Articles tagged with Bioengineering
Research team discovers unique gut sliding movement in caterpillars, which inspires design of soft material robots. These 'softbots' can move without visible leg translations and are suitable for search-and-rescue operations and space applications.
Researchers designed a floating barrier with two rows of pilings to protect levees from wave action, dissipating 75% of wave energy. The design was more effective and cost-efficient than previous methods.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed programmable matter by folding, allowing a single sheet to transform into a boat- or plane-shape. The technology uses origami techniques and features smart cups that can adjust to liquid levels and other tools with multiple functions.
Tessier is investigating fundamental aspects of misfolding and clumping of three classes of proteins, which can lead to disorders like Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma. His long-term objective is to develop new therapies to treat diseases related to toxic protein aggregation.
Researchers developed a method to quantify player performance in team activities, ranking soccer players based on their contributions. This approach uses network analysis and statistical methods to evaluate player performance, producing results that closely match expert opinions.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has selected six papers for the 2009 Cozzarelli Prize, acknowledging originality and scientific excellence across physical and mathematical sciences, biological sciences, engineering, biomedical sciences, behavioral and social sciences, and applied biological sciences. The award recog...
Researchers at UC San Diego are developing new regenerative therapies for heart disease using adult stem cells and supportive materials. The study found that cells placed in these materials differentiate into cardiac muscle more effectively, offering a promising solution to treat cardiovascular diseases.
A new cancer vaccine has successfully eliminated tumors in mice by reprogramming the mammalian immune system. The implant-based vaccine targets tumor-specific antigens and directs T cells to hunt down and kill cancerous cells, providing durable protection against relapse.
Researchers at Harvard University used an analog model and mathematical simulations to understand how a long leaf is formed. They found that elastic strain resulting from differential growth leads to the elegant arc and serrated surface of leaves like the plantain lily.
The Rice University-M.D. Anderson Cancer Center program provides incoming graduate students with early exposure to translational research and clinical practice. The HHMI funding renewal will allow the program to expand to include students from M.D. Anderson's Department of Imaging Physics.
A new synthetic method creates longer polymer chains, increasing current density in plastic solar cells. The reduced reaction time cuts production time by nearly 50%, making it easier to optimize chemical structure and reduce manufacturing costs.
A Northwestern University study reveals that Albert Einstein and other famous writers followed a similar pattern of correspondence, writing in cycles and adhering to a circadian cycle. The research, published in Science, demonstrates the universality of human behavior patterns across different activities.
The Case Center for Synchrotron Biosciences will provide three Technology Cores to support the study of proteins and nucleic acids. The center's facilities will enable researchers to understand the structure and function of proteins, including in vivo studies, as well as investigate the role of metal atoms in proteins.
The Harvard research team aims to advance micro-manufacturing, ultra-low-power computing and multi-agent coordination using nature as inspiration. They will create artificial sensors and coordination algorithms to mimic the collective behavior of a bee colony.
Higher frequency vibrations cause immediate changes in peripheral vascular systems, while lower frequency vibrations can lead to long-term vascular problems. Researchers found increased oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory factors in rats exposed to higher frequencies.
Researchers developed a technique to restore P2P privacy by hiding user-intended downloading behavior in a cloud of random downloads. This approach disrupts classification and provides users with 'plausible deniability,' making it difficult for eavesdroppers to accurately identify groups of users with similar download behavior.
The University of Chicago's Biophysical Sciences program has received a $2 million training grant to provide intensive interdisciplinary training for graduate students. The program, led by Adam Hammond, aims to produce scientists conversant across disciplines and able to combine multiple methods in new ways.
Biologist Professor H. Allen Orr has been awarded the Darwin-Wallace Medal for his groundbreaking research on speciation and reproductive isolation between species. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of evolution, particularly in the context of gene function and dominance theory.
Dr. Dennis Hall's research reveals new ways to activate organic molecules, leading to significant uses for compounds like amides in pharmaceutical drugs. His work contributes to making chemistry more environmentally friendly by increasing efficiency and reducing waste.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that electrostatic interactions alone can give rise to helical shapes in molecules, shedding light on how nature generates chirality. Their work shows that this phenomenon is a result of simple interactions and has implications for understanding complex phenomena.
