The Stanford-developed eye implant is a tiny device that measures intraocular fluid flow and provides data on eye pressure. This information can help doctors tailor treatment plans, potentially improving outcomes for glaucoma patients. The device is currently designed to fit inside a standard intraocular lens prosthetic.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a low-cost, emissions-free device that uses an ordinary AAA battery to produce hydrogen by water electrolysis. The battery sends an electric current through two electrodes that split liquid water into hydrogen and oxygen gas.
A new review in Science cautions that the loss and decline of animals are contributing to what appears to be the early days of the planet's sixth mass biological extinction event. Human activity and habitat loss are driving the die-off, with large animals facing the highest rate of decline.
A new Stanford study outlines a plan to convert California's all-purpose energy infrastructure to renewable energy by 2050. The plan could create tens of thousands of jobs and save billions in pollution-related health costs while reducing air pollution mortality and global warming emissions.
Scientists propose using eDNA sampling to monitor invasive species, save endangered ones and inform policy. The technique has the potential to overcome traditional sampling methods' limitations, including expense and focus on single species.
Researchers found evidence of seasonal cycles on Saturn's moon Titan, with temperature and sunlight driving surface changes. The discovery supports the idea that liquid methane might flow and evaporate in response to changing exposure to sunlight.
The Precourt Institute and KQED have developed a two-part e-book series on energy, exploring its basics and applications. The interactive Energy iBooks Textbooks aim to promote energy literacy among students aged 8-13.
Net energy analysis provides a quantitative way to compare energy production with energy required for technology development and maintenance. The technique can identify potential costs and barriers to technology development that conventional financial analysis might not reveal.
New technologies solve bottlenecks in CLARITY, a technique for peering into the brain, making it easier to understand brain wiring and probe brain diseases. The advancements enable faster data collection and reduce risks associated with imaging valuable clinical samples.
Researchers developed a method to accurately measure groundwater levels using satellite data, overcoming the challenges of traditional monitoring wells. This breakthrough provides valuable data for managing water resources and will improve models for scenarios like population growth and droughts.
Researchers have discovered a common rulebook for the immune system's T cells, enabling faster identification of antigens and potential treatments. This breakthrough could lead to improved understanding of autoimmune diseases like diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
Scientists have developed a new approach to convert low-temperature waste heat into electricity with an efficiency of 5.7 percent, surpassing conventional thermoelectric devices. The new technology utilizes the thermogalvanic effect and requires only low-cost, abundant materials.
A new Stanford study reveals that European farmers will face significant crop yield losses due to climate change, but adapting can help slow the decline. The research shows that adaptation options such as switching varieties or installing irrigation can reduce yield losses by up to 87% for corn.
Corn yields in central US sensitive to drought conditions increasing over past two decades. Farmers may be pushing limits of productivity under extreme heat and dryness.
Stanford scientists warn that climate change will strengthen African easterly waves, bringing more intense rainfall to drought-prone areas. The warming atmosphere is also expected to increase dust transport across the Atlantic, affecting air quality and regional weather patterns.
A new study reveals that the South Asian summer monsoon is experiencing significant changes in extreme wet and dry events, leading to an increased risk of drought and flood in central India. The researchers found that the intensity of wet spells and the number of dry spells have both been increasing in recent decades.
Researchers developed a new circuit board, Neurogrid, capable of simulating 1 million neurons and billions of synaptic connections using 16 custom-designed chips. The device is more efficient than other brain mimics on the power it takes to run a tablet computer.
Stanford researchers found that some corals can adjust their internal functions to tolerate hot water faster than through evolutionary change alone. This ability may help corals survive climate change, but it's not a magic bullet and can be compromised by stressors like acidification and pollution.
A new study by Stanford researchers challenges the long-accepted island biogeography theory, which predicts a decline in species abundance in fragmented landscapes. Instead, they found that farmland and forest remnants in human-dominated landscapes can support higher species diversity and slow extinction rates.
A Stanford-led team has generated a genetic map of more than 10,000 species of fungi across North America, showcasing their vital role in ecological systems and carbon cycling. The research highlights the diversity and distribution of fungal species, with unique fingerprints in each bioregion.
A Stanford researcher found that pursuing concretely framed goals leads to greater happiness for givers, while abstractly framed goals may bring about unrealistic expectations. This study suggests reframing prosocial goals in more specific terms can increase personal happiness.
A new study by Stanford scholars highlights the importance of increasing genetic diversity among tiger populations to ensure their survival. The research found that maintaining about 90% of genetic diversity is necessary for the species' survival and recommends focusing conservation efforts on creating wildlife corridors and crossbreed...
A new study using video surveillance found that caregivers wash their hands only 17% of the time after using the toilet, but rates increase to 71% when another person is present. Video surveillance can provide reliable information on hand hygiene behavior, even in resource-constrained settings.
Researchers have found a novel electrode made of oxide-derived copper that can efficiently convert carbon monoxide into liquid ethanol. The discovery could provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional ethanol production, which relies on land- and water-intensive crops like corn.
Computer simulations suggest that co-locating crops with solar panels could reduce water usage for solar farms in sunny, arid regions. Agave plants, which thrive at high temperatures and poor soil, are being considered as ideal crops for this approach.
A new analysis reveals the scope of by-catch in various regions, with high rates found in the eastern Pacific, Mediterranean, southwest Atlantic, and Southern Indian oceans. The study emphasizes the importance of community engagement and data-driven approaches to mitigate by-catch, particularly in less-regulated small-scale fisheries.
