Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Princeton University


Team using Subaru Telescope makes major discovery

An international team of scientists has made the first direct observation of a planet-like object orbiting a star similar to the sun. The object, GJ 758 B, is estimated to be 10-40 times as massive as Jupiter and orbits its star at a distance of approximately 300 trillion miles.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 3, 2009

Like humans, monkeys fall into the 'uncanny valley'

Researchers found that macaque monkeys react with revulsion when viewing nearly human-like images, supporting theories of an evolutionary basis for the uncanny valley. The study indicates that the brain mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are likely biological adaptations.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 13, 2009

Team finds breast cancer gene linked to disease spread

A team of scientists at Princeton University has identified a long-sought gene, Metadherin, that is responsible for the aggressive behavior of poor-prognosis tumors and makes them resistant to chemotherapy. The discovery paves the way for new drugs to inhibit the gene's diabolical actions and may have significant health implications.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalCancer Cell·DateJan 5, 2009

Evolution's new wrinkle

Researchers at Princeton University have discovered that protein chains act as adaptive machines, controlling their own evolution in response to natural selection. This finding extends Darwin's model and suggests that organisms can subtly direct aspects of their evolution to create order out of randomness.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 11, 2008

A light bulb and a few chemicals

Researchers have developed a method of catalysis that uses a weak light source, like a household light bulb, to propel chemical reactions, enabling the creation of new compounds. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize fields such as pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateSep 4, 2008

Whom do we fear or trust?

Scientists have developed a computer program to analyze human faces for trustworthiness and dominance, identifying key features such as a U-shaped mouth and surprised eyes. This research has implications for various fields, including sales and criminal justice, where facial expressions can greatly impact perceptions.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 5, 2008

Princeton scientists spy an electron dance

Researchers from Princeton University have discovered that electrons in bismuth display a highly unusual pattern of behavior under a powerful magnetic field at ultra-low temperatures. This phenomenon, known as a collective state, is a manifestation of quantum mechanics and could lead to new paradigms in computing and electronics.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateJul 25, 2008

What's bugging locusts?

A team of scientists led by Iain Couzin found that cannibalistic interactions are responsible for locusts' collective motion. The behavior, observed in immature locusts, leads to the formation of large mobile groups called bands that devour vegetation and eventually precede flying swarms.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 8, 2008

The new shape of music

A team of music professors has devised a new way to analyze and categorize music using geometric principles. This method, known as geometrical music theory, translates musical concepts into mathematical structures, revealing hidden patterns and relationships. By assigning mathematical structure to musical families, researchers can gain...

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateApr 17, 2008

Where's the glue?

High-temperature superconductors do not rely on a 'glue' to bind electrons, according to Princeton University researchers. The secret to their behavior lies in the natural repulsion between electrons, which signals their ability to form pairs and flow without resistance when cooled to low temperatures.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateApr 10, 2008

Ant guts could pave the way for better drugs

Scientists have discovered two proteins that guide pathogenic bacteria's outer shell development, paving the way for new antibiotic targets. Researchers aim to create small molecule inhibitors to disable this mechanism, potentially leading to effective treatments against E. coli and salmonella.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2008

New route for heredity bypasses DNA

Researchers at Princeton University found a new biological mechanism that enables ciliate cells to pass on acquired traits to their offspring, bypassing their DNA genetic program. This discovery has implications for understanding cellular processes and natural regulatory mechanisms.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateJan 4, 2008

For migrating sparrows, kids have a compass, but adults have the map

Researchers at Princeton University discovered that migrating adult sparrows possess an internal navigational map, enabling them to find their way after being thrown off course by thousands of miles. In contrast, juvenile birds, lacking experience, use only a compass to orient themselves southward and struggle to adjust their flight plan.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2007

Brain cell growth diminishes long before old age strikes, animal study shows

A Princeton University study found that brain cell growth in adult monkeys begins to decline soon after reaching adulthood, but it does not have to stop altogether. The team's research suggests that stimulating the human brain to generate neural cells more rapidly may be possible through methods such as exercise and socialization.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2007

New chemistry approach promises less expensive drugs

A team of Princeton University chemists has discovered a new method to synthesize molecules without toxic catalysts, reducing the risk of hazardous barriers in drug development. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for working with ketones and aldehydes, potentially leading to more efficient synthesis of beneficial enantiomers.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateMar 29, 2007