Scientists from Zhejiang University and Southeast University in China proposed a novel silicon-graphene hybrid plasmonic waveguide, achieving high-performance photodetectors beyond 1.55 μm. The graphene absorption efficiencies are as high as 54.3% and 68.6%, with measured responsivities of 30-70 mA/W at 2 μm and 0.4 A/W at 1.55 μm.
A new class of proteins, dubbed 'Hero', has been discovered that protects vulnerable proteins from aggregation and denaturation under extreme heat and other stresses. These flexible proteins may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Huntington's disease by preserving molecular order.
Researchers used ensemble simulations to quantify uncertainty caused by internal variability in SASM rainfall projections. They found a linkage between the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) phase and the spread in projected SASM rainfall, identifying IPO as a leading internal mode influencing near-term projection.
A novel technology using salt crystals allows easy observation of carbon nanotubes under room temperature, revealing their shape and position changes. The coating also enables the amplification of optical signals up to hundreds of times, facilitating the detection of molecules on the surface of CNTs.
A study by Washington State University researchers reveals that over 90% of US tap water contains nanoscale plastics, with unknown health and environmental consequences. The team is now working on techniques to remove these plastics from water.
Drexel University researchers have discovered a water-free method to produce MXenes, altering their chemical structure to improve battery and solar cell performance. This breakthrough enables the use of MXene materials in applications where water is a contaminant or hampers performance.
Researchers discovered that competing against an idealised avatar negatively impacts physical performance, whereas a realistic avatar increases motivation and improves outcomes. The study suggests that exergame designers should use realistic avatar customisation to enhance player experience and performance.
Dr. Catherine Daus recognized for her dedication to teaching and research in emotions in the workplace. She has made significant impacts through her consulting work on emotional intelligence and stress in organizational settings.
Dr. Mariangela Battista, a prominent figure in industrial-organizational psychology, has been recognized by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) as a Fellow. Her work has substantially impacted business leaders and educated hundreds of thousands globally on effective talent practice.
Researchers from University of Konstanz discover that a molecular chaperone helps form Alzheimer fibrils by exposing a vulnerable area on the protein tau, preventing longer, more toxic fibril formation. The findings suggest a possible defense mechanism against Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at NCBS discovered that dopamine released by nerve cells activates faster motor neurons, allowing zebrafish to swim faster. This finding suggests motor neuron plasticity can be exploited for rehabilitation after spinal cord injury or stroke.
Researchers at UC Davis found a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases to produce the same quantity and quality of milk between 1964 and 2014. The study also revealed significant reductions in water use and land requirements, saving an amount of land equal to the size of Connecticut.
A new study found that racial and ethnic minority women are more likely to experience gaps in insurance coverage during pregnancy, leading to increased risks of maternal morbidity and mortality. The study suggests that extending Medicaid coverage to one year after birth could reduce disparities in postpartum health.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that statins can kill cancer cells by blocking the creation of a molecule necessary for their survival. The study suggests that statins may be valuable in combating certain types of cancer and could lead to new treatment options.
Researchers analyzed published scientific data on SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses to identify potential therapeutic agents and vaccines. More than 500 patents have been issued for COVID-19 treatments, including antibodies and nucleic acids.
The 911$ Rescue Drone, a flying stretcher designed by UNIST's design team, has won the iF Design Award 2020 for its innovative features. It includes an emergency stretcher bed, compact propellers, and follow-me feature, making it an efficient tool in responding to golden hour emergencies.
Researchers propose using preserved museum fish specimens to calculate length-weight relationships, aiding in estimating biomass and studying hard-to-reach species. This method improves data accuracy by leveraging existing specimen information.
Researchers at Bielefeld University are developing ultra-thin carbon nanomembranes that can filter out impurities from water, producing ultrapure water and beverage concentrates. The technology aims to reduce energy consumption and preserve flavors in food production and pharmaceutical applications.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to create new shapes of biocompatible microparticles by applying heat and light to proteins. These particles can be tailored for various applications such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and tissue engineering.
Researchers successfully harnessed an evolutionarily conserved mechanism to promote tissue repair and suppress inflammation in aged tissues. This approach improved the success of stem cell-based therapies for retinal disease, restoring vision in old, blind mice.
Scientists have identified several genes that may be involved in the development of diabetic kidney disease. By analysing Finnish samples with diabetes, researchers found connections between specific proteins and the condition. The study's findings suggest new potential targets for treating diabetic kidney disease.
