Seven faculty teams will receive grants to tackle various environmental challenges, including coral reefs and groundwater supply. The projects aim to promote global sustainability through interdisciplinary research.
Researchers designed a hydrophone that can capture full range of ocean sounds from soft whispers to explosions, accurately at any depth. They achieved this using lasers and mirrors to detect minute movements on the diaphragm, inspired by orca ears' optimized sonar.
A native species, the plucky winter ant, has been discovered using chemical warfare to combat the Argentine ant invasion. In laboratory testing, the poison had a 79 percent kill rate, making it a potential game-changer in ecosystem defense.
A new climate study by Stanford University scientists predicts that tropical regions will experience permanent summer heat increases, with many areas seeing unprecedented extreme temperatures. This could lead to severe consequences for human health, agriculture, and ecosystems.
Stanford researchers discovered that local farmers' social and economic networks are key to adopting new technologies, with credit unions playing a significant role. The study found that most farmers rely on credit unions for technical expertise and management advice rather than external experts.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed an improved imaging method using fluorescent carbon nanotubes that allows them to see centimeters deep into a mouse with far more clarity than conventional dyes provide. This breakthrough enables the simultaneous drug delivery and imaging of internal organs in real-time.
Coastal communities can address localized ocean acidification hotspots by applying federal and state laws and policies at a local level, reducing the impact on marine environments.
Researchers discovered a unique sequence of geologic events that triggered Japan's devastating tsunami, including an unusual 'two-faced' rupture on the fault plane and extreme dynamic overshoot. This finding highlights the need to better understand similar earthquakes in other subduction zones around the world.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that most seaports lack a plan to adapt to climate change, threatening their infrastructure. Rising sea levels and frequent violent storms will take a significant toll on ports worldwide.
China's Sloping Land Conversion Program has helped restore eroded forestland while providing economic gains for farmers. The program has decreased soil erosion by up to 68% and improved the environment, but its economic benefits have been less pronounced, with some families struggling to find new work.
A new study led by Stanford University researchers found that US farmers have largely avoided the impacts of global warming on wheat and corn production. However, with projected temperature increases, it is likely that North American crop yields will eventually be affected.
A new study finds that small fish populations are just as likely to have collapsed in the last 50 years as large fish stocks. Small species were up to twice as likely to have suffered a major decline due to overfishing, highlighting their importance in the oceanic food chain.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new biosensor microchip that can analyze thousands of protein-binding events simultaneously and continuously, potentially speeding up the process of drug development. The technology uses magnetic nanotags to detect interactions with greater sensitivity, enabling researchers to predict...
Stanford researchers found a link between the collapse of the Soviet Union's anti-alcohol campaign and Russia's four-year mortality crisis. The study suggests that the campaign's closure led to a resurgence in deaths from alcohol poisoning, drunken violence, and slower killers like heart attacks and strokes.
A study by Stanford scientists found a specific TB strain was unintentionally spread among indigenous peoples of western Canada, leading to epidemics decades later. Poor living conditions and malnutrition on reservations contributed to the outbreak.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a battery that can generate electricity by exploiting the difference in salinity between freshwater and seawater. The battery, which uses sodium and chlorine ions, has achieved 74% efficiency in converting potential energy to electrical current.
Tiny single-celled algae and bacteria rebounded quickly after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, consuming oxygen and slowing larger organisms' recovery. This process was driven by volcanic activity and resulting ocean acidification, which fueled explosive algae blooms.
A study by Stanford psychologists found that a 60-minute social-belonging exercise significantly improved the GPAs of black freshmen, reducing the minority achievement gap by 52 percent. The exercise helped students internalize that adjustments are tough for everyone and increased feelings of belonging, happiness, and health.
Protein folding is a crucial process in the body, but misfolding can lead to debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. Stanford researchers have discovered a new mechanism for protein folding that could aid in developing therapies for these conditions. By studying the chaperonin TRiC, they found that proteins are released from the foldi...
A new study using Africa's historical crop yield data reveals that corn production will decline by at least 20% for 1 degree Celsius of warming under drought conditions. The research also highlights the importance of combining existing knowledge and data from climate and agriculture communities to improve crop forecasting.
The Leopold Leadership Program selects mid-career researchers to engage policymakers, journalists, and business leaders with their research. Fellows receive training and networking opportunities to translate their knowledge into action.
A Stanford study reveals how metaphors influence attitudes towards crime, finding that 'beast' and 'virus' framings lead to different proposed solutions. The researchers found that people are more likely to support increased policing if crime is described as a 'beast', while social reform approaches are favored when crime is seen as a ...
Researchers found that adding an organic molecule layer can increase quantum dot solar cell efficiency three-fold. The layer helps keep electrons apart, preventing recombination and increasing electrical charge production.
A study by Eric Lambin predicts the world may run out of productive agricultural land by 2050 due to rising global demand and land degradation. However, some developing countries have increased their forest cover while enhancing food production through innovation, sound policy, and good governance.
Researcher Ron Kopito shows that mutant misfolded protein responsible for Huntington's disease can move from cell to cell, recruiting normal proteins and forming aggregations in each cell it visits. This ability could explain the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's through the brain.
