Researchers found that Asian elephants can move at speeds of up to 15 mph, with some individuals reaching 50% faster than previously recorded speeds. This gait, dubbed "Groucho running", meets the biomechanical definition of running, where the center of mass appears to bounce and the footfall pattern is different from walking.
Sarah Billington and Alexandria Boehm, two Stanford professors, are pioneering research in earthquake-resistant construction and coastal water quality. Their work aims to improve infrastructure sustainability and environmental protection.
Gretchen Daily has been selected as a Nature Conservancy senior scholar, working with researchers from Stanford and the Nature Conservancy to develop market-based approaches to conservation. The project aims to make conservation more profitable and central to human activities.
The researchers propose a four-pronged approach to avoid a catastrophe: decisive action by authorities, immediate antibiotic distribution, clear messaging about the need for full treatment courses, and surge capacity for medical professionals. This could reduce the death toll from an anthrax attack from 123,000 to 1,000.
Researchers used a two-dimensional optical force clamp to control and observe individual kinesin molecules, revealing that applying forces from the rear has no effect on its speed. This surprising finding challenges the existing hand-over-hand model of kinesin's movement.
A new study at Stanford University found that dyslexic children's brains begin to function more normally after participating in an eight-week training program. The program helped participants better understand rapidly changing sounds, leading to improved reading scores and brain activity.
Bradford Parkinson, a pioneer of GPS technology, has been awarded the 2003 Charles Stark Draper Prize for his significant contributions to the development of the original GPS system architecture. He is also recognized for his work on improving GPS accuracy and its applications in various fields.
Researchers are re-examining Darwin's sexual selection theory, finding it doesn't fit many species' behaviors. Scientists propose a more comprehensive approach incorporating social and reproductive roles in sexuality.
Researchers find that coastal ecosystems are fragmented into smaller neighborhoods, with varying species distributions and abundance rates along the coast. The study uses innovative technologies to measure wave forces and track marine organism movement, shedding light on the complex dynamics of ocean ecosystems.
A professor at Stanford University suggests a genetic mutation triggered modern human behavior, contradicting the majority of anthropologists. Genetic analysis of the foxp2 gene supports his theory, suggesting it evolved around 50,000 years ago.
Researchers are investigating novel quantum states by examining materials in reduced dimensions, which confine electron flow. This approach has led to the discovery of unusual metals and a better understanding of phase transitions at quantum limits.
The symposium aims to highlight problems with premature publication and press briefings, showcasing the need for peer review and fair journalistic practices. AAAS emphasizes the importance of scientists explaining their research in plain language, addressing misconceptions about open-access publishing systems.
Stanford biologists Paul R. Ehrlich and Marcus W. Feldman critique genetic determinism in their essay, arguing that human behavior is shaped by environmental factors rather than genes. They also challenge the concept of heritability, pointing out its limitations in predicting human behaviors.
The report highlights the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems from threats like overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Establishing large marine reserves can reverse these trends by providing a safe haven for species to thrive.
A recent study reveals that the global housing boom is driven by a trend of smaller households, leading to increased resource use and habitat loss. The researchers analyzed demographic data from the United Nations and found that the growth in new housing units worldwide exceeds population growth, particularly in biodiversity hotspots.
Studies have found a direct correlation between global warming and biological changes in plants and animals globally. Over 1,200 species have undergone changes consistent with temperature change influencing various traits.
Researchers found that tiny differences in DNA can identify geographic ancestry, contradicting the idea that self-reported ancestry is a reliable diagnostic tool. Genetic analysis of 1,056 individuals from 52 populations worldwide revealed more genetic similarities than previously thought.
Researchers confirm that melanopsin plays a crucial role in transmitting light information to the brain's circadian system. The study found that mice without melanopsin had a 40% decrease in responding to changes in light intensity, suggesting a redundant system.
A team of Stanford engineers is working on a computer code capable of tracking massive internal waves that can contain enough energy to move pollutants and debris long distances. The SUNTANS project aims to identify vulnerable beaches and coastal habitats, allowing for early prediction and protection.
Researchers at Stanford University conducted a three-year experiment, raising questions about the impact of elevated CO2 on plant growth. The study found that CO2 suppression was most pronounced when combined with other climate change factors like temperature, precipitation, and nitrogen deposition.
Scientists at Stanford University have created synthetic DNA nanocircles that can lengthen telomeres in test tube cells, a key factor in determining cell lifespan. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new methods for studying aging and cancer, as well as alternative approaches to transplantation medicine.
A recent study found a strong correlation between beach pollution and lunar cycles, tidal forces, and sunlight exposure. This could lead to inaccurate warnings and economic losses for local businesses.
Scholars Netz and Saito discovered Archimedes' treatise on The Method of Mechanical Theorems, which includes a proof dealing with infinitely large sets. This finding challenges conventional wisdom that Greeks disliked handling infinity.
The Bio-X program has awarded grants to 21 new interdisciplinary research projects, including the development of an artificial cornea and a wireless gastric endocapsule. These projects aim to boost collaborations among faculty, students, and staff across departments and schools.
Brauman is being recognized for his groundbreaking research on how molecules react, determining reaction rates and products. He will present an after-dinner talk on the impact of technology on basic science at a banquet on November 9.
Distributed computing experiment simulates protein folding, predicting folding rates and trajectories. Laboratory experiments confirm predictions, showing excellent agreement with simulated data.
