The EPSRC has awarded £18 million to three ICT projects at UCL Engineering, focusing on optical communication technologies, wireless technology, and adaptive software engineering. The projects aim to develop new generation of optical fibers, unlock more bandwidth, and improve software development efficiency.
Researchers at Indiana University detected unusual seismic signals associated with tornadoes that struck the Midwest last week. The experiment suggests a large atmospheric pressure transient related to thunderstorms may precede tornadoes.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new method of halftone gel lithography for photo-patterning polymer gel sheets, mimicking nature's ability to shape growth patterns. This technique allows for the creation of complex shapes and may aid advances in biomedicine, robotics and tunable micro-optics.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to test whether neurons communicate individually or as groups. The method filters signals to determine if neurons collaborate flexibly within milliseconds. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal dynamic cell assemblies involved in planning and controlling behavior.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have developed a new tool to image small-molecule metabolites in living cells, offering clues about how to treat disorders. The technology uses modified RNA called 'Spinach' to sense levels of target metabolites in real-time.
A study found that cultural 'tightness' can prevent the emergence of women leaders in some countries, but also supports equal opportunities for both sexes. Societies with loose cultures, such as New Zealand and Norway, showed a high rate of female leadership, while culturally tight countries like Pakistan had low rates.
A new pig model has been developed to study and potentially treat the debilitating eye disease retinitis pigmentosa. The miniature swine model expresses classic features of the disease and can be used to screen novel therapies for this devastating condition.
A study found that over 80% of radiation oncologists discuss fertility risks with patients of childbearing age, but many receive inadequate education. The role of radiation oncologists in communicating fertility preservation options is crucial for improving quality of life and care for young cancer patients.
The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment detects a strong signal of a new type of neutrino oscillation, measuring the mixing angle theta one-three with unmatched precision. The results indicate that sin2 θ13 is equal to 0.092 plus or minus 0.017.
Most Medicare beneficiaries with kidney failure (64%) participate in Part D coverage, with 72% receiving financial assistance. Those without assistance often opt for more expensive plans due to the need for intensive medication therapy.
Archaeologists have uncovered a slave burial ground on St Helena, containing the remains of around 5,000 enslaved people. Osteological analysis reveals that most victims were children or young adults, with scurvy and violence being common causes of death.
A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University has developed a novel technique called fine-grained power gating, which can eliminate wasted energy in computer processors. This method reduces power consumption by up to 40% and also minimizes heat production, resulting in significant cost savings.
A new JDRF-funded study identifies genes expressed in beta cells, suggesting a role in their own destruction leading to T1D. The research may help explain why the immune system specifically attacks beta cells, opening up new avenues for understanding and treating the disease.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed nanotube-based sensors that can perform lab tests in minutes, speeding diagnosis and treatment while reducing costs. The technology has almost tripled the speed of prototype nano-biosensors and holds potential for applications in medicine, toxicology, and environmental monitoring.
A large analysis of studies involving over 40,000 subjects found that women with chronic heart failure have a lower risk of death compared to men. The study also revealed that women are more likely to have preserved ejection fraction and less ventricular remodelling, which may contribute to their better survival rates.
Researchers at the Academy of Finland have developed a new, laser-based ultrasound technique to accurately assess osteoporosis. This method uses photo-acoustic methods to produce an ultrasound pulse that propagates along the bone, providing a more accurate measurement than current X-ray methods.
A team of researchers has discovered a molecule that prevents cell death when subjected to hyperosmolarity. The TRPM2∆C molecule is activated by binding to CD38 and may lead to new avenues for researching diseases such as HIV, cancer, and diabetes.
A new review article examines the psychological research on self-control and aggression, finding that depleting self-control can increase aggressive behavior, while strengthening it can reduce it. Practicing self-control through techniques like using the non-dominant hand or improving posture can also improve impulse control.
A new cross-cultural study found that people reported better mental quality of life as they age, despite a decrease in physical quality of life. The study also found that being overweight or obese did not have a significant impact on mental well-being levels, contradicting the 'jolly fat' hypothesis.
UCL Engineering has been awarded £18 million by the EPSRC to tackle major ICT challenges. The funding will support three projects: developing high-capacity optical communication systems, advancing wireless technology using terahertz frequency band, and creating a radical new software engineering technique.
