News on R&D across science and industry. Covers R&D awards, applied studies, quantum institutes, and university research initiatives.
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has launched a two-week training course for biologics development and manufacturing, targeting low- and middle-income countries. The program aims to enhance local production of vaccines and biologics in LMICs to address vaccine inequity and global pandemic preparedness.
Researchers found that men who lose their Y chromosome as they age are more likely to experience deadly heart scarring and earlier death. The study suggests an existing drug may help counteract the effects of this loss, potentially leading to longer, healthier lives for affected men.
Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz used AlphaFold to predict the structures of new protein knots, discovering the most complex knot and composite knots. These findings provide insight into folding mechanisms and evolutionary processes in proteins.
The NBSTRN 2022 Network Meeting showcased recent advancements in Newborn Screening (NBS) research, including Whole Genome Sequencing as Screening, Rare Disease advocacy, and Congenital CMV research. The meeting aimed to facilitate policy and research collaborations to improve NBS and rare disease outcomes.
The article discusses global disparities in Parkinson disease, identifying six key areas for improvement: disease burden, advocacy and awareness, prevention and risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment, and care, caregiver support, and research. These findings aim to inform policy decisions and drive action towards reducing health inequities.
Scientists developed a novel multilayer coating to improve the longevity of steel, increasing its lifespan by up to 400 hours. The coating, comprising three layers, was found to provide higher resistance to rust than conventional Zn coatings.
A UTSA professor will use a five-year $550,000 grant to study natural language processing and develop NLP models tailored to specific population groups. The goal is to improve the accuracy and relevance of these models in everyday applications.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered a protein complex that allows hepatitis A virus to replicate. They found that the oral compound RG7834 stops viral replication in an animal model, providing proof-of-principle for antiviral therapy.
Researchers at Saarland University are developing orthopaedic implants that can actively stimulate bone healing by undergoing controlled micromotions. These innovative implants, which use shape-memory wires, can provide real-time information on fracture progression and identify potential complications.
Researchers developed a neural network algorithm that recognizes emotions and engagement from video images of faces, outperforming existing models in accuracy. The system can be integrated into video conferencing tools and online learning systems to analyze participant engagement and emotions.
A team of researchers has successfully connected a partially paralyzed man's brain to a pair of robotic arms, allowing him to feed himself using subtle motor signals. The 'shared control strategy' enables the user to customize robot behavior with limited human input, creating a 'best of both worlds' environment.
The Biofinder instrument has successfully detected bio-residue in ancient fish fossils from the Green River formation, confirming that biological residues can survive millions of years. The device's capabilities make it an ideal tool for future NASA missions to detect signs of past life on other planetary bodies.
A novel liquid biopsy test can accurately detect cancer DNA in the blood of patients with metastatic breast cancer within five hours, potentially helping oncologists determine if treatments are working. The test's diagnostic accuracy is 85%, correctly detecting cancer 83% of the time and ruling out cancer 92% of the time.
A team of researchers from Kyushu University has developed an olfactory sensor capable of identifying individuals by analyzing the compounds in their breath. The system, combined with machine learning, achieved an average accuracy of over 97% in authenticating up to 20 individuals.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed an accessible way to make N95 face masks that can kill viruses and bacteria on contact. The antiviral masks use a simple process with widely available tools, reducing plastic waste by allowing for longer wear.
Researchers use machine learning to automatically analyze Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED) data, enabling faster and more efficient discovery of new materials. The study focused on surface superstructures in thin-film silicon surfaces and identified optimal synthesis conditions using non-negative matrix factorization.
Researchers developed an AI method to automatically detect plaque erosion in heart arteries using OCT images. The new technique uses neural networks and post-processing algorithms to predict regions of possible plaque erosion and refine the initial prediction based on clinically interpretable features.
Researchers have developed a unique 3D printed system to harvest mesenchymal stem cells from bioreactors, which can be used for various treatments. The system combines microfluidics and 3D printing to process adult stem cells, potentially making stem cell therapies more widely available.
A massive global study of social distancing motivations has yielded new insights into the effectiveness of different styles of messaging. Autonomy-supportive messages that encouraged personal agency were found to be more effective in influencing individuals' behaviors than controlling or shaming messages.
