New Atlas

Science Audio available

Massive Harvard-led genetic twin study homes in on the nature versus nurture debate

Rich Haridy January 14, 2019

A massive new study is uncovering the effects of genes and environment in over 500 different conditions. Targeting over 50,000 twin pairs, the research is the first of its kind to use large-scale data analysis to evaluate the heritability of such a broad range of conditions.

Extensive research has concluded approximately 40 percent of the studied conditions were primarily heritable

Science Audio available

Soft, safe sensor made to measure toddlers' grasp

Ben Coxworth December 27, 2018

When a baby is born premature, it's not uncommon for them to subsequently develop neuromotor and cognitive disabilities. A new Harvard-designed sensor, however, could help doctors catch such problems earlier than ever.

The new sensor incorporates a highly-conductive non-toxic liquid silicone

Robotics Audio available

Harvard's sticky-footed inspection robot can climb through jet engines

Michael Irving December 19, 2018

A Harvard team has developed small, insect-like robots that can climb inside machines to inspect them, saving the trouble of pulling them apart if there’s nothing that needs fixing.

HAMR-E is based on an earlier Harvard robot that can scurry around like bugs and even ...

Medical Audio available

Light-sensitive adhesive may find use in ouch-less band-aids

Ben Coxworth December 17, 2018

We all know how painful ripping off a band-aid can be. It may not be so unpleasant in the not-too-distant future, however, as scientists have created an adhesive that detaches in the presence of ultraviolet light.

Two slabs of hydrogel, joined together using the adhesive, separate easily when exposed to ultraviolet light

Medical Audio available

Harvard's 3D-printed heart valves open the door to a perfect fit

Nick Lavars December 10, 2018

Scientists at Harvard University have broken new ground in applying 3D printing technology to the problem of damaged hearts, providing a potential new tool to keep blocked arteries open and the blood pumping freely.

Scientists have used 3D printed models of individual heart valves and calcium buildup to help carve ...

Architecture Audio available

Snøhetta and Harvard join forces to make old buildings sustainable

Adam Williams December 5, 2018

Snøhetta has teamed up with Harvard's Green Buildings and Cities to create HouseZero. The project involved renovating a pre-1940s building into a new energy-positive office and aims to offer ideas for making old inefficient buildings energy-efficient.

HouseZero is an energy-efficient renovation of Harvard's Green Buildings and Cities headquarters

Medical Audio available

Electrically-induced smells pave way for "cochlear implant for the nose"

Ben Coxworth November 27, 2018

Cochlear implants allow deaf people to hear by electrically stimulating their auditory nerves. While that's all very well and good, what about people who have lost their sense of smell? Well, new research suggests that we may be getting closer to an electrical implant for them, too.

The study involved stimulation of the olfactory bulb, depicted here as the bulb visible behind the ...

Robotics

Soft robotic arm opens the door to doing science under the sea

James Holloway October 5, 2018

Wyss Institute's forays into soft robots have borne more ripe fruit in the shape of a soft robotic arm fit for use on submarines to handle delicate marine life like coral and jellyfish. This isn't the Harvard institute's first, but its latest iteration moves with "unprecedented dexterity."

The latest soft-robotic arm can move with "unprecedented dexterity"

Biology

Primary tumors found to "freeze" spread of secondary cancers

Michael Irving August 28, 2018

Finding ways to stop metastasis is a key way to improve survival rates for cancer patients. Now researchers have found that primary tumors have their own mechanism for slowing the growth of secondary cancers – which could be tapped into as a new potential treatment option.

Researchers have discovered that primary tumors can prevent the growth of secondary tumors by sending the ...

Space Audio available

Watery exoplanets may be common, but not very friendly

David Szondy August 19, 2018

Watery planets beyond the Solar System may be more common than previously thought, making up 35 percent of exoplanets two to four times the size of the Earth. According to a new study, many planets are made up of half water by mass as opposed to the 0.02 percent water that the Earth has.

Artist's concept of exoplanets similar to Earth