Researchers at Harvard University have measured a repulsive quantum mechanical force that could be harnessed and tailored for new nanotechnology applications. This discovery builds on previous work related to the Casimir force, which becomes significant when the space between two metallic surfaces measures less than 100 nanometers.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered that many fungal species produce spores with aerodynamically optimized shapes, allowing them to minimize air resistance and maximize travel distance. In contrast, spores transported by animals lack these drag-minimizing features.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a highly sensitive microscopy technique based on stimulated Raman scattering, allowing for real-time tracking of metabolites and drugs in living cells. This technology has the potential to revolutionize metabolic studies of omega-3 fatty acids and understand their processing in the human body.
A study by Kurt Gray and Daniel Wegner found that participants who believed they were getting an electrical shock from another person on purpose rated the shock as more painful. In contrast, those given shocks unintentionally habituated to the pain over time.
New research from Harvard University finds that improvements in behavior and screening are primarily responsible for the decline in cancer mortality. Screening has proven especially effective in early detection of colorectal and breast cancer, while behavioral changes have had the greatest impact on lung cancer.
Researchers at Harvard University propose that quantum computers could simulate chemical reactions with improved accuracy, reducing computational resources required. This breakthrough has significant potential for applications in drug design, materials science, and other fields.
Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated that metal nanoparticles in a periodic array can exhibit narrower spectral widths, improving the sensitivity of detecting molecules at low concentrations. By optimizing electromagnetic interactions between particles, the method can enhance spectroscopy and biosensors.
Researchers discover a single gene, FLO1, that enables yeast cells to cooperate and protect each other from stress and harm. Cells expressing FLO1 form flocs, shielding inner cells from danger while excluding 'cheaters' that do not express the gene.
A new analysis suggests that warmer temperatures could cause significant loss of carbon from shallow and deep peat bogs, with potential losses ranging from 40% to 86%.
Scientists at Harvard University found that different plant families near Walden Pond have reacted to climate change in varying ways, with some facing sharp declines or local extinction due to their inability to adjust flowering times, while others remain more resilient.
Physicists have developed a novel way of spying on electrons and atomic nuclei using diamond-based magnetic imaging, enabling nanoscale spatial resolution. This technique has potential applications in fields such as materials science, spintronics, and biomedicine.
A new study led by Anna Dreber and Coren Apicella found that men with higher testosterone levels invest more in risky investments. The researchers discovered a correlation between testosterone levels and financial risk-taking behavior, which may be linked to evolutionary factors.
Male Anolis lizards engage in push-ups, head bobs, and dewlap extensions to defend their territory at dawn and dusk. This behavior is unique among animals, marking the first recorded use of non-acoustic signaling at these times.
Scientists at Harvard University have successfully created human stem cells from the skin cells of elderly ALS patients, paving the way for potential treatments. The breakthrough uses induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to differentiate into motor neurons, which can be studied in a lab dish to understand the disease process.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a plasmonic collimator that reduces beam divergence by 25 times, enabling applications in photonics and communications. The innovation opens doors to edge-emitting and surface-emitting semiconductor lasers operating at various wavelengths.
A Harvard University study reveals that genes have evolved to minimize protein production errors, which can cause neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. The research found that natural selection favors the development of genes that prevent misfolded proteins resulting from translation mistakes.
Researchers will investigate fundamental mechanisms of SERS and develop high-performance substrates using optical antennas, laser nanostructuring, and theoretical chemistry. The goal is to improve the technology's practical use in detecting materials, including chemical and biological agents.
Researchers at Harvard University have identified a key mechanism by which neural activity increases blood flow to the brain. Astrocytes play a crucial role in this process, releasing neurotransmitters that bind to and elevate intracellular calcium levels, leading to blood vessel dilation.
Some African frogs have a unique defense mechanism where they puncture their own skin with sharp bones in their toes, creating claws capable of wounding predators. This unusual trait is found in at least 11 species and may be used infrequently, only when threatened.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully created permanent nanoscale bubbles that can last over a year, thanks to a unique surfactant mixture. The discovery has significant implications for the development of extended-lifetime gas-liquid products, such as aerated personal-care products and contrast agents.
Scientists at Harvard University have discovered that bdelloid rotifers can capture and incorporate genetic material from plants, fungi, bacteria, and animals into their genomes. This finding challenges traditional notions of sexual reproduction and may provide insight into the animals' ability to adapt to new environments.
Researchers found that Amazonian indigenous culture, despite limited education and experience with maps, spontaneously placed numbers on a line in a compressed, logarithmic function. This suggests that humans have a universal predisposition to relate numbers to space, but with culturally variable mappings.
Scientists at Harvard University analyzed salt deposits in Martian rock and found that the water was more likely a thick brine with salinity exceeding terrestrial life's tolerance. The study suggests that even four billion years ago, Mars' surface would have been challenging for life.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a novel device that emits coherent Terahertz (THz) radiation at room temperature, overcoming a major hurdle in laser technology. The breakthrough has significant potential for applications ranging from security screening to chemical sensing.
A team of Harvard students and alumni developed a microbial fuel cell-based lighting system suitable for Sub-Saharan Africa. The innovative technology harnesses energy produced by naturally occurring microbial metabolism, generating electricity from organic-rich materials like soil or food scraps.
