Articles tagged with Bioengineering
Researchers call for standardized protocols to enhance reproducibility in behavioral science research. Economists advocate incorporating measurement uncertainty into studies, just like in natural sciences, to identify sources of errors and improve accuracy.
University of Colorado Boulder researchers have created a new approach to designing sustainable buildings using bacteria. The team developed bricks that can heal themselves, remove carbon dioxide from the air, and reproduce, offering a lower-carbon alternative to traditional materials.
The university aims to provide unique research opportunities for undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds, tackling big data sciences challenges. The three-year program will integrate students from Virginia Tech and partnering colleges, offering experiential learning and diversity.
A pilot study will examine the utility of quantitative ultrasound methods for assessing vaginal birth-induced pelvic floor injury and recovery in pregnant women. The researchers aim to develop noninvasive diagnostic methods that can predict long-term pelvic floor dysfunction.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new bonding method to create stretchy and squeezy soft sensing devices. The innovative approach allows for the integration of electrical components, enabling low-cost and portable sensors for monitoring health in various settings.
A new study found that farmers prefer receiving mental health information from licensed medical providers, spouses, and friends. Face-to-face communication, such as newspapers and magazines, is also preferred over online methods like social media and the internet.
Researchers discovered that an orally administered liquid salt called Choline and Geranate (CAGE) can physically reduce fat absorption and slow down weight gain in rats. CAGE prevents fats from being absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to a significant reduction in body weight.
A study by Politecnico di Milano used smartphone accelerometers to detect heart rate and stress levels with high accuracy. The research involved placing the phone on the abdomen for short periods, allowing it to capture signals associated with mechanical cardiac activity.
A fast and ultrasensitive multiplexed blood-based TB triage test analyzes a signature of four proteins and an anti-TB antibody to identify patients with tuberculosis. The test demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in clinical trials, making it a promising solution for low-resource countries where diagnosing ATB is challenging.
Researchers evaluated the accuracy of a commonly used numerical model in hydrology, finding that its results can be difficult to interpret correctly even when properly calibrated. The study recommends using a combination model called SWATmf to improve representation of hydrologic systems.
Researchers have developed thinner shells for delivering therapeutic biomolecules, reducing osmotic pressure required for safe release. The lopsided microcapsules can burst at lower pressures, making them suitable for controlled release in medicine and other fields.
Researchers from Harvard's Wyss Institute create a new 3D printing method called SWIFT, which allows for the growth of large, vascularized human organ building blocks. The technique enables the creation of viable, organ-specific tissues with high cell density and function.
A new underwater gripper developed by researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering has successfully caught and released jellyfish without causing harm. The ultra-soft gripper uses hydraulic pressure to wrap around a single jellyfish, then release it, allowing for extensive study of marine organisms.
A Pitt bioengineer is developing a new approach to improve gait rehabilitation for stroke patients. By understanding how individuals perceive their movement, the researcher hopes to create the illusion of error-free performance during split-belt walking, enabling patients to carry over improvements to daily activities.
Bin Wang, a University of Oklahoma assistant professor, has been awarded a five-year grant to develop an all-optical process for chemical transformation with high efficiency and selectivity. His research aims to control light-driven reactions at the molecular level using computational modeling.
Researchers have developed an active adhesive dressing that contracts in response to body heat, speeding up wound healing. The dressings, inspired by embryonic skin, use thermoresponsive polymers and silver nanoparticles to prevent bacterial growth, making them a promising alternative to traditional treatments.
The University of Pittsburgh's new Bioengineering in Psychiatry Training Program aims to prepare students with engineering and quantitative science backgrounds for careers in mental health research. The program will focus on neuroimaging, neurostimulation, and neural engineering to address key areas of mental health research.
Researchers have engineered a new glass material that is ductile yet tough, with improved impact resistance. The 'mother-of-pearl' bioinspired glass more than doubles the impact tolerance of widely used tempered and laminated glass, making it suitable for high-stress applications.
A new time-banking system utilizing blockchain technology is being tested in Vanuatu to assess human value based on societal obligations and assisting others. The system aims to redefine the concept of work by prioritizing psychological, emotional, or spiritual needs over tangible benefits.
