BYU graduate student Curtis Johnson and his mentors introduce new robot
BYU graduate student Curtis Johnson and his mentors developed Baloo, a groundbreaking soft robot designed to lift and manipulate large, heavy objects safely.
Unlike traditional rigid robots, Baloo uses its flexible body to interact with the world, making it safer and more versatile.
The Robotics and Dynamics Lab, led by professors Marc Killpack and John Salmon, is also researching human-robot collaboration, using virtual reality and advanced control systems for cooperative tasks.
Utah high school students pitch marketing plans in five languages at BYU competition
58 high school teams from across Utah developed marketing plans for the Busankam Wola Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping women in Ghana. The stipulation is that students had to present entirely in Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic or German at BYU’s High School Business Language Competition.
The event has grown from eight teams in 2010 to 58 in 2024. In the course of three weeks, students crafted strategies to market the foundation’s handcrafted baskets, gaining real-world language and business experience.
Salt Lake's West High School secured wins in Spanish, Arabic and German, while Provo's Timpview High School and Jordan School District's Mountain Ridge High School won in French and Chinese.
Research advances early detection of Alzheimer's
BYU researchers are working with the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center to authenticate a blood test for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Developed in BYU Professor Timothy Jenkins’ lab, the test detects cell-free DNA fragments released when brain cells die, providing insights into neurodegeneration.
The team is analyzing 775 blood samples collected over 12 years to validate the test for early detection, disease monitoring and clinical applications. If successful, the test could transform Alzheimer’s diagnostics and expand to other neurodegenerative conditions.