Researchers discovered that early pregnancy reduces mammary gland progenitor cells, which can divide into milk-producing cells, reducing the risk of breast cancer. The study aims to develop a protective treatment mimicking the effects of early childbearing.
HSCI researchers mapped nearly all cytosine-guanine pairs in human DNA and found that only a small fraction are dynamic, playing a key role in regulating gene expression. The study improves current approaches to mapping epigenetic marks and sheds light on how genes are controlled in different cell types.
Researchers at Harvard University develop a method for creating 3D images from two stationary frames, enabling amateur photographers and microscopists to capture stereo-like effects. This technique uses light-field moment imaging to infer the angle of light at each pixel, allowing for the creation of brand-new images as if the camera h...
Theoretical predictions show that controlled noise from an environment can bind repelling atoms together, creating a bound state with exotic properties. This novel mechanism could lead to improved cooling of atomic quantum gases.
Researchers have discovered a new leukemia model, showing that cancer stem cells actively remodel the bone marrow environment to favor diseased cells. This finding could influence the effectiveness of bone marrow transplants and lead to the development of new therapies.
Harvard scientists have identified a pair of genes that allow certain gut bacteria to break down a widely prescribed cardiac drug into an inactive compound. The researchers found that these genes are expressed when the bacteria are exposed to the drug, and that they play a key role in converting the drug into its inactive form.
Researchers at Harvard University are developing new techniques to improve digital imaging, including a method to mimic the appearance of translucent objects and optimize screen hardware for adaptive displays. Their work has the potential to advance artificial vision, 3D displays, and video editing.
A team of Harvard scientists has identified genetic areas in the genome that may help protect against cholera by regulating immune system functions and fluid loss. The study's findings suggest a new approach to understanding host immunity and developing vaccines and therapies for this deadly disease.
A Harvard study found that forests across the globe are becoming more efficient in using water, contrary to expectations. The research team used long-term data from over 20 years of eddy covariance measurements to show that forests are storing more carbon and growing faster due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers found that significant reductions in emissions will be necessary to stabilize current mercury levels, as legacy mercury persists for decades. The study highlights the need for aggressive reductions to mitigate future increases in ocean mercury levels.
Researchers found a suite of changes in human shoulders and arms allowed efficient hunting by throwing projectiles, paving the way for later adaptations like increased brain size and migration out of Africa. The study suggests that humans' ability to throw played a key role in becoming part-time carnivores.
Harvard researchers have identified the SALL4 gene as a key player in tumor formation, and have demonstrated that blocking its activity can halt cancer growth. The study provides new hope for treating aggressive forms of leukemia and other cancers.
A study by Harvard researchers shows that making participation observable can significantly increase sign-ups for a California blackout prevention program, with a three-fold increase compared to using cash incentives alone. Observability puts people's reputation at stake, encouraging those who might not otherwise sign up to do so.
Harvard physicists develop a novel technique to detect molecular variants in chemical mixtures, relying on microwave fields to identify left- and right-handed compounds. The method can analyze complex mixtures and determine the ratio of variants, with potential applications in pharmaceutical development.
At Harvard University, scientists have developed a method to assemble intricate nanostructures into delicate flower-like structures. By manipulating chemical gradients, researchers can control the growth behavior of these crystals to create precisely tailored structures, mimicking nature's own self-assembly processes.
Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers have identified a protein, GDF-11, that reverses the effects of aging on mouse hearts. The protein was found to reduce heart size and thickness, similar to healthy younger mice.
A slowdown in healthcare spending growth could result in Americans saving up to $770 billion on Medicare costs over the next decade. This decrease is attributed to a decline in new drug development and increased efficiency in the healthcare system.
A Harvard University study found that 95% of people believe the Earth's seasons are caused by its distance from the sun. However, scientists know it's due to the axis tilt and resulting sunlight duration. The study showed that better teachers who predicted students' wrong answers helped them learn more.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully demonstrated the first controlled flight of a robotic insect, weighing less than a tenth of a gram, which achieves vertical takeoff, hovering, and steering. The achievement marks the culmination of over a decade's work in micromanufacturing and control systems.
Researchers at Harvard University have discovered a hormone called betatrophin that increases insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells by up to 30 times the normal rate. This could lead to a more natural regulation of insulin and reduced complications associated with diabetes.
A Harvard-led team of researchers has created a new type of nanoscale device that converts optical signals into waves traveling along a metal surface. The device can recognize specific polarized light and direct it in one direction or another, opening the door to precise manipulation of light at subwavelength scales.
A new stem-cell based drug screening technology has identified a compound that prolongs the life of motor neurons in both normal and ALS-affected cells. The study found kenpaullone, which inhibits HGK, an enzyme associated with motor neuron death, to be more effective than two failed drugs in human clinical trials.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new statistical model to compare modern and historical temperatures. The study found that the warmest summers in the last two decades are unprecedented in the previous six centuries.
Researchers found that E. coli flagella can act as biological grappling hooks, reaching deep into nanoscale crevices and latching the bacteria in place. This ability to stick to any surface at all allows bacteria to survive on medical implants.
Harvard researchers found that students who took short tests between online lecture segments had reduced mind-wandering, tripled note-taking, and improved material retention. The testing act as an incentive for students to pay closer attention.
