Articles tagged with Basic Research
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg discovered that the influenza A virus exploits a protein called AGO2 to regulate gene activity and weaken the immune system. An existing drug, arsenic trioxide, showed promise in increasing interferon production and reducing viral loads.
Scientists have developed a cutting-edge technology to analyze protein turnover in individual cells, enabling them to identify treatment-resistant cancer cells and understand the impact of specific drugs. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in disease diagnostics and treatment strategies.
Researchers are developing atomically dispersed catalysts to make industrial processes cleaner and more efficient. However, the field is plagued by common pitfalls, including inadequate testing and characterization. Experts like Jason Bates and E. Charles Sykes emphasize the need for repeatable, rigorous science.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have created 'super stem cells' that outperform regular stem cells by developing into multiple cell types. These 'super stem cells' show promise in improving fertility treatment, particularly IVF success rates, by producing essential tissue for early embryonic development.
Researchers developed quantum sensors capable of precisely detecting single particles, improving time and spatial resolution. The sensors demonstrated efficiency in detecting high-energy beams of protons, electrons, and pions.
A new study has discovered that increasing ocean resolution is key to accurately simulating AMO variability, particularly at multidecadal timescales. High-resolution ocean experiments correctly showed the AMO lasting 40-80 years, while low-resolution ocean experiments showed unrealistic cycles every 10-20 years.
Scientists demonstrate ultrafast plasmon-enhanced magnetic bit switching, enabling faster and more robust memory devices. The study uses plasmonic gold nanostructures to confine light and achieve magnetization switching with single femtosecond laser pulses.
Karen Lozano and Eduardo Salas have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for their groundbreaking research in materials science and industrial-organizational psychology. Their work has pushed the boundaries of STEM fields, improving team performance and advancing innovation.
Researchers have observed the interactions between electrons and a unique atomic vibration in twisted graphene, called a 'phason', for the first time. The Quantum Twisting Microscope has provided unprecedented insight into electron-phonon dynamics, shedding new light on superconductivity and 'strange metallicity'.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have made significant breakthroughs in understanding Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and early brain development. They identified a rare quiescent population of stem cells responsible for disease persistence and therapy resistance, as well as shedding light on gene expression patterns ...
Researchers have mapped the diversity of a globally important pea collection, revealing secrets behind Mendel's famous traits and uncovering agriculturally useful genetic diversity. The new set of gene bank and genomic resources could revolutionize pea breeding and research.
SiC-based pressure sensors offer promising solutions for extreme environments due to their wide bandgap, high carrier saturation drift rate, and strong chemical stability. The review highlights key technologies, including epitaxial layers, piezoresistive effect, ohmic contacts, etching, and sensor packaging.
Schmid's contributions have helped computers recognize complex objects, understand video analysis, and process realistic settings. Her leadership has built active research communities, mentoring and supervising peers across the field of computer vision.
A team of researchers has developed a comprehensive atlas of genetic change through generations, revealing that parts of the human genome change much faster than previously known. This discovery has significant implications for understanding human disease and evolution, including the roots of genetic diseases.
Researchers analyzed massive audio recordings to create a dictionary of short melodies in English-language prosody, assigning functions and meanings. They discovered hundreds of basic patterns with linguistic functions, including conveying attitudes such as curiosity or surprise, and identified syntactic rules governing their order.
The Helmholtz Health Prevention Task Force aims to develop new frameworks for prevention strategies using big data and advanced analytics. The team focuses on personalized health trends and risk factors to enable earlier detection and intervention for common diseases.
A single dose of a psychedelic compound can enhance cognitive flexibility for weeks after administration, according to a groundbreaking study. Mice treated with the compound showed improved performance in reversal learning tasks compared to control groups when tested weeks later.
A mysterious parasite is devastating fish farms globally, causing £50 million in losses annually. Researchers have discovered a new gene regulation process that could lead to the development of gene-based vaccines.
Wesley Sundquist's lab developed lenacapavir, an exceptionally effective HIV-preventing drug with 99.9 to 100 percent efficacy in clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people. The drug has the potential to dramatically decrease infection rates worldwide if distributed broadly.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals a critical protein partnership that protects chromosome ends, regulating telomerase activity and preventing cell death. The researchers discovered that the CST complex and DNA polymerase α/primase interact to maintain telomere stability, with disruption leading to telomere abnormalities.
