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 tracked Dusky Large Blue butterfly movements to discover that long-distance travel is crucial for landscape-level effects, informing more efficient conservation methods. The study, published in Journal of Animal Ecology, sheds light on butterfly mobility in fragmented landscapes and has implications for habitat design.
A study by LeBoeuf and Norton found that people tend to overemphasize the impact of events on their lives. In experiments, participants were more likely to attribute a large cause to an event when it led to significant consequences. This bias can lead to negative attitudes towards unrelated entities.
A team of MSU researchers is working on a project to link climate change to coping strategies and impacts on food production, security, and incomes for farm families in Zambia and Kenya. The study will provide new information on how climate change affects farming households and their responses.
Researchers aim to measure preschoolers' physical activity in natural environments, such as childcare settings and homes, using durable devices. The goal is to develop interventions that encourage healthy habits and prevent childhood obesity.
A new study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found that Whitehall's deep-rooted culture of centralism is a major barrier to achieving localism in England. The research team conducted interviews with senior Whitehall officials and regional stakeholders, revealing a lack of flexibility and discretion in spending decisions.
A new video game aims to improve middle school students' computer science knowledge, addressing a shortage of skilled workers in the field. The project, funded by $1 million from NSF, incorporates engaging elements to attract girls and other underrepresented groups.
A new study published in PLoS ONE found that cooperative interactions between reviewers and authors increase reviewing accuracy, with a 13% rise in accuracy under open review models. Reviewers and authors who participated in these interactions had an 11% higher accuracy rate.
A Scripps Research Institute scientist has been awarded a $1 million grant to study adropin, a peptide hormone that may improve insulin sensitivity and treat type 2 diabetes. The research aims to explore adropin's potential role in glucose homeostasis and its application as a protein-based therapy.
Dr. Andrés Finzi's 'Reverse Fusion' project aims to deliver toxic genes to HIV-infected cells to eliminate them. The approach targets the virus's unique key and lock, using modified envelope glycoproteins and receptors to deliver a Trojan horse that eradicates infected cells.
A novel sewage digestion system designed by Duke University's Marc Deshusses has the potential to revolutionize sanitation in developing countries. The system captures methane gas produced during waste breakdown, using it to kill pathogens and destroy harmful bacteria.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are developing microneedle patches to administer polio vaccine, which could eliminate the need for trained personnel and refrigeration. The project aims to provide data to justify human trials and make vaccination more accessible in remote areas.
EMBO has selected 22 young researchers for its prestigious Young Investigator Programme, aiming to support their promising careers. The programme provides funding, networking opportunities, and mentorship to help them advance their research.
The UH Mars Rover Model Celebration and Exhibition will receive a $414,000 grant from NASA to develop a stronger event, expand beyond Texas, and provide hands-on science projects for elementary and middle school students. The program aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Recent research reveals that autistic individuals have superior cognitive abilities in perception and reasoning, challenging the long-held notion of autism as a deficiency. Autistic individuals like Michelle Dawson make significant contributions to scientific understanding through their unique perspectives and strengths.
Researchers are exploring ways to enhance farm profitability by extending the grazing season and adding value to milk through flaxseed supplementation, addressing concerns of organic dairy farmers in the Northeast. The project also aims to improve milk quality by sustaining omega-3 fatty acids and CLA concentrations throughout the year.
The report highlights the need for Humanities researchers to build and access 'fit-for-purpose' digital Research Infrastructures, addressing issues like funding models, institutional transformations, and coordination. Digital infrastructures offer new ways to explore old questions and develop new ones in Humanities research.
The Ontario Genomics Institute's Toronto Centre of Genomic Services (TCAG) has received a $5 million injection to continue providing cutting-edge genomic services. Led by Dr. Stephen Scherer, TCAG supports over 1,600 labs worldwide in various disciplines.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that physical activity can substantially reduce the effect of the FTO gene on obesity risk. The research, which analyzed data from over 218,000 adults, showed that individuals who were physically active had a nearly 30% weaker association with the FTO gene compared to those who were inactive.
Researchers found that social relationships, both formal and informal, significantly influenced the effectiveness of conservation easements. The Malpai Borderlands project demonstrated the importance of tight personal relationships in achieving conservation goals.
