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Johns Hopkins University


Study debunks nuclear test misinformation following 2024 Iran earthquake

A recent study published in Seismica journal has debunked claims that a magnitude 4.5 earthquake in Iran was a covert nuclear weapons test. The researchers analyzed seismic signals from the event and concluded that it was caused by natural geological forces, contradicting widespread misinformation on social media and news outlets.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalSeismica·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 4, 2025

Don’t know something? Apes can tell

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that apes can intuit another's ignorance and communicate unknown information in the name of teamwork. The study demonstrates the rich mental foundations shared by humans and other apes, suggesting that these abilities evolved millions of years ago in common ancestors.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2025

New epilepsy tech could cut misdiagnoses by nearly 70% using routine EEGs

A new tool called EpiScalp uses algorithms trained on dynamic network models to map brainwave patterns and identify hidden signs of epilepsy from a single routine EEG. This tool has ruled out 96% of false positives, cutting potential misdiagnoses among cases by nearly 70%, according to a Johns Hopkins University study.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalAnnals of Neurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 22, 2025

Judging knots throws people for a loop

A study published in Open Mind journal found that most people struggle to distinguish between strong and weak knots by visual inspection. Despite their experience with everyday knots, participants failed to identify the strongest knot in various experiments, even when shown videos or diagrams of the knots' construction.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalOpen Mind·DateDec 9, 2024

Toddlers understand concept of possibility

Two- and three-year-old children distinguish between improbable and impossible events, demonstrating an understanding of possibility. They learn significantly better after experiencing impossible occurrences, which drives them to search for explanations.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2024

Surprisingly high levels of toxic gas found in Louisiana

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found ethylene oxide concentrations thousands of times higher than EPA estimates, posing significant cancer risks to people living near facilities. The mobile lab measurements revealed alarming levels of the toxic gas in air and soil, highlighting the need for more accurate monitoring tools.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 11, 2024

An unlikely hero in evolution: worms

Researchers used pyrite to study the relationship between sediment mixing and oxygen levels in ancient oceans. They found that small amounts of sediment mixing can expose buried minerals to enough oxygen to start oxygen buildup. This challenges conventional wisdom about the role of oxygen in oxygen accumulation.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalGeochimica et Cosmochimica Acta·DateJun 1, 2024

What’s quieter than a fish? A school of them

Researchers found that synchronization of tail flaps in a school of fish reduces sound, with the single biggest key being alternating flaps rather than unison movement. This phenomenon could have significant implications for prey fish, allowing predators to perceive them as individual fish rather than a group.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateApr 9, 2024

AI can now detect COVID-19 in lung ultrasound images

Artificial intelligence has been developed to spot COVID-19 features in lung ultrasound images, combining computer-generated images with real scans to identify signs of disease. The tool holds potential for developing wearables that track illnesses like congestive heart failure and monitor fluid buildup in patients' lungs.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalCommunications Medicine·DateMar 20, 2024

Which came first: Black holes or galaxies?

A new study found that black holes existed at the dawn of time and played a crucial role in galaxy formation. The research, using James Webb Space Telescope data, challenges classical understanding of black hole formation and suggests they may have dramatically accelerated star birth in the first 50 million years of the universe.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 6, 2024

People watched other people shake boxes for science. Here’s why

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that people can quickly identify another person's epistemic goals by watching their actions. This study reveals a key aspect of human cognition with implications for artificial intelligence. The team discovered that observers could accurately determine whether someone was trying to learn so...

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 20, 2023

Medical imaging fails dark skin. Researchers fixed it

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new algorithm to filter out unwanted signals in medical images of darker skin tones, producing significantly sharper images. This breakthrough aims to mitigate bias in imaging technologies and improve surgical navigation and medical diagnostics for patients with diverse skin tones.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalPhotoacoustics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2023