The cholera bacterium uses a tiny spear to stab and kill neighboring bacteria, then steals their DNA through horizontal gene transfer. This mechanism allows the bacterium to become more resistant to threats, including antibiotics.
Researchers at EPFL have created a highly sensitive motion detector that can detect the movement of microorganisms, including bacteria and yeast, without prior knowledge of their chemistry. The system uses a nano-sized cantilever to capture vibrations caused by living cells, making it suitable for detecting life on other planets.
Researchers used optogenetics to record synaptic transmissions from light-sensitive neurons to interneurons in the mouse barrel cortex. The study revealed cell-type-specific synaptic connectivity and transmission patterns, shedding new light on brain function.
Researchers have observed electrons splitting into a magnet and an electrical charge in quasi two-dimensional magnetic materials, supporting the theory of high-temperature superconductivity. This phenomenon was previously thought to occur only in one dimension.
Cuprate superconductors exhibit unique properties, including high-temperature superconductivity and magnetic behavior. Researchers at EPFL used Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering to study the electronic structure of cuprates, finding that spin interactions play a crucial role in their superconducting state.
Researchers used synchrotron phase contrast microtomography and transmission x-ray microscopy to map out oxygen distribution in fireflies' lanterns. The study found that oxygen is diverted from cellular functions to the reaction breaking down luciferin, slowing energy production and optimizing light emission.
Scientists have identified an atypical photon emission signal in X-rays from space that could be evidence of dark matter. The anomaly's distribution corresponds to expected patterns for dark matter, and further analysis confirms the findings.
EPFL scientists have found that replacing glucose with starch from rice can reduce the toxicity of the cholera bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, and may lead to a 30% reduction in cholera cases. Oral rehydration therapy using rice starch could significantly improve treatment outcomes.
A new study suggests that organic carbon traces found in a Martian meteorite may have originated from biological sources. The researchers argue that the carbon content was deposited in the meteorite's fissures before it left Mars, and its isotopic ratio is consistent with biological origin.
Researchers at EPFL have identified an alternative part of Abl-kinase on which drugs can bind with reduced risk of drug resistance. This new approach may overcome the problem of tumor drug resistance, offering a potential treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia.
Researchers at EPFL successfully recreated the ghost illusion in the laboratory by altering sensorimotor brain signals. This phenomenon is common to many cultures and can be observed in people with neurological or psychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy.
Researchers have discovered a receptor that can be activated by bile acids to reduce inflammation in fat tissue, which is associated with type-2 diabetes. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new anti-diabetes drugs.
Researchers have discovered a new way to control electron spin in an insulating material, paving the way for more efficient spintronics devices. This breakthrough could lead to the development of spin-polarized materials and directly observe elusive Majorana fermions.
Scientists from EPFL, UC Berkeley, and Beijing have combined solid and liquid materials to create a hybrid absorption-adsorption method that captures CO2 more efficiently than current methods. The new approach uses a slurry of ZIF-8, a metal-organic framework, with glycol, allowing for low-cost and energy-efficient carbon capture.
EPFL scientists have developed two small molecules that can overcome the multidrug resistance of Mtb, a bacterium that causes tuberculosis. The compounds inhibit the secretion of virulence protein EsxA and exert multiple effects against Mtb's molecular apparatus.
Researchers at EPFL propose a feasible experiment to show entanglement in the macroscopic realm, leveraging optomechanics and nanostructures. The experiment involves converting light into mechanical vibrations, which exhibit entangled behavior.
Scientists have developed a new generation of hyperpolarizing agents that can be used to dramatically enhance the signal intensity of imaged body tissues without presenting any danger to the patient. The HYPSOs are made from a fine, white, porous powder containing tracking molecules, which act as markers for imaging.
Scientists at EPFL have created a method to convert sunlight into hydrogen using perovskite solar cells and nickel-iron catalysts, achieving an impressive 12.3% efficiency rate. This innovative approach eliminates the need for rare-earth metals in producing usable hydrogen fuel, paving the way for efficient energy storage and conversion.
EPFL scientists have developed a therapy to help people with spinal cord injury walk again by controlling the limbs of a completely paralyzed rat in real-time. The technology uses electrical signals to stimulate nerves and restore movement control. Clinical trials may start as early as next summer using the new Gait Platform.
A team from EPFL Brain Mind Institute finds that chronic stress activates an enzyme that reduces nectin-3 cell adhesion proteins, leading to social skills loss and impaired memory. External treatments can restore sociability and normal cognitive skills.
Researchers have discovered a pathological process that affects both mice and humans with type 2 diabetes. By analyzing genome, phenome, proteome, and metabolome data, they identified a specific gene on chromosome 2 that plays a crucial role in the development of the disease.
Scientists used computer modeling to trace water channels in cell surface receptors (GPCRs), discovering their role in signal transduction. The study suggests that targeting these internal water pathways could lead to the development of more efficient drugs.
EPFL scientists have developed a silicon-based photonic crystal nanocavity that requires record-low energy to operate as a switch, enabling faster and more efficient technology. The device's high Q factor and small size produce higher light intensity for the same energy, making it a significant step towards optical circuits.
EPFL researchers developed a synthetic amino acid that can impact 3D structure of bioactive peptides, enhancing their potency. The amino acid, similar to cysteine, forms bridges influencing overall structure and function of peptides and proteins.
A field experiment in the North Sea provides insight into the fate of oil during the immediate aftermath of an accidental oil spill. Researchers found that a fraction of the oil immediately evaporates into the air or dissolves into seawater, posing threats to aquatic species and rescue workers.
