Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are studying the mechanics of morphogenesis in frog embryos to better understand human development, birth defects, and cancer. By applying structural analysis principles, they aim to develop a tool that provides bioengineers with greater control over tissue self-assembly.
Researchers have developed a new, simplified technique to produce homogeneous human brain cells in the lab, accelerating drug screening and disease study. This breakthrough allows for cost-effective production of large quantities of brain cells within weeks, enabling wider adoption in basic science and industry.
A nanotechnology-enhanced biochip developed by NJIT engineer Eon Soo Lee can detect deadly diseases such as ovarian cancer and pneumonia early in their progression. The device, which analyzes a tiny amount of blood within two minutes, has the potential to improve treatment outcomes significantly.
Seongjin Noh, a UTA civil engineer, has received a two-year grant to improve the quality of forecasts based on the National Water Model. He will use data assimilation to create a streamflow data assimilator that can predict floods and droughts more accurately.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals that extracellular vesicles (EVs) can carry receptors for intercellular communication, allowing signaling without direct cell-to-cell contact. This capability makes EVs uniquely suited to be engineered to send therapeutics directly to affected areas.
UTA engineer Andrew Makeev will lead a project to develop more accurate methods for predicting the remaining useful life of composite airframe structures. The goal is to improve sustainability and maintenance in the aviation industry by identifying when components might fail.
Sandia researchers focus on decontamination foam development and sampling methods to determine contamination extent. The Underground Transport Restoration project explores subway system cleaning protocols and testing new decontamination methods in a mock system.
Indiana University scientists have developed a new method to predict the effectiveness of molecules that extract toxic elements from the environment. The discovery could significantly reduce the volume of nuclear waste, as well as improve water purification and soil remediation techniques.
Washington University engineer Jr-Shin Li has developed a mathematical formula to design broadband pulse sequences, leading to enhanced signal sensitivity in various quantum experiments. The formula, published in Nature Communications, is the first to use analytical methods, resolving challenges associated with numerical optimization.
Researchers create model to test existing theories on electron transport mechanism in nanomaterials, laying groundwork for AI-powered machine learning devices. They also explore neural networks inspired by the human brain and nervous system.
A University of Texas at Arlington civil engineer will model large-diameter water transmission pipes' behavior in different types of soils to establish modeling standards. The research aims to improve the reliability and economics of large diameter pipelines, ensuring a long-lasting and sustainable way of building drinking water infras...
Engineered skin grafts from stem cells can regulate blood glucose levels and reverse insulin resistance in diabetic mice. The approach, using CRISPR gene editing, has shown promise for potential long-term treatment of human patients with diabetes.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have received a four-year DARPA award to develop insect-vectored viruses for disease-resistant maize. The project, titled Viruses and Insects as Plant Enhancement Resources (VIPER), aims to engineer genes into maize that can help combat disease, drought, and other yield-reducing stresses.
Researchers at Penn have developed a new approach to targeting cancer cells using engineered macrophages, which distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells. The treatment shows promise in regressing human tumors without toxicity.
Researchers have developed a way to engineer liver tissue by organizing tiny subunits that contain three types of cells embedded into a biodegradable scaffold. The engineered livers expanded 50-fold after implantation in mice with damaged livers and performed normal liver functions.
A new study describes a method to save lives in chemical attacks by predicting the trajectory of released chemical plumes. The research team developed an early warning prediction system using a weather forecasting model and local sensor data, which was able to accurately predict the spread of gas in a recent Syrian attack.
Researchers developed a genetic engineering approach to produce anthocyanin-rich purple endosperm in rice, offering potential health benefits against cancers and cardiovascular disease. The resulting purple rice holds promise as a biofortified food source.
Researchers at OHSU developed a process to engineer new blood vessels in teeth, creating better long-term outcomes for patients. This innovation eliminates the need for synthetic biomaterials and restores biological response, potentially leading to improved tooth survival rates.
Engineer Dr. Joseph S. Friedman designs a novel computing system made solely from carbon that might replace silicon transistors in electronics. The resulting all-carbon spin logic proposal enables cascaded logic gates with increased performance and potential terahertz clock speeds.
The US Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board has investigated over 130 accidents since its creation in 1998. The board's work has positively influenced industrial safety in the US and globally, producing over 90 accident reports and 40 safety videos with a budget of $12 million per year.
