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.
A new study reveals that glaciers in New Zealand's Southern Alps have fluctuated frequently over the past 7,000 years, with some advances and declines not seen in the Northern Hemisphere. The research uses a refined method to date young moraines, allowing for more accurate reconstructions of glacial advances worldwide.
The Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago is using modern technology to digitally record thousands of ancient Persian Empire tablets. The project, supported by a substantial grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, aims to record about 10,000 tablets and fragments by 2010.
The University of Texas at Austin is receiving $30 million in funding from the US Department of Energy to develop innovative nanomaterials for solar energy and batteries, as well as study the movement of greenhouse gases in geological systems. This funding will support research into new paradigms for achieving U.S. energy security.
Recent research on New York's clams indicates a decline in populations due to overfishing and brown tide. Key findings highlight reduced reproductive success and ecosystem changes in Great South Bay and other Long Island bays.
Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a technique for suppressing errors in quantum computers using an array of ultracold beryllium ions. The new method counteracts random errors caused by stray electric or magnetic fields, reducing error rates up to 100 times more than comparable techniques.
A study found that media coverage of celebrity DUIs rarely addressed the health consequences, focusing instead on legal repercussions. Only 4% of reports mentioned potential injury or harm from DUI events.
The Mobile Cleaning Reclaim and Recovery System (MCRRS) vehicle cuts grime with pressurized water, reclaims spent cleaning water and recycles hazardous materials. The system has improved flight deck safety, reduced maintenance time and enhanced aircraft carrier operations.
Florida Institute of Technology professors Ming Zhang and Hamid Rassoul receive a $411,000 NASA grant to investigate the physics of particle transport in the distant heliosphere. The IBEX spacecraft mission will observe particles from beyond Pluto's orbit, providing insights into cosmic rays and future human space travel.
Researchers found that chewing sugar-free gum reduced sweet snack consumption by 60 calories and overall snack intake by 40 calories in participants. The study suggests chewing gum can play a role in appetite control, weight management, and reducing calorie intake.
The PNWRCE will focus on identifying potential therapeutic targets for infectious diseases, including those caused by pathogens categorized as A, B and C. Researchers will study defects in the immune system caused by aging and disease-host interactions through genomics and genetic analyses.
A new tool has been developed to quickly assess how a particular school finance reform proposal might impact individual California school districts. The tool can be used to evaluate any formula that consolidates categorical funds and will be discussed at the American Educational Research Association meeting in San Diego.
The University of Liverpool has secured funding to create a Knowledge Exploitation Laboratory, accelerating the transfer of research into industry. The lab will facilitate collaboration between academics and industrial partners, exploiting £43 million of EPSRC-funded research in molecular engineering, advanced manufacturing, and sensors.
A study found that test scores improved in privatized schools, but at a slower rate than the rest of the city's public schools. The achievement gap between the two groups increased by 2006, with the privatized schools lagging behind their public counterparts.
A recent editorial in The Lancet critiques Coca-Cola's marketing tactics, drawing parallels with the tobacco industry. The company is accused of using celebrity endorsements and blaming shifting to avoid responsibility for its products' impact on health.
MSU researchers are leading an international project to develop systems to measure, monitor, and manage carbon in landscapes worldwide. The goal is to help growers around the world better protect their land, improve productivity, and fight global climate change by providing a tool to assess their carbon and climate impact.
Researchers at Clemson University are developing new test methods to address alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete, a common durability problem affecting infrastructure like roads and bridges. This research has the potential to save millions of dollars by minimizing or preventing ASR distress.
A new study from North Carolina State University finds that states holding early presidential primaries or caucuses receive more federal procurement funding per capita if they back the eventual winner. The earlier a state votes, however, the smaller the benefit for backing a losing candidate.
Researchers create 'composite doublers' that take stress from joints and allow it to pass through without stressing the structure, extending its lifespan. The technology also serves as a warning system for inspectors and road workers when it begins to wear out.
Rutgers and Purdue universities will receive up to $30 million over six years to conduct research on information technologies for homeland security. The Rutgers team, led by DIMACS, will focus on data sciences, while Purdue's visualization sciences team will lead the other part of the center.
