New research questions assumption that variability is key to population growth and survival. Variability in single-cell organisms can lower population growth rate in fixed environments.
A theoretical physicist proposes an alternative approach to species classification by considering the dynamics of microbial communities as a whole. This framework may help researchers better understand complex biological systems and their role in human diseases.
A team of researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has created a simple device that mimics the complex songs of birds, including Zebra and Bengalese finches. The study suggests that birds may have exploited the physical properties of soft materials to produce their distinctive vocalizations.
Researchers have created a new type of rubber that can self-heal, offering potential applications in durable tires, wearable electronics, and medical devices. The hybrid rubber combines covalent and reversible bonds to achieve its unique properties.
Researchers found that volcanic eruptions can cause ozone depletion until 2070, despite declining levels of human-made CFCs. Natural sources of halogen gases from marine plankton and microalgae become important in the lower stratosphere after CFC concentrations decline.
Researchers have developed a hybrid rigid-soft robotic arm for endoscopes with integrated sensing, flexibility, and multiple degrees of freedom. The device is powered by water and features a suction cup-inspired mechanism to safely interact with tissue.
Scientists use nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations to model gene movement and develop 'switches' that initiate and terminate gene drives, balancing genetic traits with embedded weaknesses. They also find that intense release in specific regions can trigger spreading, but can be stopped by barriers like pesticides.
Researchers have found that bacteria can use mechanical cues to maintain their shape and recover from deformation. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, shows that Escherichia coli uses mechanical strain to grow its cell wall and recover its shape after being twisted out of shape.
Harvard researchers develop a technique to control and measure spin voltage using atomic-sized defects in diamonds, allowing for measurements in chip-scale devices. This breakthrough enables the study of spintronics and exotic physics.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to reconcile temperature estimates from global climate models and paleoclimate records. They found that higher temperature ranges, up to 6 degrees Celsius, may be possible when long-term warming patterns are considered.
Researchers found that egg shape varies smoothly across species and is determined by membrane properties rather than shell. A strong correlation links birds with elliptical and asymmetric eggs to high flight ability, revealing adaptations for flight may have driven egg-shape variety in birds.
Researchers found that stratospheric ozone concentrations in the US are vulnerable to water vapor and temperature variations from storm systems, posing a risk to human health and crops. The study calls for increased meteorological and chemical observations to forecast short-term and long-term ozone loss.
A team of researchers used online quizzes and food photos to test how people learn about nutrition. The results showed that participants who received additional explanations did better on the quiz and learned more than those with no feedback. Peer-generated explanations were just as effective as expert explanations.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS developed a first flat lens for immersion microscopy, providing a cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture alternative to the expensive hand polishing technique. This innovation enhances biological imaging capabilities by enabling the capture of fine detailed geometrical information of objects.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences used mathematical models to determine the best way to throw an object at a target. They found that underhand throws are best for close, high targets and overhand throws are more accurate for targets below the shoulder.
A team of researchers from Harvard SEAS encoded multiple holographic images in a metasurface that can be unlocked separately with differently polarized light. This advancement offers more control over polarization manipulation and measurement, enabling applications such as anti-fraud protection and entertainment.
Applied mathematicians at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed a framework to better understand and control the fabrication of optical microstructures. The researchers used this framework to grow sophisticated optical microcomponents, including resonators, waveguides, and beam splitters.
Researchers from Harvard SEAS developed a mathematical model explaining the emergence of phytoplankton blooms under Arctic sea ice. The study found that thinning ice and increased melt ponds allow more sunlight to penetrate, creating conditions favorable for plankton growth.
Researchers developed an online tool analyzing 21 years of night-time lights data to correlate with socio-economic factors, finding strong relationships between GDP and electricity consumption. The study also found inverse correlations between light brightness and poverty, providing insights into human activities at a global scale.
A new mathematical framework explains why plants have different shapes, attributing it to a 'sense of self' and its interaction with gravity and environment. The study uses simple ideas to quantify plant stem diversity.
Researchers have developed a new method to deliver large and diverse cargos directly into cells with high efficiency and no lasting damage. The team used gold pyramid-shaped microstructures and nanosecond laser pulses to create brief pores in the cell membrane, allowing molecules to diffuse into the cell.
Researchers propose that massive volcanic eruptions 717 million years ago led to a perfect storm of fire and ice, causing the largest glaciation event in Earth's history. The eruptions released sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, blocking solar radiation and driving the formation of ice.
Harvard researchers developed a portable, handheld device to fabricate nanofibers with precise control over fiber orientation. The pull spinning method uses only one processing parameter to regulate nanofiber diameter, making it easy to use and flexible.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS use kirigami cuts to create 3D structures from flat sheets by stretching and buckling material. The pop-up pattern and mechanical properties can be controlled by varying the cut orientation.
Researchers at Harvard have developed a new flow battery that stores energy in organic molecules dissolved in neutral pH water. The battery loses only one percent of its capacity per 1000 cycles, making it long-lasting and cost-effective.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed the first flat lens that works across a continuous bandwidth of colors, from blue to green. This breakthrough enables new applications in imaging, spectroscopy, and sensing.
