Researchers found that certain neurons represent accumulation of evidence to a threshold and others represent evidence itself, driving decision-making. The study offers potential insights into psychological disorders, such as ADHD, where impairments in decision-making occur.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a new class of liquid crystals with enhanced electric dipoles, promising to improve the performance of digital displays. The newly developed liquid crystals also possess a unique 'zwitterionic' structure, which sets them apart from existing materials.
Researchers have discovered a new way that DNA-repair enzymes detect and fix damage to the chemical bases in the genetic code. The newly discovered mechanism detects and repairs a common form of DNA damage called alkylation, which is caused by environmental toxins and chemotherapy drugs.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have identified a second set of olfactory receptors in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae, which responds to key human odorants. This discovery may help explain the effectiveness of DEET repellents and provide new insights into developing more effective lures and controls for malaria.
A team of Vanderbilt chemists has developed a novel method for synthesizing peptides that incorporates non-natural amino acids. The technique streamlines the process, making it easier to create diverse peptides and proteins, which have highly specific biological activity associated with low toxicity.
Researchers developed a nanosponge-based delivery system that is three to five times more effective than direct injection in reducing tumor growth. The system uses biodegradable particles with predictable release characteristics, making it an attractive alternative for targeted cancer therapy.
The center aims to address security and privacy concerns in the US healthcare community, which is shifting from paper to digital medical records. Researchers from Vanderbilt University will focus on developing solutions for meaningful use of health IT and addressing barriers to adoption.
A new study finds that some immortal cancer cells have functioning biological clocks, but these clocks don't regulate cell division. This could lead to the development of new anti-cancer therapies by targeting the biological clock pathway.
Researchers found that psychopaths have a hyper-reactive dopamine reward system, linked to violent crime, recidivism, and substance abuse. The study suggests that impulsive traits and heightened attraction to rewards overwhelm concerns about risk, contributing to problematic behaviors.
Researchers found that human cells follow a bimodal correlated random walk pattern when moving in search of nutrients and growth factors. This discovery provides a general framework for analyzing cell movement, with potential applications in predicting the effectiveness of untested therapies.
New research from Vanderbilt University reveals that our brains coordinate goal-directed and stimulus-driven attention when surprised. The inferior frontal junction plays a primary role in coordinating these two forms of attention, which may limit our conscious perception during unexpected events.
Scientists have discovered a new type of genetic variation that suggests natural selection can act on gene networks, maintaining alternative states within a single species. This finding may be crucial for understanding how pathogens adapt to new stresses and could provide significant advantages in the battle against diseases.
Researchers at Vanderbilt and Yale universities have successfully transplanted most of the mosquito's 'nose' into frog eggs and fruit flies. The goal is to develop novel ways to inhibit the spread of malaria by targeting specific olfactory receptors.
The study reveals how Wolbachia manipulates the sex lives of its hosts, favoring female offspring to spread the infection. This knowledge could lead to more effective ways to fight human diseases spread by insects like malaria and dengue fever.
Kelly Holley-Bockelmann's NSF award will support her research on supermassive black holes and the university's innovative program for underrepresented minorities in physics. The grant also funds initiatives to recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have successfully demonstrated the fractional quantum Hall effect in clean graphene, a two-dimensional crystalline material. This breakthrough exploits graphene's unique electrical properties to create novel devices and test theoretical models of extreme environments.
An interdisciplinary team is developing a novel drug detection technology that uses software to analyze biomolecules and determine an individual's history of drug abuse. The system, which can characterize millions of biomolecules, has potential applications in treating addictive behavior and identifying effective new treatments.
Graduate student Scott Egan and his adviser Daniel Funk found that maple and willow leaf beetles diverging into two new species due to ecological habits promoting speciation. The study shows hybrids' lower fitness reduces genetic exchange opportunities between beetle types, pushing groups toward distinct species.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have received funding from the Gates Foundation to develop a simple and low-cost diagnostic test for malaria using the coffee ring stain phenomenon. The test has the potential to be more reliable and shelf-stable than existing methods, which require refrigeration and highly trained technicians.
A Vanderbilt biologist is using genomic data from over two dozen yeast species to identify reliable methods for determining evolutionary relationships. The goal is to apply these principles to other clades, including mammals.
Researchers have characterized the detailed structure of prions using unconventional X-ray diffraction methods. The study found surprisingly large structural differences between natural prions and synthetic analogs, shedding new light on their infectious behavior.
Vanderbilt University astronomers participate in the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) to measure the distance of galaxies and quasars. The team uses 400 simulated universes to test data analysis methods and interpret BOSS's measurements of dark energy.
The Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge program has received significant funding to increase diversity in the physical sciences. With new grants totaling $3.7 million, the program aims to expand its focus to include materials science and strengthen research infrastructure at participating institutions.
Researchers discovered that individuals with anhedonia, a core symptom of major depressive disorder, are less willing to make choices requiring greater effort in exchange for greater reward. This finding suggests a plausible connection between dopamine deficiency and reward processing in depression.
Researchers found a common genetic variation linked to aggression and destructive behavior in adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities. The study suggests that this variation may be associated with increased autism severity in individuals with the gene variant, highlighting the need for further research.
