Researchers have developed an approach that predicts accurate structures computationally, overcoming the problem of determining molecular shapes. The algorithm succeeds even when learning from only a few known structures, making it applicable to difficult-to-determine molecules.
The new alkali metal-chlorine batteries can cycle up to 200 times and achieve a capacity of 1,200 milliamp hours per gram, significantly outperforming commercial lithium-ion batteries. Researchers envision their batteries being used in satellites and remote sensors where frequent recharging is not practical.
A Stanford University study suggests that wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, with as many as 7,000 extra births attributed to this factor between 2007 and 2012. The research highlights the need for investment in prescribed burns, mechanical thinning, or other efforts to reduce extreme wildfires.
A new model developed by Stanford researchers provides a more accurate baseline for tracking methane emissions from oil and gas operations. The model, which uses bottom-up approach with component-level data, closely approximates top-down inventories and highlights specific activities that should be targeted for remediation or regulation.
A new machine learning tool developed by Stanford researchers can accurately predict extreme precipitation events in the Midwest, accounting for over half of all major US flood disasters. The approach uses atmospheric circulation patterns to identify factors responsible for recent increases in Midwest extreme precipitation.
A long-running survey of ants at Stanford's Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve found that the distribution of Argentine ants has receded by 30% since 1994. Climate change was identified as a significant factor in this decrease, particularly during an extreme drought from 2012 to 2015.
Neuroscientists used artificial intelligence to disentangle the relationship between perception and memory in the human brain. A novel computational framework predicts neural responses in the primate visual system, resolving decades-long debates over the role of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) in perception.
Researchers have made the first direct observation of light from behind a black hole, confirming a key prediction by Einstein's theory of general relativity. The discovery was made using X-rays emitted by a supermassive black hole at a galaxy 800 million light-years away.
Researchers analyzed data from Kīlauea's caldera collapse to characterize friction at a large scale. The study confirms the role of slip-weakening distance in earthquake mechanics and provides insights into the physics governing caldera collapses.
A new technique called HT-MEK enables the simultaneous performance of thousands of enzyme experiments, allowing scientists to deeply probe into enzyme functions and structure. This could reveal clues about how enzymes work together to achieve their remarkable reactivity, enabling researchers to 'do enzymatic tricks' themselves.
Researchers studied protein bubbles and discovered they pop like blooming flowers when deflated with a needle due to viscoelastic properties. High-speed cameras captured the phenomenon at 20,000 frames per second, revealing unique mechanisms of rupture.
Researchers from Stanford University and the University of Leuven have discovered a process to convert methane into methanol at room temperature using iron zeolites. The 'cage effect' in the zeolite structure plays a crucial role in reactivating deactivated sites, enabling efficient production of methanol.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a technique using solar radio signals to measure the depth of ice sheets and glaciers, which could lead to large-scale insight into melting ice sheets and sea-level rise. The passive radar system uses naturally occurring radio waves from the sun to detect changes in ice thickness.
Researchers found that coastal communities in San Mateo County are at risk of financial instability from flooding, with lower-income households disproportionately affected. The study's new methodology aims to provide a human-centered approach to risk assessment, focusing on the residents most likely to lose their livelihoods when water...
The study reveals that seawalls can increase flooding and incur significant damages, while strategic flooding areas can absorb increased water and avoid damage. Bay Area communities need to coordinate their approaches to sea-level rise adaptation to find solutions that benefit the whole bay.
A team of scientists has discovered a 120-million-year fossil record in the Yukon wilderness that illuminates a critical period in Earth's history. The find reveals a long-term shift in oxygen levels in the oceans, which likely drove the rapid diversification of complex life during the Paleozoic era.
Researchers found that plants don't quite achieve 'equal pay' for microbes, instead allocating resources based on the quality of service. The plant-microbe exchanges follow a square-root model, where low-performing microbes receive more resources than expected.
New Stanford research shows muskrat populations are a bellwether for the health of the Peace-Athabasca Delta, a protected landscape in northeastern Alberta, Canada. The study demonstrates how human-driven changes to water systems and the global climate affect even this most protected ecosystem.
Researchers found that pollution reductions contributed to a 20% increase in yield gains for corn and soybeans between 1999 and 2019, worth $5 billion per year. The analysis revealed that four key air pollutants are particularly damaging to crops, with negative effects averaging 5-6% loss of production.
The Stanford Natural Capital Project has developed Urban InVEST software to visualize the links between nature and human wellbeing. The software helps city planners and developers design cities that maximize benefits to people while saving billions of dollars.
Researchers at Stanford University have invented a manufacturing technique that yields flexible, atomically thin transistors less than 100 nanometers in length. The technique, detailed in a paper published in Nature Electronics, promises bendable, shapeable, yet energy-efficient computer circuits.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new prototype software to facilitate pattern-making in foundation paper piecing quilting. The algorithm is based on a graph structure called a hypergraph and allows users to design patterns without having to consider the geometry, ordering, and constraints of the technique.
A Stanford University study found that coastal flooding in the Bay Area leads to significant travel time delays and an increase in vehicular accident rates, particularly in residential neighborhoods. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing road safety in climate adaptation planning.
Researchers developed an algorithm to compare cell types in different species, revealing conserved genes and cell type families across evolutionary distances. The mapping method accounts for changes over millions of years, enabling biologists to trace the trajectory of cell types in organisms along the tree of life.
Researchers have successfully detected groundwater beneath Hiawatha Glacier in Greenland using airborne ice-penetrating radar. The discovery could greatly impact sea-level rise projections by enabling the study of water flow through ice sheets at a continental scale.
