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Heart vest could help predict sudden cardiac death risk

A new study by UCL researchers suggests that a vest mapping the heart's electrical activity could help identify people at high risk of sudden cardiac death. The electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) vest combines signals with MRI images to generate 3D models, potentially predicting risk factors for life-threatening heart rhythms.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 18, 2023

Thermal impact of 3D stacking photonic and electronic chips

The study found that 3D integration can lead to significant heat spreading and crosstalk, reducing heater efficiency by up to -43.3% and increasing thermal crosstalk by up to +44.4%. However, optimizing design variables, such as spacing between µbumps and interconnect linewidth, can minimize the thermal penalty of 3D integration.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateDec 7, 2023

Unlocking the secrets of the brain’s dopaminergic system

A new organoid model replicates the dopaminergic system's structure, connectivity, and functionality, shedding light on its intricate functionality and potential implications for Parkinson’s disease. The model also uncovers the enduring effects of chronic cocaine exposure on the dopaminergic circuit, even after withdrawal.

Placing nanoparticles in the palm of your hand

Professor Anne Bentley has developed innovative 3D-printed models to visualize nanoparticles, allowing students to grasp the material's special properties. Her research focuses on low-index shapes, which have catalytic properties and can convert carbon dioxide into fuel materials.

SourceLewis & Clark College·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 4, 2023

First multi-chamber heart organoids unravel human heart development and disease

Researchers create a new, multi-chamber organoid model of the human heart, enabling them to advance screening platforms for drug development, toxicology studies, and understanding heart development. The model reveals intricate communication between chambers and provides insight into early heart development.

Realistic talking faces created from only an audio clip and a person’s photo using NTU Singapore computer program

Researchers developed DIRFA, an AI-based program that generates realistic videos with facial animations synchronized to spoken audio, showcasing improvements over existing approaches. The tool has potential applications in healthcare, education, and entertainment, enhancing user experiences.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalPattern Recognition·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 15, 2023

How tiny hinges bend the infection-spreading spikes of a coronavirus

Researchers have identified a tiny hinge in coronavirus spikes that allows them to tilt and bend. This bending affects how successfully the spike can infect a cell. The study suggests that disabling the spike's hinges could be a good strategy for designing vaccines and treatments against a broad range of coronavirus infections.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2023

How human faces can teach androids to smile

A recent study by Osaka University's researchers aims to bring science fiction stories closer to reality by studying the mechanical properties of human facial expressions. The team mapped out the intricacies of human facial movements using tracking markers, revealing that even simple motions can be surprisingly complex and nuanced.

SourceOsaka University·JournalMechanical Engineering Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 9, 2023

Three-dimensional label-free morphology of CD8+ T cells as a sepsis biomarker

Researchers developed an AI model analyzing 3D label-free changes in immune cell structure during healthy conditions, sepsis diagnosis, and recovery. Significant morphological changes were identified, suggesting CD8+ T-cell structures as a valuable complement to traditional diagnostic tools.

Machine learning gives users ‘superhuman’ ability to open and control tools in virtual reality

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a virtual reality application that allows users to build figures and shapes without interacting with menus. The 'HotGestures' system uses machine learning to recognize hand gestures, providing fast and effective shortcuts for tool selection and usage.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·DateNov 7, 2023

Deep learning speeds up galactic calculations

A new approach using deep learning speeds up supernova simulation by 99%, enabling more accurate modeling of galaxy evolution. This breakthrough could also apply to climate and earthquake simulations, providing valuable insights into complex phenomena.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 25, 2023

Targeting unsuspected protein reverses lymphedema

A Cornell-led collaboration created a 3D in-vitro model of human lymphatic vessels that revealed a surprising mechanism jamming up drainage: the protein ROCK2. Inhibiting ROCK2 reverses lymphedema effects, offering potential treatment for this condition.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 2023

Revolutionizing lymphedema care: new lymphedema-on-chip platform holds promise

Researchers created a tiny 3D cell culture model that mimics the function of lymphatic vessels to explore how inflammatory substances affect the lymphatic system. They found that certain cytokines cause cells to tighten their junctions, leading to reduced fluid drainage and swelling. Inhibiting a protein called ROCK2 reversed lymphedem...