New research from Vanderbilt University found that training increases brain processing speed and enhances multitasking efficiency. Through daily practice, individuals showed improved performance on simple tasks when completed separately or together.
Researchers have developed a new ultra-sensitive detector that can detect respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at lower levels than current standard assays. The device uses DNA hairpins attached to gold filaments, taking only minutes to produce results and suitable for use in pediatrician's offices.
A study from Vanderbilt University found that individuals with higher empathy levels were better at mentally transforming their body position to simulate another person's perspective. This suggests a link between spatial abilities and empathy, with implications for understanding the neural basis of emotional intelligence.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that neural noise weakens and degrades the brain's representation of an ignored stimulus, making it harder to distinguish between similar orientations. This 'neural noise' also broadens the range of interfering orientations during suppression, further reducing fidelity.
A water snake from South East Asia has developed an unusual hunting technique that startles fish into fleeing towards its head. The snake uses sound waves to trigger the fish's 'C-start' response, driving them to swim directly into its jaws.
Researchers found that individuating novel objects with unique names enhances holistic processing, a hallmark of face-like expertise. This technique can be learned quickly and applied to other objects, indicating that expert-level recognition is not solely the result of extensive practice.
The new system detects sepsis in real-time, alerting doctors to potential cases. The team also plans to add an automated decision support system to guide physicians through sepsis treatment.
Vanderbilt physicists have developed a method to create freestanding nanoparticle films without additives, revolutionizing semiconductor fabrication and flexible display technology. The films exhibit high cohesion and resistance to cracking, making them ideal for applications in transistors and flat panel screens.
A new dark energy model proposes a cosmological phase transition, where the universe 'froze' about 11.5 billion years ago, causing it to expand at an ever-increasing rate. This theory attributes dark energy to a field dubbed quintessence, which acts as an antigravity agent and is spread uniformly throughout space.
Vanderbilt University has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to target the thermal receptors in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, disrupting their ability to find prey and potentially eradicating malaria. The project aims to identify small molecules that can block or over-stimulate these thermal detectors.
A new multi-million-dollar Energy Frontier Research Center announced by the White House will focus on understanding gas-liquid interactions at solid surfaces. This research has potential applications in developing more efficient batteries, solar and electrical energy conversion into fuel, improved fuel cells, and enhanced corrosion res...
A team of chemists at Vanderbilt University has successfully synthesized Serratezomine A, a potentially anti-cancer herbal alkaloid, in six years through an efficient process. This achievement could lead to the development of new treatments for cancer and other diseases.
Researchers found that teaching kids the underlying structure of math problems enhances their understanding and ability to solve them. This approach, known as conceptual instruction, enables students to explain the problem and its solutions on their own.
Researchers found that comparing different solution methods enhances students' understanding of math concepts and improves their flexibility in solving equations. This approach is more effective than comparing problems solved using the same method.
Engineers at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Software Integrated Systems developed a system that combines information from multiple nodes to triangulate on shooter positions, improving accuracy. The system uses acoustic signals produced by high-powered rifles to track shooters in real-time.
New research from Vanderbilt University provides effective writing strategies for teachers to improve student writers, focusing on planning, revising, and setting clear goals. The studies identify recommendations to boost motivation, incorporate computers into the curriculum, and enhance teacher preparation.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed the world's smallest periscope, allowing for multi-vantage-point imaging of cells and micro-organisms. This technology enables scientists to study dynamic processes within cells in three dimensions, providing a high resolution form of microscopy.
Vanderbilt researchers found that early visual areas retain information previously hidden from brain studies, revealing an echo of the stimulus in these areas. They used a new technique to decode data from fMRI and found that this echo allows for accurate recall of visual patterns, including orientation.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University developed a system to monitor children with autism's emotional state using physiological sensors attached to robots, allowing for personalized treatment. The system achieves an accuracy of over 80% in predicting emotional states like anxiety and engagement.
Researchers found that individuals with a higher novelty-seeking personality trait have decreased dopamine autoreceptor availability, making them more responsive to novel and rewarding experiences. This may contribute to the development of drug abuse and other unsafe behaviors.
A team of scientists has discovered a new region of the magnetosphere known as the warm plasma cloak, which affects Earth's space environment. This invisible shield is fed by low-energy charged particles and can impact our daily lives, causing power surges, disrupting radio transmissions, and damaging satellites.
Scientists have obtained the first 3D images of the Mcm10 protein, which is essential for DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. The structure reveals unique features that allow it to interact with single-stranded DNA and position other proteins on the DNA strand.
Researchers discovered that worm grunters inadvertently imitate mole sounds, driving earthworms to the surface. The technique, practiced in the southeastern US, has been linked to an innate reaction in worms to escape moles.
Researchers have developed a new three-dimensional computer model that reveals surface tension plays a crucial role in cell sorting. The study found that when minority cells make up at least 25% of the mix, they are more likely to be in direct contact with other minority cells, enhancing the surface tension effect and allowing it to dr...
Research at Vanderbilt University found that musicians exhibit greater divergent thinking and bilateral brain activity compared to non-musicians. Musicians' enhanced creativity was linked to their ability to integrate competing information from both hemispheres, facilitating innovative solutions.