Researchers at Stanford University are urging the development of AI medical devices that account for diverse demographics to prevent inequities. The study highlights issues with data collection and evaluation methods, particularly regarding sex and race biases in pulse oximeters.
GlycoRNA is a small ribbon of ribonucleic acid (RNA) with sugar molecules, appearing ubiquitously in and on cells. Its discovery suggests the existence of unknown biomolecular pathways and associations with autoimmune diseases.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that access to nature increases people's physical activity and overall health in cities. The research provides a framework to map the physical health benefits of urban green spaces, which can help city planners design more effective parks and green spaces.
Researchers at Stanford University simulated the risk of fracking-triggered earthquakes on the Eagle Ford shale formation, finding that densely populated areas face the greatest risk of damage. The study aims to provide a shared frame of reference for discussing risks and evaluating tools for managing earthquake hazards.
A new Stanford University-led study estimates that single-family homes in floodplains are overvalued by nearly $44 billion collectively, with the average home losing around 2% of its value. The study suggests that inadequate disclosure laws and unaware buyers drive up financial risks, which could destabilize the real estate market.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new technique to analyze the genomes of archaic humans, revealing key differences in gene expression that may lead to physical traits. The study found associations with the vocal tract and cerebellum, suggesting rapid evolution of these organs in modern humans.
New research suggests that capping US Superfund sites with soil to lock in asbestos may increase human exposure to the cancer-causing mineral. Lab experiments found that soil's organic material enables asbestos to move through the ground and potentially into nearby water supplies.
Researchers at Stanford University developed an optical device that allows engineers to change the frequencies of individual photons in a stream of light. This enables the creation of compact and flexible neural networks for artificial intelligence, transforming fields such as digital communications, AI, and quantum computing.
Researchers developed an ankle exoskeleton that significantly increased self-selected walking speed in young adults, with a 42% average increase. The device has potential for improving daily life and may also reduce pain caused by weight on joints or improve balance in older adults.
A new Stanford-led study develops a framework to calculate future floodwater volumes under climate change, identifying areas for infrastructure investments in California's aging water infrastructure. The tool aims to maximize groundwater recharge, reducing drought risks and building water reserves, while also mitigating flood risks.
Researchers at Stanford University used a new approach to analyze radar data to show that extreme melt events can create persistent structural changes in the ice sheet, reducing its ability to store meltwater. This change can lead to slippery conditions on the ice bed and speed up the ice sheet's melting.
A new Stanford University-led study uses AI and satellite imagery to locate and monitor hard-to-regulate industries, such as brick kilns in Bangladesh. The approach reveals that over three-fourths of kilns are illegally constructed near schools, and the government under-reports kilns with respect to regulations.
Researchers discovered that cells can migrate robustly on soft, viscoelastic substrates, using thin filopodia and molecular clutches to drive movement. This finding challenges traditional views of cell migration and highlights the importance of material properties in cellular behavior.
The guide aims to improve science outreach by providing examples of successful programs, funding sources, and assessment methods. It also emphasizes the importance of considering context and supporting underrepresented students in STEM education.
A Stanford-led study illuminates the mystery of North Pacific loggerhead turtles' epic migrations between Japan and Baja California, providing evidence of a 'thermal corridor' that allows them to cross inhospitably cold ocean barriers. The findings could inform conservation measures to protect sea turtles amidst climatic changes.
Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to track genetic activity in nearly 20,000 cells as they formed an Arabidopsis leaf. They found a surprising abundance of ambiguity in how cells traversed various identities, particularly early on within the stem cell population. The study reveals that cells may double-back on their developme...
A Stanford University study reveals that traits like skin pigmentation reveal little about genetic ancestry over time, regardless of mating scenarios. The researchers used a mathematical model to understand the decoupling of ancestry and traits, with implications for understanding social meaning of physical traits.
A new study predicts that Jordan's water crisis will worsen unless measures are taken to increase supply, slash demand, and reform distribution. The country's unique role as a bastion of peace in the region makes these findings particularly concerning.
New study by Stanford and Carnegie Mellon researchers finds that managing high salinity brines from efficient underground carbon sequestration imposes significant energy and emissions penalties. The approach prioritizes storage in low salinity reservoirs, minimizing extraction ratios and recovery extent to reduce penalties.
New research found that elevated CO2 levels drive increased plant growth, but take a toll on soil's ability to absorb carbon. Soils only accumulated more carbon in experiments where plant growth remained steady.
A new study by Stanford-led researchers finds that aquaculture has made significant strides toward sustainability, but more oversight is needed to ensure economically viable systems. The industry's impact on the environment and its ability to deliver on its promise are being reevaluated.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a new technique to compare genetic differences between humans and chimpanzees, revealing significant disparities in the expression of genes SSTR2 and EVC2. This study provides insight into human evolution and potential causes of neuropsychiatric diseases.
A Stanford University study found that wind turbines produce more electricity during extreme cold weather, which is often accompanied by increased demand for heating. This suggests that wind energy can provide critical power to meet growing seasonal heat demands, even in the coldest of times.
A new study by Stanford researchers examines how machine learning techniques influence which communities are targeted for compliance efforts, revealing key elements of algorithmic design that impact environmental justice. The analysis highlights the need for explicit decision-making in environmental federalism.
Analysis of satellite data reveals that humans have a dominant effect on Earth's water cycle, causing 57% of seasonal variability in freshwater storage. Human-managed reservoirs fluctuate by nearly four times more than natural lakes and ponds, affecting regions with high water stress.