reveals that consumers value sales more when considering the original price, and retailers can leverage this by highlighting list prices. In three experiments, authors found that relying on competing product similarities increased consideration of both original and sale prices, while focusing on dissimilarities led to a focus ...
A study by University of Cincinnati researcher Stephanie Sadre-Orafai compares the casting methods of New York City fashion scouts to the NYPD's stop-and-frisk program, revealing similarities between the two.
Liberals tend to underestimate agreement within their own group, while conservatives overestimate it, leading to different social change outcomes. This is driven by participants' desire for uniqueness and inaccurate perceptions of in-group consensus.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that teenage milk consumption is associated with an increased risk of hip fractures in men, while no such association was found in women. The authors suggest that further research is needed to understand the relationship between early milk consumption and height on hip fracture risk.
Aalto University has been selected to lead an international research centre of excellence in Arctic shipping and operations, supported by the Lloyd's Register Foundation. The centre will focus on risk management in Arctic operations over five years, with Aalto strengthening its research in Arctic technology.
Researchers have found that thawing permafrost in the Canadian Arctic increases methane emissions by 83% through small shallow ponds, which could accelerate global warming.
A study at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used neutron scattering and supercomputing to demystify the forces behind pretreatment processes in biofuel production. The research revealed unexpected findings about water molecules trapped between cellulose fibers, which can either dehydrate or separate into different phases when heated.
Dr. Joshua Yuan's project aims to develop a way for plants to produce terpenoid directly, making it easily accessible as a combustible fuel. The US Energy Department grant will help increase the amount of combustible fuel produced by plants, with the goal of creating a commercially viable product.
A new EU fishing ban faces criticism from researchers who say it may not be enough to ensure sustainable fisheries. The study, published in the journal Fisheries Research, highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to reducing fishing mortality and increasing selective fishing practices.
Recent studies highlight the effects of combination therapy with ACE inhibitors and ARBs on kidney function decline and cardiovascular events. Additionally, genetic variants of the APOL1 gene are found to increase CKD progression in African Americans.
A study of 264 kidney transplant recipients found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with improved patient outcomes, including lower risk of organ rejection and death. The research suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may be crucial for optimal health in kidney transplant patients.
The University of Texas at Arlington has been awarded $49 million in grants from the National Science Foundation for sustainable chemistry and engineering projects. Researchers Fred MacDonnell and Qiming Zhang are working on converting carbon dioxide to methanol using solar power and developing more efficient solar cell technologies.
Bariatric surgery can help obese kidney disease patients lose weight, but it comes with a higher risk of complications and mortality. The study found that 61% of patients lost weight after surgery, but experienced 16 adverse events, including two deaths related to surgical complications.
A new Case Western Reserve University study examines how ruptures in the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client can damage a patient's treatment outcome for PTSD. Researchers found that repairing these ruptures can have positive effects on treatment outcomes, while unresolved ruptures predict poorer outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a new metallic structure of carbon that is stable at ambient temperature and pressure. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in materials science and technology, including the development of lightweight metals for space applications.