Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a way to combine the photosynthetic protein from spinach with silicon to produce substantially more electrical current. The new design produces current levels nearly 1,000 times higher than previous biohybrid solar cells and has the potential to power small devices.
A new system developed at Vanderbilt University aims to transform how archaeologists map large sites, providing higher resolution imagery and three-dimensional models. The SUAVe system, set to be tested in Peru, has the potential to catalog many archaeological sites quickly, addressing concerns about development and time.
A Vanderbilt-led team is developing a microbrain bioreactor to improve drug testing by replicating the human brain's complex chemical communication and molecular trafficking. The device will test new therapies for stroke, obesity, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A new characterization method using lasers and acoustic waves has provided scientists with a capability to detect buried defects deep inside materials with unprecedented precision. This new technique reveals that the amount of damage caused by radiation in electronic materials may be at least ten times greater than previously thought.
Researchers mapped genetic differences between domesticated fungus Aspergillus oryzae and its wild relative, finding extensive genome remodeling. The study suggests microbes undergo metabolic changes for desired functions rather than growth and form alterations.
A groundbreaking study in evolutionary analysis in law reveals that chimpanzees, like humans, show the endowment effect, with behavior influenced by an object's immediate situational usefulness. The research provides evidence that this psychological trait likely evolved prior to the human split from other species.
Researchers track serotonin regulation at a new level of detail using tiny fluorescent beads, shedding light on the dynamics of neurotransmitter transport. The study reveals two distinct populations of serotonin transporters, controlled by different regulatory pathways.
A new study suggests that giant magma bodies forming the basis of super-eruptions exist for a few thousand years before erupting, rather than hundreds of thousands. This discovery has implications for predicting and mitigating the effects of these massive eruptions.
Researchers have successfully boosted the fluorescent efficiency of ultra-small quantum dots to as high as 45%, making them suitable for special lighting applications. This improvement translates to a higher luminous efficiency of about 40 lumens/watt, outperforming existing LEDs and incandescent bulbs.
A Vanderbilt University study found that individual differences in dopamine levels in specific brain areas affect motivation and willingness to work for rewards. The research provides new insights into the role of dopamine in human behavior and may have implications for treating mental illnesses like depression and schizophrenia.
Astronomers have discovered a group of over 675 hypervelocity stars on the outskirts of the Milky Way, which are believed to have been ejected from the galactic core. These stars, found in intergalactic space between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxy, exhibit high metallicity indicating an inner galactic origin.
A recent study found that mammalian families in North America maintained similar niches throughout the past 56 million years, despite significant climate changes. The research suggests that family diversity played a crucial role in their ability to adapt and maintain larger ranges.
A brain-mapping study found that aging adults' ability to make decisions in novel situations decreases as white matter pathways decline. The research suggests that strengthening these connections through cognitive training may be effective in intervening this age-related decline.
Researchers propose a neurobiological model for third-party punishment, revealing its cognitive processes and brain areas involved. This new understanding sheds light on human cooperation and the development of large-scale societies.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a major barrier to faster graphene devices, finding that charged impurities on the surface of graphene scatter electrons. By using electrically neutral liquids, they achieved record-levels of room-temperature electron mobility, three times greater than previous graphene-based devices.
Researchers have developed an ultrafast method to track structural changes in solid materials during phase transitions. This technique sheds new light on vanadium dioxide's fast transformation between transparent and reflective phases. The study provides valuable insights into designing high-speed optical switches using this material.
A new Android app, developed by Vanderbilt University graduate student Jenna Gorlewicz, assists visually impaired high school students in mastering algebra and other STEM subjects using haptic technology. The app vibrates or generates tones when the student's fingertip touches a line, curve, or shape on the screen.
Astronomers at Vanderbilt University and Caltech discovered three smallest planets yet orbiting a distant star, KOI-961, connected to Barnard's star. The planets range in size from Mars to three-quarters the size of Earth, with short orbits making liquid water impossible.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered a new way to enhance thermal conductivity, allowing for cooler computer chips and lasers. The technique involves controlling the interface between two thin strips of material, such as boron nanoribbons, with different solutions.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have designed and synthesized a protein with 242 amino acids, validating a new approach to engineer large proteins. This breakthrough expands the scope of protein engineering efforts, enabling the creation of new antibodies and other beneficial proteins.
A study using the rubber hand illusion found that people with schizophrenia have a weakened sense of body ownership. This suggests that movement therapy could be helpful for these individuals, particularly those who experience out-of-body experiences. The findings also support the idea that exercise may reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.
A team of scientists has successfully demonstrated a computer's ability to analyze raw experimental data from a biological system and derive the basic mathematical equations that describe its operation. This achievement marks one of the most complex scientific modeling problems solved completely from scratch by a computer.
A Vanderbilt University researcher is leading a $5.7 million study on the ethical and legal implications of sharing genomic research results with minors, seeking to establish best practices for such decisions.
Researchers have created a new technique that accurately maps the surface composition of tiny Janus nanoparticles, allowing for better evaluation of their effectiveness in various applications. The breakthrough enables production of cleanly segregated particles, which are potentially more valuable than chemically uniform ones.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that differences in when movement neurons begin accumulating information from sensory neurons explain adjustments in response times. This discovery forces a major modification to existing cognitive models of impulse control, shedding new light on how the brain controls basic impulses.
The MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Law and Neuroscience, led by Vanderbilt professor Owen Jones, aims to make neuroscience accessible in America's courtrooms. The network explores effects of modern neuroscience on criminal law, including assessing mental states, capacity, and evidence.
Experts warn that climate-related damage to nation's infrastructure is on the rise, with potential costs exceeding $2 trillion. The summit identifies key initiatives for next five years, including assessing vulnerable infrastructure, developing risk assessment tools, and improving stakeholder dialogue.
Research from Vanderbilt University finds that preschool teachers' use of sophisticated vocabulary and analytic talk can predict fourth-grade reading comprehension and word recognition. Long-term effects of early childhood classrooms are also associated with improved language ability, including enhanced vocabulary in later grades.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a groundbreaking lower-limb prosthetic that enables amputees to walk with a natural gait, thanks to its powered knee and ankle joints. The device has been shown to reduce energy consumption by 30% and enable users to walk 25% faster on level surfaces.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created microelectronic devices out of thin films of nanodiamond, which can operate at higher speeds and require less power than silicon-based devices. The diamond-based devices are also resistant to radiation damage and can function in extremely high or low temperatures.
Researchers found that holding a memory of a visual event can 'contaminate' visual perception, leading to exaggerated misperceptions. The study used a visual illusion to demonstrate this effect, showing participants reported more dramatic changes in motion direction than actually existed.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that parathyroid glands emit a unique fluorescent signature in the near-infrared region, which can be used to identify them during endocrine surgery. This innovation has the potential to reduce the risk of damage to these tiny organs and their life-long effects on patients' health.
Researchers create rapid, low-cost imprinting process for nanodevices, enabling production of devices with high sensitivity and precision. The new approach overcomes complexity and expense challenges in processing nanoporous materials.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that impairments in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS) brain area contribute to difficulties in reading social cues. This abnormal brain activation leads to misconstruing human actions and intentions in individuals with schizophrenia.
Researchers have discovered a new compound, VUAA1, that directly stimulates the Orco co-receptor in mosquito odorant receptors, overwhelming the insect's sense of smell. The compound is thousands times more effective than DEET and works against flies, moths, ants, and other insects.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University are investigating whether bacterial hitchhikers play a role in promoting or inhibiting the formation of new species. They are analyzing the microbiomes of closely related wasp species and hybrids to identify specific microbes that increase mortality rates in hybrid offspring.
Researchers Peter Cummings and Michael Simpson propose that mimicking natural processes can lead to more efficient and reliable devices. By exploiting contrarian behavior and 'noise,' scientists can develop technology that outperforms traditional methods, as seen in the humble bacterial cell's ability to withstand modern medicines.
Vanderbilt University's ISIS has built a web-based platform for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) researchers to collaborate and share knowledge. The CPS-VO aims to foster progress, develop priorities, and distribute information in the rapidly emerging field of cyber-physical systems.
A study of night nurses reveals that a common sleep strategy used to adjust to working nights throws off their internal clocks, leading to poorer adaptation and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. The research found that genetic variations in circadian clock genes influence the effectiveness of this strategy.
A new laser technique, called backscattering interferometry (BSI), measures the binding force between proteins and biological molecules in a natural environment. This technology has potential applications in drug discovery, particularly for targeting membrane proteins.
A team of researchers at Vanderbilt University has discovered a large cluster of genes that appeared to jump directly from one fungus species to another, significantly strengthening the argument for a mosaic theory of evolution. The finding was made possible by comparing the genomes of nearly 100 species of fungi.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University developed a technique to create graphene oxide films with adjustable surface roughness, leading to the creation of super-hydrophobic and super-hydrophilic surfaces. This could lead to applications in self-cleaning glasses, antifogging surfaces, corrosion protection, and more.
A new study finds that brain imaging can predict which children with dyslexia will improve their reading skills, with an accuracy rate of up to 90 percent. The research used advanced brain activity images and identified specific brain areas that indicate future progress.
A team of researchers led by David Furbish from Vanderbilt University is studying the erosion of Locke Island, which has been alarmingly eroding away since the 1970s. The island's difficulties began when the east bank of the river adjacent to it collapsed, causing a landslide that pinched down the channel flowing around the island.
Vanderbilt University researchers are developing a robot system called TriageBot to assist in emergency room triage, collect medical data, and provide tentative diagnoses. The system aims to reduce wait times, alleviate staff strain, and minimize errors.
A new study finds that birth light cycles significantly impact the development of biological clocks in mice, which may explain why people born in winter months are at a higher risk of certain neurological disorders. The experiment reveals that even after weaning, biological clocks remain affected by the initial light cycle.
A new $5.6 million initiative aims to create a system that controls prosthetic limbs naturally by sensing and stimulating nerve activity. The Vanderbilt team, in collaboration with SMU researchers, is developing a neurophotonics-based system that uses laser beams to stimulate sensory nerves and provide feedback to the brain.
Researchers found that brain area V4 is divided into separate regions for different colors and orientations, with distinct processing domains for shape and surface properties. This compartmentalization has significant implications for understanding visual object recognition and attention.
Research from Vanderbilt University found that expert typists' hands can detect errors even when their conscious brain is unaware of them. In experiments, skilled typists were fooled by computer programs inserting or correcting errors, but their fingers slowed down only after making real mistakes.
A fluorescent image of the mosquito heart, taken by Vanderbilt graduate student Jonas King, has won first place in Nikon's 'Small World' 2010 photomicrography competition. The image showcases the unique structure and function of the mosquito's circulatory system.