Articles tagged with Basic Research
Jianhua Zhao's five-year, $2.4 million grant will focus on proteolysis, the process cells use to break down and recycle unused proteins, with implications for cancer treatment. Cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) will be used to study protein recycling and its structures, opening new avenues for cancer research.
University of Washington researchers have created a flexible, wearable thermoelectric device that converts body heat into electricity. The device's stretchable and efficient properties enable seamless integration into wearables and soft robotics.
Researchers discovered that communication between two brain regions, parietal cortex and premotor cortex, is co-dependent on instantaneous timescales to represent and maintain working memory. This finding challenges previous understanding of working memory representation in the brain.
A multidisciplinary team at UVA Health will use deep brain stimulation to treat refractory neuropathic pain, aiming to modulate pain signals from the insula. The study may shed light on the fundamental nature of pain and identify biological indicators for effective treatment.
Researchers discovered that human egg cells skip a crucial metabolic reaction to maintain their reproductive capacity without losing energy, allowing them to remain dormant in ovaries for up to 50 years. This finding explains why some women with mitochondrial conditions linked to this reaction do not experience reduced fertility.
A team of scientists has successfully built a neutron interferometer using two separate crystals, a major breakthrough in quantum physics. This achievement opens up new possibilities for quantum measurements and research on quantum effects in a gravitational field.
Researchers have successfully created the first solid-state optical nanomotor, overcoming previous limitations in real-world applications. The new motor can rotate on a solid substrate under light illumination, enabling it to serve as a fuel-free engine for various micro-/nano-electro-mechanical systems.
Researchers discovered that hippocampal place cells represent direction and distance to a goal in addition to current location. A vector field provides signal towards the goal, aiding flexible navigation.
Researchers have discovered a unique biochemical profile in severe asthmatic patients, which could lead to more effective treatments. The study found a decrease in carnitine metabolism in severe asthmatics, playing an important role in cellular energy generation and immune responses.
Researchers discovered that blocking certain acetylcholine receptors in the lateral habenula balances reward and aversion, making it harder to resist seeking cocaine. This finding identifies a new role for these receptors as a potential target for treating cocaine use disorder.
Rice University physicists Frank Geurts and Wei Li have received a $1.8 million grant from the Department of Energy to conduct research on relativistic heavy-ion physics at both Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Their work focuses on creating quark-gluon plasmas, a
Scientists discovered a new species of giant filamentous bacterium, Thiomargarita magnifica, with DNA clustered within membrane-bound compartments. This unique organism challenges traditional understanding of bacterial morphology and genomic complexity.
Scientists at Max Born Institute demonstrate ultrafast emergence of all-optical switching by generating a nanometer-scale grating through interference of two pulses in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. The researchers identify an intensity ratio as a fingerprint observable for AOS in diffraction experiments.
Researchers at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre discovered that brain area communication is dynamic and changes over rapid timespans, with influences varying on a fast timescale. This finding suggests that cortical areas may control different aspects of processing in downstream regions over very short time spans.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University have visualized the machinery that mitochondria use to form their proteins. This discovery presents opportunities to design more specific antibiotics and cancer drugs.
Researchers at Boston College have discovered a new particle known as the axial Higgs mode, a magnetic relative of the mass-defining Higgs Boson particle. The detection was made possible by using light scattering and quantum simulator techniques in a tabletop experiment at room temperature.
Researchers discovered two novel categories of cells in the BLA that respond to ethological stimuli, including event-specific neurons responding to one type of stimulus and panresponsive neurons responding equally well to multiple stimuli. These findings suggest a larger role for the BLA in memory and behavior.
Neuroscientists demonstrate that mice can learn to suppress their innate escape response, effectively ignoring stimuli deemed non-threatening. The study's findings show that this suppression is specific to the stimulus and dependent on recent threat-escape history.
Researchers at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre found that mice can choose the best escape route after only 10 minutes of exploration, without needing to experience threat. The study suggests that mice use innate heuristics and natural exploration to learn this information.
Researchers have found a way to perform hydrogen atom transfer reactions with fewer chemicals and less cost, making it more efficient for industrial and academic settings. The new method uses electrochemistry to create cobalt hydride catalysts, reducing the need for expensive oxidants and reductants.
