A 50-year legacy of environmental science and its impact on journalism is being reevaluated. Professor G. Pascal Zachary believes that Rachel Carson's experience as a government employee could be the model for reforming science journalism today.
ASU professor Daniel Sarewitz argues that US science policy should prioritize outcomes over efficiencies to better address societal needs. He believes this shift in approach can lead to more effective decision-making and improved scientific research.
Researchers face challenges in engaging the public in their work due to institutional barriers and limited training. Leah Gerber recommends developing new incentives, communications training, and boundaries for scientists to prioritize public engagement.
Mentoring models can significantly improve diversity in STEM, according to Arizona State University's executive director, who will share concrete strategies at the AAAS annual meeting. The institute has developed successful programs that have contributed to over 89 PhDs and 59 underrepresented minorities since 2005.
Researchers discovered that one wasp species uses a novel third ingredient in its sex pheromone, which is recognized by females only when combined with two original scents. This adaptation allows females to distinguish their own species from others, preventing costly interbreeding.
Researchers at ASU are collaborating with clinicians at Phoenix Children's Hospital to develop biomarkers for nervous system disorders and a personalized vaccine for malignant brain tumors. They aim to translate pre-clinical results into safe and efficient clinical studies.
A recent study suggests that climate change could result in earlier onset and increased severity of flu seasons. The research team analyzed waves of influenza and climate patterns in the US from 1997-1998 to present, indicating a pattern where warm winters are followed by heavy flu seasons.
Researchers have uncovered the elastic properties of spider silk, with variations among fibers, junctions, and glue spots. The findings provide a blueprint for structural engineering of strong, stretchy, and elastic materials.
An Arizona State University graduate student is building an infrared and visible light camera system for a nanosatellite. The camera will guide the satellite's trajectory during its flight in low-Earth orbit.
Research highlights the adverse effects of plastics on human health, including endocrine-disrupting properties of BPA and DEHP. Biodegradable plastics are not without risk, while recycling poses environmental challenges.
The Arizona State University Biodesign Institute is partnering with Life Technologies to develop a gene-expression based system for rapidly assessing radiation exposure in individuals. This system aims to provide an accurate indication of the level of absorbed radiation, with potential applications in nuclear incidents.
Researchers at Arizona State University have fabricated an artificial protein and examined its effects on living cells, revealing a peculiar set of adaptations including filamentation, ATP depletion, and the formation of endoliposomes. These findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents.
Researchers at Arizona State University propose a novel approach to the origins of life, focusing on the 'software' - information content. The study suggests that life is characterized by its unique use of information, providing a roadmap for identifying criteria for emergence. This approach moves away from chemical-based approaches, w...
A team of scientists using the world's most powerful X-ray laser has revealed the three-dimensional structure of a key enzyme that enables the single-celled parasite causing African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. This discovery paves the way for designing new drugs to inhibit the parasite without harming humans.
Researchers studying grey-mouse lemurs have found evidence of paternal kin recognition through vocalizations in a small-brained, solitary foraging mammal. The study provides insight into early primates from which humans evolved and suggests that kin recognition through voice was important for primate evolution.
Researchers found that teams with less predictable, more distributed offenses and better player connections were more successful. The study analyzed games from the 2010 playoffs and gathered data on 16 teams, suggesting a link between team cohesion and success.
Researchers identified stone-tipped spear points at the South African site of Kathu Pan 1, dating back 500,000 years. This finding suggests that humans were using such technology 200,000 years earlier than previously thought, shedding new light on early human adaptations and capacities.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new method using plants to produce biological reagents for detecting and diagnosing West Nile Virus. The technique, which relies on plant viral-based vectors, allows for rapid, high-accuracy testing with lower costs and scalability compared to existing methods.
Researchers have developed a new software system called Hestia that can estimate greenhouse gas emissions across entire urban landscapes. The system combines data from various sources and provides high-resolution maps of CO2 emission sources, enabling policy-makers to guide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers discovered regenerated lizard tails have distinct features, including a single cartilaginous rod and elongated muscle fibers. The new tail lacks vertebrae and interlocking joints, reducing flexibility compared to the original.
Researchers from ASU will identify suitable locations across the US for perennial biomass energy crops to reduce reliance on food crops and combat greenhouse gas-induced climate change. The five-year project aims to explore sustainability, hydroclimate, crop yield, and economic profitability of large-scale deployment.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a novel method that utilizes heat to enhance the yield and reduce costs of high-energy biofuels production. This breakthrough could pave the way for more widespread adoption of renewable energy sources, as the new process is more efficient and cost-effective than previous methods.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that ants use collective decision-making to handle complex choices, beating individual selection. By sharing the load, colonies avoid mistakes made by solo animals overwhelmed by too much information.
Researchers developed EvoD to sift meaningful variants from thousands of mutations in personal genomes, improving diagnostic accuracy. The technique capitalizes on comparative genomics and exome analysis, showing promise for detecting functionally damaging gene variants associated with Mendelian diseases.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Norwegian University of Life Sciences found that resveratrol extends honey bee lifespan by 33-38%, reducing food intake. The compound triggers a moderation effect, making bees less sensitive to sugar concentrations.
The study investigates the effects of Mikania micrantha on agriculture and human communities in Chitwan National Park. Researchers aim to understand the social and ecological forces that make communities more resistant or vulnerable to rapid environmental change.
