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A new report from a group of Northeastern researchers explores across disciplines how biotech can ensure safe, sustainable life beyond Earth.
The key to international space cooperation is developments in biotechnology, Northeastern researchers say
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The NeuroPRISM lab, led by assistant psychology professor Stephanie Noble, makes tools that pave the way for reliable and reproducible neuroimaging of the brain.
Precise maps of the brain’s deepest corners are made possible through tools developed by these Northeastern researchers
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How Northeastern scientists are using Antarctic sea spiders to study life on the edge
Connie Phong wants to know how an animal adapted to live in a highly specialized environment — just below the freezing point for seawater — responds to warming oceans.
What is ‘weather whiplash’? And why scientists say it’s becoming the new normal
In the days before a catastrophic flash flood swept through rural Texas over the July 4 weekend, the region was parched by drought. Even as search crews trudged through mud and debris in search of victims — at least 135 people lost their lives — some parts of the county remained super dry. The rapid swing between […]
Secrets of the dark genome could spark new drug discoveries, says Northeastern researcher
Since the Human Genome Project first produced the genetic instructions for a human being by sequencing DNA 22 years ago, scientists have been focused on roughly 2% of the genome producing proteins. But what about the rest? Northeastern University professor Sudhakaran Prabakaran says this “dark genome” is not only actively making “dark proteins,” but its secrets could […]
Is all learning ‘incidental’? Northeastern professor says that we ‘trick’ our brains into learning
When was the last time you sat down and tried to learn something? How did you approach it? Did you make flashcards for hard-to-remember terms and concepts, ask a friend to quiz you on the subject or simply jump into the deep end with a new project? New research from Northeastern University psychology professor Aaron Seitz suggests that […]
Hot, dry weather kills the deer ticks that cause Lyme. But your clothes dryer does an even better job
The black-legged deer ticks that transmit Lyme disease to thousands of Americans every year can survive below-freezing temperatures and go more than a year without a meal. Want to see their superpowers evaporate? Bring on hot, dry weather. One thing deer ticks hate: Hot, dry weather When deer ticks are exposed for too long to […]
Why are people crashing out? Emotional breakdowns have gone viral
Remember when Britney Spears shaved her head and attacked a paparazzo’s SUV with an umbrella? Or when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars? Celebrity meltdowns like these once played out on TV or in tabloids. Now, anyone can go viral for an emotional breakdown, or what Gen Z calls a “crash out.” […]
Friction, speed and surprise: What sets Wimbledon’s grass courts apart from clay, hard courts
The grass tennis courts of Wimbledon are among the most recognizable in the world. But despite its fame, grass is one of the rarest surfaces on which tennis is played today; many tennis fans and players may never set foot on its lush turf during their lifetimes. How does the iconic Centre Court lawn compare […]
What made the Texas flash flood so deadly and how AI could improve forecasting
The deluge that surged through Central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend devastated the hill country and shocked the world with its intensity and loss of life. The Guadalupe River at Kerrville rose from 1.73 feet to 34.29 feet in three hours on July 4, according to a river gauge maintained by the federal government. The […]
This psychologist says we need to be more comfortable with not knowing the answer in therapy
People often turn to therapy for answers about themselves, their lives or their relationships, but one psychologist says we need to get more comfortable with saying, “I don’t know” –– and that includes therapists too. Aaron B. Daniels, an associate teaching professor at Northeastern University with a decade plus of experience as a practicing therapist, […]
COVID data revolutionized disease projection models. Northeastern researchers explain what’s next
Scientists sometimes compare predicting the course of epidemics to forecasting the weather. But there’s a major difference — the impact of human behavior — says Alessandro Vespignani, director of Northeastern University’s Network Science Institute. Consider what happens during a downpour, he says. “If we all open an umbrella, it will rain anyway.” “In epidemics, if we […]
What is the optimal setting for your air conditioner? We asked a Northeastern physics professor
Ahh, summer, a time of vacations at the beach or mountains — and sky-high electricity bills as your air conditioner labors against the heat and humidity. But what is the optimal temperature to set your air conditioner at? And how does your body adapt to heat? Northeastern University’s Stefan Kautsch, a teaching professor in physics, […]
Northeastern expert says Rubin Observatory is a game-changer in detecting near-Earth asteroids and assisting in the planet’s defense
Northeastern University astrophysicist Jonathan C. Blazek knew to expect stunning views of galaxies when the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile released its first images of the night sky on June 23. And the sights were extraordinary. With a telescope as wide as a tennis court and the world’s largest digital camera, the observatory captured more than 10 […]