NASA is studying three experimental methods for capturing and transporting particles using laser light, including optical vortex and solenoid beams. The goal is to develop a system that can collect extraterrestrial samples more efficiently and reduce mission costs.
The NYU College of Nursing will conduct a four-year study on combination HIV prevention for Kenyan youth, addressing high-risk behaviors among young males and females in sub-Saharan Africa.
The UCI Institute for Money, Technology & Financial Inclusion has received a four-year $4.17 million grant to study the social uses of mobile phones in developing countries. The institute aims to understand how new mobile technology and digital payment services interact with traditional systems.
A study by Florida Institute of Technology and the University of Hawaii aims to provide early alerts of volcanic ash in the atmosphere using infrasonic signals. The research uses a sophisticated signal processing method to extract the infrasonic signature of volcano eruptions, allowing for estimates of ash column heights.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health developed a method to better estimate vaccine coverage, combining administrative data with survey data. The results show that estimates of routine immunization activities are substantially lower than previously thought in some countries, such as Madagascar and Sierra Leone.
Researchers at 23andMe have identified the potential protective nature of the SGK1 gene against Parkinson's disease, particularly for individuals carrying high-risk LRRK2 mutations. This discovery has the potential to inform therapeutic approaches and diagnostics for Parkinson's disease.
Research from Southern Methodist University's Geothermal Laboratory reveals vast geothermal resources across the US capable of producing over 3 million megawatts of green power, outpacing coal plants. The study refines locations for resource exploration using advanced mapping and geological analysis.
The Monell Center has received a $2 million NIH Core grant to enhance technological and research services. The funding will support three Research Cores providing specialized expert services, equipment, and training in chemical senses research techniques.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has established nine new Research Units and three Clinical Research Units, earmarking over 23 million euros for the first funding period. The units will explore topical research questions using innovative methods and approaches, covering a broad spectrum of research areas.
The Intelligent River project aims to provide real-time data on water quality and flow rate across a 312-mile stretch of the Savannah River. A network of environmental sensors, including MoteStacks, will be deployed to collect data, which will then be processed and transmitted to a high-performance computing system.
A new study found that alcohol-related fatal motor vehicle crashes in the US were lower among Canadian drivers than drivers with US or Mexican licenses. The prevalence of alcohol involvement was 27% for US and Mexican drivers, while 11% for Canadian drivers.
The new Institute for Quantum Information and Matter will bring together physicists and computer scientists to study exotic quantum states and push theoretical boundaries. The center aims to make advances in basic physics and develop materials with remarkable properties.
A survey of 87 mostly developing countries shows improvement in awareness of mental health issues among leaders, but poor political will and limited resources remain major barriers. Successful examples include mental health campaigns in Nigeria and Uganda's integration of services into primary care.
An international research project led by ONR aims to improve long-range weather forecasts and seasonal outlooks by studying the Madden-Julian Oscillation in the Indian Ocean. The study will provide valuable insights into climate modeling and refine global climate computer models.
Researchers are developing new data analysis and modeling methodologies to aid the transition from the decennial census to the annual American Community Survey. These methods could impact how over $400 billion in federal and state funds are distributed annually.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are working on a new architectural model for the Internet, enabling users to make informed choices about features and services. The project aims to create a more efficient, economically sustainable and flexible internet infrastructure.
Researchers found that cash transfers could fully compensate poor households for the price increase, while a 5% drop in general food prices did little to help. Governments can save money by using cash transfers instead of subsidies, which benefit all groups but distort food markets.
The Waylon Fund will support state-of-the-art investigations into the genetic and genomic origins of diabetes, aiming to produce better treatments. Donations will also enable comprehensive genomic analysis using the latest technology to accelerate research.
Two UIC studies will investigate how mass media and tax/price affect tobacco use. One study measures exposure, search, and sharing of pro-anti-tobacco info to understand smoking behaviors. The other assesses policies impacting retail tobacco prices over a decade.
A Scripps Florida scientist has been awarded a $2.2 million grant to explore the role of host cell signaling pathways in HCV-induced liver cancer. The research aims to identify new therapeutic targets for treating chronic HCV infections.
