Articles tagged with Bioengineering
Researchers have discovered that introducing tardigrade proteins into human cells can slow down molecular processes, making them potential candidates for slowing the aging process. This new study provides evidence that these proteins can be used to induce biostasis in cells, enhancing storage and stability.
The MIT-designed 'architected' reef could dissipate more than 95% of incoming wave energy using a fraction of the material needed, reducing erosion and flooding. The cylindrical structure's unique design leverages turbulence to efficiently break waves, making it a potential solution for coastal protection in various water conditions.
Researchers simultaneously tagged many humpback whales from the same pod to analyze their vocalization and compare individual calls. This study provides new information about whale behavior and communication, crucial for informing future conservation efforts.
A team of UMass Amherst engineers has developed a tissue-like bioelectronic mesh system that can simultaneously measure the electrical signal and physical movement of cells in lab-grown human cardiac tissue. This breakthrough device allows researchers to observe how the heart's mechanical and electrical functions change during developm...
Scientists from UC3M and Johns Hopkins University have developed a computational model that simulates the invasion process of cancer cells based on the characteristics of surrounding tissue and cell junctions. The model allows for predicting tumor evolution in patients by analyzing mechanical properties of the microenvironment.
A multi-institutional team is creating innovative technologies to reduce complications associated with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), including infection, thrombosis, stroke, and bleeding. The new LVAD will deliver a physiological response to changes in the recipient's activity levels using a 'smart' Maglev drive technology.
Researchers review advances and challenges in applying SLA to evaluate unconventional reservoirs, highlighting its simplicity and convenience. The study proposes modifications to address reservoir heterogeneity and suggests combining SLA with machine learning algorithms for improved accuracy.
Researchers at UVA Health discovered a potential blood test to predict patients with severe COVID-19 who are likely to recover well and those at risk of long-term lung problems. The study found that patients with late-resolving symptoms had fewer immune cells in their blood, correlating with symptom severity.
A team of researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to enhance the nutritional profile and flavor of fungi, creating a new source of plant-based food alternatives. The modified fungi produce heme and ergothioneine, which can improve cardiovascular health benefits.
Researchers discover that certain bacteria can evade the immune system by circumventing antibody coating, leading to severe inflammation. The study identifies IgG2 as a key player in this process, providing potential biomarkers and targets for new treatments.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created a highly stretchable sensor that can monitor and transmit plant growth information without human intervention. The sensor is resilient to humidity and temperature and can send a wireless signal to a remote monitoring location.
Researchers have introduced a more efficient processing technique that enables scalable fabrication of custom microscale particles for applications in drug delivery, microelectronics, and abrasives. This process, called roll-to-roll CLIP, achieves unprecedented fabrication rates while preserving high resolution.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have devised a technique for mass-producing large-area metalenses tailored for use in the ultraviolet region. The breakthrough enables control over optical properties of UV rays, sparking interest in potential advancements for medical devices and wearable technology.
Scientists have developed fUSI technology that enables clinicians to see and map the spinal cord's response to treatments in real-time. This innovation offers improved monitoring of blood flow changes, potentially increasing treatment success rates and optimizing pain relief for patients.
Researchers aim to address LVAD shortcomings, reducing blood damage and clotting risk through innovative designs and coatings. A novel flexible stented blood inlet and slippery hydrophilic coatings will be used to prevent flow stasis and clot formation.
Researchers used mass spectrometry imaging and single-cell metabolomics with deep learning to create 3D molecular maps of the brain, enabling a better understanding of chemical interactions within brain tissue. This breakthrough could help address currently intractable neurological diseases.
Researchers are developing minimally invasive techniques to repair and regenerate tissue in aortic aneurysms using actively targeted, drug-releasing nanoparticles. The team found that rod-shaped particles with high aspect ratios were selectively taken up by diseased endothelial cells, leading to improved therapy outcomes.
A new study has identified a strategy used by early-stage cancer cells to evade the immune system. By turning on the gene SOX17, these cells create an immunosuppressive environment that prevents them from being detected. This gene helps cancer cells ignore immune messages and grow in the presence of an immune system.
Researchers have created a new tool called epidecodeR to analyze epigenetic marks and predict their impact on gene activity. The tool can identify correlations between specific modifications and gene responses in various conditions, including cancer and neurological disorders.
Scientists have developed a new way to alter the DNA of bacterial cells using high-frequency radio waves, outperforming traditional industry techniques. The process shows high efficiency and gentleness, with 91% of E. coli cells taking on the DNA after just three minutes.
