A study by Columbia University researchers found that rogue RNA-binding proteins, including TDP-43, FUS, and hnRNP A1, accumulate in the brains of patients with ALS and frontotemporal dementia. This discovery suggests a common disease mechanism between inherited and sporadic forms of both diseases.
Researchers found that dwarf-galaxy mergers can replenish a galaxy's supply of star-making fuel, like the Milky Way's. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds hold enough gas to replenish half of the Milky Way's supply, with their gas footprint continuing to expand even after collision.
Researchers developed a new imaging tool to visualize metabolic activities in individual cells, tracking protein, lipid, and DNA production. The technique's potential applications include tumor removal, head injury detection, and developmental disorder diagnosis.
Skilled improvisers outperform non-improvisers in distinguishing between easy-to-substitute chords, with their brains showing distinct electrical activity. Improvisational practice reinforces how the brain represents different musical structures, suggesting a scientific basis for creativity.
Scientists use AI-powered tool to track songbirds' arrival patterns in Alaska's North Slope, providing insights into their adaptation to hotter temperatures and more erratic weather. The study's findings suggest that birds may time their migrations to local conditions, including day length, rather than just temperature.
A Columbia University-led team developed a technique to manipulate graphene's electrical conductivity with compression, bringing it closer to being a viable semiconductor. By applying pressure, researchers increased the band gap in BN-graphene structures, effectively blocking electricity flow and creating a stronger switch.
A new study from Columbia University uses an AI algorithm to analyze the full range of behaviors exhibited by the tiny pond-dwelling creature Hydra. By comparing its movements to neural firing patterns, researchers hope to gain insights into how its nervous system works.
A study led by Columbia University astrophysicists has found a dozen black holes gathered around Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The discovery confirms a major theory and opens up new opportunities to understand the universe.
A team of astronomers discovered that some stars in the Galactic halo are former residents of the Galactic disk, kicked out by invading dwarf galaxies. This finding confirms a new understanding of the Milky Way's history and future, revealing a complex interplay between galaxy interactions.
Researchers at Columbia University found that tree guards can improve street trees' ability to absorb stormwater runoff. The study shows that protected pits absorbed water six times faster than unprotected ones, reducing the load on city sewers.
A new study predicts that migrants applying for asylum in the European Union will nearly triple over the average of the last 15 years by 2100. The researchers found that countries with higher temperature deviations from 20 degrees Celsius during their growing season are more likely to see increased asylum applications.
Researchers at Columbia University developed a new microscopy technique to track fatty acids in living cells, revealing that saturated fats cause hardened membrane patches that can lead to cellular damage. In contrast, unsaturated fats can 'melt' these patches, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for lipid disorders.
Bacteria access oxygen for energy production in crowded, oxygen-deprived environments through a specific terminal oxidase and phenazine molecules. This discovery could inform the development of new therapies for cystic fibrosis infections.
The development of brain-computer interfaces and AI-powered neurotechnologies holds promise for treating various disorders, but raises concerns about individual privacy and autonomy. Experts recommend regulating the use of personal data and establishing norms to prevent social inequalities and potential exploitation.
A study by Columbia University researchers suggests that U.S. lakes and reservoirs can generate 325 gigawatts of power through evaporation, which is nearly 70% of the country's current energy production.
Researchers analyzed the genomes of 210,000 people to find a drop in some genetic mutations linked to Alzheimer's disease and heavy smoking in those who lived longer. Additionally, sets of mutations predisposing people to heart disease and obesity appeared less often in longer-lived individuals.
Researchers developed a yeast-based tool that can detect fungal pathogens responsible for major human disease, agricultural damage, and food spoilage. The one-component biosensor is extremely low-cost, easy to use, and doesn't require cold-storage facilities, making it a game-changer for global pathogen surveillance.
Researchers at Columbia University found that seizures in mice spread across the brain in a sequential pattern, unaffected by seizure duration, according to a new study published in Cell Reports.
A new study reveals that species' geographic ranges are systematically overestimated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), leading to an underestimation of extinction risk. The research provides a formula to estimate more accurate species ranges, suggesting that at least 10 out of 18 bird species should have the...
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a new optical microscopy platform with drastically enhanced detection sensitivity, allowing for simultaneous labeling and imaging of up to 24 specific biomolecules. This breakthrough has the potential to transform understanding of complex biological systems, including the human cell map...
Researchers at Columbia University found that haphazard neural activity in mice with schizophrenia symptoms may underlie the disease. The study suggests that disruptions in small networks of neurons could produce characteristic psychosis symptoms.
Researchers found that eusociality in marine snapping shrimps emerges when hatchlings remain close to home, suggesting the importance of kin selection in driving social evolution. The study provides new insights into how complex social systems evolved in marine life.
Declining plant diversity shifts flowering phenology at the same magnitude as global warming, according to a new study. This finding highlights the critical role of biotic interactions in understanding ecosystem changes and the impact on plant reproduction.
Astronomers have observed a star orbiting a black hole at a rate of nearly twice an hour, marking the tightest orbital dance between a black hole and a companion star ever seen. The discovery was made using the combined power of three advanced telescopes.
Researchers found that a nearby galaxy's radiation could trigger the collapse of a host galaxy, allowing a massive black hole to form and grow rapidly. The study provides new insights into the formation of supermassive black holes in the infant universe.
