The Capasso lab has successfully demonstrated highly collimated unidirectional microlasers, enabled by whispering gallery modes in an elliptical cavity. This breakthrough has significant applications in photonics, including sensing and communications.
Harvard researchers found that biracials are consistently perceived as belonging to their lower-status parent group, with only 68% needed to be white for a black-white biracial to be seen as white. Further studies aim to understand why this persistence of the 'one-drop rule' occurs
Researchers at Harvard University have created a new type of biomedical imaging that can capture 'video' of blood cells squeezing through capillaries. The technique, based on stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), makes label-free chemical movies with streaming footage at the subcellular level.
Researchers at Harvard University have made significant breakthroughs in methane-fueled solid-oxide fuel cells, reducing operating temperatures and costs. The development of platinum-free micro-SOFCs could enable the use of methane as a fuel source for laptops and portable electronics.
A study of Neanderthal and early human teeth reveals that modern humans' slow development and long childhood are recent traits. This may have given early humans an evolutionary edge over Neanderthals, facilitating additional learning and complex cognition.
Researchers at Harvard University have designed nanostructured materials that prevent ice formation by repelling water droplets. The breakthrough could lead to efficient and sustainable solutions for keeping surfaces ice-free during harsh winter weather.
A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that people spend 46.9% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they're doing, which can lead to unhappiness. Mind-wandering is often associated with contemplation of past or future events, and it appears to be the human brain's default mode of operation.
Researchers at Harvard University project an estimated 42% of American adults will be obese by 2050, driven by the accelerating spread of obesity via social networks. The study found that non-obese individuals have a 2% chance of becoming obese annually, which increases with each obese social contact.
A study by Harvard University psychologists found that bilingual individuals' opinions of ethnic groups were affected by the language they spoke. The researchers used the Implicit Association Test to show that language can create and shape implicit attitudes, challenging the view that attitudes are stable.
A new study by Harvard University sociologists found that old-fashioned social pressure is the strongest attraction in determining who befriends whom on Facebook. Shared ethnic backgrounds and geographic origins also played a significant role in forming friendships. Meanwhile, race appears to be less important than initially thought.
A new model, described in PLoS Computational Biology, allows runners to calculate personalized targets using their aerobic capacity to avoid hitting the wall. The model takes into account a runner's aerobic capacity and leg muscle mass to determine a safe pace for the race.
Researchers found microbes in the Gulf of Mexico's seafloor brine pools consume methane 10-100 times faster than previously realized. High concentrations of methane are present in these pools, which are then consumed by microbes, reducing the amount of greenhouse gas released.
Harvard University neurobiologists have created mice that can detect light using optogenetics, a breakthrough tool for understanding the neural basis of olfaction. The study reveals how the brain processes odors and sheds light on the temporal organization of sensory information.
A Harvard-Tsinghua University study measures atmospheric CO2 and carbon monoxide levels in Beijing, showing a trend towards cleaner, more efficient combustion since the 2008 Olympics. The findings support China's official energy efficiency goals and provide valuable insights into combustion processes.
Individual cancer-causing mutations have a minor effect on tumor growth, increasing cell division rates and contributing to the accumulation of multiple mutations. The research suggests that significant tumor growth requires the slow accumulation of multiple mutations over years, explaining why many cancer-driving mutations are needed.
Researchers isolated aerosol particles in near-pristine pre-industrial conditions, providing crucial clues about cloud formation and differences between natural and polluted environments. The finding could help understand global climate change and inform modeling of anthropogenic perturbations.
Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated that graphene can act as an artificial membrane separating two liquid reservoirs, enabling the measurement of ion exchange and the detection of single molecules of DNA. The graphene membrane's atomic thickness makes it a novel electrical device with potential applications in chemical ...
Researchers at Harvard University developed a millionth-scale automobile differential for minuscule aerial robots. The PARITy differential generates torques up to 10 million times smaller than in a car, allowing the robots to balance aerodynamic forces and navigate unpredictable environments.
A new study applying employment contract theory to symbiosis finds that mutually beneficial relationships are maintained by simple self-interest, with partners benefiting from healthy hosts. The research discounts the idea that host species have evolved to promote symbiosis by promising rewards or threatening punishment.
Researchers at Harvard University found that humans use the same brain circuits for complex moral decisions as those used in mundane choices. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex tracks expected moral value, integrating information on number of lives saved and probability of success. This discovery advances our understanding of how peopl...
Researchers develop new theory explaining the evolution of eusocial behavior, finding that standard natural selection is sufficient to account for cooperation in species like ants and bees. The study suggests that eusociality arises independently multiple times due to the stability of colonies once established.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed nanowire-based V-shaped transistors that can be inserted into cells without damaging them. These devices allow for the measurement of ion flux or electrical signals within cells, and can even be fitted with receptors to probe for specific biochemicals.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new terahertz semiconductor laser that emits highly collimated beams, suitable for applications such as security screening and chemical sensing. The advance uses metamaterials to confine and collimate the THz light, opening up new possibilities for terahertz science and technology.
Researchers achieved quantum entanglement between photons and solid-state materials, enabling communication over long distances. This breakthrough is crucial for developing quantum networks for secure communication and distributed computing.
A Harvard University study found that foreclosure reduces the sale price of a home by an average of 27%, while nearby homes within 250 feet see a 1% decrease in value. Other types of forced sales, such as death-related or bankruptcy-related discounts, result in smaller price drops.
