News on research labs and their facilities. Covers lunar research sites, national-lab partnerships, obesity classification, and cloud-lab funding.
Researchers developed an artificial graphene device that simulates the quantum behavior of strongly interacting electrons. The device replicates the honeycomb lattice of graphene and enables exploration of fundamental quantum physics.
A new online tool, Mouse Phylogeny Viewer, allows researchers to select from 162 strains of laboratory mice for which the entire genome has been characterized. This tool enables scientists to design better experiments by selecting strains with greater genetic diversity, ultimately improving the translation of results to humans.
Researchers have created a genome-wide map of most inbred mouse strains, finding that they represent only limited genetic diversity. The team hopes to expand this diversity by adding wild mouse populations, which could lead to more effective translation of experimental results to humans.
Researchers found that preharvest rainfall and firm fruit are key factors contributing to blueberry splitting. The study also showed that some cultivars, like 'Premier,' have a lower incidence of splitting than others, such as widely grown 'Tifblue.'
Researchers have developed autonomous robots that can explore and map buildings using a combination of navigation technology, vision-based techniques, and network technology. The robots can transmit detailed floor maps to humans in minutes, which could improve response times to emergencies and enhance safety in confined spaces.
A Northwestern University study finds that lifelong musical training can benefit adults by offsetting age-related decline in memory and ability to hear speech in noisy environments. Musicians aged 45-65 outperform non-musicians in auditory memory, hearing speech in noise, and other cognitive functions.
A prediction model that includes data on measures of several routinely obtained laboratory tests accurately predicted the short-term risk of kidney failure for patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. The researchers used demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from over 7,000 patients with CKD stages 3 to 5.
Researchers harness the power of fast-replicating bacterial viruses to evolve biomolecules in the laboratory, generating enzymes with desired properties in just weeks. The phage-assisted continuous evolution approach allows for rapid generation of proteins and nucleic acids with tailored properties.
Dr. Michael S. Watson, PhD, FACMG, receives the first ACMG Presidents' Award for his groundbreaking work in translating genetic information into healthcare use. He has been a driving force behind the American College of Medical Genetics' success.
Researchers at WashU Medicine successfully grew and manipulated human intestinal microbes, identifying new probiotics and exploring microbe transplants as a treatment for obesity and diseases. The study provides a pipeline for manipulating diverse microbial communities from people of different ages and cultures.
Researchers at NIST and Virginia Tech developed a new reference material for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which showed more accurate measurement results than previous methods. The tool aims to reduce inter-laboratory variability in VOC emissions testing, leading to improved indoor air quality and occupant health.
Jeannette Wing, a renowned computer scientist, will receive the 2011 Distinguished Service Award of the Computer Research Association. Her ideas have helped shape conceptions of what computer science is and can be, with a focus on computational thinking. The CRA cited her extraordinary performance in research, education, and service.
The Khalaf Al Habtoor Harvard Research Fellowship offers a postdoctoral researcher from the UAE or Middle East region a chance to work at Harvard Medical School for up to three years. The fellowship aims to explore fundamental scientific questions and contribute knowledge to the host laboratory.
Caltech graduate student Guoan Zheng received the 2011 Lemelson-MIT Caltech Student Prize for his on-chip microscopy imaging technology with potential applications in malaria and blood-borne diseases. Meanwhile, Wendian Shi's portable lab-on-a-chip system for determining white blood cell counts won a $10,000 award.
New York University physicists have developed a method for packing microscopic spheres that can improve various commercial products, such as pharmaceutical lotions and ice cream. The researchers manipulated the properties of emulsions using statistical mechanics and depletion attraction to create materials with desired properties.
Researchers have discovered a promising new treatment for prion diseases, a group of untreatable brain disorders. The compound, derived from aminothiazoles, has shown to reduce abnormal prion protein in laboratory mice and cell cultures.
Researchers found that whole blood retains its clotting properties at least 11 days under standard refrigeration, potentially improving survival in war injuries and disasters. This discovery could lead to a change in clinical practice and improve the availability of whole blood for specific situations.
Stevens researchers create reliable nano-actuators that can benefit diverse applications, including biomaterials and nano robots. The precise arrangement of nanowires is crucial for practical applications, but current techniques face limitations.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology discovered a unique chemical signaling system in tropical seaweed that may provide new pharmaceutical compounds for treating malaria. The team found concentrated antifungal molecules at specific locations on the seaweed surfaces, which could be used to develop effective treatments.
