Researchers Jeff Bary and David Weintraub propose that planetary disks may not dissipate as expected, but instead become invisible due to the planet-building process. They detected evidence of molecular hydrogen in three classical T Tauri stars with visible disks, suggesting a large but hard-to-detect disk in naked stars.
A field study by Vanderbilt University and Indiana University found that wild sunflowers already possess some level of resistance to white mold, reducing the need for genetic modification. The study suggested that transgenes may not spread widely through wild populations if they do not confer a reproductive advantage.
Researchers found that expert car viewers' ability to recognize cars interferes with face recognition, while novices do not. The study suggests a common neural circuitry for holistic object recognition, applicable to various objects, including faces and cars.
A study found that clinicians' personal theories significantly impact diagnoses of mental disorders, with central symptoms leading to more accurate diagnoses. The researchers suggest that expert theorizing can be idiosyncratic and lead to conflicting diagnoses due to a lack of understanding of the underlying causes of mental disorders.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University are developing a robot that can detect and respond to human emotions. They use physiological signals such as heart rate, skin conductance, and facial muscle activity to analyze a person's psychological state. The robot is programmed to recognize specific patterns and provide supportive responses.
Weintraub and Bary's study of T Tauri stars reveals that many older stars may still possess protoplanetary disks, which are invisible to Earth-based telescopes. This finding contradicts the prevailing assumption that most Sun-like stars lose their disks before planetary systems can form.
Researchers have successfully determined the structure of a biological clock protein called KaiC in blue-green algae, shedding light on internal clock mechanisms. The protein's ring-like hexagonal structure suggests it interacts directly with DNA, potentially regulating gene expression and controlling the wake-sleep cycle.
A team of researchers from Vanderbilt University identified 276 genes in the Anopheles gambiae genome that code for G-protein-coupled receptors essential to the mosquito's senses. The study found 79 genes involved in its sense of smell and 72 in its taste, shedding light on the insect's strong preference for human hosts.
The newly revealed hieroglyphs at Dos Pilas shed new light on a critical period of Maya history, revealing a complex web of alliances and conflicts between Tikal and Calakmul. The inscriptions clarify the political and military relationships between these two superpower blocs, which dominated the region in the seventh century.
Researchers discovered a single protein that facilitates cell movement in zebrafish embryos, directing cells to form the body's head-tail axis. The protein Strabismus/Van Gogh also affects human brain development and neural tube formation.
A recent brain mapping experiment provides significant new support for the theory that attention is the glue that cements visual information together, helping to solve the 'binding problem' in neuroscience. The study found increased activity in the parietal region when individuals were presented with multiple objects at once.
A new approach to designing smart structures has been developed, using embedded systems with microprocessors and sensors. The system allows for scalability without increasing weight, power consumption, or cost, making it a promising solution for industries such as aerospace and automotive.
The model simulates the mail-borne anthrax outbreak in the US, demonstrating that six original letters contaminated up to 5,000 other pieces of mail, primarily affecting elderly recipients. The analysis highlights the greatest risk to society came from postal workers and recipients of cross-contaminated letters.
Researchers found that different brain pathways handle mental rotation and object recognition tasks, indicating distinct neural circuits. The ventral pathway is involved in object identity, while the dorsal pathway is linked to spatial location.
The study reveals that female mice develop cardiac hypertrophy when estrogen is blocked, mimicking human conditions. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of the molecular signals causing heart enlargement and potential ways to prevent or reverse it.
A study at Vanderbilt University found that an adult male with synesthesia consistently matched colors to words and numbers, even when the letters or numbers were presented separately. The researchers also found that his synesthetic colors acted like real colors in certain tests.
A new study has found a significant association between activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and individual differences in mood. The researchers used brain imaging techniques to record brain activity in 89 individuals, who were asked about their experiences with unpleasant moods.
A new mathematical theory developed by Vanderbilt University professors can produce more accurate digital representations of complex signals, overcoming limitations of current methods. This has significant applications in areas such as music, photography, medical imaging, astronomy, geophysics, and communications.
Scientists have determined the three-dimensional structure of Death Associated Protein Kinase (DAPK) and created a quantitative assay to measure its activity. This breakthrough may lead to new drugs that can reduce cell damage following brain injuries and strokes.