The Planck Telescope's most detailed map of the cosmic microwave background contains features that challenge the standard model of cosmology. By processing the data differently and including other effects, scientists have found that several anomalies disappear, but others may still persist.
Scientists have determined the 3D structure of 5HT3-R, a receptor involved in conditions like chemotherapy-induced nausea and anxiety. The high-resolution structure reveals the receptor's molecular anatomy, providing insights into its function and potential targets for novel medicines.
Scientists demonstrate SmB6's insulating properties with 100% efficiency at low temperatures, marking a breakthrough in spintronics technology. The discovery paves the way for new electronic technologies that utilize electron spin, which is a key property of topological insulators.
Researchers at EPFL discovered that cancer cells with high sugar intake and mobility have a similar mechanism, promoting metastasis and influencing patient survival. The intensity of this phenomenon significantly impacts survival rates, making GLUT3 a potential target for future therapies.
EPFL researchers have developed a novel method to increase the accessible active sites of metal oxide catalysts in water splitting reactions, resulting in improved catalytic properties. The exfoliation method shows increased rates of up to 4.5-fold compared to conventional methods.
A team of scientists in China has developed a new type of perovskite solar cell that does not use a hole-transportation layer, showing high efficiency and stability. The innovation reduces production costs and paves the way for a cost-effective branch of development in this type of solar cell.
Researchers have redefined the asteroid Vesta's internal structure based on Dawn data and simulations, questioning previous models of rocky planet formation. The study found that Vesta's crust is 3 times thicker than expected and lacks olivine, a mineral common in planetary mantles.
Researchers at EPFL have created a new method to track down allergens in foods, which can help develop customized therapies and provide higher accuracy than conventional allergy-testing methods. The method uses immunoaffinity capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to identify specific proteins causing allergic reactions.
Researchers at EPFL create a novel method to design and optimize photonic crystal nanocavities, which can control the flow of light at the nanometer scale. The approach significantly speeds up the development of optical circuits, with quality factors exceeding one million.
Scientists at EPFL introduce a novel biosensor molecule that can quickly measure drug concentration in patients' systems using a digital camera. The method is simple, low-cost, and can be used by patients themselves.
EPFL-led consortium develops new cement blend that substitutes up to half of Portland cement, promising to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40%. The new blend, called LC3, is stronger and more robust than traditional cement, thanks to synergistic chemistry between calcined clay and ground limestone.
Researchers have developed a system to convert hydrogen gas into formic acid, a less flammable liquid fuel that can be safely stored and transported. The process uses two chemical reactions and atmospheric CO2, offering a sustainable solution for energy storage and synthesis of various products.
Researchers at EPFL create two powerful probes for the imaging of cytoskeletal proteins with unprecedented resolution. These probes provide a significant improvement over existing techniques, enabling easier and higher quality imaging of cells with minimal toxicity.
The robotic arm, developed by EPFL researchers, is capable of catching projectiles with irregular shapes and trajectories. It achieves this through a combination of machine learning algorithms and real-time adjustments, enabling it to catch objects in less than five-hundredths of a second.
The team developed a method to measure the energy needed to change magnetic anisotropy in a single Cobalt atom, revealing its maximum magnetic anisotropy energy and longest spin lifetime. This breakthrough presents a single-atom model system that can be used as a future qubit for quantum computing.
Researchers at EPFL used lasers to study how specific vibrations in a water molecule affect its ability to dissociate, enabling the optimization of theoretical models for water dissociation. This breakthrough can impact the design of future catalysts for industrial and commercial chemical reactions.
EPFL scientists have discovered a new relationship between cell shape and migration efficiency, explaining how cells move using a simple model of liquid droplets. The study found that spherical cells are faster movers, and this phenomenon is influenced by surface characteristics.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a tool to identify mutations that make the flu virus resistant to Tamiflu. By analyzing the genetic code of the virus, they discovered new mutations that may render the current treatment ineffective, highlighting the need for further investigation.
Researchers have developed an on-board emotion detector using embedded cameras to analyze drivers' facial expressions, identifying irritation and anger as risk factors for aggressive driving. The system successfully detected these emotions in most cases, paving the way for potential applications in driver safety and comfort.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a promising antibiotic, PBTZ169, effective against multi-resistant strains of tuberculosis. The IM4TB Foundation will bring the new treatment to market, addressing limitations in industrial model development costs and accessibility.
Recent research by Eawag and EPFL suggests that silver nanoparticles are not toxic to certain types of algae, which can survive even low concentrations of silver ions. However, this finding raises concerns about the potential impact on higher organisms, such as fish and other aquatic life.
Researchers at EPFL have developed bioengineered growth factors that significantly enhance wound healing, bone repair, and new blood vessel formation. The engineered growth factors display improved binding affinity to extracellular matrix proteins, leading to faster tissue closure and granulation tissue production.
The European Human Brain Project, Allen Institute for Brain Science, and US BRAIN Initiative are developing new methods to study the brain in health and disease. Researchers aim to reconstruct brain structure in computer models and analyze vast amounts of brain data.
Dennis Aabo Sorensen, a Danish amputee, regained his sense of touch with a revolutionary bionic hand. The prosthetic hand was surgically wired to nerves in his upper arm, allowing him to feel objects intuitively and identify textures.
Researchers analyzed eight oil-soaked sand patties collected along Gulf shores, finding large amounts of water-repelling hydrocarbons that can harm wildlife. The study aimed to assess the environmental impact of persisting oil remnants and improve understanding of their toxicity.