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 develop multiferroic alloy that converts heat into electricity with no carbon dioxide emissions. The material can capture waste heat from various sources, including cars and industrial plants, to produce electricity.
A new study has found significant variations in privacy regulations across countries, driven by local context and institutional arrangements. The research suggests that events like 9/11 have had a lasting impact on privacy regulation, leading to common solutions at the European level.
A study by Cardiff University found that men are anxious about money and take financial risks to ensure their children don't miss out. The economic downturn has led to a step backwards in shared parenting, with some men working longer hours or away from home.
A recent study has identified the brain regions responsible for our sense of body ownership, revealing a unified view of the body as a single entity. The findings suggest that multisensory neurons integrate visual, tactile, and proprioceptive information to facilitate full-body ownership.
Researchers at Northwestern University recreated ancient copper artifact-making techniques used by prehistoric Native Americans of Cahokia. They analyzed small pieces of discarded copper and determined that the coppersmiths likely hammered the copper with a heavy rock, then heated it in a wood fire to create thin sheets.
Dr. Frank Fisher, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, has been added to the Fulbright Specialist Roster as a candidate for grants to cooperate internationally on academic development.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has received a $150,000 grant to support efforts by eco-guards to protect Grauer's gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The grant will help equip park rangers with field equipment to monitor and limit poaching within the park.
A recent study reveals that charities in England receive significant public funding, with 70% of organisations working with socially excluded or vulnerable people relying on government support. The study also highlights regional variations and uneven distribution of public funding across the sector.
The novel CO2-plume geothermal system offers advantages over conventional geothermal systems, including increased efficiency and reduced risk of 'short-circuiting'. By using high-pressure CO2 as the underground heat-carrying fluid, CPG can be used in regions where traditional geothermal production is not feasible. This technology also ...
A multidisciplinary team will collect water and biological samples, take ocean current measurements, and analyze radionuclides to understand the impact of radiation on marine life and human health. The expedition aims to establish a baseline for radioactive contaminants in the ocean.
A USC study has identified the brain region responsible for rapid scene comprehension, which enables humans to quickly grasp unfamiliar scenes. The lateral occipital cortex is found to play a key role in this process, with no significant contribution from the intraparietal sulcus.
NIH-funded researchers identified three types of odor molecules that disrupt mosquito carbon dioxide-sensing machinery. These findings could lead to the development of more effective repellents and lures to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
The study examines various factors that contribute to childhood obesity, such as genetic predisposition, breastfeeding, TV watching, neighborhood environment, and cultural influences. The researchers have collected data from approximately 400 families and are beginning a third wave of data collection.
Case Western Reserve University is partnering with industry to improve solar energy technologies' productive lifetime. The S-Durability and Lifetime Extension Center will expose materials under solar radiation of up to 1,000 suns and various environmental factors.
A new study developed by McGill Professor Roussos Dimitrakopoulos has created more accurate mine planning models that take into account uncertainty in the supply of minerals. This results in higher return on investment for mining companies while increasing metal production from the same asset.
Researchers discovered that babies as young as 12 months old can use their knowledge of basic rules to form expectations about new events. A computational model accurately predicts infants' surprise at unexpected events, suggesting they reason by mentally simulating possible scenarios.
A recent study of decades of data from the US and eight other countries found significant funding disparities between over-represented and under-represented states. Over-represented provinces can expect to receive more than twice the federal funding per capita as under-represented ones.
A National Institutes of Health grant has been awarded to Nationwide Children's Hospital to develop a gene therapy for MPS IIIB, a fatal lysosomal storage disease. The therapy aims to deliver needed genes directly to the central nervous system by bypassing the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are creating an iron-based flow battery to store energy from wind turbines and solar panels. The battery could supply electricity when demand is high, making it a useful alternative to pumped hydro and compressed air systems.
Kai Germaschewski, a UNH assistant professor, received a $750,000 grant to develop more refined models of fusion plasmas. His work aims to enhance understanding of the state of plasma and its effects in high-temperature experiments.
The MetLife Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to support a fellowship program that brings aging-focused reporters to the Gerontological Society of America's Annual Scientific Meeting. The program aims to increase media coverage on aging issues, which are expected to grow significantly in the next 40 years.
