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Stanford University


Quantifying U.S. health impacts from gas stoves

A new study estimates that gas stove use in U.S. households may be responsible for up to 200,000 childhood asthma cases annually, with high levels of nitrogen dioxide exposure also causing thousands of deaths. The research found that even electric stoves produce no NO2, and that ventilation is key to reducing pollutant exposures.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 3, 2024

Drug design at the atomic level to thwart COVID-19

A Stanford University research team has developed a potential new anti-coronavirus drug that binds more tightly and durably than current treatments like Paxlovid. The compound, ML2006a4, performed well in preclinical experiments against SARS-CoV-2 variants that have evolved resistance to Paxlovid.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 13, 2024

New high-speed microscale 3D printing technique

Researchers have introduced a more efficient processing technique that enables scalable fabrication of custom microscale particles for applications in drug delivery, microelectronics, and abrasives. This process, called roll-to-roll CLIP, achieves unprecedented fabrication rates while preserving high resolution.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateMar 13, 2024

This protein pic could help develop new cancer treatments

The study reveals that LAG-3 exists as a dimer, with two molecules forming the functional checkpoint protein. An antibody used to demonstrate therapeutic efficacy in animal models blocks activity by binding to the dimer interface. This new understanding may lead to better cancer treatments targeting this protein.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 11, 2024

Steering and accelerating electrons at the microchip scale

Stanford researchers have successfully accelerated and steered electrons at the microchip scale using silicon dielectric laser accelerators. This breakthrough enables the creation of tiny linear accelerators that could rival larger systems, with potential applications in medical treatments such as targeted cancer therapies.

SourceStanford University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 26, 2024

Patient mindset training helps care teams

A new study from Stanford University evaluates the effectiveness of patient mindset training on provider learning and behavior. The training aimed to improve care teams' ability to shape patients' mindsets about their treatment, care team, body, and illness. Participants reported a better understanding of mindset and increased apprecia...

SourceStanford University·JournalPatient Education and Counseling·DateFeb 23, 2024

Alien invasion: Non-native earthworms threaten ecosystems

The study reveals that non-native earthworms have colonized 97% of soils across North America, with alien occupation higher in the northern part of the continent. This poses a threat to native ecosystems, including forests and grasslands, and highlights the need for better understanding and management of these invaders.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 8, 2024

Resting boosts performance of lithium metal batteries

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that resting lithium metal batteries in the discharged state can restore capacity and boost overall performance. By reprogramming the battery management software, lost capacity can be recovered without additional cost or changes needed for equipment, materials, or production flow.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2024

Study reveals significant discrepancies in common poverty measurement approaches

A new study from Stanford University found significant discrepancies in common poverty measurement approaches, leading to vastly different conclusions about who lives in poverty. The research suggests that the choice of measurement approach can completely change the extent to which programs and policies reach vulnerable populations.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2024

Currently stable parts of East Antarctica may be closer to melting than anyone realized

Researchers at Stanford have found that the Wilkes Subglacial Basin in East Antarctica could be closer to runaway melting than previously thought. The study suggests that this region, which holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by over 10 feet, may be vulnerable to irreversible melting if warming seawater gets under the ice sheet.

SourceStanford University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 5, 2024

Researchers take new ‘mixed reality’ headsets for a spin

A diverse team of researchers spent at least 140 minutes wearing Meta Quest 3 passthrough video headsets, engaging in daily activities like conversations, walking, and gaming. They found that users enjoyed the experience but also encountered significant imperfections, including lost peripheral vision, distortion, and lag, which impacte...

SourceStanford University·JournalTechnology Mind and Behavior·DateFeb 1, 2024

Researchers uncover on/off switch for breast cancer metastasis

A Stanford University study reveals that ENPP1 is produced by both cancer cells and healthy cells around tumors, with high levels linked to immunotherapy resistance and metastases. Researchers found that targeting ENPP1 could improve patient responses to existing medicines and help clinicians better predict patient outcomes

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 20, 2023

Low-intensity fires reduce wildfire risk by 60%, according to study by Columbia and Stanford researchers

Researchers at Stanford and Columbia universities found that low-intensity fires can dramatically reduce the risk of devastating wildfires for years at a time. By analyzing satellite data from over 100,000 square kilometers of California forests, the team showed that controlled burning can significantly decrease the risk of high-intens...

