Researchers at Harvard University found that certain atmospheric particles can resist chemical aging in a jelly-like phase, challenging current climate models. This discovery may impact the formation of clouds and light absorption.
Harvard physicists have discovered that ultrathin, atomically thin films can be tailored to reflect specific colors using an overlooked optical phenomenon. The coatings, made of gold and germanium or other elements, change color with minimal thickness changes.
Researchers at Harvard University are developing new tools and policies to protect personal data used in research studies, enabled by a four-year $5 million NSF grant. The project aims to make sharing research data safer in cyberspace while preserving individual privacy.
New investigation reveals surprising flexibility in finches' beak development, with different species sharing same developmental pathways yet producing unique shapes. This discovery offers new insight into the adaptability of birds to fill various ecological niches.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully controlled the behavior of worms by manipulating their neurons with precise laser beams. By hijacking key neurons, they can instruct the worm to perform specific actions, such as turning in a desired direction or responding to fake sensory inputs.
Researchers found that faster decision-makers tend to contribute more to a common good, suggesting intuition plays a key role in cooperation. People's moral intuitions also clash when values conflict, highlighting the need for reflection to reconcile differences.
A new type of light beam, called a needle beam, has been created by Harvard researchers. This non-diffracting beam can travel long distances without spreading outwards, which could greatly reduce signal loss in on-chip optical systems.
A team of experts at Harvard created a hydrogel that can stretch to 21 times its original length, is self-healing, and exceptionally tough. The gel combines two weak polymers in an 8:1 ratio, forming a complex network that reinforces each other.
A new mathematical model developed by Harvard scientists helps predict the likelihood of drug resistance in HIV patients, enabling the design of more effective treatment cocktails. The model uses data from clinical trials to simulate patient responses to varying drug dosages, providing a valuable tool for researchers and clinicians.
Scientists characterized a unique spring mechanism in cucumber plant tendrils, where they coil further upon pulling the ends, unlike traditional coils. The discovery led to the creation of a new type of twistless spring with high bending stiffness and twisting stiffness.
Harvard scientists developed a method to grow 'cyborg' tissues by embedding nanoscale wires into engineered human tissues. They successfully seeded the networks with cells and encouraged them to grow in 3D cultures, enabling real-time monitoring and control of living systems.
Researchers at Harvard University have created an ultrathin flat lens that focuses light without imparting distortions, approaching the physical limit set by diffraction laws. The device is scalable and simple to manufacture, making it a promising new technology for fiber-optic communications.
A study by Harvard University researchers found that Massachusetts butterfly populations are moving north as the climate warms, with subtropical species such as the giant swallowtail and zabulon skipper increasing in abundance. In contrast, more than three quarters of northerly species are declining, particularly those that overwinter ...
Researchers have created a system inspired by nature that allows soft robots to change their appearance, including camouflage against backgrounds or displaying bold colors. This technology could be used in various applications such as search and rescue operations, medical surgeries, and even signaling robots' position.
The Lab in the Wild project aims to gather data on how people think, perceive information, and use technology from around the world. Researchers will analyze thousands of users' responses to tests designed to elicit information about their online culture, including preferences for website design and functionality.
Scientists at Harvard University have developed a new technique to achieve negative refraction in metamaterials, resulting in an 'extraordinarily strong' negative refractive index as large as -700. This breakthrough enables the localization of electromagnetic waves into ultra-subwavelength scales and dramatically reduces size.
A group of computer graphics experts led by Harvard researcher Moritz Bächer create a software tool that translates video game characters into fully articulated action figures using 3D printing. The tool optimizes joint placement, size, and location for physical constraints, producing robust and realistic printed figures.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new coating called SLIPS that can prevent the formation of biofilms on surfaces. The technology, which is smooth and slippery due to an immobilized liquid layer, has been shown to reduce the formation of disease-causing bacteria by up to 96%.
A Harvard researcher has found that using traditional, natural medicines can provide significant economic benefits, with households in Madagascar receiving between $30 and $45 per year. The study suggests that if Americans relied on these remedies, they could save up to 63% of their annual healthcare bill.
A team of Harvard researchers has found a connection between climate change, ozone depletion, and an increase in skin cancer incidence. The study suggests that climate change may lead to more damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface, resulting in higher rates of skin cancer. The research also raises concerns abo...
Harvard University researchers have successfully created an artificial jellyfish using a silicone polymer and heart muscle cells. The Medusoid, as it's called, is capable of swimming and reproducing complex behaviors seen in biological jellyfish.
RockSalt, a new tool developed by Harvard computer scientists, uses Coq to verify that native code complies with security policies. The tool has improved performance and security compared to previous solutions like Google Native Client (NaCl), with no reported vulnerabilities.
Amanita mushroom evolution shifts from decomposing to symbiotic tree relationships, resulting in lost genetic capacity, according to Harvard researchers. The study reveals the transition came at a steep price, with genes associated with breaking down cellulose being sacrificed.
Harvard researchers found that a fungus produces superoxide, which oxidizes manganese, forming reactive minerals used for water cleanup and nutrient control. The discovery lends insight to environmental remediation and raises questions about the role of fungi in biogeochemistry.
A Harvard researcher predicts that a multi-drug approach could make many cancers 'manageable' by targeting the KRAS gene. This strategy involves using at least two drugs to combat drug resistance, which currently limits targeted therapy's effectiveness.
