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.
A University of Maryland-led team is developing new models to understand the relationship between conflict, socio-economic conditions and climate. The research aims to project future conflicts and develop interventions to reduce civil disorder under climate change scenarios.
The UCSB National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) is expanding its reach with a new $2.4 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The center will engage non-academic stakeholders in ecology research, tackling environmental challenges such as conservation of freshwater fisheries and resilient agricu...
Researchers have developed a way to see where and how memories are stored in the brain by attaching fluorescent markers to synaptic proteins. The microprobes allow scientists to observe live excitatory and inhibitory synapses for the first time, showing how they change as new memories are formed.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University used fMRI to map the brain's resting state network, confirming its relationship with anatomical structure. The study provides new insights into neural connectivity and its potential applications in diagnosing mental health disorders.
A recent study by Indiana University found that while academics' TED Talks receive more comments and views than non-academics', the videos do not lead to an increase in citations among peers. The researchers suggest the Matthew Effect may be at play, where already recognized scholars are chosen for TED presentations.
A large-scale study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that consuming more red meat over time increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The research followed over 149,000 participants and documented a 48% elevated risk for those who increased their red meat intake by more than 0.50 servings per day.
A crowdsourcing project called CrowdHydrology is expanding to four states, asking citizens to monitor stream levels by texting data to researchers. The project helps track the flow of water through a broad region while engaging the public in science that matters daily.
A study of 596 parents found significant differences in perceived positive effects of TV viewing between parents of ethnically/racially diverse children and non-Hispanic white children. Children watched an average of 462 minutes of TV per week, with African American kids watching more than other racial groups.
A study funded by the National Institute of Aging investigates the link between personality traits and telomere length, a measure of cellular aging. The research examines whether personality traits influence telomere length through healthy lifestyle and traumatic life events.
A UT Arlington civil engineering professor is assessing the performance constraints to safe operation and design for a high-speed train's average speed and overall system cost. The study focuses on using existing TxDOT right of way, following routes such as Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston.
A £3.5 million project aims to reconstruct primitive musical instruments and reach conclusions about the type of music played on them using archaeological evidence and specialist performers.
A new NIH grant will support research at UC Irvine's Conte Center on Brain Programming in Mental Disorders, exploring how maternal signals and care before and after birth influence adolescent cognitive and emotional problems. The study aims to identify children vulnerable to mental health disorders and develop effective treatments.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen are investigating which strategies work to improve social cohesion and trust in society. They will compare Denmark with Canada, France, and the UK, examining different understandings of community and their impact on social cohesion.
The John Templeton Foundation has awarded UC Riverside an additional $100,000 to support graduate students researching issues related to immortality. The funding will provide four graduate fellowships and a weeklong workshop for young scholars.
A team of biomechanics experts at SMU are investigating the forces involved in typical basketball collisions and their relationship to balance and body control. The research aims to estimate 'flopping' forces from video data and potentially enhance video reviews of alleged flopping.
A NYU study explores the connection between political ideology and racial categorization, revealing that conservatives are more likely to identify mixed-race individuals as Black. The research suggests that this phenomenon is linked to system-justifying biases and a desire to maintain traditional social boundaries.
A study by Berkeley Lab found that increasing classroom ventilation rates up to the state standard can reduce student absences by approximately 3.4 percent, leading to significant cost savings for schools and families. This reduction in absenteeism is estimated to be worth $33 million annually to California's school districts.
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, have found inspiration in ancient Roman concrete to create more durable and sustainable modern concrete. The discovery could help reduce carbon emissions from cement production and improve the lifespan of structures in ocean environments.
Current MS treatments focus on dampening the immune system, but Dr. Peter K. Stys suggests an alternative: addressing nervous system degeneration as a primary cause of the disease. Recent studies indicate that neuronal structures are also damaged in MS.
A recent study by Columbia University researchers reveals that graphene can achieve almost the same strength as its perfect crystalline form, even with defects. The team developed a new process that prevents damage during transfer, leading to surprisingly strong results.
The Esther B. O'Keeffe Charitable Foundation has donated $250,000 to The Scripps Research Institute to fund neuroscience training programs and public outreach initiatives. This gift will support the training of next-generation neuroscientists and raise community awareness of brain diseases.
