A new Harvard study found that nearly every case of hypothesized genetic pathways failed to replicate, indicating intelligence may be tied to many genes and their interactions. The researchers used large data sets to examine a dozen genes and found only one gene associated with intelligence, which had a small effect.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new type of tunable color filter that uses optical nanoantennas to control color output. The filters can produce a range of colors by changing the polarization of the light illuminating them, with potential applications in televisions and biomedical imaging.
Harvard researchers develop a new technique inspired by pop-up books and origami to mass-produce microrobots and electromechanical devices. The method uses layered and folding processes to create complex structures with flexible hinges.
Researchers from Harvard University found that shark skin's denticles create a low-pressure zone that enhances propulsion, reducing drag. Swimsuits with similar surface properties have no effect on swim speed.
Researchers at University of Oxford and Harvard Stem Cell Institute have developed a common standard to describe and integrate large datasets from various fields, enabling better coordination of findings. The ISA Commons platform allows small research groups to store laboratory data without dedicated bioinformatics support.
Biofilms expand by swelling and then spreading due to the force generated by the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM increases osmotic pressure within the biofilm, causing it to absorb water from its surroundings and swell. This process allows the biofilm to grow and spread horizontally.
Researchers found that reward prediction error is the result of a complex interplay between dopamine and GABA neurons. The interaction helps calculate reward prediction error, shedding light on how behaviors can be reinforced through normal brain function or by damaging neuron interactions.
Researchers have realized a new way to cool synthetic materials using a quantum algorithm, removing excess energy from ultra-cold atomic gases. This breakthrough enables the manipulation of individual particles at unprecedented temperatures, revealing a mysterious world that has never been seen before.
Researchers developed a tool called MINE that can detect multiple patterns hidden in health information, baseball statistics, and more. It analyzes large data sets with great speed, identifying relationships and ranking them in an equitable way.
Studying tiny particles at oil-water interfaces, Harvard researchers found that stabilized emulsions can take months to years to reach physical equilibrium, rather than the assumed instantaneity. This discovery has important implications for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food manufacturing processes.
Researchers at Harvard University and BASF are working on creating nanoscale particles of drugs to overcome hydrophobic drug compounds. The symposium aims to discuss efficient creation and delivery of these tiny particles for targeted treatment, addressing major challenges in modern medicine.
Researchers at Harvard University have created genetically-altered neurons that light up as they fire, allowing them to trace signal propagation and study neural pathways. This breakthrough has the potential to speed up drug development and advance our understanding of genetic conditions.
The Kilobots are a collective of quarter-sized robots that can be programmed and operated by a single user, making it easy to test collective algorithms on hundreds or thousands of robots. Researchers aim to advance the understanding of collective behavior and its potential to deliver solutions for various challenges.
A study by Christopher Golden found that lost access to bushmeat led to a 30% relative increase in malnutrition among children under 12, with iron deficiency anemia being the most prevalent form of malnutrition globally. The research suggests a balance between conservation and human health is needed.
Harvard researchers develop a single-layer quantum-dot light-emitting device (QD-LED) that enables more effective control over electrical current flow and allows for diverse applications. The new architecture uses an insulating egg-crate structure to optimize the device's performance.
New research reveals that columbines achieved a rapid radiation of 70 species through a simple change in cell shape, not cell proliferation. The extent of cell elongation drives diverse spur lengths across species.
A new Harvard study found that dynamic social networks encourage cooperation and friendliness, while selfish behavior can lead to exclusion from the group. Players who re-wired their social connections were more willing to form new relationships with generous individuals.
A study by Harvard researchers found that cooked meat delivers more energy than raw meat, contradicting current food labeling. This discovery supports the idea that cooking allowed early humans to extract more energy from their diet, contributing to evolutionary adaptations such as increased brain size and long-distance running ability.
A new chemical process developed by Harvard researchers simplifies the creation of PET tracers, allowing for real-time 3-D images of biological processes. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize drug development and disease diagnosis.
PlateMate's calorie estimates have proved accurate like those of trained nutritionists and more so than users' logs. The research was presented at the 24th ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, a leading conference on human-computer interaction.
A new 2D visualization tool called HemoVis has been developed to diagnose heart disease more accurately than traditional 3D models. The tool uses a tree diagram of arteries with areas of disease highlighted and is shown to be more accurate and efficient for patient diagnosis.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully controlled the rate of photon emission from luminescent imperfections in diamond, a crucial step towards developing scalable quantum networks. The breakthrough uses nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to emit red photons at room temperature.
The project will virtualize evidence-based teaching methods using Peer Instruction (PI) and other innovative practices, making them accessible to educators globally. Researchers aim to create a centralized training platform, PORTAL, to support instructors in improving their teaching techniques.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new device that can trap tightly and efficiently, eliminating the problem of overheating in traditional optical tweezers. The new plasmonic nanotweezers use light from a laser to create strong forces on nanoscale particles.
Scientists develop bio-inspired liquid repellence technology, called SLIPS, which can be used in biomedical fluid handling, fuel transport, and anti-fouling technologies. The surfaces are self-healing and can withstand extreme conditions.
Researchers at Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have induced light rays to behave in a way that defies the centuries-old laws of reflection and refraction. The discovery allows for beams of light that reflect and refract in arbitrary ways, depending on the surface pattern.
