Studying planetary habitability using ultraviolet light
Tansu Daylan, an assistant professor of physics in Arts & Sciences, was selected by NASA to join the Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite science team.
Simple ballpoint pen can write custom LEDs
Researchers working with Chuan Wang, at the McKelvey School of Engineering, have developed ink pens that allow individuals to handwrite flexible, stretchable optoelectronic devices on everyday materials including paper, textiles, rubber, plastics and 3D objects. The study is published in Nature Photonics.
Hormone alters electric fish’s signal-canceling trick
New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that testosterone — which naturally triggers male electric fish to broadcast slightly different signals during the breeding season — also alters a system in the fish’s brain that enables the fish to ignore its own signal. The study by biologists Matasaburo Fukutomi and Bruce Carlson in Arts & Sciences is published in Current Biology.
Chun wins NASA FINESST grant
Sohee Chun, a graduate student in physics in Arts & Sciences, was awarded a Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science Technology grant to optimize the shield inside a crysostat and around a gamma ray detector.
Good smells, bad smells: It’s all in the insect brain
Barani Raman and his lab at the McKelvey School of Engineering studied the behavior of the locusts and how the neurons in their brains responded to appealing and unappealing odors to learn more about how the brain encodes for preferences and how it learns.
Fast ‘yes’ better for brain than slow ‘no’
Research from mechanical engineers Ruth Okamoto and Philip Bayly at the McKelvey School of Engineering finds that the brain’s vulnerability to head motion depends on the direction and frequency, not just impact strength.
Fanning the flames
Research from Rajan Chakrabarty and Rohan Mishra at the McKelvey School of Engineering reveals an unexpected impact of wildfires on climate change.
Into the forest
For decades, Forest Park has enticed generations of WashU community members to step outside the university’s campuses and explore. Today, students and faculty are venturing deeper into the woods to learn about the biodiversity that teems there.
AI + Design
WashU students and faculty are cutting through the hype and grappling with artificial intelligence.
Scientists develop breath test that rapidly detects COVID-19 virus
Scientists at Washington University have developed a breath test that quickly identifies those who are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. The device requires only one or two breaths and provides results in less than a minute.
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