Researchers recreated ancient Egyptian artificial toes and tested them on volunteers, finding they could help with walking. The toes date from before 600BC, predating the Roman Capula Leg as the earliest known practical prosthesis.
Researchers have created a new framework for analyzing key genetic variations that were previously overlooked. The study analyzed the genomes of 185 individuals and identified 22,025 deletions and 6,000 other structural variants.
Researchers have discovered Largazole's potential to stimulate bone growth and repair damaged bones. The compound blocks the body's natural bone resorption process, offering new hope for treating bone diseases.
A new study has identified the precise steps in the molecular evolution of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major threat to global health. The research reveals that the bacterium's genetic makeup has undergone significant changes, with a likely birthplace in Europe and widespread spread across the globe.
The February issue of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features a method for quantitative proteomic profiling using laser capture microdissection and nanoscale liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Immunoimaging is also explored, with methods for studying immune system dynamics using two-photon microscopy.
A Jackson Laboratory research team has identified a mutation in a gene essential for correct protein-processing, which disrupts cellular development and growth. The study found that defects in the chaperone proteins lead to photoreceptor degeneration, central nervous system abnormalities, and male infertility.
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing biorenewable polymers capable of healing themselves as they degrade and crack. The technology embeds catalysts and microcapsules containing a liquid healing agent within a composite, releasing the agent to form 3-D polymer chains that fill cracks.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have made a breakthrough in understanding how neural circuits self-assemble. By observing the formation of inhibitory synapses, they found that GABA transmission regulates synaptic adhesion. The discovery sheds light on neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers have identified new yeast genes that improve ethanol tolerance, allowing for higher ethanol concentrations in biofuel production. This breakthrough could make cellulosic ethanol economically competitive with fossil fuels.
A recent study published in HortScience found that Bounce fabric softener sheets can repel adult gnats, with a mean proportion of fungus gnat adults collected being significantly lower in sample compartments containing dryer sheets. The study attributed the effect to volatile compounds such as linalool and beta-citronellol.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a spontaneously chain-reacting molecule that can grow durable 'molecular-chains' on surfaces. This discovery could enable faster and more efficient creation of nano-wires for circuitry applications.
Researchers at Caltech, with support from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, have found that flies follow horizontal edges to regulate altitude, unlike earlier studies suggesting they measure motion beneath them. This edge-following behavior is similar to their steering mechanism and relies heavily on vision.
Researchers from Arizona State University have discovered a calcium-driven pump mechanism in endolithic cyanobacteria, which dissolves carbonate substrates. This finding has implications for coral reefs and mussel aquaculture, addressing a long-standing geochemical paradox.
Duke University Medical Center will oversee external quality assurance programs for HIV laboratories worldwide, ensuring reliable and reproducible data for treatments, under a $52.8 million NIH contract. The project aims to address global laboratory standards, tracking virus strains and assays for new therapies.
Purdue University researchers are studying the effects of fire on steel structures using a one-of-a-kind heating system. The testing focuses on how building components behave in extreme temperatures, with results comparing computational models to real-world experiments.
A study found that playing Tetris after viewing traumatic images reduced memory flashbacks in healthy volunteers. However, playing a word-based quiz game increased flashbacks. The researchers suggest that Tetris competes with the brain's perceptual information channel, reducing traumatic memories.
Dr. Hongbin Li receives a three-year AFRL contract to study distributed radar systems and improve object detection, developing networked radar capabilities with high spatial resolution and accuracy. The goal is to combine software and hardware for efficient data communication and achieve better bandwidth from multiple radar sensors.
The Central Appalachians Stable Isotope Facility (CASIF) was established to study environmental changes using stable isotopes. Researchers now have access to a state-of-the-art instrument for analyzing materials such as water, pollen, and soils.
The article reviews standard and cutting-edge laboratory techniques for three-dimensional biological imaging, including confocal microscopy and array tomography. These methods allow for the visualization of previously inaccessible features of tissue structure and molecular architecture.
The University of Houston is developing new technologies for the alternative energy industry with a $1.2 million grant from the Office of Naval Research. Researchers will focus on improving thin-film solar cell efficiency and developing nanosensors for wind turbine blades to monitor structural health.