A new roadmap has been published by IEEE EMBS, outlining five primary medical challenges that need to be addressed through advanced biomedical engineering approaches. The paper, written by 50 renowned researchers from 34 prestigious universities, aims to guide future research and funding for groundbreaking innovations.
A novel chemotherapy approach uses patient's own cells as Trojan horses to deliver targeted cancer-killing drugs to lung cancer cells. The method has shown promise in reducing tumor size and improving treatment efficacy with minimal collateral damage to healthy tissues.
A team of researchers has developed a bilayer nanofiber membrane hemostat using natural proteins derived from mussels and silkworm cocoons. The hemostatic agent demonstrated rapid acceleration of tissue adhesion and hemostasis in bleeding wounds, preventing the infiltration of water containing infectious agents.
A new method uses digital DNA melting analysis to detect pathogens in blood samples, producing results in under six hours and reducing false positives compared to traditional blood cultures. This technology has the potential to save lives by accurately diagnosing sepsis, a leading cause of death worldwide.
The University of Illinois has developed a new nanoscale sensor that can monitor areas 1,000 times smaller than traditional technology, tracking subtle changes in brain chemistry with sub-second resolution. The device takes advantage of silicon-based manufacturing techniques to achieve 100% efficiency and high spatial resolution.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology found that the human brain can segregate direct speech from its echo, allowing for reliable recognition of echoic speech. This neural separation is essential for understanding conversations in noisy environments and is supported by magnetoencephalography recordings.
Researchers found GV1001 decreases BACE and Aβ1-42 levels, reducing neurodegeneration and senescence in 3xTg-AD mice. It also increases survival, telomere length, and telomerase activity, contributing to improved lifespan.
Researchers developed customized adhesive patches using mussel-derived proteins, exhibiting strong underwater adhesion, biocompatibility, and adjustable degradation time. These patches showed successful treatment in animal models, paving the way for personalized medical applications.
A small, wearable ultrasound sticker can monitor organ stiffness and detect subtle changes that signal disease progression. The device has been shown to identify early signs of acute liver failure in rats and may one day help doctors diagnose internal organ failure more effectively.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new technique to study the breakdown of cellulose by enzymes, revealing that hydrogen bonds in the complex molecule act as obstacles. The approach uses infrared light and operando spectroscopy to provide real-time snapshots of the sample, overcoming past limitations.
Scientists develop a new class of hydrogels that can concentrate proteins within cells, mimicking natural sequestering phenomena. The hydrogels, designed using computers, exhibit similar mechanical properties both inside and outside of cells.
Using optical traps, researchers controlled bacterial aggregation and biofilm development, finding different types of lasers can stimulate or suppress growth. The study opens up possibilities for creating microscopic building materials from bacteria.
A recent study published in Nature Plants reveals that O-glycosylation of the transcription factor SPATULA promotes Arabidopsis style development. The experimental study sheds new light on the mechanisms underlying plant organ symmetry.
A team of researchers from Harvard and Texas developed a soft implantable device with dozens of sensors to record single-neuron activity stably for months. The device uses fluorinated elastomers and is 10,000 times softer than conventional flexible probes.
Princeton researchers create a system to control the growth of microtubule branches, enabling precise chemical transport and potential applications in soft robotics, new medicines, and biomolecular transport. The technique harnesses cellular scaffolding to build novel materials and technologies.
A new model developed by MIT engineers predicts how certain shoe properties will affect a runner's performance, incorporating factors like stiffness and springiness. The model aims to help designers create high-performing shoes with novel properties.
Researchers at RIKEN successfully spin artificial spider silk that closely matches natural production, mimicking the complex molecular structure of silk. The eco-friendly innovation has potential benefits for environment and biomedical fields.
A team of researchers created a 3D bioprinted brain blood vessel model to investigate the impact of blood vessel curvature on metastatic cancer development. The model revealed that increased blood vessel curvature correlates with heightened cancer cell adherence and extravasation.
Researchers have enhanced microvascular sensitivity using ultrafast ultrasound, capturing the three-dimensional vascular network of renal arteries and veins without contrast agents. This technique reveals sharp decreases in renal blood flow during acute renal failure and chronic vascular degeneration in diabetic nephropathy.
A team of researchers has created artificial small-diameter vessels (SDVs) featuring pores that enable the formation of an endothelium without additional processing steps. The 3D-printed vessels were successfully infused with human cells, demonstrating spontaneous cellular assembly and paving the way for potential transplantation and f...
