Investigations into gravitational waves and their relationship with Finsler geometry are providing new insights into spacetime, suggesting ways to harmonize relativity and quantum mechanics. When speaking of our universe, it’s often said that ‘matter tells spacetime how to curve, and curved spacetime tells matter how to move’. This is the essence of Albert Einstein’s famous general [...]
Research teams have successfully regenerated mouse brain circuits using rat stem cells, showcasing a new method for restoring brain function and studying interspecies brain development. These findings open up possibilities for treating neurological diseases and understanding brain evolution, while also hinting at future clinical applications and ethical challenges in using similar techniques for human [...]
Studies at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland show that resin-treated plastics can quickly deactivate viruses, part of a larger effort under the BIOPROT project to develop bio-based antiviral materials for protective gear. Viruses can remain active on solid surfaces for extended periods, potentially raising the risk of infection. Professor Varpu Marjomäki, a Cell [...]
The more that people know about gene editing, the more likely they are to feel it is safe to use in agriculture and medicine, according to a survey of more than 4,500 people across the United States. While there is a technical difference between "gene editing" and "genetic modification," also known as transgenics, people [...]
As the deadly disease that came to be known as COVID-19 started spreading in late 2019, scientists rushed to answer a critical question: Who is most at risk? They quickly recognized that a handful of characteristics—including age, smoking history, high body mass index (BMI) and the presence of other diseases such as diabetes—made people [...]
Researchers determine the lifetimes of commercial drinking straws in the coastal ocean and develop a prototype bioplastic straw that degrades even faster than paper. A WHOI study has shown that some biodegradable straws degrade up to 50% within 16 weeks in marine environments, presenting a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics and contributing to reduced [...]
Researchers at the University of Utah Health found that “time cells” in mice adapt to learning timed tasks, a discovery that could aid early Alzheimer’s detection by monitoring changes in a key brain region. Our perception of time is crucial to our interaction with and understanding of the world around us. Whether we’re engaging in a [...]
Nanoscale materials offer remarkable chemical and physical properties that transform theoretical applications, like single-molecule sensing and minimally invasive photothermal therapy, into practical realities. The unparalleled features of nanoparticles make them promising for various research and industrial uses. However, effectively using these materials is challenging due to the absence of a rapid and consistent method [...]
Since the early days of computer science, scientists have been exploring the idea of using DNA to store data. MIT has developed an amber-like polymer that can keep DNA intact and preserve it for a long time. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule of life. While there are other essential molecules for life [...]
Brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs, hold immense potential for individuals with a wide range of neurological conditions, but the road to implementation is long and nuanced for both the invasive and noninvasive versions of the technology. Bin He of Carnegie Mellon University is highly driven to improve noninvasive BCIs, and his lab uses an innovative [...]
