A new study highlights how topography influences biodiversity in mountains. Mid-altitudes host the most species due to the size and connectivity of similar habitats. Biodiversity peaks at these elevations, not at high altitudes or lower levels, according to researchers from EPFL.
Researchers create soft gripper that uses electroadhesion to pick up fragile objects of arbitrary shape and stiffness. The new technology mimics muscle function, gripping onto objects with electrostatic forces.
Researchers at EPFL create cellular and mouse models that accurately reproduce the evolution of Parkinson's disease, using insights into protein clumps called Lewy bodies. The new models can propel research and drug development, offering a powerful tool for rapid screening of molecular pathways involved in the disease.
EPFL scientists have engineered a molecularly engineered hole-transporting material for perovskite solar cells, achieving competitive power-conversion efficiency of 20.2%. The new material is significantly cheaper to synthesize and purify than existing alternatives.
EPFL scientists have developed a gel that boosts the ability of normal cells to revert into stem cells by simply squeezing them into shape. This method paves the way for large-scale production of stem cells for medical purposes, offering new ways to treat injuries and diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes.
Researchers found a correlation between low-income neighborhoods and high BMI in Lausanne, Switzerland. The study suggests that urban environment plays a role in obesity, independent of common factors.
EPFL scientists found that chronic inflammation can lead to metaplasia, where regenerating cells grow into new, aberrant types. This can cause eye cells to turn into skin, resulting in blindness and disorders associated with chronic inflammation.
EPFL scientists have identified a new class of topological insulators, with bismuth iodide as the first representative material. Its atomic structure is unique and has fewer natural defects than previously known materials.
Researchers found that vitamin A can reactivate the HOXA5 protein in cancer cells, eliminating relapse and metastasis. This approach offers a new way to treat colon cancer by targeting a specific biological mechanism.
Researchers have pinpointed an area of the brain that links anxious temperament to low social status. High-anxious individuals perform poorly in social competition, leading to social subordination. Pharmacological manipulation of mitochondria may influence social rank.
Scientists at EPFL show how a light-induced force can push the capabilities of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) even further. They overcame limitations by amplifying molecular vibrations with light, increasing sensitivity and resolution.
Researchers have successfully mapped the 3D structure of cubosomes, a biological 'capsule' that delivers molecules with high efficiency. The breakthrough can help promote the use of cubosomes in medicine and food science.
Researchers found that intestinal worm infections can increase short-chain fatty acid production, activating receptors that influence the immune system. This discovery highlights the microbiome as a new pathway for helminths to modulate host immune function.
The new system, developed by EPFL's Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory, is based on high-performance lithium-ion titanate cells and can store up to 500 kWh of energy. Researchers will use it to study and optimize the functioning of renewable energy systems and feed them into the power distribution grid.
The discovery of over 250 dwarf galaxies at z=6-8 provides strong evidence that faint dwarf galaxies were responsible for cosmic reionization. The team's analysis determined that the smallest and most abundant galaxies in the study were vital to the process.
The new system monitors five substances, including glucose and lactate, and can detect up to 40 molecules in real time. This reduces the need for invasive monitoring devices, providing a practical advantage for medical staff and loved ones.
A genome-wide association study has identified subtle genetic changes that affect the immune response to common viruses. The study found correlations between genetic variations and immune responses to four viruses: influenza A, Epstein-Barr, JC polyomavirus, and Merkel cell polyomavirus.
Researchers at EPFL have created a groundbreaking DNA stain called SiR-Hoechst, which enables the safe imaging of living cells for extended periods. This innovation allows biologists to track biological processes such as cell division in real-time, paving the way for further breakthroughs in bioimaging.
Researchers have discovered that combining tricyclic antidepressants with anticoagulant drugs can slow down glioma tumors in mice by causing excessive autophagy. The study, published in Cancer Cell, found that the combination therapy doubled the lifespan of mice with gliomas.
EPFL scientists have developed a method that improves the accuracy of DNA sequencing up to a thousand times by slowing down the process using nanopores and viscous liquids. This breakthrough paves the way for better and cheaper DNA sequencing, enabling scientists to detect mutations and identify different organisms with greater precision.
Researchers found that primates, like humans, recover partial motor control within the first six months after a spinal cord injury, whereas rats show limited recovery. The primate-specific mechanism of recovery involves detour circuits around lesions, restoring communication between brain and spinal cords.
EPFL scientists have developed a new method called cryofixation to preserve the brain's true structure, overcoming distortion caused by traditional fixation methods. This breakthrough allows for unprecedented detail in brain imaging and has significant implications for understanding brain anatomy and function.
Scientists at EPFL have successfully distinguished between the disease-causing aggregation forms of proteins using step-by-step imaging. This breakthrough can help change pharmaceutical treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's, which are caused by misfolded protein aggregates.
Researchers used fruit flies to discover that groups of genes working together, rather than single genes, influence gut immunocompetence. They found that variations in these gene clusters can make some flies highly susceptible or resistant to infections, with implications for chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
EPFL scientists develop a highly accurate detection system using firefly-inspired biotechnology, enabling quick diagnosis of cancer and protein interactions without requiring expensive equipment. The system utilizes a chemically-tweaked enzyme to produce light signals that can be seen with the naked eye.
EPFL scientists have shown that electrons can jump through spins much faster than previously thought, challenging the notion of intermediate steps between spin jumps. The finding has profound implications for both technology and fundamental physics and chemistry, potentially offering long-awaited solutions to spintronics limitations.
