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 pair of MSU-led projects aim to support Michigan National Guard members and their families by studying resiliency in military families and training mental health counselors to work with them. The projects are expected to help the military improve reintegration efforts and prevention and treatment programs.
Kansas State University assistant professor Carlos Trallero has received two prestigious national awards for his research on quantum laws. He will use nearly $1 million from the National Science Foundation to buy a world-class femtosecond laser.
Researchers will investigate how cybercriminals make money, interact with victims and defenders, and establish relationships among thieves. The project aims to identify opportunities for interventions and defenses against cybercrime by understanding the human factor in security.
A new study finds that only 42% of patients with advanced non-malignant conditions prefer to die at home, while living alone reduces the chance of home death. Providing professional home care support can increase the chances of dying at home, according to researchers.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have discovered a low-cost new material called NOTT-300 that can capture CO2 and SO2 with high efficiency and selectivity. The material has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a low-carbon economy.
Tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea have intensified since 1997, attributed to decreased vertical wind shear. The earlier occurrence of these storms is linked to a warming Asian landmass and an advanced southwesterly monsoon onset. This shift creates more favorable conditions for tropical cyclone formation and intensification.
A UT Arlington civil engineering assistant professor is teaming up with a private sector engineer to develop a tool for rehabilitating manholes. The project aims to improve the structural capabilities of common manhole materials and provide vital information for decision-makers.
The University of Texas at Arlington's College of Nursing and School of Social Work will use a $900,000 grant to develop an interprofessional education program for graduate students. The program will focus on teaching nurses and social workers to work collaboratively through in-person collaboration, virtual meetings, and simulations.
A new sensor and monitoring system is being developed to enable consumers to monitor their energy, gas, and water use, saving them money. The system, funded by the NSF, uses pervasive computing technology to provide homeowners and businesses with real-time insights into their resource consumption.
A Clemson University physics professor will lead a team to develop novel electrochemical capacitors with scalability blueprints. The project aims to create high-energy storage devices superior to existing ones.
The University of South Florida has been awarded a $1 million grant by the U.S. Commerce Department to support new web and mobile app ventures, aiming to create hundreds of high-wage jobs in the region. The grant will also help at least 50 Florida-based startup companies secure early-stage funding.
The study, published in Science, measured isotopes of nobelium and lawrence using a particle accelerator at the GSI. This provides useful data on the nuclear structure of these undiscovered elements, potentially helping to locate the 'Island of Stability', a theoretical region of highly stable super-heavy elements.
The ecoATM system uses AI to evaluate devices, determine market value and offer recycling options. Three-fourths of collected phones find new homes, while rare earth elements are reclaimed and toxic components are recycled.
A study by Vanderbilt University psychologists found that women are better than men at recognizing living organisms, such as birds and animals. In contrast, men tend to perform better in recognizing vehicles like cars and airplanes.
Nine Stanford researchers received seed grants to explore promising new technologies in clean energy and energy efficiency. These projects include the development of high-performance batteries, ultrathin solar cells, and methods for capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The research has the potential to impact energy production and use...
The American Society of Nephrology has identified five recommendations for reducing unnecessary medical interventions, including avoiding routine cancer screening and administering erythropoiesis stimulating agents in chronic kidney disease patients. By implementing these guidelines, healthcare costs can be lowered and patient care imp...
Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute will receive $4.7 million in grants to study immune function and develop new therapies for autoimmunity prevention. The goals include understanding how the immune system becomes unbalanced in individuals with autoimmune diseases.
Researchers developed a method to measure mercury and other toxic metals in fluids using nano-velcro, which can detect methyl mercury at record-breaking accuracy. The device is cheap, easy to use and may lead to safer foods on the dinner table.
The University of British Columbia has secured over $20 million in funding to combat neglected global diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Research projects include a $7M grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to study pre-eclampsia and a project to improve nutrition in rural Cambodia.
A new study links forest greenness in the western United States to fluctuating year-to-year snowpack extent, with mid-elevation mountain ecosystems found to be most sensitive to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation and snowmelt. The research provides important insights into the tipping point between water-limited forests an...
