EPFL

The polyamide is tough and flexible allowing it to be twisted and plied without breaking. Credit: Lorenz Manker/EPFLIn today’s fast-paced industrial society, the search for eco-friendly materials is more pressing than ever. Plastics, which are a common part of everyday life, present major environmental issues, primarily due to their fossil fuel origins and problematic disposal.Now, a study led by Jeremy Luterbacher’s team at EPFL unveils a pioneering approach to producing high-performance plastics from renewable…

New research reveals that blocking the cGAS/STING pathway reduces age-related inflammation and cognitive decline, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. Credit: SciTechDaily.comInhibiting the STING protein in aged mice leads to decreased inflammation and improved memory and physical function, highlighting a promising approach to mitigating aging-related challenges.As we age, our bodies undergo various changes that can impact our overall health and make us more susceptible to diseases.…

Scientists from EPFL and Charles University find that microbial life thrives in mountain streams as glaciers shrink, based on global samples from the Vanishing Glaciers project. This “green transition” leads to increased primary production, altering local carbon and nutrient cycles. Credit: EPFL/Vincent de StarkA team of scientists from EPFL and Charles University in Prague have discovered that microbial life is set to thrive in mountain streams, as a result of ongoing glacier shrinkage. Their findings, published in…

Water molecules and electron density corresponding to the exciton state resulting from photon absorption. Credit: Krystian Tambur (background)/Alexey Tal (water molecules)Researchers at EPFL have achieved a significant breakthrough in understanding the electronic properties of water, a fundamental component of life and the environment.There is no doubt that water is significant. Without it, life would never have begun, let alone continue today – not to mention its role in the environment itself, with oceans covering over…

Researchers at EPFL, led by Didier Trono, have developed a novel method to detect previously undetectable transposable elements (TEs) in the human genome, significantly expanding our knowledge of DNA composition. This discovery has profound implications for understanding genetic diseases and the genome’s response to various stresses.The human genome, a complex mosaic of genetic data essential for life, has proven to be a treasure trove of strange features. Among them are segments of DNA that can “jump around” and move…

Conceptual art of the operating device, consisting of a nanopillar-loaded drum sandwiched by two periodically segmented mirrors, allowing the laser light to strongly interact with the drum quantum mechanically at room temperature. Credit: EPFL & Second Bay StudiosResearchers at EPFL have achieved a milestone in quantum mechanics by controlling quantum phenomena at room temperature, overcoming the longstanding barrier of needing extreme cold. This opens up new possibilities for quantum technology applications and the…

Machine learning significantly advances neural prostheses by optimizing image downsampling, closely replicating natural retinal responses, and opening new avenues for sensory encoding in prosthetics. Credit: SciTechDaily.comEPFL researchers have developed a machine learning approach to compressing image data with greater accuracy than learning-free computation methods, with applications for retinal implants and other sensory prostheses.A major challenge to developing better neural prostheses is sensory encoding:…

The Gaia mission, essential in mapping nearly two billion stars, is being further refined by EPFL’s research using asteroseismology. This innovative approach compares Gaia’s measurements with asteroseismic data to improve the accuracy of celestial distance measurements, contributing significantly to astronomical research and future space missions. Credit: SciTechDaily.com A team of astronomers has used asteroseismology, or the study of stellar oscillations, to accurately measure the distance of stars from the Earth. Their…

Graphical abstract of cyclic oral peptides. Credit: Christian Heinis/EPFLA groundbreaking study at EPFL has led to the development of orally available cyclic peptides, offering new possibilities in drug development for various diseases, especially cancer.For decades, a substantial number of proteins, vital for treating various diseases, have remained elusive to oral drug therapy. Traditional small molecules often struggle to bind to proteins with flat surfaces or require specificity for particular protein homologs.…

EPFL researchers have developed a groundbreaking algorithm that efficiently trains analog neural networks, offering an energy-efficient alternative to traditional digital networks. This method, which aligns more closely with human learning, has shown promising results in wave-based physical systems and aims to reduce the environmental impact of deep neural networks. (AI-generated DALL-E 3 conceptual image depicting light waves passing through a physical system.) Credit: © LWE/EPFLEPFL researchers have developed an…