Researchers used machine learning to simulate and analyze gold nanoparticles at high temperatures, providing a key mechanistic picture of the melting mechanism. The study enables fast prediction of forces acting on atoms in nanoparticles, accelerating simulations that would take thousands of years with traditional methods.
A study published in Nature Communications demonstrates how the brain constructs the present moment through recent past experiences. The researchers discovered that brief stimuli leave a trace in the brain for almost a minute, accumulating biases in perception that allow subjects to fine-tune their sensory channels over time.
Researchers used quantum computers to study polymer models by recasting them as optimization problems, exploiting the machine's efficiency in solving such tasks. This approach enables harnessing the potential of quantum machines in a hitherto unexplored context.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the visual system retains information from moving images, providing a consistent representation of surroundings. The researchers found that neuronal responses in deeper layers of the visual cortex exhibit 'perceptual constancy' and 'intrinsic persistence', ensuring stable encoding and ...
A new study combines experimental data and molecular dynamics simulations to study the conformation of an RNA fragment involved in protein synthesis. The research led to a new method for defining biomolecule structures in their physiological environments.
Researchers found that graphene flakes can temporarily inhibit excitatory synapses, reducing anxiety-related responses in rats. The nanomaterial was injected into the lateral amygdala, a region of the brain associated with stress response, and successfully reversed long-lasting anxiety behaviors.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists has developed a new way to detect phase transitions in raw data by analyzing its intrinsic dimension, a statistical property that reveals collective properties of partition functions. This method is agnostic and does not require prior knowledge of the system's parameters.
A new study has sequenced the carbohydrate structures of glycoproteins from two different sheep prion strains, revealing no major differences that could explain the diversity in prion strains. The findings suggest glycans may not be responsible for the biochemical and neuropathological differences between strains.
Researchers at SISSA have discovered a new theory for how we perceive the passage of time in relation to sensory stimuli. The study proposes that the experience of elapsed time is generated when the neuronal representation of a stimulus is collected and summed by an accumulator, explaining why we feel longer vibrations as stronger ones.
Researchers found that the brain processes letters and words similarly to how it processes other visual stimuli, using statistical frequency of specific symbols. This common cognitive process, known as unsupervised learning, is also seen in animals such as baboons that can learn to recognize words.
A new theory developed by scientists at SISSA has established a relationship between the presence of 'handles' in the space of atom and molecule arrangements and a material's electrical conductivity. The research found that materials equipped with handles, previously thought to be insulators, can conduct electricity like metals.
Researchers discovered that 'bad metals' transform into quasiparticles, allowing them to pair up and superconduct current without resistance. This explains their unusual behavior in low-temperature superconductors.
Researchers developed a technique to detect TDP-43 in cerebrospinal fluid, identifying it in 97% of ALS cases and 45% of FTD cases. The test may help develop new treatments for the diseases by detecting protein accumulation early.
The study reveals new details on how the retina works and photoreceptors convert light into nerve signals. Spontaneous calcium flares were discovered in the tips of the outer segment, indicating a functional gradient and a need for turnover.
A new study by SISSA and the University of Trieste shows that carbon nanotube implants can restore motor functions in animals with spinal injuries. The research reveals nerve fibre regrowth and promotes recovery through mechanical and electric properties of regenerative scaffolds.
Scientists developed a theoretical method to model the interior of ice giants Uranus and Neptune, allowing analysis of thermal and electrical processes. The study provides insights into the planets' geometry and evolution, including the existence of frozen cores and magnetic field generation.
Scientists have discovered a simple and ingenious strategy used by the Zika virus to protect important parts of its genome from host cell defence mechanisms. The virus uses an automatic umbrella-like mechanism, where one end of the viral RNA strand is protected while the other is not, allowing it to replicate efficiently.
A new study using optical tweezers reveals the sensitivity of photoreceptors to mechanical stimuli, opening up new questions on their function. The researchers detected specific molecules sensitive to mechanical stress and observed variations in electrical signals.
New research suggests black holes could be like holograms, with information concentrated in a two-dimensional surface. This idea aligns with Einstein's theory of relativity and has significant implications for understanding these cosmic bodies.
A SISSA study shows that passive visual experience plays a key role in maturing the brain's 'complex' neurons involved in vision. This discovery has important implications for understanding cerebral development and could lead to new clinical and technological applications.
Researchers at SISSA and ICTP used atomic physics experiments to simulate the Schwinger model, a gauge theory that describes particle interactions. This study confirms the potential of quantum simulators to investigate fundamental forces and could lead to simulations of complex systems.
Researchers have discovered that polymers formed from the union of circular and linear components display slower molecular dynamics due to the 'harpooning' effect between heads and tails. This leads to a more viscous compound with potential applications in materials engineering and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers discover Foxg1's role in controlling brain electrical activity, shedding light on rare genetic diseases like Rett Syndrome and West Syndrome. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for developing future therapeutic interventions.
A recent study suggests that supermassive black holes could have formed in just 50-100 million years after the Big Bang, thanks to the rapid migration of stellar black holes. This theory reconciles the short time required for their growth with the age of the Universe.
The EU-funded IN-FET project develops novel nanodevices to treat neurological diseases like epilepsy and Parkinson's by modulating nerve cell activity. The project uses ion-based technology to correct hyper-excitability in brain cells, offering a natural approach to treating these conditions.
