Articles tagged with Graduate Students
A new study reveals that humans have a stereo sense of smell, using binaral disparity to guide navigation. Results from psychophysical testing showed a moderate binaral disparity biases perceived direction towards the higher-concentration side, reminiscent of stereo vision.
Researchers studied a man with a rare degenerative brain disease who couldn't see numbers, finding his brain processed faces and words without awareness. The study suggests additional neural processing is required for awareness, which was impaired in the individual.
Researchers at Stanford University have devised a model that considers the impact of interactions between developers and landowners on the success and cost of wind farms. The model highlights three actions developers could take to increase landowner acceptance and ultimately reduce costs, including community engagement meetings, prelim...
Researchers isolated single BNNTs using a fluorescent rhodamine surfactant, allowing them to track their movement and confirm Brownian motion matches predictions. This study helps understand particle behavior in liquids and could lead to the development of novel composite materials and biomedical applications.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed synthetic bryostatin analogs that boost the effectiveness of cell therapies and show promise as a functional cure for HIV/AIDS. The new compounds were tested on lab-grown human cancer cells and found to be more effective than bryostatin in some cases.
A University of Cincinnati study analyzed 1,351 candidate responses and found that women candidates tend to run more sophisticated campaigns with a focus on general themes. Despite this, women often face challenges in winning elections due to various factors such as voter demographics and campaign strategies.
Researchers at MIT developed a system called PUnS that lets robots plan and perform complex tasks like setting a dinner table under uncertain conditions. The system enables robots to weigh multiple requirements and choose the most likely action, based on a 'belief' about probable specifications for the task.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Mozilla developed a new sandboxing approach for web browsers using WebAssembly. This approach shifts some browser code into secure sandboxes, preventing malicious code from taking over users' computers.
A study found that gray whales are 4.3 times more likely to strand during solar storms due to radio frequency noise disrupting their navigational sense. Researchers believe the noise overwhelms the whales' senses, preventing them from navigating altogether.
A system created by MIT researchers can pinpoint and replace specific information in Wikipedia sentences while retaining humanlike grammar and style. This technology has potential to automatically update factual inconsistencies in Wikipedia articles, reducing time and effort spent by human editors.
Researchers from CSU's HOMEChem experiment found sharp spikes in hypochlorous acid and chlorine when mopping floors with bleach, revealing a new world of indoor chemistry. The team also observed interactions between nitrogen and ammonia emissions from cooking with cleaning products.
A new cryptocurrency-routing scheme, Spider, has been developed to boost the efficiency of certain networks designed to speed up blockchain transactions. This routing scheme lets users invest only a fraction of funds in each account, allowing for roughly four times more transactions before rebalancing on the blockchain.
Researchers at University of Waterloo have developed a novel approach called FLAIR, which optimizes data storage systems by utilizing all servers within a network. This leads to improved storage efficiency and output speed, resulting in faster data retrieval times up to 97%.
Student science policy groups receive grants to engage community leaders and policymakers, with a focus on building collaborative efforts between STEM scientists and social scientists. The program aims to promote a culture of civic science and inform decisions of great importance to society.
A comprehensive study by Harvard scientists found that music pervades social life in similar ways worldwide, with behaviors such as infant care, healing, dance, and love associated with specific musical features. The Natural History of Song database collected recordings from 315 societies and 5,000 song descriptions, revealing common p...
A study by Georgia State University researchers found that monkeys were more willing to explore efficient options when solving problems, whereas humans tend to stick with familiar strategies. This cognitive bias can lead to inefficient decisions and missed opportunities.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to amplify the light emitted by molecules using plasmonic nanoparticles. By optimizing the spectral frequency overlap between the molecule and nanoparticle, they can enhance signal detection up to 10 times. This technique has potential applications in analyzing catalysts and improv...
A new federal grant will provide Kent State graduate students with invaluable opportunities to study primates and human evolution at Kyoto University in Japan. The International Research Experience for Students (IRES) grant, awarded by the National Science Foundation, will allow six students to travel to Japan each summer for three years.
Researchers build robots entirely from smaller robots called smarticles to unlock a new locomotion technique, enabling movement in response to stimuli. The supersmarticle, formed by five smarticles, can navigate mazes and change shape on demand.