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) has been awarded a $810,000 grant to develop a cyberinfrastructure for rapidly sharing and streaming scientific visualizations. The project aims to provide an essential component in computational research and the current high-performance computing infrastructure.
A Swiss-American team has developed a simple, inexpensive system to detect heavy metal pollutants like mercury in water and fish. The new method uses nanoparticles with tiny hairs that can trap toxic substances, enabling accurate measurements at unprecedentedly small concentrations.
The International Light-Cone Advisory Committee (ILCAC) has awarded two Gary McCartor Travel Awards to PhD students Lekha Adhikari and Christian A. Cruz-Santiago. The fellowships enable them to attend leading conferences in Cracow, Poland, and Delhi, India, and support young physicists in memory of physicist Gary McCartor.
Nautricity, a Glasgow-based university spin-out, has been awarded £1.4 million to test its innovative CoRMaT tidal current turbine in the Scottish sea. The award is part of a £7.9 million funding package aimed at stimulating innovation and investment in Scotland's marine energy market.
A Case Western Reserve University study found that AA-related Helping activities significantly lower alcohol use and increase interest in others over time. Participation in these activities also correlates with increased step-work and meeting attendance, strengthening the commitment to the program.
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute research team will investigate new drugs that directly engage the apoptotic machinery to flip the cell death switch. They aim to improve cancer therapies by targeting the Bcl-2 protein family, which promotes blood cell cancers.
Researchers found that diethyl phthalate and butylbenzyl phthalate exposure is associated with higher levels of nitric oxide in exhaled breath, a marker of airway inflammation. Higher levels of BBzP were especially linked to asthma symptoms.
A study of 1,216 individuals found a positive association between PFOA levels and the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and peripheral arterial disease. Higher PFOA levels were associated with an increased risk of CVD and PAD.
Researchers will develop methods to design origami structures that actively fold and unfold in response to multiple fields, guided by predictive multi-scale modeling and multi-physics simulations. The four-year project will also integrate summer student exchange programs and capstone design projects for K-12 students.
North Carolina State University is leading a four-year research project to assess freshwater sustainability across the southern United States. The study will analyze historical hydroecological observations and population projections to determine how sustainable water resources will be over the next 10 to 30 years.
Researchers will develop new tools to monitor and understand performance for diverse applications on HPC systems. The goal is to improve the ability to track resources and increase productivity among stakeholders.
A research team led by Gus Cothran found a gene, DMRT3, that affects horse gait and movement. The study's findings have implications for horse breeding and racing, potentially leading to improved performance in harness-racing horses.
A University of Missouri researcher found that African-American males are the most likely to lose state lottery-funded scholarships with academic stipulations. The study suggests that colleges and universities should target minority students and provide institutional support to promote higher retention rates.
Researchers credit adaptability and flexibility in Sri Lanka's malaria control program with its success in reducing cases by 99.9% since 1999. The program adapted to protect displaced populations and distributed long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, sustaining key prevention and surveillance activities.
A multi-university team is developing techniques for creating two-dimensional materials that can fold themselves into three-dimensional structures when exposed to light. The research aims to advance understanding of photoresponsive materials with applications in electronics, manufacturing, and humanitarian relief.
Two parasitic wasp species show similar memory consolidation patterns when rewarded with different qualities. This suggests that higher rewards lead to better memory retention. The researchers propose that this behavior makes sense given the energetic cost of consolidating shorter-lasting memories into long-term ones.
The study aims to evaluate the relationship between zoning code reforms, physical environment, and physical-activity behavior in communities nationwide. Researchers will analyze data from over half of US counties to determine if zoning reforms are linked to increased physical activity levels among adults.
The author analyzed congressional hearings from 1965 and 2001 to show how policymakers' views on parental involvement have shifted. In the past, parents were seen as part of the problem, while schools were expected to solve issues through extra funding.
A new study found that donors show stronger judgments and increased concern for group members when they are part of a cohesive unit, leading to greater donations. In contrast, individuals from groups with negative traits receive less support.
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) have awarded $4.5 million to support digital documentation of endangered languages. This funding will enable researchers to develop tools, create digital archives, and train the next generation of linguists.