Sebastian Will, a Columbia University assistant professor, has been awarded a $60,000 fellowship to investigate the fundamental understanding of quantum many-body systems. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation recognizes his unique potential to make substantial contributions to physics.
A new approach to analyzing big data has been developed at Columbia University, Princeton and Harvard University. The Influence score, or I-score, is a statistic that can identify highly predictive variables in large datasets. This method has potential applications in predicting diseases, social science phenomena, and financial markets.
Researchers at Columbia University developed a new machine-learning algorithm called TeraStructure to analyze massive genetic data sets. The algorithm can estimate population structure more accurately and twice as fast as current state-of-the-art algorithms, making it potentially useful for identifying disease-causing genetic mutations.
Researchers demonstrate that groups of activated neurons can form the basic building blocks of learning and memory. They used optogenetic tools to control and observe brain activity in living mice, finding that neural ensembles can be artificially implanted and replayed.
Researchers at Columbia University have found that individual stocks may be overpriced for longer periods of time and more often than previously thought. The study estimated the number of bubbles in the US stock market between 2000 and 2013, counting up to 13,000 bubbles, or an average of four bubbles per stock.
Researchers at Columbia University develop a new model considering life history traits' impact on mutation rates, finding that the molecular clock wobbles as it evolves. This leads to revised estimates of the human-chimp split time, supporting a mutational slowdown and reconciling genetic and paleontological data.
The Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub aims to address health, energy, finance, urbanization, natural science, and education challenges using data analytics and collaboration between experts. The hub will focus on extracting insights from large datasets to bring about tangible results.
Researchers at Columbia University and others present an alternative approach, Partition Retention, which displays strong power in prediction. This method identifies highly predictive variables that are not statistically significant, reducing prediction error rates from 30% to 8% for breast cancer gene analysis.
A national network of neurotechnology centers is proposed to accelerate the BRAIN Initiative, a decade-long scientific project with over $300 Million budget. The centers would tackle critical areas like Connectomics, Nanotechnology, and Optical Imaging, providing an alternative STEM career path for postdocs and graduate students.
Researchers designed a new tool called Sunlight to bring transparency to the Web, analyzing numerous inputs and outputs together to form hypotheses about personal data use effects. The study found that sensitive information was used to target ads and recommendations, violating companies' advertising policies.
Astronomers at Columbia University provide evidence of a pair of supermassive black holes converging towards a collision. They predict the smashup will occur in 100,000 years, offering insights into black hole growth and space-time vibrations.
A new study at Columbia University finds that World War I marks a significant shift in modern political thought, with keywords like 'democracy' and 'unity' emerging after 1917. The researchers analyzed nearly 1.8 million words from State of the Union addresses to chart the evolution of social and political discourses over time.
A new approach to visualize glucose uptake activity in single living cells has been developed by Columbia University researchers. This technique uses stimulated Raman scattering imaging with a small alkyne tag to generate a strong Raman signal, allowing for high-sensitivity imaging of glucose uptake at the cellular level.
Researchers at Columbia University found that students who wrote about values important to them showed improved academic performance and challenged negative stereotypes. The study used text mining to analyze thousands of essays written by middle school and college students.
Researchers create two novel devices that harness the power of evaporation to generate electricity and propel self-sustaining devices. The floating piston-driven engine generates enough electricity to cause a light to flash, while the rotary engine drives a miniature car.
A large study found twice as many diagnosed autisms among ART births compared to non-ART births, but most of the association was explained by maternal age and education. After accounting for these factors, an elevated risk was only seen in mothers aged 20-34, with no significant increase in singletons.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a light microscopy method to image protein synthesis and degradation in living tissues and animals. The technique, coupling stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy with metabolic labeling of deuterated amino acids, allows non-invasive visualization of protein metabolism.
Columbia researchers have observed the fractional quantum Hall effect in bilayer graphene, demonstrating a controllable phase transition by applying electric fields. The team's breakthrough allows for tuning of the charge density and identification of exotic non-abelian states with potential for quantum computation.
Scientists have created a detailed map of human B cell development at the single-cell level, improving research capabilities and identifying rare aberrations that lead to disease. The approach will guide regenerative medicine and help understand complex developmental processes.
Columbia researchers uncover a chemical reaction that increases muscle protein elasticity in response to stretching forces. This finding could lead to new treatments for muscle disorders like dilated cardiomyopathy.
Columbia researchers have developed a novel method to image small biomolecules, such as drugs and nucleic acids, in living cells without disturbing their functions. By using stimulated Raman scattering microscopy with alkyne tags, they can obtain high detection specificity and sensitivity.
Researchers developed a predictive fitness model for influenza, predicting optimal viral strain combinations for vaccines. The model considers innovation and conservation of viruses, providing insights into the complexity of influenza evolution.
A team of Columbia researchers has developed a nano-mechanical system that can create FM signals, paving the way for more efficient cell phones and wireless communication. The device uses graphene's unique properties to tune frequency and overcome size limitations.
Researchers create cleanest graphene by making electrical contact only along its 1D edge and using a contamination-free assembly technique. This results in improved performance, including high electron mobility and low sheet resistivity, making it suitable for electronic devices.
Using genetic algorithms, researchers at Columbia University have developed an inverse design framework to create novel nanostructured materials. The study shows the potential of machine learning and