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 have discovered disturbing climate trends near Earth's surface, highlighting the impact of aerosols on cloud formation and human health. The study, led by Kimberly Prather and Vicki Grassian, aims to improve our understanding of aerosol chemistry and its effects on the environment.
The partnership aims to develop a new generation of social scientists trained to address the HIV epidemic in South Africa. The collaboration will focus on areas such as gender, antiretroviral therapy adherence and prevention for women, youth and families.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a method to create nanostructured, hollow ceramic scaffolds with remarkable strength and resistance to failure. The small building blocks of the structure exhibit unusually high tensile strength despite being over 85% air.
A comprehensive review of food waste in China reveals that approximately 19% of grain produced goes to waste, with related losses of water and farmland productivity. This translates to an estimated 177 billion cubic yards of wasted water and 64 million acres of unused cropland.
Concordia University has received a $2 million funding to develop new techniques for reducing building energy consumption. Researchers will test smart features, solar panels, and heat-storage technologies to make buildings more efficient and sustainable.
A gap in earnings between male and female US physicians has persisted for two decades, with no improvement in recent years. The study found that the gender pay difference decreased outside of the healthcare industry but remained consistent within it.
A CHADS2 score of 0 or 1 indicates a low stroke risk, but 35.8% of strokes occurred in patients with these scores, suggesting refined stratification is needed. The CHA2DS2-VASc score reclassified 53.8% of patients to higher risk categories.
A study led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center found that mindfulness training reduced teacher stress and burnout, while improving classroom organization and increasing self-compassion. The study used a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course adapted for elementary school teachers.
The University of Texas at Arlington is assembling a computer-based genome to aid in the design and development of advanced new materials. The team aims to create extremely hard and high-temperature resistant coatings for advanced materials using current and new methods.
The American Gastroenterological Association has partnered with the Gastric Cancer Foundation to create a new grant supporting research in gastric and esophageal cancer. The AGA Institute will match the GCF's $1.125M commitment, resulting in a $2.25M endowment for young investigators.
The University of Missouri will conduct a four-year study on the innovative QuEST program, which includes controlled teaching experiences for teachers. The program aims to improve science education and could be replicated elsewhere to benefit more teachers and students.
Researchers will investigate the neural mechanisms behind empathy, compassion, and cooperation to define their evolutionary development. The project aims to determine if these traits are unique to humans or present in nonhuman primates.
A Magdeburg neuroscientist has received a €1.3 million European Research Council grant to study spatial orientation changes in elderly humans. The five-year project aims to detect dementia at an early stage and develop measures to prevent or counteract it.
A long-term study of 240 grandmothers caring for their grandchildren found that these caregivers experience persistent depressive symptoms and strain on their health. Researchers suggest that grandmothers may benefit from resourcefulness training to reduce depressive symptoms.
Research at University of Liverpool reveals human feet retain surprising flexibility like those of great apes, contradicting long-held assumptions about arch development. The study suggests humans may have retained flexibility for effective coping with varied ground surfaces during long-distance walks and runs.
A pilot study at a Johns Hopkins hospital emergency department found that ER patients consume high-octane beers in large quantities. The study analyzed data from 105 respondents and compared it to national market share data.
Scientists have developed a reliable method for verifying the authenticity of rare stamps using infrared spectroscopy, which detected two counterfeits. The new technique allows for non-destructive testing and can be applied to various stamp components, providing a more comprehensive approach.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new wireless communication system that allows devices to interact with each other without relying on batteries or wires for power. This technology, called ambient backscatter, takes advantage of TV and cellular transmissions to enable communication between devices.
The study found that shortening yellow duration and increasing speed limits increase the chance of drivers running a red light, while shortening cycle lengths do not impact safety. The researchers suggest a combination of strategies could produce adequate revenue without causing traffic delays or congestion.
A new study by MIT professors found that online ratings can heavily influence people's judgments, with positively rated comments becoming increasingly popular and negatively rated comments triggering skepticism. However, the researchers also discovered limitations in this phenomenon, such as topical constraints.
The estate of Charles Meixner has donated $3 million to Autism Speaks, supporting translational postdoctoral fellowships and research into autism spectrum disorder. The gift will contribute to the development of new treatments and improve the lives of individuals and families affected by ASD.