Researchers employed a deep-learning-based method to detect footprints of DNA-protein interactions, allowing them to pinpoint disease-causing variants in non-coding regions. This approach could inform novel treatments for common diseases.
Three NSF-funded investigations are launching on NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 mission to ISS National Laboratory. Investigations aim to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing, develop new materials, and study active matter in microgravity environment.
Researchers have discovered materials that shrink when heated, expand when crushed, and could restore old EV batteries to factory-fresh performance. This discovery represents a fundamental shift in understanding of materials science and has potential applications in construction and energy storage.
The UMass Amherst team, led by Stéphane Willocq, made significant contributions to particle physics, including studies of rare processes and Higgs boson properties. Their work explores the deepest questions about our universe and prepares for the High-Luminosity LHC upgrade.
Dr. Gadhamshetty, a leading expert in environmental engineering, brings over 25 years of experience to the role. He aims to expand the journal's influence and promote transformative research that addresses critical environmental challenges.
Researchers have mapped the hidden control system of vision, revealing a higher degree of systematic organization in visual cells. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, used a new GABA sensor to observe and map inhibitory neuron activity, providing new insights into eye disorders such as congenital nystagmus.
Researchers discovered that aging causes inflammation, oxidative stress, and gene disruption in the retinal pigment epithelium, a vital layer of cells in the eye. This study provides a clearer understanding of why aging leads to eye disease and introduces a reliable laboratory model for testing new therapies.
Researchers have identified new candidate genes that could be responsible for congenital deafness, a condition affecting around one in 1,000 babies born in the UK. The study suggests that understanding these gene mutations may hold the key to devising effective treatments.
A new study on natural oil seeps in the deep sea has found that hydrothermal processes mobilize dissolved organic matter, influencing local ecosystems and the global marine carbon cycle. The composition of released water-soluble organic molecules is strongly influenced by temperature and petroleum composition.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology and Jeonbuk National University successfully trapped mechanical waves within a single resonator, overcoming a century-old physics barrier. The discovery opens new possibilities for energy harvesting, ultra-sensitive sensors, and advanced communications.
A unique partnership between researchers and a merchant marine vessel is providing critical data for measuring ocean change, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of global systems. The project, led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, is filling gaps in observations of the Middle Atlantic Bight shelf and Slope Sea.
Engineered materials mimic quantum behaviors, allowing for the simulation of Schrödinger dynamics in classical systems. This breakthrough enables the study of quantum phenomena in more accessible environments, paving the way for novel technologies.
The authors propose expanding psychological contract theory to include non-human agents, such as algorithms, in digital labor platforms. They analyze how workers form contracts with these agents and explore the implications for understanding digitalized working relationships.
Jason Cong recognized for contributions to field-programmable system design and customizable computing, enabling efficient FPGA programming from software languages like C/C++.
Researchers investigated Si-C anode's thermal stability through systematic thermal stability tests. They found that floating silicon triggers thermal runaway and optimize electrolyte blending ratios to minimize thermal safety risk. Designs strategies for high-thermal-stable Si-C materials are proposed.
A study by HKU professor Bo Huang's team reveals fundamental principles governing population dynamics across cities. The research demonstrates that population movements scale predictably with urban density and distance from central hubs.
Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a compact peritoneal dialysis device that can be used as a wearable artificial kidney, offering an alternative to traditional hemodialysis. The device uses nanoelectrokinetic technology to continuously regenerate peritoneal dialysate and remove waste products from the body.
Aging (Aging-US) journal announces a commemorative collection honoring Dr. Mikhail Blagosklonny, a pioneer in aging biology. The special issue will explore key themes central to his scientific contributions, including mechanistic insights and translational approaches.
Rachid Guerraoui has made groundbreaking contributions to distributed computing, shaping the landscape of concurrent environments. He also promotes computer science education in Africa, fostering academic excellence through initiatives like the Excellence in Africa program.
The thorium-229 nuclear optical clock has the potential to achieve a very high-precision time and frequency standard due to its unique properties. Despite significant progress, numerous challenges remain, including temperature sensitivity and the scarcity of the isotope.
The NASA Hubble Fellowship Program has selected 24 outstanding astrophysicists for the 2025 class, providing up to three years of support at a U.S. institution. The fellowships aim to foster excellence and leadership in astrophysics by supporting innovative early-career researchers.
