Researchers found that earthworms create the surales landscapes by depositing casts and building towers of dry habitat, which eventually form mounds. The study suggests that these worms engineer the ecosystem, creating habitats used by plants and other earthworms.
UCLA biochemists have devised a method to convert sugar into various useful chemical compounds without using cells. The approach, called synthetic biochemistry, has shown promise in producing complex enzyme systems that can function well enough for industrial applications.
A Kansas State University engineer has developed a paperlike battery electrode made from glass-ceramic that improves the performance of tools for space exploration and unmanned aerial vehicles. The electrode has high cycling efficiency and can function at low temperatures, making it suitable for long-duration missions.
A Kansas State University engineer has received a $300,000 NSF Manufacturing Machines and Equipment grant to improve the manufacturing of ultra-thin precision parts for high-performance products. The new process will enable efficient machining of brittle materials without compromising part quality.
A new cloud software tool called EucaTool estimates eucalyptus production in Galicia. It allows users to calculate growth and future production by measuring four stand variables.
The CANYVAL-X mission demonstrates the technology for a virtual telescope by aligning two tiny satellites to create a single telescope. This feat is expected to benefit scientists studying the sun's corona and searching for planets beyond our solar system.
Scientists have developed a method to engineer custom biosensor proteins that can precisely sense specific molecules, expanding the variety of biosensor designs. The approach combines computational protein design, in vitro synthesis, and in vivo testing to identify tailored biosensors.
Assistant Professor Yuze Sun is developing an all-liquid optofluidic laser for cancer detection and other biosensing applications. The laser's adaptive nature achieves high-precision tuning, making it biocompatible and bioconfigurable.
Researchers will use insights from neural circuitry and learning methods to create more human-like computer vision and machine learning algorithms. The CMU-led team aims to unlock the brain's secret algorithms in learning and inference with a massive database of neural activity.
ICESat-2 will employ a novel technique to determine ice sheet topography and sea ice thickness, leveraging a 3D-printed PEKK bracket that offers electrostatic dissipation and minimal outgassing. The satellite's Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) will utilize photon counting for precise surface elevation measurements.
A team of scientists used a robotic vehicle to track and image white sharks in the ocean, providing critical data for conservation efforts. The research revealed that great whites hunt seals from below, using the clear waters off Guadalupe Island to ambush their prey.
Researchers at Boston University aim to advance synthetic biology by creating a toolbox of carefully measured and catalogued biological parts. The project will use computing engineering principles to develop an open-source repository of biological pieces that can be used to engineer organisms with predictable results.
A Drexel University biomedical engineer is exploring the potential of macrophages to grow blood vessels and promote wound healing through a natural process. The goal is to develop a drug delivery strategy that controls macrophage behavior and encourages vascularization by the body's own cells.
Aryeh Warmflash, a Rice University professor, has received a prestigious NSF CAREER Award to investigate the mechanisms of embryonic cell differentiation. He aims to develop theoretical models to predict patterns of cell development and engineer embryonic-like systems.
University of Texas at Arlington engineer Jeff Lei has received a $375,000 grant to develop combinatorial testing techniques for big data software. This will enable developers to efficiently test large datasets, reducing the likelihood of bugs and improving software reliability.
A University of Texas at Arlington engineer is co-leading a team to develop tools that can convert temperature changes into electrical energy. The goal is to create energy-harvesting microdevices for sensing systems and other applications, which could have a widespread impact on meeting the global energy challenge.
Researchers have gained a deeper understanding of the biosynthesis process, enabling them to manipulate nature's machinery to produce more effective compounds. This knowledge will help scientists engineer enzymes to create new treatments for diseases.
The University of Missouri engineer Yangchuan Xing has received a $2.2 million DOE grant to develop manufacturing technology for lithium ion batteries used in electric vehicles. The project aims to drive down the cost of environmentally friendly automobiles, creating jobs and economic development in Missouri.
Researchers have detected how nature produces key chemicals similar to those in drugs that fight malaria, bacterial infections and cancer. The discovery sheds light on a complicated chemical process in nature that synthetic biologists can now borrow to engineer a whole new class of synthetic medicines.
A new method of predicting the path of weaponized chemical agents has been developed by UTSA associate professor Kiran Bhaganagar, with a focus on tracking environmental conditions that affect the direction and movement of released chemical agents. The project aims to enable faster evacuation and response to chemical terrorist attacks.
