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.
Researchers found that street furniture, public spaces, and architecture can both fuel and mitigate tensions between different social groups. Dr Ralf Brand identified urban features that contribute to community divisions, as well as those that promote positive interactions.
Researchers aim to break nicotine addiction by blocking hypocretin-1 receptors, which play a key role in driving desire for more nicotine. The study has the potential to provide a significant breakthrough in treating tobacco abuse and preventing relapse.
The Office of Naval Research has launched an initiative to develop a web-based application, ICODE MDA, to enhance maritime domain awareness and combat piracy, drug smuggling, and other threats. The project partners with Chilean researchers to create software for automation, small-target detection, and intent detection.
The Georgia Institute of Technology will develop an energy-optimized warehousing and distribution system for vaccines and drugs in developing countries. The project aims to minimize environmental impact, energy consumption, and storage costs by employing low-energy cooling techniques.
Researchers found that non-verbal sensorimotor communication between conductors and musicians improves music performance. The study measured movements of bow and baton to show how closely correlated leadership can lead to better musical output.
Scientists discover soybeans can naturally release BBI, a potential cancer-fighter, when soaked in warm water. The process could provide an environmentally friendly alternative to industrial methods.
The University of California, Riverside has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a low-cost method for detecting biotic stresses in maize crops. This project aims to use a simple, home pregnancy test-like technology to visually alarm farmers to take action against devastating losses.
The Changes Toolkit helps palliative care patients and their care providers navigate physical, emotional, and relationship changes with a self-administered interactive resource. The toolkit provides a foundation for conversations about health, goals of care, and living wills, aiming to ensure better outcomes for patients and families.
A five-year grant from the US Army will support research on multiscale modeling of electronic materials. The University of Utah-led consortium aims to design new materials that can reduce the weight and increase the energy efficiency of devices, enabling soldiers to carry more equipment without excessive battery weight.
Hebrew University's Prof. Tamir Sheafer receives EUR 2.5 million EU grant with Belgian and Canadian colleagues to investigate information processing by politicians in a comparative perspective.
Researchers will examine two key regions: Sub-Saharan Africa and the Circum-boreal regions, including Europe, US, and Canada. The team aims to answer questions about societal resilience and infrastructure vulnerability.
A University of Maryland-led team will investigate ways to understand, prevent and reverse the radicalization of young people in destabilized areas, using a $4.5 million DoD grant. The study's focus on preventative counterterrorism aims to identify tactics to inoculate young people against extremist recruiters.
Historians have discovered that a Florentine merchant house financed the earliest English voyages to North America, leading by John Cabot in 1496. The funding, £16 13s. 4d., was provided by the Bardi banking house in London.
A $350,000 grant will enable UC Riverside researcher Tuppett Yates to analyze the impact of new services and communication styles on foster youth transitioning to adulthood. The research aims to identify factors associated with youths' decisions to opt in to extended foster care support.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that playing action videogames for 10 hours improves visual attention and changes brain activity. The study used EEG recordings to detect differences in brain waves before and after gameplay.
Researchers at the University of Washington have found that cells in blood vessel walls pull more tightly together when flowing past rapidly, reducing vascular leakage and potentially leading to new drug designs and improved surgical procedures. This discovery highlights the role of cellular forces in the progression of cardiovascular ...
A kinesiology research team at UMass Amherst will investigate how heavy loads affect soldiers' survivability, injury likelihood, and mission performance. The study, funded by the Navy Health Research Center, will also have practical implications for firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have introduced a universal technique to reduce the work function of conductors, enabling efficient and low-work-function electrodes. The new method uses a thin layer of polymer to create a strong surface dipole, making air-stable conductors suitable for printed electronics.
The University of Houston has been awarded a $9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study and treat learning disabilities in children and adolescents. The grant will support five years of research on reading comprehension difficulties, brain function, and diagnosis, intervention, and treatment.
The study found that 60% of planned dams would disrupt the free-flowing nature of many Andean-Amazon rivers, threatening the region's biodiversity. Nearly half of the proposed dams were classified as high impact, highlighting the urgent need for strategic planning and evaluation of new dams.
A robotics company, Barobo, has received $500,000 in funding from the National Science Foundation to develop its modular robot technology into a commercial product. The grant aims to make Mobot a useful tool for teaching robotics in schools, potentially starting with third-grade classes.
