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Understanding the short circuit in solid-state batteries

Max Planck researchers have discovered how microscopic dendrites induce fractures in solid-state batteries, leading to short circuits. By understanding the counterintuitive phenomenon of dendrite formation, they've identified potential strategies to prevent or delay cracking.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature

Why solid-state batteries keep short circuiting

Researchers discovered that faster dendrite growth is associated with lower stress levels in a commonly used battery electrolyte material, revealing chemical reactions as a new culprit behind the problem. The study provides guidance for designing stronger electrolytes to make solid-state batteries successful.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

New synaptic formation in adolescence challenges conventional views of brain development

Researchers from Kyushu University found that the brain forms new, high-density clusters of synapses on specific segments of dendrites during adolescence, challenging the 'adolescent synaptic pruning' hypothesis. This discovery may offer new hope for understanding the biological basis of schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental condi...

SourceKyushu University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study

Breakthrough in materials science: AI reveals secrets of dendritic growth in thin films

A new AI model developed by Tokyo University of Science's researchers predicts dendritic growth in thin films, offering a powerful pathway for optimizing thin-film fabrication. The model analyzes morphology using persistent homology and machine learning with energy analysis, revealing conditions that drive branching behavior.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalScience and Technology of Advanced Materials Methods·TypeExperimental study

SwRI collaborates with UTSA to track neurons with machine vision algorithms

Researchers created a computational method to track brain cell development over time, capturing unlabeled cells and fine structures in live cultures. The algorithm achieved high precision rates for detecting individual neurons, paving the way for studying neurological diseases and developing therapies.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Charting super-colorful brain wiring using an AI's super-human eye

Scientists at Kyushu University created QDyeFinder, an AI pipeline that untangles the dense neuronal networks in the brain. The system uses a super-multicolor labeling protocol to tag neurons and then automatically identifies their structure by matching similar color combinations.

SourceKyushu University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study

Fuelling nerve cell function and plasticity

Researchers at University of Cologne's CECAD Cluster of Excellence discovered that mitochondrial fusion boosts new neuron plasticity. The study found that as new neurons mature, their mitochondria fuse to acquire elongated shapes, sustaining synaptic plasticity and refining brain circuits.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNeuron
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

New study aims to unlock secrets of the human brain

A new study led by Dr. Richard Naud of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine tackles the mystery of neuronal response variability, controlling output with dendrites' inputs to the core and little antennas

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeData/statistical analysis

Researchers help unravel brain processes involved in vision

A team of researchers, including York University, used a mouse model to test how the brain learns new sensory input patterns. They found that the brain's response to image patterns that violate expectations evolves differently over time, suggesting a distinct role in sensory learning.

SourceYork University·JournalJNeurosci

Intestinal bacteria metabolite promotes capture of antigens by dendritic cells

A team of researchers from Okayama University found that short-chain fatty acids produced by intestinal bacteria trigger elongation of dendrites in dendritic cells, capturing intestinal pathogens and enhancing immune responses. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments targeting dendritic cells to prevent diseases.

SourceOkayama University·JournalFEBS Journal·TypeExperimental study

Complex brain cell connections in the cerebellum more common than believed

Researchers found that nearly all Purkinje cells in the human cerebellum have multiple primary dendrites, which contradicts the traditional understanding of a one-to-one relationship between climbing fibers and Purkinje cells. This discovery was made possible by analyzing thousands of cells from both human and mouse tissue using immuno...

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study
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How neurons compete to lose their link

The study reveals that spontaneous waves of neurotransmitter glutamate facilitate dendrite pruning, while a unique protection/punishment machinery strengthens certain connections and eliminates others. Proper pruning is critical for neural development, with insufficient or excessive connections linked to neurophysiological disorders.

SourceKyushu University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study

New high-speed, two-photon microscope for precise biological imaging

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.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics

Mechanical forces in the nervous system play a corrective role

In a breakthrough study, researchers at Münster University revealed that mechanical tearing is the primary mechanism behind neurite pruning in sensory nerve cells of fruit flies. This process, which occurs during development, involves strong body contractions causing stress on fragile neurites, leading to their severance and removal.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Fruit flies grow brainy on a poor diet

Researchers at Kyoto University found that a poor, low-yeast diet causes fruit flies' larvae to grow dendrites in an unexpected way. The hyperarborization phenotype is triggered by a simultaneous deficiency in vitamins, metal ions, and cholesterol, which increases the production of Wingless signaling molecules from body wall muscle.