A University of Texas at Arlington engineer has developed a way to program robots using observation and feedback. Robots will learn the function of a task, rather than just replicating motions, allowing them to achieve the same outcome without human intervention.
Foreign chemical and pharmaceutical companies face challenges in China due to economic downturn, overcapacity, and tightening regulations. Despite uncertainty, company heads remain confident in their long-term success in the country, which represents 50% of the Asian chemical market.
Rice University scientists have created a multicellular bacterial circuit that allows bacteria to cooperate and control protein expression. This breakthrough enables the development of biological computers that can be programmed through diet, with potential applications in treating diseases and manipulating the gut microbiome.
A handheld device called MouthLab tracks vital signs such as blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate by analyzing data from a mouthpiece and thumb pad sensor. The device has shown promising results in studies, with its measurements matching those taken with standard hospital monitors.
Researchers aim to create temperature-activated proteins that can be controlled by temperature to better understand brain disorders. They plan to identify and engineer proteins with different temperature properties.
A team of scientists at Scripps Research Institute has devised an improved method to engineer therapeutic proteins into antibodies, which can persist long enough to be useful. The technique mimics evolution and harnesses the power of large numbers to select rare junction segments that allow inserted proteins to fold and function normally.
Researchers at Stanford University have genetically engineered yeast to produce hydrocodone and other opioid painkillers, enabling a faster and potentially less expensive way to produce plant-based medicines. The breakthrough could lower costs and increase access to pain medications for 5.5 billion people worldwide.
Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth aim to develop wireless implants that can help patients regain communication skills after speech impairments. The three-year project will analyze data from intracranial recordings in patients with epilepsy, with the ultimate goal of creating a prosthetic system to reconstruct speech.
A team led by Stanford electrical engineer Krishna Shenoy has developed a technique to make brain-controlled prostheses more precise, enabling people with spinal cord injuries to tap out commands with greater accuracy. The new approach continuously corrects brain readings to give users a more natural way to interact with devices.
Researchers at MIT successfully engineered Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to express genes on demand, allowing for precise control over its functions in the mouse gut microbiome. This breakthrough has significant implications for tackling health-related problems and may lead to the development of new therapeutic applications.
The American Chemical Society is featuring 'The Talented 12' - a group of young researchers using chemistry to address global issues like climate change and disease. These innovators are developing more environmentally friendly methods for synthesizing molecules and investigating biochemical underpinnings of diseases.
Scientists have developed a new technique to genetically engineer cells by inserting large DNA sequences at specific genomic sites. This method may be useful for producing high levels of proteins in mammalian cells.
Researchers discover smaller nanoparticles of magnesium hydride have better mechanical properties, including plastic stability and homogeneous dislocation activity. This suggests a path forward for making better hydrogen storage tanks by engineering them to take advantage of these properties.
NASA has developed a new technology to protect the James Webb Space Telescope from contamination, using Molecular Adsorber Coating (MAC) panels. The MAC panels capture outgassed molecular contaminants in the vacuum chamber, preventing them from affecting sensitive instrument components.
Engineers have created a prototype for real-time listeria bacterial contamination detection, aiming to detect levels as low as one bacteria in a 25-gram sample. The device utilizes nanobrushes that select and capture specific bacteria, mimicking the mechanism used by the Hawaiian bobtail squid's cilia.
Rice University researchers have developed a new method to create valuable graphene nanoribbons by grinding carbon nanotubes, eliminating the need for harsh chemical solutions. This solid-state process enables strong chemical coupling between nanostructures and produces novel forms of nanostructured products with specific properties.
A Binghamton University engineer has developed an origami battery made from paper that generates power from microbial respiration. The battery is cheap and biodegradable, and can be used to run a biosensor in remote areas with limited resources.
A team of researchers has successfully engineered E. coli to produce dozens of new forms of the antibiotic erythromycin, including three that show promise in fighting drug-resistant bacteria. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new antibiotics to combat rising antibiotic resistance.
Scientists develop a method to create replacement intestine tissue in the lab using a patient's own cells, which can help treat infants with short bowel and adults with large pieces of gut removed due to cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. The new technique also shows promise for engineering anal sphincters to treat fecal incontinence.
The EU-funded MycoSynVac project combines gene engineering and biotechnology to design a novel veterinary vaccine chassis based on Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This chassis will be used to create specific vaccines against two highly detrimental pathogens, as well as for cell therapy and infectious lung disease treatment.
