Articles tagged with Research Funding
Tropical montane cloud forest trees have been found to absorb water directly through their leaves from clouds, providing a crucial survival mechanism in foggy areas. However, the disappearance of these clouds due to climate change may render this adaptation useless for the ecosystem's survival.
A recent study suggests that taxes on soft drinks and high-fat foods could lead to significant reductions in energy intake from saturated fats and consumption of these products. In contrast, subsidies for fruits and vegetables may increase consumption, but with potential compensatory purchasing effects.
Rivers erode at an estimated 80 billion metric tons yearly, with 20 billion ending up in ocean water via rivers. Researcher Panos Diplas studies river mechanics to improve erosion process understanding and develop measures to control scour around bridge foundations.
Davide Gaiotto has won a $100,000 New Horizons in Physics Prize for emerging work as a young researcher, while Stephen Hawking received a $3 million Fundamental Physics Prize for his path-breaking discoveries about black holes. Perimeter Institute congratulates its researchers on these major international awards.
A study of 16,882 adolescents and young adults found binge eating associated with incident overweight/obesity, worsening depressive symptoms, and onset of marijuana and other drug use. Overeating without loss of control was linked to marijuana use but not frequent binge drinking.
A longitudinal study will investigate the development of social inequalities across 12 years, combining psychological and sociological research traditions. The study will analyze the interaction between genetic and social influences on five central life domains.
A study by psychologists found that 'water clubs' in care homes significantly improve the health of elderly residents through social interaction, with enhanced wellbeing and fewer falls reported. The research supports the idea that group identity can be a powerful tool for improving individuals' quality of life.
Researchers in Quebec develop a process to remove most of the carbon dioxide from emissions through chemical reactions with crushed rocks. The resulting carbonate byproducts can be sold for use as a refractory material or wastewater treatment agent.
Michigan State University's Foundations of Science course aims to improve critical thinking skills and empower students to make informed decisions. The course, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, offers a unique blend of media and exercises to help students decode scientific concepts and analyze pseudoscience.
A new study in rats identifies a region called the postrhinal cortex that links objects to places in the brain, integrating spatial and nonspatial information upstream of the hippocampus. This finding has implications for treating traumatic brain injuries and neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and depression.
Researchers found that over 14,000 fish from Czech Christmas markets aligned themselves along the north-south axis, suggesting an unknown capacity for geomagnetic sensing. The fish's orientation was unaffected by human presence or environmental stimuli, pointing to a likely geomagnetic cue.
The study estimates that only 32,000 to 35,000 lions remain on the savannah, down from nearly 100,000 in 1960. The research identified 67 isolated areas of savannah with low human impacts and densities, but most are in West Africa, where lion populations have declined drastically.
The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust has awarded Scripps Florida a $1 million grant to expand its education outreach programs in Palm Beach County.
23andMe has received NIH grants totaling $573,000 to support projects on allergies and asthma genetics, sequencing technology accuracy, and database development. These projects aim to accelerate human genetic research and improve diagnostics and treatments for allergic conditions.
Researchers at the University of Iowa documented infants' ability to create knowledge by looking at their surroundings, starting nearly from birth. Infants need to dwell on objects to learn about them, and a mathematical model validates this importance.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has appointed seven senior fellows to examine the impact of Scottish independence on the UK. The fellowship program aims to provide independent research evidence to inform the debate and planning for both scenarios.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded a $2.1 million grant to the University of California at Berkeley's Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics to advance dark energy research through the BigBOSS project. BigBOSS aims to study dark energy with unprecedented precision using revolutionary technologies.
UC Davis chemists used a Japanese synchrotron to study hydrogenases, natural catalysts that power the 'hydrogen economy'. They discovered new details about the iron-nickel complex, revealing how atoms can move in the enzymes.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is funding 16 top scientists for pioneering research in marine microbial ecology, exploring interactions between trillions of microscopic organisms and their environment. This funding aims to make new discoveries and advance our understanding of ocean ecosystems and climate change.
A Marshall University professor has secured a three-year, $65,000 grant to conduct petroleum research with the assistance of seven undergraduate students. The project aims to study the decomposition of specific molecules when heated in an oxygen-free environment, shedding light on biofuels and combustion mechanisms.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been awarded a prestigious grant to establish a Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professorship in Computer Science, advancing women's participation in the field. The five-year $499,000 grant will hire a female assistant professor with a focus on mobile and distributed computing systems.