Researchers developed a color filter with metasurfaces that can display vivid images on a filter as thin as three strands of hair. The filter offers 120-170 times higher resolution than high-end smartphone screens and can control individual pixel colors for various applications.
Scientists at Chung-Ang University have created a new catalyst that can efficiently generate hydrogen from water without the need for expensive noble metals. The innovative heterostructured material boosts both the half-reactions, improving its overall performance and paving the way for large-scale industrial applications.
Researchers developed a rapid blood assay that measures the magnitude and duration of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, allowing large-scale monitoring of population immunity. The test takes less than 24 hours to perform and is scalable to use broadly in the population.
Researchers have successfully integrated microcomb-driven silicon photonic systems, increasing data capacity and efficiency in large integrated circuits. The technology, developed by UCSB professor John Bowers and collaborators, enables the creation of high-speed data links with unprecedented scalability.
A new study by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus explores the effects of multiple mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants. The findings suggest that certain mutations work together to improve virus fitness, making it challenging for antibody treatments to neutralize new variants.
A study by WVU researcher Ednilson Bernardes found that supplier pool pressure contributed to the oversupply of prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. The researchers analyzed transactions from 2006-2012, revealing that over 90% of supply came from just three generics manufacturers.
A Washington State University research team developed a system using cameras and small drones to detect and deter pest birds. The system successfully reduced bird counts by four-fold in vineyards, resulting in a 50% reduction in damaged fruits. Further refinement and industry partnerships are needed for commercialization.
Researchers from NICT demonstrated a record-breaking 1.02 petabit per second transmission capacity in a 4-core MCF with a standard 0.125 mm cladding diameter, exceeding 20 THz optical bandwidth with 801 parallel wavelength channels.
Researchers at the Lew lab have created a novel hardware and algorithm that enables visualization of cell membranes and molecular motions in six dimensions. This breakthrough allows for the observation of 3D structures with additional information on molecular orientation, providing new insights into biological systems.
A new study reveals that tidal flats in the southeastern US are under pressure from urbanization, leading to erosion and loss of these critical ecosystem guardians. The research highlights the need for sustainable management plans to mitigate the impacts of urban expansion on coastal environments.
McGill University researchers have created a class of cellular metamaterials that can flat-fold and lock into positions that remain stiff across multiple directions. These materials offer unprecedented properties for deployable structures such as submarines, robots, and low-volume packaging.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have made important discoveries on the crucial role of malnutrition in global tuberculosis, highlighting how gut infections impair treatment outcomes. A new funding partnership will train Tanzanian postdoctoral researchers to work specifically on this intersection.
Researchers at MIT developed a technique that enables an autonomous vehicle to plot a provably safe trajectory in highly uncertain situations. The algorithm considers probability of observing different environmental conditions and obstacles, and formulates trajectory planning as a probabilistic optimization problem.
The partnership aims to accelerate projects targeting the most dangerous bacteria. Since its founding, CARB-X has awarded $361 million to 92 projects from 12 countries.
Scientists found that lithium chloride can cause X-inactivation loss in female hESCs, leading to cell death. The study suggests a possible new model for regulating X-inactivation and warns against using GSK-3 inhibitors like lithium.
The 27th North American Meeting will focus on technological challenges, breakthrough discoveries, and state-of-the-art research in catalysis. The meeting features plenary lectures by renowned experts in the field.
A new screening tool has been developed to identify pregnant women at risk of eating disorders, allowing for early intervention and treatment. The Prenatal Eating Behaviors Screening (PEBS) tool, created by WVU researchers, uses a 12-question screener to assess symptoms and emotions associated with eating disorders.
A team from the University of Missouri is using artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery process in materials science. By integrating machine learning algorithms and AI into traditional laboratory processes, they aim to reduce time and cost while increasing the rate of material development. Associate Professor Derek T. Ander...
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed FAXID, a hardware-based approach for detecting ransomware that is significantly faster than software-based methods. In proof-of-concept testing, FAXID demonstrated accuracy comparable to XGBoost but with speeds up to 65.8 times faster.
A wireless pacifier developed by researchers at Washington State University can monitor infants' electrolyte levels without the need for invasive blood draws. This non-invasive method provides real-time monitoring of sodium and potassium ion concentrations in saliva.
A novel network analysis technology can pinpoint seizure originating brain regions and predict a patient's seizure outcome before surgery, using only 10 minutes of resting state recordings.