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 10, 2023

How mice choose to eat or to drink

A Stanford University study found that mice resolve conflicts between hunger and thirst through indirect modulation of behavior. The researchers used advanced recording technology to monitor individual neurons in the mouse brain, predicting the animal's choice before it was presented with options.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateNov 8, 2023

Study reveals location of starfish’s head

Researchers used genetic and molecular tools to create a 3D atlas of gene expression in starfish, revealing that the "head" is distributed across each arm and center. The study provides insight into the evolution of echinoderms, including sea stars, which have a unique body plan compared to humans.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateNov 1, 2023

Marine protected areas and climate change

A comprehensive framework for designing marine protected areas has been developed by an international team of scientists. The guidelines prioritize habitat persistence and coastal corridors to help vulnerable species such as turtles, sharks, and lobsters survive climate change. By connecting habitats fractured by human development and ...

SourceStanford University·JournalOne Earth·DateOct 26, 2023

Removal of magnetic spacecraft contamination within extraterrestrial samples easily carried out, researchers say

Scientists have found that magnetic contamination in lunar samples can be easily removed using standard techniques, disproving previous theories. The study's findings suggest that paleomagnetism is a powerful tool for understanding core processes and planetary evolution, enabling the long-term preservation of atmospheres.

SourceStanford University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 11, 2023

Research reveals why our skin feels ‘tight’

Studies show that shrinking and swelling of skin layers cause mechanoreceptors to fire off signals to the brain, leading to a feeling of skin tightness. The researchers developed a predictive model that accurately predicted human subjects' reported feelings, opening up new possibilities for improving cosmetics formulations.

SourceStanford University·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 26, 2023

Farms that create habitat key to food security and biodiversity

Research finds that smaller farms with varied crop types and forest patches support many bird species typically found in forests, even as populations decline in forests. Diversified farming can be crucial for preserving biodiversity and its benefits, including ecosystem services such as pest control and pollination.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2023

Bioengineered tool unmasks cancer cells

A biomolecule has been engineered to selectively target and remove mucins from cancer cells, reducing tumor growth and increasing survival in lab-grown human cancer cells and mouse studies. This discovery could play a significant role in future therapies for cancer, as mucins are associated with many diseases.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateAug 10, 2023

Study explores climate change impacts on seagrass meadows

A new Stanford University study models the distribution of seagrass species around the world at two different timepoints in the future, predicting widespread reductions in species diversity and composition under all scenarios. The research highlights the need for more intentional conservation efforts and emphasizes that even the curren...

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Plants·DateJun 20, 2023

Study finds combustion from gas stoves can raise indoor levels of chemical linked to a higher risk of blood cell cancers

A new study by Stanford University finds that gas stoves can raise indoor levels of benzene, a chemical linked to leukemia and other blood cell cancers. The researchers found that exhaust fans often ineffective at eliminating benzene exposure, and concentrations measured in bedrooms can exceed national health benchmarks.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 16, 2023

Childhood maltreatment predicts adult emotional difficulties

A new meta-analysis suggests a strong link between childhood maltreatment and adult alexithymia, with three types of child maltreatment - emotional neglect, physical neglect, and sexual abuse - being particularly predictive. This can lead to difficulties in identifying and describing emotions, harming social and intimate relationships.

SourceStanford University·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateJun 5, 2023

For eco-friendly ammonia, just add water

Stanford researchers develop a simple and environmentally sound method to produce ammonia by combining nitrogen from the air with tiny water droplets, requiring minimal energy and low cost. This innovative approach could revolutionize agriculture and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with current industrial methods.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2023