Scientists have developed a new way to predict turbulent flow near walls, which could reduce drag by 30% and save the global economy billions in fuel costs. This breakthrough has the potential to optimize vehicle performance and reduce emissions.
A team of researchers has discovered that healthy brain cells segregate amyloid precursor protein (APP) and beta-secretase enzyme (BACE-1) into distinct compartments, preventing their combination and triggering Alzheimer's disease. This separation mechanism may hold the key to understanding how AD develops in some individuals.
New UEA research reveals that moderate exercise may slow the progression of tendon disease by decreasing enzymes that degrade tendon tissue. The study showed a positive effect on tendons, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach to managing this debilitating condition.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce artificial ball lightning in the lab, revealing its structure and behavior for the first time. The study provides crucial insights into this mysterious phenomenon, which occurs only once in every million lightning bolts.
Flavia Tauro, a graduate student at NYU-Poly, has won the AGU Hydrology Section's Horton Research Grant to develop novel tracer particles for hydrological monitoring. Her technique aims to improve the efficiency and feasibility of traditional tracing methods while reducing environmental impact.
Researchers have identified a new model-independent feature in the α-preformation probability trend, which is critical to understanding nuclear structure. The study found that the relative trend in α-preformation probabilities for an isotopic chain is consistent across different theoretical models.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a new way to analyze turbulent flow near walls, which can help reduce drag and fuel consumption in aircraft and ships. By breaking down complex equations into smaller blocks, they found that commonly observed features of wall turbulence can be explained by superposing just three response modes.
University of Minnesota engineers discover technology to produce 'electronic ink' using non-toxic nanometer-sized crystals of silicon. The research could lead to affordable electronic touch pads and home solar cells.
A new report finds that fewer states are holding alcohol retailers liable for harms caused by customers who were served illegally, leading to reduced protection against excessive drinking. The erosion of commercial host liability laws is seen as a public health failure contributing to high human and economic costs.
Researchers create a system to encrypt software, making it unreverse-engineerable without solving mathematical problems. This mechanism uses multilinear jigsaw puzzles to prevent deciphering of the code behind software.
A study analyzing national trends from 1999 to 2010 found that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or acetaminophen decreased, while narcotic use increased, despite adherence to clinical guidelines.
A study found that both web-based and print-based decision aids significantly improved prostate cancer knowledge and reduced decisional conflict among patients. The tools offered flexibility for patients and providers, with increased satisfaction reported among those using print decision aids up to 13 months after treatment.
A Pitt-led study found that early exposure to insecticides increases amphibian tolerance to those same insecticides later in life. The researchers also discovered that low-level carbaryl exposure stimulates the production of a key enzyme, making tadpoles more tolerant to lethal doses.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a method to measure the shape of the huntingtin protein in living cells, revealing a key clue to solving Huntington's disease. The team discovered that the mutant huntingtin protein causing disease changes shape and can be corrected with chemicals.
Researchers screened genes for interactions with MECP2 and found five modifiers, including squalene epoxidase, which is drug-targetable. Statin drugs improved symptoms in Rett mice, performing better on mobility tests and living longer. However, further clinical trials are necessary to confirm efficacy and determine optimal treatment.
Michigan State University will lead a new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy to improve food policy in developing countries. The lab, partnering with universities and private sector stakeholders, aims to increase agricultural productivity, dietary diversity, and resilience to climate change.
Researchers at Louisiana Tech will lead a project to investigate high doses of space radiation on astronauts, developing an instrument to automate RNA extraction and gene expression analysis.
A University of Oklahoma research team has received a $236,000 grant to develop and commercialize IV-VI semiconductor mid-infrared detectors. The OU detector outperforms commercially available products and could gain significant market share, creating local high-tech businesses and jobs.
A recent study highlights the importance of long-term commitment to youth projects, rather than relying on short-term funding streams. The research concludes that ongoing input and community engagement are crucial for generating effective and sustainable impacts on communities.