Researchers at SISSA developed a new method to characterize RNA's different configurations, combining experimental data and simulations to study dynamic molecular systems. The approach identifies dominant and minority structures, shedding light on the molecule's role in protein synthesis regulation.
Researchers analyzed rotation curves of low-surface-brightness galaxies to discover a universal relationship describing dark matter's distribution. This result consolidates clues on dark matter's presence and behavior, opening up new scenarios for interactions with bright matter.
Researchers developed an innovative method to measure the complexity of image representations in deep neural networks, shedding light on their processing stages. The study found that classification accuracy depends on the network's ability to simplify information, with more accurate results from simplified representations.
The study's innovative approach uses a multi-electrode interface to deliver variable targeted stimuli to the spinal cord, increasing the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation and potentially treating a wider range of individuals. The technology has also shown promise in diagnostics, allowing for the assessment of residual activity in th...
A study published in PNAS reveals that DNA helicases unwind the double strand more easily in one direction than the other, with the speed of unwinding depending on the sequence composition of the bases. This discovery has implications for understanding gene expression and the regulation of cellular activities.
A recent study reveals that semantic memory deficits are involved in specific eating disorders in patients with dementia. The research found a correlation between the severity of these eating disorders and reduced performance on semantic memory tests, suggesting that these behaviors depend on the integrity of semantic memory. This brea...
A recent study published in eNeuro has shown that our auditory system and brain can make predictions about words in complex, uncertain, and noisy situations. The study used electroencephalography to analyze the brain waves of volunteers listening to unknown syllables, revealing a phenomenal ability to detect errors in predictions.
Scientists have made progress in understanding dark matter by studying the interactions between light and gas in intergalactic space. Researchers used simulations and observations of distant quasars to analyze the properties of primordial black holes, which could provide evidence for their role in explaining dark matter.
Researchers from SISSA and UC Davis develop a new methodology that bridges different approaches for crystals and glasses, enabling predictive modelling of heat transport in complex disordered materials. This breakthrough empowers scientists to understand and design heat transport for various applications.
A new study has provided a solid theoretical framework to discuss modifications to the Unruh effect caused by microstructure of space-time. The researchers found that thermal response for particle detectors can happen without a thermal state, contradicting an extended belief.
Researchers at Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati have developed self-standing carbon nanotubes that can modulate the growth and activity of nerve cells. These innovative materials show promise for repairing spinal injuries by creating biosynthetic hybrids.
Scientists unveil rigorous quantum mechanical definition of atomic oxidation number, enabling accurate simulations of charge transport in ionic systems crucial to energy technologies and planetary science research. This breakthrough resolves a long-standing conundrum in condensed matter physics.
Research reveals two distinct brain regions involved in recognizing raw and processed foods, highlighting the importance of semantic memory in identifying key characteristics. The study's findings have significant clinical implications, particularly for understanding eating disorders related to neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have discovered that graphene flakes can selectively and reversibly affect specific neurons in the brain, offering a promising approach for treating conditions like epilepsy. The study's findings suggest that the particles' size is key to their selectivity, with effects observed only at specific synapse sites.
Two studies investigate perceptual decision making in rats and humans, showing that the brain compares incoming sensory evidence to express a decision as soon as it reaches a fixed boundary. The findings support the 'bounded integration' model, which explains how the nervous system accumulates information over time.
A study by SISSA investigated the decision-making processes of healthy subjects with sub-clinical psychotic episodes, finding alterations similar to those in schizophrenia patients. The research highlights reduced motivation, emotional dysregulation, and delusions as possible indicators of vulnerability to psychosis.
A study by SISSA neuroscientists reveals the existence of temporal maps in the brain's supplementary motor area (SMA) for decoding abstract features of time. The maps are represented via topography and duration tuning, with different portions responding to specific durations.
A new study finds that Parkinson's disease patients treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) do not exhibit increased impulsive decision-making when faced with immediate or delayed rewards. The research challenges existing notions about the technique's impact on behavior and cognitive processes.
Researchers discover Euglena cells can crawl fast in narrow spaces using metaboly, a coordinated body deformation. The study could inspire new technologies, such as soft robots that can move efficiently in complex environments.
Researchers identify a shortlist of designable molecular knot types that can be easily self-assembled under physical and chemical conditions. The findings support the synthesis of novel topologies for potential applications in medicine, electronics, and nanocargo loading/unloading.
Researchers used molecular dynamics simulations to study DNA supercoiling and its impact on knot formation. They found that supercoiled regions can persistently lock in place critical contact points in DNA knots, making it easier for specialized enzymes to untie them.
The study reveals the Spp42 protein plays a crucial role in regulating spliceosome components, essential for transforming genetic information into functional proteins. This understanding may lead to new drugs targeting the spliceosome function to treat diseases such as cancer and leukemia.
Researchers at SISSA observed an increase in nerve cell activity on graphene carpets, attributed to ion 'trapping' that modulates its composition. This phenomenon enhances neuronal excitability, with specific effects depending on the graphene's support material.
Researchers propose creating and analyzing new systems governed by entanglement properties directly connected to the original ones, making it easier to quantify experimentally. This innovative approach can be carried out in several experimental conditions, from atomic systems to superconducting circuits.
A new study shows that centenarians outperform younger individuals in recognizing natural foods, indicating the role of experience in shaping semantic memory. The research reveals a decline in semantic memory function only after age 90, making it a potential early indicator for neurodegenerative diseases.