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.
NASA technologists aim to apply emerging atom-optics technology to map variations in Earth's gravity field with picometer-level sensitivity. The technology could chart changes in the gravitational field over time, providing valuable insights into climate change and water cycles.
A new study from Concordia University reveals that parents and peers are vital for millennials leaving home, providing both practical and emotional support. The research, conducted with 32 emerging adults, found that peers were a key source of information about moving out and adopting strategies for autonomous living.
Researchers at UTSA aim to reduce wind turbine lifespan by studying turbulence effects; they will use advanced computational modeling to simulate aerodynamics of rotating turbines. The study's findings may lower wind energy costs and improve wind farm efficiency.
A study published in PLOS Medicine estimates depression as the second leading cause of global disability burden, ranking first in Central America and Southeast Asia. Disability from depression affects mostly people in their working years, with women more than men.
Research by Penn State University found that male fence lizards prefer females with less vibrant blue markings, suggesting an evolutionary advantage. These females laid smaller clutches and their offspring hatched later, potentially providing a survival edge.
A new London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership will train next generation of environmental scientists, tackling global challenges with £100m investment. Royal Holloway University and partners will collaborate to provide necessary skills and training for academia and industry.
Researchers will design and test kites that harness ocean currents and tidal flows to generate electricity, potentially offering advantages over stationary marine turbines. The project aims to develop a more efficient and cost-effective way to tap into the vast kinetic energy of the oceans.
The use of electronic health records and consumer e-health apps is expected to profoundly impact the American healthcare workforce over the next decade, reducing future demand for physicians by 4-7%. This is due to increased efficiency and delegation of care to nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Researchers at SISSA have identified a key mechanism by which riboswitches regulate gene expression in bacteria. By using computer simulations to model the dynamics of the process, they found that binding to a metabolite molecule stabilizes the active form of the riboswitch, triggering protein synthesis.
A new computing model developed by Virginia Tech researchers enables faster analysis and smarter insights from large-scale DNA sequencing data. This allows life scientists to collaborate globally on 24/7, sharing public data sets and facilitating large-scale collaborative research.
Chronic snoring during pregnancy linked to poor delivery outcomes, including smaller babies and C-sections. Researchers found that pregnant women with sleep-related breathing problems are more likely to deliver underweight babies and require emergency or elective C-sections.
Scientists at UC Riverside are using DNA marker-assisted breeding to accelerate the development of new cowpea varieties with desirable traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance, and high yield. The research aims to improve crop yields in several African countries, supporting USAID's Feed the Future initiative.
Aaron Seitz, a University of California, Riverside neuroscientist, has been awarded a $1.7 million NIH grant to explore how different mechanisms of perceptual learning interact and develop better treatment options for individuals with visual defects.
Eleven Stanford researchers have received funding for promising new clean energy and efficiency projects, including studies on hybrid car performance, natural ventilation systems, and smart meter data analysis. The awards total $2.2 million and support early work on concepts with high potential impact on energy production and use.
University of Cincinnati researchers developed a new method for mapping landscape types using machine vision technology, discovering 15 distinctive landscape types in northern Georgia. The technique can be applied to socio-economic data, such as U.S. Census data, allowing for more efficient geographic research and land management.
A new study by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and University of York reveals that foreign private patients bring in nearly a quarter of total private income to NHS trusts. Meanwhile, UK residents travel abroad for treatment at an estimated 63,000 times per year.
A USC study reveals Google has expanded its search infrastructure to serve clients from over 1400 locations worldwide, reducing warming up lag time and packet loss for faster searches. This shift allows Google to deliver content quickly while keeping operational costs low for ISPs.
A new study suggests that babies as young as 6 months old exhibit a primitive number sense, which can predict their future mathematical abilities. The research found that infants with stronger innate number sense skills performed better on standardized math tests, even before learning to count or use Arabic numerals.
Researchers will engage students in studying an extinct supervolcano in northwest Arizona, exploring questions about supervolcano behavior and comparisons with typical-scale magmatism. The project aims to foster hands-on learning and contribute to the understanding of supereruptions.
Researchers found that institutional mutual fund investors prioritize companies with independent boards over others, despite lack of evidence supporting better performance. This trend may lead to missed opportunities for better returns.