A smart sink was tested at Stanford University to see if it could help people use less water while still being comfortable. The results showed that participants used up to 26% less water when washing dishes with the automated faucet.
Researchers from Harvard SEAS developed a mathematical framework that can turn any sheet of material into any prescribed shape. The framework, inspired by paper craft kirigami, uses cuts to change flexibility and morph into 3D shapes.
Researchers led by Abhijit Ghosh are studying the unknown fault that caused a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Ridgecrest, California. The team aims to understand the physics behind earthquakes and develop more effective warning systems.
Rice University scientists develop a unique two-dimensional material with sharp zigzag boundaries, showcasing promise for optoelectronics and advanced computing. The material's band gap can be tuned in a controllable way, opening up new avenues for research and potential applications.
The American Society of Plant Biologists will establish a mentorship award in honor of legendary plant scientist Winslow Briggs. The award recognizes outstanding commitment to mentoring and supporting next-generation scientists, with the inaugural recipient to chair a symposium at the ASPB annual conference.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a set of eight fluorescent surfactants that can capture images of single nanotubes or cells using fluorescent microscopy. These compounds show promise for use in medicine, manufacturing, water purification and biomedical applications.
Researchers at Princeton University successfully built microtubules from scratch, revealing the branching pattern that enables cell growth and reproduction. Their study, published in eLife, provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these cellular structures.
Researchers will investigate the effects of Eastern Red Cedar's ecological processes and environmental factors on its range expansion. The project aims to understand how this invasive species impacts native plants and soil-nutrient availability.
The team, led by Xiaowei Zhuang, captured the first recorded rotational steps of a molecular motor as it moved from one DNA base pair to another. They used DNA origami to build molecule-sized propellers that allowed them to visualize the motor's movement.
Researchers found that walkers who use straight arms conserve energy and reduce their cost by 11% compared to bending their elbows. However, the study did not find any significant difference in energy costs between arm postures for runners. The exact reason behind runner's bent arm posture remains a mystery.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a new system that combines demonstrations and user preference surveys to set goals for autonomous systems, achieving better results in simulations and real-world experiments. The system improved upon previous methods, reducing the time required to generate instructions by 15-50 times.
A study from the University at Buffalo found that people experience a 'paralyzing paradox' when faced with too many options, leading to fear of making the wrong choice. To manage this, considering the relative importance of the choice and having clear guidelines can help scale down decision-making process.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new latching mechanism for autonomous boats, allowing them to form 'pop-up' structures such as bridges and stages. This innovation enables more efficient use of Amsterdam's canals for transportation, waste collection, and other purposes.
The ACM Student Research Competition, sponsored by Microsoft, recognizes promising computer science students who receive travel grants to present their original research at well-known conferences. The top three winners in both graduate and undergraduate categories receive prizes of $500, $300, and $200, respectively.
The new design achieves around 95% indistinguishability and three times higher efficiency than traditional cavities. It enables the production of high-quality single photons necessary for practical quantum computing, solving problems intractable for classical computers.
The Department of Energy has selected 70 graduate students to conduct part of their thesis research at host DOE laboratories. The students are pursuing Ph.D.s in various STEM fields and will receive supplemental funding for up to a year.
The ACMG Foundation established a student travel scholarship fund to address the genetic workforce deficit, supporting medical and graduate students attending the 2019 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting. The scholarship fund will benefit recipients through educational sessions, peer engagement, and research opportunities.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) to improve the stability of lithium metal batteries, allowing for increased energy density and safety. The SEI is made from a reactive polymer composite that creates a stable bond between the lithium electrode and electrolyte.
The study found that the Palu earthquake propagated unusually fast, identifying it as a supershear. Supershear earthquakes release more energy in a shorter time due to the rapid movement of the rupture along the fault.
The study found that Martian rocks are less compacted and more porous than expected, with a grain density of 2810 kg/m³ versus 1680 kg/m³. This suggests that the rocks have been compressed less, possibly due to reduced material buried over time.
