Researchers at SISSA developed a new spinal cord stimulation strategy to activate motor neurons, producing efficient motor patterns. The 'multi-site' approach and low-frequency stimulation combined to improve stimulation effectiveness.
Scientists confirm neuroprotective function of PrPC against epilepsy using four animal models, revealing its crucial role in preventing seizures. The study's precision and collaboration between international institutes make it a significant reference point in the field.
Researchers have created an artificial enzyme that can stimulate genes to work harder in specific tissues, offering hope for treating genetic diseases. The hybrid enzymes, which are fully synthetic and recognize target genes via RNA decoys, amplify gene expression in a limited way and only when the gene is active.
Researchers investigated nano-islands on a copper surface, finding that as islands grow, they transition from superlubricity to high friction; this phenomenon could lead to innovative nanobearing applications.
Researchers at SISSA and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste have used x-ray crystallography to demonstrate that the selectivity filter of ion channels is dynamic, not rigid. This discovery contributes to solving a long-standing debate among biophysicists and neurobiologists.
A quantum system's configurations oscillate endlessly without relaxation, unlike classical physics where equilibrium is the norm. Researchers discovered that these systems are extremely robust and exist on a discrete grid, influencing non-local effects.
Researchers discovered that infants as young as 7-9 months old possess the ability to identify abstract relations between objects and generalize them to new pairs. This suggests that analogical thinking is an innate cognitive function that precedes linguistic abilities.
Researchers at SISSA have developed a novel method to analyze the structure of biological proteins immersed in their physiological context. This technique allows for excellent spatial resolution and study of molecules in their natural environment, providing new insights into the opening/closing mechanism of major ion channels. The stud...
Researchers at SISSA propose a new family of materials whose topological state can be directly observed, simplifying the development of spintronics and quantum computing. The discovery uses mathematical models and simulations to identify materials with 'spectacular' features that are easily detected.
Scientists developed a new model to simulate grid cells in non-Euclidean spaces, revealing heptagonal symmetry on a pseudospherical surface. This finding suggests that the brain may be able to encode non-conventional geometries and abstract spaces.
Researchers use a novel technique involving focused light beams to study the activity of rods, the light-sensitive cells of the retina. They found that the electrical response of the nerve changes depending on the region of the cell being hit by the light.
Researchers have discovered a new way to harness the defects in liquid crystals to create novel meta-materials with potential applications in optics and electronics. By exploiting these 'defect lines', scientists can remotely interact among colloidal particles, allowing for energy-efficient control and unprecedented plasticity.
Human beings learn from both statistical associations and communication, with communication playing a vitally important factor in the learning process. Infants as young as 18 months can learn to associate objects with actions through verbal and non-verbal cues.
A new review of the amyloid-beta peptide, a key component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease, has been published in Chemical Reviews. The study combines experimental and theoretical aspects and provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art overview of research on this protein.
Researchers created the first 3D neuronal culture with functioning neurons and astrocytes, using a sponge-like elastomeric scaffold. The technique allowed for direct comparison between 2D and 3D cultures, showing that 3D cultures have improved functional complexity and organization.
A team of researchers has developed a virtual archive of building blocks to create nano-knots of all shapes and forms. By studying the shape of fragments, they found that complex knots can be assembled efficiently from just four helical fragments.
Researchers developed a method to measure electron interactions in high-temperature copper oxide superconductors, finding that these interactions are mediated by the spin of electrons. This breakthrough allows for better understanding of the mechanism enabling superconductivity.
Researchers discovered corannulene's potential as a material for future electronic devices due to its easily accessible energy levels. The molecule can form a tunneling effect when connected in a row, making it suitable for constructing molecular circuits.
Researchers found no knots in RNA structures among 6,000 known chains. Instead, naturally occurring RNAs tend to form simple geometric configurations.
A recent study confirms that galactic contaminants are too intense to distinguish cosmological gravitational waves, casting doubt on the detection. The Planck-BICEP2 collaboration used multiple instruments to rule out contamination, but acknowledge the need for sharper eyes to detect the signal.
Researchers found that the brain encodes part of the information at very fast time scales, with pulses transmitted over tens of milliseconds, and another part at slower timescales. The study demonstrated a new 'spike timing code' on a millisecond scale, complementing the existing 'spike rate code'.
Researchers propose that the Milky Way galaxy may contain a space-time tunnel, also known as a wormhole, which could be navigable. The study combined dark matter maps with general relativity equations to suggest this possibility.
A study found that humans tend to turn down sure rewards if they derive from an unfair distribution of resources, regardless of whether the individual themselves or others are affected. Brain imaging revealed differing brain circuits in these two conditions.
Researchers at SISSA found that re-enacting emotional expressions through facial movements enhances memory recall of corresponding emotions. This suggests motor information is encoded during storage and retrieval phases.
Researchers found that even minimal mutations in viral RNA can make it too bulky for the capsid, preventing replication. The study used computer simulations and verified previous research on optimized RNA packing.