A CNIC team has created a dynamic 3D atlas of the formation of the heart during embryonic and fetal development, allowing for the identification of the first appearance of left–right asymmetry in the heart. This study provides important information on the development of congenital heart malformations.
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai discovered how the brain uses a group of neurons in the frontal lobe to monitor performance, enabling humans to learn from mistakes and develop specific skills. This mechanism allows for flexibility in learning new tasks and adjusting focus based on conflict or difficulty encountered.
Researchers at DTU Compute and DIKU have developed a machine learning model that can map the potential of proteins, enabling the biotech industry to accelerate the development of new proteins. The model generates a picture of how proteins are linked, allowing for the identification of closely related proteins with desirable properties.
Researchers have developed a new approach to studying RNA molecules using nanotechnology and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), enabling the analysis of RNA subunits with unprecedented resolution. This breakthrough has significant implications for fundamental research, drug development, and RNA therapeutics.
Researchers proposed and experimentally demonstrated an all-optical random bit generation method using chaotic pulses quantized in the optical domain. This method generated a 10 Gb/s random bit stream, potentially operable at higher rates by exploiting ultrafast fiber response.
Researchers have developed a method to control the rotational states of chiral molecules, allowing for specific separation of enantiomers. By irradiating chiral molecules with UV radiation and microwaves, the team has gained more control over which 'hand' is in which state.
Astrocytes, comprising nearly half of all brain cells, have been found to perform an electrically active function that influences neurotransmitter release and brain disease pathology. This discovery opens new avenues for neuroscience research and potential treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's and epilepsy.
Researchers have discovered layered 2D materials that can host unique magnetic features, including skyrmions, which remain stable at room temperature. The discovery could lead to novel low-energy data storage and information processing systems.
Researchers have identified a new strain of the myxoma virus that has enabled it to leap from European rabbits to Iberian hares, causing lethal disease in both species. The study suggests that this viral adaptation may also improve the virus's ability to replicate in human cancer cells.
Researchers Francesca Ferlaino, Kathrin Thedieck and Hans Briegel will investigate new systems for quantum matter simulation, control of mTOR-dependent metabolic processes, and AI-driven quantum experiments. Their work has the potential to revolutionize fields such as physics, computer science and medicine.
Researchers have found that preterm infants with certain viral signatures in their gut are at risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious and often fatal disease. The study highlights the potential for early warning signals to alert clinicians, allowing emergency action to be taken.
A new study by the Mayo Clinic confirms that living kidney donor surgery via laparoscopic surgery is low-risk for most patients, with only 2.5% experiencing major complications. The study tracked over 3,000 donors and found that most complications occurred after discharge.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have discovered a way to enhance the surface adhesion of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) by converting oxidized Dopa into a stronger form called △Dopa. This breakthrough enables MAPs to maintain strong underwater adhesion, paving the way for potential biomedical applications.
Researchers have discovered an elegant equation to approximate the coherence time of materials hosting spin qubits. The team can now estimate coherence times in seconds using just five material properties, facilitating a rapid exploration of new candidate materials.
The Logan Science Journalism Program has selected 12 accomplished science and health journalists to participate in its 35th annual fellowship program. The fellows will spend 10 days learning contemporary research techniques at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
Ira Mellman, PhD, is being honored with the 2022 AACR-CRI Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology for his seminal work on dendritic cell function and its impact on atezolizumab and neoepitope vaccines. His research has made a major impact on cancer immunology and has the potential to stimulate new directions.
Researchers use DNA to program metal nanoparticles to assemble into new configurations, resulting in the discovery of three new crystalline phases. The approach enables symmetry breaking and creation of complex colloidal crystal structures with unique optical and catalytic properties.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus discovered a reactivated protein, Hand2, in certain cases of mesothelioma, which may lead to new treatments. The study aims to investigate the cause and effect of this reactivation.
A team at Harvard Medical School identified a mechanism that triggers local dopamine release in the brain when acetylcholine binds to axons, not previously known to initiate firing. This finding reveals more about the interaction between acetylcholine and dopamine systems, suggesting a new strategy for treating diseases like Parkinson's.
Scientists used supercomputers to model plate tectonics and reconstruct dynamics of Pacific plate motion. The study explains the mysterious 60-degree bend in the seamount chain by introducing a new factor: subduction zones in the Russian Far East.
