Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new fiber-optic device, PRIME, which delivers multi-site, reconfigurable optical stimulation through a single implant. This technology enables manipulation of neural activity deep in the brain and holds promise for understanding complex brain circuits.
Researchers have developed bioelectronic hydrogels made from conducting polymer microparticles that can be injected into the body or used as injectable therapies. The material has the potential to emulate properties of the body and leverage its functions for more sophisticated ways of doing it.
Recent psychological research from Washington University in St. Louis found that anger, not fear, contributes to shifts in political attitudes. Anger causes people to lash out and seek retribution, leading to a shift towards conservative views on issues related to the threat. However, this effect is narrow, with no impact on unrelated ...
A new analysis of the 4.4-million-year-old Ardipithecus ankle bone reveals that early human ancestors were capable of vertical climbing like African apes, challenging previous findings on human evolution. The study provides evidence for a more generalized ancestor and sheds light on the transition to bipedal locomotion.
Researchers at WashU have gained unprecedented views of a protein linked to ALS and FTD, revealing unique shapes that may contribute to disease progression. The discovery opens doors to new approaches for treatment and prevention, with the team planning further experiments to understand the protein's role in health and disease.
Researchers discovered that three-legged lizards can survive by adapting their gait and using abundant food sources, highlighting the limitations of Darwin's natural selection theory. The study found less than 1% of wild lizards have a limb deficit, with nearly half being Caribbean anoles.
Research by Washington University in St. Louis found that engaging in problem-solving daydreaming can increase the potential for work-related epiphanies that transform how people view themselves. This type of mind wandering is especially useful for people who are naturally curious and feel compelled to solve problems.
Researchers uncover evidence of adzuki bean domestication in East Asia dating back to 9,000 years ago, expanding understanding of early Neolithic agriculture. The discovery reveals regional differences in bean size and utilization, highlighting the role of culinary practices in its domestication.
Researchers aim to prevent maternal deaths from postpartum hemorrhage with a wearable device that tracks blood loss through cardiovascular features. The device, developed by Christine O'Brien at Washington University, uses light-based sensors and machine-learning algorithms to detect changes in hemoglobin and blood flow.
The Trusted Tap project enables households to monitor their tap water quality using commercially available filters and sending them to Washington University in St. Louis for analysis. This allows households to receive guidance on next steps if contaminants are detected, promoting safe drinking water for all Americans.
A new study reveals a way to produce short-chain volatile fatty acids (VFA) at lower cost by adding hydrogen peroxide to sewage, which can then be reclaimed for use in manufacturing and agricultural processes. Light exposure further enhances the efficiency of this process.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created quantum sensors that can measure stress and magnetism in materials under pressure exceeding 30,000 times the atmospheric pressure. These breakthrough sensors offer a new frontier for studying high-pressure phenomena in fields like astronomy, geology, and superconductivity.
Researchers discovered that a collective of epithelial cells can work together to sense beyond their direct environment, up to 100 microns away. This new ability allows cancer cells to migrate and evade detection with enhanced precision, making it a potential target for therapy.
A new study finds that postpartum mothers with hepatitis C who received treatment while still in the hospital were twice as likely to be cured compared to those referred for outpatient follow-up appointments. The 'Meds to Beds' model dramatically improves cure rates by bringing treatment to bedside before discharge.
Researchers are developing AI tools to analyze speech patterns and detect personality traits and signs of mental health concerns. The tools could provide more accurate and thorough assessments than human clinicians alone.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have identified a way for harmful bacteria like Pseudomonas syringae to bypass a plant's defenses using a protein called PmeR that detects auxin and activates genes making the germs more aggressive. This finding could lead to new approaches for protecting crops by understanding how bact...
An interdisciplinary team analyzed data from 31 sub-Saharan African countries, identifying key socioeconomic factors associated with maternal and child health services use. The study found that socioeconomic status plays a strong link in accessing these life-saving services.
Researchers found that strong wave breaking along shorelines produces significant amounts of sea spray aerosols, increasing cloud condensation nuclei and aerosol mass concentration. This can lead to gross overestimations of sea spray aerosols in open oceans using coastal measurements.
A new method measures leg movement variability to diagnose dystonia in children with cerebral palsy, enabling swift and accurate treatment. The study also identifies brain cells linked to dystonia, suggesting early intervention targeting these processes could prevent or treat the condition.
Researchers at WashU are developing a genetic switch to make microbes work efficiently over extended periods during bioproduction. The goal is to overcome challenges in continuous fermentation and create more efficient, cost-effective methods for producing chemicals and materials.
Researchers used SPARTAN network data to find black carbon concentrations in low- and middle-income areas across the Global South were grossly underestimated, with up to a two-fold underestimation. The study highlights the need for renewed attention to characterizing harmful black carbon in these regions.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have successfully induced a reversible torpor-like state in mice using focused ultrasound, offering a novel strategy for medical interventions. This technology aims to reduce energy demand and preserve organs for transplantation, promising to transform medicine.
Face masks degrade into nanoplastics under sunlight, changing their chemical nature and affecting ecosystems. Researchers found that exposure to sunlight is required for the formation of manganese oxide on plastic particles, altering their interaction and transport in the environment.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new type of bioplastic, called LEAFF, which is strong, biodegradable, and printable. This innovation uses cellulose nanofibers to address the limitations of current bioplastics and has potential applications for sustainable packaging.