Harvard researchers have found that exercise and caloric restriction can reverse the deterioration of nerve connections in older mice, a potential explanation for their age-related benefits. The study reveals that these lifestyle factors can attenuate or even reverse the decline in synapses, which are crucial for brain function.
A Harvard University study found that small changes in perceived vaccine costs can lead to significant gaps in herd immunity, with social networks playing a crucial role in the spread of disease. The researchers discovered that increasing vaccination cost prompts more free-riding and leads to larger epidemics.
Two new tests have been developed by Harvard psychologists to predict patients' risk of attempting suicide. The first test measures attention to suicide-related stimuli, while the second assesses implicit mental associations between death/suicide and oneself. These behavioral markers show great promise in identifying high-risk individu...
A new study reveals that consistent year-round temperatures in the tropics, rather than higher temperatures or more sunlight, are key to its stunning biodiversity. The research suggests that the world is likely less diverse today than it was tens of millions of years ago, when the entire Earth had consistent year-round temperatures.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a method to trap and hold tiny microparticles using a silicon-based circular resonator. This technique uses optical forces to confine particles stably for up to several minutes, enabling the potential for all-optical chip manipulation.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed programmable matter by folding, allowing a single sheet to transform into a boat- or plane-shape. The technology uses origami techniques and features smart cups that can adjust to liquid levels and other tools with multiple functions.
Psychologists at Harvard University found that physical attributes of incidental objects can profoundly impact our social interactions. Researchers discovered that weight, texture, and hardness of objects can unconsciously influence judgments about unrelated events.
A new study found that areas in Russia with significant Jewish populations suffered from lower economic growth, wages, and per-capita GDP since World War II. These regions also exhibited stronger support for Communist candidates and a lasting resistance to political reform.
Researchers at Harvard University have tracked individual atoms as they reorganized into a crystal, driven by quantum mechanics. This achievement opens possibilities for particle-by-particle study and engineering of artificial quantum materials.
Researchers at Harvard University reveal a two-step process that creates a ring of smaller bubbles when a large bubble bursts. The curved nature of the bubble plays a critical role in this phenomenon, which has been observed in various environments and materials.
A new instrument, Centrifuge Force Microscope (CFM), uses centrifugal force to manipulate molecules, offering a low-cost and simple approach to single-molecule manipulation. This technique enables researchers to study the interactions of thousands of molecules simultaneously.
Researchers develop scalable devices exhibiting customizable optical properties using a bottom-up approach inspired by nature. The findings showcase potential applications in sensitive sensors, detectors, and invisibility cloaks, and demonstrate the possibility of manipulating artificial molecules to create desired optical properties.
Research found that termite mounds contribute significantly to grassland productivity in central Kenya by enhancing plant and animal activity locally and maximizing ecosystem-wide productivity. The evenly distributed colonies of termites create an optimized network of plant and animal output.
Researchers at Harvard University have created a new method for fabricating tiny nanofibers using rotary jet spinning, which offers more control and greater yield than traditional electrospinning. The device has potential applications in biocompatible materials, air filters, artificial organs, and tissue regeneration.
Researchers found that both good and evil actions improve physical strength after a task, as people perceive those who do good to have more efficacy and willpower. This effect suggests that moral deeds can transform individuals into exceptional performers.
Physicists at Harvard University create an atomic-scale black hole by accelerating cold rubidium atoms towards a charged carbon nanotube. The experiment demonstrates the merging of cold-atom and nanoscale science, opening doors to new applications in materials and electronics.
A study from Harvard University suggests that brain activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex is a better indicator of how someone will feel in the days following a fight with their partner. Individuals who show more neural activity in this region are less likely to be upset and may display improved day-to-day mood.
Researchers found evidence of tropical sea ice 716.5 million years ago, supporting the theory that Earth experienced a 'snowball Earth' event with ice covering all latitudes. This discovery provides insight into the survival of eukaryotic life during this period.
A new microfluidic sorting device rapidly analyzes millions of biological reactions, allowing researchers to identify potent drugs and cleaner sources of energy. The device uses drop-based microfluidics to sort compounds in parallel at high speed.
A study by Harvard University researchers reveals that changes in beak length and depth can explain the morphological diversity of Darwin's finches. The team used mathematical models and genetic analysis to show that scaling transformations, shear, and gene expression are key factors in shaping the birds' beaks.
The zone-plate array optical detection system can analyze nearly 200,000 droplets per second and is scalable and reusable. This technology integrates high performance optics with microfluidics to enhance lab-on-a-chip devices, making them more practical for disease detection and environmental sensing.
Researchers at Harvard University have created a diamond-based nanowire device that improves the performance of single photon sources, enabling fast and secure computing with light. This breakthrough could lead to new applications in quantum cryptography, quantum computing, and magnetic field imaging.
Research analyzed plant data from 1850s to 2010s, showing that non-native species thrive during climate change due to flexible flowering times. Invasive plants dominate, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem function.
A team from Harvard University led by Vinothan Manoharan and Michael Brenner presents clues to how groups of atoms and molecules favor less symmetrical geometric patterns. Entropy plays a key role in the formation of these complex structures, which are more likely to occur due to their flexibility.
Scientists found that barefoot runners avoid heel-striking by landing on the middle or front of their foot, reducing impact collisions. This approach requires different muscle engagement, which must be transitioned to for those accustomed to wearing shoes.