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Boston University


What adults don't see about teen bullying

Researchers found that teens use subtlety and systematized harm online, while adults often overlook. LGBTQ+ students, gender nonconforming students, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds are most likely to experience bullying. Social media becomes a primary way young people learn about diversity and create support systems.

Plants could transform how we measure tidal marshes

A new study by Boston University researchers suggests that plant species can accurately predict tidal marsh methane emissions, providing a practical method for estimating emissions across tidal marshes. The study found that plant species explained 62% of methane emissions variability, outperforming previous proxies like salinity.

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2026

Teaching AI the biology of antibodies speeds drug discovery

By focusing on the specific regions of antibodies responsible for recognizing disease targets, the AI model improved binding affinity prediction and required fewer computational resources. This approach is similar to human-language AI models, where smaller domain-specific models trained on high-quality data can outperform larger ones.

SourceBoston University·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 13, 2026

Boston University-based biopharmaceutical accelerator boosts new drugs’ chances of success, study finds

A study by Boston University researchers found that CARB-X-backed projects are nearly five times more likely to advance to clinical trials, while nonfunded projects had less than a quarter advancing. The nonprofit's support led to the award of 160 patents and increased odds of life-saving products reaching patients.

SourceBoston University·JournalHealth Affairs Scholar·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 8, 2026

Should you accept internet cookies? BU researchers say the open web could suffer without them

A study by Boston University researchers found that removing cookies cuts website publishers' revenue by over a third, with privacy-enhanced alternatives recovering only a small portion of the lost revenue. The loss of cookies could impact the quality and usefulness of digital products.

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2026

Two Boston University researchers elected AAAS fellows

Boston University researchers Alice Cronin-Golomb and Plamen Ch. Ivanov have been recognized as AAAS fellows for their pioneering work on aging diseases and network physiology. Their research focuses on understanding the brain's function in healthy aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Hospital programs for violence victims can prevent future harm, Boston University study finds

A hospital-based program supporting gun and knife violence victims can halve the likelihood of future harm, according to a Boston University study. Regular engagement with the Violence Intervention Advocacy Program reduced the risk of being revictimized or committing violence by 50 percent two to three years after discharge.

SourceBoston University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 27, 2026

Two new studies from Schneider Electric and the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability reveal 95 barriers and 50 risks slowing decarbonization in the building sector

Two new studies from Schneider Electric and Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability identify 95 sociotechnical barriers and 50 risks hindering progress in the high-stakes buildings sector. The research highlights complex interplay between economic, political, social, and behavioral factors driving inefficiencies and costs.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Communications·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 19, 2025

Why do we remember some life moments—but not others?

A Boston University study suggests that attaching mundane memories to significant emotional events can enhance recall. The research found that the brain uses a sliding scale to decide which memories to preserve, prioritizing those with high-level similarity to emotional events.

SourceBoston University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 24, 2025

Clownfish and anemones are disappearing because of climate change

A new study by Boston University marine biologists reveals that heat waves are devastating the mutualistic relationship between clownfish and anemones in the Red Sea. The researchers found that prolonged bleaching caused a catastrophic breakdown in the system, resulting in a 94-100% die-off of clownfish and 66-94% die-off of anemones.

SourceBoston University·Journalnpj Biodiversity·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 18, 2025

First electronic–photonic quantum chip created in commercial foundry

Researchers from Boston University and Northwestern University develop a system that integrates quantum light sources and control electronics on a single piece of silicon, creating reliable streams of correlated photon pairs. The advance enables mass-producible 'quantum light factory' chips and large-scale quantum systems.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Electronics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 14, 2025

Less snow makes trees absorb less carbon, according to new BU study

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that warmer summer temperatures increase tree growth, but less snow on the ground slows this growth significantly. This means that New England forests' ability to store carbon in future climate scenarios is likely overestimated.

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2025

Our online world relies on encryption. What happens if it fails?

Researchers at Boston University are developing a groundbreaking method for securing sensitive data in the face of emerging quantum computing threats. Their approach, called Encrypted Operator Computing (EOC), merges physics, computer science, and mathematics to enable scalable methods for computing directly on encrypted data.

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 4, 2025

Investment risk for energy infrastructure construction is highest for nuclear power plants, lowest for solar

A new study from Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability finds that over 60% of energy infrastructure projects worldwide run over budget and take longer than expected to complete. Nuclear power plants are the worst offenders, with an average construction cost overrun of 102.5%. In contrast, solar energy and wind farms hav...

SourceBoston University·JournalEnergy Research & Social Science·DateMay 19, 2025

A new technique to use generative AI to design RNA

A new generative AI technique allows for the design of RNA molecules with improved functions, opening up potential for novel therapeutics and diagnostics. The SANDSTORM and GARDN systems enable the prediction and generation of RNA sequences tailored for specific tasks in cells or diagnostic assays.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 14, 2025

Trouble hearing in noisy places and crowded spaces? Researchers say new BU-developed algorithm could help hearing aid users

A new brain-inspired algorithm developed at BU can help hearing aids tune out interference and isolate single talkers in a crowd of voices. In testing, researchers found it could improve word recognition accuracy by 40 percentage points relative to current hearing aid algorithms.

SourceBoston University·JournalCommunications Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 28, 2025

Microplastics could be fueling antibiotic resistance, Boston University study finds

A recent study by Boston University researchers has discovered that exposure to microplastics enhances the antimicrobial resistance of bacteria, making them more resistant to antibiotics. This finding is particularly concerning for refugees and underfunded health systems, where access to healthcare is already limited.

SourceBoston University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025