Researchers from the University of Leicester discovered a new mechanism for cooperation in simple organisms, where individuals prefer those who resemble themselves. This 'similarity discrimination' effect can evolve quickly and powerfully in many social encounters, solving the long-standing puzzle of natural selection.
Comparative clinical effectiveness research studies will benefit from increased patient and clinician involvement to inform health decisions. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute aims to produce high-integrity research that incorporates patients' voices, caregivers', and healthcare community members.
The Office of Naval Research is funding a project to reduce jet noise, which can cause hearing damage to Sailors and Marines. Eight research teams will develop noise-reduction technologies, measurement tools, and prediction models to dampen jet noise, resulting in safer environments for personnel.
Spartan Innovations, a new initiative by Michigan State University, aims to turn research innovations into successful businesses. The program provides resources such as entrepreneurship education, stipends, CEO mentors-in-residence, and gap funding to support MSU startups.
The Kansas State University Rural Grocery Initiative is helping rural communities across the US reopen grocery stores using $409,000 grant funding. The initiative has already established stores in several Kansas towns and is providing guidance on creating new stores through a tool kit with community assessments and financial support.
The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded $17 million in grants to two University of Houston professors, Natalie Houston and Casey Dué Hackney. The grants will support innovative digital humanities projects, including a book history project and an undergraduate course on the ownership of the past.
The University of Miami will study typhoons, monsoons and internal waves using SAR imaging to improve tracking and predictability. The new grant will provide valuable data for governments and first-responders in preparedness for natural disasters.
A team from the University of California, Davis, created an electronic nose that can differentiate maturity of melons, including cantaloupe, in a matter of minutes. The method has the potential to improve produce quality and breeding, benefiting the agricultural industry.
Researchers identify IRF8 and TMEM39a as associated with lupus in European-American, African-American, Gullah, and Asian patients. The study's findings also suggest that the genes may not be universal, highlighting the need for further research.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has received a $1.8 million grant to expand a program encouraging Native middle-school students to pursue science and technology careers. The PREPARES project will provide professional development and mentoring to educators, enabling them to incorporate climate research into thei...
The partnership aims to help students master mathematics through real-world applications and connections between math and science. The SpaceMath@NASA program uses NASA's latest discoveries to develop grade-appropriate math problems for grades 3-12.
A Purdue University scientist has developed a way to encase nutritional supplements in food-based products, protecting them from degradation due to heat, light, oxygen, and other external factors. The method involves creating crystalline-like fibers that embed the nutraceuticals, allowing for improved stability and bioavailability.
The Kessler Foundation has been awarded a $383,000 five-year grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to fund postdoctoral fellowships in MS rehabilitation research. The program provides advanced training for scientists working towards careers dedicated to improving the lives of people with MS.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new technology to predict solar energy output, which could help utilities generate significant savings. The system uses sky imagers to capture cloud conditions and forecast power output in 15-minute increments.
A Cardiff University team has secured funding to develop a new surgical simulator that accurately reproduces the effects of cutting in real time. The project, led by Professor Stéphane Bordas, aims to reduce risk to neurosurgery patients and aid training worldwide.
Dr. Raul Rojas receives $10,000 grant to study bilingual language growth in structured English immersion and transitional bilingual programs for over 1,700 ELLs. The research aims to positively influence educational efforts targeting ELLs across ages and instructional contexts.
A Concordia University study reveals that toddlers' high-quality attention-seeking behaviors are associated with increased motivation to collaborate and learn. Parents who respond favourably to their child's needs can encourage positive expectations, leading to improved conscience development in children.
Dr. Mirkin showcased advancements in Dip-Pen Nanolithography (DPN) and spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), enabling high-resolution nanofabrication and massively parallel processing. He also introduced On-Wire Lithography, a technique for creating nanostructures on nanowires.
Researchers have created a new lithography strategy that allows for dynamic generation of various patterns on large areas of soft plastics or polymers. This enables rapid switching between different textures, such as smooth to rough and back again, with fast timescales of milliseconds.
A new research center, AU RECEIV, will study the impact of maternity/paternity and health visitor schemes on infant health and development. The center aims to understand how these schemes affect parental involvement, daycare institutions, and long-term child outcomes.