MIT engineers have developed an autonomous mission-planning system that enables underwater robots to plan their own missions, execute, adapt, and re-plan them alone without human support. The system allows robots to make high-level decisions, prioritize tasks, and avoid collisions, freeing engineers to focus on overall strategy.
Weidong Zhou, a UT Arlington electrical engineering professor, has received a $600,000 grant to develop low-cost, compact ultraviolet lasers for detecting chemical and biological agents. The goal is to create more efficient lasers that can be used in portable detection systems, reducing size, weight, and power consumption.
Research highlights the need for collaboration between the chemical industry and DHS to ensure US chemical facilities' safety and security. The team suggests that communities should develop preparedness plans in anticipation of possible chemical disasters.
UT Arlington engineer Sungyong Jung is developing an efficient, low-power integrated circuit for directional hearing aids, mimicking the auditory system of a parasitic fly. The goal is to provide better, more defined hearing with improved sound quality and miniaturization.
The Explosive Destruction System (EDS) has begun destroying chemical munitions at the US Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, preparing for a larger operation to destroy 780,000 munitions containing 2,600 tons of mustard agent. The new system is designed to process stockpile munitions more efficiently than previous versions.
The European technical report presents aquatic effect-based monitoring tools to address chemical pollution in surface waters, including bioassays and biomarkers for detecting toxic effects. These tools support the Water Framework Directive's goal of achieving a 'good status' for all Europe's surface waters by 2015.
Researchers found that actin fibers run throughout the cell, forming a network of 'roadways' for material transport. The study's findings could help engineer better cotton fibers, improve plant defense against insects, and alter plant architecture.
A Kansas State University chemical engineer has developed a patented process to build better semiconductors, minimizing defects that can degrade device efficiency. The research uses off-axis silicon carbide substrates, which have been shown to have fewer defects than standard substrates.
Researchers from Ohio State University and the University of Georgia collaborate to visualize cellular processes at a nanometer scale. The QSTORM project aims to enhance microscopy resolution for sub-cellular imaging, enabling scientists to make molecular movies of muscle contraction.
Pablo Tarazaga, a Virginia Tech engineer, has developed a novel approach to manipulate wave propagation in solid materials, enabling the creation of smart structures with diverse capabilities. His work holds promise for improving aircraft aerodynamics performance and creating controlled fluid-structure interactions.
Researchers at Caltech develop antibody-based molecules that bind to and neutralize HIV more effectively than natural antibodies, offering a potential approach to engineer more effective HIV-fighting drugs. The breakthrough uses DNA as a molecular ruler to design novel molecules.
A NASA engineer is developing a low-cost, off-the-shelf solution to track stars during the day, enabling science operations through the day. The precision attitude sensor uses near-infrared wavelength bands and cameras with filtering capabilities to process data in real-time.
Gurpreet Singh receives $500,000 NSF CAREER award to study large-scale production of ultrathin nanosheets, which could lead to improved rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. The award also supports educational activities, including summer workshops for high school science teachers and female students.
Researchers have found that green walls are suitable for absorbing environmental noise and acting as acoustic insulation, improving life quality and reducing pollution. The study also shows that green walls can be effective in high and low frequencies, making them a potential solution for acoustic insulation.
A team of researchers from Northwestern University has developed a tri-component synthetic graft to replace torn ACLs, utilizing nanotechnology and biomaterials. The artificial ligament's bone-like ends have healed into native bone, anchoring it in place.
Richard DeBlasio, Sarah Kurtz and Suhuai Wei have been named as new NREL Research Fellows to advise on the strategic direction of science and technology research at the laboratory. They bring extensive expertise in renewable energy, photovoltaics and computational materials science.
The VuePod allows users to explore 3D environments created from point data, including images captured by LIDAR and drones. This enables engineers to detect changes in natural landscapes and monitor infrastructure more effectively.
Scientists suggest using natural vibrations in one material to boost superconductivity in another, opening a new chapter in the quest for room temperature superconductors. The study reveals that iron selenide superconductor operates at much higher temperatures when placed atop STO material.
A study in the Journal of Marketing found that chemical farmers resist converting to organic methods because it challenges their belief systems. Organic farmers, on the other hand, report a sense of joy and renewal through their practice.
Harvard Stem Cell Institute scientists have developed a way to use stem cells in the fight against brain cancer. They genetically engineered stem cells to produce and secrete tumor-killing toxins, which were shown to kill cancer cells in mouse brains. This method solves the delivery issue that led to previous clinical trial failures.