News on R&D across science and industry. Covers R&D awards, applied studies, quantum institutes, and university research initiatives.
A team of researchers developed an acoustic metasurface-based holography technique that uses a deep learning algorithm to generate and iteratively improve a hologram of the Mona Lisa. The technique successfully reconstructed the painting, with even greater detail in her left eye.
Researchers have developed a new method for designing metasurfaces using photonic Dirac waveguides, enabling the creation of binary spin-like structures of light. This advances the field of meta-optics and opens opportunities for integrated quantum photonics and data storage systems.
Perovskite photovoltaics are promising for generating solar energy due to their ability to be printed like newspapers and require less material than traditional technologies. However, these materials exhibit instabilities that can cause them to degrade quickly, hindering their commercial viability.
University of Houston researchers have created digital applications to enhance energy efficiency, including calculators for hydrocarbon MMP, carbon dioxide MMP, and viscosity. These tools offer significantly higher accuracy than current methods, helping engineers save time and resources.
Researchers developed a fully knitted, circuit-embedded knee wearable for wireless sensing of joint motion in real-time. The wearable overcomes limitations of typical wearable sensors by using a single fabric with high stretchability and sensitivity.
Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is crucial for US states with decarbonization goals to address variable energy generation and customer demands. LDES systems can store renewable energy until needed, providing a reliable solution for a decarbonized grid.
A nationwide study of nearly 10,000 adults identifies 12 hallmarks of long COVID, including debilitating fatigue, loss of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The findings provide a new scoring system for clinicians to define and investigate treatments for patients with long COVID.
A new AI framework developed by Danish researchers significantly improves the accuracy of early stroke identification by human emergency call handlers. The study found that the AI framework achieved a recall of 63.0% and precision of 24.9%, compared to 52.7% and 17.1% for human handlers, respectively.
Researchers propose separating EHR time outside scheduled appointments as 'after-hours' to improve accuracy and replicability of EHR workload studies. Refining vendor-defined measures will facilitate comparative research among health systems, illuminating the link between EHR workload and provider burnout.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a failed antibiotic that can effectively kill two of Australia's most problematic weeds, annual ryegrass and wild radish, without harming bacterial or human cells. This finding could lead to faster development of new weed killers, saving farmers billions of dollars each year.
A new camera technology developed by Aarhus University and Newtec Engineering A/S aims to make it easier to recycle plastic materials. The technology uses hyperspectral imaging to analyze the chemical composition of plastic waste, allowing for the removal of unwanted additives that may be banned or harmful.
A new weight loss tool called PATHWEIGH was developed to address clinician barriers in providing patient care that addresses weight. The tool has shown early success and has been implemented in a health system's primary care clinics, improving weight management efforts among patients with obesity.
Researchers developed a rapid mixing reaction method to synthesize trifluoromethyl intermediate from fluoroform, taking less than a second. The new technique allows for improved yield of fluoride-based compounds and introduces a robust synthesis method for fluorine-based drugs.
University of Houston researchers create sensitive and reliable sensors for harsh conditions, operating up to 900 degrees Celsius. The sensors, made from flexible ultrawide-bandgap single-crystalline AlN thin films, offer advantages for applications in nuclear plants, neutron exposure, and wearable health care monitoring.
Researchers have developed a solvent-free process to manufacture lithium-ion battery electrodes that are greener and cheaper than traditional methods. The new process produces electrodes that can charge faster, with a capacity of 78% in just 20 minutes.
A €2.5million European research programme, FRIETS, is increasing the shelf-life of berries through high-precision agriculture and innovative processing methods while maintaining quality. The four-year project combines precision agriculture strategies with dehydration and edible coating methods to discover healthier food alternatives.
A large-scale study published in JAMA Neurology has demonstrated an association between trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease. Researchers compared health data from approximately 160,000 Navy and Marine veterans who served at Camp Lejeune or Camp Pendleton between 1975-1985, where TCE was used for ...
The European Space Agency has commissioned an engineering study to test the reliability of meta-optical elements in space. The collaboration aims to advance remote sensing systems while overcoming size and weight constraints, enabling innovative applications for Earth observation data.
Robert House, a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University, has been selected as one of Forbes Magazine's prestigious 30 people to watch under 30 in Europe Science and Healthcare. He is working on developing innovative, sustainable Na-ion battery materials that promise to be significantly lower cost than conventional Li-ion batteries.
