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 American Health Assistance Foundation has awarded grants to scientists worldwide studying the link between Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma, as well as protective mechanisms for eye cells. Researchers are also developing new treatments for macular degeneration, a condition causing vision loss in older adults.
A 3-week research expedition, GLAD experiment, will map surface currents that transport pollutants. The study aims to improve oil spill and at-sea emergency response by investigating pollutant transport and deposition along the Gulf of Mexico.
A new characterization method using lasers and acoustic waves has provided scientists with a capability to detect buried defects deep inside materials with unprecedented precision. This new technique reveals that the amount of damage caused by radiation in electronic materials may be at least ten times greater than previously thought.
A new report by the European Science Foundation highlights ten key issues in innovation policy, including the need for context-specific policies and better understanding of knowledge transfer. The report calls for a more evidence-based approach to innovation policy, with a focus on public value and risk-sharing models.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and Sohn Conference Foundation have named three outstanding young scientists as the first-ever Pediatric Cancer Research Fellows. The awardees, Lara E. Davis, Angela J. Sievert, and Leo Wang, will receive $186,000 each to tackle cancers in children and young adults.
Researchers are developing silicon carbide microchips that can operate in harsh environments, enabling new applications like efficient lighting. The project aims to bring this technology closer to reality and engage with major international industry.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that plasmonic chains exhibit properties similar to polymers, with the arrangement of nanoparticles influencing their optical behavior. The study found that the addition of nanoparticles along the chain can alter the energy of super-radiant modes and affect the interaction between particles.
Researchers have identified a new biomarker, KIR4.1 autoantibody, in nearly half of MS patients, indicating its potential as an autoimmune response target. The finding could improve diagnosis and differentiate MS from other neurological diseases.
A new study estimates that contraceptive use prevents more than 272,000 maternal deaths from childbirth each year. The researchers found that satisfying the global unmet need for contraception could reduce maternal deaths by an additional 30%. Effective contraception also averts nearly 230 million unintended births annually.
Researchers at UNC Health Care developed a non-invasive ultrasound method to detect cancer using blood vessel 'tortuosity.' This technique filters out tissue signals, allowing for clear visualization of small blood vessels. The study found a definitive difference between tumor and healthy vasculature, with limitations in detection depth.
Researchers at Brown University found that training can improve recognition of rapidly presented objects by making the second target object a distinct color. This allows people to switch their attention more quickly and perceive the second target as effectively as a fifth of a second later.
Researchers from the UK and Hong Kong are working together on eight new projects exploring themes such as parenting styles, education, and global issues. The collaboration aims to drive research excellence through intensive interaction and promote scientific exchanges between the two countries.
Dr. Markus Schubert from Helmholtz Association aims to investigate fluid dynamics in bubble column reactors using X-ray visualization. The goal is to optimize processes and systems for efficient conversion of desired products, saving resources and energy.
Researchers create ultra-thin zeolite nanosheets catalyst for faster chemical reactions in industries; increased efficiencies could lower costs for consumers. The discovery improves production per manufacturing dollar, leading to potential cost drops for gasoline and other products.
A new EU-funded project, BEAN, aims to enhance skills in anthropology, pre-history, and population genetics by analyzing DNA from hunter-gatherers and early farmers. Researchers will compile a model for the settlement of Europe using genomic data.
A new ecosystem model reveals how women are being driven out of academia due to institutional barriers, including the lack of part-time work opportunities and biased research metrics. Women who take career breaks or go part-time may struggle to remain competitive with full-time peers.
The University of Leicester will receive £340,000 in funding to support its asthma and allergy research. The Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association has funded the study, which aims to better understand fungal allergies and develop new treatments.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered that nanodiamonds can help remove crystallized fat from surfaces in eco-friendly low-temperature laundry cycles. This breakthrough could lead to significant energy savings and reduced wear on washing machines, as it allows for higher temperatures to be used more frequently.
A multi-national team has developed a system to transmit data at dramatically increased speeds using twisted beams of light, with rates of up to 2.56 terabits per second. This technology could be used for high-speed satellite communication links and fiber optic cables.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found that patients who receive a mid-urethral sling during prolapse repair have less than half the risk of urinary incontinence. The study suggests that inserting a sling during surgery can significantly reduce urine leakage, but also increases the risk of certain side effects.