The Protein Society announced its 2020 award recipients, recognizing leaders and innovators in protein science. Professor Karen Fleming received the Carl Brändén Award for her pioneering work on membrane protein folding, while Professor Stephen Sligar was honored with the Christian B. Anfinsen Award for his development of nanodiscs.
A team of scientists at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology develops a novel optical technique to label single hemogenic endothelium cells in zebrafish embryos and track their descendants. The technology uses infrared laser-evoked gene operator (IRLEGO) to achieve precise single-cell labeling, overcoming previous limitations.
A recent analysis found that low-dose aspirin significantly reduces the risk of liver cancer and mortality from liver disease in high-risk adults. Over an 8-year follow-up, 4.0% of patients who took low-dose aspirin developed liver cancer, compared to 8.3% of nonusers.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown signaling pathway that protects chloroplasts from damage caused by intense sunlight. This pathway, involving the protein SAFE1, suppresses light-induced programmed cell death and promotes stress tolerance in plants.
A comprehensive map of the proteome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana has been created, detailing the presence, location, and quantity of approximately 18,000 proteins in the plant. This study provides new insights into plant biology and offers potential avenues for improving crop yields and disease resistance.
A study found that at-risk drinking rates are highest in East Germany, followed by South Germany, while unhealthy nutrition is most prevalent in West Germany. Physical activity levels do not differ between regions, with women more likely to report lower physical activity than men.
A study by HSE researchers reveals that alcohol-related mortality hot spots exist in regions such as north-western Russia, Belarus, south-eastern Lithuania, and eastern Poland. The study also found that standardized mortality ratios across the four countries indicate a mosaic of homogeneous and heterogeneous regions.
Researchers at RIKEN found that mechanical forces sculpt the embryo, creating a precise fold despite genetic variation and environmental fluctuations. This discovery highlights the importance of mechanical self-organization in ensuring developmental consistency.
A study by University of Melbourne researchers found that increased tilt angle of the Earth's axis triggers warmer summers, melting Northern Hemisphere ice sheets and ending ice ages. The team used stalagmites and ocean sediment records to determine the age of two terminations around 960,000 years ago.
A study confirms racial disparities in treatment outcomes for pediatric brain cancer patients, with Black and Hispanic patients facing poorer prognoses after diagnosis and treatment, regardless of stage at diagnosis.
Ning Li has been recognized with the Distinguished Early Career Contributions-Science Award for his significant contributions to I-O psychology within seven years of receiving his PhD. His work on individual differences and team dynamics has garnered over 2,700 citations and an h-index of 19.
A Dartmouth research team analyzed the Minister's gait in Monty Python's 'The Ministry of Silly Walks.' The study found that his walk was 6.7 times more variable than normal, sparking a comparison to peer review inefficiencies in academic research. Researchers propose streamlining grant applications and awarding grants more quickly to ...
A study by the Dynamical Systems Biology lab reveals that bacteria can make each other more tolerant to antibiotics when coexisting. The response of bacteria to antibiotics depends on other species they live with, suggesting new strategies to combat bacterial infections.
A Rutgers University study predicts that heat stress from extreme heat and humidity will affect areas home to 1.2 billion people annually by 2100, with four times more people affected than today. The research highlights the dangers of combined extremes of heat and humidity on human health, agriculture, and the economy.
Scientists tracked lithium ion movement in LTO nanoparticles, discovering 'intermediates' that enable rapid transport. Real-time tracking revealed distorted atomic arrangements providing an 'express lane' for lithium ions.
Participants who reduced their Facebook usage experienced fewer depressive symptoms, were more active physically, and showed increased life satisfaction. Reducing social media time may help prevent addictive behavior and support a healthier lifestyle.
The study found that land type significantly influences the interaction of vigilance and scent marking behavior in banded mongooses. In environments with high predator presence, such as national parks, mongoose exhibited reduced scent marking behaviors, while in areas with low predator risk, like tourism lodges, these behaviors increased.
University of Iowa scientists have identified a specific area of the brain involved in seizure-induced loss of breathing, which could help predict and prevent sudden unexpected death due to epilepsy. The Amygdala Inhibition of Respiration (AIR) site was found to be critical in children with epilepsy.
A new study by MIT economists finds that doctors who have immunity from liability lawsuits perform slightly more C-section operations compared to those who are legally liable, about 4% more over a 10-year period. This challenges the common perception that defensive medicine leads to less treatment of patients.