A new model describes how bacteria spread when moving in two different ways, providing a unifying theory for microbial communities. The theory reveals that the dynamics of spread are limited by the constraints of water and nutrient availability.
Researchers have developed a new approach to repair defects in fetal membranes, which may prevent preterm birth and life-long medical conditions. By targeting a specific protein, they found that reducing its activity encourages rebuilding of the fetal membranes, enhancing tissue healing and repair.
Researchers at EMBL have engineered a membraneless organelle that can build proteins from natural and synthetic amino acids, allowing for detailed study and control of cellular function. The innovation uses phase separation to create a wobbly wall-less organelle with precise tasks.
Two Clemson University bioengineers, Will Richardson and Naren Vyavahare, have received NIH grants for new research related to the heart, totaling $4.1 million. They are working on projects aimed at treating cardiac fibrosis and reversing vascular calcification, which could impact millions of patients with cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at IIT created a soft robot mimicking plant tendrils that can curl and climb using osmosis. The robot's shape is adjustable, allowing it to adapt to its environment, with potential applications in wearable technologies and robotic arms.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have discovered a novel form of air bubble that enhances the drag on dandelion seeds, allowing them to travel great distances without power consumption. This breakthrough could inspire the development of small-scale drones for remote sensing or air pollution monitoring.
A new modular soft robotic arm enables deep-sea researchers to interact with delicate sea life without damaging them. The system features a glove-controlled arm that can flex and move with unprecedented dexterity, allowing scientists to explore understudied ocean environments.
Limpets exhibit surprising sensory and self-healing abilities, detecting minor damage to their shells and remodelling them for strength. They actively repair structural weaknesses, restoring mechanical strength within a month.
Researchers create a digital microfluidics platform using soundwaves and oil to avoid contamination for reusable lab-on-a-chip devices. The technology enables programmable, rewritable biomedical chips with exponentially increased combinations of reagent inputs.
Researchers at Harvard University's Wyss Institute develop a novel, folding polyhedron sampler that safely traps soft-bodied sea creatures like jellyfish and squid. The RAD sampler uses a simple, modular design to capture organisms in their natural habitats without harm.
HAMR can walk on land, swim on the surface of water, and walk underwater for as long as necessary, opening up new environments for exploration. The robot uses electrowetting to break the water surface and can paddle its legs at a frequency of up to 10 Hz.
Researchers at Harvard have developed an oral delivery method that can effectively deliver insulin to the bloodstream, overcoming the major obstacles of protein degradation and absorption. The innovative formulation uses an ionic liquid comprised of choline and geranic acid, which is released in a controlled manner once ingested.
Researchers have identified a safer way to make rugby tackles by reducing the impact on the head. The recommended techniques include tackling at the lower trunk and avoiding high-impact tackles to the upper trunk. These strategies aim to minimize the risk of concussions and other head injuries.
Donovan Argueta, a UC Riverside graduate student, has won a $25,000 Ford Foundation fellowship to continue his research on the biological mechanisms driving increased eating behaviors in obesity. The one-year fellowship will allow him to complete his doctoral degree and pursue a postdoctoral position.
A Lehigh team, backed by the Canadian government and philanthropic foundations, is developing test strips for women's health issues in rural Africa. The project aims to quickly diagnose urinary tract infections and prevent premature labor, low birth weight, or spontaneous abortion.
A study by the University of Illinois found that using the right blade is crucial for maximizing sugarcane harvesting. The researchers discovered that an angled blade caused the greatest damage to sugarcane stems and roots, while a serrated-edged blade reduced stem damage overall.
Researchers at Harvard developed a novel 3D printing method that enables control of short fibers in polymer matrices, resulting in enhanced strength, stiffness, and damage tolerance. This breakthrough has broad applications in materials engineering.
The Manufacturing Immortality Project aims to create materials with self-healing properties, combining biological and non-biological components. Researchers hope to develop consumer goods like smartphones with self-healing screens within the next three years.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a novel surgical adhesive inspired by the elastic defensive slime of the Dusky Arion slug. The new sealant mediates strong interfacial contact, conforms to skin and tissue, and closes holes in heart tissue with high effectiveness.
The new RoboBee, 1,000 times lighter than previous robots, uses floating devices and an internal combustion system to stabilize on the water's surface before propelling itself back into the air. The robot can perform search-and-rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and biological studies.
