Articles tagged with Basic Research
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers have engineered lager yeast to produce more molecules that protect beer against staling, resulting in improved flavor stability. The modified strains produced 26.3-47.3% less acetaldehyde and increased levels of sulfur dioxide, a natural antioxidant.
A new research training group funded by the German Research Foundation will investigate the role of interfaces in synthesizing soft advanced materials and manipulating their properties. The group aims to better understand self-organization processes in the presence of interfaces.
A team of researchers, led by Gholson Lyon, MD, PhD, has published a study on TAF1 syndrome, identifying brain morphological abnormalities, seizures, hearing loss, and heart malformations. The findings broaden the phenotypic spectrum of TAF1/MRXS33 intellectual disability syndrome.
Harvard researchers have uncovered fundamental physical properties of artificial muscle fibers, shedding light on their shape transformations and design principles. The study explains the theoretical principles underlying complex morphology and provides guidelines for designing optimal soft actuators.
The Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities has received a $1.95 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support Dr. Gholson Lyon's research on rare human diseases. Dr. Lyon plans to expand his studies on Ogden syndrome and other diseases related to N-terminal acetylation, aiming to better understand ...
A $1 million project at the University of Houston will investigate the chemical, structural, and mechanical interactions in solid-state batteries. The researchers plan to use advanced diagnostic tools to analyze how batteries perform under different conditions, with the goal of reducing failures and improving safety.
Researchers at Mainz University explore fundamental aspects of artificial intelligence using machine learning techniques and interdisciplinary approaches combining physics, biology, and materials sciences. The goal is to understand why modern systems are successful and develop better machine learning methods.
Researchers found that neurons use annexin A11 to ship internal housekeeping instructions via a 'hitchhiking' system, which may lead to new treatments for ALS. Disease-causing mutations tie up deliveries at the cell's loading docks, preventing RNA delivery to neurons.
The Department of Energy has awarded Oak Ridge National Laboratory over $11 million to advance quantum technologies, including computing and fiber optics. Researchers will work on projects aimed at accelerating progress in quantum computing and developing wide-area quantum networks.
The Argonne-led Center for Electrochemical Energy Science has developed two new electrode technologies that use graphene to improve lithium-ion battery properties. These advancements have led to increased power, lifetime, and safety, as well as the ability to function at low temperatures, critical for electric vehicles in cold regions.
Researchers developed a novel computational approach to assign functions to unknown genes, revealing transporters play a critical role. The study highlights the importance of environmental conditions shaping minimal genomes and paves the way for focused research on essential and facilitator gene sets.
A study published in Journal of Memory and Language found that the voice carries indexical information that affects access to word meaning. Researchers determined that cognitive representations of words contain non-linguistic information about the speaker's voice, which influences mental lexicon development.
Scientists visualized the distribution and optical behavior of magnesium (Mg) ions in Gallium Nitride (GaN) using advanced microscopy techniques. This breakthrough enables mass production of p-type GaN semiconductors, a crucial component for high-performance energy-saving devices.
Janet Moradian-Oldak, a researcher at the University of Southern California, has been awarded the 2019 Basic Research in Biological Mineralization Award. Her work on enamel biomineralization and biomimetic approaches has advanced our understanding of tooth development.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences create a chemocatalytic approach to produce cellulosic ethanol, achieving an ethanol yield over 40% in a one-pot process. The new method could overcome limitations on ethanol concentration and show great potential for practical production.
Researchers have created a hybrid of equal parts of light and matter, combining two different concepts in an innovative way. The discovery opens new doors in fundamental research and applied nanophotonics, with potential applications in compact and cost-effective photonics.
The project aims to deepen early career researchers' understanding of the value of science for its own sake and foster their interest in conceptual fundamental research. The PAPA programme will provide an educational programme, intensive education and supervision, workshops, and a mentoring programme to support the scholars.
The 2019 Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellows are announced, supporting innovative research in areas of importance to the DoD. The fellows will receive up to $3 million over five years to pursue their research.
A team led by Ethan Garner describes the opposing and balanced enzymatic actions that keep B. subtilis from bulging wide while it builds up its inner cell wall and elongates.
Paul Sajda, a professor at Columbia University, has been awarded the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship for his research on cognitive neuroscience. The fellowship will support his project to develop a testable model of human brain dynamics governing rapid decision-making in natural environments.
