Researchers at Caltech have found that neural-crest stem cells differentiate into microvillous neurons, which sense pheromones, and are distinct from ciliated neurons that detect volatile scents. The discovery sheds light on how olfactory neurons form and may lead to new treatments for conditions like anosmia.
A team of astronomers has found galaxies producing stars at a prodigious rate when the universe was just a billion years old. The discovery, enabled by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), provides valuable data for refining theoretical models of star and galaxy formation in the early universe.
Researchers observed four planets orbiting HR 8799 star using a new telescope imaging system, revealing chemical imbalances and unusual properties. The planets have methane or ammonia alone in their atmospheres, with little to no sign of their natural partners.
Researchers developed a system with on-chip sensors and a central processor to detect and respond to faults, achieving significant power reduction and improved performance. The self-healing capability was demonstrated in high-frequency integrated circuits, opening up possibilities for next-generation electronics.
Scientists at Caltech have developed a unique microscope that captures the motion of DNA structures in both space and time, allowing them to directly measure stiffness and map its variation. This breakthrough technique has far-reaching implications for understanding biological nanomaterials and their properties.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have identified a specific class of skin sensory neurons that react to massage-like stroking, paving the way for further study of pleasurable sensations. The discovery uses genetically modified mice and novel recording techniques to pinpoint individual neurons activated by touch.
The G0.253+0.016 cloud defies conventional wisdom on star formation, with a dense gas content 25 times higher than the Orion Nebula but only producing small stars. The cloud's high velocities and presence of silicon monoxide suggest it may be two colliding clouds, preventing star formation due to its dynamic nature.
Researchers at Caltech and JAMSTEC developed a new fault model that shows stable segments can behave differently during earthquakes, leading to larger events. This challenges current assumptions about seismic hazard in areas like the San Andreas Fault.
A Caltech-led team estimated that there are at least 100 billion planets in the galaxy, with one planet per star, based on their analysis of the Kepler-32 system. The planets in this system are typical of those found around M-dwarf stars and may represent the majority of planets in the galaxy.
Researchers have created new biocatalysts using the power of protein engineering and evolution, allowing nature's premier oxidation catalyst to drive synthetically useful reactions. This breakthrough enables the production of pharmaceutical drugs and natural products in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner.
Researchers found that body-movement synchronization increases after short cooperative training, indicating a measurable indicator of social interaction. This study may provide a powerful tool for identifying neural underpinnings of social interactions and impaired interactions like autism.
A team of Caltech astronomers used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to discover seven primitive and distant galaxies, existing 13 billion years ago. The galaxies formed during the 'cosmic dawn' period, with their numbers steadily increasing over time, supporting the idea that first galaxies didn't form in a sudden burst.
Researchers create compact, affordable terahertz scanning technology using CMOS technology, enabling applications in homeland security, wireless communications, healthcare, and touchless gaming. The new chips generate powerful signals that can penetrate various materials without ionizing damage.
Researchers at Caltech developed a new waveguide that channels light and focuses surface plasmon polaritons to achieve nanoscale precision. The device has the potential to revolutionize biological imaging and computer storage by allowing for high-resolution maps of molecules and increased memory capacity.
A new Caltech study suggests the Grand Canyon was formed over 70 million years ago, contradicting conventional models of its creation. The research uses a novel method to analyze ancient rocks and provides crucial insights into the canyon's incision.
Caltech researchers discover that interfaces between metals can absorb radiation damage, maintaining material strength and ductility. Nanopillars with helium bubbles at interfaces show increased strength without embrittlement.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience identified two brain regions involved in making rapid judgments about potential partners. The paracingulate cortex and rostromedial prefrontal cortex are active when people consider physical attractiveness and individual compatibility, respectively.
A recent study led by Caltech researchers provides new insights into the process of neural crest cell development. The team discovered that DNA-methyltransferase (DNMT) enzyme acts as a switch to determine which cells will remain part of the central nervous system and which will become neural crest cells.
Researchers at Caltech have successfully simulated the biological function of a protein channel called the Sec translocon, which allows specific proteins to pass through membranes. The new computational model reveals that both equilibrium and kinetic effects play a crucial role in determining the fate of proteins entering the translocon.
A new report by Caltech and MIT found that voting technology has improved the election process, reducing residual votes by 50% since 2000. However, concerns remain about absentee and early voting, as well as voter identification laws, which can make it harder for some voters to participate.
Researchers at Caltech engineer a new class of microsensors using laser light, enabling detection of motions in tens of microseconds. The sensors can measure both extremely small and large accelerations, making them valuable for various applications including oil and gas exploration and biomedical uses.
Scientists at Caltech identified competing brain systems that guide decisions on healthy options. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex play different roles in self-regulation, with the former taking control when trying to suppress cravings and the latter taking over when encouraging desires.
A new Caltech study found that facial photos taken at close range influence perception, making subjects appear less trustworthy, competent, and attractive. Researchers used digital warping to manipulate images, confirming the effect. The findings may have implications for computer vision and social judgments.
Researchers at Caltech used Caenorhabditis elegans to study cell migration, identifying genes that are active during this process. These findings may lead to the development of new drugs that block cell migration, which is linked to tumor formation and metastatic cancer.
Researchers at Caltech have determined the dominant mechanism of cobalt catalysts, which involves a key reactive intermediate gaining an extra electron. This finding illuminates the road to developing better catalysts and suggests a route to creating extremely active iron catalysts.