The University of Houston has been selected as one of 10 universities nationwide to participate in the GENI project, which aims to shape the future of internet networking. The university will enable research innovations that will facilitate advanced research on network protocols and have a substantial impact on its competitiveness.
Six international research projects worth $16.5 million aim to develop practical solutions to combat hunger and food insecurity in developing countries. These projects, funded by IDRC and CIDA, team up Canadian and developing-country scientists to create lasting impact.
A study by Scottish researchers found that women who experience an initial ectopic pregnancy are less likely to conceive in the future and at increased risk of having another ectopic pregnancy. However, their obstetric outcomes following the ectopic pregnancy were no worse than those in first-time mothers.
A team of researchers has discovered that a part of the brain, known as the frontopolar cortex, plays a critical role in making short-term predictions about what will happen next. This region helps individuals make decisions in rapidly changing environments by learning from past experiences and anticipating future events.
Tiramisu Transit LLC, a Carnegie Mellon University spinoff, has received Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I funding to commercialize its smartphone application enabling real-time bus schedule and seating information. The team plans to identify sustainable business models for crowd-sourced transit systems.
A study published in Archives of Neurology found that diabetes mellitus and poor glucose control are associated with worse cognitive function and greater cognitive decline in well-functioning older adults without dementia. Patients with diabetes who had higher hemoglobin A1c levels showed lower scores on cognitive tests.
Researchers argue that traditional return-to-country models for refugees are flawed, citing instances where up to 20% of returned Afghan refugees have become displaced again. New flexible approaches focusing on cross-border links and migration can help support refugee families and communities.
People's facial perception judgments go beyond simple racial or gender categorization, according to new research. The study found that people reject stereotypes when presented with contradictory information, highlighting the complexity of face perception.
The UK government has invested £6.5 million in 16 research and development projects to stimulate innovation in the manufacturing sector. The projects aim to develop new technologies that can create high value through novel processes, advanced product manufacture, resource efficiency and production techniques.
The Brandeis University Heller Center has received a $5 million grant from the Walmart Foundation to support work and learning programs for nearly 3,000 at-risk youth. The program aims to keep teens engaged and working, earning an average of $1200 over six weeks.
The University of Houston College of Optometry will receive a $5 million pledge from Dr. Doug Barnes and his wife Molly to support further research in optometry. The gift will be matched by the state of Texas through the Texas Research Incentive Program, enabling the college to expand its clinical and basic research portfolio.
The Substance Abuse Librarians and Information Specialists are warning of the impending loss of specialist libraries and databases due to continued closures. Over 25 libraries worldwide have been downsized or closed since SALIS' campaign began eight years ago, with valuable grey literature and documents at risk of being lost forever.
The prevalence of Type 1 diabetes among young people in the US has increased by 23% between 2001 and 2009, according to a new study. Researchers funded by organizations like JDRF are making progress in treatments, technology, and vaccines, but more support is needed to combat this life-threatening disease.
Researchers at George Washington University have received over $860,000 in federal funding to study the effects of earthquakes on nuclear reactor cores. The study aims to simulate fuel rod vibrations and assess potential damage during an earthquake, which could lead to radioactive material release.
A research team led by UCLA professor John Wallace is receiving a $1 million grant to examine the construction issues with modern buildings' structural walls after recent earthquakes in Japan, New Zealand, and Chile. The team will investigate design and performance limits for structural walls to improve building codes and resilience.
A new study recommends 10 characteristics for effective implementation of global road safety, including adequate funding and coordinated efforts across multiple sectors. The Road Safety in 10 Countries project aims to reduce road traffic injuries in 10 low- and middle-income countries by evaluating and implementing road safety solutions.
Neuroscientists at Caltech found that the primary somatosensory cortex processes both physical and emotional aspects of touch, with brain activity reflecting emotional significance even before actual contact. This finding has implications for understanding autism, sexual abuse, and physical trauma.
A University of Houston civil engineering researcher has received a $2.6 million grant to develop 'smart' cement that can monitor the health of offshore wells during construction and operation. The new material will retain its piezoresistive nature after hardening, allowing for easy detection and localization of structural problems.
A Brigham and Women's Hospital study finds that US consumers lack access to comprehensive information about the nutritional value, toxicity rates, environmental impact, and economic aspects of various fish species. This limits their ability to make informed decisions.
