Researchers are exploring the use of electrical spinal cord stimulation to help people with spinal cord injuries regain some movement. The study will investigate how the central nervous system changes in response to stimulation and exercise, with the goal of developing more effective rehabilitation strategies.
Researchers at Washington University have developed a hydrogel system that preserves biochemistry and mechanical environments of cultured podocyte cells. This allows researchers to identify new ways to control mechanisms used by cells to heal themselves, potentially leading to therapies for currently incurable diseases.
Researchers developed a mathematical model of cilia beating due to mechanical instability caused by the cilium motor protein dynein. This knowledge will aid in understanding and treating cilia-related diseases.
A new study found that people experiencing anxiety or depression during the pandemic were more likely to get vaccinated, but less likely to follow distancing guidelines. The researchers suggest that a gentler approach may be warranted, focusing on the benefits of vaccination for others, to encourage behavior change.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows significant pH differences within nanopores, impacting engineering processes like clean-water generation and decarbonization technologies. Understanding these findings can improve predictions and system performance.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are evaluating the potential of AI to improve health outcomes and doctor well-being. Chenyang Lu's team has developed novel methods using deep learning to predict physician burnout and surgical outcomes, transforming clinical data into accurate predictions.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new type of lignin that can improve the strength and recyclability of carbon fibers. When combined with polyacrylonitrile, the lignin-based material has shown record-breaking tensile strength and enhanced mechanical properties.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that cancer cells metabolize glucose in their mitochondria, following conventional biochemical patterns. The study suggests that limiting glucose uptake may not be an effective strategy to target cancer cells, and glucose metabolism may need to be reevaluated as a therapeutic target.
Researchers developed a novel method to visualize proteins secreted by cells with high resolution, using plasmonic-fluor technology. The FluoroDOT assay is versatile, low-cost and adaptable, providing a more comprehensive look at these proteins.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a new imaging tool that uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) and machine learning to detect and classify cancerous tissue samples with high accuracy. The technique, which was tested on patients in a trial, showed a 93% diagnostic accuracy rate.
Washington University in St. Louis' Zhang lab has been awarded a $458,490 NSF grant to refine their synthetic biology platform for producing muscle fibers with improved material properties. The team plans to examine genetic changes associated with titin protein and create fibers with defined sequences to study material properties.
Researchers examine the relationship between thermal biology and sexual selection, finding that animals often tolerate perilous temperatures during mating to increase reproductive success. The study highlights the importance of considering scale in understanding the impact of global warming on reproductive processes.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that awards and recognition can temper creativity by making producers feel threatened by the prospect of compromising their identity with mediocre work. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among first-time producers, who are more likely to stop producing altogether if they f...
A research team, led by Rohit Pappu and Anthony Hyman, found that protein molecules form dynamic clusters at low concentrations, which have structures that encode function. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that there is no further structure underlying biomolecular condensates.
A new study suggests that Earth's deep mantle was drier than initially thought, with a water concentration 4-250 times lower than the upper mantle. This finding challenges the assumption that the mantle was uniform from its formation and may have prevented mixing within the mantle.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis finds that positive social interactions are associated with a greater sense of purpose in older adults, particularly those who are retired. The study suggests that the quality of relationships and social connections play a significant role in shaping one's sense of purpose.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that camelina, an ancient oilseed crop, may have been more important and widespread than previously thought, with origins in the Caucasus region near present-day Armenia. The study's findings support breeding programs to improve this crop for biofuels applications, highlighting i...
Researchers discovered that copper availability affects the release of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. When copper is not available, microbes release more harmful gases instead of nitrogen, which makes up 78% of Earth's atmosphere. By adding metal to natural systems, it may mitigate nitrous oxide release.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis highlights the importance of spatial aspects of biodiversity for healthy forest functioning. The research shows that tree beta diversity, a measure of site-to-site variation in species composition, is stronger than other components of biodiversity at larger scales.
Lan Yang, a leading researcher in photonic devices, has been selected for the award due to her exceptional academic achievements. She is recognized as one of the most-cited researchers in her field, with work cited nearly 17,500 times.
A team of engineers is working on a novel treatment using nanoparticles carrying therapeutic proteins to promote regeneration of blood vessels and muscle in injured limbs. The approach, which has shown promising results in animal models, aims to treat critical limb ischemia, a condition that can lead to amputation or death.
Researchers at the Lew lab have created a novel hardware and algorithm that enables visualization of cell membranes and molecular motions in six dimensions. This breakthrough allows for the observation of 3D structures with additional information on molecular orientation, providing new insights into biological systems.
A new study found that vaccinated people with mild breakthrough COVID-19 infections can experience debilitating long COVID symptoms. Vaccination reduced the risk of death by 34% and long COVID by 15%, but not all manifestations were prevented. Researchers emphasize the need for additional layers of protection to mitigate risks.
A new modeling framework suggests that some microbial ecosystems are more easily understood through coarse-graining, which involves omitting details. This approach could help biologists study microbes in their natural environments, rather than isolating them in a petri dish.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that counties with a higher proportion of white residents have stronger anti-Black/pro-white attitudes, leading to larger disparities in traffic stops. The study suggests that racial demographics are a more reliable predictor of traffic stop discrepancies than racial biases.