Mid-level shoulder separations, also known as acromioclavicular joint injuries, are common athletic injuries. Nonsurgical treatment is often favored for type III injuries, but surgical reconstruction may be recommended for certain patients with persistent instability. Both approaches require rehabilitation to restore motion and strength.
Research from the University of Rochester found that action video games can improve contrast sensitivity by 58% by training the brain to process visual information more efficiently. This finding suggests that gaming may not be harmful for vision and could potentially complement eye-correction techniques.
Dr. Roland Romeiser, a UM Rosenstiel School researcher, has been awarded a $500,000 ONR grant to develop 'along-track InSAR,' a new satellite technique that maps surface currents in rivers and oceans. This technology will aid in monitoring global river runoff and bathymetric changes.
Research suggests that global warming will worsen health problems like heat-related mortality and diarrheal diseases due to climate change. The US needs an estimated $200 million in annual funding to study these impacts and develop protective measures.
The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School has received two grants totaling $101,000 from the Ocean Fund to support scientific research on cruise ships and graduate student scholarships. The funding will enable researchers to study climate change, coral reefs, and ocean health.
Dr. Jagadeesh Moodera's groundbreaking research led to the miniaturization of computer hard disc drives and widespread use of laptop computers, earning him the prestigious Oliver E. Buckley prize.
A new study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute identifies the fundamental reasons behind nanorod diameter, demonstrating a diameter of approximately 100 nanometers. The researchers found that cooperation and competition among various atomic transport mechanisms hold the key to this size.
The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) has received a $250,000 award from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to fund the Bloc Travel Grant program. The grant will support approximately 50 students and trainees attending IADR General Sessions & Exhibitions in various locations.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has launched a new $19 million research program to investigate the impact of laws on public health. The program, led by Temple University's James E. Beasley School of Law, will focus on pressing health challenges such as infectious and chronic diseases, and health emergencies like floods and epidemics.
This study demonstrates novel microstructural transition in Al80.4Cu13.6Si6 ternary eutectic alloy upon substantial undercooling. The primary phase transforms from (Al) dendrite to faceted (Si) block at an undercooling level of 73 K.
A recent study found that approximately 30 percent of adults report insomnia symptoms, and 74 percent report experiencing the condition for at least one year. Individuals with severe insomnia symptoms are more likely to relapse, while those with subsyndromal insomnia have a higher chance of remission.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act's development is examined in a conference, revealing insights into UK science policy decision-making processes. Key stakeholder groups' impact on the public debate and legislative outcome are discussed.
The ALADDIN project has created software that can acquire and process real-time data from sensor networks, supporting situational awareness and operational decision-making in emergency response situations. The information agents will enable emergency responders to access and distribute up-to-the-minute data via various devices.
Researchers directly observed Hardy's Paradox, a fundamental quantum mechanics conundrum, by using joint weak measurement with entangled photons. The experiment resolves the paradox without inference, revealing a significant step towards harnessing reality of quantum mechanics.
A Cornell Food & Brand Lab study shows that giving vegetables fun names like X-Ray Vision Carrots boosts their consumption in preschoolers. The researchers found that these names can even influence kids' eating habits the next day.
A study of 163 children found that those rated as more impulsive in kindergarten were more likely to engage in gambling behaviors by the sixth grade. The research suggests that behavioral features such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity at school entry can be a vulnerability factor for precocious risk-oriented behavior like gambling.
McGill University is proud to announce that Andrew Hendry and Karim Nader have received the E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship for their innovative research in eco-evolutionary dynamics and post-traumatic stress disorder, respectively.
A study finds that nonindigenous fish species, such as catfish and largemouth bass, are preying on juvenile salmonids, posing a significant threat to native populations. The research highlights the need for more funding and attention to invasive species impacts on salmon.
Research finds that whites react more negatively to strongly identified minority individuals than weakly identified ones. This study provides an alternative explanation for why some minorities report experiencing more prejudice.
Astrophysicists at Washington University in St. Louis will design and build Super-TIGER to measure the abundances of ultra-heavy galactic cosmic ray nuclei. The instrument aims to better understand the mechanism by which elements are accelerated in interstellar dust grains.
