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University of Minnesota


New material could hold key to reducing energy consumption in computers and electronics

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a thin film of a unique semimetal material that can generate more computing power and memory storage while using significantly less energy. The study, published in Nature Communications, has important findings about the physics behind its unique properties.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Research Brief: Investing in nature improves equity, boosts economy

A new study finds that investing in nature can turn economic losses into gains, especially for the world's poorest countries. The research combines a global economic model with ecosystem service models to capture interactions between humans and the environment, highlighting the importance of public goods and services provided by nature.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 2023

New superconducting diode could improve performance of quantum computers and artificial intelligence

A University of Minnesota team developed a new superconducting diode that is more energy efficient and versatile than past models. The device can process multiple electrical signals at once and has gates to control the flow of energy, which could enable faster quantum computers for industry use and enhance AI performance.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

Stretching metals at the atomic level allows researchers to create important materials for quantum, electronic, and spintronic applications

A University of Minnesota team creates high-quality metal oxide thin films from historically difficult-to-synthesize metals using a breakthrough method that stretches the metals at the atomic level. This innovation paves the way for scientists to develop better materials for various next-generation applications.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

U of M researchers develop technique for rapid detection of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Chronic Wasting Disease

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new diagnostic technique called Nano-QuIC, which significantly improves protein-misfolding detection methods. The method reduces detection times from 14 hours to just four hours and increases sensitivity by a factor of ten.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2023

Researchers discover tiny galaxy with big star power using James Webb telescope

Researchers have discovered a tiny galaxy with big star power using the James Webb Space Telescope, providing new insights into the universe's early stars. The galaxy is one of the smallest ever discovered at this distance—around 500 million years after the Big Bang—and generated new stars at an extremely high rate for its size.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateApr 13, 2023

New research shows humans impact wolf packs in national parks

A recent study found that human-caused mortality triggers instability in wolf packs in national parks, decreasing the chance of pack persistence and reproduction. Wolves living outside park boundaries are at a higher risk of being killed by humans, with poaching being the most common cause of death.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 17, 2023

New research shows dynamics of memory-encoding synapses in the brains of live mice

A team of researchers used imaging technology to study synapse dynamics in the brains of live mice, revealing that some new synapses formed during fear conditioning are eliminated over time. This finding supports the 'unlearning' hypothesis and could help scientists better understand brain activity in patients with PTSD.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2023

Chemical researchers discover catalyst to make renewable paints, coatings, and diapers

University of Minnesota researchers develop groundbreaking new catalyst technology to convert renewable materials like trees and corn into acrylic acid and acrylates used in paints, coatings, and superabsorbent polymers. The new catalyst substantially reduces costs and increases yield, paving the way for lower-cost renewable chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJACS Au·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2023

Engineers discover new process for synthetic material growth, enabling soft robots that grow like plants

Researchers developed a plant-inspired extrusion process for synthetic material growth, enabling soft robots to create new material and navigate obstacles. This technology has applications in remote areas and biomedical fields, potentially reducing the need for expensive machinery.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Researchers combine data science and machine learning techniques to improve traditional MRI image reconstruction

University of Minnesota scientists have developed a method to fine-tune traditional compressed sensing for high-quality images using modern data science tools and machine learning ideas. This approach closes the gap between traditional and deep learning methods, providing a new direction for MRI reconstruction research.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 14, 2022

Technology that simulates complex molecular interactions could lead to better treatments for diseases like cancer and COVID-19

A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota has developed an accessible application called MVsim that can simulate complex molecular interactions. By using this tool, scientists can design more specific drugs for diseases like cancer and COVID-19 by optimizing multivalent interactions.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 6, 2022

Study finds that sound plus electrical body stimulation has potential to treat chronic pain

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found that combining sound with electrical body stimulation activates the brain's somatosensory cortex, increasing its potential to treat chronic pain. This non-invasive technique has been tested on animals and is planned for human clinical trials in the near future.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2022

New method of nasal vaccine delivery could lead to better vaccines for HIV and COVID-19

Researchers have developed a new way to deliver vaccines through mucosal tissues in the nose, generating strong immune responses in mice and non-human primates. The technology bypasses traditional barriers to delivery by engineering antigens to bind onto albumin, allowing them to effectively target immune tissues.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2022

Biodiversity survey reveals that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought

A new biodiversity survey found that approximately 30% of species have been globally threatened or driven extinct since 1500, according to experts from around the world. The study synthesized perspectives of thousands of biodiversity experts worldwide and highlighted significant demographic and geographic differences in their estimates.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJul 18, 2022

New imaging technique allows researchers to see gene expression in brains of live mice in real time

A new imaging technique allows scientists to study mRNA molecules in the brains of living mice, revealing insights into how memories are formed and stored. The research could provide new information about diseases like Alzheimer's and help understand the process of memory generation and retrieval.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2022

Researchers solve mystery surrounding dielectric properties of unique metal oxide

A University of Minnesota research team solved the long-standing mystery of strontium titanate's dielectric properties by accounting for interface effects. They achieved a dielectric constant exceeding 25,000 in epitaxial SrTiO3 films, making them suitable for applications such as electronic devices and data storage.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2022

Energy researchers invent chameleon metal that acts like many others

Energy researchers have invented a device that electronically converts one metal into behaving like another to use as a catalyst for speeding chemical reactions. The invention opens the door for new catalytic technologies using non-precious metal catalysts, potentially improving efficiency and sustainability in various applications.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 9, 2022

Researchers develop smartphone-powered microchip for at-home medical diagnostic testing

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a new microfluidic chip that can diagnose diseases wirelessly using a smartphone. The innovation makes at-home diagnosis faster and more affordable, with potential applications for detecting viruses, pathogens, bacteria, and other biomarkers in liquid samples.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2022

New study could help reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions

Agricultural nitrous oxide emissions are estimated to be 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in trapping heat. The new knowledge-guided machine learning model, KGML-ag, is 1,000 times faster and more accurate than current systems, providing a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalGeoscientific Model Development·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 28, 2022