Researchers create reproducible and controlled fabrication method for integrating nanowire photonic and electronic integrated circuits onto silicon, enabling standard manufacturing settings.
Researchers have discovered that reverse transcriptase, the target of major anti-HIV drugs, can flip between binding orientations to facilitate two distinct catalytic activities. This dynamic behavior is regulated by nonnucleoside RT inhibitors, which hinder the enzyme's ability to convert single-stranded DNA to double-stranded DNA.
A study published in Science confirms that Tyrannosaurus rex shares common ancestry with modern-day birds, including chickens and ostriches, based on molecular analysis of ancient protein sequences. This finding provides the first molecular evidence for the evolutionary relationships of a non-avian dinosaur.
Researchers have identified a class of retinal cells called JAM-B cells that play a crucial role in detecting upward motion. These cells have a distinct physical arrangement of their dendrites, which is crucial for their function.
Research at Harvard University found that drugs approved on tight FDA deadlines are more likely to face later regulatory action for safety concerns. The study suggests that a more flexible approval protocol could improve drug safety and reduce rushed approvals.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered that bdelloid rotifers are extremely resistant to ionizing radiation, surviving doses much higher than other animal species can tolerate. The findings could lead to new research into the role of free radicals in inflammation, cancer, and aging.
A study by researchers at Harvard University found that punishing others does not increase the average payoff of a group. Instead, it leads to reduced individual payoff and a downward spiral of retaliation. The study suggests that punishment may have evolved for dominance hierarchy and ownership defense, rather than cooperation.
A study published in PNAS found that the brain's ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) is activated when individuals infer the thoughts and feelings of people who are similar to themselves. However, this activation is not seen when considering dissimilar individuals. The research suggests that people rely on their own experiences to m...
A new aerosol version of the most common TB vaccine administered directly to the lungs via oral mist provides significantly better protection against TB in experimental animals. The vaccine could offer a safer, more consistent treatment option with reduced need for refrigerated storage.
Engineers at Harvard University have developed a novel optical tweezer that can perform calibrated force measurements with high precision. The device, consisting of a Fresnel Zone Plate fabricated on a glass slide, has the potential to revolutionize biological and microfluidic applications.
A Harvard University scientist has synthesized four key differences in human and animal cognition into a hypothesis on what exactly differentiates human and animal thought. The theory of
Studies show people overestimate enjoyment of experiences with better alternatives and underestimate with worse ones. Slowing down experiences allows minds to wander to alternative options, leading to more accurate predictions.
Research reveals that specific males with strong catalytic effects initiate hunts, diluting prey defenses and increasing hunting likelihood. These 'impact hunters' are more likely to be successful and have a high success rate when hunting alone.
Risk factors for suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts are consistent across countries, with mental disorders and female gender being key contributors. The study also found that impulse control disorders and substance use disorders increase the risk of acting on suicidal thoughts.
Using neuroimaging, researchers at Harvard University tested extrasensory perception (ESP) and found no evidence for its existence. Despite participants' reports of unexplained knowledge, brain scans showed no difference in response to ESP and non-ESP stimuli.
Harvard researchers suggest sulfur dioxide played a crucial role in maintaining Mars' warmer climate between 3.5 and 4 billion years ago. The presence of sulfur dioxide would have prevented the formation of limestone deposits, leading to the absence of carbonate on Mars today.
A Harvard University study found that living in a severely disadvantaged neighborhood decreases later verbal test scores by about four IQ points, equivalent to missing a year of school. This effect persists even after moving out of the neighborhood, highlighting the importance of addressing social factors beyond economic situation.
A study of wild chimpanzees found they do not experience menopause, unlike humans and most other primates. In contrast to human females with several decades of post-reproductive life, chimpanzee reproductive declines occur in tandem with overall mortality.
A new study from Harvard University reveals that women's lower spines have evolved to be more flexible and supportive than men's, allowing for increased extension and stability during pregnancy. The research found that women lean back by up to 60% to maintain a stable center of gravity, offsetting the weight of the baby.
Researchers found that spouses, siblings, and close friends agreed more on the attractiveness of faces than strangers. The study suggests that repeated exposure to similar faces can shape perception of beauty.
A new study from Harvard University reveals that brain systems in older adults are less coordinated than those in younger individuals, even if there is no Alzheimer's disease present. This decline affects the way different brain regions communicate and process information.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a compact and portable Quantum Cascade Laser sensor for fast detection of chemicals with broad tuning capabilities, enabling ultra-sensitive chemical sensing and revolutionizing applications in homeland security, medical diagnostics, and environmental sensing.
Researchers invent technology to accelerate Earth's own solution to greenhouse gas accumulation by removing CO2 from the atmosphere and transferring it to the ocean. The engineered weathering process can safely and permanently remove excess CO2 in a matter of decades, mitigating global warming.
A study by Damon Centola and Michael Macy found that social networks with fewer 'degrees of separation' are less effective in spreading behavioral change. This has implications for health care policy and the treatment of epidemics.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new technique called Brainbow that allows for the imaging of neurons in a wide range of colors, enabling scientists to better map the complex wiring diagram of the brain and nervous system. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding brain disorders and development.