SC Connecticut News

This month, Yale researchers have published studies highlighting connections in various fields, from neuroscience to climate science and neonatal care. Their findings explore the intricate links between brain regions, ocean currents affecting Arctic warming, and advancements in neonatal ultrasound technology.

In a study published in Nature Communications, Yale scientists investigated the variability of neuronal wiring's influence on shared functions across different brain regions. Lead author Evan Collins stated, "We found that this relationship exists on a gradient." The research suggests that direct connections suffice for basic functions like vision and movement but more complex cognition requires indirect neural pathways. Co-senior author Hitten Zaveri noted, "It’s possible that the brain developed more indirect connections between regions in order to establish new, more advanced abilities."

Yale climate scientist Alexey Fedorov co-authored a study examining the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and its impact on Arctic warming. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research suggests that a slowdown in AMOC could moderate Arctic warming by 2 degrees Celsius by century's end. Fedorov remarked, "It also shows how tightly different components of the climate system are linked to each other."

The U.S. Department of Energy recognized three Yale researchers with Early Career Research Program awards. Eduardo Higino da Silva Neto will investigate itinerant electrons in magnetic Van der Waals materials; Ian Moult will focus on energy flow operators bridging quantum field theory and collider phenomenology; Lea Winter aims to develop new electrocatalyst designs for multicarbon product generation.

In neonatal care, Yale researchers advocate for using bedside ultrasound to assess preterm infants' growth and fat distribution. Dr. Catherine Buck led a study demonstrating ultrasound's reliability in measuring fat tissue across body areas. She stated, "The ability to continually measure growth and fat distribution in preterm infants could guide nutritional management."

These studies underscore Yale's commitment to advancing understanding across diverse scientific domains.