New research reveals the mechanism behind perovskite solar cell breakdown in air, which causes significant degradation and reduces their efficiency. By understanding this process at an atomic scale, scientists have proposed possible solutions to engineer defects out of the material.
A team of researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute has successfully engineered human induced pluripotent stem cells into mature podocytes with over 90% efficiency, paving the way for modeling patient-specific kidney diseases and guiding therapeutic discovery. The development of a functional human kidney glomerulus chip opens up new expe...
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a spatially adaptive broadcast system that enables broadcasters to adapt their geographical coverage in real-time, reducing energy consumption by up to 35%. This technology has the potential to improve the energy efficiency of wireless and broadcast networks.
A Caltech engineer explains how comets produce oxygen gas, a rare finding in space, through dynamic molecular oxygen production. The discovery challenges previous theories and has implications for searching for life on exoplanets.
Researchers at Imperial College London have successfully engineered baker's yeast to produce penicillin molecules, demonstrating the effectiveness of synthetic biology in discovering new antibiotics. The study could lead to the development of novel antibiotics and anti-inflammatories using re-engineered yeast cells.
A UH-led team is developing engineered T cells that can survive within a tumor despite limited nutrients. This innovative approach aims to increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy for cancer patients.
Scores of undocumented immigrant youth pursuing careers in chemical sciences and related fields face uncertainty due to potential repeal of the DACA policy. Currently, only marrying a U.S. citizen can legalize their status, with limited avenues for education and employment.
Professor Federico Rosei, Director of INRS Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, receives the 2017 IEEE Canada Outstanding Engineer Award. He is recognized for his important contributions to Canadian electrical and electronics engineering.
Researchers at Rice University engineered bacteria capable of sensing colitis in mice, detecting elevated thiosulfate levels and finding a potential biomarker for human colitis. The breakthrough could lead to orally ingestible bacteria for monitoring gut health and disease.
A UTA engineer has been awarded a grant to develop materials that can be used in 3-D printing to create unique new blood vessels for children with vascular defects. The goal is to overcome the challenges of current tissue-engineered blood vessels, which are fragile and cannot withstand blood pressure.
A new study by Boston University engineer Wilson Wong outlines a simplified platform to target and program mammalian cells as genetic circuits, enabling researchers to make complex computations. The BLADE platform uses DNA recombinases to allow for more targeted manipulation of cells and their behavior.
A KSU engineer has patented a waterlike polymer that transforms into a ceramic at high temperatures, offering valuable thermal, optical and electronic properties. The liquid polymer can be mass-produced and used to create lightweight ceramics, jet engine blades and battery electrodes.
Scientists at Aalto University have developed a method to arrange individual atoms to engineer electronic properties in artificial materials. The approach enables the creation of designer quantum materials with precise control over atomic structure.
Joe Feser's $500,000 NSF grant will focus on manipulating heat transfer by phonons using embedded nanoparticles. The research aims to engineer materials with improved thermal properties for applications such as nanostructured electronic and optical materials.
Researchers have successfully filmed inter-molecular chemical reactions in real-time at the atomic level, revolutionizing material development and discovery. The study utilizes the electron beam of a TEM as both an imaging tool and energy source to drive specific chemical reactions.
A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota has developed a new process for creating ultra-thin layers of material with molecular-sized pores, enabling ultra-selective membranes for chemical separations. The discovery could greatly improve energy-efficiency in the chemical and petrochemical industries.
Researchers at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences developed a chemical computer that can recognize the shape of a sphere with great accuracy. The system uses a network of oscillating droplets, where each droplet acts as a 'neuronal' unit, to process information and make decisions.
Researchers at ORNL studied tungsten degradation under reactor-relevant conditions, discovering that lower-energy bombardment produces finer, smoother tendrils. The study aims to engineer robust materials for fusion reactors, which pose significant challenges due to plasma exposure.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a pioneering technique to engineer computer chips more easily and cheaper than conventional methods. The breakthrough could revolutionize the production of optoelectronic materials, enabling advancements in renewable energy, security, and defence technologies.
Researchers from Vanderbilt University have identified specific genes that make Wolbachia, a parasitic bacterium, effective in controlling mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and Zika. The 'super-Wolbachia' gene can be used to genetically engineer insects to spread the bacteria more rapidly.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have created small biological robots called bio-bots that can move on their own using muscle cells. The researchers developed a method to seed cells into a scaffold and direct their behavior using electrical or light signals.