Scientists at Harvard and MIT have developed a new 3D printing method that can create lightweight structural materials with tunable porosity, inspired by natural cellular structures. The approach uses ceramic foam ink to produce materials with exceptional stiffness and multifunctional properties.
Researchers suggest early Mars was warmed by greenhouse effects from methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. This could have supported liquid water on the surface, increasing the chances of finding life. The study's findings provide new insights into Mars' climate and its potential for hosting life.
Researchers developed a customizable soft robotic sleeve that fits around the heart and helps it beat, reducing the risk of clotting and improving cardiac function. The device may one day aid in cardiac rehabilitation and recovery, potentially restoring quality of life for patients with heart failure.
Researchers from Harvard have developed a general framework to design reconfigurable metamaterials. This tool allows for the creation of materials that can switch between multiple functions and shapes autonomously, enabling new possibilities in structural engineering, aerospace, and beyond.
Researchers developed a multiregional brain-on-a-chip to study how diseases impact different regions of the brain. The model characterized differences between neurons from distinct brain regions and mimicked system connectivity.
Researchers have developed a method to automatically design soft actuators for complex motions, enabling the creation of soft robots that can bend and twist like living tissues. This breakthrough streamlines the process of designing soft robots, allowing for the creation of robots with enhanced mobility and dexterity.
Researchers have created a tiny radio receiver using atomic-scale defects in pink diamonds, enabling it to operate in harsh environments and human bodies. The device uses nitrogen-vacancy centers, which can emit single photons or detect weak magnetic fields.
Researchers have identified an aerosol, calcite, that can counter ozone loss while reflecting light and cooling the planet. The discovery aims to mitigate the risks of solar geoengineering by neutralizing sulfuric acid emissions.
A new technique for structural color has been developed by Harvard researchers, inspired by the disordered nanonetwork of bird feathers. The system creates a gradient of colors using a metallic alloy and a thin transparent coating, enabling vibrant hues for applications such as lightweight coatings, biomimetic tissues, and camouflage.
A new study forecasts potential human health impacts from hydroelectric projects on indigenous communities in Canada, finding that over 90% of proposed projects will increase methylmercury concentrations. Mitigation efforts can help reduce these exposures, particularly for those who rely heavily on locally caught food.
Harvard researchers develop a 3D-printed heart-on-a-chip with integrated sensors, enabling easy data collection and customization. The device mimics the structure and function of native tissue, opening new avenues for in vitro tissue engineering and drug screening research.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in transmitting spin information through superconducting materials, solving a major challenge for quantum computing. The discovery could lead to the development of more powerful computers capable of processing multiple spin states simultaneously.
Harvard researchers have developed a new technique to produce tunable nanofibers, which could lead to stronger, more durable bulletproof vests and more robust cellular scaffolding for tissue repair. The method uses immersion Rotary Jet-Spinning (iRJS) to create fibers with controlled diameter and morphology.
Researchers at Harvard University have created the first autonomous, entirely soft robot called the octobot. The small, 3D-printed robot is powered by a chemical reaction controlled by microfluidics, eliminating the need for electronics.
Researchers identified hundreds of western US counties with high risk of exposure to wildfire smoke, affecting up to 82 million people by 2051. The study found that climate change will cause longer, more intense, and frequent 'smoke waves' impacting children, seniors, and communities.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed a large-scale screening process to identify new OLED materials. The team discovered a large set of high-performing blue OLED materials using machine learning and cheminformatics, which could improve the efficiency and stability of OLED displays.
Soft materials can store and release elastic energy using bistable beams, allowing for signal propagation without dissipation. The developed system enables transmission of mechanical signals through long distances in autonomous soft systems.
A new company, Validere, has commercialized a sensing technology invented at Harvard University that can perform instant characterization of unknown liquids. The technology, called Watermark Ink (W-INK), exploits nanostructured materials to distinguish liquids by their surface tension.
Scientists have developed a method to predict which alloys can form bulk metallic glasses, overcoming the complex process of synthesizing these alloys. The new approach identifies hundreds of new candidates for metallic glass made from simple two-element alloys, opening up possibilities for novel strong and conductive materials.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a dielectric elastomer with broad motion range that requires relatively low voltage and no rigid components. This innovation addresses key challenges in soft actuation and opens doors for various applications in soft robotics.
Researchers at Harvard have discovered a whole new class of high-performing organic molecules that can store electricity safely and efficiently in large batteries. These molecules are inspired by vitamin B2 and offer improved stability and solubility compared to previous discoveries.
Researchers at Harvard University observed evidence of Jupiter's hydrogen transitioning into liquid metal, a key to the planet's powerful magnetic field. The findings could revolutionize rocketry and energy science, as well as our understanding of solar system origins.
Researchers at Harvard developed an ultra-compact flat lens that can resolve both spectral information and chirality of objects. The device has significant potential for various fields, including biology and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers compare model predictive control (MPC) and proportional integral derivative (PID) algorithms for an artificial pancreas. MPC outperformed PID in regulating glucose levels, with the former keeping participants within safe range 74% of the time.