The University of Kentucky and its partners in Kentucky and Tennessee have been awarded a $1 million NSF Engines Development Award to advance circular economy technologies. The award aims to create a diverse innovation hub that secures U.S. competitiveness in Next-Generation Manufacturing and supply chain logistics.
A new method developed by Cornell researchers provides tools to interpret discarded X-ray crystallography data, enabling better understanding of proteins' movement, structure, and function. This breakthrough could lead to designing new drugs targeting specific proteins.
The article highlights the risks of AI misuse, including its impact on democracy, job loss, and social division. Experts warn that self-improving AGI poses an existential threat to humanity, and call for regulation to minimize harm and maximize benefits.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed high-adsorption phosphates that can efficiently capture radionuclide cesium ions. These phosphates outperform standard adsorbents with record-high adsorption capacities, making them promising candidates for radioactive waste disposal.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $1.4 million Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) grant to LSU Health New Orleans. The program aims to enhance the diversity of the biomedical sciences research workforce by preparing individuals from underrepresented backgrounds for PhD degree programs.
Researchers at UVA Health System have made a breakthrough discovery about the role of microglia in seizure disorders. The study suggests that enhancing microglial activity could be a promising approach to preventing and managing seizures, offering new hope for patients who don't respond to existing treatments.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University will investigate the links between multimodal transportation, climate adaptation and resilience. The center aims to promote transit access, sustainable communities and resilient development.
A new high-speed two-photon microscope was developed with an unprecedented line scanning frequency of 400 kHz, achieving up to 10,000 frames per second. This allowed for precise observations of complex biological processes in living tissues, including calcium signal propagation and blood flow measurements.
A Texas A¼M researcher has received a $3M NSF grant to test 3D printing living matter for substituting petroleum-based plastics in packaging, furniture and construction industries. The project aims to create locally available materials that can generate domestic jobs.
Researchers have created a novel bioadhesive material to facilitate stem cell transplantation into damaged cartilage. The adhesive, derived from mussel protein and hyaluronic acid, enables the secure encapsulation of stem cells, promoting cartilage regeneration.
A Bentley University study shows that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests similarly to the pharmaceutical industry in bringing new drugs to market. The NIH spent $187 billion on research related to FDA-approved drugs between 2010-2019, with an average investment per approved drug of $1.7 billion.
Researchers developed a new photonic blockchain called LightHash that uses a silicon photonics chip to reduce energy consumption in cryptocurrency mining. The approach could enable low-energy optical computing, reducing data centers' energy consumption and paving the way for more eco-friendly cryptocurrencies.
A mobile application utilizing Python and a single-element ultrasound transducer has been developed for photoacoustic tomography (PAT) image reconstruction. The application successfully reconstructs high-quality images with signal-to-noise ratio values above 30 decibels, making it suitable for point-of-care diagnosis in low-resource se...
Developed by University of Georgia researchers, the superfoam conducts electricity, cleans polluted water, and resists blood, microbes, and proteins. Its versatility makes it a valuable resource for clinicians and environmental remediation professionals.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive technique using laser speckle imaging to visualize microvasculature in donor hearts and detect abnormal blood flow. The method enables precise visualization of blood circulation, potentially identifying hearts suitable for transplantation.
A cell therapy using myeloid cells bound to drug delivery microparticles reduces disease burden in a preclinical multiple sclerosis model. The therapy partially reverses hind limb paralysis and improves motor functions.
A new PANDA-project aims to develop and test an ear-EEG device that can screen patients for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The technology measures brain electrical activity and sleep patterns, with the goal of identifying early signs of the diseases and enabling earlier diagnosis.
Nagoya University researchers have developed a poly(styrenesulfonic acid)-based PEM with an ultrahigh density of sulfonic acid groups, exceeding five times that of typical commercially available membranes. The new membrane exhibits a proton conductivity of 0.93 S/cm at 80°C under 90%RH, six times higher than Nafion or Selemion under th...
Scientists at TUM create genetic reporter proteins that can be resolved by electron microscopy, unveiling invisible cellular structures and processes. The discovery enables further research into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic cell production.
Researchers at UMass Amherst microbiologists have identified an enzyme involved in TB pathogen's survival and growth. The discovery offers a potential target for drug therapies for the deadly disease, which has few effective treatments and caused over 1.6 million deaths worldwide in 2021.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm that allows electronic devices to express uncertainty when faced with unexpected data, improving cough detection technology. The new approach enables more precise detection with fewer sound samples per second, reducing computing power and addressing privacy concerns.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have created a new material that can bend in half or stretch to twice its original length while still emitting light. The stretchable OLED display has applications in wearable electronics, health sensors, and foldable computer screens.
