Archived Intelligence
Scientists are proposing a high-tech approach to public health by using drones to guide the restoration of mangrove forests. These vital coastal ecosystems act as natural barriers to vector-borne diseases by supporting predators of mosquitoes and creating ecological conditions that hinder their populations.
Scientists have discovered a unique epigenetic pattern, or 'episignature', in the DNA of patients with Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia (DBAS), a rare and hard-to-diagnose blood disorder. This highly accurate biomarker distinguishes DBAS from similar conditions and can even identify specific subtypes, offering a robust new diagnostic tool for clinicians and clarity for patients with uncertain genetic results.
When two closely related poplar species interbreed, they create novel genetic combinations that influence their stomata—the tiny pores on their leaves. New research reveals that local climate, particularly precipitation, then acts as a selective force, favouring the genetic variations that help these hybrid trees adapt to their specific environment.
In a new study, scientists have found that tiny particles from blood platelets can significantly counteract the brain damage caused by methamphetamine in rats. These 'exosomes' not only improved learning, memory, and mood-related behaviours but also appeared to protect brain cells by reducing inflammation, cell death, and oxidative stress, hinting at a powerful new therapeutic avenue.
Scientists have developed a novel brain-inspired device that mimics biological synapses with remarkable stability. This two-dimensional component boasts 16 distinct memory states and, in simulations, demonstrated an impressive ability to recognise handwritten digits with high accuracy, even when they were partially obscured.
To understand how neurons communicate using rapid bursts of signals, scientists have created sophisticated computer models of electric fish brain cells. They discovered that this crucial firing behaviour isn't just driven by the neuron's internal machinery, but is dynamically shaped by the constant, random electrical 'noise' from surrounding synaptic activity, reconciling a long-standing mystery between lab and real-world observations.
Scientists have ingeniously combined two powerful microscopy techniques to study chemical reactions in liquids. Their new 'see, freeze, and resolve' workflow allows them to watch nanoscale processes unfold in real-time, then flash-freeze the action to analyse the exact atomic composition of that precise moment.
As electronics shrink, managing heat is critical. New simulations reveal that at the single-molecule scale, junctions using platinum electrodes and a single benzene molecule conduct heat more effectively than those with gold or larger molecules, paving the way for cooler nano-devices.
Scientists are using colloidal systems, where individual particles can be tracked, as a perfect training ground for artificial intelligence. This unique visibility provides incredibly rich data, teaching machine learning models to predict how materials behave and helping to design novel ones from scratch.
Scientists are harnessing DNA's natural behaviour to build powerful new computers. By designing specific DNA molecules to react spontaneously, they can solve complex problems that stump conventional machines, offering huge advantages in speed, data storage, and energy efficiency.
Scientists have developed a new memory device that uses light to store data with remarkable energy efficiency. By precisely layering perovskite quantum dots, a thin insulator, and a 2D material, the device offers a promising new architecture for the powerful yet low-energy computer chips required for advanced artificial intelligence.
By combining genomic data with models of gene activity in the brain, researchers have identified hundreds of genes associated with feelings of worry and anxiety. This genetic blueprint not only provides new targets for research but also reveals a shared biological foundation with conditions like autism and schizophrenia.