Scientists develop SMARTS, a customizable platform for autonomously regulating chemical reactions and temperature, mimicking biological systems. The material's dynamic feedback loops enable it to sense and modulate desired stimuli without external power, paving the way for intelligent medical implants and efficient buildings.
A team of Harvard and Nanjing University scientists has developed a new method for estimating China's CO2 emissions, combining field studies, satellite data, and provincial-level energy statistics. The resulting estimates offer an unbiased basis for measuring China's progress toward its climate change goals.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully created room-temperature quantum bits that can store information for nearly two seconds. This achievement is a significant step towards building a functional quantum computer and opens up new possibilities for various applications such as quantum cash and secure communications.
Materials scientists at Harvard University have developed a solid-oxide fuel cell that can store electrochemical energy like a battery, allowing it to continue producing power for a short time after its fuel has run out. This innovation has significant implications for small-scale, portable energy applications, such as unmanned aerial ...
Harvard University researchers invent a way to keep metal surfaces free of ice and frost using ultra slippery anti-ice and anti-frost surfaces. The technology, called SLIPS, prevents ice sheets from developing on surfaces and allows for easy removal of ice with tilting or slight agitation.
Researchers at Harvard University have found that pre-existing mutations in the HIV virus can cause it to develop resistance to drugs used to slow disease progression. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments and opens up possibilities for prevention of drug resistance.
Scientists at Harvard University have created a comprehensive list of inputs that connect directly to dopamine neurons in the brain, revealing new connections and insights into Parkinson's disease and addiction. The study uses genetically-modified rabies virus to track neural pathways, providing quantitative data for future investigati...
Researchers at Harvard University found that mice brains undergo an explosion of neuromuscular branching before birth, with some muscle fibers contacted by up to 10 nerve cells. However, within days, most connections are pruned away, suggesting experience selects which connections to keep.
Researchers found that parasitic flowers share large parts of their genome with host vines through horizontal gene transfer, and some borrowed genes are likely functional. The process may convey an evolutionary advantage to the flowers, which have replaced vertically inherited copies.
Researchers developed two collaborative games to teach phylogeny, a tree diagram representing evolutionary history. Phylo-Genie improved student scores on post-tests compared to pen-and-paper exercises, while Build-a-Tree demonstrated active prolonged engagement in informal museum settings.
Researchers found that modern birds are living dinosaurs with skulls similar to those of their juvenile ancestors. By analyzing fossil evidence and CT scans, they discovered that a change in developmental timing led to the evolution of birds, enabling them to retain physical characteristics of baby dinosaurs into adulthood.
A Harvard University study reveals that circumpolar rivers are the primary source of toxic mercury in the Arctic, surpassing atmospheric forces. The discovery has significant implications for protecting the health of northern populations and the environment.
Harvard scientists have developed a method to identify 'sea level fingerprints,' patterns of variation in sea level changes that can indicate the source of water contributing to rising sea levels. Using a Kalman smoother, researchers can determine where glacial melting is occurring and estimate its contribution to global sea level rise.
The incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among troops is surprisingly low, thanks to new programs and treatments. The Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program and Battlemind training have helped soldiers build resilience and cope with stressors before deployment and after returning home.
Researchers have discovered compartmentalized neural activity in nematode neurons, which enables movement and encodes body position. This finding has significant implications for understanding neurological disorders like schizophrenia and developing potential treatments.
Researchers from the Heliconius Genome Consortium sequenced the Postman butterfly's genome and found promiscuous sharing of large DNA regions among closely-related species. This study reveals how hybrids can introduce new genes that help populations adapt, changing our understanding of adaptation in evolution.
Quantitative research reveals that microtubules form and transport throughout the spindle, contradicting the pole-to-pole theory, shedding new light on cell division mechanics.
Particulate pollution in the late 20th century created a 'warming hole' over the eastern United States, delaying the warming expected from increasing greenhouse gases. The effects of this pollution were amplified by interactions between clouds and particles, leading to greater cooling at the surface.
A recent study by Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution found that development in Massachusetts could reduce forest carbon storage by 18% over the next half century. However, the researchers highlight the importance of expanding support for forestland protection to mitigate climate change.
Scientists compiled core samples from around the world to reconstruct global temperature and find a strong correlation between rising CO2 and warming at the end of the ice age. CO2 trails Antarctic warming but precedes global temperature change, supporting its role in climate change.
A Harvard archaeologist developed a system to identify early human settlements based on satellite image analysis, uncovering approximately 9,000 possible sites in northeastern Syria. This technique simplifies the process of finding ancient settlements, allowing for more efficient and targeted surveys.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new method to create three-dimensional patterns of silver dots using a femtosecond laser. This technique advances nanoscale metal lithography and enables the creation of bulk metamaterials with unique optical properties.
A team of researchers from Harvard and MIT suggests that massive asteroid collision is responsible for the Moon's magnetic anomalies. The anomaly is found around the rim of a 2,400-kilometer-diameter crater known as South Pole-Aitken.
Robert J. Wood, an Associate Professor at Harvard University, has won the prestigious Alan T. Waterman Award for his innovative research in biologically inspired robotics and microfabrication. The award recognizes his work on developing robotic flying insects and a new fabrication technique inspired by children's pop-up books.
In 2009, US greenhouse gas emissions from power generation decreased by 8.76 percent, primarily driven by the lower price of natural gas compared to coal. A new econometric model developed at Harvard University suggests that a carbon tax could further reduce emissions with negligible impact on electricity prices.