Researchers at Harvard Forest discovered a diverse array of organisms inside carnivorous pitcher plants, including bacteria, midge larvae, and rotifers. The study found that predator-prey interactions play a key role in shaping the food web, with removing one species affecting others.
Researchers at Harvard University have discovered that drastic changes in the gut microbes of mice occur following gastric bypass surgery, resulting in rapid weight loss. The study suggests that manipulating microbial populations could become a valuable tool to address obesity.
A team of Harvard scientists has successfully measured the magnetic charge of single particles of matter and antimatter, achieving a significant increase in accuracy for antiprotons. This breakthrough could provide new insights into the nature of matter and help address fundamental questions about the universe.
The Harvard Museum of Natural History now features an interactive exhibit that showcases the evolutionary history of millions of species, allowing visitors to zoom and scroll through the Tree of Life. The DeepTree software and FloTree program enable users to explore evolutionary relationships and simulate evolution in action.
Geoengineering experts Edward Parson and David Keith propose a new structure for regulating geoengineering research to manage climate change risks. They advocate for scientific self-regulation, government authority, and international coordination to ensure low-risk research advances while addressing public concerns.
Researchers have found that nine separate mutations within a single gene in deer mice result in changes to their camouflage, illustrating the power of small genetic changes. The study suggests that natural selection acts on many small genetic changes to produce rapid and dramatic adaptations.
A multi-university research initiative aims to develop new materials for the automotive, building and construction, and energy industries. Researchers will focus on innovative materials with properties such as lightweight construction, new color effects, and bioinspired materials.
Harvard researchers show that insulin-like peptides play a crucial role in regulating learning and memory by fine-tuning neuronal activity. The study reveals a bidirectional regulation of learning, with some peptides inhibiting learning while others facilitate it.
Research suggests that large-scale wind farms' generating capacity may peak at between 0.5 and 1 watt per square meter, significantly lower than previous estimates. This limitation could impact the feasibility of scaling wind power to meet a third of global energy needs within the next half-century.
Soft robots designed by Harvard researchers can leap up to a foot in the air using small explosions of methane and oxygen. This fast-acting system could aid in search and rescue missions. The robots' jumping ability is made possible by a simple valve system and the brief, high-energy explosion.
The HIPPO dataset provides high-resolution measurements of over 90 unique atmospheric species, including greenhouse gases and aerosols. Key findings include quantified seasonal amounts of carbon dioxide taken up and released by land plants and oceans, as well as elevated concentrations of methane near the Arctic Ocean.
Researchers at Harvard University challenged long-held assumptions about juvenile primate tooth development and weaning by studying chimpanzees in the wild. The study found that many young chimps continued to nurse as much, if not more, than before after their first molar erupted.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed color-changing photonic fibers inspired by nature, which can pass through a full rainbow of colors as they're stretched. The fibers' superior mechanical properties make them versatile for various applications, including smart sports textiles and sensors.
Scientists have successfully reprogrammed one type of neuron into another within the brain, challenging the long-held notion that neurons are immutable. This breakthrough has significant implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS.
Researchers found that record warm temperatures in 2010 and 2012 resulted in the earliest spring flowering in the eastern United States. Spring is arriving much earlier today than it has in the past, with plants flowering over three weeks earlier than when they were first observed.
Researchers at Harvard University have created a new device that can detect and distinguish between different types of twisted light waves, which can add an extra level of multiplexing to communication systems. This could potentially increase the rate of data transmission over limited bandwidth.
Researchers describe how feedback mechanism works by identifying where signals go and which neurons receive them. The study reveals that higher brain regions communicate with lower parts of the brain on a near-constant basis, helping to interpret olfactory information.
A team of Harvard engineers and chemists are working on a one-year, $600,000 grant from ARPA-E to develop a new type of storage battery that uses eco-friendly small organic molecules. The technology aims to make stationary energy storage cost-effective, enabling wind and solar power to displace fossil fuels more widely.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new device that can absorb 99.75% of infrared light on demand, using a tunable material with exceptional optical properties. The device has wide-ranging applications in thermal imaging, spectroscopy, and energy harvesting.
A single type of neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans nerve cord encodes an entire sensorimotor loop, with feedback driving motion itself. The discovery reveals a sophisticated system allowing the worm to organize its movements through proprioceptive feedback.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a biocompatible gel-based sponge that can be molded to any shape, loaded with drugs or stem cells, and delivered via injection. The sponge pops back to its original shape once inside the body, gradually releasing its cargo before safely degrading.
Harvard scientists have solved the long-standing mystery of how some insects form germ cells, discovering that a cricket's oskar gene is far older than previously thought. The team found that the gene emerged in their last common ancestor and likely originated in the nervous system before being co-opted for germ cell formation.
Researchers at NYU, Harvard, and Dow Chemical develop a method to enhance colloidal dispersions, creating particles that spontaneously assemble into structures resembling molecules. This enables the design of complex 3-dimensional structures vital for advanced optical materials.
A new Harvard study found over half of people in northeastern Madagascar engage in geophagy, a widespread behavior previously thought to be non-existent. Researchers also discovered high rates of geophagy among men and young children, contradicting earlier studies that linked the practice mainly to pregnant women or adolescents.
A new model promises to maximize the effectiveness of solar radiation management while mitigating its potential side effects and risks. The study found that tailored solar geoengineering might limit Arctic sea ice loss with several times less total solar shading than in a uniform case.