Researchers found that schizophrenia patients' brains process simple auditory tones inefficiently, leading to widespread dysfunction and difficulties in attention, learning, and recalling information. This impairment can also affect social relationships, school or job performance, and overall quality of life.
A four-year $600,000 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health will support an SDSU scientist's research on brain network connectivity in autistic children and adolescents. The study aims to understand how atypical brain connections link to impaired social functioning in children with autism.
The University of Toronto Engineering team has received a $2.2 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a waterless, hygienic toilet for developing countries. The team will use a sand filter and UV disinfection to process liquid waste, while incinerating solid waste in a smolder chamber.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that moral evaluations are faster and more extreme than pragmatic ones, with greater flexibility in consideration. The study suggests people can evaluate choices using either moral or non-moral considerations, leading to different choices for the same actions.
San Diego State University has received a nearly $500,000 NSF grant to create a Science demilitarized zone (DMZ) for high-speed data exchange between the campus and national labs. The DMZ will enable researchers to generate and rapidly exchange large datasets, promoting new partnerships and mentorship opportunities.
The University of Tennessee's Beacon supercomputer, powered by Intel Xeon and Xeon Phi processors, achieved a world-record efficiency of 2.499 billion floating point operations per second per watt. The system used only 44.89 kW of power to produce 112.2 trillion calculations per second.
Researchers will deploy sensors to analyze streambed conditions, measure water flow, and evaluate restoration efforts in a historic creek on campus. The project aims to enhance the watershed and restore part of lower Hunnicutt Creek as part of Clemson's Intelligent River initiative.
The Britain in 2013 magazine features articles on various pressing problems facing British society, including climate change, hospital mergers, retail sector trends, and Scottish independence. The publication highlights the impact of ESRC-funded research on these issues, offering solutions and insights for a better future.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have made a promising breakthrough in reducing adverse inflammatory responses to blood transfusions in preterm babies. By understanding the mechanisms behind these responses, they aim to improve blood transfusion safety and reduce complications.
Researchers at the University of Warwick create a simple and inexpensive conductive plastic composite that can be used to produce electronic devices using low-cost 3D printers. The material enables users to lay down electronic tracks and sensors, allowing for the creation of touch-sensitive areas and custom-designed devices.
Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara, have designed a detector that uses microfluidic nanotechnology to mimic the biological mechanism behind canine scent receptors. The device can detect trace amounts of certain vapor molecules and identify specific substances.
A new study aims to determine driving fitness in individuals with multiple sclerosis using a simple and accurate testing protocol. The test, developed by GHSU researcher Dr. Abiodun Akinwuntan, has shown promise in predicting pass or fail outcomes on a road test with 91 percent accuracy.
The LLLight'in'Europe project aims to measure employee strengths in solving complex problems, fostering innovation and attracting new talent. The four-year study will assess Complex Problem Solving Skills (CPS) capabilities in 4150 individuals across Europe.
A MSU team is working to collar Baird's tapirs in Nicaragua to monitor their movements and determine how they can co-exist with local farmers. The research aims to find a balance between the animals' survival and crop protection.
The Skynet Junior Scholars program will train middle school educators to engage youths in telescopic observations of planets, asteroids, and galaxies. The program aims to introduce students to potential STEM careers during the critical middle school years.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a molecular compound called CLR01 that breaks up toxic protein aggregations in a mouse model, clearing amyloid-beta and tau aggregates and protecting neurons' synapses. The compound has shown high safety and efficacy in treating Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed artificial muscles made from carbon nanotubes infused with paraffin wax. These yarns can lift heavy loads and generate high mechanical power, making them suitable for robots, micromotors, and intelligent textiles.
The University of Michigan and Michigan State University have awarded six grants to organizations across the region for projects that will help decision-makers adapt to climate change and variability in the Great Lakes basin. The grants aim to identify vulnerabilities, strengths, and knowledge related to climate change, and provide rel...
A study by the University of Edinburgh warns that funding cuts to global tobacco control will disproportionately affect developing countries. Millions in these countries risk increased smoking deaths due to reduced travel support for delegates from poorer nations.
