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.
Bioscience researchers have developed a new approach to breeding resistance to late blight in potatoes, using genetic analysis to identify inherently resistant plants. This breakthrough could lead to more durable disease resistance and the creation of GM varieties that can combine resistance to both blight and nematodes.
Months of volcanic restlessness preceded the 2010 eruptions of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull, suggesting magma movement may have triggered its reawakening. By monitoring volcanoes, scientists can understand processes that drive them to erupt.
Dr. Michael Wagner's research explores the use of identical rhymes in poetry to understand how languages use emphasis and prosody. The study reveals a systematic difference between French and English speakers' evaluation of poetry, which can help improve computer programmers' production of realistic speech.
Research into health systems aims to improve healthcare delivery, but lacks clarity due to multiple definitions. The article proposes working definitions for Operational, Implementation, and Health Systems research, which can be used to build on existing research and maximize its impact.
AFOSR-funded physicist Colonel Scott Dudley praised the discovery, noting graphene is stronger than steel yet flexible and stretchable, with wide-ranging applications in electronics and sensors. The research has led to significant breakthroughs and continues to push the field forward.
Arizona State University has received a $100 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop long-acting insect repellents for malaria prevention. The project aims to create skin-bonding repellents that can provide continuous protection against mosquitoes for two to three weeks.
A joint research project is investigating why some C. difficile cases are more difficult to treat, and how genetic factors contribute to relapses. The study aims to identify key factors that indicate a higher risk of relapse and develop new treatment strategies.
Professor Federico Rosei, an INRS researcher, received the prestigious 2010 Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award for his outstanding work on nanomaterials. He will collaborate with German researchers to develop new materials for electronics, energy applications, and life sciences.
The University of Arizona is receiving $2.9 million to improve the safety and post-harvest quality of field-grown organic leafy greens. Researchers will test edible films, compost teas, and irrigation water for bacterial contamination, aiming to provide safer products for consumers while increasing profitability for growers.
A team of researchers proposes a new way to measure urban exceptionality, suggesting that traditional per-capita measures are flawed. They found that cities tend to be persistent in their performance, with features like wealth and safety pairing up, and highly exceptional cities being smaller and more monocultural.
University of Cincinnati researchers found that pleasurable activities like tasty foods and sex can reduce stress by weakening anxiety responses in the brain. The findings suggest a long-term benefit and could potentially provide strategies for intervening in metabolic disorders.
The Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP) launches a research initiative to improve rice yields and reduce environmental impact. The project aims to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide.
The GRiSP initiative is expected to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide. The partnership will deploy rice's genetic diversity, break the yield barrier in rice production, and breed climate-ready rice.
A survey of UK businesses found that they partner with researchers for service development, human resource management, training, and marketing. Academics also engage in a wide range of knowledge exchange activities, but face constraints such as lack of time and resources.
Professor Eamonn Keogh will use the grant to develop automatic insect sensors that can detect and classify mosquitoes at a low cost. The project aims to understand mosquito movement to combat malaria, which kills nearly one million people worldwide each year.
The Sustainable Uplands project gives UK uplands a voice through ouruplands.co.uk, highlighting their diversity and importance. The platform showcases video-clips, written accounts, and artwork from various stakeholders, including farmers, landowners, and policy-makers.
Henny Zandbergen receives EU funding to develop 'NanoElectrical Measurements in a Transmission Electron Microscope' (NEMinTEM) equipment and methods. This technology enables real-time measurements of electrical characteristics of nanostructures, paving the way for groundbreaking research.
The three-year project aims to investigate blowout dynamics and their role in climate change, providing insights into how these landforms develop on other planets. The research will also improve management of coastlines and provide public outreach through posters and booklets.
A team at the University of Arizona has developed a new type of holographic telepresence that can project three-dimensional, moving images in real-time. This breakthrough technology enables applications such as telemedicine, advertising, and entertainment to take on new levels.
The NSF grant will enhance existing cybersecurity curricula and expand the laboratory for hands-on instruction. The initiative aims to address a growing need for 10,000-30,000 cybersecurity professionals in the US.
