Researchers Katharina Lodders and her team found evidence of complex chemistry in brown dwarf atmospheres, including the formation of liquid iron clouds. The study revealed that as brown dwarfs cool, certain compounds reappear in their atmospheres.
Biomedical engineer Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert has designed a novel nerve repair system that uses a gel-filled tube to deliver growth factor proteins stimulating nerve regeneration. The system promotes peripheral nerve regeneration in preliminary rat studies and shows promise for spinal cord repair.
A new system is being developed to aid plastic surgeons in reconstructive surgery by analyzing faces using wavelet analysis, recommending procedures and assessing outcomes. This technology has potential applications outside of plastic surgery, including facial recognition and security, as well as quantifying beauty.
Washington University will receive $2.2 million to support a range of undergraduate science education initiatives, including summer research fellowships and programs to promote diversity in STEM fields. The university plans to use the funding to develop new curriculum and laboratory courses, as well as expand its outreach programs for ...
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have successfully made boron nanowhiskers, the world's first crystalline nanowires, exhibiting semiconducting behavior and potential as key materials in nanoelectronics. The discovery could lead to the development of more reliable conductors, solving limitations faced by carbon nanotubes.
A researcher has found a key genetic change that separates the spineless from the backboned, revealing how an old gene gave birth to new ones. The study sheds light on the evolution of developmental programs in animals, including the adaptation of T-box genes in humans and other species.
Researchers found that watching classic horror films improved reasoning and intelligence, while anxious moods hindered performance on difficult tasks. The prefrontal cortex region was jointly influenced by mood state and cognitive task, suggesting a regulatory role in integrating emotional signals with cognition.
Templeton's analysis reveals human population expansions occurred between 420,000 and 840,000 years ago and 80,000 to 150,000 years ago. Genetic interchange between populations has occurred throughout history, contradicting the idea of replacement events.
A brain imaging study has pinpointed cognitive mechanisms behind age-related memory difficulties and confirmed that certain factors can be reversed with the right guidance. Older adults have underutilized cognitive resources in the left frontal cortex that can be harnessed for more efficient memory processing.
Researchers found that plants inherit traits from factors outside of genes, such as DNA modification and packaging, which can be passed on to offspring. The study suggests a cost of resistance in plants, where hyperactive defense systems lead to physical damage despite low disease threat.
A study estimates that Americans have a roughly 50/50 chance of experiencing the American Dream or the American nightmare. The study reveals that being African American or having less than 12 years of education dramatically increases the odds of poverty, while decreasing the likelihood of affluence.
A recent study by Washington University in St. Louis researchers attributes increased flood levels on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to the placement of thousands of wing dams, built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s and '40s. The structures impede water flow during floods, causing water levels to rise.
Researchers analyzed topographic maps and meteorites to determine that water circulated in the upper part of Mars' crust within the last billion years. This finding suggests that water may still be present near the surface, with evidence of recent gullies forming in high-latitude regions.
A new patented technique uses titanium dioxide nanoparticles to bind and remove mercury from combustion exhausts, trapping the toxic metal with high effectiveness. The process leverages photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide to oxidize mercury, making it a promising solution for controlling mercury emissions.
Researchers suggest that mechanical forces play a crucial role in shaping the developing heart, which could help scientists better understand heart defects. By studying the bending and rotation of chicken embryos, researchers have found that cellular contraction is driven by at least two different mechanical forces.
Fossils from three different humans estimated to be about 175,000 years old show a stage of evolutionary development that led to the Neandertals. The jaw fragment reveals signs of reduced chewing force due to food preparation changes, suggesting extensive community support for individuals with difficulty caring for themselves.
Researchers have discovered that a T arrangement in molecular electronic switches enables efficient communication between distant molecules, facilitating the on and off states of the switch. This finding broadens design possibilities for molecular photonics, solar energy conversion, and nanotechnology.
Seismologist Douglas A. Wiens finds deep earthquakes recur at the same spot repeatedly, supporting ductile shear zone model. The research uses seismic wave evidence to locate earthquakes with accuracy, enabling future study of deep fault zones.
Researchers have found that aging rats exhibit fragmented behavioral rhythms, taking naps when they should be active. The study suggests that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) cells, responsible for regulating circadian rhythms, may be losing their ability to mark time as individuals age.
A unique study on lizard populations reveals that the presence of a top predator can make prey populations more vulnerable to catastrophic events. The researchers found that on islands without predators, mice populations rebounded quickly after a natural disaster, whereas those with predators struggled to recover and some became extinct.
Researchers found brain areas that track continuous event boundaries, even in passive viewing, suggesting a natural process of segmentation. This study has practical implications for designing better tools for teaching new activities and understanding perception across time.
A study published in Spine found that patients with higher expectations for acupuncture or massage therapy experienced greater improvement in low back pain and function. Those with lower expectations showed only moderate improvement, highlighting the importance of considering patient expectations in treatment decisions.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that blood vessels signal the onset of bone loss in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. The discovery sheds light on how inflamed blood vessels trigger a cascade of events leading to local bone destruction.
The new A.I argumentation system, which uses defeasible reasoning, allows for a more natural and human-like approach to legal decision-making. This enables lawyers to build stronger arguments and make informed decisions based on competing perspectives.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found evidence that hot and dry Venus could have had water in its past due to the chemical stability of tremolite at extreme temperatures. This discovery could help scientists determine if they should investigate hydrous minerals on Venus.
