Articles tagged with Bioengineering
A new study by MIT engineers reveals that exercise can stimulate nerve growth, with neurons growing four times farther in the presence of myokines released during muscle contractions. Physical effects of exercise, such as repeated stretching and pulling, also promote nerve growth, challenging previous biochemical-only theories.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered a combination of green algae and yeast that enhances wastewater treatment efficiency. The mixture boosts the growth environment, uptake of ammonium and phosphate ions, making it an effective solution for wastewater treatment facilities.
MIT researchers developed a theoretical foundation for methods to aggregate genes into related groups, enabling the efficient learning of underlying cause-and-effect relationships. They achieve this using only observational data, potentially paving the way for targeted treatments.
Researchers from the IBB-UAB have developed novel nanoparticles capable of trapping and neutralizing large quantities of SARS-CoV2 virus particles. These nanostructures could be used to manufacture antiviral materials such as wastewater and air filters, and develop new tests for early Covid-19 detection.
A team of researchers, including Binghamton University's Ahyeon Koh, is working on an innovative project to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. The goal is to create a 'cell factory' in the body that can produce pharmaceuticals to alleviate symptoms.
A team of biomedical engineers from the University of Melbourne has developed a groundbreaking 3D printing system that can fabricate complex human tissues in just seconds. This technology significantly improves the potential to predict and develop new pharmaceutical therapies, reducing the need for animal testing.
University of Texas at Dallas researchers have designed a 3D-printed femur that can help doctors prepare for surgeries and develop treatments for bone tumors. The bone replica is made of polylactic acid, a bio-based polymer, and performed as well as a human femur in biomechanical tests.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a miniature, soft lithium-ion battery with features like high capacity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The battery was used to power small devices in animal models and demonstrated promising results for wireless and biodegradable devices in clinical medicine.
Researchers demonstrate the first cross-chiral exponential amplification of an RNA enzyme, potentially leading to the development of cross-chiral therapeutics and biotechnologies. The discovery suggests that a bioengineer can create a new form of biochemical evolution by using both left- and right-handed molecules.
The Center for Genomic Diagnostics at the University of Illinois will develop sensitive and rapid biosensors to detect African swine fever virus. The grant aims to improve on-farm detection and surveillance, providing timely control measures.
Researchers have discovered a protein shell in diatoms that enables efficient CO2 fixation, with implications for bioengineering approaches to combat climate change. The discovery reveals how diatoms convert CO2 into nutrients through photosynthesis, with potential applications for improving carbon capture from the atmosphere.
A groundbreaking study has demonstrated the clinical success of a new nanoparticle-based, laser-guided therapy for prostate cancer treatment. The therapy successfully eliminated cancerous cells in 73% of patients after 12 months while preserving key functions and side effects.
Studies show that the cerebellum is critical for forming stable memories for sensorimotor skills, largely independent of short-term memory systems. Researchers found that longer time intervals between trials increased reliance on impaired long-term memory.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a fluorescent biosensor to observe PKC activity in real time and 3D space. The study revealed designated signaling territories where different types of PKC are active, shedding light on their critical role in human disease.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new expansion technique to image nanoscale structures inside cells using conventional light microscopes. The method, which expands tissue 20-fold in a single step, allows for high-resolution imaging of organelles and protein clusters.
Researchers developed an octopus-inspired adhesive with elastic, curved stalk and membrane that adheres to multiple surfaces in wet environments. The adhesive demonstrated strong attachment to complex objects and could be rapidly attached and released.
Researchers at Lehigh University are developing predictive models for gene editing with CRISPR to improve outcomes and expand medical applications. The team is using AI and advanced computer models to simulate the effects of altering a single gene on the entire genome, enabling them to predict and avoid unintended consequences.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in creating nanoparticles that can modify the immune system to accept transplanted organs without compromising it. This new approach has potential implications for treating diabetes, cell therapy, and autoimmune disorders, offering hope for patients who currently face rejection.
A Carnegie Mellon-led team has secured a $42 million grant to develop implantable, cell-based bioelectronic devices for real-time therapy and disease monitoring in patients with thyroid disorders. The devices will offer adjustable, low-cost treatment and continuous biomarker measurement.
A Carnegie Mellon University-led team is developing a bioelectronic implant called ROGUE that can produce a year's supply of treatment for chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The device will offer continuous, adjustable therapy deployment via a minimally invasive procedure.