A new study reveals that the TOC1 protein plays a crucial role in dampening gene activity in the evening, helping plants stay dormant at night. This discovery contradicts previous understanding of the gene's role and has implications for plant growth and adaptation to environmental changes.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a specialized transport protein required for plant-fungus symbiosis, enabling more efficient nutrient uptake and harvesting. This discovery could lead to improved crop yields and reduced parasite damage in low-nutrient soils.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases examined the causes of pneumonia among children in developing countries. The Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) Project enrolled over 6,000 children and aimed to understand the interplay between risk factors and infection by deadly viruses and bacteria.
A new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that maternal obesity may contribute to cognitive impairment in extremely premature babies. The study assessed 921 infants born before 28 weeks of gestation and found associations between maternal obesity, lack of high school education, and pre-term thrombosis with ...
A new study reveals that HIV incidence rate for US black women is five times higher than the overall estimated rate for black adolescent and adult women. The study found an HIV incidence of 0.24% among 2,099 women, comparable to rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that our brains use a simplistic strategy to filter out options when faced with complex decisions, leading to poor choices. The researchers also linked this 'pruning' decision-making bias to depressive symptoms, suggesting a possible connection between the two.
A team of researchers from Germany and the Netherlands has developed a novel material that enables the switching of spin currents at room temperature in a vertical magnetic field. This breakthrough increases storage density distinctly and has potential applications in future hard discs and non-volatile random access memory devices.
A recent study using advanced gene-sequencing technologies tracked viral evolution in HIV-infected patients. The research found that early mutations can evade the host's immune response, making it challenging to control the infection. This understanding may lead to the development of vaccines targeting specific regions of the virus.
Researchers at Georgia Tech identified key question types that facilitate human-robot learning, including feature queries, which were preferred by both human volunteers and robot learners. The study aims to improve the teaching of robots by understanding human learning mechanisms and developing more effective active learning strategies.
Researchers are developing models of different parts of the human body, which will ultimately build into a complete digital replica of a patient. This digital model will be tested with various treatments to predict their effectiveness.
Researchers highlight the need for better understanding of how water interacts with damaged fuel and radioactive material release in nuclear accidents. A new paper by Peter C. Burns and colleagues from the University of Notre Dame and others emphasizes the importance of increased research to develop predictive models.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, origami-inspired paper sensor that can test for diseases like malaria and HIV. The sensor is easy to produce, assemble, and use, making it suitable for point-of-care testing in resource-constrained areas.
The discovery of a previously unknown root extension in hair cells suggests the brain regulates sound sensitivity and head position. This finding challenges current understanding of how hair cells work, with the striated organelle connecting the rootlets to the cell membrane enabling feedback from the cell to the detectors.
SIV's natural hosts, non-human primates, display a unique immune response to the virus, characterized by low immune activation and efficient preservation of immune cells. This study suggests that understanding these adaptations could inform medical care for people living with HIV.
A study by Virginia Tech wildlife researcher Kathleen Alexander found that Botswana buffalo carry the brucellosis pathogen, which can be transmitted to humans through bush meat consumption. The disease can cause chronic fevers and joint pain in humans, and domestic livestock may need to be destroyed.
The NRL has developed a humanoid robot called the Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting Robot (SAFFiR) to fight fires on ships. The robot features enhanced multi-modal sensor technology, allowing it to navigate through narrow passages and interact with humans.
Scientists measure the probability of an electron antineutrino transforming into another type over a short distance, revealing a surprisingly high rate of disappearance. The results provide critical insight into neutrino oscillation and its role in explaining the universe's matter-antimatter asymmetry.
A collaborative study identified 5 novel genetic variation regions linked to Crohn's disease in Ashkenazi Jewish individuals, which have a two-to-four times higher prevalence compared to non-Jewish Europeans. These findings could lead to the discovery of new treatments for this debilitating disorder.
A recent study by Mount Sinai School of Medicine identified five novel genetic mutations associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease in Ashkenazi Jews. These findings provide new insights into the disease's causes and may lead to the development of novel treatment approaches.