By analyzing blood flow patterns, researchers have identified 13 main brain networks that work together and can be used to diagnose neurological disorders like Alzheimer's. The study provides new insights into how the brain organizes itself and sets the stage for early diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers developed a graphene-based sensor that can detect nanometer-sized molecules and reveal their structure. By harnessing the unique optical and electronic properties of graphene, scientists improved upon infrared absorption spectroscopy to create a highly sensitive molecule sensor.
EPFL scientists identified lansoprazole as an excellent candidate against tuberculosis, a global pandemic, by screening thousands of approved drugs. The study found that lansoprazole kills the bacterium after being converted into a sulfur-containing metabolite, targeting a crucial enzyme for energy production.
EPFL scientists have developed a simple and inexpensive method to fabricate high-quality, efficient solar panels for direct solar hydrogen production. The innovative technique uses the boundary between two non-mixing liquids to produce an even dispersion of 2-D flakes, resulting in superior efficiency compared to other methods.
A team of researchers has successfully developed a brain-machine interface that allows paralyzed individuals to remotely control robots with their thoughts. The technology has shown excellent results, enabling users to interact with the robot's surroundings and avoid obstacles without requiring any physical movement.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered how a major effector protein regulates gene expression by speeding up its search for chromatin binding sites. By increasing its binding rate and forming dimers to maximize interaction with chromatin, HP1α enhances gene regulation efficiency.
The tuberculosis bacterium co-opts mechanisms of the immune system to its own advantage by releasing small bits of DNA into macrophages. This triggers an immune response that helps the bacteria rather than fights it. Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate this process, potentially paving the way for new treatments
Researchers at EPFL have developed a chip placed under the skin that can detect multiple molecules, including glucose, lactate, cholesterol, and drugs, using induction-powered biosensors. The device has been successfully tested on mice with promising results, paving the way for clinical trials in humans within three to five years.
Researchers have developed a new method for studying protein motion by freezing and then slowly 'waking' them up with increasing temperature. This approach, using variable-temperature solid-state NMR, reveals a hierarchical sequence of protein motions, allowing scientists to study individual motions and their interactions.
Researchers found that paternally contributed centriole proteins can persist up to ten cell generations, raising the possibility that centrioles may be a non-genetic information carrier. This discovery has profound implications for biology and disease treatment, particularly for understanding centriole-related diseases.
Scientists at EPFL have discovered that electron transfer from tryptophan to a heme molecule can distort FRET data, leading to false readings about protein conformation changes. This finding has significant implications for the effectiveness of FRET analysis in studying protein structures and interactions.
Scientists have developed a method to analyze uranium isotopes to determine whether bacteria were active in forming sediments billions of years ago. This new approach gives researchers a unique tool to study microbial activity and environmental niches from the past.
Scientists have discovered a molecular switch that allows human cytomegalovirus to enter dormancy or reactivate infection. By manipulating this switch with simple drugs, HCMV can be targeted with antivirals and purged from organs before transplantation.
A new reality substitution prototype unveiled at The Brain Forum 2015 aims to revolutionize virtual reality production and experience. By capturing real-world situations and playing them back in head-mounted displays, the system enables users to immerse themselves in authentic environments with real cognitive implications.
A recent study published in Science reveals that dark matter particles do not interact with themselves when galaxy clusters collide, contradicting the view that they consist of proton-like particles. This finding challenges a major theory and raises new questions about the nature of dark matter.
Researchers have analyzed the complete genome of Mycobacterium lepromatosis and compared it to that of the major leprosy-causing bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. The study reveals the origin and evolutionary history of both bacteria, offering new insights into their biology, global distribution, and possibly treatment.
Researchers at EPFL have demonstrated that graphene exhibits quasi-lossless heat transfer, allowing it to propagate heat without significant losses even at room temperature. This discovery has valuable implications for the design of future electronic components.
Researchers developed a robot-based writing tool called CoWriter that helps children improve their handwriting and writing skills. The program uses learning by teaching, a recognized principle in pedagogy, and has been tested with over 70 students aged 6-8 years old.
Researchers at EPFL have captured a single snapshot of light exhibiting both wave-like and particle properties using electrons to image the phenomenon. The experiment demonstrates the simultaneous observation of quantization and interference pattern of a plasmonic near-field.
Scientists found that stress increases competitive confidence in people with low anxiety, while decreasing it in those with high anxiety. This suggests that stress is a cause of social inequality, rather than just a consequence.
Researchers unveil prototypes of telescopic contact lenses that magnify objects up to 2.8 times, addressing low vision and AMD concerns. Complementary smart glasses recognize winks and blinks, allowing seamless switching between normal and magnified vision.
Researchers discovered how coral-dwelling microalgae harness nutrients from seawater and transport them to corals through a complex process. The findings provide new insights into the impact of coral bleaching on reef ecosystems, highlighting the importance of this symbiotic relationship.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a way to control the formation of conductive pathways in ferroelectric materials, allowing for the creation of adaptable electronic circuits. This technology has the potential to miniaturize devices and enable resilient circuits that can function even with damaged components.
Researchers create e-Dura implant to reduce inflammation and rejection, allowing long-term application on spinal cord. The flexible device closely mimics living tissue, enabling simultaneous electrical stimulation and pharmacological delivery.