The West Coast high-frequency radar network, operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, provides kilometer-scale current observations out to 150 kilometers offshore and 2,500 kilometers of shoreline. This network allows for the determination of geographic differences in coastal surface circulation and characterization of phenomen...
The grant enables scientists to monitor the world's oceans and track changes in coastal or maritime systems, supporting a more sophisticated understanding of global climate change. Dr. Stamnes' algorithms will also aid in exploring issues related to polarization, scattering, and refraction of light in atmosphere-ocean systems.
Researchers from Michigan State University analyzed the Kohler effect in health video games and found that working out with a virtual partner improves task persistence and reduces social anxiety. The study suggests that incorporating design features based on the Kohler effect could motivate vigorous exercise.
NASA has selected Southwest Research Institute's MASPEX mass spectrometer for technology development funding to analyze comets and improve understanding of their origin. The instrument is expected to excel in identifying isotopes in low-density populations and provide valuable insights into the origin of life.
A study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found that public sector prisons tend to have more experienced staff, but also face uniformed staff jadedness and cynicism. Private prisons, however, showed strengths in policing and control, organization, and prisoner development when staff were well-trained and used authority...
A new study by Stanford researchers found that most seaports lack a plan to adapt to climate change, threatening their infrastructure. Rising sea levels and frequent violent storms will take a significant toll on ports worldwide.
A study published in Archives of Surgery found that obese patients are at a significantly higher risk of developing surgical site infections after colectomy. The study also showed that these infections result in increased costs, lengthier hospital stays, and a higher rate of hospital readmissions. As pay-for-performance models penalize...
The Oregon Farm to School bill aims to improve state residents' health by creating new farm-industry jobs and increasing access to fresh, local food in schools. The bill has the potential to create at least 800 new agricultural jobs and improve students' satisfaction with school meal offerings.
Researchers studying naval records of mutinies found that grievances over unpaid wages, excessive punishment, and poor living conditions were common triggers. In many cases, mutinies emerged due to a breakdown in trust between sailors and officers, leading to violent confrontations.
A comprehensive study on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in South Korean school-age children estimates that 2.64% of the population has ASD, affecting approximately 1 in 38 children. The study identifies previously undiagnosed cases and highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.
Research finds UK betting shops are drawing in a new type of customer, particularly young males and ethnic minority groups, with the use of fixed odds betting terminals. These machines are associated with higher risks of problem gambling due to their fast-paced nature and high stakes.
Research reveals that immigrants and their U.S.-born children prioritize unhealthy American foods to prove their American-ness and avoid social exclusion. This behavior can lead to poorer health outcomes due to the prevalence of high-calorie, fatty American meals.
The European Peer Review Guide identifies five pillars for supporting good practices of peer review, including core principles, quality assurance, process integrity, governance structure, and methodology. The guide aims to minimize variability in peer review outcomes and foster harmonization in international peer review.
Researchers will use cultivated and wild tomato species to determine specific genes controlling chemical evolution and plant metabolism. The goal is to understand how plants produce diverse compounds for survival in their environment.
The NYU Courant Institute is developing a bird-sized, self-flying plane with AI-powered vision for navigation. The plane will use convolutional networks to quickly interpret its environment and navigate through forests and urban environments.
A new study by the UNH Carsey Institute finds that most Americans agree climate change is occurring, but disagree on its causes, with opinions defined by political party. Beliefs about climate change are strongly related to political party, and polarization increases among those who believe they have the best understanding.
A Clemson University researcher is developing a new approach to designing more energy-efficient buildings by applying psychology concepts such as choice architecture and cognitive bias. His research aims to improve the decision-making process of engineers in building design, which could lead to widespread adoption of net-zero buildings.
Scientists discover chimpanzees yawn more when watching familiar chimps than strangers, suggesting an underlying mechanism for empathy. The findings support the idea that contagious yawning is a measure of empathy and may be influenced by social biases.
Mattress Firm has named Translational Genomics Research Institute as its charitable partner of choice to support globalCure's fight against pancreatic cancer. The company will donate $50 to globalCure for every Simmons Beautyrest dual floor sample sold nationwide, aiming to raise over $100,000.