Scientists studying ant plants in Fiji have discovered a way for the plant to keep the peace among conflicting ants by providing separate chambers. The new research reveals that compartmentalization is an effective evolutionary strategy to mitigate conflicts, allowing the host plant to benefit from multiple symbiotic relationships.
A new analysis reveals that religion, politics, and war can drive evolutionary changes in urban wildlife, leading to population differences and genetic drift. The study's findings have implications for city planning and management, highlighting the need for researchers to record changes as they happen using digital technology.
A 4-year-old intervention program has been shown to effectively treat depression in young children, with a majority of participants achieving remission. The treatment, called PCIT-ED, helps parents interact with their children differently in the emotional domain, leading to improved mental health outcomes.
A research team at Washington University in St. Louis used machine learning to analyze sleep data from pregnant participants and found that variability in sleep patterns can predict preterm birth. The study aims to provide accurate prediction of preterm birth, which is the primary cause of death among children under age 5.
Researchers suggest that brains reach a critical state to learn, remember, and think, which can be measured using fMRI technology. This framework offers a new perspective on neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, which disrupt the brain's ability to maintain criticality.
A machine learning model developed by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis can predict the risk of persistent post-operative pain and provide uncertainty estimates for each prediction. The model achieves better performance than other prediction algorithms and offers a valuable tool for doctors to guide their decisions.
A team of researchers used advanced techniques to analyze the surface of tiny glass beads found in moon samples, revealing information about ancient lunar volcanoes. The study provides clues about changes in volcanic eruptions over time, shedding light on the moon's past.
Researchers have developed innovative composite nanotechnology that removes excess nutrients from wastewater, converting them into agricultural fertilizers. The technology reduces ammonia and phosphate concentrations by up to 60% and 91%, respectively, effectively preventing harmful algal blooms and associated toxins.
Researchers developed a systems approach to measuring organelle changes in living cells as they grow. The study found that certain organelles grow faster than others and that the vacuole plays a key role in buffering the cell against randomness.
A new approach to understanding mindfulness and anxiety suggests different types of mindfulness practices can be helpful for various forms of anxiety. Mindfulness combats anxiety by improving cognitive control, a mental process that regulates thoughts and actions.
Researchers propose reawakening ancient native crops to address climate change, leveraging knowledge from Indigenous communities. The alternative approach combines food production and biodiversity protection, offering a low-input solution for adapting to changing climate conditions.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have made strides in removing selenium contamination from water using iron electrocoagulation, a process that generates iron-containing solids with large surface areas to bind selenium. The method removed more than 98% of selenium by flowing through an iron reactor for 11 seconds and se...
A groundbreaking study by Washington University in St. Louis found that eating disorders affect all racial groups equally among college students. The study revealed that up to 13% of respondents showed signs of eating disorders, with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder being the most common types.
Researchers developed a brain decoder to restore communication between the brain and spinal cord, allowing for rehabilitation and potentially restoring movement. The decoder used electroencephalography to predict movement intention, outperforming previous methods.
Researchers have developed a neuro-quantum leap in finding optimal solutions, leveraging Fowler-Nordheim annealers to discover new and unknown solutions. NeuroSA's structure is neuromorphic, with a search behavior determined by FN annealer, making it powerful for solving complex optimization problems.
Researchers found that inactive amines used in herbicides could be more important nitrosamine precursors than previously thought, potentially posing serious health risks even at low concentrations. The study suggests shifting trends in herbicide formulation and use necessitate closer examination of these chemicals
A recent study reveals that tropical forests are home to an incredible diversity of chemical compounds, including terpenoids and alkaloids, which could have practical implications for human health. The researchers found that tree species in higher elevations tend to use similar chemicals to protect themselves from enemies.
Researchers suggest looking for tell-tale patterns of energy instead of particular molecules or compounds associated with life. They argue that any living organism is extremely unlikely to be on its own and will always be part of an ecological community.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis analyzed rainfall data and found that the July 2022 floods were not as exceptional as initially thought. The study suggests storms like this will become more frequent due to global warming, which is increasing the frequency of extreme precipitation events.
Researchers developed an electrochemical approach to convert harmful nitric oxide emissions into high-purity nitric acid, reducing industrial nitrogen waste and promoting sustainable pollution mitigation. The process operates at near-ambient conditions with minimal infrastructure, offering economic and environmental benefits.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis propose a new mechanism to explain Venus' geology: convection in the crust. If true, this process could influence volcano placement and type. High-resolution gravity measurements could detect differences in crust temperature and density.
Researchers at WashU have developed a method to manipulate the mechanical side of fibrosis, a complex condition that can lead to scarring and breathing difficulties. By controlling the direction of tension forces, they aim to prevent or treat fibrosis and develop personalized treatment plans for patients.
A machine learning model developed by a team of researchers from Washington University in St. Louis can accurately predict which adolescents with HIV are at risk of nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy. The model incorporates socio-behavioral and economic factors, including economic stability, education, and family structure.
Physicists at Washington University in St. Louis have created a novel phase of matter called a time quasicrystal, which vibrates at precise frequencies over time. The researchers built the quasicrystals inside a diamond chunk using powerful nitrogen beams and microwave pulses.
Researchers used novel fluorogen imaging techniques to visualize biomolecular condensates, revealing distinct environmental and structural features. The study provides insights into the dynamic behavior of these condensates, which play a crucial role in various diseases.
Biomolecular condensates constantly shift their phase, affecting movement and chemical activities within the cell. Researchers have discovered that aging-associated interactions can lead to dysfunction and disease, and manipulating surface signals may help promote healthy biological reactions.