A new hypothesis suggests that fermentation of cached food provided a more accessible form of nourishment, fueling the growth of larger brains in human ancestors. This idea is supported by the fact that the human large intestine is proportionally smaller than other primates and fermented foods are found across cultures.
A Harvard University team has created the world's first logical quantum processor, which can encode up to 48 logical qubits and execute hundreds of gate operations. This breakthrough is a significant step toward reliable quantum computing and fault-tolerant quantum computation.
A new study on bonobos finds that they form strong alliances and share resources across groups, paving the way for pro-social cooperative behaviors. Unlike chimpanzees, bonobo interactions are characterized by remarkable tolerance, allowing them to cooperate with members of different groups without conflict.
A new study by Harvard researchers proposes that social factors, such as gendered variables, may better explain observed sex disparities in adverse drug events. The study highlights the need to consider social and structural differences in individuals' experiences and health outcomes.
A Harvard team has successfully developed a self-correcting quantum computer using neutral atom arrays, achieving near-flawless performance with extremely low error rates. The breakthrough enables the creation of large-scale, error-corrected devices based on neutral atoms.
Astronomers at Harvard University have discovered a tilted dark matter halo, explaining the Milky Way's warp and flare. The team used models to calculate star orbits within a warped, oblong dark matter halo, matching existing observations of a distorted galaxy.
Researchers at Harvard University found that rising sea levels and subsidence of Greenland's land mass made the Viking settlement more prone to flooding, leading to their abandonment. The study, published in PNAS, suggests that the Vikings were faced with a myriad of challenges, including environmental change, social unrest, economic t...
A new Harvard study finds that ExxonMobil scientists made accurate and skillful global warming predictions between 1977 and 2003, contradicting the company's public claims. The study analyzes never-before-reported data from the company's documents and finds that 63-83% of projections were consistent with subsequent observations.
Researchers discovered that cephalopods develop their large nervous systems using similar mechanisms as vertebrates, with a focus on the retina. This study provides insight into the developmental process of these intelligent creatures and could lead to new discoveries about human brain development.
A new Harvard-led study has found evidence of early plate tectonics and the flipping of Earth's magnetic poles, which may have created a more conducive environment for life. The research suggests that the planet's surface was moving at a rate of 6.1 centimeters per year, consistent with modern plate tectonics.
A team of scientists led by Sophie Coulson and Jerry X. Mitrovica have detected the first definitive proof of elusive sea level fingerprints. The findings validate almost a century of sea level science and help solidify confidence in models predicting future sea level rise.
A new study from Harvard University identifies the genes and genetic sequences that orchestrate the formation of the human pelvis during pregnancy. The research shows that key pelvic features form around 6- to 8-week mark, including a curved and basin-like shape.
A new Harvard-led study reveals that rising global temperatures caused the explosive evolution of early reptiles, challenging previous explanations. The research suggests climate change triggered morphological changes in reptile groups, including those that gave rise to crocodiles and dinosaurs.
A new study published in Nature reveals that microglia cells change their molecular state to match neighboring neurons, influencing neural circuit function. The researchers found that different types of cortical neurons recruit specific numbers of microglia, which then adapt to the neuron's environment.
A new survey found that views on the January 6 Capitol attack can be predicted by support for Black Lives Matter and gun ownership, with BLM supporters more likely to label the rioters as extremists. White gun owners were significantly less likely to do so compared to non-gun owners.
Genetic analysis of ancient individuals from remote Pacific islands yields findings on family structure, social customs, and ancestral populations. The study suggests that matrilocal population structures were the rule among the world's earliest seafarers, with women often remaining in their communities after marriage.
A new study on bonobo social structure may hold clues to understanding human cooperation. Researchers found four neighboring groups of bonobos maintaining exclusive and stable borders, showing they interact regularly and peacefully with each other.
A new study published in Nature reveals that a small population of neurons near the base of the brain can induce symptoms of sickness, including fever, appetite loss, and warm seeking behavior. The researchers found these neurons have receptors capable of directly detecting molecular signals from the immune system.
Researchers from Harvard University and QuEra Computing have demonstrated a breakthrough application of neutral-atom quantum processors to solve practical optimization problems. The team achieved unprecedented quantum hardware power, showcasing a super-linear quantum speed-up compared to classical algorithms.
A Harvard-led team created a new method for processing quantum information that allows for the dynamic change of atoms' layout during computation, expanding capabilities and enabling self-correction of errors. This approach uses entanglement to connect atoms remotely and can process exponentially large amounts of information.
Researchers found that around 3.8 billion years ago, a major transition in the geochemistry of zircons occurred, suggesting the onset of plate tectonics. This discovery provides hints about how the planet became habitable and under which conditions the earliest forms of life developed.
A group of researchers from Harvard University developed a novel technique to print entire volumes without support structures, eliminating the limitations of traditional layer-by-layer approach. By using an upconversion process and nano capsules, they create self-supporting resin that hardens in three dimensions.
A new study in Environmental Research Letters reveals striking disparities in conserved land distribution across social marginalization dimensions in New England. Researchers created a tool to address these disparities and built an interactive map to highlight opportunities for future conservation based on environmental justice criteria.
Scientists have developed a method using DNA from blood meals of blood-sucking leeches to survey vertebrate species in large areas. The study, led by Harvard researchers, identified 86 vertebrate species in the reserve, including near-threatened and threatened species.
Researchers used 3D mini-brain models to study the effects of three autism risk genes on neural formation and development. The study found that despite unique molecular mechanisms, the genes converged on affecting specific types of neurons, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for autism treatment.