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri is working on a $5.4 million grant project to develop non-food biofuel crops that can thrive in marginal land without affecting food production. The goal is to produce 6-8 billion gallons of liquid fuel annually, with minimal impact on the food supply.
Researchers studied Apartment Therapy website for insights into consumer behavior, finding that reading and imitating decor can shape personal style and boundaries. Through a tripartite process of problematization, instrumentalization, and ritualization, consumers develop standards for cool design choices.
University of Warwick scientists have discovered a way to replace up to 50% of chocolate's fat content with fruit juice without compromising its texture or taste. The new method, known as Pickering emulsion, uses tiny droplets of juice measuring under 30 microns in diameter to create a lower-fat chocolate product.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that reflecting on experiences of giving rather than receiving leads to increased prosocial behavior. Researchers Adam Grant and Jane Dutton observed a significant increase in calls made by fundraisers who wrote about giving, compared to those who wrote about receiving.
A study found that powerful new partnerships can be forged to achieve environmentally and economically sustainable futures. The project aimed to design a strategy for community groups and local authorities to work together more effectively.
The UK hotel industry is alive with innovation, introducing new technologies and designs to improve customer service. Hotels are adopting sustainable practices, incorporating recycled materials and energy-efficient systems, to reduce their environmental impact.
A recent study published in Health Education and Behavior found that most exergames provide only light-to-moderate intensity physical activity, which is insufficient to meet daily exercise recommendations. However, the games can be useful for certain populations, such as seniors or those with more suitable fitness levels.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found an association between depression and peripheral artery disease. The researchers discovered that patients who were depressed at the beginning of the study had a higher likelihood of developing PAD during follow-up. Lifestyle modifications such as being more...
A new study finds that magazine ads with high youth readership are more likely to violate industry guidelines. The researchers analyzed over 1,200 ads and found nearly one in five contained sexual connotations or objectification.
A new bird species, the Sira Barbet, has been discovered in Peru's cloud forest with distinct color patterns and unique genetic characteristics. The team used mitochondrial DNA sequences to confirm its status as a new species within the barbet family.
Researchers propose a structure-aware image stylization method to generate artistic effects using single digital images as input. The approach preserves fine structure details and executes efficiently in real-time for large resolution images on a GPU, enhancing users' immersive feelings and recognition speed.
The University of Houston has been awarded the largest grant in Texas this funding cycle, totaling $426,115, to study and publish a 10th-century manuscript of Homer's Iliad. The grant was announced by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), supporting research in classical studies.
Researchers aim to develop 'Mobile Manipulating UAVs' with dexterous limbs for near-ground tasks like infrastructure repair and border inspection. The team's goal is to create stable and interactive systems that can assist in emergency response scenarios without destabilizing the aircraft.
Scientists have developed a new transparent solar cell that produces energy by absorbing infrared light and is 66% transparent to the human eye. The device uses a photoactive plastic and a composite electrode made of silver nanowire and titanium dioxide nanoparticles.
The UC Riverside research project will examine global reports of near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, and the cultural variations in these phenomena. The team aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how belief in immortality influences human behavior, promoting interdisciplinary inquiry into this critical area of k...
A surgical patient safety program combining accurate outcome measurement, leadership support, and engaged frontline providers reduces SSI rates in patients undergoing colorectal procedures by 33 percent. The program led to a notable reduction in wound infections, resulting in cost savings of up to $280,000 at the institution.
Researchers present SCautz, a hybrid intra-container network for modular datacenters, achieving high throughput and improved fault tolerance. The design combines base Kautz topology with redundant commercial switches, reducing costs while maintaining performance.
Researchers discovered that importin beta1, a crucial protein for nerve repair, is produced locally in the axons of peripheral nerve cells. This finding has significant implications for treating nerve damage and may lead to better treatments and faster repair.
A study from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found a link between consuming caffeinated energy drinks mixed with alcohol and having casual -- often risky -- sex among college-age adults. The study suggests that mixing energy drinks with alcohol can lead to unintentional overdrinking, increasing the risk of ...
Two Canadian researchers are developing innovative approaches to oncolytic viruses that selectively target and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. They will study the use of specially engineered viruses combined with new drugs to overcome tumor defense mechanisms.