News on research labs and their facilities. Covers lunar research sites, national-lab partnerships, obesity classification, and cloud-lab funding.
A study published in Nature reveals the complex mesh of muscle fibers lining the heart impacts performance and heart failure. The research used AI to analyze 25,000 MRI scans, discovering six human DNA regions affecting fractal patterns in these fibers.
Army researchers have developed a new material that can autonomously heal in air and underwater, enabling massive reconfigurability in future military platforms. The material has a dynamic bond that allows it to be 3-D printed and recycled, and introduces unique shape memory behavior.
The VENUS system uses a pulsed magnetic field to stimulate small metal parts in landmines, detecting vibrations that distinguish them from other buried objects. This technology has the potential to upgrade conventional systems and reduce false alarm rates, benefiting humanitarian operations and road mobility.
A 34-species artificial bacterial community was exposed to different antibiotic levels, showing changes in composition and eventually recovering to its initial state. Repeatability of responses across replicate communities suggests certain traits may predict future community behavior.
The SAMURAI system measures signals across a wide frequency range, providing a detailed portrait of 5G device and channel performance. The system helps resolve unanswered questions surrounding 5G's use of active antennas, improving theory, hardware, and analysis techniques for accurate channel models and efficient networks.
Researchers confirmed a theory that networks of no more than 150 are optimal for internally sharing information, a concept proposed by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar in the 1990s. Understanding this 'Dunbar Number' is crucial for training teams and forming cohesive groups.
The Smart Stirrer, a novel magnetic stirrer, monitors multiple parameters such as color, transparency, conductivity, viscosity, and temperature wirelessly to enable real-time tracking of chemical reactions. This innovative device allows for automation, reproducibility, and safety in laboratory settings.
A case report from Children's National Hospital reveals isolated N. meningitidis testing positive for resistance to two antibiotics it has historically been susceptible to, raising concerns about the rise in antibiotic resistance. The finding could lead to changes in laboratory and clinical practices across the US.
A cheaper, rapid, and accurate pooling strategy for RT-PCR-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples has been proposed. The assay has a significant impact on large-scale population screening, reducing testing costs by approximately 5-10 fold.
Researchers created a self-healing polymer that can repair itself in one second, while retaining its original strength, and is also biodegradable and recyclable. The material mimics the squid's ability to heal itself in nature, with potential applications for robotic machines, prosthetic legs, and personal protective equipment.
A machine-learning approach analyzing 2,413 measures from 11,196 couples identified key predictors of relationship quality. Life satisfaction and emotional health were strong individual characteristics associated with relationship quality.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a method to visualize light-induced molecular ring-opening reactions using free-electron lasers. The study reveals the speed and mechanisms behind these reactions, which are essential for understanding biological processes like vitamin D formation.
Researchers found that only an extremely small percentage of ingested microplastic particles made it into the fish fillets. The majority were excreted, suggesting that fish can isolate and remove these particles before they penetrate their tissues.
Researchers have created a new type of chemical thermometer using spin-crossover molecules to create a nanometric-scale thermal map. The innovation enables the measurement of local thermal processes and improves device design.
A new catalyst has been developed that efficiently and reliably converts carbon dioxide from seawater into carbon monoxide, a critical step in producing liquid hydrocarbons. This breakthrough could enable Navy ships to produce fuel directly from seawater, eliminating the need for periodic refueling.
Researchers developed a new aluminum panel that concentrates solar energy to evaporate and purify contaminated water, reducing contaminants to safe levels for drinking. The technology uses a burst of laser pulses to etch the surface of aluminum, creating a super-wicking and light-absorbing surface that can efficiently purify water.
The study observed a rare phenomenon known as the dynamic breaking of Friedel's Law in layered van der Waals materials, where the pairs of Bragg peaks show opposite oscillating patterns. This unique behavior is attributed to the lattice structure of the material and its effect on electron diffraction.
A study published in the Journal Blood reveals the molecular landscape of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN), a group of rare malignancies with overlapping features. The researchers identified genotype-phenotype associations and potential diagnostic molecular markers that can improve diagnosis and risk stratificatio...
A study by University of Utah Health and PEEL Therapeutics found that an overactive NET immune response may lead to increased blood clotting, disease severity, and death from COVID-19. A naturally occurring protein, nNIF, quiets this hyperactive response, potentially opening new avenues for treatment.
Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have developed a method to observe excitation waves in heart tissue without the need for fluorescent dyes. This approach allows for more independent results, is cheaper, and can be used for longer observations than conventional methods.
The CNRS 2020 Innovation Medallists have made significant contributions to various fields, including graft rejection treatment and high-precision sensors. Their work has led to the development of innovative technologies with applications in industry, healthcare, and research.
PATRIOT analysis uses organoids to identify potential therapeutic targets in tumor cells, providing a holistic assessment of patient tumors. This allows for improved therapy recommendations and expanded personalized therapy options for cancer patients.
Sean Shaheen, associate professor at University of Colorado Boulder, takes over as new editor-in-chief of Journal of Photonics for Energy in July 2020. He aims to publish emerging science and technology concepts in photonics for renewable energy harvesting and applications.
Researchers found that extreme rainfall events from STCs can occur over inland areas far from coastlines due to amplification of local terrain and large-scale forcing. The study suggests further investigation into asymmetrical distribution of STP, differences between STP and landfalling precipitation, and comparisons with other datasets.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has selected 10 postdoctoral fellows from seven Latin American countries to conduct research in the US. The fellows will explore various biomedical topics, including leukemia stem cells and HIV hiding inside host cells.
Researchers developed an artificial molecular pump to install rings onto polymer strings, enabling precise control over ring threading and opening up new possibilities for scratch-resistant coatings and actuators. Polyrotaxanes show promise in soft materials and can be fine-tuned by accurately defining the polymer's structure.
Researchers developed an aerosol-jet printed graphene sensor to detect histamines in food with high sensitivity and rapid response time. The sensor showed a quick response time of 33 minutes without pre-labelling, reducing the need for laboratory testing.
Scientists from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory have improved distributed algorithms for multi-agent coordination, enabling better situational awareness and communication capabilities for Soldiers in limited bandwidth scenarios.
Researchers developed a symptom tracking method using famotidine for non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, showing potential for improved outcomes. The method allows for daily tracking of six common COVID-19 symptoms and has been validated in a clinical case series.
A case series examines COVID-19's epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features in hospitalized pediatric patients. Key findings include the impact of age, comorbidities, and disease severity on patient outcomes.
A small study investigates the effect of sample inactivation on SARS-CoV-2 detection and finds that viral inactivation may contribute to false negatives. The researchers tested several inactivation methodologies, including TRIzol, which showed the least effect on RNA copy number, making it recommended for sample inactivation.
A Texas A&M University research project, led by Dr. Justin Wilkerson, aims to identify the damaging effects of vacancies in aluminum's atomic structure on ballistic performance. The study uses supercomputing facilities to calculate changes due to vacancies over time and may lead to improved armor materials for the US Army.
JGU is welcoming renowned physicist Gilad Perez to Mainz to tackle the mystery of dark matter. His research aims to identify the nature of dark matter and develop innovative detection methods in the laboratory.
A new study published in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics found that phosphate buffered saline (PBS) can reliably transport COVID-19 samples to testing labs for up to 18 hours. This inexpensive and commonly available solution overcomes the shortage of virus transport media, enabling faster diagnosis and more widespread surveillance.
Researchers have assessed the diversity of freshwater molluscs in the Circumpolar region, finding 104 species. They attribute their ability to survive in the Arctic to biological traits such as hermaphroditism and air travel.
Researchers found Oriental tit birds give distinct alarm calls to snakes and chipmunks, warning nestlings of snake threat but not chipmunk danger. The study suggests a specific call signals 'be aware of a snake' rather than general predator alert.
Researchers found that corals producing a 'sunscreen layer' can encourage symbionts to return, boosting recovery prospects. Colourful bleaching events occur in association with brief or mild heat stress episodes.
Researchers have developed a magnetic field sensor that can be used in both industry and biomedicine, offering high sensitivity and local interaction with magnetic materials. The sensor was patented last year and has the potential for applications in flaw detection and biomedical fields.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics has released an updated technical standard for CFTR variant testing, incorporating revised information about cystic fibrosis and the CFTR gene. The new guidelines aim to improve the accuracy and efficiency of genetic screening and diagnosis.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a new robot rover, the Mini Rover, that can climb sand-covered hills and avoid getting stuck. The rover uses a unique gait that combines paddling, walking, and wheel spinning motions to create a robust and adaptable locomotion system.