Biologists at Caltech created a computational model of gene networks that control the development of sea-urchin embryos. The model accurately reproduces experiments and allows for virtual experiments, revealing unprecedented detail about gene regulatory networks.
A team of researchers has developed a nanomechanical device that can weigh individual molecules, enabling biologists to study viruses and probe molecular machinery. The device uses vibrational modes to determine particle mass and position, opening doors for biomedical applications such as disease diagnosis and immune system monitoring.
Researchers at Caltech have identified a specific sugar, GlcNAc, that plays a key role in keeping cancerous tumors fed. By altering the addition of carbohydrates to proteins, tumor cells can survive under harsh conditions and thrive. This finding offers new potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
A study published in PNAS found that different regions of the frontal lobes are responsible for behavioral control and decision making. The researchers mapped brain lesions in over 300 patients and showed that damage to specific areas can impair reasoning and decision-making abilities.
Scientists at Caltech have successfully recreated plasma loops, which could help predict solar flares. By studying the magnetic forces controlling these loops, researchers aim to develop a two-day warning period for massive solar flares.
A Caltech-led team has successfully created a swimming 'jellyfish' using tissue-engineered silicone and muscle cells, which mimics the fluid dynamics of a real jellyfish. The breakthrough demonstrates that function-driven design can outperform natural evolution in engineering complex systems.
A Caltech-led team reports on the first high-resolution observations of the 2012 Sumatra earthquake, which ruptured along multiple faults at nearly right angles. The study provides fresh insights into the possibility of complex earthquakes occurring elsewhere, including California's San Andreas fault.
Researchers at Caltech have found evidence of a link between immune irregularities and autism. The study suggests that specific changes in an overactive immune system can contribute to autism-like behaviors in mice, potentially related to prenatal experiences.
The device can be used to study stars, galaxies, and black holes, as well as explore the quantum world. It combines features of other amplifiers, operating over a wide frequency range with minimal noise.
Researchers at Caltech found a correlation between the neutrino signal and the gravitational-wave signal that occurs when the proto-neutron star reaches high rotational velocities. This discovery provides new insights into understanding the explosion process in massive stars.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a method to measure the rate of DNA transfer from viruses to bacteria. They found that the amount of genetic material within the bacterial cells determines how quickly the bacteriophage's DNA is transferred, not the pressure in the virus itself.
Caltech engineers enable focusing of light deep into biological tissue, opening up possibilities for non-invasive diagnoses and treatments. The technique uses ultrasound waves to shift the frequency of light, allowing for image creation without scattering effects.
Researchers found panguite, a titanium oxide mineral, in the Allende meteorite, which is considered one of the best-studied meteorites in history. The discovery sheds new light on the formation and evolution of the solar system.
Neuroscientists at Caltech found that the primary somatosensory cortex processes both physical and emotional aspects of touch, with brain activity reflecting emotional significance even before actual contact. This finding has implications for understanding autism, sexual abuse, and physical trauma.
Researchers narrow down possible masses for neutrino, a tiny particle that rarely interacts with matter, using sensitive detectors buried underground. The new data suggests a neutrino cannot be more massive than about 0.140 to 0.380 electron volts.
A Caltech study finds the CMS auction system falls short of expectations, leading to low-ball bids and few companies able to afford the items. The experimentally tested auction structure shows that eliminating two unorthodox rules can improve efficiency, but it may still face challenges.
Researchers at Caltech have created a dynamic computer model that reproduces the physics of a fault segment, showing both seismic and aseismic behavior. The model predicts changes in earthquake frequency and location, shedding light on the seismic cycle and potential forecasting of earthquakes.
A team at Caltech developed a new method to measure sand dune movement on Mars, revealing rates similar to those on Earth. The research provides key data for interpreting the Martian landscape and stratigraphic record.
A study by Caltech researchers suggests that when high financial incentives are involved, people become afraid of losing their potential reward and perform worse. The team found that the more someone is afraid of loss, the worse they perform, and that this effect even occurs when there are no explicit losses.
Researchers used stalagmites to reconstruct a history of the tropical West Pacific's climate over four glacial cycles, finding no evidence of a sudden shift in peak interglacial conditions following a key event. Instead, they found extreme drying in the tropics coincided with abrupt climate changes in high latitudes.
A team of researchers at Caltech has traced the developmental process that ensures certain stem cells become T cells. They identified key genes and regulatory proteins involved in this process, shedding light on how stem cells are committed to a specific cell fate.
Researchers found that many nematodes communicate using the same types of small-molecule pheromones, revealing a universal nematode language. This discovery could lead to strategies to prevent unwanted nematode species and improve agricultural and healthcare industries.
A Caltech-led team used a framework to analyze fossil occurrences and sedimentary rock records to determine that habitat loss due to falling sea levels and cooling of tropical oceans were the primary causes of the Late Ordovician mass extinction. The study largely ruled out a hypothesis suggesting a record bias as an explanation for th...
Scientists have discovered a liquid-like compound that could lead to more efficient thermoelectric devices, which convert heat into electricity and vice versa. The copper-selenium material exhibits liquid-like behavior due to the flow of copper atoms through the selenium's crystal lattice.
An international team of physicists has detected and measured the transformation of one type of neutrino into another, a finding that may help explain the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance. The discovery was made using the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment in southern China.