Recent advances in engineering bacterial outer membrane vesicles have demonstrated protection against infection by various bacterial species in animal models. These biologically-derived nanoparticles could function as a platform technology for vaccine development and targeted compound delivery.
Researchers are developing a novel, non-invasive, infrared-light-based neuro-stimulation tool to map and image the effects of infrared light on the human brain. The goal is to modulate and improve brain waves and circuits, leading to potential improvements in memory and cognition.
Researchers have identified a particular type of bacteria that may help break down lactic acid, leading to reduced muscle fatigue and soreness after intense exercise. The team also found niche microbiomes for different sports, suggesting potential benefits for various athletes.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has renewed funding for the University of Pittsburgh's Cardiovascular Bioengineering Training Program, which educates students in cardiovascular research and prepares them for careers in basic and translational cardiovascular research. The program focuses on three areas: understanding native and ...
Researchers develop ultrafast scanning fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to observe membraneless organelles. The technique reveals low-density, permeable structures, contrary to expected dense packing.
Biological engineers at Utah State University have successfully decoded and reprogrammed fungal biosynthetic machinery to produce natural compounds with anti-cancer, anti-microbial and anti-cholesterol properties. The team has reproduced several bio-active compounds in engineered microbes, including beauvericin and bassianolide.
Researchers have discovered that bacterial biofilms adapt their surface texture to repel water, similar to leaves. The structure of these biofilms is influenced by nutrient supply, with some behaving like lotus leaves and others like rose petals.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences used mathematical models to determine the best way to throw an object at a target. They found that underhand throws are best for close, high targets and overhand throws are more accurate for targets below the shoulder.
Researchers at the University of Utah have discovered that collagen can get unraveled at a molecular level before complete failure of connective tissues, leading to common injuries such as ligament and tendon tears. This breakthrough allows for early detection and potential treatment using the CHP probe.
The Human Frontier Science Program has selected 10 researchers to receive the prestigious Career Development Award for their innovative projects. The award will provide $300,000 over three years to establish independent laboratories and promote intercontinental collaboration.
A new tool called MARGI identifies all RNA molecules interacting with a segment of DNA, as well as their locations. This breakthrough enables researchers to identify new gene functions and instructions encoded in the genome.
Scientists at Harvard and MIT have developed a new 3D printing method that can create lightweight structural materials with tunable porosity, inspired by natural cellular structures. The approach uses ceramic foam ink to produce materials with exceptional stiffness and multifunctional properties.
Researchers from Harvard have developed a general framework to design reconfigurable metamaterials. This tool allows for the creation of materials that can switch between multiple functions and shapes autonomously, enabling new possibilities in structural engineering, aerospace, and beyond.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that hair behaves differently depending on stretching speed, with faster stretches making it stronger. The team found a unique structural transformation allowing hair to withstand high stress without breaking.
Researchers developed a multiregional brain-on-a-chip to study how diseases impact different regions of the brain. The model characterized differences between neurons from distinct brain regions and mimicked system connectivity.
A team of scientists from France has developed a method to visualize ice crystals in three dimensions as they grow, providing new insights into their formation process. By using confocal laser scanning microscopy and image analysis, the researchers can capture rapid images of ice crystals growing and measure their expansion rates.
Researchers at University of Missouri have developed a new, low-cost imaging platform that enables single molecule imaging with ordinary microscopes. The patented method uses surface plasmon resonance to achieve super-resolution imaging down to 65 nanometers.
A new report calls for increased funding for convergence research, which merges approaches from engineering, physics, and life sciences to transform health research. Convergence-based research has already shown promise, with many universities adopting this approach, including MIT's Koch Institute and Harvard's Wyss Institute.
Researchers have developed a system that allows RoboBees to perch in flight, saving energy. The electrostatic adhesion mechanism attracts the robot to surfaces, enabling it to extend its operational life significantly.
A new paper-based test developed at MIT and other institutions can diagnose Zika virus infection within a few hours. The test distinguishes Zika from the similar dengue virus, making it potentially practical for widespread use.
Researchers at Northwestern University have stabilized exfoliated black phosphorus by covalently bonding a single-molecule-thick layer onto its surface. This enhances electronic properties and prevents degradation in open air, making it suitable for applications such as sensors, transistors, and optoelectronics.