Aston University has established the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) with a £10m grant from Research England. The institute aims to develop novel biomimetic membranes through interdisciplinary collaboration between biology, physics, and chemistry.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo developed a bio-tagging method using dissolvable microneedle arrays for permanent animal identification. The approach, called 'MAPs,' uses customizable molds to tattoo unique identifiers into the skin, offering a safer and more humane alternative to traditional ear tags or RFID chips.
A soft, wearable robot was used to help a person living with Parkinson’s disease walk without freezing, eliminating the debilitating symptom and allowing them to regain their independence. The device provided instantaneous effects and consistently improved walking in a range of conditions.
A research team developed electrostatic materials capable of responding to weak ultrasound, generating static electricity for implantable neurological stimulators. The technology eliminates the need for batteries, reduces device size, and minimizes strain on the human body. Experimental validation confirms its effectiveness in animal m...
Researchers at UNIST developed a novel one-pot process for growing Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, a predatory bacterium with potential as 'living antibiotics'. This approach eliminated the need for multiple vessels and reduced growth time by over 50%, enabling large-scale cultivation without compromising efficacy.
A team of researchers discovered a multiprotein complex involving NLRP3, AIM2, NLRC4, and Pyrin that drives PANoptosis, a type of programmed inflammatory cell death. The findings have implications for understanding inflammasome biology and identifying potential therapeutic targets.
Scientists use new photography technique to observe interaction between biological cell and shock wave, revealing high-speed phenomena. The technology has potential applications in science, medicine, and industry.
A world-first brain stimulation treatment is being developed to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and epilepsy using ultrasound technology. The endovascular focused ultrasound technique could significantly improve the quality of life for thousands of people living with neurological diseases.
Researchers have developed a mineral coating that maintains mRNA activity for up to six months at room temperature. This breakthrough enables the storage of mRNA therapeutics like COVID-19 vaccines on medical shelves, bridging the gap between rich and poor communities.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Lehigh University $6 million to develop a comprehensive, inclusive and accessible research translation ecosystem. The award supports the university's work in engineering, science, health, humanities, business, education and other areas to translate discoveries into practical solutions.
A team of researchers developed a theoretical framework that can reproduce and predict the patterns associated with gastrulation in a chicken embryo. Small changes in cell parameters and behavior can have a dramatic impact on the resulting gastrulation patterns, which are seen in other species such as frogs, fish, and chameleons.
Scientists have solved a decades-long puzzle and unveiled ultra-hard materials that rival diamond in toughness. The breakthrough could lead to multifunctional materials for industrial applications such as protective coatings and high-endurance cutting tools.
Researchers developed a method to measure microvascular changes in the skin using AI and optoacoustic imaging technology, enabling non-invasive assessment of diabetes severity. The study identified 32 significant changes in blood vessels, which can be used to monitor disease progression.
The new robotic replica, called RRV, can mimic healthy and diseased states, allowing scientists to test cardiac devices and therapies. The model can also be used to study the effects of mechanical ventilation on the right ventricle and develop strategies to prevent right heart failure.
A team of engineers has developed a novel printing method called deep-penetrating acoustic volumetric printing (DVAP) that uses soundwaves to solidify biologically compatible structures in deep tissues. The technique involves a specialized ink that reacts to ultrasound waves, enabling the creation of intricate structures for biomedical...
Researchers at University at Buffalo have discovered a way to create strong and effective fuel cell catalysts that approach the performance of platinum. By adding hydrogen to the fabricating process, they were able to balance durability and efficiency, potentially making fuel cells more affordable and polluting-free.
Researchers at McGill University discovered a strong, quick-release connection between living and non-living tissues in marine mussels. The biointerface is mediated by serotonergic cilia-based adhesion, which can be controlled by neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
Researchers at MIT have developed an alternative method to study molecular signals in cells, allowing them to track up to seven different molecules simultaneously. The technique uses fluorescent proteins that flicker on and off at different rates, enabling the tracking of specific cellular functions over time.
Researchers at Wayne State University aim to extend the lifespan of infusion pumps and injection ports to minimize tissue damage and maintain site integrity. The project seeks to reduce inflammation and fibrosis caused by insulin phenolic preservatives, leading to improved diabetes management practices.
Researchers discover chemical injection strengthens sandy soil through increased cohesion and internal friction angle, with no long-term strength loss. The treatment also enhances water-sealing capacity, mitigating flood risks and improving infrastructure durability.