The researchers developed a universal beam shaping technique that spatially separates residual and extracted components in the Fourier plane using a virtual diagonal phase grating. This allows for highly uniform flattop beams with improved resolution and accuracy, suppressing edge ripples to 20 μm.
Researchers reproduced geomagnetic jerks using a computer simulation that mimicked the Earth's core conditions. The study revealed hydromagnetic waves as the primary cause of these events.
Researchers developed a wearable biosensor resembling a bandage that samples sweat and analyzes its components using a simple color-changing assay. The device can potentially help diagnose diseases with less invasive diagnostic testing, and its sensitivity is currently being increased.
The Russian Science Foundation has awarded grants to 19 researchers from Kazan University, totaling 4-6 million rubles over three years. The projects span various fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, and psychology.
Researchers at Far Eastern Federal University are studying the properties of quark-gluon plasma using a combination of lattice quantum chromodynamics and neural networks. The goal is to understand how this substance modifies with temperature and density changes.
Researchers achieved nearly double the previous record of 4.25 GeV by accelerating electrons to 7.8 GeV using a novel technique that combines laser heating and plasma channeling. The breakthrough enables more compact and affordable particle acceleration for high-energy machines.
Cynthia Keppel, a Jefferson Lab scientist, has been awarded the American Physical Society's 2019 Distinguished Lectureship Award on the Applications of Physics. She is recognized for her pioneering work in proton therapy and her ability to communicate complex physics concepts to non-expert audiences.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new theory that allows thin sheets to conform to 'geometrically incompatible' shapes by developing microscopic wrinkles, reducing the need for stretching and increasing efficiency. This breakthrough has significant implications for biotechnologists working on flexible and wearable sensors f...
A Japanese team has developed a new technique for manufacturing ultraprecise multilayer focusing mirrors that can achieve X-ray beam sizes of less than ten nanometers. This breakthrough enables high-performance X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) with improved quality and intensity.
Möbius kaleidocycles are ring linkages that can be turned inside-out continuously, inspiring wonder in engineers and mathematicians. The objects have unique properties, such as a one-sided surface, and could be used for designing new mixing machines, energy transmitting devices, or robotic arms.
A new study warns that 70% of current Arctic infrastructure is at risk from thawing permafrost within the next 30 years. The projected impacts could lead to major ecosystem disruption and adverse effects on energy supplies, national security, and economic activity.
The DFG funds two new Collaborative Research Centres at TU Dresden to investigate comprehensible software systems and correlated magnetism. The centres aim to create predictable and understandable computer systems, as well as develop materials with unique magnetic properties.
The $200-million commitment from the Blavatnik Family Foundation will fund fundamental curiosity-driven research, therapeutics initiatives, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. This transformational gift aims to propel Harvard Medical School toward solving pressing health challenges through innovative therapies and treatments.
The Russian Foundation for Basic Research is supporting research projects in various fields, including electrochemistry, photonics, and archaeology, through grants of up to 20 million rubles per year. Established researchers will receive funding for their interdisciplinary fundamental research projects.
Researchers at Ural Federal University developed new adsorbents and enzymatic catalysts using modified halloysite nanotubular materials with unique functional properties. The breakthrough technology enables cost-effective extraction of non-ferrous metals and efficient biotechnological hydrolysis processes.
The Center's new grant will accelerate research on mechanisms involved in metabolic health and disease, aiming to develop new prevention and treatment strategies. The funding will also enable the establishment of technology platforms to empower scientists to conduct cutting-edge research.
A Texas A&M University-led consortium has been awarded a five-year, $10 million grant to establish the Center for Excellence in Nuclear Training And University-based Research (CENTAUR). The center aims to develop next-generation leaders in low-energy nuclear science. CENTAUR will pursue basic research using accelerators at various inst...
A recent study published in Nature found that the ventral midline thalamus (vMT) plays a crucial role in determining how animals respond to visual threats. The vMT sends information primarily to two brain areas, the basolateral amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex, which turn out to be critical in determining reactions.
Researchers, including Prof. Dr. Satyam Suwas and Prof. Dr. Werner Skrotzki, investigate nanoplasticity to balance material strength and ductility. Their collaboration aims to understand fundamental nature of nanocrystalline materials and their applications in various industries.
Ural Federal University has been awarded several state grants for its scientific research projects, with seven grants going to the Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The university's scientific groups are working on various topics, including remote sensing of the atmosphere and development of new hydro-metallurgical processes.