A Vienna-Boulder collaboration demonstrates a novel technology for producing mirrors with reduced mechanical loss, enabling advancements in precision measurement and fundamental physics research. This breakthrough could accelerate progress in the development of narrow linewidth laser sources and large area crystalline coatings.
A University of Maryland-led research team is using brain measurements to study cultural differences in neural-biological processes associated with permissiveness versus restrictiveness. The goal is to advance understanding of group identities, cultural norms, and behavior, and develop tools for better intercultural interaction.
The University of Huddersfield will create a Centre of Innovation in Rail with the received funding, building on its Institute of Railway Research's world-class research and training capabilities. The project aims to address identified challenges in engineering, safety, risk, and skills, improving UK railway competitiveness.
The study identified pockets of oil trapped within the wreckage of the sunken rig as the source of recent oil sheens. This finding suggests that the amount of leakage is limited to these trapped oil pockets, providing some comfort that the situation is under control.
Research suggests that adding everyday herbs and spices to vegetables and reduced-calorie meals can improve their appeal to consumers. The study found that spiced-up versions of reduced-fat meals were rated as highly as full-fat counterparts, with spiced vegetables scoring above 7.0.
Concordia University's SenseLab receives $2.95 million grant to explore the intersection of art and knowledge through 'research creation'. Led by Erin Manning, the project aims to evaluate new forms of knowledge produced outside mainstream research settings.
Dr. Immanuel Bloch will receive the 2013 Körber European Science Prize for his groundbreaking research on lattice-trapped ultracold atoms, enabling precise monitoring of solid structures and potential applications in superconductors and quantum information processing. The prize includes €750,000 to support his research activities.
Bioengineering professor Dimitrios Morikis and research scientist Monte Radeke are searching for chemical compounds targeting the complement system to treat age-related macular degeneration. They will use computational screening, experimental testing, and human retinal cell-based models to identify potential treatments.
Researchers at the University of Montana are building Project Minerva, a dedicated observatory to detect Earth-like exoplanets. The project aims to identify planets in the habitable zone with suitable conditions for liquid water and life.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found both early and late first exposure to solid food is associated with an increased risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. Early introduction to fruit and late introduction to rice/oat were linked to higher risk, while breastfeeding during wheat/barley introduction may decrease the risk.
A study by the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that states with fewer nurse practitioner regulations had more patients receiving primary care from nurse practitioners. States with less restrictive regulations saw a 2.5 times increase in primary care patients, compared to the most restrictive states.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have made a groundbreaking discovery into the regulation of a key cancer drug target. The study, funded by £2.4 million from the Wellcome Trust, reveals that signalling molecules called inositol phosphates play a crucial role in controlling gene expression.
Two Salk studies reveal that neurons in area V4 of the visual cortex exhibit trade-offs between stimulus complexity and translation invariance. This challenges the existing understanding of neural processing, with implications for building more advanced computer systems and developing therapies for visual disorders.
A new study has identified countries with the worst and best funding for biodiversity conservation, revealing a need for improved global distribution of conservation funds. The research found that underfunded countries often harbor high levels of threatened mammal biodiversity, highlighting opportunities for targeted conservation efforts.
A study identifies 40 countries as most poorly funded for biodiversity conservation, harboring 32% of threatened mammalian species. The researchers suggest how funding should change to achieve the UN's 2020 goals on reducing extinction.
Indiana University has received a $910,000 grant from the Defense Department to study critical security issues and vulnerabilities associated with software-defined networking. The team will analyze possible threats and develop solutions to improve network resilience and security.
A study of over 3,000 households found that only 21 percent accounted for 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Large living spaces and long commutes were key factors contributing to a disproportionately large environmental footprint.
A new study from Michigan State University found that spatial training significantly improves addition and subtraction scores in children aged 6-8. The researchers also discovered a causal connection between spatial reasoning and math performance.
Lauren Sciences LLC has received a second grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to further develop its V-Smart therapeutic platform for treating Parkinson's disease. The grant will investigate the efficacy of V-Smart vesicles in delivering GDNF to brain regions affected by PD.
New research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council reveals that athletes who recognize early when a goal is unattainable are more successful at achieving their main career goals. Athletes with self-motivation find it harder to disengage from an impossible goal, leading to psychological distress.