Researchers found that brains of blind-from-birth individuals exhibited unique activation patterns when reading Braille, suggesting a distinct mental imagery related to language. The study suggests that early visual experience may hinder brain plasticity in certain areas.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified four genes in the Anopheles gambiae mosquito that code for odorant receptors similar to those found in fruit flies. These genes are only expressed in the antennae and maxillary palps, indicating that mosquitoes use a conserved chemosensory system to track human body odor.
The FEL center is exploring applications in laser surgery, producing monochromatic X-rays for sharper images, and characterizing proteins through heat-induced release from gels. Researchers have successfully performed human surgeries using the FEL beam.
A new test measuring visual field responses to discordant images has provided clues about the brain activity underlying visual consciousness. The researchers found that binocular rivalry occurs at a lower level in the visual cortex, specifically in the primary visual cortex.
Cannibalism is reevaluated as a complex practice with positive meanings among the Wari' people of the Amazon rainforest. The study reveals that funerary cannibalism was an act of affection, respect, and coping mechanism for grief, helping survivors to reconcile with their deceased loved ones.
A new statistical approach identifies four DNA sequence variations in three genes that work together to heighten a woman's risk of breast cancer. The technique, called Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction, can analyze multiple gene interactions using data from a reasonable number of patients.
A 20-year follow-up study of gifted students from 1980 reveals that women chose careers with more people interaction and less physical sciences. Despite higher male incomes, both sexes valued self-esteem equally.
Researchers discovered that only two genes, BMP and Bozozok, regulate head formation in zebrafish embryos. The study suggests that these genes also play a role in limiting BMP function, allowing for proper organ development.
Researchers found a set of neurons in the supplementary eye field that react when an individual realizes they made a mistake, shedding light on self-control and cognitive processes. This discovery has implications for understanding schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and psychopathic behavior.
Scientists analyzed the magnetic field of the ALH84001 Martian meteorite using a new microscope, revealing that its interior remained cool enough to support life. The findings suggest that microbial life may have traveled from Mars to Earth via the meteorite, but do not prove it.
A Vanderbilt University research team has identified specific acoustic characteristics in the voices of individuals who have attempted or completed suicide. These findings suggest a potential new method for assessing suicidal intent and could be a valuable tool in preventing suicidal deaths.
A Vanderbilt University-led excavation has uncovered a remarkably preserved 8th century Maya royal palace at Cancuén, Guatemala, featuring over 170 rooms and 11 courtyards. The site's unique design and fine limestone construction have allowed it to remain largely intact for over 1,000 years.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have designed and constructed a small robotic 'bug' that can scuttle more than half a mile on a single battery charge. The robot, which is about three inches long and weighs two ounces, uses an unusual material called piezoelectric ceramic to achieve its motion.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that neurons in adult monkey brains grow and form new connections in somatosensory areas after amputation or spinal cord injury, suggesting a link to phantom limb syndrome. This discovery may lead to treatment options for phantom limb pain and potentially repair severed spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University successfully used a free-electron laser to remove a sugar-cube-sized amount of tissue from a brain tumor. The operation took place using infrared light tuned precisely at 6.45 microns, which works well due to its absorption by water and protein molecules.
A Vanderbilt University study found high bacterial levels in Nashville runoff from pets and urban wildlife, contradicting the assumption that human waste is the primary source. The research suggests that animal wastes can taint fresh streams and rivers, killing aquatic life.
Researchers found that girls with close relationships with their fathers tend to develop later, while those with cold or distant relationships develop earlier. The quality of fathers' involvement is the most important factor in early family environment related to daughters' puberty timing.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a groundbreaking treatment for self-injury in people with developmental disabilities. By combining communication training with naltrexone, a medication that blocks the brain's opiate receptors, they were able to significantly reduce or eliminate self-injury in most cases.
Researchers Randolph Blake and Sang-Hun Lee found that humans can group elements into objects based on subtle changes in timing. By analyzing the precise timing of motion in a dense array of pinwheels, viewers could distinguish synchronized groups from individual elements.
Robert W. Pitz is using advanced laser diagnostics to study gasoline burning characteristics in direct injection engines, aiming to reduce pollutants while maintaining efficiency. His research may lead to the development of next-generation engines with improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
A new way of dating earthquakes has been developed by Vanderbilt University researcher Jay S. Noller, allowing for a more precise timeline of past quakes and a more accurate assessment of future quake probabilities. By studying bedrock formations, Noller was able to determine the timing, frequency, and likelihood of future quakes.