The study's findings suggest that parasitic wasp genomes could enhance pest control by identifying target insects and venom composition. Additionally, the rapidly evolving mitochondria in Nasonia wasps may provide insights into human diseases such as mitochondrial disorders.
The new Hubble image showcases over 12 billion years of cosmic history, from star birth to galaxy assembly. The image combines multiple colors to reveal details about galaxy distances and stellar populations.
Researchers at Arizona State University use single-walled carbon nanotubes to accelerate DNA sequencing, detecting sharp spikes in electrical activity during DNA translocation. The technique has potential to speed up sequencing by thousands of times while reducing costs.
Scientists used a novel approach to determine the age of first molar emergence in apes, revealing ages similar to those of modern humans. The study's findings have implications for understanding human life history and evolution.
Developed by Arizona State University researchers, SPARKy is a smart, active, and energy-storing below-the-knee prosthetic that enables users to walk on various surfaces and navigate stairs. The device uses regenerative kinetics to store energy as the wearer walks, allowing for enhanced ankle motion and reduced fatigue.
A research program developed by ASU aims to create a system that can rapidly measure an individual's level of radiation exposure. The system will enable faster medical triage and analysis of 2,000 blood samples per day. It is designed for field deployment and collaboration with government entities.
Researchers are studying phototrophic extremophiles to understand the evolution of oxygen-evolving high-energy photosynthesis. The study aims to illuminate gaps in genetic data and explore astrobiology connections, potentially revealing clues about extraterrestrial life.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University has developed a process that removes a key obstacle to producing lower-cost, renewable biofuels. The team has programmed a photosynthetic microbe to self-destruct, making the recovery of high-energy fats and their biofuel byproducts easier and potentially less costly.
Researchers found that targeting young adults between 20-59 years for vaccinations could help mitigate the impact of ongoing pandemic waves, resulting in a 37% reduction in hospitalizations and 42% reduction in deaths. The study's adaptive strategy was effective in reducing influenza-related deaths by 35% when compared to traditional s...
A baby's sleep position is the best predictor of deformational plagiocephaly, a misshapen skull condition. The study analyzed over 20,000 children and found that boys are twice as likely to have flat-headedness than girls, as well as babies with low birth weight and certain prenatal conditions.
Researchers discovered that certain cyanobacteria species have evolved rope-building traits to resist erosion and stabilize soil substrates in arid environments. This adaptation allows them to thrive in areas where other microbes would struggle to survive.
ASU professors Stuart Lindsay and Paul Westerhoff will lead two innovative projects to tackle challenges in rapid DNA sequencing and nanotechnology health risks. The projects aim to simplify DNA sequencing like the invention of the transistor simplified electronics.
A study published in Science reveals that airborne nitrogen from fossil fuels and fertilizers affects alpine lakes, altering the balance of phosphorus and nitrogen. This shift limits phytoplankton growth, affecting food webs and potentially biodiversity.
ASU has been awarded two grants totaling over $10 million to support high-risk, high-reward advances in alternative energy research. The projects focus on developing ultra-high-energy metal-air batteries and using photosynthetic bacteria to produce automotive fuel from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Arizona State University scientists will study cancer cells as physical objects, examining forces, mechanical properties, and electrical properties to develop new methods for arresting tumor growth and metastasis. The goal is to understand cancer's role in the biological scheme of things and its behavior as a physical object.
A study published in Virology demonstrates that the ancient pathogen cowpox still has much to teach us about developing novel vaccines. Researchers identified 9 new protective components of the virus, which offered superior protection in a mouse model compared to existing vaccines.
Researchers at Arizona State University have successfully created a molecular diode, the smallest electrical component in electronics. The breakthrough uses a technique called AC modulation to apply a mechanical perturbation to a molecule, allowing it to form a closed circuit and control current flow.
The new study aims to identify more accurate HDL biomarkers that can predict cardiovascular disease risk. The research team will examine blood samples from individuals to uncover the key role of 'good cholesterol' (HDL) in preventing heart disease.
Arizona State University has received over $32 million in federal stimulus funding for various research projects. The grants focus on developing new sources of renewable energy, improving the diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis, and enhancing children's oral language skills.
Researchers propose nine planetary boundaries, including climate change and biodiversity loss, which have already been crossed or are at risk of being transgressed. The study aims to provide an important element for sustainable development by identifying critical thresholds that humanity must respect.
A new bioinformatics study evaluates the reliability of computer models predicting DNA mutation effects on human health. The research team identified regions of the genome where benign mutations tend to occur, allowing for more accurate predictions.
Researchers discovered that early modern humans employed pyrotechnology to increase the quality and efficiency of their stone tool manufacturing process, requiring complex cognition and possibly language. The technology transformed a poor-quality stone into an excellent raw material for highly advanced tools.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Technical University of Eindhoven have made a breakthrough in creating nanoscale lasers, which can improve computer performance and speed up Internet access. The new design uses a combination of semiconductors and metals to confine light and achieve a laser with the smallest thickness ever pr...
Researchers at Arizona State University and Princeton University found that ants can accomplish a task more rationally than humans due to their collective decision-making process. By minimizing individual mistakes, the 'wisdom of crowds' approach emerges, leading to more accurate outcomes.
Elinor Ostrom suggests a diagnostic tool to help scholars frame the question and think through variables in complex social-ecological systems. The framework provides guidance for researchers and policymakers to analyze diversely structured markets and hierarchies.
