Researchers at Boston University found that electrostimulation can improve working memory in older adults by restoring neural pathways and synchronization. The technique also shows promise for younger individuals, as it enhanced memory performance even among those in their 20s.
Boston University researchers created an open, ringlike structure that perfectly cancels out sounds while maintaining airflow, silencing nearly all noise from a loudspeaker. The acoustic metamaterial can be customized to fit various environments, including drones, fans, and MRI machines.
Researchers discovered that derivatives of amodiaquine can effectively block Ebola virus infection, with modified compounds showing improved potency and reduced toxicity. The findings offer a new therapeutic approach to treating patients infected with Ebola.
A new study from Boston University has identified larger-than-expected families of genes related to the mammalian immune system in the Egyptian fruit bat. This finding may lead to a deeper understanding of virus transmission and better treatments for humans infected with deadly pathogens.
Researchers at Boston University have discovered a common pattern of immune response among monkeys exposed to Ebola virus, occurring four days before the onset of fever. This finding suggests a possible biomarker for early diagnosis and could lead to better quarantine and control of outbreaks.
Researcher Robert Reinhart found that synchronizing specific brain oscillations enhances executive function by improving communication between two key brain areas. Participants showed improved learning and decision-making skills, and effects could be quickly reversed.
Researchers at Boston University's Center for Regenerative Medicine have developed a way to grow and purify the earliest lung progenitors from human stem cells, creating tiny 'bronchospheres' that model cystic fibrosis. The breakthrough could lead to new personalized medicine approaches for treating lung disease.
A new study by Boston University professor Christopher Salas-Wright reveals a 29% decrease in youth violence in the United States between 2002 and 2014. Despite encouraging findings, racial and ethnic disparities in youth violence persist.
Biologists observed nighttime parental behavior in 40 species of glassfrogs, finding that mothers typically provide minimal care, while fathers take on more extensive roles. This surprising diversity challenges previous assumptions about sex role evolution.
CARB-X is investing $24 million to support 11 biotech companies in developing new life-saving antibacterials and diagnostics. The pipeline includes three potential new classes of small molecule antibiotics, four non-traditional products, and seven new molecular targets against Gram-negative bacteria.
Climate change is altering silica uptake in sugar maple trees, potentially affecting ecosystems. Warmer winters and reduced snow cover are damaging tree roots, leading to a significant loss of silica, which plays crucial roles in forest health.
The study aims to assess how siloed municipal water agencies in Texas can transition to an Integrated Urban Water Management model. The Institute for Sustainable Energy will focus on integrated water utility financial modeling, providing recommendations for a viable path to IUWM in Texas.
Researcher Brenda Heaton found that social networks play an overlooked role in oral health care, influencing behavior and disease prevention. She aims to use network maps to introduce health resources into communities, changing long-term behaviors and preventing tooth decay through prevention.
Rhoda Au's e-cognitive health initiative collects data from over 2,200 participants using wearable devices, smartphone apps, and in-home devices to detect subtle changes in daily behavior that may indicate cognitive decline. The goal is to identify early signs of Alzheimer's and dementia, improving diagnosis and treatment options.
The BU College of Engineering is leading a $3.36 million project to improve connected and automated vehicles' energy efficiency by 20%. This initiative, funded by the US Department of Energy's ARPA-E NEXTCAR program, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption per mile.
A new study finds that postdoc positions in biomedical careers cost graduates an average of $12,002 per year, leading to a substantial financial penalty over 10 years. The research suggests ways for universities and funding agencies to address these issues.
A recent study found that fragmented forest edges in New England absorb more carbon than expected due to increased growth rates, but also experience more heat stress. This mixed outcome suggests that while forests may be valuable carbon sinks, they are also sensitive to climate change.
A study by Boston University professor Robert Kaufmann found that experiencing record high or low temperatures affects people's belief in climate change. Local high and low temperatures can influence whether individuals in the US believe in global warming, with recent record lows promoting skepticism.
The Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) brings together industry, philanthropy, government, and academia to rejuvenate the antimicrobial pipeline. The partnership aims to deliver a growing portfolio of new antibiotics, diagnostics, and vaccines to tackle untreatable bacterial infections.
Researchers from Boston University found that Jupiter's Great Red Spot is responsible for heating the planet's upper atmosphere to unusually high temperatures. The team used infrared observations to map temperature anomalies across the planet, revealing that the Great Red Spot's heat distribution matches the observed values.
A recent study published in Nature Climate Change reveals significant greening of a quarter to one-half of the Earth's vegetated lands due to CO2 fertilization. The increase in leaves on plants and trees has the potential to fundamentally change the cycling of water and carbon in the climate system.
A recent study by Boston University researchers found that almost a sixth of gas leaks in metropolitan Boston are potentially explosive and can pose significant safety risks. The study, published in Environmental Pollution, emphasizes the need for better detection methods to prioritize leak repairs.
Researchers at Boston University found that urban soils in metropolitan areas surrounding the city core release significant amounts of CO2 through a process called soil respiration. This discovery highlights the importance of considering biological emissions in assessments of climate action programs.
Researchers found that waves driven by moderate storms cause the most loss in salt marshes, not severe events like hurricanes. This knowledge brings new tools for managing and restoring wetlands, enabling predictions of erosion based on wind and wave climates.
A study on the Belizean Barrier Reef found that fish larvae typically disperse no more than 1.7 kilometers from their parents, highlighting the need for connected marine reserves to conserve biodiversity and sustain fisheries.