SourceKyoto University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study

New findings on memory impairment in epilepsy

Researchers at the University of Bonn discovered that people with chronic epilepsy may have impaired dendritic integration, leading to less specific place cell firing and reduced ability to distinguish familiar from unfamiliar places. Administering a sodium ion channel inhibitor improved memory in animal models.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalBrain

Silent synapses are abundant in the adult brain

Researchers at MIT have discovered that the adult brain contains millions of silent synapses, which may explain how the brain forms new memories without modifying existing connections. These inactive connections can be recruited to help form new memories when important new information is presented.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature

Engineers solve a mystery on the path to smaller, lighter batteries

Researchers at MIT discovered that mechanical stresses can prevent dendrites from forming in solid-state lithium batteries. The team developed a way to apply controlled pressure to divert the growth of dendrites, making lightweight batteries safer and more efficient.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJoule

How human cells become Zika virus factories

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered how Zika virus forces dendritic cells to churn out lipid molecules, allowing the virus to build copies of itself. This study provides a major step forward in developing antiviral therapies against multiple flavivirus infections.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Learning and remembering movement

Researchers discovered that each neuron performs complex calculations within its branches, enabling precise movements. This understanding may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease and autism.

SourceTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study

Primates and non-primates differ in the architecture of their neurons

Researchers found that primates and non-primates have distinct axonal origins, with axons emerging from dendrites more common in non-primates. This difference may influence neocortical information processing, but the exact function of axon-carrying dendrites remains unknown.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study

Researchers find new mechanism to turn on cancer-killing T cells

Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center and the University of Amsterdam have identified a new mechanism that prompts T cell responses, including MHC-I cross-dressing. This discovery may lead to improved vaccine design and targeted cancer treatment strategies.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalImmunity·TypeObservational study
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

How sleep helps to process emotions

Researchers at the University of Bern have identified how the brain processes emotions during dream sleep. During REM sleep, the brain favors the discrimination of safety versus danger in the dendrites, but blocks the over-reaction to emotion, particularly danger. This decoupling is essential for optimizing survival and stability.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalScience

Vitamin E can boost immunotherapy responses by reinvigorating dendritic cells

Researchers found that vitamin E boosts immunotherapy responses by stimulating dendritic cell activity, leading to improved antigen presentation and enhanced antitumor immunity. Vitamin E treatment also showed promise in combining with cancer vaccines and immunogenic chemotherapies.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Discovery

Autoimmune diseases: discovery of central building block in immune cells

A team of researchers at MedUni Vienna's Center for Physiology and Pharmacology has discovered a key building block in immune cells that promotes immunotolerance and prevents T-cell attacks on the body's own tissues. The study suggests a potential new cell-based therapeutic approach to slow down autoimmune disease progression.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalCell Reports
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Dendrites may help neurons perform complicated calculations

Researchers at MIT found that different types of dendrites process incoming information in distinct ways before sending it to the neuron's body. This specialization enables neurons to integrate various inputs and generate an appropriate response, particularly in navigation and planning movements.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron

Taking time with sound

Nagoya University researchers have discovered how bird brains compute time differences between sounds reaching each ear to determine their location. This process relies on the clustering of nerve junctions in specialized dendrites dedicated to low-frequency sounds.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study

Sodium-based material yields stable alternative to lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new sodium-based battery material that overcomes the dendrite problem in earlier sodium batteries. The new material recharges as quickly as a traditional lithium-ion battery and has a higher energy capacity than existing sodium-ion batteries.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study

A stealthy way to combat tumors

Researchers identified a subset of dendritic cells that can cloak themselves in tumor proteins and trigger a strong T cell response. Stimulating these dendritic cells may enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy by slowing the growth of melanoma and colon tumors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalImmunity
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Sufficient energy supply decisive for nerve development

A study involving Drosophila found that a constant and precisely regulated energy supply is essential for nerve development, particularly during the degradation of nerve connections. Malnutrition was shown to intensify defects in this process.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study

Gel fights drug-resistant bacteria and induces body’s natural immune defense

A new hydrogel treatment kills drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA, and induces the expression of naturally-existing antimicrobial peptides in human skin cells. The gel is non-toxic, biodegradable, and scalable.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study

Living retina achieves sensitivity and efficiency engineers can only dream about

The living retina achieves sensitivity and efficiency that human engineers can only dream about, with optimized mosaics of different sensitivities parsing 40 visual features. The retinas adapt to current conditions and conserve energy by tuning out noise, making them orders of magnitude less power-hungry than smartphone sensors.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis

New world record in materials research - X-ray microscopy with 1000 tomograms per second

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have achieved a new world record in materials research by using X-ray microscopy to create 1000 three-dimensional images per second. This allows for the non-destructive study of fast processes in materials, enabling researchers to gain insights into material properties and behavior.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study

Nerve fibre loss and rise in key immune cells on eye surface may signal 'long COVID'

A study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found nerve fibre damage and an increase in dendritic cells on the eye surface may be identifying features of 'long COVID'. Patients with neurological symptoms showed greater corneal nerve fibre loss and higher dendritic cell density compared to those without symptoms.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology
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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Biomolecular bonsai: Controlling the pruning and strengthening of neuron branches

Scientists identify BMPR-2 as a key regulator of selective stabilization of neuron branching, strengthening connections only when received signals from other neurons. Glutamic acid is also found to activate the process, demonstrating simultaneous control necessary for selective branch stabilization.

