Stanford

Researchers created an energy-efficient electric motor actuator, using springs and clutches to slash energy use in dynamic tasks, offering up to 97% efficiency improvement and potential applications in robotics and assistive devices. Energy-recycling actuator prototype. Credit: Erez KrimskyResearchers at Stanford have developed a spring-assisted actuator, a device that can accomplish dynamic tasks using a fraction of the energy previously required.Whether it’s a powered prosthesis to assist a person who has lost a limb or…

Stanford’s gift to aspiring data scientists: Dive into excellence with free online Data Science courses Data science is one of the most popular and lucrative fields in the twenty-first century. It entails collecting, analyzing, and interpreting massive and complicated data sets to solve real-world problems and add value. Application of Data science necessitates a combination of skills and knowledge from multiple disciplines,…

Stanford Medicine researchers developed an AI model that successfully identified brain scans’ sex with over 90% accuracy, providing evidence of sex differences in brain organization which could impact understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders. The study, highlighting the importance of sex in brain development and disorders, utilized advanced AI to reveal brain networks differing between sexes, suggesting these differences may influence cognitive abilities and behaviorBrain patterns vary between women and men.A recent…

Stanford researchers have revealed that the Wilkes Subglacial Basin in East Antarctica, holding enough ice to raise global sea levels by over 10 feet, is nearing a tipping point towards irreversible melting, challenging previous beliefs of stability. By developing a new technique to analyze radar data, they discovered areas close to thawing, suggesting potential glacial retreat and a significant, previously underappreciated contribution to sea level rise.In a changing climate, the increasing meltwater from Antarctica is…

Illustration: Openverse Stanford University researchers found that the best way to extend the life of a lithium-metal EV battery is to drain it and let it rest for a few hours. The study, “Resting restores performance of discharged lithium-metal batteries,” published on February 7 in the journal Nature, found that this straightforward approach restored battery capacity and boosted overall performance. Study co-lead author Wenbo Zhang, a Stanford PhD student in materials science…

PALO ALTO —  They were two short sequences, two moments in a game featuring hundreds. They involved two UCLA reserves who combined to barely play 10 minutes.And they said everything about how the Bruins, once widely dismissed as unworthy of the four letters, continued to unite while prompting a loud “U-C-L-A!” chant from their fans inside Maples Pavilion as part of more late-season magic.With celebrated big man Adem Bona on the bench in foul trouble late in a taut game against Stanford on Wednesday night, backups Aday…

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that allowing lithium metal batteries to rest in a discharged state can significantly restore their capacity and extend their cycle life. This method, which is both low-cost and straightforward to implement, could double the range of electric vehicles without requiring new manufacturing techniques or materials. Credit: SciTechDaily.comStanford’s breakthrough in lithium metal battery technology promises to extend EV ranges and battery life through a simple resting…

A study with 22 pairs of identical twins found that a vegan diet significantly improves cardiovascular health in just eight weeks. By focusing on twins, the study effectively controlled for genetic and lifestyle variations, revealing that a vegan diet led to lower LDL cholesterol, insulin levels, and body weight, which are key indicators of cardiovascular health. The research underscores the benefits of a plant-based diet, advocating for its adoption for long-term health improvements.A trial led by Stanford Medicine,…

We may have an adequate understanding of the human body in that, well, we invented aspirin and sequenced the genome, but researchers still find out new things about the humble homo sapien all of the time. Case in point? Scientists hanging out in the human gut and mouth. The researchers are calling these virus-like structures “obelisks”, due to their presumed microscopic shape.These entities replicate like viruses, but are much smaller and simpler. Due to the minuscule size, they fall into the “viroid” class, which are…

A Stanford study on mice decision-making reveals that hunger and thirst modulate goals rather than directly influencing choices, highlighting the brain’s role in navigating conflicting needs. Credit: SciTechDaily.comMaking choices can be difficult. We often face dilemmas where selecting one option means missing out on another. This concept applies to everyone, including a hungry mouse, where every bit of food matters. But what if the stakes are higher than just picking between tiny food scraps and a piece of…