Researchers at Stanford University have created a handheld, portable device to measure ammonia levels in blood. The device, which assesses ammonia levels from a finger or earlobe prick, can report results in less than a minute and is significantly more efficient than current methods.
Stanford researchers developed a new ultrafast insulin formulation that stabilizes monomeric insulin for over 24 hours, allowing it to take effect almost immediately upon injection. The formulation could potentially reduce the time it takes for insulin to reach peak activity by four-fold.
A Stanford-led study reveals a strong connection between air pollution and infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The researchers found that even small increases in particulate matter concentrations lead to significant increases in infant mortality rates.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new lithium-based electrolyte that can improve the performance of lithium metal batteries. The novel electrolyte design boosts energy density and coulombic efficiency, leading to longer battery life and reduced weight.
A new study finds that poorly designed tree-planting campaigns could lead to more biodiversity loss and little climate change benefit. Strong subsidy restrictions are crucial to avoid these negative impacts.
Researchers at Stanford University have devised a model that considers the impact of interactions between developers and landowners on the success and cost of wind farms. The model highlights three actions developers could take to increase landowner acceptance and ultimately reduce costs, including community engagement meetings, prelim...
Researchers have successfully developed a biohybrid artificial synapse that can communicate with living cells using electrochemistry. The device mimics the learning process of biological synapses and has potential applications in brain-inspired computers and medical devices.
Researchers developed a new metric called Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) to measure the value of nature's contributions to economic activity. GEP accounts for benefits like clean water and climate security, informing investments in securing them and evaluating policy performance.
A Stanford-led study reveals that reducing the number of unused containers can be an effective means of mosquito control, with women and children playing key roles in implementing this approach. The researchers identified laundry buckets and tires as common breeding habitats for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Researchers discovered that memory recall processes in older adults resemble those in younger populations, but for those who struggle to remember, brain activity patterns are diminished. Stronger hippocampal activity and replay in the cortex were linked to better memory performance, regardless of age.
The extinction rate is likely much higher than previously thought, with nearly 1,000 species at risk of extinction in the next two decades. Human pressures such as population growth, habitat destruction, and climate change are driving this accelerated loss of biodiversity.
Three community-based organizations, Mee Panyar from Myanmar, Solar Freeze from Kenya, and Takataka Plastics from Uganda, have won the first Stanford Global Energy Heroes prizes. They will receive $20,000 and a trip to Stanford for the Global Energy Forum. The organizations are working on projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions a...
Researchers propose that cosmic rays influenced the evolution of DNA-based life on Earth, promoting one form of molecular handedness over its mirror image. This idea suggests a connection between fundamental physics and the origin of life, with potential experiments to test their hypothesis.
A new study by Stanford University scientist Rob Jackson found that daily carbon dioxide emissions have dropped by as much as 17 percent globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study estimates an impact on annual emissions of 4 to 7 percent, the biggest drop since World War II.
Scientists have identified two genes responsible for a melanoma that develops near the tails of male highland-sheepshead hybrids. These findings provide insight into the genetic causes of hybrid dysfunction and its effects on disease, highlighting the importance of understanding gene interactions in different species.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed synthetic bryostatin analogs that boost the effectiveness of cell therapies and show promise as a functional cure for HIV/AIDS. The new compounds were tested on lab-grown human cancer cells and found to be more effective than bryostatin in some cases.
A new Stanford study finds that deforestation and agriculture expansion increase human-wild primate interactions, leading to a higher risk of zoonotic diseases. The researchers suggest creating buffer zones around biodiversity-rich forests and providing alternative resources to reduce pressure on people to venture into forested areas.
Research from Stanford University finds that stress hinders development of informed plans by preventing the use of memory to project oneself forward. Stress can rob individuals of the ability to draw on cognitive systems underlying memory and goal-directed behavior, leading to reduced planning efficiency.
A new study by Stanford researchers finds that long-term warming and decreased autumn precipitation are increasing the risk of extreme fire weather conditions in California. The risk has more than doubled over the past four decades, with human-caused global warming making these conditions more likely.
Researchers at Stanford University explore viral and environmental characteristics that affect COVID-19 transmission via surfaces, air, and fecal matter. They propose a broader approach to understanding viruses to better predict their behavior in the environment.
Researchers at Stanford University created an ankle exoskeleton that assists running with powered assistance. Powered mode reduces the energy cost of running by 15%, making it 25% easier than running without assistance, while spring-like mode has limited benefits due to increased energy demand.
Researchers suggest that squid use visual communication to establish order in near-darkness, utilizing light-producing organs and shifting skin patterns. The study found supporting evidence for this hypothesis in anatomical studies of captured squid.
A Stanford University team has created a new device that records electrical brain signals with high resolution, offering potential breakthroughs in prosthetics, disease treatment, and brain research. The device, featuring thousands of microwires, can be used to study neural activity on a single-neuron level.
A new Stanford study found that diversified farms in Costa Rica provide a more secure habitat for birds and shield against the impacts of climate change. Diversified farms are more stable in supporting bird populations and offer refuge to threatened species.
A new Stanford study found that historical observations can lead to significant underestimates of extreme weather events by about half, particularly heat waves and heavy rainfall in Europe, East Asia, and the U.S. Climate models were more accurate in predicting future occurrence of record-setting events.