Researchers developed a new drug delivery system using engineered DNA-free virus-like particles (eVLPs) to package and deliver therapeutic levels of gene-editing proteins. eVLPs enabled safer in vivo delivery with comparable or higher efficiencies, overcoming multiple structural limits to potency.
A Harvard University study found significant variations in sex differences in COVID-19 outcomes across states and over time, suggesting social factors play a primary role. The research reveals that 30% of the variation in sex disparities can be attributed to state-level differences.
Two studies highlight significant migration to Great Britain that replaced 50% of the island's ancestry during the Late Bronze Age. The analysis also reveals a dramatic increase in milk tolerance around 1200 B.C., providing new insights into dairy consumption in Britain.
Researchers from Harvard University and others have found that large-scale COVID-19 vaccination surveys were off by up to 17 percentage points due to systematic biases in the data. The 'Big Data Paradox' highlights how big data sets can minimize one type of error while magnifying another, leading to misleading results.
Researchers at Harvard have successfully observed quantum spin liquids, a previously unseen state of matter that has been elusive for nearly 50 years. By manipulating ultracold atoms in a programmable quantum simulator, the team was able to create and study this exotic state, which holds promise for advancing quantum technologies.
Research from Harvard University reveals that physical activity later in life shifts energy towards mechanisms that extend health, reducing chronic illnesses. The study highlights the importance of staying physically active as we age to allocate energy to physiological processes that slow down deterioration.
A new computer program called Codetta can analyze the genome sequences of over 250,000 bacteria and archaea to identify alternative genetic codes. This could help scientists understand how genetic codes evolve and change.
Researchers use transgenic worms to study whole-body regeneration and identify critical genes involved. They also gain insights into muscle cell connections and communication during regeneration.
A Harvard University study estimates Americans perform about 30 minutes less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily compared to 200 years ago. The decline is attributed to technology, with researchers using historical body temperature records as a 'thermometer' of population-level physical activity.
Researchers found asteroid and comet collisions occurred more frequently than thought, potentially delaying oxygen accumulation in the atmosphere. The study suggests that these impacts may have created an 'oxygen sink' that reduced atmospheric oxygen levels.
A team of international scientists has discovered a 5-millimeter crab in 100-million-year-old amber, pushing back the age of non-marine crabs to at least 100 million years ago. The find provides new insights into the evolution of true crabs and their spread across the world.
A Harvard research team has created a new method of storing digital information using mixtures of fluorescent dyes, which can potentially store data for thousands of years or more. The technique uses inkjet printing and fluorescence microscopy to encode and decode binary messages in the dye molecules.
A team of researchers led by Harvard University's Tiago R. Simões has identified a new species of fossil reptile from 231 million years ago, providing key evidence on the early evolutionary history of lizards and snakes. The discovery sheds light on the migration patterns of ancient reptiles across continents.
A recent study published in Functional Ecology reveals that trees' carbohydrate reserves are crucial for surviving insect defoliation, with a critical threshold of 1.5% carbohydrates in dried wood. Trees growing along forest edges tend to have more reserves, making them more resilient than interior forest trees.
Jumping spiders can recognize biological motion, a visual cue that refers to the movements of living organisms. The ability is critical for survival and has been found in vertebrates, but this study demonstrates its presence in an invertebrate, challenging our understanding of evolutionary history.
Researchers have developed a programmable quantum simulator capable of operating with 256 qubits, a significant advancement in the field of quantum computing. The system enables the study of complex quantum processes and has already allowed for the observation of exotic quantum states of matter.
A new imaging technique called DEEP enables researchers to image complex biological systems at high resolution and speeds previously impossible. This breakthrough may lead to new understandings of brain function and other biological processes.
Researchers identified regulatory variants near the GDF5 gene associated with knee osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia. The study found two distinct mutations that can cause both diseases, paving the way for potential screenings and treatments.
Physicists have finally experimentally documented the melting of Wigner Crystals into a liquid in response to quantum fluctuations, a long-sought-after goal in the field. The study used a novel experimental technique to observe this transition in atomically thin semiconductor bilayers.
Researchers at Harvard University have created a comprehensive molecular atlas of the developing somatosensory cortex, providing insights into how gene activity and regulation change over time. The study sheds light on the complex process of cortical development, including when different neuron populations are established.
A new study reveals that both tame and aggressive silver fox breeds have larger brains and more grey matter than their control group counterparts. This finding contradicts previous studies on other domesticated animals, which showed smaller brain sizes with less grey matter.
A Harvard study found that white men having a Black neighbor as children are more likely to be Democrats and less likely to be Republicans. The analysis linked historical data from the 1940 US Census with contemporary voter files, revealing correlations between early-life exposure and long-term political views.
A longitudinal study by Harvard sociologist Robert J. Sampson and Ph.D. candidate Roland Neil found that the era in which adolescents came of age significantly influences their chances of arrest, with older cohorts facing nearly double the risk of arrest compared to younger cohorts born in the 1990s.
Researchers at Harvard University used ultracold chemistry to test current quantum theories on chemical reactions, mapping the quantum frontier. They collected data on 57 possible reaction channels, confirming accuracy of statistical theory for most but revealing significant deviations in others.
A new study challenges claims of declining global sperm count, citing a 'biovariability framework' that suggests natural variation is the norm. The research aims to contribute to discussions on reproductive health and challenge racist assumptions in sperm count studies.