Children with attention problems in first grade perform significantly lower on reading achievement scores after fifth grade compared to their peers. In contrast, second-grade attention issues have little impact on later academic performance.
A new process developed at the University of Illinois Chicago suggests that base metals can be used as catalysts in the manufacture of petroleum-based products. The process, which uses copper and iron, has the potential to reduce costs and environmental impact by replacing rare and expensive metal catalysts.
The UCI's 90+ Study, a five-year research project focused on the health and lifestyle issues of Americans in their 90s or older, has received renewed funding. Researchers plan to use PET and MRI scans to investigate factors associated with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, as well as monitor blood pressure and oxygen saturation.
A rare inherited disorder has been linked to a recessive gene mutation that affects the synthesis of asparagine, a nutrient crucial for normal brain development. The mutation causes a defect in the body's production of asparagine, leading to abnormal brain growth and developmental delays.
A consortium led by Royal Holloway has been awarded a £13.5 million grant to fund 176 postgraduate students in the arts and humanities. The new Doctoral Training Partnership will provide diverse training opportunities and expertise from seven universities across London.
A study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that approximately 405,000 Iraqi deaths were attributed to the 2003-2011 war and subsequent occupation. The research found that violent deaths were primarily caused by coalition forces and militia, with gunshots being the leading cause.
UC Davis is part of a five-year collaboration to develop real-time cyberattack detection and response systems without human intervention, leveraging industry partners and joint research programs. The $48.2 million alliance aims to enhance cybersecurity in Army networks and address complex challenges in cyberspace.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) has presented 12 new Fellows, acknowledging their groundbreaking contributions to analytics, operations research, and management science. The recipients include experts in education, healthcare, research, and service to INFORMS.
Researchers at the University of Houston will gain faster data upload and processing capabilities, enabling innovation in education and healthcare. The upgrade aims to facilitate the creation, sharing, and analysis of large datasets.
Researchers investigate how aging affects smartphone use, including texting and emailing, to improve accessibility and usability. The study aims to inform the design of smartphones for older users, enabling them to maintain independence and social connections.
A new study by the University of South Carolina reveals significant limitations in NHANES data, with most nutrition data being physiologically implausible and invalid for population-level analysis. This has serious implications for the role of energy intake in obesity and public health policy.
Two UK-funded projects will monitor crucial ocean currents in the North Atlantic, improving long-term climate predictions and weather forecasts. The first project, OSNAP, will run for five years, with funding of around £20m, while the second project, RAPID, will continue to monitor the strength of the global conveyor belt until 2018.
A new urine test has been developed to diagnose retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. The test uses mass spectrometry to analyze dolichol profiles in urine and blood samples, distinguishing between different gene mutations that cause the disease. This non-invasive test could provide personalized care for patients with RP.
A recent 'gold standard' imaging study found no significant difference in rates of venous narrowing among people with MS, their unaffected siblings, and unrelated individuals. The study suggests that chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is not a valid theory for multiple sclerosis.
The articles highlight the need for a shift away from leader-centric approaches and towards building trust with communities, prioritizing routine health services, and supporting frontline female health workers. This includes increasing investment and time to achieve stronger health systems and universal immunization in these countries.
The University of Oklahoma leads the Southern Plains Regional Transportation Center, a $2.6 million grant-funded project. The center aims to address regional transportation infrastructure challenges through education, research, and technology transfer.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new eco-friendly material for better power-converting magnets in wind turbines and electric cars. The material reduces neodymium-iron-boron production costs from $60 per kilogram to around $10 per kilogram, improving the magnetic remanence of the resulting magnets.
Researchers at The New School found that reading literary fiction enhances Theory of Mind (ToM), the skill of understanding others' mental states. Literary fiction was shown to improve ToM capabilities more effectively than popular or nonfiction texts.
A study published in British Journal of Pharmacology found that naringenin from citrus fruits successfully blocks the formation of kidney cysts, a common disorder leading to loss of kidney function. The component was shown to regulate the PKD2 protein responsible for polycystic kidney disease.