A study published in PLOS Medicine analyzed whistleblower complaints related to 18 alleged cases of off-label marketing. The findings revealed common practices, including prescriber-related incentives and internal sales quotas, which can be challenging to regulate.
ATV-related injuries disproportionately affect children, with lower extremity fractures, partial foot amputations, and head injuries being common. The number of ATV-related deaths among children has increased dramatically over the past decade, highlighting the need for proper adult supervision, helmets, and age-appropriate vehicles.
The study of the early Cambrian Guanshan biota provides new insights into its sedimentology, taphonomy, and biodiversity. The fossil groups recovered include lobopods, eldonids, hyolithids, green algae, and several others, with preserved soft-tissues rivaling those from the Chengjiang fauna.
Researchers have synthesized a novel class of amphiphilic dendronized homopolymers with variable amphiphilicity, showing thermoresponsiveness and forming ordered porous films. These polymers adopt helical conformations in solution and can be used to develop new amphiphilic polymer structures.
A Michigan State University researcher has been awarded a $3.3 million grant to develop an intervention program for low-income mothers who are overweight or obese. The program aims to promote healthy eating, physical activity and stress management through interactive DVDs and peer support.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that being in a good mood decreases working memory capacity. Participants who watched a comedy routine showed improved moods but struggled with memory recall, highlighting the negative impact of positive mood on working memory storage.
The Navy has awarded $10.8 million to 21 young researchers at 18 academic institutions as part of the 2011 Young Investigator Program. The program supports outstanding faculty researchers in STEM fields, with annual research grants of approximately $170,000 for three years.
Scientists at Queen's University have won a £2 million grant from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to study dark matter, dark energy, and the Sun. The funding will support international collaborations with top universities, including Harvard and Vanderbilt.
Karl Deisseroth, a Stanford University associate professor, is being recognized for his pioneering work in developing and using optogenetic approaches to study neuronal function. His technique has had far-reaching impact on ophthalmology and vision science.
A £6 million research programme aims to create new generation of high performance fibre reinforced polymer composites, capable of sustaining large deformations without breaking. The materials will provide greater reliability, safety and design flexibility, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15%.
The iMobot robot has four controllable degrees of freedom and can be assembled into larger robots for specific tasks. Researchers hope the technology will speed up university and industry research in robotics.
A first-of-its-kind study by researchers at the University at Buffalo found that problem gambling is considerably more common among U.S. adults than alcohol dependence after age 21, with significant gender and socioeconomic differences in frequency and prevalence.
Researchers from North America and Europe will present new osteoarthritis research at the Segal North American Osteoarthritis Workshop (SNOW) on March 25-27. The workshop aims to identify priority interventions that could improve treatment options for OA.
Researchers found that suppressing emotions while watching disturbing movie scenes led to aggressive behavior in later computerized competitions, contradicting previous studies on fatigue and aggression. The study suggests that controlling oneself can increase aggression.
Researchers at Kiel University developed a method to track atomic-scale changes during etching and coating, revealing uniform metal removal. The technique enabled detection of reactions within milliseconds, providing insights into industrially employed processes.
A new motion sensor system developed by MU researchers uses sensors on a horse's head, limbs, and tail to detect lameness. This system improves early detection and treatment outcomes for horses with lameness by removing human bias and increasing frequency of motion sampling.
Philanthropists Foster and Lynn Friess are tripling-match donations up to $100,000 for TGen's unTEAL a cure event. The total raised will support groundbreaking research on ovarian cancer cases.
Research suggests that expert phoneticians' brains have distinct structures and connectivity patterns, correlating with training and innate abilities. The study found that areas responsible for processing speech sounds are shaped before birth, which may influence career choices.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem will digitize its Albert Einstein Archives with a $500,000 grant from the Polonsky Foundation. The project aims to preserve over 80,000 documents and make them accessible online.
Researchers have developed a new measurement technology to investigate the structure of composite and biological materials, providing microscopic insights into polymeric networks. The rheometer and confocal microscope system enabled visualization of fluorescently labeled actin networks and filming of polymer filaments' movement in 3-D ...