Researchers developed a new robot called the Mini Rover that can climb hills covered with loose material and avoid getting stuck. Using a complex motion called rear rotator pedaling, the rover combines paddling, walking, and wheel spinning motions to maintain forward progress.
Researchers discovered that microorganisms change the nature of rock they occupy by extracting water, causing a phase transformation. This finding has implications for life support systems and biomanufacturing in extreme environments.
The OpenFlexure Microscope is a fully automated, laboratory-grade instrument that can be 3D printed for as little as $18. It features motorised sample positioning and focus control, producing high-quality images.
A joint laboratory is being developed by George Mason University and Dartmouth researchers to extract knowledge bases from technical documents. The U.S. Department of the Navy has allocated $529,194 for this project, which aims to create a distributed computing system to achieve large-scale document generation.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a rotating detonation rocket engine that can sustain continuous Mach 5 explosions, improving rocket-engine efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. This technology has the potential to increase space mission capabilities and reduce emissions.
Researchers from the University of Seville found that initial motivation is related to individual differences in drop-out probability and satisfaction with the learning experience. The study suggests designing personalized learning plans based on a good initial diagnosis of students' learning intentions and motivational profiles.
Researchers found that pupil features correlate with cognitive processes involved in mental arithmetic and decision-making. The study used pupil-tracking technology to measure changes in pupil size over time, revealing two distinct influences: a rapid, transient effect and a longer-lasting, sustained influence.
Researchers developed a new design to reduce energy loss in optical fiber communications by radiating light in a single direction. This breakthrough has the potential to improve data communications for commercial data centers and enable battery-powered photonic computers.
A group of international researchers is investigating whether overactive immune cells producing Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) contribute to severe COVID-19 cases. The study links NETs in the lungs to COVID-19 symptoms and suggests a potential new treatment avenue.
A new program analyzing Maine and New Hampshire well water samples found that 25% exceed the New Hampshire maximum safety level of 5 ppb, while 62% of homeowners haven't had their water tested. The results highlight the need for improved testing and mitigation strategies to protect residents from arsenic-related health risks.
Researchers have found that polymers filled with carbon nanotubes could potentially improve how unmanned vehicles dissipate energy. These materials are also less susceptible to corrosion, lightweight, and have higher electrical conductivity than traditional elastomers.
Scientists have created an equation to predict glacier movement over soft beds, which could improve forecasts of glacier speed and sea-level rise. The new 'slip law' accounts for the motion of ice resting on deformable ground underneath fast-moving parts of ice sheets.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research used a hybrid approach to assign calendar dates to tree rings, potentially pinning down the Thera volcano eruption date. The study spans over 2,000 years and provides context for civilizations in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology developed an AI-powered smart insole that turns any shoe into a portable gait-analysis laboratory. The technology provides accurate real-time data on stride length, speed, and power, overcoming limitations of existing wearable technologies.
Scientists at PSI analysed chemical compounds directly in aerosols and observed dissociation and release of gaseous formic acid. The findings will improve understanding of global processes involved in cloud formation and air pollution.
Researchers have developed a novel approach for quantum error correction that can mitigate certain types of random fluctuations, enabling the creation of more efficient quantum computers and sensors. By targeting specific noise sources, this method could significantly improve the performance of quantum systems.
A Rutgers-led study found that climate change could threaten the survival and development of common whelk in the mid-Atlantic region. The species' spawning cycle is closely linked to temperature, which is expected to increase due to rising temperatures.
Researchers at Linköping University have created an organic material with superb conductivity by mixing two polymers, eliminating the need for doping. This breakthrough could lead to improved efficiency in organic solar cells and bioelectronic applications.
A new study found that reactivated HSV in trigeminal nerves of laboratory mice kills off at least a portion of sensory neurons. Antiviral drugs like acyclovir can prevent this outcome, suggesting a potential strategy for preventing neurodegeneration related to HSV reactivation.
Researchers have discovered two mechanisms that repair DNA damage caused by acetaldehyde, a degradation product of alcohol. The novel route cuts the crosslink itself, providing a new line of defense against alcohol-induced ICLs.