Researchers studied e-mails sent from over 3,000 accounts and found that people don't respond to e-mails randomly, but rather in cycles influenced by their daily routines. The model reveals non-random intervals between e-mails, including times when people are sleeping.
Researchers analyzed dense colonies of Escherichia coli bacteria to understand biomechanical ordering. They found a dynamic change from disorder to alignment and developed a model of collective cell dynamics.
Naren Vyavahare aims to extend the durability of bioprosthetic heart valves beyond 20 years through chemical linking of neomycin to tissue. Improved durability will enable surgeons to implant valves in younger patient populations with reduced risk of failure.
Researchers created molecular tubes composed of wound-up DNA strands with controlled circumferences, enabling diverse nanotechnology applications. The breakthrough utilizes single-stranded DNA tiles to form tubes with varying diameters, promising to design complex self-assembling molecular systems.
The Citipix Collection, valued at over $14.3 million, is a historic snapshot of urban history in the US at the turn of the century. The collection consists of 500,000 color-stereo images taken between 1999-2002, providing clear detail up to six inches off the ground.
Researchers found that administering a simple polymer, Polyethylene glycol, within four hours of a head injury can limit damage and improve behavioral tests in rats. The treatment is potentially feasible for victims of traumatic brain injury, especially when delivered at the scene of an accident.
A large 3D model of the Blue Tongue virus has been created by WMG engineers, helping biologists devise new ways to combat the virus and potentially develop anti-viral drugs. The model is 5,200,000 times larger than the real thing and will be on display at the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a low-temperature, catalyst-free method for growing copper nanowires, suitable for integration into electronic devices. The copper nanowires can serve as interconnects and electron emitters in field-emission displays, which could lead to longer-lasting displays.
Scientists discover squid beak is both extremely hard and stiff at the tip and soft at the base, allowing it to capture prey without harming itself. This unique property inspires new possibilities for joining materials together.
Engineers at Harvard University have developed a novel optical tweezer that can perform calibrated force measurements with high precision. The device, consisting of a Fresnel Zone Plate fabricated on a glass slide, has the potential to revolutionize biological and microfluidic applications.
Scientists at UC Berkeley have discovered a technique that enables the detection of biomolecules' dynamic reactions in a single living cell, providing unprecedented resolution. By using gold nanoparticles, researchers can determine enzyme activation and gene expression in real-time without killing the cells.
Ten Yale researchers have been named AAAS Fellows in recognition of their distinguished efforts to advance science, including Paul Anastas and Sankar Ghosh. The new fellows will be inducted at the 2008 AAAS Annual Meeting.
Researchers at IBN, IMCB, and GIS successfully developed a miniaturized device to detect the H5N1 virus in less than half an hour, showing promise for pre-emptive surveillance of avian flu epidemics. The device integrates multiple workflows into a single droplet-based system, offering potential advantages over existing tests.
Researchers at Louisiana State University studied the effects of gold-based nanoparticles on cell freezing, which could impact cancer treatment. Despite initial expectations, the study found significant damaging interaction between nanoparticles and cancer cells.
A biology professor at Northern Arizona University is developing ways to help rivers rebound to their natural ecosystems after dams are removed. Her team has successfully restored Fossil Creek's ecosystem, serving as a national case study in dam decommissioning.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered that Yellow Underwing moths change their ear sensitivity to bats' calls when being chased, and remain tuned for several minutes after. This phenomenon challenges current understanding of bat-moth co-evolution and has implications for other hearing systems in animals.
Three Stanford University School of Medicine researchers, Kwabena Boahen, Karla Kirkegaard, and David Relman, have won the NIH Director's Pioneer Award. They will receive $2.5 million over five years to pursue new research directions that are not already funded.
The LifeChips program aims to develop broad-based skills in students combining engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences, and medicine for life science research. Graduates will be prepared to lead the next generation of LifeChips research, making scientific discoveries and transforming them into technologies.
The University of Houston is collaborating with the US Navy to develop nanomagnetic biosensors for detecting biological warfare agents and land mines. The program aims to create high-sensitivity techniques for improving land mine detection.