A Stanford University study finds that wind farms can afford lots of grid-scale storage to support up to three days of uninterrupted power. In contrast, the solar industry can only afford about 24 hours of energy storage due to the high energy required for manufacturing solar panels.
New radar measurements suggest Ligeia Mare on Titan is eerily still, with surface waves smaller than one millimeter. The solid terrain surrounding the sea may be composed of solid organic materials instead of frozen water, similar to Earth's early evolution.
Scientists have devised a pair of math equations that better describe how topography, rock compositions, and water movement affect the geologic carbon cycle. The research, supported by the National Research Foundation, aims to improve understanding of the recycling process between carbon dioxide and rocky interior.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a new, potentially clean catalyst that can convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methanol with fewer side-products. The nickel-gallium catalyst offers promise for low-cost, low-pressure methanol production using renewable energy sources.
A Stanford-led study found that large arrays of offshore wind turbines can disrupt hurricanes enough to reduce peak wind speeds by up to 92 mph. The turbines' energy extraction also decreases storm surge by up to 79 percent.
Researchers have discovered two bacteria, Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia burgdorferi, in nearly every park sampled throughout the region. The findings raise questions about the prevalence of B. miyamotoi infections in California residents and highlight the need for improved diagnostic tests.
A new roadmap for the US aims to transform its energy infrastructure from fossil fuels to 100% renewable resources by 2050. The 50-state plan provides detailed information on how many wind turbines and solar panels would be needed, land area required, cost and job creation, to power each state.
A new analysis confirms the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) underestimation of US methane emissions from natural gas systems. The study found that even small leaks from the system are important due to methane's potency as a greenhouse gas.
Research by Anne Fernald shows a significant gap in language development between rich and poor children emerges during infancy, with child-directed speech playing a crucial role. Infants who hear more child-directed speech develop greater efficiency in language processing and learn new words faster.
Chris Field, a leading climate expert, will discuss the state of climate science and emerging challenges related to climate change. Analysis of 27 climate models reveals accelerated pace of climate change, posing significant risks for the future.
Crude oil interferes with fish heart cells, causing slowed heart rate, reduced cardiac contractility, and irregular heartbeats. The study reveals that oil blocks potassium channels, increasing the time to restart the heart on every beat, ultimately slowing the heartbeat.
A new technique developed by Stanford scientists uses weak ocean vibrations to predict the ground movement and shaking hazard from real quakes. The approach was used to confirm a prediction that Los Angeles will experience stronger-than-expected ground movement if a major quake occurs south of the city.
Researchers at Stanford and Google have successfully simulated the transformation of a key drug receptor site using Google Exacycle's cloud computing platform. The simulation revealed thousands of possible configurations, providing scientists with a better jumping-off point for computational drug design.
Researchers at Stanford University have observed a cellular response to concussions in mice, revealing how individual cells react to the injury. The study suggests a possible therapeutic approach by using natural antioxidant molecules like glutathione to prevent brain damage.
Researchers suggest formation of lesser mountain ranges Hangay and Altai may have driven climate in Central Asia, leading to expansion of Gobi Desert. The new data indicate that rainfall decreased by 50-90 percent over tens of millions of years, contradicting the traditional explanation.
Intermediate-depth earthquakes, accounting for one in four quakes worldwide, occur at depths of 30-190 miles. Stanford scientists studied the Bucaramanga Nest in Colombia, where quakes are clustered, and found that heat generated by friction causes a 'runaway process' that facilitates fault sliding.
Researchers propose a method to convert CO2 into stable magnesite, which could help curb global warming by sequestering greenhouse gas emissions. The technique uses ultramafic rocks and temperatures between 53°F and 86°F to form the mineral.
The Stanford team found that the 'hot exciton effect' does not exist, contradicting widely accepted scientific theory. Instead, they suggest that disorder at the molecular level may play a key role in separating electron-hole pairs, leading to improved energy efficiency.
Researchers develop a silicon-based water splitter coated with an ultrathin layer of nickel, achieving stability for over 80 hours without corrosion. The innovative device uses light to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, offering a sustainable alternative for clean energy production.
Researchers analyzed X-ray telescope observations from the Suzaku satellite to study iron distribution in the Perseus cluster. They found that iron is spread evenly between galaxies, suggesting it was created at least 10-12 billion years ago through intense star formation and supernovae explosions.
Eleven Stanford researchers have received funding for promising new clean energy and efficiency projects, including studies on hybrid car performance, natural ventilation systems, and smart meter data analysis. The awards total $2.2 million and support early work on concepts with high potential impact on energy production and use.
Researchers at Stanford University's Natural Capital Project used Flickr data to assess the value of natural tourist attractions, finding a reliable indicator for visitation rates and values. This approach revolutionizes study methods, providing insights into what attracts people to natural areas and informing better land management.
Researchers created a heat-resistant thermal emitter that can convert heat into infrared light, enhancing the efficiency of solar cells. The new material remains stable at temperatures up to 2500 F, surpassing earlier prototypes.
A new Stanford study proposes that an iron melt network played a key role in forming the early Earth's internal structure, lending credence to a theory first proposed nearly half a century ago. The team recreated ancient Earth conditions and found evidence that percolation, previously thought impossible, could have helped funnel molten...