Researchers found that turbulence created by material ejected from supermassive black holes' disks prevents cooling gas from forming stars. The discovery explains a long-standing mystery in galaxy cluster physics.
Researchers have made a direct measurement of graphene's quantum capacitance, revealing its unique properties. The findings hold promise for biosensor applications, chemical sensing devices, and flexible displays.
Researchers at Arizona State University suggest early greening of the planet by primitive ground huggers led to complex life on Earth. This event, around 700 million years ago, allowed for soil sequestration of carbon and increase in oxygen levels, paving the way for higher life forms.
The LROC camera system has taken its first images of the Moon, revealing detailed topography and subtle features. The instrument is performing exceptionally well, with a resolution of approximately 1.4-meters/pixel, and will soon begin mapping the lunar surface at 50-cm/pixel.
A study by Arizona State University researchers reveals that water limitation affects cricket consumption of green leaves and wolf spider hunting of crickets, highlighting the role of water in understanding ecosystem changes due to global climate change. This finding has implications for biodiversity in arid regions.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals an age shift in swine flu cases, with younger populations (5-59 years) being disproportionately affected. The findings suggest a need for revised public health strategies to mitigate the impact of future pandemic waves.
The International Institute for Species Exploration announced the top 10 new species discovered in 2008, including a pea-sized seahorse, caffeine-free coffee, and bacteria that live in hairspray. The list also includes the world's longest insect, the world's smallest snake, and a ghost slug from Wales.
Researchers found that zinc-coordinated reaction centers have similar physical and chemical properties to magnesium-containing reaction centers. This discovery enables a deeper understanding of photosynthesis structure, function, and evolution.
A new species of diving beetle, Agaporomorphus colberti, has been named in honor of Stephen Colbert. This recognition highlights the importance of biodiversity and taxonomy, as there are an estimated 10 million to 100 million species on Earth that remain undiscovered.
Researchers constructed a nearly complete globe of Mercury using high-resolution and multispectral images, revealing its composition and origin. The study suggests that Mercury's crust formed in repeated volcanic eruptions, unlike the Moon.
The Arizona State University EFRC will pursue advanced research on solar energy conversion based on photosynthesis principles. The goal is to design a synthetic system that uses sunlight to convert water into hydrogen fuel and oxygen, providing a renewable source of clean energy.
Six Arizona State University faculty members have earned NSF Career awards for their groundbreaking research projects. Junseok Chae is developing protein-based biosensors, while Yi Chen aims to unlock the Internet's hidden data reservoir. Hanqing Jiang seeks to harness carbon nanotubes for practical applications.
The article examines how the Columbine High School shootings were originally portrayed in the media and how those messages changed after 9/11. The author argues that framing the event as 'terrorism' contributed to a broader discourse of fear, legitimating the war on terror and expanding social control.
Microbes adapted to manipulate sulfur and iron compounds to survive in the absence of photosynthesis. The discovery provides insights into the origins of life on Earth and offers a unique laboratory for studying life in hostile environments.
A new technique using scanning tunneling and atomic force microscopes can identify complementary DNA base pairs by measuring the strength of hydrogen bonds. This method could lead to a new DNA sequencing technology that is faster and cheaper than current methods.
Researchers are working to harness solar power more effectively, creating energy-efficient and durable light sources. The project aims to produce low-cost solar cells using printing techniques, with recent results showing promising 3% power conversion efficiency.
The new microscope will enable researchers to study matter at the atomic level, leading to breakthroughs in nanoscience and nanotechnology. It will also provide a platform for educational outreach to K-12 students and teachers through real-time transmissions and digital recordings.
Arizona State University researchers investigated strategies for resolving stressful interactions, finding that a more limited approach may be healthier. The study involved role-playing a stressful task with an uncooperative 'neighbor' and found that individuals who used fewer negotiation strategies had lower cortisol levels and less i...
A US Department of Defense-funded project led by Arizona State University aims to understand strategies used by Muslims in West Africa and Europe to counter extremist interpretations. The research, titled 'Finding Allies for the War of Words,' involves a global team of scholars from multiple disciplines.
Theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss warns of a bleak future for the universe, driven by its flatness and the dominant form of energy in empty space. This shift in understanding has profound implications for our questions about the nature of reality.
The accelerating urbanization presents a critical component in maintaining stable societies and ensuring quality of life. The integration of information technology into conventional infrastructure systems poses significant challenges due to the complexity of interactions between various systems.
Paul Davies, a renowned cosmologist, questions the conventional notion that there's only one form of life on Earth. He suggests that life might exist in unexpected places, such as extreme environments, and could be undetected due to our limited detection methods.
Researchers found that carotenoids may improve male sperm quality, promote healthy offspring development, and enhance color vision in birds. They also propose a positive fitness feedback loop where high carotenoid accumulation improves an individual's state and mate selection.
A recent study by Arizona State University's Charles Perrings highlights the substantial economic impact of invasive species on agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and ecosystems. In some countries, such as South Africa and Brazil, invasive species account for up to 112% of agricultural GDP.
Researchers at ASU have discovered that humans have a unique genetic adaptation to starch consumption, with high-starch diets associated with more copies of the AMY1 gene. This finding provides insight into why certain populations may be better equipped to handle diarrheal diseases.