A proposed new time-keeping system based on a neutron's orbit around an atomic nucleus could achieve unprecedented accuracy. This approach would allow scientists to test fundamental physical theories at higher precision and explore diverse applications.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that patients with lower socioeconomic status were 16% more likely to die from a heart attack. Despite equal access to advanced healthcare, socioeconomic factors still had a negative impact on health outcomes.
A randomized trial with 255 households showed a significant reduction in unlocked guns (35% to 35%) and ammunition (84% to 35%) after installing $80 locking metal gun cabinets. The study concluded that installing gun cabinets improves safe household firearm storage and could reduce gun-related injuries and deaths.
A team of scientists from the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science used video cameras to count Caribbean reef sharks inside and outside marine reserves on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The results show that the sharks were more abundant in the reserves, with a higher relative abundance compared to areas where fishing is allowed.
A study published by Johns Hopkins scientists found no substantial evidence that brain cancer blood vessels are composed mainly of cancer cells. The research contradicts previous claims about the composition and potential impact on treatment strategies for these types of tumors.
Astronomers have obtained a unique close-up look at the brightest gravitationally magnified galaxy yet discovered using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The image revealed regions of star formation glowing like bright points of light, which are much brighter than any star-formation region in our own galaxy.
Georgia Tech associate professor Hermann Fritz and his team are studying the impact of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami on the Sanriku coast using terrestrial laser scanners and eyewitness video. They have mapped the tsunami's height and flood zone, which could produce flooding forecasts to influence evacuation plans and building designs.
A recent study led by Carlos J. Melian found that speeding up evolution through sexual reproduction may actually decrease species diversity. The researchers developed new models to connect the mode of reproduction to biodiversity and found that high genetic variation and evolutionary rates have little effect on general biodiversity.
A study found that allowing the levee to break would have created more damage than constant water pressure. The city of Cairo occupied a small land area, and floodwaters rising to 61.72 feet posed significant threats to downstream levees.
Researchers at Binghamton University found that nanoparticles affect the absorption of nutrients like iron, causing disruptions to intestinal function. Chronic exposure leads to changes in intestinal villi size, increasing iron absorption rates.
Researchers studied viral campaigns and found that increased product involvement and social network consideration significantly predicted sharing intentions. People filter information, but personal involvement in the item being shared also contributes to higher likelihood of sharing.
Smithsonian researchers found fossil evidence of three to four species of seacows living together in different time periods, suggesting unique food sources and habitat structures. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of seacow habitats and raises questions about competition for resources.
Researchers have developed an ultrafast method to track structural changes in solid materials during phase transitions. This technique sheds new light on vanadium dioxide's fast transformation between transparent and reflective phases. The study provides valuable insights into designing high-speed optical switches using this material.
A team of researchers from Harvard and MIT suggests that massive asteroid collision is responsible for the Moon's magnetic anomalies. The anomaly is found around the rim of a 2,400-kilometer-diameter crater known as South Pole-Aitken.
Researchers at Rice University found that minority principals and administrative personnel play a key role in implementing policies to engage immigrant parents. Cultural brokers with connections to parents' racial or ethnic origin group also have a positive impact on school policies and practices.
Scientists discovered an effective way to eliminate a persistent form of HIV-1 through vaccination strategy. The research found that heightened immune response prior to virus reactivation facilitates the elimination of latent viral reservoir, paving the way for true eradication.
Scientists investigate stress hormones during pregnancy and their impact on brain aging and disease risk. Exposure to stress hormones, such as glucocorticoids, has been linked to increased stress sensitivity and early aging.
Effective regenerative therapies for heart disease hinge on collaboration between multiple specialties, including cardiovascular medicine and device technology. Recent advances in cardiac stem cell and regenerative biology are yielding potential new targets and treatment strategies.
A University of Alberta study found that individuals who live near areas with more traffic-related incidents are more likely to engage in sufficient levels of physical activity. The research also highlights the importance of increasing awareness about available facilities to encourage physical activity.
A team of MIT engineers has created a mathematical procedure that can optimize path planning for automated underwater vehicles (AUVs) even in regions with complex shorelines and strong shifting currents. The system can provide paths optimized for the shortest travel time, minimum energy use, or maximum data collection.
A recent study has successfully flushed latent HIV infection from hiding using a drug used to treat certain types of lymphoma. The results show that targeting the biological mechanism that keeps the HIV virus hidden can be effective in providing a cure.