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.
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.
A new study shows that New Jersey's decal law for novice drivers has prevented over 1,600 crashes and helped enforce regulations. The law, which requires a red decal on license plates, led to a 9% decrease in crashes involving peer passengers.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new surface architecture that significantly improves the performance of condensers, turning steam back into water in powerplants. The design boosts hydrophobic surfaces, allowing droplets to move 10,000 times faster and increasing efficiency.
A new study by Professor Grant Brown and colleagues reveals that a fish's personality affects its ability to recall predator threats. Shy trout retain information about predator odors for up to eight days, while bold trout forget within 24 hours.
A study of 1,186 young people found that those who experienced recent victimization, such as peer-victimized youth, sexually assaulted, or maltreated, had significantly higher risks of suicidal ideation. Polyvictimization was also strongly associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts.
The SwRI Solar Instrument Pointing Platform (SSIPP) is a portable unit that will fly on new commercial manned suborbital craft, providing a stabilized view of the Sun to small instruments. SSIPP aims to reduce costs and accelerate innovation in space instrumentation by delivering common infrastructure and conditioned optical beams.
A new study found that sleep architecture, not just duration, affects hunger and food intake in healthy adults. Researchers discovered that shorter stages of deep sleep and less REM sleep are associated with higher hunger levels and increased calorie consumption from fat and carbohydrates.
A team of researchers at the Weizmann Institute has discovered how immune cells produce a wide range of receptors to fight different diseases. By analyzing the genetic sequences of lymphocyte receptors in mice, they found that the flexibility and length of DNA segments play a crucial role in determining the likelihood of two distant se...
Researchers from Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and University of Virginia are joining forces to study the genetic causes of Type 1 diabetes. The study aims to identify immunologic pathways involved in the disease, which can be targeted for diagnosis and therapy.
The Living Voters Guide has expanded to include fact-checking by Seattle Public Library staff, providing voters with credible information and signals as to what's believable. This initiative aims to promote constructive online debate and informed voting through a collaborative and user-friendly platform.
The USDA has announced a regional biofuels system in the Northeast, aimed at developing sustainable energy markets and creating jobs. The project, valued at $10 million, will focus on biomass supply chains for liquid transportation and aviation biofuels.
San Diego State University has received a $3.9 million Department of Energy grant to develop a full-scale testing device for its solar energy theory. The project aims to prove the concept on a scale used to generate electricity, potentially offering a more efficient way to produce solar energy.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have designed a new CO2 thickener that can increase the viscosity of pure CO2 by 100 times, allowing for more efficient oil extraction. This affordable technology has the potential to transform enhanced oil recovery methods, eliminating water injection and increasing oil production.
A new housing program will provide stable housing, interdisciplinary support, and vocational services to at-risk families. The five-year program aims to keep families whole and intact, challenging traditional views of housing as a factor in family stability.
Researchers have identified multiple genes that contribute to soybean resistance against the soybean cyst nematode, which causes hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of damage each year. By understanding how these genes interact and regulate expression, scientists may develop new methods for engineering artificial stronger resistance.
OU Outreach has received $20 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education to establish two comprehensive centers supporting education reform in seven states. The centers will provide technical assistance and training to state departments of education, aiming to increase student achievement goals.
Hadrosaurs, herbivorous dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous period, had a complex tooth structure with six tissues instead of two. The discovery was made possible by collaborations between paleontologists and engineers using advanced testing tools.
Scientists at the University of Warwick have developed an organic solar cell with a high open circuit voltage, making it suitable for low-power electronic devices. The breakthrough technology has the potential to enable cheap, lightweight, and portable solar chargers that can be integrated into consumer electronics.
Researchers at Brown University have been awarded a $1.75 million grant to develop new catalysts for producing chemicals from carbon dioxide instead of fossil fuels. The goal is to reduce the chemical industry's carbon footprint and stabilize production costs.
Research suggests that people anticipating negative feelings from guilt are more likely to exhibit sympathetic and moral traits. This can lead to better business decisions and less unethical behavior in the workplace. Guilt-proneness is linked to lower counterproductive work behaviors, even after controlling for other factors.
A research team led by Professor Mike Stilman at Georgia Institute of Technology hopes to develop a robot that can use objects in its environment to accomplish high-level tasks. The project aims to create a robot capable of using everyday objects as tools, similar to MacGyver, to overcome complex challenges.
Researchers at Florida State University have received a $50,000 NSF grant for their mobile app project Meeting Point. The app uses road graphs and geometric algorithms to help businesses find the closest and cheapest meeting place, reducing time and costs.
Researchers discover cancerous mRNA's poly(A) tails can evade the body's safeguards, allowing it to escape regulatory mechanisms. This discovery opens up a new avenue for understanding how genes are activated or inactivated without mutations.
Researchers aim to develop an intervention to reduce alcohol-related violence in intimate relationships. The five-year study will examine the underlying factors behind alcohol intoxication and violence, a risk factor for intimate partner violence affecting nearly 40% of US adults.
Researchers will develop computer code to model the complex conditions at the edge of fusion plasmas, which could help design and operate facilities for generating electricity from fusion. The validated model could guide developers of next-generation fusion facilities, including ITER.
The University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering has won its sixth NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award, with assistant professor Jeffrey Rimer receiving a $400,000 grant to further his research on zeolites. The award aims to develop a rational system for creating molecules that can tailor the growth of specific zeolites.
Kostas Skenderis, a University of Southampton professor, has been awarded a $175,000 grant to investigate the laws of physics at the beginning of time and space. He aims to combine Einstein's theory with quantum physics to develop a new holographic theory for the early universe.
Michigan State University is providing a $1.5 million grant to help India develop online tools for carbon monitoring and measurement. The project aims to enhance the country's forest management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Yu Zhang is developing a prototype glass-zirconia composite crown with a predominantly glass surface, which he believes will be less susceptible to fractures due to its design. The new crowns could potentially reduce the risk of porcelain-veneered zirconia restorations developing fractures within three years.
A five-year study funded by NASA Astrobiology Institute aims to detect and study deep subsurface microbial life on Earth and beyond. Researchers will test instrumentation in extreme environments like Death Valley and oceanic crust.
Astronomers report the discovery of S0-102, a star with an extremely short orbit near the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's galactic center. The study aims to test Einstein's theory of general relativity and reveal the fabric of space and time around a black hole.
A new research project led by University of Minnesota scientists could lead to the development of sustainable, drought-resistant turf grasses. The project, funded by a $2.1 million grant, aims to breed low-input grasses that require less water, fertilizer, and pesticide.
A new test, Esophageal String Test (EST), uses a string that stretches through the esophagus to monitor eosinophilic esophagitis treatment. This non-invasive test can accurately diagnose EoE as effectively as endoscopy with biopsy, potentially reducing complications and improving patient care.
The George Washington University (GWU) and University of Maryland have received a $916,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop faster and more secure data transfer solutions for their research data. The two-year project aims to reduce costs and increase efficiency in data shipping methods.
The Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research will continue its work to improve the health of older minorities through education, scholarship, and research. The center's fourth five-year renewal will allow it to investigate why older urban minorities suffer from poorer health than their Caucasian counterparts.
Researchers will examine climate-water-land use interactions in the Minnesota River Basin to predict and mitigate changes. The project aims to develop a framework guiding decision-making toward a resilient environment.