A Kansas State University research team is developing food allergy education materials for hospitality management and dietetics students. The goal is to improve customer awareness and reduce allergic reactions in restaurants.
A new program aims to increase physical activity among middle school girls, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The Girls on the Move project will expand its successful pilot program to more schools, targeting girls' physical health and well-being.
The Precourt Institute and TomKat Center are funding eight faculty seed grants for innovative renewable energy technologies, including lithium-air batteries and solar thermal energy systems. Researchers will explore ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and make large-scale solar power more competitive.
A City College of New York-led research team is developing wearable sensors to assist the visually impaired in navigating their environment. The project aims to create devices that can convey information about surroundings through touch, hearing, and other senses.
A $2.5 million NSF grant will support a program aimed at enhancing the public's understanding of science, engineering, and energy through community-based activities in Pennsylvania counties with natural gas exploration and production. The project will provide opportunities for residents to gain skills in scientific inquiry and build an...
The UNC Center for Diabetes Translation Research to Reduce Health Disparities aims to reduce diabetes-related disparities among poor and underserved populations. The center will leverage existing resources at NC TraCS Institute and partner with several universities and health departments to foster translational research.
Geoscience professionals can expect high salaries in the finance and insurance industry, with average aggregated salaries ranging from $102,640 to $82,650. This analysis by the American Geological Institute highlights the varying salary ranges across different industries.
A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research finds that financial support for new technologies is necessary to cost-effectively protect the climate. The simulation shows that without targeted funding, high-cost reduction potential energy technologies will struggle to compete with familiar technologies.
Researchers have developed a three-stage strategy to enhance university-community engagement, focusing on social capital building. The approach aims to increase the impact of universities on excluded communities by linking academics with community groups, professionalizing activities, and spinning out initiatives into local communities.
Geophysicists at UC Riverside are developing large-scale computer simulations to investigate earthquake fault systems. The simulations aim to provide abundant data for analyzing plate motion and earthquake events over 10,000 years.
A new laser technology has been developed by Michigan State University researchers to detect roadside bombs with high sensitivity and selectivity. The laser can canvas large areas and distinguish between explosives and similar compounds, making it a potential game-changer for detecting improvised explosive devices.
The University of California, Riverside has received a three-year NSF grant to establish the FORWARD project, aiming to recruit, retain and develop leadership skills of women faculty in STEM disciplines. The program will also create a statewide network for professional and personal support.
The University of Guam's entomologist has received $205,500 in grants from the USDA to control the coconut rhinoceros beetle population on the island. The beetle has shown high resistance to current biocontrol methods, including pheromone-baited traps and a biocontrol virus.
A study found that gene expression changes in some patients following major trauma can lead to severe inflammatory complications. Researchers used DNA microarrays to analyze blood samples and identified genes associated with long-term outcomes. This discovery could help scientists develop new drug targets to prevent such complications.
NASA has awarded a $100,000 grant to Penn State researcher Michael V. Paul for developing non-radioisotope power systems. The project aims to explore sunless solar system missions using metal-combustion engines, which could enable low-cost planetary exploration without relying on radioisotope power sources.
The Navy is launching its new joint tactical satellite, TacSat-4, which will bring on-the-go communications to the battlefield. The fourth-generation microsatellite enables warfighters to use handheld radios for mobile communications without downtime.
The University of Utah is launching a six-year effort to develop new materials for faster computers, better microscopes and solar cells. Researchers will focus on plasmonics and spintronics to create organic semiconductors and metamaterials.
The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Northwestern University has received a six-year, $16.2 million grant to support its interdisciplinary research program and educational activities. The center aims to develop new nanoscale materials with applications in information processing, electronics, and sensing technologies.
The grant will provide fellowships for up to ten students annually and expand research opportunities for STEM students seeking a teaching career. The program aims to address California's severe shortage of qualified science and math teachers in high-poverty urban schools.
A new study estimates that 27.6% of people will develop COPD by age 35, making it a significant public health concern. The risk is higher in men and those with lower socioeconomic status, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and funding to combat this chronic disease.
The University of Oregon, NC State, and Arizona State University will collaborate to evaluate special education assessment and accountability. The project aims to better understand academic growth in students with disabilities and determine which accountability mechanisms accurately reflect a school's impact.