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Stanford University


New device produces critical fertilizer ingredient from thin air, cutting carbon emissions

Researchers at Stanford University developed a prototype device that can produce ammonia from water vapor and nitrogen in the air using wind energy. The technology has the potential to eliminate the need for a century-old method of producing ammonia, which consumes 2% of global energy and contributes 1% of annual carbon dioxide emissions.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 13, 2024

AI predicts Earth’s peak warming

Researchers trained an AI system to predict future warming based on climate model simulations and historical temperature data. The study suggests that even in the best-case scenario, global warming will likely exceed 2 degrees Celsius, with severe impacts expected in regions such as South Asia and Central Europe.

SourceStanford University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 10, 2024

Welcome Evo, generative AI for the genome

Evo, a generative AI model, uses patterns in microbial genomes to write new genetic code, expanding the length of sequences models can process and improving resolution. Researchers use Evo to understand microbial and viral genomes, fashion new proteins, and reprogram microbes for remarkable tasks.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateDec 4, 2024

New tool enhances control of cellular activity

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new synthetic receptor, PAGER, that can accommodate a broader range of inputs and produce a more diverse set of outputs. The tool enables control of neuronal activity, immune responses, and therapeutic treatments in lab experiments.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateDec 4, 2024

Groundwater pumping drives rapid sinking in California

A new study reveals that the San Joaquin Valley in California has been sinking at an average rate of nearly an inch per year between 2006 and 2022. The researchers estimate that the land sank by over 12 inches during the four-year gap in satellite data, highlighting the urgent need for mitigation strategies.

SourceStanford University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateNov 19, 2024

Can AI improve plant-based meats?

Stanford researchers developed a method to describe food texture with striking similarity to human taste testers using mechanical testing and machine learning. The study found that some plant-based products can already reproduce the whole texture spectrum of animal meats.

SourceStanford University·Journalnpj Science of Food·DateNov 15, 2024

Unlocking the secrets of ketosis

A team of researchers has discovered a previously unknown metabolic pathway involving beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a key ketone body. This finding suggests that ketones have additional roles in the body's metabolic landscape, potentially influencing appetite suppression and weight regulation under ketosis conditions.

SourceStanford University·JournalCell·DateNov 12, 2024

A blueprint for mapping melting ice sheets

The Open Radar Code Architecture (ORCA) offers scientists a standardized way to build ice-penetrating radar systems, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This enables glaciologists to collect and reuse data more effectively, advancing research into melting ice sheets and sea-level rise.

SourceStanford University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing·DateOct 21, 2024

The transformative power of film

Researchers from Stanford University found that watching the film Just Mercy increased participants' empathy towards formerly incarcerated people, leading to greater support for criminal justice reform. The study suggests that storytelling has a powerful impact on changing people's minds and perceptions.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2024

Ancient climate analysis reveals unknown global processes

A new Stanford review of hundreds of studies found little to no sediment dating back to the 34 million-year-old Eocene-Oligocene climate transition, contradicting conventional models. The researchers attribute this globally extensive gap in the geologic record to vigorous ocean bottom currents triggered by major climate shifts.

SourceStanford University·JournalEarth-Science Reviews·DateOct 9, 2024

Bringing lost proteins back home

Scientists at Stanford University have developed a new method to relocalize misplaced proteins in cells, which could lead to therapeutic treatments for diseases. The team created a class of molecules called TRAMs that convince natural shuttles to take cargo like proteins to different parts of the cell.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateSep 20, 2024

Can captive tigers be part of the effort to save wild populations?

A new study from Stanford University provides a tool for conservationists and law enforcement to protect captive tigers and prosecute wildlife crimes. The researchers analyzed the genetic diversity of privately held tigers in the US, finding that many are a mix of wild tiger ancestry, but also reflect characteristics of the illegal trade.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2024

Methane emissions are rising faster than ever

Global methane emissions have risen by 61 million tons over the past two decades, primarily from coal mining, oil and gas production, and cattle ranching. Human activities are increasingly linked to wetland and freshwater methane emissions, posing a significant threat to climate change.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 10, 2024

New gels could protect buildings during wildfires

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a water-enhancing gel that lasts longer and is significantly more effective than existing commercial gels. The new gel creates a silica-based aerogel shield that protects structures from heat and flames, offering enhanced and long-lasting wildfire protection.

SourceStanford University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 22, 2024

Using AI to link heat waves to global warming

A new AI approach accurately links heat waves to global warming, estimating that record-setting heat waves could occur multiple times per decade under higher warming levels. The method uses actual historical weather data and machine learning to predict the magnitude of extreme events.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 21, 2024

A step toward more effective vaccines

Researchers at Stanford University developed a nanoparticle platform to make vaccines more effective against various pathogens. The platform allows for the elicitation of different immune responses, enabling the identification of the most effective type of protection.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 7, 2024

Forecasting climate’s impact on a debilitating disease

A team of researchers from Stanford University and Brazil has developed models to predict the impact of environmental changes on schistosomiasis, a disease affecting over 200 million people worldwide. The collaboration has helped epidemiologists prioritize public health interventions and identify new transmission hotspots.

SourceStanford University·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateAug 5, 2024

New AI approach optimizes antibody drugs

A new machine learning-based method uses 3D structure of protein backbone with large language models to predict molecular changes that lead to better antibody drugs. The approach resulted in a 25-fold improvement against a virus, outperforming traditional methods that rely on generating huge amounts of data about protein sequences.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2024

A chip-scale Titanium-sapphire laser

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a chip-scale Titanium-sapphire laser, four orders of magnitude smaller and three orders less expensive than traditional lasers. This breakthrough enables mass production on wafers, potentially thousands of lasers per disc, democratizing access to these powerful tools.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateJun 26, 2024

A ‘liquid battery’ advance

Researchers at Stanford University have made significant advancements in the development of a 'liquid battery' technology that uses LOHCs to store and release energy. The team discovered a novel, selective catalytic system that allows for the efficient storage of electrical energy in liquid fuels without generating gaseous hydrogen.

SourceStanford University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 12, 2024

The first example of cellular origami

Researchers Manu Prakash and Eliott Flaum have discovered a new geometric mechanism in the single-cell organism Lacrymaria olor, enabling it to produce complex morphodynamics through curved-crease origami. The cell's cytoskeletal structure encodes this behavior, which is driven by a singularity that acts as a controller.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateJun 6, 2024

A new way to see viruses in action

The team created finely detailed images of the viral RNA and replication structures, revealing spherical shapes around the nucleus of infected cells. The images provide insight into how the virus evades cell defenses and could lead to new therapeutic targets for drug development.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 31, 2024

How wildfires change soil chemistry

A review study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment highlights the need for better monitoring of changes in soil and surrounding ecosystems after wildfires. This enhanced monitoring could inform decisions on treating drinking water sourced from burned areas, reforestation, and protecting workers against toxins.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Reviews Earth & Environment·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 14, 2024

New findings released from US 2020 Facebook and Instagram election study

Researchers found that taking a break from Facebook and Instagram in the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election had little effect on people's political views or negative opinions of opposing parties. However, users who were off Facebook were worse at answering news quiz questions but less likely to fall for misinformation.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 2024