Science & Tech
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Solving mystery at tip of South America
Study finds previously unknown ancient lineage of indigenous people, which gave rise to surprisingly diverse mix of cultures
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Is AI dulling our minds?
Experts weigh in on whether tech poses threat to critical thinking, pointing to cautionary tales in use of other cognitive labor tools
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A potential quantum leap
Harvard physicists unveil system to solve long-standing barrier to new generation of supercomputers
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No one knows the answer, and that’s the point
‘Genuinely Hard Problems’ pilots novel approach to scientific education
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Salamanders can regrow limbs. Could humans someday?
Findings on adrenaline’s role in process raise new possibilities for regenerative medicine
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Tracking climate change through nature’s ‘breaths’
New research tower monitoring Harvard Forest’s carbon intake, outtake continues data collection that started in 1989
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Pandemic academics
A new Harvard course challenges students to use science to evaluate COVID-19 policies.
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Deep learning takes on synthetic biology
Computational algorithms enable identification and optimization of RNA-based tools for myriad applications.
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A timeline on the evolution of reptiles
A new study by a team of Harvard-led researchers contradicts a widely held theory that major transitions in evolution always happened in big, quick (geologically speaking) bursts, triggered by major environmental shifts.
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Six-year deluge linked to Spanish flu, World War I deaths
A new study of ice-core data shows that an unusual, six-year period of cold temperatures and heavy rainfall coincided with European deaths during the 1918 Spanish flu.
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Interplanetary storm chasing
Harvard researchers use a 3D model to figure out how a hexagon-shaped mega-storm on Saturn was formed.
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How cells sort themselves
Researchers have discovered a key control mechanism that cells use to self-organize in early embryonic development.
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When it hits 100 degrees in Siberia …
With the threat of extreme heat rising, from California to Siberia, we ask climate scientist Peter Huybers what to expect in the future.
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Infection detection
“Viral history” tool VirScan offers new insights into antibody response to SARS-CoV-2.
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A model of how museums can share their collections more widely
Harvard has digitized 19th-century glass models of 15 marine invertebrates made by Rudolf and Leopold Blaschka. The 3D models are the result of between 250 to 700 images that had to be taken per glass piece.
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A map of the human heart
Highly detailed map of the human heart could guide personalized heart treatments.
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An emergency response team for data?
Data science provides a foundation for an important front in the battle against COVID-19. The Harvard Data Science Review, a journal of the Harvard Data Science Initiative, is helping keep data scientists connected and up to date on the latest findings.
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Your shoes were made for walking. And that may be the problem
Toe springs in shoes make walking easier but may come at a cost.
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How the West became WEIRD
In his new book Joe Henrich looks at how the West became psychologically peculiar and prosperous.
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On the clock
Researchers have built two machine learning models that gauge biological age and predict remaining lifespan in mice.
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Viewing flattened fossils in a new light
Harvard and Chinese scientists study Cambrian fossils using micro-CT and 3D models.
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A cool first for Harvard
Harvard researchers become the first to cool a polyatomic molecule using light.
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Inside Harvard’s COVID tracing effort
A look at COVID-19 contact tracing efforts at Harvard.
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Students use computational biology to confront COVID-19
A team of undergrads is using computational biology to create a therapeutic that enables the body to quickly develop COVID-19 antibodies and jump-start the immune system’s battle against the disease.
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Far-out findings from the cosmos
CfA astronomers theorize that the solar system originally had two suns as they further research a sneezing star and ‘Oumuamua.
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Imagine clothing that stretches or shrinks to fit you
SEAS researchers have developed a material made from recycled wool can be 3D-printed into any shape and pre-programmed with reversible shape memory.
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Differing diets of bonobo groups offer insights into how culture is created
According to new study, bonobo hunting tendencies show proof of culture
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Where the wild things are — now that humans are locked down
Researchers led by Christian Rutz, 2019–2020 Grass Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, are examining human impact on wildlife using data collected during the pandemic quarantine.
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Synthetic lining in small intestine may help treat diabetes, obesity
Researchers have developed a synthetic lining that could deliver drugs in a sustained way to the small intestine, offering hope for those suffering from lactose intolerance, diabetes, and obesity.
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Cutting surgical robots down to size
In a collaboration between Harvard and Sony, engineers have brought surgical robotics down to the microscale by creating a new, origami-inspired miniature manipulator to improve precision and control.
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How caffeine changed the world
The seductive powers, dark history, health benefits, and harmful side effects of the world’s most-used drug, are included in Michael Pollan’s new audiobook, “Caffeine: How Coffee and Tea Created the Modern World.”
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Putting a crown on OMNIVAX
A biomaterials-based infection vaccine strategy shows first promise in eliciting immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and could be applied broadly to stave off infectious disease.
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7 million face shields and counting
The Wyss Institute made improvements to its face shields based on recommendations from area hospitals. Joining forces with a Mansfield, Mass.-based manufacturer, the institute’s face shields are now being produced at a rate of 400,000 a day.
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Quieting the storm
Acupuncture activates inflammation-regulating pathways, tames cytokine storm in mice.
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Linking sight and movement
Harvard neuroscientists look at how movement influences vision and perception.
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A new way to target resistant cancer
Harvard University researchers have identified a unique characteristic of the resistant cancer cells, which could lead to an inhibitor can be repurposed and combined with chemotherapy to improve patient outcomes.