Researchers developed a method to reconstruct hyperspectral images from standard RGB images using deep machine learning. The technique achieved over 70% accuracy in predicting soluble solid content and 88% accuracy in dry matter content in sweet potatoes, with potential applications for the agricultural industry.
Researchers at MIT found that a two-dose schedule for an HIV vaccine can generate a strong response to the virus, outperforming a traditional seven-dose regimen. The first dose primes the immune system, helping it to produce antibodies more effectively when a larger dose is administered one week later.
A new knee exoskeleton has been developed to support the quadriceps muscles during lifting tasks, helping workers maintain better posture even when fatigued. The device, which uses a complex algorithm to predict assistance needs, enabled participants to lift faster and with improved posture.
Researchers developed a synthetic mucin gel inspired by cow slime to create a protective barrier around discs, preventing immune system attacks. This innovative approach may improve patient outcomes and reduce long-term complications after disc herniation surgery.
Researchers developed a label-free biological sensing method that can detect substances at the zeptomolar level, significantly improving drug testing and research capabilities. This advancement has the potential to lead to portable sensors for environmental toxins, food quality monitoring, and cancer screening.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed an innovative smartphone application that can measure pulse pressure, a critical metric for detecting hypertension. The app uses motion-sensing accelerometers and front cameras to calculate pulse pressure, which is closely correlated with hypertension, according to the study.
The University of Kentucky has been awarded a six-year, $18 million NSF grant to establish the NSF ESCAPE center for assessing pathogen emergence. The center will focus on environmental surveillance using social science, engineering, bioinformatics, and risk modeling to predict and prevent pandemics.
Researchers at Rice University have created a roadmap showing how proteins interact to form the nanometer-thin shell of gas vesicles. This breakthrough enables the development of medically useful GV varieties in the lab, which can be used for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Researchers at FAU aim to identify signatures of natural selection in the human genome, understanding its role in adaptation and disease. The $1.8 million NIH grant will develop powerful tools for complex modes of adaptation from genetic data.
Researchers at University of California San Diego have identified a novel mechanism of cardiac inflammation that may prevent heart failure after a heart attack. The borderzone, surrounding the infarcted area, is found to be a key region for this inflammation, with heart muscle cells playing a dominant role in initiating it.
A new implant has been developed to encourage nerve cell repair after spinal cord injury. The implant uses electrical signals and a 3D-printed scaffold to bridge the gap and direct axons to grow back in the correct formation, promoting healing and recovery.
Researchers engineered bacteria-yeast hybrids to perform photosynthetic carbon assimilation, generating cellular energy without traditional carbon feedstocks. The hybrids can produce important hydrocarbons, paving new biotechnical pathways to non-petroleum-based energy and synthetic biology applications.
Researchers have developed a novel, more selective inhibitor of the human immunoproteasome using a bacterially derived natural product. The new compound targets autoimmune diseases without disrupting other cellular mechanisms.
The WVU team, led by Yu Gu, is testing Loopy's ability to 'co-design' itself and learn to mark contaminated areas. Inspired by natural phenomena like ant swarms and tree roots, Loopy changes form in response to its environment.
A team of researchers from Columbia University and Harvard University report that autoantibodies alone directly affect heart function in lupus patients. The study identified four autoantibodies that may directly affect the heart muscle, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.
The Illinois researchers developed a new index called the Circularity Index (CI), which measures circularity on a scale from 0 to 1. It includes eight categories: take, make, distribute, use, dispose, recover, remake, and reuse. The CI can be used to evaluate strategies and impacts in bioeconomic systems.
Researchers developed an air-powered computer that sets off alarms when certain medical devices fail, preventing blood clots and strokes. The device uses air to issue warnings, reducing costs and improving safety in healthcare settings.
Researchers have engineered a plant immune receptor to robustly bind a conserved fungal pathogen effector, demonstrating potential for new resistance traits against rice blast disease and other plant diseases. This approach could lead to improved crop protection and global food supply stability.
A recent study by UT Arlington scientist Nathan D. Brown shows Alaskan land is eroding faster than it can be replaced due to climate change. The team mapped and dated floodplain deposits, determining permafrost extent, to model how permafrost formation varies with air temperature.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed two nasal sprays, NanoSTING and NanoSTING-SN, to prevent respiratory virus transmission. NanoSTING is an immune activator that can protect against multiple viruses, while NanoSTING-SN is a pan-coronavirus vaccine that can prevent transmission to unvaccinated individuals.