Dr Gao's project aims to reduce material waste and defects in products like photovoltaic films and micro-engineered products. The UK-based researcher will develop a high-speed inspection technique using white light spectral interferometry and signal processing.
Researchers discovered a 15-month wind pattern that explains El Niño's close ties to the annual cycle. This unusual atmospheric pattern triggers droughts and floods in various regions. The study suggests that improved climate models will improve El Niño forecasts.
The Landscapes of Resilience project explores the role of open spaces and sacred places in community recovery and resiliency. Researchers will create and restore open spaces in post-Sandy affected areas in New York City and design a butterfly garden in Cunningham Park, Joplin, to promote community recovery.
The Academy of Natural Sciences will provide scientific guidance and measurements for region-wide watershed conservation efforts. The grant will support coordinated conservation programs across the Delaware Valley region, focusing on water quality and environmental stressors.
The Center for Advanced Research in Drying (CARD) aims to develop products, processes, and strategies to reduce energy usage and cost in various industries. CARD will focus on developing sustainable practices and improving product quality, with funding from the National Science Foundation.
Researchers at RUB created a square lattice of magnetic islands, where the north and south poles aligned themselves in chains. Higher-order interactions determined the magnetization orientation, leading to a chain formation instead of expected zigzag pattern.
A study evaluating restaurant meal nutrition found that breakfast, lunch, and dinner options were high in calories (56% of daily recommendation), fat (89%), and sodium (151% of recommended daily intake). The research highlights the need for public health initiatives to address nutritional profiles in restaurant meals.
Researchers are exploring new approaches to cure stroke by unlocking the brain's regenerative potential. The goal is to develop a novel stroke therapy for humans using newly identified treatments.
John Heraty will study the eucharitid wasp genus Orasema, a specialized group of ant parasitoids. More than 200 species are expected to be described as part of the study, which aims to understand relationships and species boundaries.
Geologists at Indiana University studied the 'Eternal Flame' in Erie County, N.Y., which may feature high concentrations of ethane and propane. The researchers identified natural gas seeps in the region, suggesting they could contribute to atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.
Royal Holloway has been awarded a multi-million pound grant to host a new Centre for Doctoral Training in cyber security, aimed at boosting PhD graduates with relevant skills. The grant will fund ten PhD scholarships and secure industry backing from prominent organisations like IBM and McAfee.
Researchers found that older Africans face significant functional limitations, with women expected to spend 58% of their remaining life with limitations. Investing in health could boost economic growth by enabling older people to contribute to rural agriculture.
Professor Federico Rosei, INRS director, wins Canadian Association of Physicists' 2013 Herzberg Medal for his pioneering work on nanomaterials. His interdisciplinary research has led to new discoveries and applications.
Researchers discovered that nectar-feeding bats use blood flow to erect tiny hair-like structures on their tongues, allowing them to gather nectar from flowers. This unique technology enables the bats to slurp up nectar quickly and efficiently.
Concordia University's NSERC Smart Net-zero Energy Buildings Strategic Network has received $1 million in new funding from Natural Resources Canada. This grant will support research and testing of progressive technologies to create net-zero energy homes and commercial buildings.
Restrictive eating habits increase the brain's response to pleasurable foods, making it harder for dieters to maintain weight loss. Healthy, balanced meals are more effective for sustainable weight management.
Cinacalcet has little to no effect on mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease, but may prevent surgical parathyroidectomy. The treatment also comes with significant side effects, including hypocalcemia and nausea. The study suggests that routine cinacalcet therapy is not warranted.
Patients receiving SSRIs before surgery had higher odds of in-hospital mortality and bleeding events. The study, which included over 530,000 patients, suggests that patient factors or SSRIs themselves may be responsible for the increased risks.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has approved funding for ten additional core facilities to make existing research instrumentation more easily accessible to researchers. The facilities will provide state-of-the-art equipment and expertise, enabling researchers to conduct complex studies efficiently.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine discovered that eating mushrooms containing Vitamin D2 can increase and maintain vitamin D levels comparable to taking supplements. The study found that ingesting mushroom powder containing Vitamin D2 was as effective in raising and maintaining healthy adults' vitamin D status.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii predict that Hawaii's rainfall trend will continue, with less rain and fewer heavy-rain days. A statistical model developed by researchers estimates a significant decrease in heavy rain events during the rainy season from November to April.