Researchers tagged and tracked leatherback turtles for five years, revealing why they linger in the gyre despite its nutrient-poor conditions. The data suggest that jellyfish are abundant in the area, providing a crucial source of food for the turtles, which explains their feeding behavior and diving patterns.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new technique to trace neural connections in the brain, shedding light on how scent signals are processed. The study found that most nerve pathways heading to higher processing centers originated from one region of the olfactory bulb, explaining how mice direct their innate fear respo...
A new study suggests that converting to clean, renewable energy sources is technologically and economically feasible within 20-40 years. The plan involves using wind, water, and solar power to generate electricity, with a focus on combining these sources to overcome variability challenges.
Researchers at Stanford have developed a new method that allows them to examine the deep brain's neurons for months, enabling studies on diseases like dementia and cancer. The technique uses tiny glass tubes with microendoscopes to monitor individual cells over prolonged periods.
Ingmar Riedel-Kruse's lab group developed video games where players influence the behavior of living microorganisms in real-time. These biotic games aim to educate people about basic biological processes and promote interest in biology, with potential applications in crowd-sourced research.
Researchers found that the wave of mountain building swept down western North America as far south as Mexico and as far east as Nebraska. The data, from ancient precipitation, suggests a slow-motion wave of mountain-building coursing southward, with elevations up to 14,000 feet.
New technique sheds light on 4.5 billion-year-old event; iron takes elongated form at high pressure, forming channels instead of isolated spheres.
Scientists have developed a new method to monitor groundwater aquifers using satellite data, allowing for more accurate and cost-effective management of these vital resources. By analyzing satellite measurements over time, researchers can infer the amount of water in an aquifer, providing valuable insights for hydrologists and regulato...
A Stanford University geophysicist warns that injecting massive amounts of carbon dioxide underground could trigger small- to moderate-sized earthquakes, posing a threat to the reservoirs containing the gas. The issue is particularly concerning for saline aquifers with dense, well-cemented sedimentary rock.
In experiments with African cichlid fish, scientists found that females show increased anxiety and decreased attraction when their preferred male loses a fight. Conversely, when the male prevails, the female's brain shows increased activity associated with reproduction and pleasure. These findings suggest that humans may experience sim...
A new study found that reforestation at home often leads to deforestation abroad in developing countries. International trade in forest products increased the demand for imported timber and agricultural products, contributing to net deforestation. Strengthening cooperation and certification systems can help mitigate this issue.
A team of Stanford researchers has successfully tested a device that may help protect satellites from tiny meteoroid collisions. The canopy, which was tested in zero gravity, could potentially be deployed to shield spacecraft from micrometeoroids and interference with electronic equipment.
A new Stanford University study shows that getting older leads to greater emotional stability and happiness. Researchers found that older adults tend to have fewer negative emotions and more positive ones compared to younger years.
A new study from Stanford psychologists suggests that a person's mindset and personal beliefs about willpower determine how long and well they'll be able to work on a tough mental exercise. Contrary to the long-held theory that willpower is a limited resource, researchers found that those who believed in willpower as something not easi...
Stanford engineers discovered that ultra-thin solar cells with nanoscale roughness can absorb more energy than predicted by conventional theory. Light trapping technique increases energy absorption beyond the theoretical limit, opening a new door to designing highly efficient solar cells.
Gretchen Daily's innovative research places a value on natural ecosystem services, leading to increased momentum in conservation efforts. Her work, including the InVEST software program, informs global policy decisions on land use and resource management.
Stanford researchers developed an electronic sensor that can detect the slightest touch, mimicking human skin's sensitivity. The new artificial skin uses a thin film of rubber molded into tiny pyramids, allowing it to perceive pressures in a range of very gentle touches.
Eric Lambin's research integrates remote satellite imagery with door-to-door interviews to understand the complex conditions giving rise to land-use challenges. He has uncovered the political, economic, and social forces driving deforestation and reforestation trends worldwide.
The study found that over 80% of new farmland created in the tropics between 1980 and 2000 came from felling forests, with significant implications for global warming. The research suggests that the rate of deforestation may be slowing, but the demand for agricultural production is expected to continue growing.
A Stanford University study finds that children of gay and married couples have lower grade-repetition rates than their peers in other family environments. This research challenges common assertions that children of same-sex couples cannot thrive, providing new data to the debate on gay marriage.
Stanford researchers have developed a high-speed, low-cost filter that kills bacteria with an electrical field, allowing for faster filtering and reduced costs. The filter uses silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes to create a smooth, conducting surface, making it efficient and effective in purifying water.
A Stanford mechanical engineer created a robot that can climb smooth surfaces like glass using the sticky property of a gecko's foot. The robot uses a material with tiny hairs to create directional adhesion, allowing it to stick and unstick from surfaces easily.
Researchers found that solar flares can affect the decay rate of certain radioactive elements on Earth. This effect is likely caused by solar neutrinos emitted by the sun. The study's findings could lead to a new method for predicting solar flares and protecting satellites from damage.
Researchers create tiny sensor molecules using DNA that can detect multiple substances with different color changes, enabling a vast array of responses to various molecules. The DNA sensors could be used in portable devices, such as a fluorescence microscope, to detect everything from incipiently souring milk to high explosives.
Majorities of Florida, Maine, and Massachusetts residents believe the Earth has been warming due to human activities. The states closely resemble national results in supporting government action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implementing cap-and-trade systems.