Arizona State University has been awarded two grants totaling $8.21 million by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to enhance its business journalism programs. The foundation's support will help the university continue to operate the Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism and establish a permanent endowment for visiting profess...
A team of meteorologists has overturned the world's hottest temperature record from 90 years ago, revising it to 134 F (56.7 C) recorded in Death Valley, Calif., due to systematic errors in the original measurement. The investigation found that an inexperienced observer may have made the error with a obsolete thermometer.
The new version of OpenGeoDa provides enhanced capabilities for exploratory spatial data analysis and spatial modeling, including space-time analysis and real-time links between maps and graphs. Researchers can track changes in spatial patterns over time and assess the effect of policy interventions.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University found that painting building roofs white can reduce average temperatures in urban areas but also disrupt regional hydroclimates. The study, focusing on Arizona's Sun Corridor, shows a 12% reduction in rainfall and an additional 4% decrease with white roofs.
A hybrid chicken known as the Kuroiler is being introduced in rural Uganda to improve productivity and provide economic benefits to local families. The project aims to increase returns from family flocks and reduce poverty among hundreds of thousands of households.
A new method, SPR microscopy, allows for quantitative analysis of protein interactions on cell surfaces, streamlining drug development and diagnostic biomarker identification. The technique provides high-resolution spatial and temporal information, revealing dynamic processes evolving over time.
A new imaging technique has been developed to measure catalytical reactions of single nanoparticles and multiple particles printed in arrays. This allows researchers to determine the relationship between efficiency and nanoparticle size, shape, and composition, enabling fast screening of different nanoparticles.
The Central Maya Lowlands collapsed due to a combination of natural climate change and human-made environmental stress. The researchers developed a complex systems theory that highlights the role of commerce and choice in the collapse.
The NSF is providing $3 million to ASU to develop a doctoral program in energy and equip students with skills to address the energy challenges of the future. The Solar Utilization Network IGERT program will focus on four key research areas: biological conversion, photovoltaics, solar thermal, and sustainable policy.
A statewide analysis of Minnesota's freshwater bodies reveals widespread presence of personal care product antimicrobial ingredients triclosan and triclocarban. These chemicals persist for decades and contaminate human blood, urine, and breast milk.
A new study published by Arizona State University researchers has found nearly 1,000 small-magnitude earthquakes in Arizona over a three-year period. The improved seismic data from the EarthScope project enabled the detection of these events, which are often not felt by humans.
A study by Arizona State University reveals that megapolitan expansion could lead to local maximum summertime warming of nearly 4 degrees Celsius, surpassing the warming caused by increased greenhouse gases. The research found that incorporating 'cool roofs' into urban planning can alleviate summertime warming substantially.
Researchers studied fruit fly chromosomes to understand the evolution of sex and gamete function. The study suggests that Meiotic Sex Chromosome Inactivation (MSCI) occurs in Drosophila, which has implications for human fertility and disease genetics.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that choosing sustainable seafood also means selecting healthy options, with larger longer-lived fish being high in toxins. Safer alternatives include Alaskan Pollock and Atlantic Mackerel.
Researchers at Arizona State University develop first vaccine complex that can be delivered safely and effectively by piggybacking onto self-assembled, three-dimensional DNA nanostructures. The vaccine complexes trigger a robust immune response up to 9-fold higher than traditional methods.
Researchers at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute developed the Cellarium, a live cell array technology that enables unprecedented insights into individual cell behavior. The system allows for dynamic measurements of live single cells, providing valuable clues to health and disease.
Researchers at Arizona State University are developing a game-changing approach for drought monitoring using satellite detection and hydrologic models. The project aims to provide timely detection of drought events with high accuracy, enabling proactive decision-making for national water managers, irrigation districts, and policymakers.
Researchers explore the role of Lactobacillus reuteri in protecting against foodborne infection, finding that its antimicrobial substance reuterin can protect intestinal epithelial cells from Salmonella infection. The study's results suggest the efficacy of using probiotic bacteria or their derivatives in future therapies.
Researchers developed a statistical method using phylogenetics to enhance GWAS studies, improving reliability and identifying consistently reproducible alleles. The new approach enhances personalized medicine by pinpointing reliable mutation correlates of complex diseases.
James Elser, an ASU ecologist, has been elected president of the global aquatic sciences organization, ASLO. He will focus on addressing pressing issues related to freshwater sustainability and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to reduce pollution.
Researchers at Arizona State University improved microbial fuel cell efficiency by modifying cathode materials and adjusting pH levels. By enhancing hydroxide ion transport, they increased power densities and reduced losses in MFC performance.
Researchers analyzed over 2,000 al Qaeda propaganda items and found that most quotes focused on enduring hardships and maintaining faith, rather than seeking world domination. The 'Verse of the Sword' was used only three times in these quotes.
The ASU-Leuphana program aims to redefine traditional teaching approaches by utilizing virtual conferencing, intensive writing assignments, and peer-to-peer mentoring. Students from Europe, South America, China, and the US will work together on group projects, developing solutions to sustainability challenges.
Researchers discovered that older honey bees effectively reverse brain aging when they take on nest responsibilities typically handled by younger bees. The study found changes in molecular structure of their brains, including the presence of proteins that can help protect against dementia.