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2023

Scientists film soundwaves in a crystal

Researchers used a unique X-ray technique to capture soundwaves' propagation in a diamond crystal, revealing ultrafast structural phenomena that were previously beyond scientific reach. The breakthrough enables real-time imaging of solid materials with unprecedented resolution and speed.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 2, 2023

Unleashing the power of AI to track animal behavior

GlowTrack, a non-invasive movement tracking method using fluorescent dye markers, improves the capture of diverse movements in laboratories. This technique enables easier comparison of movement data between studies, increasing scientific discovery and advancing fields like biology, robotics, and medicine.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2023

Clever lapwings use cover to hide in plain sight

Research shows that lapwings can hide their eggs by using small variations in the terrain, making them invisible to ground predators. The study found that habitat geometry rather than visual acuity limits the visibility of a ground-nesting bird's clutch to terrestrial predators.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEcology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateSep 14, 2023

New method offers hope of fewer fractures

Researchers at Lund University developed a new 3D-simulation method to identify individuals at high risk of osteoporotic fractures. The method uses 2D X-ray images to produce 3D models of the thigh bone, enabling simulations of different scenarios and assessing risk more accurately.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateSep 13, 2023

Scientists studied effect of different geometric porosities on aerodynamic characteristics of supersonic parachutes

Researchers investigate impact of different geometric porosities on aerodynamics of supersonic parachutes. The study reveals that porosity structures have little effect on flow field mode and pressure distribution, but affect drag performance, with single-seam models showing better stability.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·DateSep 6, 2023

Structure formation during freeze casting filmed in 3D and real time

Researchers used X-ray tomoscopy to study freeze casting processes, observing the formation of complex, hierarchically structured materials with large surface areas. The technique provided high spatial and temporal resolution, revealing the dynamics of directional ice crystal growth and the formation of organic-looking structures.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023

Hot Jupiter blows its top

Researchers used 3D simulations on Stampede2 to model the flow of HAT-P-32b's atmosphere, revealing a gigantic helium gas tail. The planet is losing significant atmospheric mass, which could help explain the mystery of intermediate-mass planets.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2023

New human cell-based 3D model reveals insights into how immune cells contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a novel 3D human cellular model that mimics the intricate interactions between brain cells and immune invaders, providing insights into how immune cells contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression. The study identified specific types of immune cells called CT8+ T Cells surg...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2023

The best thing since sliced tissue

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes create Gaussian Process Spatial Alignment (GPSA) to analyze 2D data from tissue slices and generate a 3D 'atlas' of the tissue. This allows for deeper understanding of biological tissue samples, enabling more precise predictions of gene expression and treatment outcomes.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 17, 2023

How the hospital pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii quickly adapts to new environmental conditions

Researchers find that Acinetobacter baumannii can achieve significant functional modifications in protein complexes over short evolutionary time spans, particularly in hair-like cell appendages. This diversity may affect the pathogen's interaction with its environment and inform personalized therapies.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 4, 2023

Stick-to-itiveness: Pitt engineers show self-organization of sticky micron-to-mesoscale 3D structures in confined fluids

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a system that uses fluid mechanics and chemo-mechanical processes to autonomously assemble hierarchical 3D structures. The system utilizes sticky bonds to drive self-organization, allowing for the construction of complex devices with minimal external intervention.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2023

(How) cells talk to each other

Researchers from ISTA and NUS developed a new theoretical model to understand long-range cell-cell communication. The model reveals the interplay between mechanical forces and biochemical signals in cells, shedding light on complex biological phenomena. It has potential applications in wound healing and understanding tissue behavior.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 20, 2023

Simulating damage propagation in composite materials through a novel computational method to realize high-quality CFRPs

Researchers developed a novel quasi-3D extend finite element method to simulate damage propagation in CFRP laminates, improving accuracy and efficiency. The approach enables the design of high-quality CFRPs with lower production costs, paving the way for widespread adoption in various industries.

SourceSophia University·JournalComposite Structures·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 17, 2023

Artificially grown ‘mini-brains’ without animal components bring opportunities for neuroscience

Scientists have created human brain organoids free of animal cells, which could greatly improve the study and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. The novel method uses an engineered extracellular matrix to support stem cell growth, resulting in more accurate models of brain development.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

How the cat nose knows what it’s smelling

Researchers created a detailed analysis of the domestic cat's nasal airway, revealing two distinct regions of air flow during inhalation. The study suggests that the cat nose functions as an efficient dual-purposed gas chromatograph, capable of detecting and separating chemicals quickly and efficiently.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 29, 2023

Turning old maps into 3D digital models of lost neighborhoods

A team of researchers has developed a machine learning technique that can extract details from historic Sanborn maps, allowing for the creation of 3D digital models of lost neighborhoods. The models can be used to study the economic loss caused by urban renewal and other factors, providing a new approach to urban historical research.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 28, 2023

Neanderthal cave engravings are oldest known – over 57,000 years old

Researchers have identified finger-marks on a cave wall in France as the oldest known Neanderthal engravings, dating back to around 75,000 years ago. The marks were made using a plotting analysis and photogrammetry to create 3D models, confirming that they are deliberate, organized shapes created by human hands.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJun 21, 2023