Vorticella's contractile fiber bundle, the spasmoneme, uses calcium as fuel and a powerful centrin-based mechanism to generate enormous forces. Researchers identified centrin as the key component, which is also found in filamentous structures of other organisms.
Scientists confirm that bacteria follow ecological laws similar to those of plants and animals, with significant implications for medicine, agriculture, and pollution control. The discovery may allow researchers to predict fundamental diversity patterns of bacterial communities and engineer them to perform useful tasks.
A team of engineers has successfully removed bioaerosols from a hospital therapy pool using a new generation of hybrid filters. The filters reduced concentrations of culturable bacteria by up to 80% and total bacteria by up to 76%, significantly improving pool safety and reducing illness risks.
Drezek has been recognized by the Beckman Foundation for her research on novel optical molecular imaging technologies for early cancer detection. Her award includes a three-year $264,000 grant to develop and refine this technology.
The new center will merge nanotubes with organic molecules to create sensors or nanomachines small enough to fit on a virus. Researchers will design and assemble building blocks to develop new devices and systems.
HHMI and NIBIB will invest up to $35 million in interdisciplinary PhD programs to support biomedical scientists with cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills. The programs aim to prepare researchers for complex biomedical challenges.
Nine UCSD students are conducting nine-week research projects in Japan, Taiwan, and Australia through the Pacific Rim Undergraduate Experiences (PRIME) program. They will work with local researchers to develop their skills in cyberinfrastructure and cultural understanding.
The 'tango array' device can sort particles ranging from bacterial cells to DNA segments in a matter of seconds, distinguishing them by size. This breakthrough technology has the potential to greatly accelerate biological research and replace some centrifuge devices.
Researchers discovered an optimal shape of nanoscale contact surface that enhances adhesion strength, which becomes insensitive to small variations at a critical size scale of around 100 nanometers. This finding suggests combining size reduction and shape optimization for robust and reliable adhesion.
A Rice bioengineer has won the 'Create the Future' design contest with a device that uses acoustic waves to measure bone structural integrity. The OsteoSonic TM system offers advantages over existing radiological diagnostics and is currently undergoing testing.
A team of experts envisions an intelligent implant that can detect debilitating bacterial infections early, identify the bacteria responsible, and provide targeted therapy. The project aims to develop a prototype within seven years, with technology advancements expected to overcome technical hurdles.
Craighead's research focuses on developing chip-based chemical and biochemical analysis systems with high-speed capabilities. He aims to create rapid medical diagnosis or environmental monitoring tools using microfluidic systems and engineered nanostructures.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a technique called photocapillarity that uses light beams to pull water up tiny tubes, overcoming challenges in building nano-scale pumps and valves. This technology may one day be used for targeted distribution of medicine in the body.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has named Dr. Etta Z. Falconer and Dr. James H.M. Henderson as recipients of the Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement. Both awardees have made significant contributions to increasing diversity among doctoral students in the sciences.
The Rice center will focus on the interaction between nanometer-sized materials and water, aiming to develop new medical therapies and solve environmental engineering problems. The center will also provide educational and industrial outreach activities, including training teachers and supporting startup ventures.
The Penn team will focus on contusions and examine individual neurons' responses to injury. They aim to identify patterns of genes and proteins that are activated or suppressed, which could lead to new medications and treatments.
David Meaney, a 35-year-old associate professor of bioengineering, has won the prestigious Y.C. Fung Award for his groundbreaking research on injury biomechanics and axon growth. His work focuses on how brain cells respond to mechanical forces, with potential applications in bridging damaged areas of the nervous system.
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.
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 have found that large aggregates of bacteria and plankton collide with particles millions of times faster than predicted, leading to enhanced coagulation in wastewater treatment and industrial manufacturing. This discovery has significant implications for the ocean's carbon dioxide balance and global atmospheric conditions.
A UC Berkeley study reveals that geckos' tiny foot hairs can create an adhesive force 10 times stronger than needed to pull a gecko off the wall. The unique spatulae on each hair allow for rapid attachment and detachment.