The growth of citizen science has led to a surge in public involvement in scientific research, with over 25 NSF-funded projects now underway. Chemistry projects, such as Curating ChemSpider or monitoring water quality, allow hobbyists and enthusiasts to contribute to groundbreaking research.
A new relationship education program specifically designed for male same-sex couples is being tested, focusing on commitment, communication, and conflict resolution. The program has shown promising results in helping couples build stability and resolve conflicts, highlighting the need for tailored support for this population.
A recent ACS study found that chrome yellow pigments, like those used by Van Gogh, darken over time when exposed to certain types of light. To prevent this darkening, art collectors and gallery owners should minimize their paintings' exposure to blue/violet/ultra-violet range.
Researchers at PLOS ONE found that caged mink consume fewer food treats when exposed to stimulating environments, such as water for wading. The study also showed that these animals sleep more soundly, contradicting the common notion of boredom leading to increased wakefulness.
Researchers will explore how the brain exerts 'cognitive control' over thoughts and behavior, revealing its role in tasks like planning and problem-solving. The study aims to improve cognitive control in healthy individuals and restore it in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a technique to increase storage density in hard disk drives by using self-organizing substances known as block copolymers. The team has made significant progress, shrinking dots small enough to double storage density and achieving processing times under 30 seconds.
Experts Simon Chapman and Jeff Collin disagree on the need for a smoker's license, with Chapman arguing it would limit access to tobacco products and encourage quitting, while Collin argues it would stigmatize smokers and shift focus away from the industry
Michigan State University will use a $7.8 million grant to help eight African nations intensify sustainable farming methods and improve environmental quality. The project aims to promote effective government strategies, build capacity of national policy institutes, and support small farmers.
A team of Japanese scientists discovered that receiving a compliment activates the same brain area as cash rewards, leading to improved performance in exercises. The study suggests that praising someone can be an effective strategy for improving performance in the classroom and during rehabilitation.
Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) has received a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop rapid malaria vaccines using synthetic minigene libraries. This innovative approach aims to identify protective target antigens in a fraction of the time required by conventional technologies.
Scientists from UNH's Space Science Center will develop a cutting-edge radiation detector to measure and calculate absorbed dose in matter and tissue resulting from exposure to indirect and direct ionizing radiation. The project aims to aid in understanding the hazards posed by space radiation and protect astronauts on extended missions.
Research at CARB has shown that plants use protein receptors to detect modified Nod factors, leading to root nodule development and nitrogen production. Legumes employ a sophisticated detection system to distinguish between pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms.
Researchers have identified three black raspberry populations with strong aphid resistance, controlled by multiple genes in two cases and a dominant gene in the third. This breakthrough could help protect fruit production from black raspberry necrosis virus.
The OU research team is combining robotics, machine learning, and brain imaging to assist infants with cerebral palsy in mastering crawling behavior. The project aims to develop new robot platforms that can enhance infant mobility and delay cognitive development delays.
Research found that children as young as five behave generously when recipients can see their actions, not when sharing with an anonymous recipient. They also preferred transparent containers to opaque ones, indicating strategic decision-making about generosity.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota's Center for Magnetic Resonance Research found a specific region of the brain, lateral intraparietal area (LIP), that measures time consistently even without external cues. LIP activity decreased at a constant rate between timed movements, suggesting an internal hourglass mechanism.
Rochester Institute of Technology has received a $3.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to improve gender equity for female faculty. The project, CONNECT@RIT, aims to address issues of recruitment, retention, and advancement through new initiatives and policies.
A study in Olmsted County, Minn., found a significant decline in myocardial infarction incidence after smoke-free workplace laws were implemented. The incidence of sudden cardiac death also decreased by 17 percent during the same period.
Researchers will administer prism adaptation therapy for 2 weeks and measure functional changes as well as home and community outcomes at 3 and 6 months later. The goal is to establish clinical guidelines, increase detection and management of spatial neglect, and optimize independence and engagement in the home and community for stroke...
Two Carnegie Mellon teams, Tartan Rescue Team and Team Steel, have been selected to compete in the DARPA Robotics Challenge, a competition where robots will respond to disaster scenarios in human-engineered environments. The ultimate winning team will receive a $2 million prize and advance robotics development across all fields.