Weixiong Zhang developed an algorithm to tackle the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), a classic planning and scheduling problem, and found it to be the best solution for half of the tested problems. The algorithm has real-world applications in logistics, business, and even biological data analysis.
The program combines classroom instruction with investigative learning experiences at St. Louis science institutions to develop engaging biology curriculum for middle and secondary students. Eight topic areas will be covered, including genetics, animal behavior, and human impact on ecosystems.
Psychology research offers 20 strategies for managing negative emotions, including reminding oneself of positive aspects, helping others, and focusing on happiness through a ratio of positive to negative emotions. Researchers like Randy Larsen emphasize the importance of looking beyond negative mental health topics.
A study by Jonathan B. Losos and Dolph Schluter found that the diversity of lizard species on larger Caribbean islands is primarily due to evolutionary processes, rather than colonization and extinction. The researchers used the Caribbean lizard phylogeny to estimate the number of immigration and speciation events on the islands.
The George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis has received a 5-year, $1.9 million grant to fund the Comorbidity and Addictions, Prevention, Intervention and Treatment Center (CAP-IT). The center will support groundbreaking research on addictions interventions for underserved populations and improve...
Renowned botanist Peter H. Raven is among the 12 scientists to receive the prestigious National Medal of Science. He has made significant contributions to plant systematics and evolution, introducing the concept of coevolution and preserving biodiversity worldwide.
Researchers used Hubble data to study Io's mantle, finding similarities with Earth's. The study suggests Io may have undergone differentiation in a process similar to Earth's, indicating a similar oxidation state in the mantle.
Researchers have designed an innovative approach to chemotherapy that utilizes genetic material to selectively destroy cancerous cells. By combining complementary DNA sequences, a prodrug and catalyst can be triggered to release a cytotoxic agent.
Researchers found 46% of Peruvian plant extracts inhibited Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the TB bacterium. This discovery could lead to developing new pharmaceuticals to combat the disease.
Researchers found that high-resolution ultrasound images can detect completely torn rotator cuff tendons with high accuracy. US is also a more patient-friendly option compared to MRI, taking less than 15 minutes and costing only one-fourth as much.
Scientists have conclusively determined that European Neandertals were top-level carnivores who lived on a diet of mainly hunted animal meat. The team analyzed bone-chemistry and stable-isotope analysis to reconstruct the Neandertal diet, finding that they likely ate almost exclusively meat.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine implemented an STD study program that set up booths in community gathering places to offer urine screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The program identified 24 people with the diseases, most of whom were unaware they were infected, and successfully treated 90% of them.
Researchers found that blind naked mole-rats disperse from their natal colonies to seek new partners and form new colonies, challenging the assumption that inbreeding is the norm for these eusocial creatures. The study also revealed that outbreeding is the preferred breeding system of choice for mole-rats.
Chemists at Washington University in St. Louis have created knedel nanoparticles that mimic viruses and show potential for a new direction in gene therapy and other biomedical applications. The nanoparticles can escape detection by the immune system and are designed to behave like viruses, but without the risk of live virus effects.
Insomnia is a prevalent and serious condition that can have serious consequences. Effective treatments include identifying underlying causes, such as lifestyle habits, medical conditions, or medications, and adopting good sleep hygiene practices, like restricting bedtime, avoiding naps, and increasing exercise.
A study published in AIDS found an association between osteopenia and protease inhibitors, a class of medications used to treat HIV/AIDS. Researchers discovered that patients taking these medications were more likely to develop low bone-mineral density, which can lead to fractures.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed new theoretical calculations on how life might have arisen from volcanic gases on Earth and other celestial bodies. The calculations suggest that environmental and chemical conditions are ripe for basic hydrocarbons to form, potentially leading to the emergence of life.
The EPA has chosen Washington University in St. Louis to monitor fine particle matter air pollution in the St. Louis metropolitan area, as part of a comprehensive and collaborative program. The project aims to investigate relationships between pollutants and human illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and pulmonary illnesses.
Researchers analyzed 15,414 student and faculty yearbook photos to pinpoint the age when girls begin smiling more often than boys. The study found that girls start smiling significantly more than boys as early as the fourth grade, with a widening gender gap by high school.
Research suggests that emergency rooms can reduce children's pain and anxiety during procedures by using techniques such as topical anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and psychological interventions. Effective communication with parents is also crucial in minimizing their own anxiety while ensuring their child's comfort.
A study by Washington University's Air Quality Laboratory found that rural vehicles emit between 200-300 milligrams of particulate matter per mile traveled, while urban vehicles emit between 30-40 milligrams. This measurement, known as ppvm, could help environmental agencies better address air quality challenges.
A study by Kelly M. Everard found that social reasons for participating in activities, rather than the activity itself or frequency, have a direct bearing on well-being in older adults. Activities that bring a sense of connection and enjoyment tend to enhance well-being.
Global sulfur emissions have stabilized over the past 20 years, with China leading the world in emissions due to its massive coal reserves and growing industrialization. Cleaner fuels and pollution controls have contributed to the stabilization of emissions worldwide.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis reveals a clear tendency among college students to become addicted to more than one common substance or activity, with exercise yielding the highest level of addiction and strong connections between certain activities and self-esteem. The study found large correlations within and betw...
A study of 339 patients found that laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery is effective and safe for elderly patients, with functional outcomes comparable to younger patients. Elderly patients may tolerate the procedure better and have fewer complications than previously thought.