Dvali and collaborator Cesar Gomez will investigate if black holes possess matter with Einstein-Bose properties, potentially altering our understanding of gravity and space-time. They believe black holes are a collection of Bose-Einstein condensates, challenging classical physics assumptions.
Ezgihan 'Izzy' Baydar, a UT Arlington aerospace engineering student, has been awarded a NASA fellowship to pursue her research on making air intakes more efficient in jet engines. The three-year fellowship includes $135,000 funding and summer internships at the NASA Glenn Research Center.
Researchers developed a clinical tool to predict the risk of end-stage renal disease among liver transplant recipients. The Renal Risk Index calculates a score based on recipient characteristics and identifies factors associated with increased risk, such as BMI over 35 and hepatitis C diagnosis.
A study found that oxytocin injections given by health workers without midwifery skills can reduce postpartum bleeding and mortality rates. The trial showed a significant reduction in postpartum hemorrhage among women who received the injection, highlighting a potential solution for preventing this deadly condition in rural communities.
A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Rui Yao found that over 90% of future retirees are contributing only a minimal amount to their retirement funds. This is concerning given the uncertain future of social security benefits and the need for individuals to save more for their own financial security and the country's sake.
A team of neuroscientists has identified a specific area in the visual cortex called V4 that is involved in creating illusory contours. The brain's neural activity in this region correlates with the perception of these illusions, which are thought to be an evolutionary adaptation for detecting predators or prey.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received $270,000 in NSF grants to document and revitalize Native American languages through participatory models. The projects aim to preserve indigenous cultures and ensure the survival of endangered languages.
A University of Calgary-led research team has discovered a gene regulatory network that controls seed 'de-greening' in canola, a major cash crop in Alberta. The breakthrough offers a solution to a long-standing problem causing millions of dollars in annual losses.
A new research chair will focus on developing innovative strategies for preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease, including early detection tools and less toxic therapeutic molecules. The goal is to improve patient quality of life and alleviate symptoms rather than control the disease.
The University of Houston has received a $4 million grant from the Welch Foundation to establish a Center of Excellence in Polymer Chemistry. This will support fundamental chemistry research and collaboration with petrochemical companies to develop new polymer products and technologies.
The University of Oklahoma Center for Spatial Analysis developed a web-based tracking analysis application, TRACKS, to monitor and analyze Oklahoma offenders. The tool uses GPS location data to detect movement patterns and alert officers to potential behavior problems.
A new study will offer young people living in residential care homes or with foster carers the chance to speak out about why they self-harm. The project aims to identify common themes leading to self-harm behavior and highlight successful services supporting looked-after youth in recovery.
Research finds that fine motor control skills continue to develop until adolescence, contradicting previous beliefs. The study uses a new tool to measure fine motor control and demonstrates its applicability in children as old as 16 years.
Researchers will develop a prognostic tool to identify risk perceptions and predict susceptibility to flavored little cigars among young adult cigarette smokers. The study aims to inform regulatory policy and prevention methods for this growing threat in the tobacco control battle.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that high school seniors commonly engage in binge drinking, with 20.2% reporting five or more drinks in a row. Young men and white students are more likely to binge drink, while parents' education level is associated with the frequency of drinking.
A team of astronomers from UC Riverside and three other universities will conduct a large survey of galaxies using the MOSFIRE instrument. The survey will study how galaxies evolved over time, including their conversion of gas into stars and the formation of heavier elements.
Researchers will study TSPO's role in microglia and astrocytes to understand its function in brain injury and inflammation. The goal is to discover new therapeutic targets for treating inflammation and brain injury.
A five-year study found that folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids can positively affect children's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development. Early nutrition is crucial for brain maturation and can have far-reaching effects on mental performance.
Researchers developed terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to analyze kerogen maturity stages. By applying this non-destructive method, they found relationships between kerogen optical constants and maturity stages, enabling the detection of oil-generating stages.
A UT Arlington engineer has received a $142,223 National Science Foundation grant to develop a system that uses complex data analysis to ensure consistency in various manufacturing processes. By examining this data, researchers can identify irregularities and help manufacturers adjust their variables for more consistent systems.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, are studying complex networked systems, from nanomachines to nation-states, to find ways to intervene in networks to better control them or prevent catastrophic cascading breakdowns.