Researchers have identified a novel thermogenetic tool, Gr28bD, that can regulate individual neurons in the brain through temperature changes. This breakthrough has the potential to advance fundamental brain research and lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
The research team aims to understand how bacteria and fungi interact in soils, which could lead to advances in plant productivity and bioenergy. By studying these fundamental interactions, they hope to develop predictive models of ecosystem behavior and inform strategies for manipulating microbial communities.
A new technique enables real-time measurement of laser pulses with sub-picosecond resolution, revealing complex collapse and oscillation dynamics before stabilization. This breakthrough has important implications for designing and improving ultrafast pulsed lasers.
Associate Professor Jeffrey Rimer received the award for his pioneering research on crystallization, including the discovery of a natural fruit extract that can dissolve calcium oxalate crystals. His work has transformative implications for drug development and has led to human clinical trials underway.
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Gräfe from Friedrich Schiller University Jena receives €1.9 million ERC grant to investigate plasmonic dynamics and molecular structure in metallic systems, aiming to develop highly sensitive sensors.
An international team of astrophysicists has provided the first clue to the speed of dark matter, finding that it matches the movement of the least heavy metal-rich stars. This breakthrough could help shed light on why direct detection experiments have failed to detect dark matter particles.
Scientists at Mainz University have increased the yield of their ultracold neutron source by a factor of 3.5, achieving 8.5 UCN per cubic centimeter. This improvement enables more sensitive measurements to determine the lifetime of free neutrons and is crucial for experiments in fundamental research.
Researchers at Northwestern University have captured on video the collision and fusion of organic nanoparticles for the first time. This unprecedented view enables scientists to study dynamic phenomena in nanoscale materials systems.
Dr. Walter J. Koch, a renowned researcher at Temple University Health System, has been awarded the American Heart Association's Basic Research Prize for his groundbreaking work on molecular signaling of cardiac injury and repair. His research has identified novel molecular targets for treating heart failure.
Research investments in five areas of study are needed to accelerate new innovations for neglected diseases, according to Dr. Peter Hotez. Strategic funding could jumpstart a new generation of translational medicine and control tools.
TU Graz is awarding €2 million to the 'Mechanics, Modeling and Simulation of Aortic Dissection' project and €1.5 million to the 'Porous Materials @ Work' project to advance research in biomechanics and materials sciences. The funding will support the development of simulation models and algorithms to diagnose and treat aortic dissections.
Research by Swansea University scientists improved nanowire stability, enabling more durable nanotechnology for future semiconductor devices. Atomic changes to metal catalyst particles revealed new physical evidence on barrier inhomogeneity, allowing nanoengineers to select device properties.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are exploring a new architectural system based on acoustic diodes to create effective sound barriers that can cancel out unwanted noise. The technology has the potential to improve indoor comfort, reduce mental stress, and enhance workplace efficiency.
The 'Programme for Translational Hematology' aims to strengthen cooperation between basic and clinical research to gain new knowledge on leukaemia. The programme will focus on identifying new treatment forms for AML and MDS, using DNA sequencing, pre-clinical models, and international research capacities.
Researchers use modern genetic sequencing tools to analyze more than 1,000 single-letter changes in the genetic code, finding new evidence that three similar-looking corals may be three separate species. This discovery could aid in conservation efforts and provide insight into coral epigenetics.
A new Canadian study suggests switching to a targeted strategy focusing on high-risk healthcare workers only. The annual screening protocol should be changed to reflect the epidemiology of TB in North America, with resources redirected to increase access to prevention and treatment infrastructure.
Researchers analyzed the interaction of cosmic web with distant quasar light to reveal properties of dark matter. The results support Cold Dark Matter theory and reject Fuzzy Dark Matter model.
Scientists at the University of Oxford are recreating supernovae in a laboratory using lasers, allowing them to study the properties of these explosive events. This research is helping scientists better understand the origins of our universe and the formation of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium.
Researchers propose a theory that predicts dark matter annihilation rates vary by galaxy size and time. This study suggests dark matter could consist of multiple particles interacting through a yet-undiscovered low-mass particle.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab demonstrated how particles synchronize in response to acoustic waves, exhibiting a phononic bandgap that emerged only when collectively organized. The study provides a simple platform to study non-equilibrium systems and could lead to the development of intelligent networks with sentient-like decision making.