A randomized trial found that oseltamivir monotherapy was both virologically and clinically more effective than the combination of tamiflu and relenza. The study also showed that zanamivir monotherapy had similar effects to the combination
Researchers at UIC are investigating both acquired and familial causes of heart failure with a focus on identifying markers for diagnosis and targets for cures. The five-year funding supports an ongoing program-project grant led by R. John Solaro, which looks at the underlying maladaptive changes that lead to heart failure.
Virginia Tech computer scientist Daphne Yao and her student Deian Stefan have designed a software framework called Telling Human and Bot Apart (TUBA) to combat 'spoofing attacks' that hack into user identities. Their system uses keystroke-dynamics information to authenticate users and detect anomalous activities on personal computers.
A team of ASU professors will evaluate novel 'soft law' mechanisms for oversight of nanotechnology using the grant. They aim to bring cutting-edge analysis of innovative governance mechanisms to the rapidly-developing technology, focusing on industry groups, non-governmental organizations, and voluntary norms.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has awarded approximately $16.5 million in grants to 43 scientists and engineers who submitted winning research proposals through the Young Investigator Research Program. The selected recipients will conduct basic research in various areas of science and engineering.
A study by University of Leicester researchers found that two people can learn to cooperate without conscious intention, but larger groups require explicit communication to coordinate actions. Experimental results showed gains exceeded losses in group pairs but not in three-person or larger groups.
Researchers used MEG to study brain activity in PTSD sufferers and healthy individuals, finding increased circuit activity on the right side of the brain. This hyperactive network is linked to involuntary flashbacks and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Dr Veerle Huvenne, a NOC marine geoscientist, has been awarded a major research grant to map complex deep-sea environments and study the biodiversity they support. The project, CODEMAP, aims to use state-of-the-art surveying methods to map habitat heterogeneity as a proxy for biodiversity.
A new study suggests that medical schools can tap into doctors' sense of mission and self-identity to increase the number of primary care physicians in medically underserved areas. Training students in underserved settings during medical school and residency can also improve their likelihood of continuing to serve those populations.
The Virginia Tech team is studying the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on piping plover populations, collecting data on survival and migration patterns in oiled and unoiled areas of the Gulf. The research aims to inform restoration efforts and provide valuable insights for litigators seeking settlements for damage lawsuits.
A large cohort study found that heavy smoking in middle age was associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that smoking may affect the development of dementia through both vascular and neurodegenerative pathways.
Most physicians believe Medicare reimbursement is inequitable, and a national survey found little consensus on proposed reforms. Financial incentives for quality care were the most popular proposal, with 49.1% support.
A new Cornell University study shows that simple changes like moving fruit to a colorful bowl and creating a speedy 'healthy express' checkout line can significantly increase the sale of healthy options. The research also highlights the importance of making healthy foods more convenient, visible, and appealing to kids.
A recent study aims to identify neural reasons for early childhood stuttering, with a focus on sex differences that influence recovery rates. The research seeks to better understand the causes of this speech disorder, which affects about 5% of children during early stages of speech acquisition.
A common variant of the HSPB7 gene is found to increase risk for dilated cardiomyopathy by nearly 50%. The study provides a first step towards supporting future preventive measures for this severe form of heart muscle disease.
Researchers are pioneering the use of wireless sensors to study a little-known phenomenon that affects glacier movement. They aim to measure the 'stick' and 'slip' phases of stick-slip motion, which cause ice sheet movement in glaciers.
CSIRO has upgraded a radio telescope at the University of Sydney, boosting its sensitivity and bandwidth to three times more than before. The upgrade demonstrates Australia's technological capabilities and will inform the design of the country's own ASKAP telescope.
A study found that Medicare's hospital comparison website does not effectively help patients choose high-quality hospitals for high-risk surgeries. Compliance scores on the website did not correlate with patient mortality rates, suggesting that current data may not be useful in identifying better-performing facilities.
The LA-SiGMA project will develop tools for materials simulations, benefiting public through faster computers, industrial catalysts, energy storage materials, and drug delivery systems.
New York University has received a $1.6 million National Science Foundation grant to upgrade its Structural DNA Nanotechnology facility, enhancing its experimental capacity and creating a state-of-the-art laboratory setting. The facility will also bolster NYU's competitive edge in the field of structural DNA nanotechnology.
