Articles tagged with Basic Research
Researchers have identified key challenges in understanding photophysics and photochemistry of carbon nanocolloids, a promising candidate for technological and biomedical applications. The findings may pave the way for using adaptable, non-toxic, and sustainable nanomaterials in various fields.
Scientists have discovered a new way to design magnets with high operating temperatures, large coercivity, and low density. The novel lightweight magnets could complement or compete with traditional inorganic magnets in various applications.
Scientists at Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University propose a mathematical model to analyze the effect of neural stimulation by ultrasonic waves on electrical signals in nerves. The study aims to improve treatment methods for severe neurological disorders such as epilepsy and chronic depression.
The National Institute on Aging has awarded up to $2 million to the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) to continue its role as the Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center. The award will support AFAR's efforts to enhance visibility, facilitate collaboration, and improve training among aging research centers nationwide.
Researchers in China have designed a nanogenerator that captures light breezes, generating electricity through the triboelectric effect. The device can power small electronic devices and is suitable for nature reserves or cities, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional wind turbines.
The USC-Buck Nathan Shock Center will explore the biology of aging and its impact on disease, with a focus on cellular senescence, genomic translation, and geroscience technology. The center aims to translate basic research into effective preventions and therapies to extend healthspan.
A citizen science study led by the Estonian Research Council analyzed data from over 1,700 observations, revealing a systematic dominance of short-styled morphs and increased deviations in smaller populations with higher human population density. The findings have significant implications for conservation efforts, highlighting another ...
The NSF has awarded a $20 million grant to create an AI Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions, a cross-discipline collaboration between 20 physicists and seven AI experts from top universities. The institute will explore the use of AI in fundamental physics and apply physics principles to improve AI methods.
Researchers create analysis framework to evaluate tradeoffs and design choices in ultraviolet communication systems, offering insights into their natural low-probability-of-detection property. This understanding is crucial for optimizing system performance and predicting detection capabilities.
Lehigh University's Energy Research Center receives $750,000 from the DOE to improve power plant efficiency and develop a technology to measure toxic heavy metals in power plant wastewater. The project aims to optimize operating efficiency, system reliability, and emission reductions.
Researchers have developed a new system delivering few-ps pulses at 2 μm wavelength with peak power of 17 GW, exceeding previous records. The system features excellent stability and brilliant beam quality, making it suitable for applications in nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, and materials processing.
A team of researchers from the University of Konstanz and Innsbruck explore the role of artificial intelligence in basic research, focusing on agency, creativity, and authorship. They aim to provide a conceptual framework for the development of AI methods in science.
Scientists at the University of Warwick created a method called MeniFluidics to control cellular patterns, enabling the creation of arbitrary patterns and opening doors for tissue engineering and bio-art. This breakthrough could lead to innovations in antibiotic resistance and biofouling prevention.
Flying insects integrate visual, olfactory, and aerodynamic cues to locate objects in 3D space. Research using virtual reality revealed that Dipteran species use depth cues, wind tunnel-like airflow fields, and odor information to navigate.
Researchers confirm triaxial nuclei wobble on intermediate axes, providing insight into nuclear structure and heavy element formation. The study's findings generate confidence in predictions about nuclear physics and stellar environments.
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University have successfully created a new type of curved acoustic wave beam, known as an acoustical hook, which can be used to manipulate nanoparticles with high precision and accuracy. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize fields such as biomedicine and materials synthesis.
Researchers discovered that two-dimensional liquids exhibit collective motion and long-wavelength fluctuations, which differ from the random Brownian motion seen in three-dimensional liquids. This finding helps explain puzzling differences in liquid dynamics and opens avenues for understanding complex fluid behavior.
The Fundamental Aspects of Plant Viruses focus issue in New Phytopathology emphasizes recent breakthroughs in understanding plant viruses and their impact on agriculture. The issue features studies on virus-host and vector interactions, replication, and pathogenicity, shedding light on disease development and horizontal transmission.
Researchers at Cornell University used high-powered cryo-electron microscopy to study mosquito sperm and fertilization. They discovered that sperm shed their outer coat within 24 hours of insemination, triggering rapid motility and increased fertility in females.
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.