Researchers tracked monocytes in primates infected with simian immunodeficiency virus to find that increased turnover predicts rapid AIDS development and brain disease severity. The study identifies a marker, soluble CD163, exclusive to monocytes, which correlates with disease progression.
Researchers found that supported graphene retains exceptional thermal conductivity of up to 600 watts per meter per Kelvin near room temperature. This is significantly higher than copper and silicon thin films currently used in electronic devices.
Sara Cordes, a BC psychologist, receives 2010 Sloan Research Fellowship for her research on infant quantity tracking. The fellowship supports her work in understanding how infants keep track of quantity, with implications for later mathematics competence.
A new anode material made from titanium Nanonets coated with silicon particles demonstrates higher speed, capacity and longevity. The material shows a charge/re-charge rate five to 10 times greater than typical Lithium-ion anode materials.
Boston College researchers successfully harvested elusive charges using ultra-thin solar cells, opening a potential avenue to improved solar power efficiency. The team developed a mechanism able to extract hot electrons in the moments before they cool, effectively opening an escape hatch for these highly energized particles.
Researchers from Boston College have made a significant discovery about myelin structure and stability using x-ray diffraction. They found that early protein processes are crucial to the proper formation and layering of the myelin membrane, which is critical for nerve conduction and nervous system function.
A book by Dennis Shirley and Elizabeth MacDonald offers a new approach to supporting teachers, drawing on small group discussions, journal writing, and meditation. The authors argue that mindfulness can help teachers lead themselves and their students to a more satisfactory classroom experience.
A new study finds that high-quality child care in early childhood combats the effects of poverty on academic achievement. Low-income children who received high-quality care achieved similar academic levels as their more affluent peers.
A $3.5-million NIH grant will help advance a gene therapy for Tay-Sachs disease from animal tests to human clinical trials. The Boston-based consortium has successfully paired two genes in a single vector, which they believe will increase therapeutic efficiency and lower production costs.
Boston College's College Bound program, a pre-collegiate initiative, has received a $1.5 million NSF grant to enhance its urban ecology offerings. Students will use computer modeling software to investigate pressing ecological problems and develop skills for STEM success.
Researchers have developed a novel metamaterial device that guides electromagnetic waves around objects, including the corner of a building or the eastern seaboard, without losing direction. The device uses a composite metamaterial to deliver precise instructions, allowing beams to continue traveling in a straight line.
Boston College has been awarded $11.5M to conduct the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011, a global assessment of fourth and eighth-grade student math and science achievement. The study's findings will help nations and states compare their children's math and science achievement with others.
Researchers developed a technique inspired by the human eye to improve object recognition, surveillance, and shape reconstruction. The new algorithm uses trust search regions to quickly identify objects with nearly double the accuracy of previous methods.
Two Boston College physicists will lead a multi-university project to develop solid-state materials that transfer solar energy to electricity, with funding from the US Department of Energy. The project aims to reduce the cost of solar electricity generation and increase energy efficiency.
Udayan Mohanty, a physical chemist at Boston College, received a 2009 Guggenheim Fellowship to study rare chemical reactions using new computational models. He aims to discover unknown reaction pathways, particularly those surrounding DNA and RNA behavior.
A new book by Boston College researchers George Madaus, Michael Russell, and Jennifer Higgins explores the unintended consequences of high-stakes testing on students, teachers, and schools. The authors propose reforms to improve test accuracy, provide detailed diagnostic information, and measure essential 21st-century skills.
Researchers developed computer-generated chains of kidney transplantations that start with altruistic donors, providing a viable alternative to paired donations. The models assign values to donor characteristics, generating pairings based on similar scores and overcoming issues in the matching market.
Boston College researchers have developed a titanium nanostructure that improves the efficiency of energy transport, achieving a peak conversion efficiency of 16.7 percent under ultraviolet light. The novel material enhances the 'water-splitting' technique by collecting and transporting electrons with minimal energy loss.
A team of researchers has created a solid-state metamaterial device that can modulate tiny waves of radiation in the terahertz range, setting a standard for performance. The device, which is controlled electronically, can process terahertz frequencies 30 times faster and with greater precision than conventional optical devices.
A new study reveals that airborne laser elevation (lidar) surveys provide a 10-fold improvement in topographical feature measurement precision. This technology adds greater clarity to mapping streams and rivers, allowing for better habitat analysis and restoration. The results have significant implications for various fields such as fo...
Researchers find pseudogap co-exists with superconductivity, suggesting it may compete with the phenomenon. This discovery could lead to higher-temperature superconducting materials, bringing practical applications closer.
Researchers from Boston College and Washington University School of Medicine report new evidence supporting the original Warburg Theory of Cancer. Abnormalities in cardiolipin content were found in all types of brain tumors, closely associated with significant reductions in energy-generating activities.
A team of Boston College and MIT scientists has discovered a new class of exceptionally effective catalysts that promote the powerful olefin metathesis reaction, opening up a vast new scientific platform. The new catalysts provide unprecedented control and selectivity for complex chemical reactions.
Despite fast-forwarding, consumers can focus on a product logo or brand for just a fraction of a second, later influencing their preferences. Ads with central brand information can even have a positive effect on consumer attitude and choice behavior.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in gene expression where non-coding RNAs create access to DNA, allowing transcriptional activation proteins to initiate gene expression. This process involves the transient synthesis of non-coding RNAs that unfurl tightly wound DNA, enabling gene expression.