Scientists have developed an improved laser-based technique to detect traces of key molecules in a gas, including greenhouse gases and pollutants. The new technology can identify a wider variety of molecules with lower concentration levels than before, making it suitable for applications such as breath analysis and atmospheric monitoring.
Two new 'Innovation and Knowledge Centres' in the UK will combine research with business expertise to accelerate development of cutting-edge technologies. The centres, funded by EPSRC and Technology Strategy Board, aim to generate economic growth through sustainable products and infrastructure.
Scientists use rock hyrax urine to study long-term climate change, providing unique terrestrial records. Biomarkers in the urine reveal insights into ancient environments and potential climate drivers.
A study of 1,509 non-diabetic participants found that insulin resistance was associated with a 45% greater risk of any type of vascular event. Insulin resistance was also linked to an increased risk of ischemic stroke, particularly in men.
Research finds that tsunamis can be triggered by moderate earthquakes on strike-slip faults, posing a significant threat to coastal cities. In Haiti's case, three-quarters of tsunamis are generated by submarine landslides, unlike the previously estimated 3% globally.
The University of New Hampshire has been awarded a $487,000 grant from NASA to develop high school climate change curriculum. The project will utilize data from NASA and other federal agencies to create classroom-friendly materials, aiming to provide teachers with a scientifically sound means of teaching climate change issues.
A GSU professor received a $225,000 USDA grant to explore the dynamics of childhood obesity from childhood to adolescence. The research aims to identify causal effects of prior weight gains on future weight outcomes and assess the impact of food assistance programs.
The study reevaluates Cobitis longipectoralis, a Miocene-era fish with well-preserved specimens. Key findings include the presence of nine pectoral fin rays and distinctive suborbital spine features.
The grant supports the lab's transition to analyzing data from a new detector, enabling researchers to identify 96% of subatomic particles in collisions. The project aims to study hot and dense matter, including its critical point, and understand the early state of the universe.
A year-long pilot study will assess the nutritional value of food offered in Lincoln Parish Schools, aiming to develop healthy student-approved menus. The study also explores behavior economics strategies to encourage students to make informed food choices.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation awarded $10.1 million for five new clinical studies and 14 pre-clinical therapeutic development projects. The funding aims to improve treatment regimens for Parkinson's patients, reduce complications, and develop novel therapies.
Researchers at SMU's Geothermal Laboratory estimate that West Virginia's geothermal generation potential has increased to 18,890 megawatts, a 75% increase over previous estimates. This discovery could provide a new source of green energy in coal country.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a new class of liquid crystals with enhanced electric dipoles, promising to improve the performance of digital displays. The newly developed liquid crystals also possess a unique 'zwitterionic' structure, which sets them apart from existing materials.
Researchers at UTHealth developed a computer-based sex-education program to tackle high teenage pregnancy rates, receiving a $15 million grant. The 'It's Your Game: Keep It Real' program aims to educate teenagers on risky sexual behavior and encourage abstinence.
The Water Tunnel of the Americas (WTAPC) will be the largest and most advanced facility, enabling researchers to test models of structures and determine forces of extreme weather on buildings and structures. The 'green' project uses a blow-down water tunnel design generating power from the Panama Canal.
The study of fish teeth reveals ocean circulation patterns that differ from present day, shedding light on heat transfer and oxygenation. An iridium anomaly is linked to the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, reaffirming the link between impact and mass extinction.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital and two other centers will explore new treatment strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a debilitating disease affecting children and young adults. The goal is to identify existing drugs that can inhibit muscle fibrosis and develop non-invasive imaging techniques to assess muscle damage.
A new microRNA panel test has been developed to further subclassify non-small cell lung cancer, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions. This test has shown high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between subtypes of lung cancer.
Researchers created a technique using computer models that can analyze tiny samples of soil to predict its behavior in relation to foundations. This technology could be applied to build structures on the moon or remote locations where traditional testing is impractical.
A study found that nearly three-quarters of pancreatic cancer tumours have high levels of a protein called P110γ, which could provide a new target for treatments. Blocking this protein stopped cancer cell growth in laboratory experiments.