A new study reveals that Neanderthals and ancient humans adapted to eating starch-rich foods as far back as 100,000 years ago. This early adaptation likely helped pave the way for the expansion of the human brain due to the glucose in starch, which is the brain's main fuel source.
A new Harvard study found that the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could amplify global sea level rise estimates by an additional meter within 1,000 years. The researchers' calculations show that this effect would add 30% to the total projected sea level rise, exceeding previous forecasts.
A new study by Harvard researchers found that spanking can alter a child's neural responses to their environment, similar to experiencing more severe forms of violence. The study, published in the journal Child Development, analyzed brain activity in children who were spanked and compared it to those who were not.
A new study published by Harvard University's GenderSci Lab found that Black women are dying from COVID-19 at significantly higher rates than white men and other racial/ethnic groups. The study also revealed a stark disparity between Black women and white women, with mortality rates over three times higher.
Harvard University researchers have extended the lifespan of a dipolar molecule, enabling stable qubits for quantum computing and simulation applications. The new method allows for controlled individual atom interactions, granting scientists a key resource for molecule-based quantum information processing.
Harvard researchers identify how chronic stress impairs hair follicle stem cells, leading to delayed regeneration and hair loss. The study found that the stress hormone corticosterone delays stem cell activation, while Gas6 pathway activation promotes hair growth.
Researchers at Harvard University have designed a new highly-selective tool to study proteins that are difficult to target with drugs, known as 'undruggable' proteins. The tool uses a nanobody to add or remove specific sugars from proteins, providing a detailed understanding of their function.
A new Harvard-led study challenges the classic lateral-to-sagittal shift in mammal spine evolution, suggesting a completely different type of backbone function. The research found that nonmammalian synapsids had unique spinal characteristics not seen in modern reptiles or mammals.
A team of researchers from Harvard University has successfully evolved custom proteases that can target specific proteins with high selectivity, opening up new possibilities for neuroregeneration, growth hormone regulation, and cytokine storm treatment. The technology uses phage-assisted continuous evolution to generate bespoke protein...
A new study by Harvard researchers suggests that a comet originating from the Oort cloud was bumped off-course by Jupiter's gravitational field, increasing the rate of impacts on Earth. The theory provides a satisfactory explanation for the origin and composition of Chicxulub impactor, potentially shedding light on other similar craters.
Researchers have successfully created a three-layered graphene structure that exhibits more robust superconductivity at higher temperatures than double-stacked graphene. The system allows for tuning of superconductivity by adjusting an externally applied electric field.
Researchers have produced the most comprehensive genome of Sapria himalayana, a major Rafflesiaceae lineage found in Southeast Asia. The analysis revealed an astonishing degree of gene loss and surprising amounts of gene theft from ancient and modern hosts, offering new insights into the evolution of flowering plants.
A new Harvard University study analyzes 400,000 people's mobility patterns to predict homicides in cities like New York City, Houston, and Chicago. The research highlights the impact of triple disadvantage neighborhoods, which combine economic conditions with cross-neighborhood ties.
Gorgonopsians, a lineage more related to humans than dinosaurs, evolved the first complex tooth serration made of enamel and dentine, discovered in a new Harvard-led study. This finding indicates that gorgonopsians developed this specialized structure early in amniote evolution.
Researchers applied the Perturb-Seq method to study dozens of genes associated with autism spectrum disorder, identifying how specific cell types in the developing mouse brain are impacted by mutations. The study found that both neurons and glia are directly affected by different sets of risk genes.
Researchers analyzed 40 3D fossil humeri to understand functional evolution of locomotion in early tetrapods. They found that the emergence of limbs coincided with a transition onto land, but early tetrapods weren't very good at moving on it.
A team of scientists found that melting ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere caused changes in the Antarctic ice sheet, which are thousands of miles away. This study sheds light on how global warming affects ice sheet stability and provides insight into future climate instability.
Researchers at Harvard University have captured high-resolution 3D images of human chromosomes, providing evidence to change the traditional X-like symbol used in textbooks. The images show that chromosome structure plays a crucial role in regulating gene transcription and cell division.
Researchers at Harvard University have identified a key gene POPOVICH responsible for floral nectar spur development, a crucial innovation in plant evolution. This discovery provides insight into the origin of this trait and its role in promoting biodiversity among flowering plants.
Research collaboration reveals maple trees as crucial to ecosystem structure and function due to their commonality, with many species at high risk of extinction worldwide.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered a unique sensor system in octopus suction cups that allows them to detect and 'taste' molecules on objects, enabling the animals to identify prey. This novel chemotactile receptor system may also facilitate complex behaviors in octopuses and other cephalopods.
Researchers observed 21 male chimpanzees for 78,000 hours to see if they too prefer small circles of meaningful friendships. The study shows that older chimps have more mutual friendships and spend more time grooming those individuals, similar to humans.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that American infants relaxed when played unfamiliar and foreign-language lullabies. The researchers discovered universal elements of songs that produced relaxation effects independently of experience, supporting the idea that there is something universal about lullabies.
Researchers Jeremy Bloxham and Rakesh K. Yadav use a 3D simulation model to understand the formation of Saturn's massive hexagon storm, which has remained relatively unchanged for nearly 40 years. The study suggests that deep thermal convection plays a key role in creating the unique shape and persistence of the storm.
Researchers created the largest available timeline of reptile evolution using CT scans and fossil data from over 1,000 specimens. The study found that major transitions in evolution occurred through many small bursts of morphological changes over 50 million years, contradicting a widely held theory on rapid evolutionary bursts.
