New research confirms Ardi's close evolutionary relationship to humans, revealing a pattern of similarity linking it to Australopithecus and modern humans. The study shows that the human cranial base pattern is at least a million years older than previously thought, with implications for our understanding of human evolution.
Research reveals that five amino acid differences control allelic variations in the csd gene, determining femaleness in honeybees. The study found an evolutionary intermediate with only three amino acid differences between lethality and induced femaleness, supporting incomplete penetrance as a mechanism for gradual molecular evolution.
Research at Arizona State University has found that the mirror neuron system can be modified by language use, affecting visual perception. The study demonstrates how the MNS is used in both action and simulation processes, shedding light on its role in comprehension and language learning.
ASU researchers have successfully imaged G-protein-coupled receptors at room temperature using serial femtosecond crystallography. The new method allows for the study of human proteins without freezing, reducing radiation damage and enabling the observation of molecular dynamics.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found that spaceflight alters the global gene expression of Candida albicans, a fungus commonly found in human bodies. The results indicate changes in cell aggregation, biofilm formation, and resistance to stress and antifungal drugs.
Researchers at Arizona State University discovered that chameleons change colors to convey important information during social interactions, such as territory disputes and mating. The study found that the intensity and speed of color changes can predict which chameleon will win a fight or approach an opponent.
Two new studies found that anger and disgust can produce moral outrage in jurors, influencing their emotions and potentially leading to guilty verdicts. The research highlights the importance of judges weighing the admissibility of emotionally charged evidence in courts of law.
Researchers create handheld, battery-operated device that can rapidly identify harmful bacteria like E. coli O157:H7, which causes 2,000 hospitalizations and 60 deaths in the US each year. The device uses dielectrophoresis to sort microbes based on their unique electrical properties.
A study by Arizona State University researchers links CXCR2 to tumor formation, growth, and progression in colon cancer. The genetic culprit is implicated in recruiting immune cells that evade the immune response, providing a new clue for developing therapeutic targets.
The BioXFEL center will focus on developing new bio-imaging techniques using x-ray lasers to analyze biological molecules. Researchers will use this technique to study drug development, disease occurrence, and the structure of individual viruses.
Researchers from Arizona State University and Stanford Universities have discovered that the key gene Numb plays a role in promoting muscle growth and suppressing Myostatin, which limits muscle growth. The findings provide a new avenue for developing treatments for muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy and ALS.
Scientists at Arizona State University have developed a microchip-based technology called immunosignature diagnosis that can rapidly measure an individual's vaccine response. This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce the costs and timeframes of vaccine testing, allowing for more effective vaccines to be identified.
The ASU group, in collaboration with Georgia Tech, has developed a new approach to growing InGaN crystals, promising to move photovoltaic solar cell technology toward record-breaking efficiencies. The technique, called metal-modulated epitaxy, allows for the growth of ideal crystals with uniform composition and lattice alignment.
Researchers at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute demonstrate that light-responsive Chlorobium can act in tandem with Geobacter to produce electricity. The two bacteria work together to generate current when Chlorobium transfers electrons to Geobacter, which then produces electricity.
Researchers have identified a novel biomarker, nerve growth factor (sNGF), linked to the body's response to stress and resilience. Higher sNGF levels during stress are associated with lower negative emotions and lower problem behaviors, suggesting its potential as a protective marker.
Locust swarms threaten food security in Asia, Africa, and Australia, costing billions of dollars in lost harvests. A new ASU-led project studies human behavior, market forces, and ecological systems to minimize locust outbreaks.
ASU researchers are part of a $28 million NSF-FESD grant program to study the Great Oxidation Event and ancient climate change. They aim to understand the role of Earth system dynamics in human evolution, using a combination of models, geochemical proxies, and laboratory experiments.
Researchers found complex oxygen-rich compounds and polyethers in the Sutter's Mill meteorite, expanding our understanding of extraterrestrial organic molecules. The discovery suggests a greater availability of these molecules for molecular evolution and life on Earth.
Arizona State University researchers develop nanostructures through dealloying process, showing promise for lithium-ion batteries with improved energy storage capacity. The porous nanostructures can also improve electrochemical sensing technology and provide more resilient radiation damage-resistant materials.
A new software tool, DeNovoGear, uses statistical probabilities to identify and validate genetic mutations. This improves the diagnosis and treatment of mutation-related diseases, including pediatric diseases and cancer research.
Researchers suggest the Higgs boson could help resolve the cosmological constant problem by introducing another background field that contributes an energy density matching the observed dark energy. This advance provides new insights into understanding dark energy's mysterious nature.
Researchers used a new electron microscopy method to study high-pressure samples of carbon, detecting unexpected atom types and locations within minerals. The findings explain how large amounts of carbon reside in the Earth's interior, addressing a long-standing problem.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new design for salmonella-based vaccines that can survive the acidic environment of the stomach. This improvement allows for stronger immune responses and potentially longer-term protection against diseases.
Arizona State University researchers have received a $1.6 million grant to develop advanced microscopy methods that can capture molecular-scale phenomena in living systems. The technique, called plasmonic resonance, allows for the imaging of proteins and other molecules within cells with enhanced contrast and temporal resolution.
A collaborative research project between ASU and Mayo Clinic aims to improve carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis through the use of novel grasp testing methods. The new approach seeks to provide a more precise measure of functional recovery, enabling early detection of non-recovery after surgery.
