Researchers have developed a fast and simple way to turn lignin, a plentiful plant-based byproduct of the paper making industry, into potentially more valuable renewable chemicals. The new method uses tiny water droplets energized by sound waves to break down Kraft lignin in just 20 minutes at room temperature.
A new method called 'blocc chemistry' enables the automated assembly of molecules, making it possible for students and citizen scientists to participate in molecular innovation. The approach has already led to the discovery of top-in-class organic laser emitters and durable organic solar cell materials.
A recent study by Suhnyoung Jun and Sepideh Sadaghiani found that the brain operates on multiple parallel streams, each with its own character, unfolding independently of others. These separate processes are governed by shared spatial and temporal principles.
Researchers found that virtual staining can improve the use of medical images in certain cases, but not necessarily others. The study urges caution when deciding whether to apply AI to a given workflow.
The Beckman Institute team created a computational model that predicts how materials self-organize to give rise to new textures and properties. By understanding the chemical 'recipe' of polymer manufacturing, manufacturers can design and simulate materials with built-in patterns, enhancing toughness and reducing weight.
Researchers at Beckman Institute created a new 3D printing process called 'growth printing' that mimics the outward expansion of tree trunks to print polymer parts quickly and efficiently. The process, called FROMP, uses minimal energy to harden resin into its solid form, resulting in faster and more cost-effective production of polymers.
The project's recordings help improve voice recognition tools by providing diverse speech patterns to train artificial intelligence models. Microsoft has seen significant improvements in recognizing non-standard English speech, with accuracy gains ranging from 18% to 60%, depending on the speaker's disability.
A single-session intervention, E-MIND, was developed to cultivate a growth mindset about emotions in teenage girls. The study found that the E-MIND group showed significant improvements in emotion regulation self-efficacy and strategy use, with more girls reporting proactive handling of negative emotions.
The Speech Accessibility Project is working with two new partners, The Matthew Foundation and the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, to recruit adults with Down syndrome and other conditions. The project aims to provide voice command devices to improve inclusion and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Parachute fibers' behavior under stress was studied using micro-CT scans, revealing they are not isotropic and respond differently to increasing loads. The findings inform processes like parachute assembly and improve models for screening parachute materials, making industries more cost-effective and time-efficient.
Researchers trained an automatic speech recognizer on recordings from people with dysarthria related to Parkinson's disease, achieving a 30% accuracy improvement. The study, led by Mark Hasegawa-Johnson, provides valuable data for improving voice recognition devices.
Researchers found that emotion enhances ability to retrieve contextual details, contrary to prevailing view that emotion impairs memory. The study's findings have practical implications for controlling and capitalizing on emotions to remember better.
Researchers aim to understand sex-specific effects of wheelchair use in childhood and adolescence to detect, prevent, and treat shoulder pain more effectively. The study uses state-of-the-art MRI scanners and quantitative morphometrics to quantify anatomical changes related to pain.
Scientists use frontal polymerization to replicate nature's approach, creating materials with unique patterns that integrate stiff and soft regions. This results in products with remarkable strength and flexibility, making them resilient to high strains without breaking.
Researchers found that varied cognitive training, not repetition, primed older adults to learn a new working memory task. Participants who practiced with multiple working memory activities showed the most improvement on reading span assessments, outperforming those who rehearsed the same task for all four weeks.
Researchers found that folded peptides are more electrically conductive than their unfolded counterparts due to the formation of a specific secondary structure called the 3_10 helix. This discovery has implications for the design and development of molecular electronic devices.
Researchers developed a new method to accelerate high-resolution ultrasound localization microscopy using deep learning, enabling faster and more accurate imaging of microvascular structures. The technique, called LOCA-ULM, improves spatial resolution and processing speed while maintaining sensitivity for functional imaging.
Researchers used mass spectrometry imaging and single-cell metabolomics with deep learning to create 3D molecular maps of the brain, enabling a better understanding of chemical interactions within brain tissue. This breakthrough could help address currently intractable neurological diseases.
The new AI model uses a visual map to explain each diagnosis, helping doctors follow its line of reasoning and check for accuracy. The tool aims to catch diseases in their earliest stages, making it easier on doctors and patients alike.
The study investigates how different genes related to autism spectrum disorders affect the brain's neural circuits, resulting in heightened sensitivity to sounds. The researchers aim to identify a potential biomarker for sensory hypersensitivity and develop treatments using optogenetics and minocycline.
Researchers developed a sustainable technique to 3D print multiple dynamic colors from a single ink using UV-assisted direct-ink-write printing. The new method produces structural colors in the visible wavelength spectrum, offering vibrant and potentially more sustainable alternatives.
A team of scientists from the Beckman Institute has received a $3 million grant to develop diagnostic tools and imaging agents for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease. They will use a combination of PET and MRI scans to target smaller beta-amyloid peptides and other signs of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.
Researchers found that traumatic memories immediately following a distressing event are more memorable than the moments leading up to it. This discovery has implications for eyewitness testimonies, therapies for PTSD, and understanding memory decline in brain disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
The Beckman Institute's new Electrolab robot automates electrochemical experiments and data analysis, reducing manual effort and time for researchers. The instrument can explore alternative power sources and analyze chemical reactions to combat climate change.
