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Math gets real in strong, lightweight structures

Rice researchers successfully printed complex schwarzite structures with computer algorithms and 3-D printers, showcasing their strength, lightness, and durability. The discovery may lead to high-load-bearing components for buildings, cars, and aircraft, as well as nanoscale electronic devices and battery components.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 16, 2017

Building better silk

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create reconstituted silk that is more than twice as stiff as its natural counterpart. The material has potential applications in medical sutures, scaffolding for new skin or other biomaterials, and sensing devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2017

Bonobos help strangers without being asked

Researchers studied wild-born bonobos at a sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The results showed that bonobos will help strangers get food even when there is no immediate payback. This behavior is linked to a basic form of empathy called emotional contagion, which suggests that bonobos are also contagious with yawning.

SourceDuke University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 7, 2017

Creating a better RNA switch

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a powerful RNA switch that can activate genes thousands of times better than nature, providing precise control over gene expression. This technology has potential applications in diagnostics, metabolic engineering, and regulating RNA networks.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2017

Terahertz spectroscopy goes nano

Researchers at Brown University have improved the resolution of laser terahertz emission microscopy (LTEM) to 20 nanometers, enabling detailed imaging of individual nanostructures. This technique can be used to study a wide variety of materials, including semiconductors and perovskite solar cells.

SourceBrown University·JournalACS Photonics·DateOct 19, 2017

New Amazon threat? Deforestation from mining

A comprehensive study found that mining operations in Brazil are destroying a significant portion of the Amazon forest, with 90% of deforestation occurring outside mine lease boundaries. The research suggests that mining is now a substantial cause of Amazon forest loss, warranting action.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 18, 2017

Rice U. lab surprised by ultraflat magnets

Researchers at Rice University created ultraflat magnets with magnetic properties by adding rhenium to two-dimensional materials, expanding possibilities for spintronic devices. The discovery was made using chemical vapor deposition and doping techniques.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 11, 2017

In plain sight

Human brains tend to miss objects that are mis-scaled, even when they're in view. Researchers found this phenomenon in eye-tracking studies, but not in computer vision algorithms like deep neural networks. This study aims to better understand human visual search strategies and improve computer vision.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 26, 2017

Rainbow colors reveal cell history

Researchers developed a method to trace the history of beta-cells in zebrafish, revealing dynamic sub-populations with different developmental histories. These findings have implications for understanding diabetes progression and developing effective strategies for beta-cell regeneration and protection.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 22, 2017

Evolutionary arms 'chase'

A recent study challenged the conventional view of coevolution between plants and herbivores, suggesting that plants' defensive traits, rather than their genetic relationships, are key factors in determining which species herbivores target. This new paradigm proposes that herbivores may 'chase' or switch hosts based on the plant's defe...

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 21, 2017

Boron nitride foam soaks up carbon dioxide

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new material that can absorb up to 340% of its weight in carbon dioxide, making it a promising solution for capturing greenhouse gases. The boron nitride foam is highly porous and can be tuned for specific applications.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 16, 2017

The oldest 'bad boy' in the world

Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena reconstructed a 300 million-year-old beetle from Australia, shedding new light on the earliest developments in beetles. The 'Bad Boy' exhibits an unorthodox mix of ancestral and modern characteristics, challenging traditional beetle classification.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Systematic Palaeontology·DateJul 24, 2017

Climate change: Biodiversity rescues biodiversity in a warmer world

Researchers found that climate warming can both increase and decrease biodiversity, with higher diversity providing a buffer against environmental changes. In a study, warming meadows led to more nematode species, but those species were also more similar to each other, limiting the 'insurance' effect of increased diversity.

Making waves

Researchers at IST Austria and Nvidia introduce a novel representation of waves that improves visual detail and user control while reducing computing cost. The method allows for more versatile and physically plausible simulations with minimal extra work.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJul 3, 2017