Researchers at Harvard discovered that a simple balance of forces determines the formation of the vertebrate gut's predictably loopy shape. The gut grows faster than its attached mesentery tissue, causing it to coil as the elastic forces build up.
A new device, called 'Watermark ink,' can identify unknown liquids by exploiting their surface tension and changes in optical properties. The device, which fits in the palm of a hand, has potential applications in quality control tests, contaminant identification, and forensic analysis.
Researchers at Harvard have identified the mechanism for diffuse axonal injury and explained why cerebral vasospasm is more common in blast-induced brain injuries. Treating neural tissue with a ROCK inhibitor within minutes of injury may lead to viable treatments, according to the study.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a coating that improves nanowire efficiency and sensitivity for photodetectors and energy harvesting applications. The coated wires showed a 90-fold increase in photosensitivity, reducing surface recombination nearly two orders of magnitude.
A mathematical analysis of Pollock's work highlights his deliberate and calculated approach to natural phenomena. The study reveals that Pollock exploited fluid dynamics to create unique aesthetic effects, blurring the line between art and science.
Researchers at Harvard University's Neuromotor Control Lab found that motion-referenced learning, where the brain learns from actual movements rather than intended actions, can improve learning efficiency. This approach may lead to more effective neurological rehabilitation for individuals with stroke or other motor disorders.
A Harvard expert investigates brown spots on King Tut's tomb walls, discovering they are not living organisms but rather dead microbes. The analysis of the spots reveals that the tomb was buried in an unusual hurry, with moisture and food providing a bountiful environment for microbial growth.
The project aims to develop a Microbial Fuel Cell-based charger that can increase access to healthcare via mobile applications in sub-Saharan Africa. The charger would cost around $1 and could charge a phone in 24 hours, making it a low-cost solution for households lacking power.
Harvard researchers develop rigorous mathematical theory to predict surface stability or instability under irradiation over time. The theory reveals that the cumulative effect of atoms knocked around, not blasted away, determines surface stability.
Researchers harness the power of fast-replicating bacterial viruses to evolve biomolecules in the laboratory, generating enzymes with desired properties in just weeks. The phage-assisted continuous evolution approach allows for rapid generation of proteins and nucleic acids with tailored properties.
Materials scientists at Harvard have successfully demonstrated the first macro-scale thin-film solid-oxide fuel cell, overcoming structural challenges to achieve comparable power density to micro-SOFCs. The breakthrough uses a metallic grid to support a large membrane, enabling scalability for practical clean-energy applications.
Engineers at Harvard University have discovered that individual, vertical silicon nanowires can display vibrant colors of the spectrum, dependent on their diameter. The finding has potential applications in increasing efficiency and detecting color without filters in nanoscale image sensor devices.
Researchers found that rapid growth and wrinkling at the periphery of petals create stress within the bud, forcing it to open. This contradicts earlier theories about flower blooming, but supports a theory proposed by German literary master Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Wonyoung Kim's new device can reduce power usage of modern processing chips by shutting off unused parts, enabling longer battery life and lower energy bills. The on-chip voltage regulator also enables faster performance by quickly adjusting power supply.
Researchers at Harvard University found a key gene governing color patterns in deer mice, which could explain stripes and spots in diverse vertebrates. The Agouti gene's embryonic activity influences pigment distribution across the body.
Applied physicists found that migrating tissues exhibit similar behavior to colloidal glass, with cells flowing like a liquid until they reach a certain density threshold. This finding has significant implications for biological processes, including wound healing, cancer metastasis, and embryonic development.
Engineers at Harvard and MITRE create the world's first programmable nanoprocessor, capable of performing arithmetic and logical functions. The prototype represents a significant advancement in computer circuit complexity, enabled by advances in nanowire design and synthesis.
A team of physicists at Harvard University has demonstrated the formation of semipermeable vesicles from inorganic clay, which could have played a key role in the origins of life. The clay vesicles provide an ideal container for compartmentalizing complex organic molecules.
Research by Harvard University psychologists suggests that infants may be born with an understanding of social hierarchy based on physical size, which helps them navigate their social environment. Infants as young as 8-10 months old demonstrated surprise at depictions of a larger individual yielding to a smaller one.
Researchers developed an optogenetic device to control the behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans worms using pulses of blue and green light. They successfully activated or inactivated specific neurons or muscle cells, turning the worm into a virtual biorobot.
Scientists at Harvard University have made a groundbreaking discovery about biofilm colonies, which exhibit an unprecedented ability to repel liquids and vapors. The researchers believe that the secret to their resiliency lies in their unique liquid-repellent surface.
Researchers found that face recognition ability peaks at 30-34 years old, contrary to prior evidence suggesting it matures earlier. This late-blooming nature may be due to practice making perfect and extended brain tuning in early adulthood.
Researchers found that young female chimpanzees carry and play with sticks, suggesting a biological basis for sex-specific play in humans. This behavior is linked to adult behavior, as females carry infants more than males, indicating a possible influence of biology on toy selection.
Harvard researchers have developed a new approach to scholarship using digitized books as a digital 'fossil record' of human culture. By tracking word frequencies over time, they can quantify cultural trends, revealing findings such as the rise of new words, forgetting of past references, and changes in celebrity fame.