A team of astronomers produced the clearest map to-date of star-forming clouds in the Milky Way, enabling deeper insights into the origin of stars. The new illustration reveals similar lumpy structures in molecular clouds, suggesting that all clouds form stars in roughly the same proportion.
A new study shows that D-cycloserine, an antibiotic, significantly reduces social anxiety symptoms in patients undergoing exposure therapy. The research suggests that adding DCS to therapy can lead to strong gains with relatively limited treatment.
Researchers have developed a new application called spectral self-interference fluorescence microscopy (SSFM) that characterizes the structure of DNA molecules with sub-nanometer accuracy. Using this technique, the team estimated the shape of coiled single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA of different lengths.
Researchers at Boston University found that X-ray bursts from the Sun cause dramatic alterations to Mars' ionosphere, as detected by NASA's MGS spacecraft. The team used measurements on Earth to confirm the findings and gain a better understanding of the phenomenon.
A new theory published in Geophysical Research Letters explains the energization of anomalous cosmic rays by including a realistic termination shock shape. The model shows that particles are accelerated on the flanks of the termination shock, contradicting previous assumptions.
Research found a link between high blood homocysteine levels and decreased cognitive performance in individuals over 60. Taking vitamin B12, B6, and folate supplements may help prevent mild cognitive deficit in older adults.
Boston University has reached the 59th position on the TOP500 List of Supercomputing Sites with its new BlueGene/L unit, which will be used by approximately 500 researchers. The supercomputer's computational power will enable research in subnuclear physics, genetics, and space weather modeling.
Ivan Valiela is a renowned biologist recognized for his leadership in estuarine education and research. He has advised over 50 students and produced more than 200 publications, with a focus on the links between humans and coastal environments.
The study found that farmers who participated in workshops made better decisions in response to good information, resulting in improved crop yields. The researchers also found that the workshops increased the use of forecast information among farmers, particularly those in subsistence farming.
Researchers found no significant difference in tests for depression and anxiety between children of people with Alzheimer's disease who were tested and those who were not. Participants reported high satisfaction with the genetic risk assessment process, with 95% saying they would choose it again.
Researchers at Boston University found that the brain's ability to fill in gaps in visual information can be both beneficial and detrimental. The study showed that adults can develop a perceptual bias, seeing stimuli even when they are not present, which can lead to errors in perception and memory.
A recent US study by Boston University researchers found that family and community engagement are crucial in mediating the traumatic reaction of unaccompanied refugee minors, known as the 'Lost Boys of Sudan'. The study suggests that comprehensive approaches to resettlement efforts can help these young men thrive on all fronts.
Researchers found that a 'reward' pathway in the brain primes the subconscious to learn efficiently. Participants showed marked improvement in recognizing moving dots despite focused attention on other stimuli. The study suggests long-term retention of learned behaviors and challenges the notion of fixed brain development.
A new underwater listening device has been developed by Boston University engineers using off-the-shelf hardware, combining sophisticated engineering to create a highly sensitive device. The array can be towed behind small craft, making it easier to launch, and is less expensive than current multi-million dollar systems.
Researchers found that red-eyed tree frog embryos distinguish between snake-attack and rain-induced vibrations, hatching early in response to the former. The study suggests that temporal patterns of vibrations play a crucial role in triggering early hatching, allowing the embryos to avoid snake attacks.
Researchers found well-preserved cedar timbers, curved steering oars, and limestone block-anchors from ancient Egyptian ships. The discoveries shed new light on Egypt's sea-faring past and provide insight into trade expeditions to the Red Sea region known as Punt.
Researchers at Boston University have developed a new technique to identify plant species used in ancient textile dyes. This method has led to the discovery of a previously unknown dye component in 1,000-year-old mummies in Peru.
Researchers at Boston University have discovered a new gene, STAT6(B), that regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and affects TNF-alpha levels. This finding offers new opportunities for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.
A Boston University team found an association between naturally high levels of blood cholesterol and improved mental functioning, including visual organization, memory, attention, and concentration. However, the benefits were modest and did not outweigh the risks of heart disease and stroke associated with high cholesterol.
Researchers discover a significant circadian rhythm in heartbeat dynamics, but not in motor activity. They also find similar wakefulness periods across mammalian species, suggesting self-organized criticality in sleep patterns.
A team of biomedical engineers and chemists at Boston University developed a computational tool that predicts the molecular targets of drug candidates. The tool uses a combination of computational and experimental methods to decipher regulatory networks and predict gene and pathway targets for various drug treatments.
A team of astronomers led by Clarke gathered data on Saturn's aurora using Cassini and Hubble spacecraft. Their observations revealed that Saturn's aurora differ in character from day to day, with varying lengths and behaviors compared to Earth's and Jupiter's.
Researchers developed a nanomechanical oscillator that bridges classic and quantum physics, exhibiting macroscopic quantum behavior at gigahertz speeds. The device is the fastest of its kind, oscillating at 1.49 gigahertz, and could be used for quantum computing, further miniaturizing wireless communication devices.
The CRaTER instrument will measure high-energy charged particles in deep space to develop equipment and materials for human safety in the lunar environment. Scientists at Boston University are leading the development of the instrument with NASA funding.
Researchers at Boston University analyzed heartbeat data from five healthy volunteers to understand the impact of circadian cycles on cardiac rhythms. The study found that the internal body clock influences cardiac fluctuations, with values showing a strong correlation when considering the entire 28-hour cycle.
