Researchers developed a graphene device that can switch between superconducting and insulating states, allowing for the study of exotic quantum physics. The device, made of three atomically thin layers of graphene, exhibits unique properties such as high-temperature superconductivity and Mott insulator behavior.
A new optical sensor developed at Berkeley Lab can provide reliable information on building damage immediately after an earthquake. The Discrete Diode Position Sensor (DDPS) measures interstory drift and will speed up efforts to safely assess, repair, and reoccupy buildings post-quake.
Scientists from Israel and the US have discovered the genetic explanation for intractable diarrhea of infancy syndrome (IDIS), a rare inherited disease causing extreme diarrhea in children. The study found that deletions in a previously unstudied noncoding region on chromosome 16 prevent the expression of a nearby gene called Percc1.
Researchers use Word2vec to analyze relationships between words in scientific literature, predicting discoveries of new thermoelectric materials years in advance. The algorithm learns concepts like the periodic table and crystal structure of metals without human guidance.
Scientists have discovered a natural defense against the deadly neurotoxin saxitoxin in bullfrogs, which could lead to the first-ever antidote for this compound. Additionally, researchers have captured atomic motion in 4D and identified a molecular switch that promotes IIL tolerance in bacteria, paving the way for better biofuels.
A team of scientists from the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed a new technique called BONCAT to isolate active microbes in soil samples. This breakthrough could enable researchers to better understand terrestrial ecosystems, improve drought-resistance in crops, and sustainably produce fuels.
A team of scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has developed an eco-friendly production platform for a blue pigment called indigoidine. The engineered fungus, Rhodosporidium toruloides, produces the pigment with a high yield, using sustainable carbon sources and reducing toxic chemicals.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source employ X-ray Laue microdiffraction to study tiny samples of promising candidate minerals. The technique successfully identifies ognitite, a newly discovered mineral with unique chemical properties.
Researchers have developed a large interactive stability map of ternary nitrides, predicting 244 new stable compounds. Artificial photosynthesis has also been improved by controlling cobalt oxide catalysts. Additionally, atomically thin semiconductors called TMDCs have shown a quantum yield of 100% when treated with an electrical voltage.
Scientists used a powerful microbial detection device to show that suggestions of sewage in Kauai's watershed were mostly false positives. The PhyloChip technology detected isolated incidences of pig and cow fecal contamination, but the popular beach area downstream was clean.
Berkeley Lab scientists develop faster technique to purify elements, opening door to faster discovery of new elements and easier nuclear fuel reprocessing. The method achieves separation factors many orders of magnitude higher than current state-of-the-art methods, reducing contaminants and increasing efficiency.
The Berkeley Lab project, SUMMATION, aims to quantify and mitigate methane emissions in California by identifying super emitters. Researchers will use a tiered observation system, combining fixed towers, aircraft, and field campaigns to detect and monitor methane emissions.
A team of researchers developed CosmoGAN, a deep learning network that generates high-fidelity convergence maps for weak gravitational lensing. The model achieves high statistical agreement with fully simulated maps, paving the way for building emulators out of deep neural networks.
Researchers successfully adapted an open-source genetic analysis method called Drop-seq to plant cells for the first time, allowing them to see what genes are being expressed in different cell types. The breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of plant biology and ultimately develop more efficient food and biofuel crop plants.
Researchers found a unique assortment of glassy particles, including those resembling meteorite impacts and others with rubber-like composition. The high concentration of these particles suggests they are related to the atomic bomb blast that devastated Hiroshima in 1945.
Researchers have developed a new filter to better map the dark universe, cutting through galaxies' messy emissions to provide clearer windows into dark matter and dark energy. The new method uses shearing effects to reduce errors and provides more accurate measurements.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab created a next-generation plastic that can be recycled endlessly without losing its properties. The new material, poly(diketoenamine), can be disassembled and reassembled from its constituent parts, allowing for the recovery of original monomers.
Researchers developed a statistical method to quantify changes in environmental systems, finding La Nina winters favor mountain snowpack. Scientists also invented synthetic antibodies that could improve disease detection and toxin identification.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have created an all-liquid device that can be reconfigured to carry out complex chemical reactions. The device uses 3D printing and can automate tasks such as catalyst placement, bridge building, and reaction sequences.
Researchers developed a new 3D simulation tool, Warp+PXR, to understand laser-plasma coupling mechanisms, enabling more detailed understanding of ultra-compact particle accelerators and light sources. The code improves accuracy and scalability, allowing for faster simulations and better understanding of complex physics experiments.
A team of researchers has observed chirality in polar skyrmions for the first time in a material with reversible electrical properties. The discovery could lead to applications like more powerful data storage devices that continue to hold information even after being powered off.
Climate scientists are partnering with the City and County of San Francisco to assess how climate change may influence the intensity of atmospheric rivers and associated precipitation. Using high-resolution climate simulations at a resolution of 3 km, researchers aim to provide more accurate predictions about extreme weather events in ...
Researchers have unraveled the inner workings of a process that allows T cells to tune out fake signals, providing an enormous leap forward in understanding immune system fine-tuning. The discovery sheds light on why immune system activity sometimes goes awry and may provide insights into curing cancer.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have discovered a new state of quantum matter exhibiting nearly ideal topological surface properties due to its chirality. The spiral-crystal topological chiral conductor shows exceptional electrical conductivity with minimal resistance.
Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute demonstrate that sustainable plant-based bio-jet fuels could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be economically viable. The study found that optimizing the production process can lower the cost of biofuels to $2.50 per gallon, making them a viable alternative to conventional jet fuels.