A study published in Science found a high correlation between how NIH projects are rated by peer review and the quality of resulting research. The analysis showed that applications with better peer-review scores are consistently associated with better research outcomes.
A new nationwide data inventory, DARTE, provides a baseline for local efforts to limit carbon dioxide levels by tracking vehicle emissions across the US. The study highlights the need for accurate information to improve greenhouse gas control efforts in cities and suburbs.
The Boston University College of Engineering has received a significant donation from AT&T to create a two-year engineering and technology program for an urban high school population. The program aims to document its impact on high school graduation rates and provide resources for formal methods to measure success.
Scientists discover that the sun's magnetic field controls the large-scale shape of the heliosphere, producing two jets that split its tail, similar to astrophysical jets observed in other stars and black holes. The discovery could lead to better understanding of particle acceleration, cosmic rays, and space travel protection.
Researchers found that agricultural production, particularly corn, boosts the productivity of four leading food staples, significantly modifying the annual cycle of atmospheric CO2 in the Northern Hemisphere. This growth contributes up to a quarter of the total increase in seasonal carbon exchange, and possibly more.
Boston University's SCOPE project aims to improve urban life through a smart-city cloud-based open platform. The platform will offer services such as traffic congestion management, energy monitoring, and public safety services.
Researchers identified a shared gene responsible for flashy markings in two butterfly families, tracing it back to their ancient ancestors. This finding suggests that simple traits may follow a single evolutionary road, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of evolution.
Dr. Holmes will discuss her work with improvscience, which aims to increase collaboration among scientists through improvisation and leadership skills development. The initiative has been recognized by Nature and is featured in an upcoming AAAS panel discussion.
A Boston University study found that children from two cultures exhibited surprisingly similar ideas about the time before conception, suggesting a hard-wired bias toward immortality. The research indicates that children's emotions and desires are central to their concept of an eternal essence.
A recent study published in Natural Climate Change reveals a significant reduction in temperature and vegetation seasonality over northern latitudes. As snow and ice cover diminished, temperatures increased at different rates during the four seasons, causing this region to resemble areas farther south in terms of vegetation patterns.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that young children treated at home for severe pneumonia by lady health workers had better outcomes compared to those referred to hospitals. Home-based treatment reduced treatment delays and failures, saving thousands of children's lives annually.
A new NASA study disputes previous claims that droughts led to reduced global plant productivity and threatened food security. The research found that modeling errors and the use of corrupted satellite data contributed to exaggerated claims.
A team of researchers at the T2K Experiment, led by Boston University Professor Edward Kearns, have observed an indication of a new type of neutrino transformation or oscillation from a muon neutrino to an electron neutrino. This discovery may lead to further studies on matter/anti-matter asymmetry and CP violation.
Researchers at Boston University discovered that adding sugar to antibiotics increases their effectiveness in targeting 'persisters' - bacteria that survive antibiotic onslaughts. This approach has the potential to improve lives and reduce healthcare costs for millions.
A joint study by academics in Switzerland, Germany, and at Boston University reveals a unique empirical law quantifying market behavior near price lows and highs. The researchers found that this law is valid for both small and large financial bubbles, suggesting that the formation of trends does not depend on time scale.
Researchers at Boston University's Computational Neurophysiology Laboratory have discovered a link between theta rhythm and the ability of animals to track their location. Grid cells in the entorhinal cortex require theta oscillations as a clock to help animals keep track of their spatial location.
Aeroecology is a new discipline that focuses on the aerosphere and its influence on airborne organisms. Organisms such as bats, birds, and insects rely on this aerial environment for their existence, but are also affected by human-altered landscapes and climate change.
A new study predicts that the little brown myotis bat population in the Northeast will decline by over 99% within 20 years due to White-Nose Syndrome. The disease has already affected at least seven species of bats, with millions dying from its effects.
Researchers have developed a system to track RNA movement in live bacterial cells, revealing new information on its localization and structure. The study shows that RNA is not evenly distributed throughout the cell but instead forms helical structures resembling those found in proteins involved in DNA replication.
The IBEX spacecraft reveals a 'ribbon' of intense emissions controlled by galaxy's magnetic fields, forcing scientists to reconsider basic assumptions about the heliosphere. This discovery may impact Earth's history and pose hazards to astronauts as galactic radiation levels change.
Patients with very mild Alzheimer's disease can rely on implicit memory processes to support successful recognition of pictures, but struggle with word-based recall. Researchers hope to develop strategies that leverage implicit memory to improve learning and independence in patients with AD.
A study at Boston University School of Medicine found that brief intervention improved outcomes for medical inpatients with non-dependent, unhealthy alcohol use, including reduced drinks per day and better physical health-related quality of life. However, the intervention had little effect on those with dependence, who experienced wors...
A BUSM study found that using photographs of UV exposure motivates preteens to adopt better sun protection habits, resulting in a 36% lower reported sunburn rate compared to a control group. The UV photographs also helped identify high-risk students who benefited from the intervention.
A team of Boston University researchers has developed a new method for engineering genetic circuits using combinatorial libraries and computer modeling. This approach enables the rapid construction of gene networks with predictable behaviors, accelerating synthetic biology research. The technique involves creating libraries of diverse ...
A study of a Big Brothers Big Sisters formal mentoring program found that adolescent girls benefit from relationships with female mentors, gaining emotional support and new skills. The study, led by Renee Spencer at Boston University, involved in-depth interviews of 12 pairs of girls and women mentors.