The Human Brain Project (HBP) has brought together neuroscientists from different disciplines to work collaboratively on common goals. The HBP researchers outline their scientific approach and illustrate the potential of EBRAINS infrastructure for neuroscience research.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a 'self-driving lab' that uses artificial intelligence and fluidic systems to advance our understanding of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals. The technology can autonomously dope MHP nanocrystals, adding manganese atoms on demand, allowing for faster control over properties.
The blood-brain barrier is regulated by a signaling pathway involving vitronectin and integrin α5, which inhibits transcytosis and maintains barrier integrity. The findings offer insights into the microenvironment's role in maintaining the barrier's permeability.
Researchers found that convection in the solar atmosphere can drive the formation of jets, similar to those caused by alligator mating calls. The discovery sheds light on the origin and nature of solar spicules, which are ubiquitous structures observed on the Sun's surface.
A team of researchers used the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to create a laboratory replica of galaxy-cluster plasmas, discovering strong suppression of heat conduction in these turbulent environments. The experiments provide insight into complex physics processes and raise additional questions that may be answered in future studies.
A new collection of scientific articles reviews the past decade of research on women's cardiovascular health, identifying key differences between men and women. The studies highlight critical gaps in current knowledge and emphasize the need for a more tailored approach to diagnosing and treating heart disease and stroke risk in women.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin create first-ever biologically authentic computer model of HIV-1 virus liposome, shedding light on replication and infectivity. The study reveals key characteristics of the liposome's asymmetry and its role in shaping macroscopic properties.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory discovered how microparticles can change direction when an electric stimulus is interrupted and reapplied with the same orientation. This emergent behavior has potential applications in microfluidic pumps for biomedical, chemical, and electronics applications.
Researchers discovered a novel type of magnet, the antiferromagnetic excitonic insulator, which involves strong magnetic attraction between electrons in a layered material. The new state emerges when electrons form bound pairs with holes and trigger an antiferromagnetic alignment of adjacent electron spins.
Researchers at the European XFEL facility have taken pictures of gas-phase iodopyridine molecules at atomic resolution using ultra-bright X-ray pulses. The images were reconstructed from the fragments caused by a Coulomb explosion, providing unprecedented clarity for this method and molecule size.
A new method using Monte Carlo simulations enables researchers to study radiation-sensitive soft nanomaterials in organic solvents for the first time. The technique allows for the creation of a method to test the suitability of any solvent, providing valuable insights into these dynamic systems.
Researchers at Scripps Research have revealed the three-dimensional structure of Flycatcher1, a protein channel in Venus flytraps that enables snapping shut. The structure shows similarities to other mechanosensitive ion channels found in various organisms, including plants and bacteria.
A new study identifies at least 16 distinct wasp species previously grouped as one, Ormyrus labotus, which lays eggs in over 65 insect species. The discovery highlights the importance of seeking out hidden diversity and underscores the need for precise identification to understand ecosystem health.
Researchers at TU Darmstadt and Universitat Politècnica de València used HPC resources to develop a new symmetry-based turbulence theory, resolving the closure problem of turbulence. This approach allows for reduced computational grid size and direct access to mean values like air pressure and speed.
The University of South Florida has received a five-year, $1.35 million NIH institutional grant to train scientists in vascular inflammation and injury research. The grant will support the comprehensive training of pre- and postdoctoral scientists focused on this emerging area of research.
Researchers found that higher monocyte counts are linked to early signs of injury and scarring on lung imaging among community-dwelling adults. This suggests that hyperactive monocytes may contribute to lung injury at the early stages of interstitial lung disease.
Researchers developed a gene therapy called Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO), which boosts SCN1A protein production in brain cells. The treatment restored normal cell function and reduced seizures in lab mice with Dravet syndrome, offering hope for the first direct treatment of the fundamental cause.
A Korean research team created a DUV LED using hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), emitting strong UV light with low skin penetrability. The new material has higher luminescence efficiency and enables miniaturization, making it suitable for various applications.
Scientists from Tampere University and National Research Council of Canada develop a technique using two-photon N00N states to create entangled photon pairs with improved measurement precision. This allows for spatially structured quantum states of light that can go beyond classical limits in rotation estimation.