Researchers created synthetic proteoglycans to dissect their functions in health and disease, discovering new insights into their roles in early cell development and cancer cell spreading. They found that both GAG chains and core proteins contribute to proteoglycan function.
Researchers created a zebrafish model to study Bloom syndrome, uncovering similarities and species-specific novelties. The study found reduced fertility and shorter lifespan in mutant zebrafish, which are entirely male.
A low-cost ventilator prototype has been developed, making it accessible to all, including adults and children, with a potential price tag of USD $1500. The PVP1 project aims to provide a pressure-controlled ventilator research platform for compatible adult and pediatric uses.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that online retail images of models have statistically lighter skin tones than videos of the same product and model. The discrepancy was also linked to 'tokenism,' where one model with darker skin is used to represent a range of diversity.
A recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that improving market access has a positive impact on nutritional status in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, increasing crop diversity had little effect on children's growth and nutrition. Diversifying animal production, however, showed positive effects.
The electrochemistry designette is a pedagogical tool that enables instructors to visualize students' competence and misconceptions on electrochemical principles. Developed by SUTD researchers, the designette has proven highly effective in allowing instructors to spot misconceptions and provide prompt intervention.
Researchers aim to overcome physical limitations of telecommunications by creating immediate response regardless of distance. The eTouch project leverages Model-Mediated Teleoperation and Edge Computing to enable haptic feedback perception without noticeable delay.
A team of international researchers created digital models of disease interactions to identify key proteins and signaling cascades in seasonal allergies. They found that inhibiting PDGF-BB protein was more effective than existing treatments, suggesting a potential breakthrough in personalized medicine.
North Carolina State University researchers have developed a faster and less expensive technique for producing hindered amines, a class of chemicals used in various products. The new method uses continuous flow reactor technologies to produce hindered amines within 30 minutes, with minimal byproducts.
Researchers developed a fluorescent molecular probe, BOS, to detect bad cooking oils, improving the detection method for highly sensitive and accurate measurement. The Bad Oil Sensing System (BOSS) is a portable platform that can be used by consumers and the food industry to monitor oil quality.
Researchers developed a portable desalination unit weighing less than 10kg that removes particles and salts to generate clean drinking water. The device uses ion concentration polarization and electrodialysis processes, requiring minimal energy and maintenance.
Researchers developed a 3D imaging technique that captures thin peripheral blood vessels, aiding in diagnosing and treating peripheral vascular diseases. The new modality provides functional diagnostic values for blood supply to tissues without contrast agents.
A new study found a bi-directional relationship between gastrointestinal issues and internalized symptoms in children with autism, highlighting the importance of the gut-brain axis. The research aims to develop personalized treatments for individuals with autism experiencing gastrointestinal problems.
Researchers found no widespread systematic measurement bias in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) across race and sex. However, the study suggests potential underdetection of autism in certain groups, warranting further research to improve diagnosis accuracy.
A recent study by Boston Children's Hospital found a significant increase in adolescent suicide rates during the pandemic. The analysis of data from 2015 to 2020 revealed a sharp rise in suicides among youth aged 10-19, with 14 states experiencing particularly high numbers.
Researchers developed a machine-learning method that allows robots to pick up and place never-before-seen objects in random poses, requiring only 10 human demonstrations. The system uses a neural network specifically designed to reconstruct 3D shapes, enabling the robot to generalize to new object orientations.
Researchers develop technique to improve ACDF by testing variable angle screws, reducing risk of micro motion and subsidence. The cage-screw combination model shows promising potential for increased stiffness and reduced clinical failure.
Researchers at Samsung have developed a novel approach to inspect critical dimensions of semiconductor devices, improving speed and resolution. The new 'line-scan hyperspectral imaging' (LHSI) technique offers faster measurements with high spatial resolution, outperforming existing methods.
Researchers developed global forecasts that can provide up to a year's notice of marine heatwaves, which can dramatically affect ocean ecosystems. The forecasts help fishing fleets, ocean managers, and coastal communities anticipate the effects of marine heatwaves, reducing ecological and economic impacts.
Scientists at the University of Freiburg have developed a novel process for 3D printing small and complex components made of transparent glass. Using Glassomer materials and Computed Axial Lithography, they can create structures with thicknesses as low as 50 micrometers in just a few minutes.