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Graphene oxide gets green

Rice University scientists have created an eco-friendly method for mass-producing graphene oxide, a crucial component in various industries. The new process uses common chemicals to produce the material, eliminating toxic gases and making it safer for large-scale production.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 22, 2010

Nanotubes pass acid test

Rice researchers have found a breakthrough solvent for carbon nanotubes, untangling long tubes and clearing the way for scalable methods to create strong, lightweight materials. The discovery brings the creation of a highly conductive quantum nanowire closer.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 14, 2010

NSF funds mathematical research at Stevens

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding a semester-long program on geometric, combinational, and computational group theory at the Centre de Recherches Mathmatiques in Montreal. Researchers will work together to discuss perspectives for advancing the field and disseminate knowledge among an international community of experts.

Virginia Tech mathematician wins international award

John A. Burns has been awarded the W. T. and Idelia Reid Prize in Mathematics for his fundamental contributions to computational methods and applications in control, design, and optimization of infinite dimensional dynamical systems. He is currently working on reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through modeling, s...

Genetic patterns rise from huge yeast samples

Researchers have devised a method to identify genetic material responsible for complex traits in millions of yeast cells, shedding light on the missing heritability problem. By studying regions of the genome that cause specific traits in offspring, scientists can detect subtle patterns previously undetectable.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateApr 14, 2010

Caltech neuroscientists find brain system behind general intelligence

Researchers identified a distributed neural system for general intelligence, with specific brain regions and connections linked to performance on various tests. The study's findings support an existing theory about intelligence as a whole-brain function, integrating different processing abilities such as working memory.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2010

Evolutionary game of rock-paper-scissors may lead to new species

A new study found that the disappearance of certain lizard morphs in some populations may lead to the emergence of new species. The researchers documented the loss of color morphs and observed rapid evolutionary change, including increased body size, which could eventually cause populations to diverge into distinct species.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2010

Dual role for immune cells in the brain

Researchers found that macrophages along the blood-brain barrier can either activate the brain's stress response machinery or prevent excessive inflammation. This discovery may pave the way for novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateJan 13, 2010

New stroke therapy successful in rats

Scientists have discovered a protein that can restore motor function in rats with impaired mobility after a stroke, with administered directly to the brain showing 99% regain. The intranasal method also demonstrates significant behavioral improvements and regenerative anatomical process.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases·DateJan 12, 2010

Tracking new cancer-killing particles with MRI

A Rice University team developed a single nanoparticle that can be tracked in real-time with MRI as it targets cancer cells, tags them with fluorescent dye and kills them with heat. This all-in-one particle is a promising example of theranostics, a growing field developing technologies for diagnosis and treatment in one procedure.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateDec 14, 2009

Neural noise created during binocular rivalry

Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that neural noise weakens and degrades the brain's representation of an ignored stimulus, making it harder to distinguish between similar orientations. This 'neural noise' also broadens the range of interfering orientations during suppression, further reducing fidelity.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 18, 2009

Study gives clues to increasing X-rays' power

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have discovered a way to unleash high-energy X-rays with relatively high intensity using longer wavelength lasers on heavier gaseous atoms. This breakthrough could lead to more powerful and precise X-ray machines, enabling real-time imaging of patients' hearts and microscopic structures.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 16, 2009

UT Southwestern research reveals how cells tell time

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center used the fungus Neurospora to study the biochemistry and genetics of body clocks. They found that a protein called FRQ marks time by a sequence of changes in its chemical structure, which controls many biological processes including cell division, hormonal release, and sleep/wake cycles.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2009

'Super-recognizers,' with extraordinary face recognition ability, never forget a face

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered a group of individuals known as 'super-recognizers,' who possess an extraordinary ability to recognize faces, even after years of not seeing the person. This finding suggests that face recognition may be on a spectrum, with prosopagnosics at one end and super-recognizers at the other.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateMay 19, 2009

MIT: Making waves in the brain

Researchers at MIT have discovered a way to induce gamma brain waves by shining laser light onto the brains of mice, using optogenetics to manipulate individual nerve cells. This breakthrough provides new insights into the role of gamma oscillations in regulating brain functions and may lead to new treatments for brain-related disorders.