The Abess Center honored Terrence 'Rock' Salt with the 2013 Environmental Stewardship Award for his decades-long commitment to championing the Everglades. Karlisa Callwood received the inaugural Orion Herbs Fieldwork Grant to study the Bahamian spiny lobster fishery.
Researchers have developed a method to create and control plasma, which could transform American energy generation and storage. The device can hold its own self-magnetic field and travel through regular air without containment, paving the way for significant advancements in energy technology.
Joanna Berzowska's project harnesses power from the human body to create garments with complex, surprising transformations. The technology is woven into the fibre itself, enabling innovative 'smart textiles' with potential applications in fashion and beyond.
Researchers have synthesized a material that shows high capability for storing energy, enabling rapid charging of devices. The new material could provide rapid power to small devices and large industrial equipment.
Researchers found that even with multiple individuals contributing to a common cause, group presence reduces an individual's willingness to help. Fundraising strategies can be influenced by social factors, such as emphasizing personal donations and avoiding group interactions.
Physicists at Georgia Tech studied how quantum information propagates through Bose-Einstein condensates, establishing the top speed for quantum computer communication. The research could address the decoherence problem and enable ultra-fast computing.
A comprehensive marine biodiversity observation network could be established within 5 years with modest funding, addressing gaps in understanding global marine organism distribution under climate change threats. The network would help identify threats like exotic species invasions and resolve conflicts over ocean management.
A study published in Psychological Science reveals that people with intermediate extraversion scores outperform introverts and extroverts in sales, raking in 24% more revenue than introverts and 32% more than extroverts. Ambiverts strike a balance between assertiveness and listening skills, making them the most effective salespeople.
Research by UC assistant professor Amy Townsend-Small found that intensive lawn care can negate soil's natural ability to store atmospheric toxins, despite improving its carbon-quelling capacity. The study compared urban lawns in Los Angeles and Cincinnati, revealing stark differences in their ecological impact.
New models predict a massive 'greening' of the Arctic by mid-century, with up to 50% increase in wooded areas and acceleration of climate warming. This trend will have far-reaching impacts on global ecosystems and wildlife.
Cuts in federal funding for nanotechnology research could slow progress toward commercializing sustainable new energy sources and impact the field's global competitiveness. Young scientists may struggle to launch research programs, while established ones will have to trim their programs due to funding constraints.
A study found that states with stricter school meal nutrition standards had better weight status among students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, compared to those without such standards. The association was particularly strong among low-income students.
Researchers identified an enzyme called ACOT7 that helps neurons get rid of excess fats that can be toxic. In a study, mice with non-working ACOT7 gene showed signs of neurodegeneration when fasting, highlighting the enzyme's role in protecting against fat toxicity.
A recent study by Rush researchers found that older adults subjected to elder abuse face a greater risk of hospitalization than their non-abused peers. The study, which analyzed data from over 6,600 community-dwelling older adults, showed that reported elder abuse was independently associated with increased rates of hospitalization.
Scientists have developed transient electronics that can be implanted in the body to relieve pain or battle infection for a specific period, then dissolve harmlessly. The devices perform normally until the encapsulating layer disappears, offering potential applications in consumer electronics with pre-engineered service life.
A new tool called P3 removes small amounts of data from photos and encrypts them, allowing cloud file-sharing services to use the unencrypted portion while keeping the owner's sensitive information secure. With P3, photo owners can choose how their photos are shared, retaining rights to the complete photo and ensuring privacy.
Researchers used MRI to measure endothelial sheer stress (ESS) in atherosclerotic plaques, identifying high-risk plaques prone to disruption. The study found that low ESS was associated with unstable plaques, highlighting the importance of hemodynamics in atherosclerosis progression.
Akilah Dulin Keita, a Brown University Assistant Professor, has received a 24-month grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to examine risk and protective factors for childhood obesity among Southeast Asians. The grant will support her research through the New Connections program, which aims to increase diversity in health research.