EurekAlert! National Science Foundation - NSF Funded Research News

NSF Funded Research News

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 7-May-2025 09:09 ET (7-May-2025 13:09 GMT/UTC)

17-Dec-2024

Peptide-guided nanoparticles deliver mRNA to neurons

University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Penn Engineers have modified lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) — the revolutionary technology behind the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines — to not only cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) but also to target specific types of cells, including neurons. This breakthrough marks a significant step toward potential next-generation treatments for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Journal: Nano Letters
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, U.S. National Science Foundation, American Cancer Society

17-Dec-2024

Prehistoric rock in Japan reveals clues to major ocean anoxic event

Northwestern University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers analyzed radioisotopes in layers of fossilized volcanic ash. Decay of uranium to lead within tiny crystals enabled scientists to precisely pinpoint dates for certain events. They determined this event occurred 119.5 million years ago — coincident with evidence for massive volcanic eruptions — and lasted for 1.1 million years. Study results help scientists better understand links between atmospheric CO₂ levels, climate changes and conditions in the oceans.

Journal: Science Advances
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation, Natural Environment Research Council, Japan Science Foundation

17-Dec-2024

Placenta assessment tool aims to improve neonatal, maternal care

Penn State
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A multi-national, multi-institutional team led by Penn State researchers developed a new tool that enables doctors to examine placentas right at the bedside using just a phone. The tool harnesses computer vision and artificial intelligence to make placenta examination more accessible for low-resource and more-advanced health care institutions alike.

Journal: Patterns
Funder: NIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering, U.S. National Science Foundation

16-Dec-2024

Across southeastern US, weedy rice steals herbicide resistance from crop rice

Washington University in St. Louis
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study from Washington University in St. Louis shows that more than half of the weedy rice sampled in the rice-growing region of the southeastern U.S. has become herbicide resistant.

Journal: Molecular Ecology
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation

16-Dec-2024

Detailed bedbug genome analysis may improve pesticides

University of Texas at Arlington
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Thanks to a new University of Texas at Arlington study published in the Journal of Heredity, scientists now have a better genetic understanding of the insect. The research offers an updated genome analysis of the common bedbug Cimex lectularius, providing new insight for those working to prevent bedbug infestation, develop remediation strategies and track pesticide resistance.

Journal: Journal of Heredity
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. National Science Foundation, University of Tulsa, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Joseph R. and Mary W. Wilson Urban Entomology Endowment

16-Dec-2024

Scientists can now predict how climate change will alter plant growth cycles

Florida Museum of Natural History
Peer-Reviewed Publication

On February 2, 1887, residents of Punxsutawney Pennsylvania consulted a large rodent regarding the arrival of spring, marking the first official celebration of Groundhog Day. Our ability to predict the timing of seasons hasn’t improved much since then, but a new study is set to make seasonal forecasting a lot more reliable.

Journal: Communications Earth & Environment
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

13-Dec-2024

Stretchable, flexible, recyclable. This plastic is fantastic

Princeton University, Engineering School
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Engineers can design the print path used by the 3D printer to program the plastic’s physical properties so that a device can stretch and flex repeatedly in one direction while remaining rigid in another. Lead researcher Emily Davidson said this approach to engineering soft architected materials could have many uses, such as soft robots, medical devices and prosthetics, strong lightweight helmets, and custom high-performance shoe soles.

Journal: Advanced Functional Materials
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation

13-Dec-2024

Physics student statewide wins award before graduation

University of Texas at Arlington
Reports and Proceedings

An undergraduate student in physics at The University of Texas at Arlington earned a top award from the Texas Section of the American Physical Society (APS) for his research using positrons—the antiparticle of the electron—to study the electronic properties of graphene. Notable for being extraordinarily thin and strong, graphene is being researched for a wide range of applications, from solar cells and battery storage to cancer treatments and bone growth.

Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation, Welch Foundation

12-Dec-2024

Changemaker K-12: Empowering teachers and students to be innovators

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Grant and Award Announcement

A program designed to prepare future teachers and K-12 students for a lifetime of innovation recently received a $572,890 boost from the National Science Foundation. The ChangeMaker K-12 program, designed by faculty from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development, received a second round of grant funding to expand the teacher prep program to other universities. The new partners are the University of Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana Tech University and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The program focuses on equipping rising educators with skills to teach engineering and human-centered design to K-12 students.

Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation

12-Dec-2024

Study sheds light on the origin of the genetic code

University of Arizona
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Nearly all living organisms use the same genetic code, a complicated mechanism by which genetic information is translated into proteins, the building blocks of life. A new study suggests conventional wisdom about how the code evolved is likely flawed.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Funder: NASA Headquarters, John Templeton Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, U.S. National Science Foundation, Arizona NASA Space Grant Consortium, NIH/National Institutes of Health