Researchers propose a new theory linking cancer's evolutionary roots to ancient life forms. If correct, it may transform cancer therapy by revealing a systematic response to stress or physical challenges.
The study reveals high genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax in the Americas, similar to Asia and Oceania, suggesting multiple introductions. This diversity has important implications for control and eradication efforts.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower diversity of gut bacteria and decreased amounts of three critical bacteria. This finding implies that a diverse gut microbiome is essential for maintaining a robust bacterial community, and may be linked to the development of ASD symptoms.
Researchers created nanotweezers using DNA to manipulate enzymatic reactions with fine-grained control. The device separates an enzyme and a cofactor on separate arms of the instrument, allowing for external control of inhibition and activation.
Researchers at Arizona State University have made significant progress in understanding cell fate determination, a process that governs how cells develop and transition. By using mathematical modeling and synthetic biology techniques, they created artificial gene networks and observed the behavior of cells as they approached their tipp...
Researchers at Arizona State University are developing a new DNA nanostructure-based vaccine to combat nicotine dependence. The approach uses precision control over the placement of antigenic components to stimulate an immune response and recruit antibodies capable of binding with nicotine, potentially improving efficacy and safety.
A study by researchers at Arizona State University found that global warming may affect the survival of key microbe species in topsoil crusts. The team discovered that two cyanobacteria, Microcoleus vaginatus and Microcoleus steenstrupii, have split their territory between themselves due to temperature differences.
A team at Arizona State University has identified thousands of RNA sequences, known as Translation Enhancing Elements (TEEs), which initiate cap-independent translation in the human genome. These findings have significant implications for understanding protein synthesis and may hold potential for biomedical applications.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found that reforestation efforts in the Panama Canal watershed may not always increase water supply, but can enhance carbon sequestration and timber production. The research highlights the importance of understanding the spatial distribution of ecosystem services and their trade-offs.
Arizona State University computer scientist Carole-Jean Wu has been awarded the Bisgrove Scholar Award to fund her research on reducing energy consumption in computing systems. Her goal is to locate and convert heat into electrical energy to power devices, enabling more efficient energy management solutions.
A new approach to developing effective topical antibacterial agents uses metal ions from antibacterial clays, demonstrating potent activity against MRSA and E. coli. The study identifies key metal ions responsible for the antibacterial properties, including iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and zinc.
Researchers from Arizona State University launch a crowdsourced 'game' called Ventus to quantify global power plant CO2 emissions, empowering citizen scientists to contribute valuable information for climate change solutions.
Cancer cells exhibit unique physical properties as they metastasize, including increased deformability and reduced oxygen consumption. This study provides new insights into the dynamics of cancer cell behavior, suggesting that these traits enable them to spread through the body.
Arizona State University engineers are working on a $6.9 million project to produce rubber from the guayule plant, which could reduce US dependence on foreign producers. The project assesses sustainability factors, including land use, community impacts, and job creation.
A team of researchers tracked the migration patterns of the Asian subspecies of great bustards, which travel over 2,000 miles between their breeding grounds in Mongolia and wintering grounds in China. The study highlights the challenges faced by conservationists, including poaching, habitat destruction, and climate change.
Researchers at ASU's Biodesign Institute have developed novel 2-D and 3-D DNA nanotechnology structures that push the boundaries of complex molecular designs. By re-engineering the Holliday junction, they created flexible geometries for building in three dimensions, enabling multilayered and curved objects.
Scientists at Arizona State University have discovered an enzyme that allows DNA sequences to be transcribed into a simpler molecule called TNA, which can then be reverse-transcribed back into DNA. This breakthrough offers clues about the origins of genetic code and has potential applications in molecular medicine.
Researchers propose coverage with evidence development (CED) and parallel review policies to accelerate access to molecular diagnostics, which aid in disease prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. These policies aim to streamline regulatory processes and provide benefits for developers.
A breakthrough in nanolaser technology has enabled the creation of room-temperature, electrically powered devices. This achievement paves the way for their use in various practical applications, such as improving electronic and photonic technologies.
Researchers predict a 1°C decrease in temperature during the growing season and a 1°C increase after harvest due to sugarcane plantations. This seasonal fluctuation could have significant impacts on regional climate conditions.
Research at Arizona State University has found that children with autism have higher levels of several toxic metals in their blood and urine compared to typical children. The study's findings suggest a strong association between toxic metal levels and variations in autism severity.
The Arizona State University Mars Education Program won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction for its Mars Student Imaging Project, which lets middle-school students use a NASA spacecraft to take images of Mars and conduct real science research. Over 35,000 students have participated in the project since its launch in 2002.
Researchers at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute are using the ISS to study the effects of microgravity on disease-causing organisms. Their findings indicate that spaceflight can increase the virulence of pathogens like Salmonella, while also altering gene expression and pathogenesis-related responses in other microorganisms.
Researchers at Arizona State University are using sociometric sensors to analyze social interactions among scientists and policymakers. They aim to identify patterns that facilitate successful collaborations, which can inform the creation of new research centers.
Microbiologist Cheryl Nickerson is using the ISS platform to study the effects of microgravity on disease-causing organisms, aiming to unveil novel cellular and molecular mechanisms related to infectious disease progression.