Researchers reconstruct nearly 61,000 microbial genomes from human gut metagenomes, uncovering 2,058 previously unknown species and shedding light on the metabolic capabilities of uncultivated microbes. The study improves genomic resources for global populations, especially in regions with limited data.
Engineered living materials use living cells as scaffolds to create composite materials with unprecedented control and versatility. The team engineered a bacterium to attach nanomaterials to its cell surface, creating stable hybrid living materials with emergent properties.
A new study reveals how the long-horned passalid beetle's gut microbiome breaks down woody biomass into energy-rich products like acetate and biofuels. The findings provide insights into a nature-derived approach to producing affordable fuels and bioproducts.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab develop method to turn ordinary semiconducting materials into quantum machines, exhibiting extraordinary electronic behavior. The discovery could help revolutionize industries aiming for energy-efficient electronic systems and provide platform for exotic new physics.
A new DNA analysis technique reveals insights into how ecosystems respond to climate change and environmental shifts by studying microbial genes. Microorganisms play a vital role in shaping ecosystems, and analyzing their plasmidome helps scientists understand the history of an environment.
A research team created a nanoscale 'playground' on a chip to simulate the formation of exotic magnetic particles called monopoles. The simulation follows 'ice rules,' allowing north or south poles to move freely, mimicking real-world magnetic behavior.
Researchers achieved nearly double the previous record of 4.25 GeV by accelerating electrons to 7.8 GeV using a novel technique that combines laser heating and plasma channeling. The breakthrough enables more compact and affordable particle acceleration for high-energy machines.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have revealed the structure of the NADH dehydrogenase-like complex (NDH), a crucial protein in photosynthesis. This breakthrough will allow scientists to explore how the complex functions and could lead to improvements in sustainable bioproducts, including plastic alternatives and biofuels.
Researchers have reproduced an exotic form of magnesium, magnesium-40, which has led to unexpected findings about its nuclear structure. The study suggests that Mg-40 may be football-shaped, with the added neutrons forming a halo nucleus, and this discovery challenges current theories.
Researchers have combined decades-old theories to provide insight into the driving mechanisms of plasma jets in black holes. The simulations describe how twisting magnetic fields and 'negative-energy' particles produce these powerful displays, allowing black holes to steal energy and propel it far from their event horizons.
Berkeley Lab researchers discovered a distinct pattern of electron spins within exotic cuprate superconductor Bi-2212, defying traditional theories. The finding could lead to more efficient power transmission and new materials for high-temperature superconductors.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a copper catalyst that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and fuels without wasteful byproducts. This breakthrough could enable the production of renewable fuels, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent report from a joint effort between researchers and experts has provided guidelines for defining the quality of uncultivated virus genomes. The new standards aim to improve the analysis and characterization of these viruses, which are increasingly being identified through genome sequencing and analyses.
A study by Berkeley Lab found that the Sierra Nevada snowpack could drop by 79% by 2100, leading to a shift in peak timing four weeks earlier. The researchers worked closely with water managers to produce 'actionable science' for resource planning purposes.
Researchers have demonstrated electronic switching in an exotic, ultrathin material at room temperature, reducing energy loss and increasing efficiency for transistors. The breakthrough uses sodium bismuthide (Na3Bi), a 'topological Dirac semimetal' that can be tuned to behave like a conventional or topological material.
FIONA's first results confirm predictions for the mass numbers of moscovium and nihonium, two superheavy elements. The tool provides a reliable way to measure these numbers with experiments, addressing potential issues with nuclear mass models.
Researchers have discovered 16 novel giant viruses in a forest soil ecosystem, more than doubling the known giant virus diversity. These viruses were found using a non-standard approach that involved flow-sorting microbes into small pools, revealing a wealth of giant viruses previously overlooked.
Researchers found that recent hurricanes like Katrina, Irma, and Maria experienced increased rainfall of 5-10%, while projected future storms could have even more intense rainfall and stronger winds. A warmer climate may also alter storm structures, with the inner part robbing moisture from the outer edges.
A comparative analysis of eight Pezizomycete fungi reveals that truffle-forming species have evolved independently due to symbiotic relationships with host plants. The study also highlights the importance of underground networks in shaping these ecosystems and impacting global carbon cycling.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley create high-resolution images of individual atoms in synthetic polymers, revealing 35 arrangements of crystal structures. The discovery could inform polymer fabrication methods and lead to new designs for materials and devices.
Researchers developed a hybrid photoelectrochemical and voltaic (HPEV) cell that turns sunlight into both hydrogen fuel and electricity, overcoming the limitations of current materials. The device achieves a combined efficiency of 20.2%, three times better than conventional solar hydrogen cells.
A new study from Berkeley Lab found that accounting for plant nutrient uptake at night and during non-growing seasons can weaken terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks with the atmosphere, leading to weaker greenhouse gas emissions. The study's findings imply that plants may be able to take up more carbon dioxide and soils lose less nitrous o...
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a unique structure of photosystem I in the moss Physcomitrella patens, which is different from other types of plants. This finding may help understand plant terrestrialization and develop artificial photosynthesis.
Researchers build a genetic profile for section Nigri of Aspergillus fungi, allowing for comparisons within and across the subgroup. The study reveals thousands of new genes, species-specific gene clusters, and insights into species diversification and evolution.
Researchers have developed a single-cell genomics approach to explore unknown fungal diversity, revealing essential metabolism genes and insights into phylogenetic position. The study successfully reconstructed near-complete fungal genomes from environmental samples, shedding light on the cryptic biology of unculturable species.