EPFL researchers have developed a haptic device called SORI that can accurately recreate the softness of various materials, from marshmallows to beating hearts. This technology has potential applications in medicine, such as training medical students to detect cancerous tumors and providing sensory feedback to surgeons using robots.
Scientists have identified two thalamic nuclei and the subthalamic nucleus as encoding vital physiological signals from the heart and lungs. This discovery sheds light on how the body and brain communicate, influencing cognitive processes such as emotional regulation and decision-making.
EPFL researchers have discovered that nanoscale devices harnessing the hydroelectric effect can harvest electricity from the evaporation of fluids with higher ion concentrations than purified water. This breakthrough reveals a wide range of applications for hydrovoltaic devices, including powering sensors and generating clean water.
As glaciers shrink due to global warming, glacier-fed streams are becoming warmer, calmer, and clearer, allowing algae and microorganisms to thrive. This shift is leading to a 'green transition' in these ecosystems, with potential impacts on carbon and nutrient cycles.
A new study from EPFL reveals how the CRL5–SPSB3 ubiquitin ligase targets and degrades nuclear cGAS, preventing it from mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues. This regulation ensures a sophisticated balance between immune readiness and protecting the integrity of the cell's genome.
Researchers from EPFL have made significant strides in deciphering the electronic structure of water using computational methods that go beyond current approaches. The study accurately determines water's ionization potential, electron affinity, and band gap, essential for understanding its interactions with light and substances.
Researchers have developed an AI-driven method to detect possible anomalies beneath the surface of wind turbine blades using patented radar technology. The non-destructive approach supports agile data acquisition and analysis, enabling faster detection of manufacturing defects and improved overall quality assurance.
A new study by EPFL researchers Antonia Sclocchi and Matthieu Wyart examines the impact of changing batch size and learning rate on stochastic gradient descent. They identify three regimes that affect AI learning differently, from exploratory to efficient approaches.
Scientists successfully observed and controlled quantum effects at room temperature using a novel optomechanical system. The breakthrough enables practical applications of quantum technologies and expands the study of macroscopic quantum mechanics.
Post-translational modifications on alpha-synuclein slow amyloid aggregation and protect neurons, potentially slowing disease progression. The study's findings suggest that targeting these modifications could lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease.
Researchers identified a group of proteins that help cancer cells maintain genetic stability and avoid immune system detection. By depleting these proteins, they triggered an inflammatory response and made the cancer cells visible to the immune system.
Researchers developed a machine learning framework that encodes images like a retina, reducing sensory encoding challenges in neural prostheses. The actor-model approach produced images eliciting a neuronal response more akin to the original image response.
A new study uses GPT-3 to simplify chemical analysis, achieving accuracy surpassing state-of-the-art models. The approach fine-tunes the language model with curated Q&As, enabling easy and fast discovery in low-data chemistry.
A new study reveals a larger number of transposable elements in the human genome than previously known, shedding light on their potential role in human diseases. The 'genomic time machine' approach allowed researchers to identify degenerate TEs that were missed in previous studies.
Scientists have discovered that exposing tellurite glass to femtosecond laser light creates nanoscale crystals that can generate electricity when exposed to light. This breakthrough enables the creation of a transparent, single-material light-harvesting and sensing device.
Researchers at EPFL and Max Planck Institute have successfully bridged the gap between light and electrons using a transmission electron microscope. They achieved this by generating dissipative Kerr solitons that interact with free electrons, allowing for ultrafast modulation of electron beams.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a novel CAR-T cell therapy that surpasses traditional methods by producing its own medicine to survive in tumor environments. The treatment has achieved a 100% success rate in clinical trials and shows potential for lowering production costs, making it more accessible for cancer patients.
Researchers have developed a new method to generate cyclic peptides that can target diseases and be administered orally, overcoming challenges in protein binding. The approach enables high-throughput screening and has shown substantial bioavailability in rats, opening possibilities for treating various diseases.
Researchers used multimodal MRI data to compare human brain communication networks with those of macaques and mice. They found that only human brains transmitted information via multiple parallel pathways, which were as unique as fingerprints and could be used to identify individuals.
Researchers from EPFL and University of Bologna used asteroseismology to calculate star distances, providing accurate measurements and validating Gaia's parallax data. The study analyzed over 12,000 oscillating red giant stars, measuring their vibrations and oscillations to determine stellar properties.
Researchers at EPFL report on controlling a third arm with diaphragm movement, enhancing human cognition and exploring nervous system limitations. The study demonstrates intuitive control of an extra limb and potential applications in rehabilitation protocols.
The war has caused a significant loss of scientific talent in Ukraine, with approximately 20% of top scientists emigrating. Many scientists who stay are working under precarious contracts or have limited time for research.
Researchers at EPFL's Photonic Systems Laboratory develop a hybrid device that significantly improves existing laser technology by enhancing coherence and emitting visible light. This innovation has implications for telecommunications, metrology, and precision applications.
Researchers have developed an algorithm to train an analog neural network just as accurately as a digital one, decreasing energy consumption and eliminating the need for a digital twin. This approach is more biologically plausible and shows improved speed, robustness, and reduced power consumption compared to other methods.
A team of researchers at EPFL has successfully challenged the reliability of acoustic monitoring for detecting defects in laser additive manufacturing. By analyzing shifts in the acoustic signal during regime transitions, they identified defects in real-time, providing a cost-effective solution to improve product quality and integrity.
Scientists developed an AI method to track neurons in moving and deforming animals using convolutional neural networks with targeted augmentation. This breakthrough reduces manual annotation efforts by three times, enabling faster analysis of brain activity in model organisms like Caenorhabditis elegans.
