Scientists have harnessed many-body physics to transform quantum dots into scalable, stable quantum nodes. By entangling nuclear spins into a ‘dark state,’ they created a quantum register capable of storing and retrieving quantum information with high fidelity. This leap forward brings quantum networks closer to reality, unlocking new possibilities for communication and computing.
Treating hair loss may be as simple as developing therapies to flip a molecular “switch,” according to a new study by researchers from Penn State; the University of California, Irvine; and National Taiwan University.
The researchers reviewed the biological and social evolution of human scalp hair. Based on their analysis, they proposed a novel theory that points to a molecular basis underlying the ability to grow long scalp hair.
In short, human ancestors may have always had the ability to grow long scalp hair, but the trait remained dormant until certain environmental and biological conditions — like walking upright on two legs — turned on the molecular program. The team published their findings, which they said could serve as the basis for future experimental work, in the British Journal of Dermatology.
A string of startups are racing to build models that can produce better and better software. They claim it’s the shortest path to AGI.
Researchers at the University of Oxford and their collaborators, including the Serum Institute of India, have developed an innovative method to identify falsified vaccines without opening the vaccine vial.
The new method, published in npj Vaccines, analyzes the vaccine vial label and its adhesive and therefore allows the vaccine vials to be retained in the supply chain. Furthermore, the study has shown that the technique can also differentiate genuine COVID-19 vaccine liquid from falsified vaccine surrogates, using a recently published method developed using non-COVID vaccines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 10.5% of medicines worldwide in low and middle-income countries are substandard or are falsified medicines made by criminals. This threatens global health since the medicines and vaccines fail to prevent and treat the diseases for which they were intended, and they risk additional adverse health consequences if the ingredients used by criminals in the falsified products are harmful.
Astronomers discover an unusual neutron star that emits double pulses, challenging theories about stellar remnants.
UC Berkeley researchers devised a fast and precise way to teach robots tasks like assembling a motherboard or an IKEA drawer.
As their primary food source becomes less accessible, the bears enter longer fasting periods, leading to declining health and population numbers.
“A loss of sea ice means bears spend less time hunting seals and more time fasting on land,” said Louise Archer, a postdoctoral researcher and lead author of the study.
This prolonged fasting drains polar bears’ energy reserves, reducing their ability to reproduce and raise cubs. Without enough stored fat, female bears struggle to give birth and nurse their young. Over time, this energy deficit has led to a sharp population decline.
Australian researchers have successfully introduced an improved version of Cas12a gene-editing enzyme in mice. Their work establishes a next-generation gene-editing tool that enhances genetic manipulation for cancer and medical research in a preclinical model.
The study, “Advancing the genetic engineering toolbox by combining AsCas12a knock-in mice with ultra-compact screening,” was published in Nature Communications.
“This is the first time Cas12a has been used in preclinical models, which will greatly advance our genome engineering capabilities,” said co-author Eddie La Marca, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) in Australia.
Wandering salamanders are known for gliding high through the canopies of coastal redwood forests, but how the small amphibians stick their landing and take-off with ease remains something of a mystery.
A new study in the Journal of Morphology reveals the answer may have a lot to do with a surprising mechanism: blood-powered toes. The Washington State University-led research team discovered that wandering salamanders (Aneides vagrans) can rapidly fill, trap and drain the blood in their toe tips to optimize attachment, detachment and general locomotion through their arboreal environment.
The research not only uncovers a previously unknown physiological mechanism in salamanders but also has implications for bioinspired designed. Insights into salamander toe mechanics could ultimately inform the development of adhesives, prosthetics, and even robotic appendages.
Cancer is infamously cunning, expansive and relentless. It has a talent for evading treatment, spreading throughout the body and coming back again and again. Despite a steady decline in U.S. cancer mortality rates thanks to better screening and treatments, the absolute number of deaths from cancer continues to tick up, in part because of an aging population.
In response, scientists and clinicians are taking a page from cancer’s playbook, learning to be just as cunning, expansive and relentless in their efforts to beat back the disease. Cancer is meeting its match.
“The field of oncology has been completely transformed from where it was 15 years ago — many aspects of cancer treatment resemble science fiction now,” said Steven Artandi, MD, PhD, the Laurie Kraus Lacob Director of the Stanford Cancer Institute.