Researchers have developed a new therapy called PIPE-307 that targets an elusive receptor on certain cells in the brain, prompting them to mature into myelin-producing oligodendrocytes. This could potentially reverse damage caused by multiple sclerosis, leading to improved movement, balance, and vision.
Angel Martí, a professor at Rice University's Wiess School of Natural Sciences, has been elected a fellow of the American Chemical Society. He was recognized for his outstanding scientific achievements and service to the society, including leading research on Alzheimer's disease and developing new treatments.
Research from the University of Illinois highlights the potential of organic nanozymes for broader applications beyond traditional uses of inorganic nanozymes. The development of sustainable, environmentally friendly materials offers a promising solution for various industries.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a wavelength-multiplexed diffractive optical processor that enables all-optical multiplane quantitative phase imaging. This approach allows for rapid and efficient imaging of specimens across multiple axial planes without the need for digital phase recovery algorithms.
Researchers developed core-shell microfibrous scaffolds that excel in rotator cuff repair, restoring natural morphology and mechanical properties. The acellular, in situ tissue engineering technology harnesses stem cell regenerative abilities to provide robust biological regeneration without cell seeding.
Researchers from Chiba University developed a foldable pouch actuator that enables finger extension in soft rehabilitation gloves, overcoming the limitation of existing actuators. The FPA facilitates joint-specific movements and has potential applications in telerehabilitation and care facilities.
A new handheld device enables rapid non-invasive detection of harmful chemicals and biological molecules using a Raman spectrometer and cellphone camera. This technology reduces analysis time from days to minutes, making it ideal for remote areas where laboratory spectrometers are impractical.
The Tulane University-led COBRE will investigate biological sex and gender differences to improve medical outcomes, focusing on differences in autoimmune diseases, pneumonia infections, and treatment responses. The center aims to develop sex-specific miniaturized models of human tissues and organs to study disease progression.
The team created microbeads that emit various colors of light depending on the illuminating light and bead size, offering a wide range of applications. The use of plant-derived materials allows for low-cost and energy-efficient synthesis, making them an attractive alternative to conventional luminescent devices.
A Northwestern University study reveals the experimental evidence for how the surface of iridium oxide changes during water electrolysis, enabling the design of a novel catalyst with higher activity and longer stability. The new catalyst is three to four times more efficient than existing iridium-based catalysts.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a bioelectric device that can detect and classify new coronavirus variants, identifying those most harmful. The device uses a biomembrane on a microchip to recreate the cellular environment for infection, allowing for quick characterization and analysis of variant mechanics.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a flexible and durable bioelectrode material composed of single-wall carbon nanotubes on a stretchable poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) nanosheet. The material showed impressive flexibility, high water vapor permeability and resilience for extended use.
Recombinhunt, a new data-driven method, identifies recombinant SARS-CoV-2 genomes with one or two breakpoints, offering high specificity and sensitivity. The approach also detects viral genomes from the monkeypox epidemic with high concordance.
A study by Waseda University researcher Ryota Nomura found that synchronized heart rates among concertgoers are linked to reliable physiological reactions rather than emotional response. This discovery could lead to better theater experiences and improved performances.
Researchers discovered adaptations in metabolism and swimming abilities that enable fish to survive extreme temperatures in the Arabian Gulf. The study challenges prevailing views on the 'shrinking of fishes phenomenon' and proposes a new theory on energy balance and survival.
Researchers discovered that twisting carbon nanotube bundles creates long, curved disclination lines, decreasing their mechanical strength. The study sheds light on the correlation between microscopic internal changes and material properties, paving the way for potential solutions to realize high-performance CNT yarns.
Researchers observed the formation of butterfly scales' ridged pattern through advanced imaging techniques. The team found that a smooth surface wrinkles to form microscopic undulations before growing into finely patterned ridges.
The team, led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi, created a layer of skin that can bind to complex forms of humanoid robots, granting them increased mobility and self-healing abilities. The research has potential applications in the cosmetics industry, medical research, and robotics.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed SeekRNA, a programmable tool that can precisely target and relocate genetic sequences with high accuracy and flexibility. This breakthrough technology surpasses current limitations of CRISPR, enabling more precise editing and reducing errors.
A study analyzing 5 million nights of sleep data identifies five main sleep types, with frequent changes between these types offering insights into chronic health conditions like diabetes and sleep apnea. Long-term tracking of sleep patterns may unlock new public health insights.