A UK study published in PLOS Medicine found that uterine rupture is rare but increases with the number of previous caesarean deliveries. Women planning vaginal delivery after a previous caesarean section are at higher risk, especially if labor is induced or has a short interval since the last surgery.
A Phase 2 pilot study will test the efficacy and safety of InflammaGen Shok-Pak, an enzyme inhibitor that blocks autodigestion, a condition leading to multi-organ failure. The treatment has shown promising results in pre-clinical studies and ex-U.S. patient experiences.
A University of Missouri researcher found that over one-third of veterans' caregivers report high levels of strain, yet on average, they also report being satisfied with their caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers who received outside help and developed coping strategies were more likely to experience satisfaction.
Professor Stephen Smartt will lead a €2.3 million research project to discover how the first chemical elements were created in the Universe. The goal is to find the first ever supernovae, or exploding stars, in the Universe and understand their role in creating these elements.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that Scotland's national smoke-free legislation led to a dramatic fall in preterm delivery rates, with a drop of over 10% in overall preterm births. The ban also reduced small for dates infants by almost 5%.
Researchers introduced a new method to design bicycle parameters according to a rider's body dimensions, improving comfort and performance. The method uses a double-crank-and-rocker mechanism to calculate the ideal crank length and seat height for each rider.
A UBC researcher has developed a 'lab on a chip' device to measure red blood cell deformability caused by Plasmodium falciparum, a key step in treating malaria. The device enables precise measurement of stiffening red cells at various stages of infection.
A new method to produce nanomaterials has been discovered, utilizing the twisting of graphene nanoribbons to create carbon nanotubes. This technique enables experimental control and can be used to make various novel carbon nanotubes.
Jeremy Kahn and Vladimir Markovic receive the 2012 Clay Research Award for their groundbreaking contributions to the study of hyperbolic Riemann surfaces. The award is a testament to their innovative work on essential immersed hyperbolic Riemann surfaces and the Ehrenpreis conjecture.
A new on-off switch for hormone production has been discovered in the brain by Dr. Gil Levkowitz's team, which regulates corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) release. The switch involves a protein called Otp that activates CRH genes and regulates receptor variants, potentially contributing to stress-related disorders.
A team of experts at Florida State University is working on a new project to better understand and diagnose dyslexia and other learning disabilities. The research aims to identify the complex interactions among genes and environments that contribute to dyslexia, with the goal of providing early intervention and prevention programs.
A University of Southampton-led project, Google Ancient Places (GAP), is developing a web application that allows users to search for references to ancient places within classical texts. The project uses specialist software to identify place mentions and plots results on a map using an independent digital gazetteer.
StopTheHacker, a UC Riverside graduate-led start-up, has received $1.1 million in funding to launch sales and marketing of its web site security product that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to detect malware. The company aims to help small and medium-sized businesses protect themselves against hacker attacks.
Three University of New Hampshire faculty members have received prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Awards from the National Science Foundation. Yannis Korkolis will investigate microforming processes, while Wheeler Ruml will advance renewable energy from the ocean using waves and tides.
African scientists are being enabled to partner on new research programs focusing on animal and crop health, with the goal of improving productivity under challenges like diseases and abiotic stresses. The BecA-ILRI Hub has set up a capacity building fund called the Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund (ABCF) for African scientists.
The International Polar Year created a new model for northern research, where communities define research questions and use traditional knowledge. Community members, including elders and youth, are now taking up the mantle to sustain research efforts.
A lack of proof-of-concept funding and inadequate market intelligence hinder the development of game-changing food innovations. Researchers at the University of Guelph highlight regulatory environments that can stall potentially life-saving discoveries like enriched milk with DHA and blood-pressure-lowering pea fragments.
Researchers have created a touchscreen mobile device app called BrailleTouch that eliminates the need to look at screens during texting. The app uses a gesture-based solution, allowing users to type up to 32 words per minute with 92% accuracy.
A $10.5 million grant will enhance the CPALMS system, a free online platform that guides teachers to teaching tools and resources, with new features including learning progression maps and messaging tools. The improved system will better support standards-driven instruction in mathematics, science, and reading/language arts.