Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a hybrid chemical sensing system combining an insect's natural sensing abilities with nanomaterials. The system, which adds a ultralight nanomaterial coating to locust antennae, improves odor-detection performance across a wide range of chemicals, including TNT.
A new study reveals how a plant's internal clock helps it respond to salt stress by triggering protective genes. Researchers found that a clock protein clusters into droplets, freeing protective genes, and that tuning crop clocks can improve stress tolerance. This discovery opens novel ways to breed more resilient crops.
The new AI models can predict scenarios of aerosol concentrations and cloud properties, separating the aerosol effect from meteorological factors. The project aims to improve climate predictions and extreme weather forecasts, helping American communities prepare for and protect against climate-related challenges.
A new study found that Oregon's licensed psilocybin centers largely follow safety guidelines, offering reassurance about treatment practices. However, the high cost of treatment may limit access for many individuals struggling with mental health conditions.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a manufacturing process to integrate photonic materials onto chips, enabling faster data transfer and new capabilities for AI systems, photonic computing and sensing. The new building blocks bring new functions and capabilities to established silicon and silicon-nitride photon...
Researchers have identified genetic regions associated with environmental conditions like temperature and precipitation in wild crabapples. The study's findings could help breeders develop apple varieties more resilient to climate change.
Adults with hard-to-treat epilepsy who used cannabis most days had more seizures and became resistant to antiseizure medications compared to nonusers. The study suggests cannabis use is associated with more severe epilepsy, but cannot establish causation.
In a mouse study, researchers found that blocking the immune response to tau protein can prevent brain cell death in Alzheimer's disease. By injecting an antibody that blocks CXCR3, they reduced T cell infiltration into the brain, preserving more brain tissue and reducing nerve cell damage. This approach offers a new strategy for treat...
Chemical signatures in Ediacaran fossils indicate a long-standing symbiotic relationship between early animals and microbes, dating back to 635 million years ago. This ancient chemosymbiosis allowed early animals to survive and spread throughout the ocean, setting the stage for the evolution of complex life forms.
A new study identified dozens of blood proteins that change during treatment with lecanemab, an anti-amyloid drug, which may help monitor treatment effects and predict disease progression. The study found changes in proteins related to inflammation and amyloid clearance, which could inform clinical decision-making and potentially lead ...
Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have created renewable carbon fiber from waste lignin, cutting production costs by 25% and reducing carbon emissions substantially. The new process involves deploying single-walled carbon nanotubes to improve performance and align crystallization chemistry.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new technique to visualize the coupling between neuronal activity and oxygen delivery at the cellular scale. This breakthrough could have profound implications for studying neurodegenerative disease, stroke, and other conditions connected to neurovascular coupling.
A new study using ancient DNA from seeds in southeastern China reveals that melons likely originated in South Asia, rather than being developed from wild Chinese plants. The study also found that these ancient melons had light-green flesh and yellow peel, and were likely consumed as vegetables or mildly sweet fruit.
Scientists from Washington University in St. Louis are developing materials that can shake off biofouling organisms in water, a major concern for the US Navy and global shipping lines. The new system uses soft robotics and nontoxic polymers to create a self-healing multiphase coating that can detect and dislodge biofilms, potentially i...
Researchers developed a microneedle patch that can detect early signs of kidney injury, stabilizing biomolecules in high-heat settings. The patch, coated with a metal-organic framework, preserves NGAL antibodies, a clinically validated biomarker for kidney damage.
Researchers developed a technique to assess the reliability of medical imaging tools, which can be used to evaluate quantitative imaging methods and build confidence in these technologies. The technique, called NGSE-Corr, was shown to accurately rank imaging methods for 91% of trials and identify the most precise method for 95% of trials.
The FDA has cleared the PrecivityAD2 blood test, developed by C2N Diagnostics, to aid in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The test uses high-resolution mass spectrometry to measure biomarkers associated with amyloid pathology, providing more accurate and reliable results than cerebrospinal fluid tests.
Research from Washington University School of Medicine identifies brain differences tied to sensory distress, often linked to anxiety and autism. Sensory over-responsivity is connected to anxiety in both children with autism and those without, but not directly related to ADHD.
Researchers developed a novel platinum-cobalt intermetallic catalyst that enables high-performance fuel cells with long-lasting durability. The innovative nanostructured carbon support overcomes the challenge of balancing activity and stability, allowing for improved catalytic performance at high temperatures.
A large clinical trial found that family-based behavioral treatment significantly improved weight reduction and related health outcomes for children with obesity. The study demonstrated that this approach can be successfully integrated into routine clinical practice, increasing access to effective weight management for families in need.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discover 'condenzymes,' inherent catalytic activities of biomolecular condensates, which contribute to biochemical functions in cells. The study shows that condensates can catalyze reactions such as esterolysis and hydrolysis, challenging the idea that they are merely bystanders in cells.
Researchers have discovered three well-preserved silkworm cocoons at an archaeological site in Uzbekistan that push back the earliest verified date for silkworm cultivation outside of China by nearly 2,000 years. The findings suggest that East Asian mulberry sericulture had reached southern Central Asia as early as 4,000 years ago.
Wild plants offer valuable insights into adapting to disease, with research showing how plants evolve defenses against pathogens. This knowledge can inform more effective management of crop diseases, contributing to a better understanding of disease ecology and environmental threats.
A multidecade study found dementia prevalence significantly increased in Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico from 9.6% to 14.5%, 7.6% to 11.7% and 10.7% to 15.7%, respectively over two decades. Dementia rates remained stable in Cuba and Dominican Republic.