The Beckman Institute's DROPLETS project uses microdroplets to catalyze electrochemical reactions, producing clean hydrogen and sequestering carbon dioxide. The project aims to lay out a foundation for a sustainable clean energy future.
Researchers discovered protein p53's role in regulating sociability, repetitive behavior, and hippocampus-related learning and memory in mice. Lowering p53 levels led to changes in gene expressions related to behavior, while elevated p53 levels were linked to positive learning outcomes.
The Beckman Institute has received a $3.6 million NSF grant to acquire an automated system for designing and analyzing polymers. The system will accelerate the discovery of useful materials, especially in combination with artificial intelligence.
The NSF Science and Technology Center for Quantitative Cell Biology will create whole-cell models to transform understanding of cell function. The center will use cutting-edge imaging and simulation tools, including Minecraft, to advance research into gene expression, metabolism, and division.
Researchers have observed unusual waves of charge within a crystal of uranium ditelluride, a previously unseen facet of its superconductivity. The findings reveal a static variation in two different properties: one related to charge and the other to interacting electron pairs.
Researchers have demonstrated a method to power water remediation using renewable energy sources, including solar power. Through electrochemical separation and redox reactions, they successfully removed arsenate from wastewater.
Researchers have developed a new material for single-molecule electronic switches, which can vary current at the nanoscale in response to external stimuli. The ladder-type molecular structure enhances stability and makes it promising for use in single-molecule electronics applications.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute developed a new purification system that uses an electrified version of dialysis to separate salt and other unnecessary particles from wastewater. The method saves money and saps 90% less energy than its counterparts, making it a promising solution for global water scarcity.
Researchers at Beckman Institute found fetal exposure to PCBs made it harder for mice to recover from sound-related trauma. Oxidative stress appears to be key mediator of the effect, suppressing auditory system's ability to heal.
Researchers at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that the absolute internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of InGaN-based blue LEDs can be as low as 27.5%, drastically lower than the standard assumption. The study's results suggest a new approach to measuring IQE, providing a more accurate picture of LED performance.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology have developed a new framework for super-resolution ultrasound using deep learning, reducing processing speeds from minutes to seconds. The new technology enables real-time blood flow visualization, overcoming challenges faced by conventional methods.
The development of SimulScan technology will help clinicians diagnose disordered swallowing more accurately. The researchers aim to investigate how swallowing behaviors change across the lifespan to create personalized treatments for patients with dysphagia.
Researchers have developed a modular system to recognize chiral molecules, which could lead to more effective methods of separating enantiomers in drugs. The system uses metallopolymers with chirality to sense two enantiomeric molecules through electrochemical interactions.
A virtual yoga program led by Sean Mullen reduced stress and anxiety in full-time working adults, improving short-term memory. The study used moderate-intensity yoga sequences to investigate its benefits for executive functioning and adherence to exercise programs.
Researchers found that exercise releases chemical signals that promote neuronal development in the hippocampus, a crucial area for learning and memory. Astrocytes play a critical role in mediating the effects of exercise on brain health, helping to regulate neuronal activity and prevent hyperexcitability.
Cooperative transitions occur when molecules shift their structure in synchrony, like a row of dominoes flowing seamlessly to the floor. The collaborative method is fast, energy-efficient, and easily reversible, helping living systems operate quickly and efficiently.
Researchers at Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology will use a unique combination of MRI and mass spectrometry imaging techniques to study Alzheimer's disease on an unprecedented scale. By capturing detailed chemical information, they aim to understand the molecular-level changes that occur in aging brains and develop ...
A study led by Haley Skymba and Karen Rudolph found that teenage girls' past experiences with peer adversity directly impact how they perceive their own self-worth and belonging. The researchers designed a study to observe trends in a cohort of 89 girls, averaging 16 years old, and discovered patterns that demonstrate the connection be...
Astronauts in space can lose up to 20% of muscle mass after two weeks due to microgravity. Researchers are exploring the use of extracellular vesicles, which contain restorative chemicals, to trigger post-exercise recovery without traditional exercise.
Researchers developed a technique to 'see' fine structure and chemical composition of human cells with high resolution. The new method uses infrared light to reveal chemical signatures without fluorescent labeling.
The Beckman Institute has established a new national collaborative Biomedical Technology Research Resource to develop label-free optical imaging technologies. The center aims to create optical and computational imaging technologies that can serve as a resource for clinicians and researchers.
Researchers developed an electrochemical technique to recycle highly valuable homogeneous catalysts, extending their life cycle. The method uses an electrical field to separate catalysts from mixtures and bind them to a surface, allowing for reuse and reducing energy consumption.
Interdisciplinary researchers at the Beckman Institute have received a four-year, $2M award from the National Institutes of Health to develop a device that can instantly enable real-time 3D ultrasound imaging. The device, named FASTER, is designed to improve high-quality medical imaging accessibility in diverse communities.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology have discovered an efficient and sustainable method for 3D-printing single-walled carbon nanotube films. The method uses powder, ink, and 3D printing to produce durable and conductive materials ideal for space exploration, wearable electronics, and more.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that certain characteristics of the brain's connectome can be inherited from one generation to the next. This may contribute to differences in cognitive abilities between individuals.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a low-cost ultrasound imaging method to study the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and the brain's vascular system. The technique, which provides high-resolution images of animal microvasculature, may aid in early detection of the disease.