Researchers found that toe springs can reduce power output from the foot, leading to weaker muscles. The study suggests that this could contribute to conditions like plantar fasciitis.
A Harvard team has successfully cooled a six-atom molecule to just above absolute zero using laser light, marking the first time such a complex molecule has been achieved. The breakthrough opens up new avenues of study in quantum simulation and computation, particle physics, and quantum chemistry.
Researchers found two neighboring bonobo groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo to have distinct hunting preferences for different types of prey. The study suggests that these differences are likely a result of learned social behavior, challenging the idea that cultural traits only exist in human societies.
The NSF has awarded a $20 million grant to create an AI Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions, a cross-discipline collaboration between 20 physicists and seven AI experts from top universities. The institute will explore the use of AI in fundamental physics and apply physics principles to improve AI methods.
A team of Harvard researchers found that image-processing circuits in the primary visual cortex are more active when animals move, suggesting a complex relationship between vision and movement. The study's results offer new insights into how neural activity works in sensory regions of the brain.
A new study reveals that New England's trees are capturing more carbon from the atmosphere, driven by growing temperatures and increased precipitation. However, some forests are also becoming a source of CO2 due to invasive insects and climate-related stressors.
Scientists cooled potassium-rubidium molecules to near absolute zero, observing an intermediate complex that lived for 360 nanoseconds. The team found that laser light was forcing the molecules off their reaction path, leading to loss.
Researchers found that the sympathetic nerve connects to hair follicle stem cells, bridging the gap between nervous system control and hair regeneration. The muscle facilitates this connection, allowing the nerve to directly regulate stem cell behavior and promote new hair growth in response to temperature changes.
A team of researchers has discovered a species of gut bacteria that can affect cholesterol levels in humans. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics, such as probiotics or enzyme delivery to the gut, to help people manage their blood cholesterol levels.
A new machine learning model, BE-Hive, accurately predicts the outcomes of using different base editors to correct genetic mutations. The model discovered new properties and capabilities of base editors, allowing researchers to design novel tools with improved efficiency.
Harvard University researchers successfully used base editing to correct a recessive genetic mutation causing complete deafness in mice. The treatment restored partially functional hearing, and the scientists hope to apply this technique to humans with similar conditions.
A study on DNA data from 110 skeletal remains in West Asia dated 3,000 to 7,500 years ago found evidence of long-term genetic mixing and subtle population movements. The researchers suggest that this gradual change in genetic profile spread across the region over a thousand years, influencing the rise of urbanism.
Researchers identified a new gut-brain connection in ALS, finding that altering the gut microbiome can prevent or improve disease symptoms in mice with a common genetic mutation. The study suggests that the gut microbiome may influence disease severity and could be a target for therapy.
Harvard researchers have detected some of the earliest evidence for modern-like plate motion in ancient rocks from Australia and South Africa, dating back to 3.2 billion years ago. The study suggests that tectonic movement occurred on the early Earth, providing valuable insights into the evolution of life and climate.
Researchers found that regulatory switches involved in knee development also play a role in osteoarthritis, a partially heritable disease affecting 250 million people worldwide. The study suggests that subtle modifications in the knee's shape may increase risk of developing osteoarthritis over time.
A new study from Harvard University and the Field Museum of Natural History sheds light on how changes in spines happened in mammal evolution. Researchers found that regions evolved long before new spinal functions, suggesting a combination of developmental changes and adaptive pressures played a significant role.
A new interactive map from Harvard University reveals nonviolent uprisings are more successful in achieving their goals, contrary to long-held assumptions. The dataset covers 1945-2014 and includes hundreds of maximalist campaigns globally.
Researchers found that stress activates nerves that release norepinephrine, which causes premature depletion of pigment-producing cells. This leads to permanent damage and loss of stem cells, resulting in gray hair. The study advances understanding of stress impact on the body and paves way for new treatments.
A new study proposes that the first building blocks of life on Earth were not uniform but rather patchwork molecules containing bits of RNA and DNA. The 'RNA World' hypothesis has been revised to suggest a Frankenstein-like beginning, with RNA emerging from a mixture of nucleotides.
A new study reveals that climate conditions, not human activity, dominated the shaping of early forests in New England for thousands of years. The research team combined archaeological records with studies on vegetation, climate, and fire history to reconstruct historical changes to the land.
Astronomers at Harvard University have discovered a giant, wave-shaped gaseous structure made up of interconnected stellar nurseries in the Milky Way galaxy. The 'Radcliffe wave' stretches over trillions of miles and challenges traditional views of nearby stellar nurseries as an expanding ring.
Researchers at Harvard University have achieved the coldest chemical reaction in history, slowing down molecules to capture the critical act of bond formation. By utilizing ultracold temperatures, they observed the intermediate stage of the reaction for microseconds, enabling direct measurement and validation of theories.
A new $50 million center aims to accelerate the development of transformative therapies by shortening the path between research and clinical application. The center will provide preferred access to manufacturing facilities, shared innovation spaces, and workforce development opportunities.
A comprehensive study by Harvard scientists found that music pervades social life in similar ways worldwide, with behaviors such as infant care, healing, dance, and love associated with specific musical features. The Natural History of Song database collected recordings from 315 societies and 5,000 song descriptions, revealing common p...
A team of Harvard researchers has developed a new method to track rapid evolution in yeast, using DNA 're-barcoding' to follow specific genomes over approximately 1,000 generations. This approach could lead to more accurate predictions for the dominant influenza strains, enabling effective flu vaccine development.