The Monell Chemical Senses Center has long been at the forefront of research into sweet taste, tracing back to 2001 when Monell scientists were among the first to identify and describe the mammalian sweet taste receptor, TAS1R2-TAS1R3. Over the past two decades, Monell researchers have significantly advanced our understanding of the genetics and functionality of … Read more
Microbial genetics is a specialized field within genetics that focuses on the study of genetic mechanisms in bacteria and archaea, collectively referred to as microorganisms or microbes. These single-celled organisms play crucial roles in various ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling, biogeochemical processes, symbiotic relationships, and human health. Microbial genetics explores the diversity, evolution, regulation, and … Read more
Microbial ecology is the branch of ecology that studies the interactions between microorganisms and their environment, including other organisms, abiotic factors, and biogeochemical processes. Microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, and viruses, play essential roles in ecosystem dynamics, nutrient cycling, energy flow, and biogeochemical transformations. Understanding microbial ecology is crucial for elucidating the functioning of … Read more
Precisely measuring the energy states of individual atoms has been a historical challenge for physicists due to atomic recoil. When an atom interacts with a photon, the atom “recoils” in the opposite direction, making it difficult to measure the position and momentum of the atom precisely. This recoil can have big implications for quantum sensing, … Read more
Scientists led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst have adapted a device called a microwave circulator for use in quantum computers, allowing them for the first time to precisely tune the exact degree of nonreciprocity between a qubit, the fundamental unit of quantum computing, and a microwave-resonant cavity. The ability to precisely tune the degree … Read more
Dinosaurs were as smart as reptiles but not as intelligent as monkeys, as former research suggests. An international team of paleontologists, behavioral scientists and neurologists have re-examined brain size and structure in dinosaurs and concluded they behaved more like crocodiles and lizards. In a study published last year, it was claimed that dinosaurs like T. … Read more
With every new particle accelerator built for research, scientists have an opportunity to push the limits of discovery. But this is only true if new particle accelerators deliver the desired performance—no small feat in a world where each new machine is a first of its particular kind. At each project opportunity, researchers try to refine … Read more
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre at UCLH have highlighted the importance of continued surveillance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccine performance as the virus continues to evolve. Published today as a research letter in The Lancet, their study compared the newer monovalent … Read more
The mummy of Tutankhamun, the boy king of ancient Egypt, is one of the most famous and iconic archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, ruled Egypt during the 18th dynasty, approximately from 1332 to 1323 BCE, during a period known as the New Kingdom. His tomb, discovered nearly intact … Read more
The ancient Egyptians are renowned for their intricate burial practices, particularly the preservation of the deceased through mummification. This process, which evolved over thousands of years, involved several complex steps and rituals aimed at ensuring the preservation of the body for the afterlife. The preparation of Egyptian mummies was a meticulous and revered practice, deeply … Read more
The question of where the boundary between classical and quantum physics lies is one of the longest-standing pursuits of modern scientific research, and in new research published today, scientists demonstrate a novel platform that could help us find an answer. The laws of quantum physics govern the behavior of particles at miniscule scales, leading to … Read more
A groundbreaking collaboration among astronomers leveraging the capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has recently illuminated new facets of SN 1987A, a nearby supernova nestled within the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). This celestial event, whose brilliance captured the gaze of astronomers since its discovery in February 1987, continues to unveil mysteries about the … Read more
Scientists are getting a more detailed look than ever before at the electrons they use in precision experiments. Nuclear physicists with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility have shattered a nearly 30-year-old record for the measurement of parallel spin within an electron beam—or electron beam polarimetry, for short. The achievement sets … Read more
In our data-driven era, solving complex problems efficiently is crucial. However, traditional computers often struggle with this task when dealing with a large number of interacting variables, leading to inefficiencies such as the von Neumann bottleneck. A new type of collective state computing has emerged to address this issue by mapping these optimization problems onto … Read more
Astronomers have discovered one of the most powerful eruptions from a black hole ever recorded. This mega-explosion billions of years ago may help explain the formation of a striking pattern of star clusters around two massive galaxies, resembling beads on a string. This discovery was made in the system known as SDSS J1531+3414 (SDSS J1531 … Read more