The American Geosciences Institute has released the second chapter of its 'Status of the Geoscience Workforce' report, focusing on geoscience education at four-year institutions. The report analyzes data on enrollments, degrees, field camps, and funding dynamics for students, faculty, and research in the geosciences.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working on a three-year project to improve the efficiency of thin film solar cells, with a goal of boosting efficiency to around 10%. The project aims to develop new silicon alloys and organic semiconductors for improved performance.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council has awarded £82m in grants to train Britain's future scientists and engineers, generating over 1200 PhD students. The grants aim to broaden the student experience with industry-related training, as part of EPSRC's broader commitment to excellence in postgraduate research.
The Women in Natural Sciences (WINS) program at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University has been awarded a $25,000 grant from Eileen Fisher to promote science education among low-income girls. The program has shown remarkable success rates, with 100% of advanced students graduating and 97% continuing to college.
Researchers from Northwestern Polytechnical University discovered novel microstructural transitions in the Al80.4Cu13.6Si6 ternary eutectic alloy upon substantial undercooling. The study highlights the importance of understanding rapid solidification mechanisms and microstructure formation for this widely used material.
Researchers discovered at least three new species of sea life, including a carnivorous sea squirt and a new species of barnacles. The team also collected over 10,000 fossilized coral samples, which will help study the impact of climate change on oceans.
Researchers found that extra copies of the LIS1 gene can cause problems, including smaller brains and developmental abnormalities. Studies in mice and human patients revealed a link between the duplicated gene and brain diseases such as schizophrenia and autism.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights the need for improved understanding of ecosystem interactions and long-term data collection. The authors warn that current approaches are limited by discipline-bound thinking and lack a full description of the complex biophysical and social systems.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that network structure influences behavior, with some networks generating global adoption of minority viewpoints and others prioritizing individual self-interest. Stubborn individuals can even improve collective performance, while greater awareness of neighboring preferences leads to ...
The institute will continue its world-class research into antimatter and dark matter, extra space-time dimensions, and the Higgs boson. The new funding will also enhance computer facilities, create permanent academic appointments, and support UK phenomenology community members.
Only about one-tenth of unemployed workers secure COBRA coverage, leaving millions at risk due to unaffordable premiums. Low-wage workers are disproportionately affected, with limited public coverage options, and policymakers should consider expanding Medicaid eligibility to provide critical support.
A new report by a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee faculty member recommends improving school facilities nationwide, totaling $254.6 billion in national need. The study aims to help policymakers create an economic stimulus plan that benefits communities and reduces property-tax burdens.
Physicists Jeff Lundeen and Aephraim Steinberg have resolved Hardy's paradox, a long-standing challenge in quantum mechanics. They used weak measurement to discuss past events without disturbing reality, resolving the apparent contradiction.
The study found that there is no single answer to integration models, as trends vary across domains and countries. For instance, French second-generation migrants are more likely to attend university but drop out, while German children of Turkish parents face educational disadvantages but have a fair chance at skilled jobs.
The DRD theory presents a guide for designing multi-valued computers by combining operation-basic-units (OBUs). This allows for the implementation of n-valued LUs with only realizing n×n×(n-1) OBUs. The theory also simplifies software algorithm design and reduces complexity, enabling the creation of new types of computers.
The University of Colorado at Boulder has been awarded a $6 million grant from NASA to build the Lunar Dust Experiment (LDEX), a high-tech lunar dust detector. The instrument will provide new information on lunar dust interactions with the moon's atmosphere and solar wind, as well as astronaut safety issues.
The University of Colorado at Boulder received two $11 million grants to study the lunar surface, atmosphere, and cosmos. The LUNAR team will conduct astronomical observations and investigate the early universe, while the CCLDAS project focuses on lunar dust and astronaut safety.
Women with bulimia nervosa exhibit greater impulsivity and differences in brain activity compared to healthy controls. Frontostriatal circuits, responsible for regulating behavior, are also impaired in individuals with bulimia nervosa.
Dr. Joshua Maurer's research aims to unravel the tricks of neuronal wiring using zebrafish. He seeks to replicate brain-like interactions on a glass surface, allowing real-time observation of neuron growth and guidance. This knowledge could lead to better nerve repair strategies in humans.
The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science has awarded grants to university investigators to conduct early studies in translational science. These studies may lead to improvements in human health if successful.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that the common ancestor of all life on earth, LUCA, was not a heat-loving organism as previously thought. Instead, it thrived in a cooler microclimate, resolving a paradox about the origins of life on Earth.