A team of scientists from Caltech and JPL have characterized a key chemical reaction affecting smog formation, suggesting current models underestimate ozone levels by 5-10%. Their findings likely impact air quality predictions, emissions regulation, and health assessments.
UK scientists at NPL create standards for measuring electric materials on the nanoscale, allowing for more accurate devices and a better understanding of nanotechnology's role in electric materials. This breakthrough enables comparisons to be made and promotes the development of new nano-structured ferroelectric materials.
The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics is published on behalf of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) and the American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP). The journal publishes high-quality original papers on scientific advances in molecular diagnostics.
A consensus statement from The Endocrine Society and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls for improved testosterone testing standards. The recommendations aim to increase accuracy, reliability, and comparability of measurements over time.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's Chesapeake Biological Laboratory is rebuilding its historic research pier after receiving a $1.7 million National Science Foundation grant. The pier, which has played a crucial role in climate change and fisheries management research since 1936, sustained major damage from r...
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute have developed new detection equipment that can reliably identify liquid explosives. The method involves sensors detecting vapors from open containers or x-ray equipment scanning unopened bottles, paving the way for lifting of EU ban on carry-on liquids.
Researchers found that power users prefer customization to control their information universe, while nonpower users prefer personalized experiences with assured privacy. This study highlights the importance of considering user experience and privacy concerns when designing online news platforms.
The completed cacao genome project provides genetic information to improve planting stocks and protect fragile incomes of West African, Asian, and South American cocoa farmers. The dataset is publicly available, enabling breeders and researchers around the world to share tools and fight disease in their crops.
Scientists at University of East Anglia and Frankfurt discover largest chlorine isotope enrichment ever found in nature. This breakthrough could lead to identification of sources of banned CFCs still being released into the atmosphere.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have created a novel method using power meters and stationary bicycles to determine cycling fitness. The technique allows athletes to establish personalized training zones with high accuracy, enabling coaches to prescribe targeted workouts.
A large population study found a statistically significant association between BPA exposure and increased testosterone levels in men. The study, which analyzed data from over 700 adults aged 20-74 years, suggests that even low-level exposure to BPA may have endocrine-disrupting effects on human health.
Researchers developed novel antisense therapies that protected monkeys infected with deadly Ebola or Marburg viruses, with survival rates over 90%. The treatments were administered up to one hour after exposure and showed promise for treating accidental infections in laboratory or hospital settings.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technology enabling tiny machines to self-calibrate, leading to super-accurate sensors for crime scene forensics, environmental testing and medical diagnostics. This innovation could revolutionize fields like tracking criminal suspects and detecting hazardous substances.
Researchers have developed electrowetting displays that offer high resolution, fast switching speeds, and low power consumption, enabling video content displays and potentially revolutionizing the industry
USDA scientists create a new sustainable potting medium called WholeTree, made from thinned pine trees. The material can replace costly and time-consuming materials like peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite, reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
Researchers at UCLA found that when one brain region is damaged, another region can take over its function. The study suggests that the brain has a mechanism to adapt and compensate, potentially leading to new treatments for patients with memory impairments.
New research on Martian rocks suggests they may hold evidence of living organisms from 4 billion years ago. The findings provide a promising lead for future exobiology missions and shed light on the potential for life on early Mars.
Mice cages alter brains in mice used in laboratories, affecting outcomes of research, according to a breakthrough study published in PLoS One. The type of cage can change the brain's olfactory bulb and levels of aggression.
Researchers at Florida Institute of Technology have developed a streamlined process for synthesizing the chemical compound CDNI-Glu, reducing production time from 150 hours to 24 hours. The licensed technology will be commercially available through Tocris, enabling neuroscientists to study brain neural networks more efficiently.
The University of Southern California has received a $56.8 million Clinical and Translational Science Award from the NIH to support real-life applications of scientific discoveries in healthcare. The Los Angeles Basin CTSI will partner with community organizations and providers to address health issues in urban environments.
Two protocols from the Neurobiology of Drosophila course are now available in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols: a method for stimulating neurons in the brain and identifying neuroblasts via immunofluorescent staining. These methods provide insight into the giant fiber system and role of stem cells in development.