The University of Cincinnati design team has created a naloxone-dispensing smart device called AntiOD, which is designed to educate the public on signs of overdose and how to administer naloxone. The device will be installed in semi-public places with step-by-step instructions for bystanders.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno used satellite imagery to analyze changes in snowpacks in the Great Basin. The study found that topography plays a role in determining snowpack duration and that warmer temperatures are leading to more ephemeral snowpacks.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii have developed a recombinant subunit vaccine that uses only a small part of the Zika virus to protect against infection. The vaccine has shown efficacy in both mice and monkeys, providing an important milestone in its development.
Ubadah Sabbagh, a Roanoke-based Virginia Tech graduate student, has been selected as a Society for Neuroscience fellow. He will receive funding to attend conferences and be paired with senior mentors through the two-year training initiative.
A new study by San Francisco State University researchers found that offering job-related support and emotional support have roughly the same effect. Simply making resources available is often more consistently positive than overtly discussing it. Employers are advised to think carefully before providing support, considering whether it...
Chris Fox, a space buff since childhood, and his team discovered exoplanet Kepler 159d by analyzing the orbits of nearby planets. The exoplanet has a mass similar to Saturn's and likely consists of gases with no solid surface.
The University of Virginia School of Engineering's Link Lab has earned a $3 million National Science Foundation grant to create a training program for Ph.D. students in cyber-physical systems. The program will emphasize hands-on learning, research on real-world problems, and professional development.
The Rice University graduate-level bioelectronics program aims to develop technologies at the cell/material interface, focusing on light-harvesting systems and implantable devices. The five-year program will train students from various departments to tackle bioelectronics challenges collaboratively.
A team of Penn State mechanical engineers developed a self-healing membrane that screens out smaller objects while allowing larger ones to pass through. The membrane responds to an object's kinetic energy and can be optimized for various applications, including medical devices and sanitation systems.
The ShareBackup system uses fast switches and software to take over network traffic after a failure, minimizing downtime for applications. It can analyze problems, including misconfigurations, and diagnose faulty devices, helping data centers optimize their networks.
Researchers at MIT have found a way to break dry spaghetti into exactly two pieces by twisting and then slowly bending it. The team developed an apparatus to control the twist and bend, and used it to test hundreds of sticks, finding that this method works consistently across different types of spaghetti.
The Hemingway Letters Project has received a three-year NEH grant to publish nearly 6,000 surviving letters written by Ernest Hemingway, including previously unpublished work. The project will cover volumes five through seven, spanning 1932-1941.
Golden-crowned sparrows have different ways to assess dominance status depending on whether the interaction is with a familiar bird or a stranger. With familiar birds, social recognition governs dominance relationships, while with strangers, crown plumage takes center stage.
A collection of 40 personal accounts from women chemists in academia provide inspiration to future generations, highlighting the barriers women face in academia. The book aims to raise awareness and inspire female students to consider an academic career in science.
Researchers found that climate plays a significant role in shaping river basins, with dry climates resulting in long and thin basins regardless of size. In contrast, larger humid basins are longer and thinner, while smaller humid basins are wider and shorter.
The project aims to develop a new software system for spectral analysis of complex astrophysical objects. The team plans to use this software to model various objects such as single stars and double star systems with relativistic sources of hard radiation.
A new Portland State University study suggests that universities should invest in training graduate students in 21st century teaching methods, which do not compromise research careers. The study found that Ph.D. students trained in evidence-based teaching methods can be competitive researchers, if not better than those who are not.
Engineers at UCF have discovered a way to release fragrant oil from oranges, mimicking nature's mechanism to create microjets. This discovery may lead to less expensive and biodegradable methods for delivering medication, as well as innovative solutions for detecting bridge failures.
Researchers developed a new technique called intron seqFISH that allows for the imaging of over 10,000 genes within single cells. This technique provides precise and instantaneous snapshots of single cells, revealing that gene expression oscillates globally across many genes on a surprisingly short timescale.
The ancient Rapa Nui people used a parbuckling technique to transport massive stone hats (pukao) onto statues, weighing up to 12 metric tons. The analysis of pukao shapes reveals physical constraints associated with transport, supporting the idea that Rapa Nui people were ingenious in their use of resources.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers found that oil and gas wastewater can be effective at suppressing dust, but it also carries high salt, organic, and radioactivity concentrations. The team recommends using alternative materials or treatment to remove contaminants before using the wastewater.