A study by Kandarian found that muscle atrophy caused by prolonged disuse requires the involvement of nfêb1 and bcl3 genes. The researchers also discovered that NSAIDs like aspirin may partially moderate atrophy, offering a potential therapeutic approach to prevent muscle loss.
Boston University chemist Thomas Tullius receives NIH grant to develop ENCODE technology for mapping protein-binding sites. His research aims to decipher patterns on DNA's landscape, building tools to understand how structure affects function.
A new hydrogel sealant, made from biocompatible dendritic macromolecules and poly(ethylene glycol), seals corneal incisions more effectively than suturing or self-sealing, preventing infection and trauma.
Researchers at Boston University have developed a new type of memory cell that outperforms traditional chip-based systems in terms of speed, density, and power consumption. The nanomechanical memory cell can retrieve information at speeds of millions and billions of cycles per second, while operating on minuscule amounts of power.
Boston University has been awarded $20.1 million to establish a Science of Learning Center, which aims to develop a model of how the brain learns. The center will bring together educators, scientists, and technologists from four institutions to investigate the foundations of learning across various situations.
A study published in Clinical Nutrition found that the use of high-contrast colored tableware increased food intake by 24.6% and liquid intake by 83.7% in individuals with severe Alzheimer's disease. The study, led by Boston University researchers, suggests that visual impairment may be a contributing factor to weight loss in AD patients.
Timothy Gardner, a Boston University biomedical engineer, has been selected for the TR100 award for his groundbreaking research on gene regulatory networks in bacteria. His work aims to optimize metabolic networks for bioremediation and energy production, with potential medical implications such as inferring mechanisms of drug action.
Researchers at Boston University found that rats use recollection to recognize items they've recently experienced. The hippocampus plays a critical role in this process, similar to its function in humans. By studying rat brain activity, the team discovered evidence of both familiarity and recollection in rodents.
Giles is a leading researcher in computational science, focusing on high-performance parallel computers and algorithm development. His work aims to bridge the digital divide by promoting diversity in computing and access to technology.
A recent study by Boston University researchers found that urban areas experience a longer growing season than surrounding rural regions, with the onset of spring and end of winter dormancy differing by up to eight days. The urban heat island effect plays a significant role in this phenomenon.
Researchers link warmer temperatures to earlier flowering times in plants, with a significant trend observed over the past century. The study suggests that existing collections of herbarium records can be used to measure regional effects of climate change on phenological events.
Physicists from a global team at Boston University have discovered neutrino oscillation and mass, modifying the Standard Model. The findings show a prominent dip in atmospheric neutrino data consistent with the theory of neutrino mixing.
H. Eugene Stanley is honored for his innovative and original research on disordered systems, aggregation, and phase transitions. His work has also applied to complex networks, including those related to biology and terrorism.
Research by Boston University's Tigga Kingston and Stephen Rossiter found that large-eared horseshoe bats are diverging into three sizes and using distinct echolocation calls to locate insects. The findings suggest that sensory ecology may play a key role in speciation, with the harmonic differences affecting communication and mating b...
Boston University's CMLD program develops methodologies for diverse, high-quality chemical libraries needed for biological research and drug discovery. The e-lab notebook provides web-based access to protocols and tools for outside researchers to synthesize new compounds.
A team of archaeologists from Boston University has uncovered the story of life among rural Maya in Belize's Sibun River Valley during the Late Classic Period. The research reveals a community that practiced sustainable agriculture and maintained dense vegetation to support their trade product: cacao.
Boston University will create an international science and medical journalism center with a $1.1M Knight Foundation grant. The center aims to improve the quality of medical journalism, train journalists to report on scientific advances, and increase global coverage.
Researchers at Boston University developed a computer model to analyze how molecules move through super-cooled water, providing insights into life's survival at sub-zero temperatures. By understanding the 'energy landscape' of super-cooled water, scientists can predict how molecules diffuse and carry nutrients to cells.
Fred Schubert's Photon Recycling Semiconductor Light-Emitting Diode (PRS-LED) combines up to three wavelengths of light to produce highly efficient, long-lasting white light. The PRS-LED is 15-20 times more efficient than conventional bulbs and has a lifespan predicted to last up to 50 years.
A team of Boston University astronomers has captured new ground-based photos of Mercury's surface, revealing details similar to those on the Moon. The images, taken in August 1998, show bright craters and dark lunar mare-like markings, providing insights into Mercury's geology.
A new imaging technique reveals disrupted microcolumns in brains affected by Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, suggesting a link between microcolumn organization and cognitive impairment. The study found that the absence of microcolumns correlates with the number of fibrillary tangles, but not senile neuritic plaques.
The Boston University conference explores how science is used and misused in public discourse, affecting policy decisions such as failed drug policies. The event also examines the intersection of science with social sciences and the courts, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of scientific findings for the general public.
Researchers successfully engineered a genetic toggle switch to control the activity of genes between stable on and off states. The toggle represents core technology for genetic control devices with potential applications in diabetes, biological warfare agent detection, and cell-based computing.
The Alliance Chautauquas showcase the Access Grid, an experimental system linking people in virtual spaces for teamwork, remote training, and distance education. Key features include audio interactions, video presence, and shared applications.
Researchers at Boston University developed a biologically inspired model to improve the fidelity of electronic devices by mimicking the noise-shaping abilities of neuronal networks. The system can effectively filter out unwanted information and identify desired signals over a wider bandwidth.