A global consortium has developed three open-source AI tools to synthesize Alzheimer's literature, surface hidden data insights, and provide peer review feedback. The tools are designed for researchers to harness vast amounts of information toward a shared goal.
A team of researchers developed a method to control powering down catalysts, improving carbon dioxide conversion without loss of performance. The approach reduces costs by about 25% and enables reliable operation with intermittent renewable electricity.
Researchers developed a quick and non-invasive imaging method combined with machine learning to detect precancerous lesions and early-stage cancers in the uterus. The method uses 3D OCT images to provide clear differences among normal tissue, benign endometrium, high-risk precancerous lesions, and endometrial cancer at different stages.
Researchers identified a shared biological feature of these pathogens that targets the mucus layer, allowing for a potential combination vaccine against all three biomolecules. The discovery could lead to significant progress in developing an effective vaccine against severe diarrhea.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that the mesencephalic command-associated nucleus (MCA) acts as a central timing hub, coordinating changes to sensory inputs across species. This finding highlights the importance of studying unusual sensory abilities in animals like weakly electric fish.
Researchers found that socioeconomic factors, such as family income and neighborhood resources, have a strong connection to brain development in children. These factors are more strongly linked to brain function than IQ scores or parenting style, and can even affect the structure of the brain through disrupted sleep and chronic stress.
A recent study found that shorter sleep duration is associated with increased perinatal anxiety and obsessive beliefs. Mothers who experience disturbed sleep tend to have higher levels of anxiety, particularly those with lower coping ability. The study suggests prioritizing mom's sleep may benefit her mental health.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine engineered a hookworm to produce and deliver an antibody neutralizing tetrodotoxin. The parasites successfully produced the antitoxin and secreted it into the bloodstream, demonstrating a potential platform for long-term drug delivery.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created protein-based materials that can be readily recycled and remade into the same fibers over multiple cycles. These biodegradable fibers, called SAM, are made from genetically engineered microbes and can dissolve in a formic acid solution within seconds.
The researchers' hybrid system combines neuromorphic-inspired auto encoding and Fowler-Nordheim annealing to find the most efficient solution. This approach differs from classical computing methods and offers convergence guarantees, ensuring a solution will be found within a set timeframe.
Researchers are working to overcome key obstacles in commercializing carbon waste gas into platform chemicals, including finding the optimal compression level and managing temperature. The US could be left behind if other countries invest heavily in this technology.
A study found that a smartphone app combined with personal coaching via text messages can be an effective intervention against depression, anxiety, and eating disorders in university students. The app proved more effective than traditional campus counseling services, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that a mother's circadian rhythms cross the placenta to the baby before birth, setting the biological clock for daily patterns called circadian rhythms. The study suggests that stable circadian rhythms during pregnancy are crucial for healthy fetal development.
A recent study published in Ecological Applications found that habitat restoration efforts in Forest Park have increased native bird diversity, with increases mostly seen in native species. The research also highlights the importance of access to water and varied habitats for boosting biodiversity.
A study by Washington University in St. Louis researchers found that diamond dust is not suitable for strategic stratospheric aerosol injection due to its effects on acid rain, ozone layer degradation and human health. The study's results reduce the viability of using a 'diamond shield' to cool the planet.
A new index maps state-level flu risk, highlighting regional disparities and socioeconomic factors contributing to vulnerability. Policymakers can use this tool to develop targeted strategies, strengthen epidemic preparedness, and address disparities in flu risk across the US.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed an operando microscopy platform to study lithium plating in batteries. The platform revealed the conditions under which plating occurs, allowing for the development of performance maps to optimize fast-charging protocols and enhance battery performance.
Researchers developed a high-speed photoacoustic microscope to track red blood cells in the mouse brain, allowing for single-cell resolution imaging of microvascular structures. This enables study of cerebral small vessel disease, cognitive impairment and dementia.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created protein fibers that can exhibit high tensile strength, toughness, and mechanical stability, making them suitable for active wear and biomedical implants. The materials are grown using synthetic biology approaches and can be processed into a meat-like structure.
Researchers used computer vision and machine learning to study Drosophila melanogaster courtship. They found that males rely on specific visual cues, particularly the female's eyes, to determine her anterior-posterior body axis. This recognition shapes when and how different elements of courtship are deployed.
Researchers developed a blood test to predict when Alzheimer's symptoms will start, using protein p-tau217 in plasma. The models predicted the onset of symptoms with accuracy, suggesting potential for preventive treatments.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found ways to stabilize ubiquitous iron components for use in fuel cells, replacing expensive platinum metals. This innovation aims to lower costs for fuel-cell vehicles and other niche applications, enabling widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel-cell technology.
Researchers developed a new test that detects breast cancer reconstruction infections early, allowing for preemptive treatment. The study found biomarkers of infection in fluid drained from patients' breasts days before symptoms appeared.
A new study identifies the somato-cognitive action network (SCAN) as responsible for Parkinson's disease symptoms, which can be treated with non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Targeting this network improves symptoms more than twice as much as treatments targeting nearby brain areas.
Researchers have found a way to harness the electrical energy generated by protein condensates, constantly shifting membrane-less organelles that govern cell function. This discovery could lead to bioelectrochemical devices for cleaning pollutants and fighting infection.
A study found that chronic stress and inflammation contribute to elevated mortality risk among Black Americans, with approximately half of the disparity attributed to these factors. The research suggests policy efforts to address structural racism and stress exposure can help minimize health risks.