Scientists have developed a practical way to make stainless steel that disinfects itself, using a bio-inspired adhesive and silver-based particles. The new process takes only 10 minutes and uses water instead of toxic substances.
A Texas AgriLife Research team is conducting a 3-year study to analyze the benefits of converting traditional cotton land to grow switchgrass or biomass sorghum for bioenergy crops. The study aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote agricultural sustainability.
A Concordia research team, led by Pragasen Pillay, is working on a two-year project to reduce the need for permanent magnets in electric vehicle motors. They aim to cut costs and improve performance using existing manufacturing facilities.
A study led by Indiana University professor Nicole Martins found that TV exposure decreases self-esteem in black girls and boys, while improving it for white boys. The study suggests that media portrayal plays a significant role in this disparity.
A case study from Afghanistan reports a substantial increase in mental health consultations, from 659 to 20,000, after integrating psychosocial problems into basic health services. The authors argue that concurrent community-based approaches and capacity building are crucial for fostering structural changes within the healthcare system.
The DFG is establishing 20 new Collaborative Research Centres to tackle ambitious, long-term projects. The centres aim to improve our understanding of stress responses, develop new therapies for multiple sclerosis, and increase efficiency in gas turbines.
A majority of California's coastal planners acknowledge the need to prepare for climate change impacts like rising sea levels and increased floods. Despite challenges such as limited funding and staff resources, many professionals are actively planning and trying to understand their climate change risks.
A randomized controlled trial found that using mobile technology, remote coaching, and financial incentives improved patients' diet and activity levels. The study's interventions leveraged handheld technology to make self-monitoring more convenient and extend decision support into life contexts.
A Northwestern University study found that simply changing one bad habit, such as spending less time on the couch, can have a domino effect on other unhealthy behaviors. The most effective way to rehab a delinquent lifestyle requires two key behavior changes: cutting time spent in front of screens and eating more fruits and vegetables.
A new cybertaxonomic monograph advances knowledge of velvet spiders, including their social behavior and ecology. The study reconstructs the evolutionary history of velvet spiders using DNA sequence data, revealing a previously unknown genus.
Concordia University's Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance has received over $497,000 in funding to develop a math tool for primary school students. The initiative aims to increase basic math skills and reduce math-related anxiety among young people.
Researchers discovered predictable relationships in leaf vein systems that can predict past climates using the fossil record. The study found larger leaves have major veins spaced further apart, regardless of other variations.
A $3.3 million NSF PREM grant creates a collaborative research partnership between UCSB and UTEP to advance materials science and engineering research, broadening participation of underrepresented minorities in the field. The program enables joint research initiatives and global internship opportunities.
Researchers found an association between bisphosphonate use and atypical femur fractures in patients age 50 years and older. The study suggests that the risk is significantly higher for patients treated with bisphosphonates for longer periods, supporting the notion of a causal link.
Research funded by ESRC shows that soldiers who mutilate enemy corpses do so due to racist attitudes and military traditions. Human trophy-taking is a form of racially-motivated violence specific to military personnel in wartime.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has approved a new International Research Training Group to strengthen early career support for researchers in Germany. The program, focusing on arithmetic algebraic geometry and complex geometry, aims to combine expertise from Humboldt University of Berlin, Leiden University, and Amsterdam University.
Humanist funerals in the UK prioritize reflecting the deceased person's character and worldviews, offering an alternative to traditional religious ceremonies. Dr. Matthew Engelke's research found that many non-religious individuals feel it essential to express their individuality through funeral choices.
Researchers found two specific gene variants associated with faster motor decline in Parkinson's patients. These variants can now help doctors predict disease progression, allowing for targeted therapies and faster results on efficacy of drugs.
Scientists at UC San Diego mapped omega-3 fatty acid processes in mouse cells, discovering that they inhibit an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) and potentially generating anti-inflammatory compounds from EPA and DHA. This finding suggests possible manipulation to short-circuit inflammation or boost health benefits.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that a widely available fungicide can inhibit steroid production in plants, resulting in smaller, more efficient varieties. These 'dwarfed' plants could significantly reduce agriculture's environmental footprint and costs for seed producers.
Research shows bacteria adapt by sharing waste and resources with each other to improve community functioning, contrary to competing for individual benefits. This cooperative behavior leads to better collective resource breakdown and improved ecosystem performance.