A Brazilian study found that consuming contaminated water with saxitoxin worsens Zika neurotoxicity, tripling cell mortality and causing microcephaly-like malformations. This research highlights the public health problem of low water quality in the Northeast region, exacerbating the effects of arbovirus diseases.
Researchers at the University of Basel developed a non-invasive technique to study individual molecules precisely. The new force spectroscopy method detects molecular vibrations without perturbing its quantum state.
At 8 months, babies demonstrate a grasp of grammatical concepts in French, recognizing function words such as articles and prepositions. They exhibit limited interest in new functors, suggesting an innate understanding of their mother tongue's linguistic structure.
The AgriSens research network is developing digital tools to assist farmers in crop production, including planning irrigation and making harvest forecasts. The project aims to create low-threshold services for farmers to utilize remote sensing data and satellite information.
A drug delivery candidate technology has been approved by the FDA for human clinical trials to treat T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The technology, developed with an NFCR grant, addresses the challenge of delivering a cancer-mitigating compound, fenretinide, in adequate doses to tumor cells.
Researchers have developed a novel technology to maximize the performance of colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells. The new hybrid tandem photovoltaic devices feature CQDs and organic bulk heterojunction photoactive materials, improving photon harvesting and achieving high power conversion efficiency.
The project aims to demonstrate that intelligent control of a small number of connected and automated vehicles can improve the energy efficiency of all vehicles in the flow by reducing congestion effects.
Dr. Juliet R. Aiken has made significant contributions to the practice of industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology within ten years of receiving her PhD. She drives diversity and inclusion improvement through community, research, practice, and education.
A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that individuals with anorexia nervosa have altered brain circuitry that impairs the motivation to eat, leading to severe weight loss. The research suggests a powerful biology contributes to restricted eating behavior and offers new potential treatments.
Researchers identified 15 potent tumor suppressor genes that, when mutated, triggered rapid growth of HNSCC in mice. These genes include ADAM10 and AJUBA, which are also mutated in human HNSCC. The study reveals the identity of rare driver mutations in tumor-suppressing genes using a mouse-based CRISPR screen.
Cancer cells can form large-scale structures in the laboratory, similar to those seen in vivo, allowing researchers to gain insight into the forces behind this phenomenon. The study suggests that understanding these interactions may hold potential for combating cancer.
The new flat lens design allows for a depth of focus several orders of magnitude larger than that of an equivalent conventional lens, enabling simultaneous focus on objects at varying distances. This breakthrough has significant implications for camera applications, including smartphones, biomedical imaging, and automobile cameras.
Nikhil Gupta received the prestigious Brimacombe Medalist Award from the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society for his innovations in lightweight porous materials. His work has led to eco-friendly materials with applications in marine, automotive, and aerospace industries.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência found that certain bacteria can mutate 1000-fold higher than normal, leading to bursts of diversity in the gut microbiota. A beneficial mutation was identified that increases the ability of the bacteria to eat a specific sugar.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur found that immune cells can attack cancer cells remotely through soluble molecules like interferon-gamma. This discovery supports a key target for future immunotherapy approaches and may enable T lymphocytes to act on a large number of cancer cells.
NASA's Terra satellite provided a visible image of Ex-Tropical Cyclone 21S, which is still affecting Western Australia's Pilbara Coast with heavy rainfall and squally winds. The system is expected to bring severe weather events, including damaging wind gusts and flash flooding.
Researchers found that Aspergillus molds attack the lung's epithelial cells, causing a leaky barrier and triggering an overreaction to future mold exposure. The TRPV4-calcium pathway plays a key role in this response, suggesting new avenues for preventing asthma.
A new review of international research on food taxes highlights the strong evidence showing such taxes work in reducing sugary drinks consumption. A 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages could raise NZ$40 million annually, which could be recycled back into the community to fund healthy initiatives.
A signaling pathway that helps prevent protein aggregates in brain cells is also required for sleep in fruit flies and zebrafish, suggesting its presence in humans. The study found that suppressing this mechanism led to reduced sleep duration, while overproducing it caused increased sleepiness.
A newly discovered blood marker has been linked to a patient's subsequent risk of kidney transplant failure in a study of 284 kidney transplant recipients. The composition of immune cells called CD8+ memory T cells 1 year after kidney transplantation was found to be a critical factor in predicting organ rejection.