A study led by Washington University in St. Louis found that nonlethal parasitic infections reduce herbivory rates and trigger trophic cascades impacting plant communities. The research used a mathematical model and global meta-analysis to highlight the ecological consequences of common parasitic infections in wild animals.
A team of scientists at Argonne National Laboratory has created a new qubit platform using neon gas, freezing it into a solid and trapping a single electron. The system shows great promise as an ideal building block for future quantum computers.
The Taylor Geospatial Institute brings together eight leading research institutions to collaborate on geospatial technology research and development. The Institute aims to accelerate St. Louis' position as the global center of geospatial innovation, with a focus on key areas such as food security, geospatial health, and national security.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that crows and ravens' diverse traits enabled their rapid global expansion. Their intelligence allowed them to adapt to new environments, while their big bodies gave them a competitive advantage.
A recent study published in Public Opinion Quarterly found that anxiety about crime is a key predictor of presidential approval, with individuals who believe crime has worsened being more likely to punish presidents for it. The researchers also discovered that racial differences play a significant role in how Americans hold presidents ...
Research suggests that expansion of vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere led to a significant warming of global temperatures between 6,000 and 9,000 years ago. The findings align with paleoclimate proxy records and challenge previous models' limitations in accounting for vegetation changes.
Scientists have identified a potential new antibiotic candidate from the rare soil microbe Lentzea flaviverrucosa. The discovery was made using genomics-based approaches and shows that this actinomycete produces two different bioactive molecules that are active against various types of cancer cells.
Researchers developed first fully integrated parity-time symmetric electronic system, expanding giga-terahertz research capabilities. The system operates without exotic materials, utilizing standard microelectronic fabrication technology.
A new protocol called SPoTKD offers a secure way to transmit data without relying on expensive equipment or dedicated channels. Tiny microchips with self-powered clocks can create secure channels, making it possible for devices to power themselves and stay secure.
A new model, named FIG, has been developed to measure the impact of regional geographic features on speciation, extinction, and dispersal rates. The model successfully predicted the movement and diversification of neotropical anole lizards.
Research by David Carter and Scott F. Abramson suggests territorial conflicts tend to emerge when great powers are embroiled in crisis, creating opportunities for revisionist states like Russia to make aggressive moves. The study found over 60% of European territorial claims were made during the most unstable years after 1815.
Glenn Stone's analysis reveals how precision agriculture tools, such as detailed soil mapping and autonomous vehicles, can erode peasants' ability to self-manage their communities. Small farmers may face a paradigm shift in lifestyle and subsistence, with increased dependencies on external commercial services.
A recent seismic study reveals that Patagonia is rising as glaciers melt due to a gap in the tectonic plate under the region. The study found low seismic velocity and a thinning of the lithosphere above the gap, which is driving rapid uplift.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that the pore size of a battery separator plays a crucial role in determining the stability and safety of a battery. The study reveals that smaller pores can lead to localized metal ion penetration and increased risk of short circuits.
Researchers have replicated and expanded on previous work to show that tics associated with Tourette syndrome have a fractal pattern, which can predict disease severity. This discovery could lead to a diagnostic tool for doctors to analyze tic patterns and diagnose patients with Tourette's
Researchers have developed a low-cost, easy-to-use focused ultrasound device that can precisely target the mouse brain. The $80 device, created using a 3D printer, has been shown to achieve sub-millimeter targeting accuracy and improve drug delivery outcome.
Researchers developed a vortex microscope that captures detailed motion and rotation of molecules in liquid. The technique provides unprecedented insight into molecular dynamics, enabling the study of diseases like Alzheimer's.
Research reveals that people who have had COVID-19 are more likely to experience mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, within a year after recovery from the virus. The study found that COVID-19 survivors were 60% more likely to suffer from mental health problems than those who were not infe...
A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that birds with bigger brains relative to their bodies reduced their body size by only about one-third compared to smaller-brained birds. This suggests that cognitive power may play a role in helping certain species adapt to climate change.
A study by Washington University in St. Louis found that slant and consistency of messages in national television ads significantly impact online word-of-mouth chatter and candidate preference. Consistency with the primary message is crucial, even for more partisan messages, suggesting that campaign strategies should focus on building ...
A new, reliable kill switch has been developed to eliminate genetically modified microbes that pose environmental risks. By inserting multiple kill switches into the microbial DNA, a success rate of one in billion microbes was achieved during experiments.
A recent study found that COVID-19 infections can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease, even among previously healthy individuals. The risk of these complications remains high for up to a year after infection, highlighting the importance of post-infection care.
Researchers found a 30% larger decrease in surface-level NO2 levels in countries with strict lockdowns compared to those without. Within cities, variations were stark, with areas near coal-powered plants or airports seeing greater reductions.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used machine learning to understand how locusts can consistently recognize smells despite environmental factors, finding that combining the activity of ON and OFF neurons provides a simple yet effective solution.
A team of engineers found that thermal conduction is the most prominent form of heat transfer during droplet impact on smooth surfaces, influencing cooling efficiency and droplet behavior. Heat conduction also affects droplet dynamics on rough surfaces, leading to lower heat transfer rates.