ChromoSense uses a translucent rubber cylinder with colored sections to detect changes in bending, stretching, compression, and temperature. The device has potential applications in wearable technologies and soft robots, offering a more targeted and information-dense sensing solution than traditional camera-based systems.
EPFL researchers have developed the world's first large-scale in-memory processor using 2D semiconductor materials, which could substantially cut the ICT sector's energy footprint. The processor combines data processing and storage onto a single device, reducing energy waste and improving efficiency.
A study published in Scientific Reports investigated physiological explanations for glare experience. Researchers found that macular pigment density may not explain variations in people's glare perception, particularly under neutral daylight conditions.
A new study finds that individuals with PTSD symptoms exhibit a blunted responsiveness to cortisol, leading to impaired fear extinction and other biological alterations. Researchers used a genetically selected rat model to demonstrate the causal link between low glucocorticoid levels and PTSD vulnerability.
Researchers present a groundbreaking approach to create detailed neuronal models that can represent individual cells or predefined types, offering insights into biophysical properties and generalizability. The workflow uses evolutionary algorithms and open-source tools to optimize model parameters and achieve high similarity scores.
A new study explores how alpha-synuclein disrupts metabolic processes in neurons. Researchers used NanoSIMS imaging techniques to visualize isotopic variations and found changes in carbon turnover, suggesting increased metabolic demands on affected cells.
Scientists at EPFL's Galatea Laboratory have successfully created a miniature, all-glass femtosecond laser using a commercial femtosecond laser. The device features improved alignment capabilities thanks to the use of glass expansion and shrinkage techniques.
Researchers propose a new framework to explain the emergence of 'dynamical heterogeneities' in glass-forming liquids, which become increasingly correlated as they cool down. This study provides insights into the Stoke-Einstein breakdown and suggests a new handle for understanding other complex systems with intermittent dynamics.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a record-thin MOF film that performs exceptional hydrogen-nitrogen separation. The breakthrough uses an innovative crystallization method to create uniform two-dimensional films with unprecedented thickness.
A new study reveals that flow-sensing cilia activate BICC1 to regulate organ laterality, with a complex network involving ANKS3 and ANKS6. The discovery provides fundamental insights into gene expression and opens avenues for therapies of genetic disorders.
Scientists at NeuroRestore have developed a gene therapy that stimulates nerve regrowth and guides nerves to reconnect to their natural targets, restoring mobility in mice with complete spinal cord injuries. The treatment, tested in mice, shows promise in reversing paralysis and improving motor function.
Researchers at EPFL engineered E. coli bacteria to exhibit enhanced extracellular electron transfer, producing electricity while metabolizing organic substrates. The bioengineered E. coli surpassed previous approaches, generating three times more electrical current in various environments, including wastewater from a brewery.
Scientists have developed a new approach to study molecular behavior in confined spaces, allowing for real-time tracking of individual molecules within nanofluidic structures. This breakthrough enables the use of single-photon emitters as nanoscale probes, providing unprecedented insights into molecular properties and behaviors.
Researchers at EPFL developed a novel system integrating 2D semiconductors and ferroelectric materials to create faster, more efficient electronics with brain-inspired operations. The technology enables significant energy reduction and advanced functionalities, including synaptic neuron function within the same device.
The EPFL study found that having neighbors with solar panels plays a significant role in deciding whether someone installs them, alongside factors like socioeconomic category. The results also show a correlation between solar-panel installation and urbanization, highlighting the importance of flexible policies to promote renewable energy.
Researchers at EPFL have developed the Backtracking Dynamical Cavity Method (BDCM) to study disordered systems, which are found in materials science, climate, and social networks. By tracing steps backward from stable points, the BDCM provides valuable insights into complex system dynamics.
Researchers at EPFL develop a superconducting circuit optomechanical platform with ultra-low quantum decoherence, enabling high-fidelity quantum control and long-term quantum storage. The breakthrough achieved record-breaking thermal decoherence rates of only 20 Hz.
A recent study found that the cGAS/STING molecular signaling pathway plays a critical role in driving chronic inflammation and functional decline during aging. By blocking STING, researchers were able to suppress inflammatory responses and improve tissue function, leading to enhancements in spatial and associative memory.
Researchers found a novel region in the genome associated with spontaneous control of HIV in populations of African ancestries. CHD1L, a protein involved in DNA repair, shows genetic variation specific to these populations and limits HIV replication in white blood cells.
Researchers developed AirGels, bioengineered models of human lung tissue, to study airway infections in a more realistic manner. They found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa induces contraction of the host's mucus using type IV pili, contributing to biofilm formation.
A study reveals that specific bacteria drive the evolution of antimicrobial peptides in Drosophila, providing insights into how host immune systems adapt to new ecological niches. The findings also suggest a new model for AMP-microbiome evolution.
A team of researchers from EPFL has found a way to harness the unique features of chaotic frequency combs to implement unambiguous and interference-immune massively parallel laser ranging. This innovative approach offers significant advantages over conventional methods, enabling hundreds of multicolor independent optical carriers.
Researchers developed a technique to enhance the stability of perovskite solar cells by using fluorinated aniliniums, avoiding progressive ligand intercalation. This approach achieved a certified quasi-steady-state power-conversion efficiency of 24.09% for inverted-structure PSCs.
EPFL researchers have created a novel biosensor, ImmunoSEIRA, to detect misfolded protein biomarkers linked to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The sensor employs AI-powered neural networks for disease stage quantification and features gold nanorod arrays with antibodies for specific protein detection.