Researchers developed a new kind of soft robot that can change its shape and move freely, combining benefits of soft robots with traditional robotics. The 'isoperimetric robot' has applications in homes, workplaces, disaster response, and space exploration.
Researchers at Stanford University used brain imaging to forecast how long people will watch videos online. They found that brain responses, not self-reports, predict video popularity. Longer video views were associated with activity in reward-sensitive regions of the brain.
Researchers at Stanford University have found a way to identify and control colorful defects in hexagonal boron nitride, a material that can emit bright light as a single photon. This breakthrough has the potential to create predictable sources of quantum light, a crucial component for future quantum technologies.
A team at Stanford University developed a machine learning-based method that accelerates battery development for electric vehicles, reducing testing times from almost two years to 16 days. The approach optimizes the charging process, finding better protocols to test and predicting battery performance based on only a few charging cycles.
Research from Stanford University found that climate change could cause the loss of over a quarter of ectomycorrhizal fungal species in North American pine forests. The study projected how climate change might affect fungal diversity, with some regions experiencing significant decreases and others gains.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new kind of cancer drug inspired by antiviral treatments. Tests in mice show that these drugs can shrink tumors and prevent their spread, targeting cellular processes used by both viruses and some cancer cells.
To tackle massive wood fuel accumulations, California needs significant fuel treatments, including prescribed burns or vegetation thinning. The researchers propose solutions to overcome barriers, such as a risk-averse culture, limited finances, and complex regulations.
A new Stanford study finds that analyzing DNA in soil can identify nearly every animal present in an area, including rare species, with high accuracy. The technique also distinguishes between similar-looking animals and has potential to reveal previously unknown species diversity.
A Stanford team created a silicon chip that accelerates electrons using infrared laser pulses, achieving speeds of up to 94% of the speed of light. This prototype chip is a breakthrough in miniaturizing accelerator technology, making it more accessible for research and medical applications.
Researchers at Stanford University found that humpback whales use stealth and deception to capture fish, overcoming limitations in speed and maneuverability by timing their lunges. This innovative feeding strategy allows them to consume a large number of fish per feeding event, making it more energetically efficient than feeding on krill.
A new Stanford study shows that mealworms can eat Styrofoam containing toxic chemicals without building up harm in their bodies. The worms' guts concentrate and remove these additives through biodegradation, making them a promising source of protein-rich feedstock for other animals.
Researchers have developed new methods to track brain activity in living mice, using a molecule that responds directly to voltage changes in neurons. The techniques enable the study of fine details of brain activity, including how neurons process signals and decide when to spike.
Midwest farmers adopting reduced tillage increased corn and soybean yields by 3.3% and 0.74%, respectively, while improving soil health and lowering production costs.
Global fossil-fuel carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in 2023, driven by increasing natural gas and oil consumption. Despite slower emissions growth, researchers warn that emissions could increase unless national energy policies change dramatically.
Researchers from Stanford University successfully recorded a blue whale's heart rate for the first time using an electronic sensor attached to the whale's flipper. The data suggests that the whale's heart is operating at its limit, which may explain why blue whales have never evolved to be bigger.
Researchers at Stanford University found that birds utilize drag to support their body weight during takeoff, employing lift as a brake in landings. This new understanding challenges conventional wisdom about the role of drag and lift in flight.
Researchers at Stanford and UMass Amherst develop a new technique to create machine-learning algorithms that can learn to avoid undesirable outcomes such as gender bias and excessive risk. Their approach, called the Seldonian algorithm, enables users to specify what behaviors they want an AI system to avoid with high probability.
A new Stanford-led study provides a framework for environmental education programs to maximize impact. The research highlights four key facets: focusing on locally relevant issues, collaborating with experts, incorporating action-oriented learning strategies, and measuring outcomes. By implementing these principles, citizens can make m...
The study reveals at least two major migrations into Rome, as well as several smaller but significant population shifts, over the last few thousand years. The genetic data show that immigrants from the Near East, Europe, and North Africa pulled up their roots and moved to Rome, significantly changing its face.
Researchers at Stanford University created a touch-based display that mimics the geometry of 3D objects, enabling blind users to design and create independently. The system received positive feedback from test users, who praised its ability to provide multiple perspectives of an object, enhancing their understanding and creativity.
A Stanford University study published in Energy and Environmental Science suggests that carbon capture technologies can cause more harm than good, reducing only a small fraction of carbon emissions. The research concludes that using renewable energy options like wind or solar is always better from a social cost perspective.
A new catalyst developed by Stanford University engineers can convert carbon dioxide into fuels like ethane, propane, and butane, yielding four times more fuel than existing methods. The breakthrough could significantly reduce the near-term impact on global warming.
A new Stanford study found that expressing uncertainty about climate change predictions increases public trust in scientists, but acknowledging unknown factors can undermine credibility. When climate scientists include best-case and worst-case scenarios, Americans are more trusting and accepting of their statements.
A new interactive global map reveals where people receive the most benefits from nature, with up to 5 billion at higher risk by 2050. The study highlights inequitable distribution of environmental impacts, with developing countries bearing a disproportionate share.
Researchers found that evocative labels like 'twisted citrus glazed carrots' can increase vegetable consumption by 29% and calorie intake by 39%. Careful word choice matters, as references to ingredients, preparation methods, and words that convey a positive experience can make healthy foods more crave-worthy.