A research team has uncovered a fundamental brain circuit that distinguishes between direct and vicarious fear, with the locus coeruleus playing a crucial role in processing fear. The study reveals a lateralized LC-NAergic system that separates personal from socially learned fear, shedding light on empathy and social learning.
The Protein Society recognizes five award winners in 2025 for their groundbreaking research in protein science and technology. Professor Jan Steyaert receives the Christian B. Anfinsen Award for pioneering nanobody technology, while Dr. Brian Kuhlman wins the Emil Thomas Kaiser Award for novel protein design and structural modeling.
Researchers developed a CuO catalyst that enhances lithium–sulfur battery performance by regulating Li-bond chemistries and reducing sulfur conversion kinetics. The study demonstrates exceptional catalytic performance under harsh operating conditions, showcasing the potential of CuO as an earth-abundant alternative to precious metals.
Torsten Hoefler's groundbreaking work on high-performance computing and AI has revolutionized the capabilities of supercomputers. His innovations include MPI-3 nonblocking collective operations, 3D parallelism, and routing protocols that power modern AI systems.
Avelino Corma, John Hartwig, and Helmut Schwarz received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for their fundamental advances in catalysis. They have improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption in various industrial processes through their innovative catalysts.
The device enables precise control over terahertz wave polarization, revolutionizing applications such as data transmission, imaging, and sensing. This innovation promises to transform fields like wireless communication and biomedical imaging.
RHIC physicists will complete data collection for one of the collider's central goals: creating and studying a unique form of matter known as a quark-gluon plasma (QGP). The QGP is expected to provide crucial insights for the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), which will be built by reusing components of RHIC.
Researchers propose darkening cities to improve biodiversity, human health, and reduce energy waste by embracing nocturnal living. Professor Nick Dunn's 'Dark Futures: When the Lights Go Down' presents a vision for an alternative future that reconnects humans with nature's rhythms.
Researchers identified a conserved splicing mechanism controlling the production of different proteins from the same gene, crucial for neuronal function and development. The study sheds light on how neuronal identity is established and maintained through alternative splicing.
Researchers discovered that gamma-actin increases the rigidity of cell membranes while beta-actin filaments are less stiff. This mechanism may contribute to hearing loss by affecting the apical membrane's stiffness essential for auditory function.
The Systems Metabolomics Centre will focus on three key areas: profiling populations of healthy people and those living with specific illnesses, leveraging state-of-the-art metabolomic technologies to drive biomarker discovery and metabolism research. The centre aims to develop non-invasive tests, detect diseases earlier and guide doct...
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed a new understanding of how complex materials like organic semiconductors and MOFs transport thermal energy. They discovered that phonon tunneling plays a crucial role in heat conduction, enabling targeted design of materials with specific thermal properties.
Researchers at WVU have discovered a way to fine-tune zinc activity to improve messaging in the brain, with potential applications for treating conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The study identified new compounds that can selectively change synaptic connections by modulating zinc levels.
The latest DESI data suggests that dark energy's impact on the universe's acceleration may be weakening over time. Researchers are seeing hints that evolving dark energy could be a more accurate explanation for their findings, which are backed by multiple lines of evidence from different experiments.
Dr. Owen Witte has been awarded the 12th annual Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine for his groundbreaking work on leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers. His discoveries have led to life-saving therapies like Gleevec and ibrutinib, transforming cancer treatment.
Distributed acoustic sensing systems face data processing speed limitations; researchers leverage photonic neural networks to overcome these challenges. The TWM-PNNA system achieves high recognition accuracy above 90% with low power consumption, outperforming electrical GPUs by orders of magnitude.
Researchers from Virginia Tech have published a visionary paper on fusing wireless technologies and AI to create human-like common sense. The team aims to develop a network that can think, plan, and imagine like humans, enabling seamless merging of physical, virtual, and digital dimensions.
Research teams at Alcal'Hylab joint laboratory are working on designing next-generation materials for boosting green hydrogen production, combining the benefits of alkaline water electrolysis and polymer membrane technology. The goal is to produce ultra-pure gas with high yield while minimizing carbon footprint and pollutants.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown mechanism in mechanical cell competition, where stronger "winner" cells exert more mechanical forces to outcompete weaker "loser" cells. The finding challenges classical interpretation of cell competition and suggests that active resistance to elimination is the key factor in survival.