Researchers have grown nanonets, a flexible webbing of nano-scale wires, using titanium disilicide to improve material performance. The nanonets multiply surface area, enhancing the material's ability to conduct electricity and potentially leading to breakthroughs in electronics and energy-harvesting applications.
Researchers study aerosol particles, including soot, using advanced instruments to better understand their lifecycle and effects on climate. This knowledge is crucial for addressing climate change and related public health concerns.
Researchers at Boston College developed a 'perfect' metamaterial capable of absorbing all incident radiation, transforming it into heat. This breakthrough showcases the team's ability to design materials with tailored responses to radiation.
A new compound design approach may be enabled by the discovery of an enzyme that can manipulate chemical pathways in bacteria. The enzyme is found to have loose specificity, allowing it to be used to create more controllable compounds from antibiotic chromoproteins. Genetic engineering will play a key role in this process.
Researchers have engineered a frequency-agile metamaterial that can be tuned over a range of frequencies in the terahertz gap, opening it up to various applications. The team's innovative composite uses semiconducting materials to achieve 20% tuning of terahertz resonance across different frequencies.
Researchers created a novel cell line that replicates the full spectrum of systemic metastatic cancer, enabling new discoveries about the role of macrophages in cancer's spread. The model has been shown to produce tumors in 100% of mice with healthy immune systems, paving the way for new therapies targeting these cells.
The Boston College lab's proprietary PyroBayes software can analyze half a million DNA sequences in 10 minutes, significantly improving computational speed and accuracy. This technology has the potential to decode individual genomes at a lower cost, enabling researchers to study genetic causes of diseases and traits in animals.
Researchers at Boston College and MIT used nanotechnology to boost thermoelectric efficiency, a milestone that could lead to cleaner products and energy generation. By slowing down phonons, the team created a material with improved electrical conductivity while blocking heat flow.
Researchers studied a diverted Death Valley stream to understand the effects of climate change on river flooding and erosion. The unique opportunity provided by the 1941 diversion allowed scientists to observe changes in the creek's behavior over time, revealing the impact of altered water flow on geological processes.
Researchers identify signature of spin excitations as potential candidate for the 'glue' that binds electrons during high-temperature superconductivity. This discovery moves the field forward toward unlocking the physical mysteries behind a promising phenomenon.
Lisa Feldman Barrett, a BC psychology professor, has developed a 'conceptual act' model that explains emotions as conceptual acts, challenging traditional views of emotions and their role in mental and physical health. Her research aims to shape a new paradigm for the scientific study of emotion.
The study reveals the importance of targeting specific cell regions to combat oxidative stress. By using novel synthetic molecules, researchers can now understand how cells respond to oxidative stress and identify weaker parts that need protection.
Amir Hoveyda, a renowned chemist at Boston College, has received the prestigious Max Tishler Prize for his groundbreaking research in organic and organometallic chemistry. His work focuses on developing new N-heterocyclic carbenes with exciting frontiers in reactivity, selectivity, and catalysis.
A national study by Boston College found that over a quarter of US businesses are unprepared for the effects of an aging workforce. Many companies lack strategies to encourage late-career workers to stay past retirement age and face significant HR challenges, including recruiting competent job applicants and management skill shortages.
Boston College biologists identify KetoCal as an effective alternative therapy for malignant brain cancer, slowing tumor growth and enhancing health in mice. The study found that KetoCal decreased tumor growth by 35-65% and improved survival rates compared to standard diets.
Physicists at Boston College have successfully transmitted visible light through a cable hundreds of times smaller than a human hair, defying a key principle in optics. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-efficiency solar cells and microscopic light-based switching devices.
The Boston College Urban Ecology Institute is developing an urban environmental science curriculum, textbook, and multimedia system for use in America's urban high schools. The project aims to promote the stewardship of healthy urban ecosystems through improved science education.
A new catalyst discovered by Boston College chemists can synthesize biologically active molecules with high selectivity, eliminating the need for costly and wasteful steps in drug production. The catalyst can also reduce environmental impact and increase efficiency.
Scientists at Boston College have successfully stretched single-walled carbon nanotubes to remarkable lengths using high temperatures and electrical currents. The research indicates that these superplastic nanotubes may be useful in developing new generations of computer chips and strengthening ceramics and other nanocomposites.
A new report by Boston College researchers reveals that states previously labeled as 'stingy' have higher generosity levels than reported. Massachusetts moves from 49th to 11th in terms of charitable giving when cost of living and tax burden are taken into account, contradicting the Generosity Index.
As Baby Boomers retire, US workers are considering extended employment to alleviate labor shortages. Research focuses on flexible work options to understand their impact on aging workforce. Studies have shown most older Americans want to continue working due to personal and family circumstances.
Researchers have created a method to visualize individual gold nanoparticles using lower laser intensities, allowing for the observation of behavior in living tissues at the single molecule level. This breakthrough enables tracking of disease and drug molecules at the molecular level, with potential applications in medicine.
The report estimates that between $1.1 trillion and $3.4 trillion will be transferred from African-American households by 2055. This represents a significant wealth transfer, with African-American households generating less than 2.5% of the national total.
A study by Boston College and UMass found that students' MCAS English/Language Arts exam scores improved when they used computers to write papers for school, but decreased with recreational computer use. The study controlled for home learning environments and teacher practices.
The three-year funding supports a joint effort to apply Multiple Dirichlet Series to analytic number theory, a central area of modern mathematics. This could lead to new insights into long-standing problems in number theory.