Recent geophysical data shows Mauna Loa's summit caldera swelling at a rate of 2-2.5 inches per year, indicating magma accumulation. Scientists warn that this could be a precursor to an eruption, which would be the first time imaged with precise clarity.
A new study by Stanford University geophysicists challenges the widely used time-predictable recurrence model, which estimates the time when an earthquake will occur. The researchers found that the model failed to predict a magnitude 6 quake on the San Andreas Fault in Central California.
Cosmologists suggest universe may collapse in 10-20 billion years due to dark energy, reversing the popular view of a runaway universe. The Stanford team's model predicts the universe will slow down and contract, leading to a cosmic 'big crunch',
Andrei Linde has been recognized with the Dirac Medal for his pioneering work in inflationary cosmology, which posits that the universe underwent a rapid expansion. His theory has already had notable observational successes and has become a paradigm for fundamental studies in cosmology.
The NASA Living With a Star program aims to understand the dynamics of the Earth-Sun system. The Stanford-led SDO mission will study the Sun's magnetic fields, creating 3D images of solar magnetic regions and surface fields, to predict destructive flares and solar storms.
Researchers have determined the age of the oldest known meteorite impact on Earth, a catastrophic event that generated massive shockwaves billions of years before the dinosaur extinction. The ancient meteorite is estimated to be approximately 12 miles wide and was buried in rocks formed during the Archean eon.
Researchers have successfully used alfalfa plants to extract gold nanoparticles from the soil, a breakthrough that eliminates the need for harsh chemicals. The study published in Nano Letters demonstrates the potential of using plants as tiny factories to produce gold nanoparticles.
Researchers Aviv Bergman and Mark Siegal found that complexity of genotypes, rather than natural selection, provides fidelity in development. They argue that functional genetic networks with enough complexity exhibit built-in property of fidelity, unaffected by environmental disturbances or natural selection.
A three-year grant awarded by EPA aims to develop a scientific way to accurately estimate pesticide exposure among children, especially farmworker sons and daughters. Researchers use novel methods like videotaping children at home to quantify real-life exposure to pesticide residues.
Researchers found that the scale of interaction and dispersal is crucial to maintaining biodiversity in bacterial communities. Localizing these interactions helps preserve genetic diversity, allowing weaker competitors to persist over time.
A study published in Science found that the brains of outgoing people react more to happy faces than those of shy individuals. The research focused on the amygdala, a pea-sized area of the brain associated with emotion and memory, and found that high extraversion scores were linked to increased amygdala activation to happy faces.
Mooney recognized for his work in plant physiological ecology and conservation efforts, including creating new methods to quantify environmental impact on plants. He also established the Global Invasive Species Program to raise awareness of human activities' effects on ecosystems through species introductions.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that giant loops of hot, electrified gas linked to sunspots near the equator may cause polar reversals. The findings help predict violent solar flares and eruptions that interfere with Earth's communications.
Climate change is projected to increase extreme weather events, displacing millions and fueling conflict in low-lying countries. Biogeographical redistribution of pathogens and organisms via globalization poses a growing threat to global security.
Harden McConnell, a renowned Stanford University chemist, has been awarded the 2002 Welch Award for his pioneering discoveries about cell membranes. His work has provided new insights into how the body regulates cholesterol and activates its immune system.
Researchers at Stanford University found that extreme climate variability in the past 70 years hastened the extinction of Bay Area checkerspot butterfly populations. The study tied climate variability to a mechanism and showed that population extinctions are a prelude to species extinctions, threatening ecosystem services.
Researchers from Stanford University analyzed thousands of proteins shared by yeast and roundworms, finding that those with more interactions evolve slower. The study confirms a prediction made over 20 years ago, suggesting protein networks play a crucial role in shaping evolutionary rates.
A study suggests that the global extinction crisis is more severe than previously thought, with over 50% of declining mammal species losing historic ranges. Population extinctions are concentrated in densely populated areas, such as Southeast Asia and Eastern states.
Researchers used satellite imagery to study the effects of an iceberg on a marine ecosystem in Antarctica. The study found that extensive ice cover reduced phytoplankton production by 40% and affected the entire food chain from krill to fish, seals, whales, penguins, and other species.
Geologists analyzed rare rock samples from California and Oregon, which contain large amounts of osmium, a key element in the Earth's core. The findings suggest that these rocks came from hotspots at the core-mantle boundary, providing valuable clues to the Earth's core composition.
Research on fruit flies reveals Rac genes control axon growth, guidance and branching in the human brain. The study suggests that large amounts of Rac GTPase protein are needed for proper branching, while less is required for growth.
A Stanford scientist is conducting a groundbreaking study to determine the long-term effects of hypergravity on humans. Participants will spend nine weeks in a NASA centrifuge rotating at increasingly faster speeds, simulating conditions found during space shuttle takeoff and landing.
Researchers at Stanford University and the University of Durham report a surprising observation in a hydrogen-exchange reaction, where a tiny proportion of H2 molecules is flying off in an unexpected direction. This finding suggests more than one mechanism by which H and D2 come together and react.
Researchers at Stanford University used neutron scattering to study the magnetic properties of insulators with random impurities, discovering a novel model magnet. The introduction of nonmagnetic impurities disrupts long-range magnetic order, leading to unprecedented quantum fluctuations.