Researchers developed an AI-based method for virtual staining of histopathological tissue samples, producing images that closely resemble actual chemical-stained samples. This reduces chemical burden and manual work while enabling the use of tissues for other purposes.
Researchers discovered a misfolded alpha-synuclein protein as a potential biomarker for early detection of Parkinson's disease. The test was accurate in detecting the disease 87% of the time and identifying its absence 96% of the time.
Researchers developed a multifunctional patch that detects plant diseases and abiotic stresses like drought or salinity. The patch can detect viral infections up to a week before symptoms appear, enabling growers to take action earlier.
A novel biorefinery process has been developed to minimize the usage of external utilities by reusing by-products from biomass production. The process successfully reduced the total process energy and supplied it by itself, as well as utilizing excess solid by-products for building materials and other purposes.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that using AI in conversations improves communication efficiency and positive emotional language, but participants perceive their partner as less cooperative when suspected of using AI-suggested responses.
The POSTECH team developed a multifunctional tip-enhanced spectroscopy that dynamically controls the physical properties of quasiparticles in 2D materials. This technology increases interlayer excitons' luminous efficiency by 9,000 times and modulates their energy.
A new fluorescent probe, TiY, has been developed to selectively target and kill cancer stem cells, which are responsible for tumor growth. The probe can be used to simultaneously diagnose and treat cancer, offering a promising approach to improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers successfully add purified curcumin to probiotic yogurt, preserving its dissolved form and enhancing its health properties. The study shows that the curcumin inhibits yeast, fungi, and bacteria growth while maintaining the recommended levels of beneficial lactic acid bacteria.
Researchers designed a mechanism for peer-to-peer energy trading in smart grids using a blockchain-based environment and an Arrow-d’Aspremont-Gerard-Varet (AGV) system to ensure security, efficiency, and transparency. The study found that the AGV mechanism is Bayesian incentive-compatible and budget-balanced under weak participation re...
A novel copper-containing polymeric filter can effectively capture carbon dioxide from the air, converting it into sodium bicarbonate that can be released harmlessly into the ocean. The technology has garnered international attention and could be powered by renewable energy in the future.
Researchers at West Virginia University are exploring iodine-based thrusters as an alternative to traditional fuel sources, aiming to reduce dependence on rare noble gases. They plan to develop diagnostic technology to measure the performance of these thrusters, paving the way for widespread use in space exploration.
Researchers discover ZBTB12, a molecular barrier that prevents dedifferentiation in human pluripotent stem cells, and shed light on the core differentiation mechanism.
A team led by Professor Yoshihiro Yamazaki from Kyushu University discovered the chemical innerworkings of a perovskite-based electrolyte developed for solid oxide fuel cells. By combining synchrotron radiation analysis, large-scale simulations, machine learning, and thermogravimetric analysis, they found that protons are introduced at...
Researchers have developed a functional polymeric binder for stable, high-capacity anode material that can increase the current EV range at least 10-fold. The new polymer utilizes hydrogen bonding and Coulombic forces to control volumetric expansion, resulting in a thick high-capacity electrode and maximum energy density.
The new center aims to amplify biomedical research and human health applications, fostering collaboration among innovators. BRIC members will have access to resources and support for applying their nuclear physics expertise in new areas.
Researchers have developed a practical method to generate green hydrogen using natural enzymes, which contain only earth-abundant elements. The new approach enables the efficient production of green hydrogen from sunlight, making it a promising solution for decarbonizing transportation and industries.
A new technique combines machine learning with short-wave infrared fluorescence imaging to detect precise tumor boundaries with higher accuracy than traditional methods. The approach achieved a remarkable per-pixel classification accuracy of 97.5 percent and demonstrated robustness against changes in imaging conditions.
Researchers developed a hybrid micro-robot that can navigate in physiological environments and capture targeted damaged cells. The micro-robot uses electric and magnetic mechanisms to identify and transport single cells for further study.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have created a high-performance AI semiconductor device using IGZO, achieving over 98% accuracy in handwritten data classification. The new device's design enables efficient linear and symmetric programming, making it suitable for large-scale AI applications.