Researchers at SISSA found that faces displaying emotionally significant expressions can modify motor action trajectories, even when unrelated to the action. The study tested reaching movements and found that emotionally charged faces were more distracting than neutral ones.
Parkinson's patients experience changes in body weight due to non-motor disorders, worsening their quality of life. Research highlights the role of depression, cognitive impairment, sensory disturbances, and motivation towards food consumption in altering eating habits.
A new study demonstrates that people with multiple sclerosis often have trouble recognizing emotions conveyed by facial expressions, and now shows similar difficulties with emotions expressed through body posture. The research suggests that this difficulty is unrelated to identifying one's own emotions, a disorder known as alexithymia.
A new study found that ALS patients have difficulty with verb processing compared to noun processing. The research suggests that motor deficits and language impairment are two separate aspects of the disease.
A team of SISSA scientists developed a new geometrical model to analyze RNA structure, which is simpler and faster than traditional methods. The method has been effective and robust in tests, performing well in some cases even better than conventional methods.
Scientists use ultrashort light pulses to observe the reaction of electrons with a crystal grid, revealing a coupling process that explains superconductivity. The study paves the way for research into high-temperature superconductors and introduces a new method for studying materials.
Researchers found that Pin1, a small enzyme, modifies the number of postsynaptic receptors and regulates signal transmission. This discovery sheds light on the biochemical mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, offering insights into healthy mechanisms and potential treatments for pathological conditions.
Scientists simulate nano-bearings made of C60 flake to study friction reduction. However, results show no significant decrease in friction when the flake is attached in a way that prevents rotation.
Researchers use simulation techniques to characterize the mechanisms of knot formation in DNA strands as a function of nano-channel diameter. Below 50 nanometers in diameter, knot formation decreases dramatically.
Researchers simulated DNA knots and their dynamics using electric fields and optical tweezers, enabling controlled movement of the knot. This study provides useful information for setting up new experiments to control DNA knot movement.
Researchers induce pseudogap state in material and subject it to laser pulses, inducing a temporary metallic state. The study provides new insight into superconductors and offers the possibility of controlling their characteristics through laser light.
Researchers have identified a new phase of oxygen with unprecedented characteristics, including the formation of quartet molecules that exhibit a 'quantum dance' at high pressures. This phenomenon leads to fluctuating magnetic properties in one phase and loss of magnetism in another.
Researchers from SISSA developed an efficient algorithm to categorize big data, grouping similar data points in clusters. The algorithm uses a heuristic approach to identify cluster centers, achieving optimal performance in recognizing individuals and eliminating outliers.
Neuroscientists found that hand gestures are part of prosody, influencing how meaning is interpreted. The study demonstrates the role of gestures in speech prosody, highlighting their importance in human communication.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding superconductors, proposing a single theoretical framework that could apply to various materials. The unified model suggests a common explanation for the phenomenon, which could lead to more efficient and cost-effective superconductor applications.
Researchers Stefano Liberati and Luca Maccione suggest spacetime is a fluid with extremely low viscosity, contradicting Einstein's special relativity. This emergent model predicts novel effects on photon propagation, which could be observable with future astrophysical studies.
Physicists Luca Giomi and Antonio DeSimone simulated the spontaneous emergence of cell motility and division in artificial cells using a simplified model. They found that by controlling one physical parameter, they could reproduce similar effects observed in experimental observations.
Researchers from SISSA and Polytechnic University of Turin used a mathematical model to study the effect of migration on biodiversity. They found that higher migration rates can actually increase genetic variability, contradicting previous common assumptions.
A new study by SISSA researchers found that newborns' brains react differently to words starting with common and uncommon sounds, supporting the idea of universal language preferences. This suggests a possible biological basis for language acquisition, shaping the sound of words from birth.
The FANTOM project has published an exhaustive map of specificities in gene expression, revealing the first nucleotides of messenger RNA to identify where genes start synthesizing proteins. This study provides insights into how genes are regulated in different tissues, with implications for understanding diseases such as Parkinson's
Researchers at SISSA have discovered that neutron stars can be described with just three parameters: mass, angular momentum, and quadrupole moment, independent of the equation of state. This finding has major implications for understanding these complex objects.
Researchers used a highly accurate simulation model to test a hypothesis about the behavior of hydrogen under extreme conditions. The study found that metallization can only occur at pressures approaching 500 gigapascals, a value that is currently beyond experimental capabilities.
Researchers develop efficient method to study ring polymers, finding they behave differently from linear polymers due to lack of free ends. The method significantly reduces analysis time, revealing these materials are more fragile than expected.
Researchers from SISSA and ICTP developed a model simulating collective behavior of groups, finding the number of informed individuals, sociality, and decision strength as critical variables. The study suggests that even minimal fluctuations in these variables can lead to catastrophic changes.
A study by Giorgia Silani found that stress undermines empathic abilities in men, while increasing them in women. In the experiment, stressed men performed worse in tasks requiring empathy and social skills compared to unstressed men.