Researchers designed a novel genetic switch that shuts down competing metabolic pathways in bacteria, allowing for increased production of glucaric acid and other chemicals. The switch uses quorum sensing to autonomously control the cells' growth, enabling efficient production without adding new chemicals or changing process conditions.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have developed a new technique to visualize molecular distributions on rippled, hairy, or bulgy surfaces. The 'corrective glass' method uses laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) to correct for surface topography and provide accurate chemical imaging.
Researchers at Swansea University have developed a technique to engineer electrical contacts on nanoscale structures, enabling the creation of enhanced devices based on nanomaterials. This breakthrough has significant implications for future technologies, including energy-harvesting clothing and advanced biosensors.
Prolonged exposure to work-related stress has been linked to an increased likelihood of lung, colon, rectal, and stomach cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in men. Researchers found a significant link between work-related stress and cancer in men who held stressful jobs for 15-30 years or more.
Researchers successfully grew functional human stomach and intestinal tissues using pluripotent stem cells, enabling the study of diseases such as gastric cancer. The discovery allows for the modeling of new treatments and understanding of human development and health.
Experts at Penn Medicine propose a five-step ladder to engineer social incentives that promote health, citing the potential of spouses and friends in encouraging healthy behaviors. The approach aims to tap into existing relationships rather than increasing interactions with physicians or clinicians.
Chemical engineers develop prototype reactor shaped like a leaf to capture sunlight and generate chemical reactions for drug production. The LSC material enhances the reaction process, increasing productivity by 40% even on cloudy days.
A University of Houston engineer leads a multi-institution effort to develop monitoring techniques for stable fuel transport during transit and accidents. Researchers will study structural issues, risk analysis, and new sensing techniques to ensure spent nuclear fuel can be safely moved from temporary storage to permanent disposal sites.
Researchers successfully engineered human intestines with functioning nerves using pluripotent stem cells, enabling the study of severe intestinal nerve disorder Hirschsprung's disease. The technology also allows for testing new therapeutics in lab-engineered human intestine before clinical trials.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab integrated a water-splitting catalyst onto semiconductor to create more stable and efficient artificial photosystems. The composite film successfully supported chemical reactions without damaging sensitive semiconductors, achieving a three-day run time.
Researchers have created a new type of switch that can instantly connect and disconnect electrical flow, reducing power waste by up to 50% in devices like smartphones and laptops. This technology has the potential to significantly improve energy efficiency and prolong battery life.
A study by Pieter Moonen reveals that only a small group of Congolese farmers are driving deforestation, not for self-sufficiency but to sell crops on the market. The findings highlight the need for a more effective approach to deforestation, including local community support and sustainable land use practices.
Researchers discovered a rare enzyme called 5NAA-A in bacteria Bradyrhizobium sp. JS329 that breaks down the toxic compound 5-NAA, rendering it harmless to potatoes. This mechanism could inspire future work to engineer an enzyme or bacterium to detoxify thaxtomin.
The University of Pittsburgh chemical engineer is studying the self-assembly of materials into complex structures at sizes much larger than the nanoscale. The research aims to advance the fundamental understanding of large-scale self-assembly and test applications in biological sensors, computer chips, and photonic devices.
A biomedical engineer from the University of Houston is using a $1.2 million grant to develop technology platform for axonal regeneration in nervous system. The goal is to understand how shifts in chemical gradients affect axonal growth, with potential applications for neurodegenerative diseases and neural prosthetics.
A transdisciplinary team at Virginia Tech is developing a new curriculum model that prepares engineering undergraduates with disciplinary depth and flexible learning experiences. The project aims to broaden the diversity of students entering the program and provide them with adaptive skills to address real-world problems.
Researchers have discovered a way to custom-build valuable triterpenes using 'chemical origami', a process inspired by the ancient Japanese art of origami. By modifying an enzyme called SAD1, they can produce different triterpene scaffolds and building blocks, leading to new medicines and industrial chemicals.
Researchers developed a theoretical model to forecast chemical reactions involving molecular hydrogen, accurately calculating the probability of electron-molecular hydrogen reactions. The model has major implications for fusion plasmas, aerospace materials, astrophysics, and medical applications.
Kamesh Subbarao, a UTA aerospace engineer, has received a $201,000 grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop an algorithm for cooperative control of multiple spacecraft. The algorithm aims to address uncertainties and time delays in data transmission, enabling better analysis of collected data.