SourceKyushu University·JournalCell Reports

Long-term memory setup requires a reliable delivery crew

A recent study published in Cell Reports found that KIF5C plays a critical role in long-term memory formation by transporting RNA cargo to synapses. The research suggests that impairments in KIF5C could contribute to neurological disorders, such as intellectual disability and autism.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalCell Reports

Protein disguise could be new target for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers identified a protein that interferes with the immune system's response to cancer, allowing tumours to evade killer T-cells. Lower levels of this protein in tumours have been linked to improved survival rates in patients with specific types of cancer, such as liver, head and neck, and stomach cancers.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalCell

Immune cells promote proinflammatory fatty liver disease

Researchers discovered that type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1) promote progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by inducing inflammatory and aggressive behavior in T cells. Blocking or genetically modifying cDC1 alleviates symptoms in mice, suggesting a potential new approach to prevent serious liver damage.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalNature Medicine
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Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Shortcut for dendritic cells

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered that dendritic cells can migrate more quickly to lymph nodes via a newly found pathway during inflammation. This route allows them to bypass the slow and energy-intensive process of entering capillary vessels, enabling faster immune activation and response.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine

Skin and immune cells coordinate defenses against assault

A new study reveals that skin's epidermis layer is comprised of an army of immune cells that station themselves at regular intervals across the skin. When necessary, these cells reposition themselves to protect vulnerable areas, forming a dynamic surveillance system.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Cell Biology

A trait of the rare few whose bodies naturally control HIV: "trained" immune cells

Scientists discovered that elite controllers' myeloid dendritic cells display traits of trained innate immune cells, which enhance their ability to control HIV. The study also found a specific long-noncoding RNA, MIR4435-2HG, that may be an important driver of this enhanced state.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation

Important factor in the development of dendritic cells identified

A recent study found that c-Jun and JunB proteins play a crucial role in the development of Type 1 dendritic cells, which are essential for defending against bacteria and viruses. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for cancers and viral infections.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalCell Death and Differentiation
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Unravelling the secret of a critical immune cell for cancer immunity

Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered a critical immune cell type called cDC1 that helps control cancer and infections. The study highlights the importance of DC-SCRIPT, a new regulatory protein, in producing effective dendritic cells.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalScience Immunology

Key steps discovered in production of critical immune cell

WEHI researchers have uncovered a process cells use to fight off infection and cancer that could pave the way for precision cancer immunotherapy treatment. The study found how the Flt3L hormone increases dendritic cell numbers, helping the immune system fight off cancer and infection.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Cell Biology
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

A NEAT reduction of complex neuronal models accelerates brain research

A new study from the University of Bern has developed a simplified computational model to accelerate brain research. The approach uses a mathematical relation to reduce complexity while retaining accuracy, allowing for easier characterization and simulation of large neural networks.

SourceUniversity of Bern

Immunology - Functionality of immune cells in early life

Researchers have found that dendritic cells in young animals are capable of triggering effective immune reactions, challenging the conventional view on their immaturity. These findings suggest new ways to boost the efficacy of vaccines for young children.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Communications

Diseased cell fragments burst from pockets in immune cells to activate response

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute discovered that dendritic cells present proteins from dead cells to T-cells by bursting phagosomes, a process involving receptor DNGR-1. This mechanism is fundamental to the immune system and could lead to new ways to exploit natural defenses against infection and cancer.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalNature Immunology

A protein has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for leishmaniasis vaccines

A study published in Cell Reports identified a protein called SHP-1 as a key player in the Leishmania parasite's evasion of the human immune system. By activating SHP-1, the parasite can limit the capacity of dendritic cells to present antigens, thereby preventing autoimmune disorders and protecting itself from an immune response.

SourceUniversidad Complutense de Madrid·JournalCell Reports
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GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Proteins in motion

Scientists have found that surface diffusion of proteins is more effective at providing proteins to distal dendritic sites, reducing the need for protein production. By optimizing dendritic radii, neurons can reduce their protein synthesis cost by several orders of magnitude.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell

Researchers discover how to boost vaccine designed to prevent melanoma recurrence

Researchers found a vaccine created to prevent melanoma recurrence is about twice as effective when patients receive two immune-boosting components, Flt3L and poly-ICLC. This combination nearly doubled the vaccine's efficacy in promoting antibodies and T cells that can later fight melanoma.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Cancer