A team of scientists has discovered chloride mineral deposits in numerous places on Mars, indicating where water was once abundant and may provide evidence for former Martian life. The deposits suggest that water flowed into basins over a long time, potentially preserving organic materials.
Researchers at Arizona State University are developing a vaccine that targets both Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and Salmonella, two leading causes of poultry disease and food-borne illness. The project has the potential to provide benefits not only to the poultry industry but also to human health by preventing outbreaks of diseases ...
A recent study published in Nature has found that small streams and rivers are crucial in removing excess nitrogen pollution from watersheds before it reaches the oceans. The research, led by Arizona State University scientists, used a rare nitrogen isotope to examine the effects of nitrogen loading in streams.
Researchers will study how germs change when exposed to space, potentially leading to new strategies for prevention and treatment of diseases. The experiment aims to confirm earlier results on Salmonella's increased virulence in space.
The new method allows researchers to localize pigments with similar fluorescence spectra, providing insights into photosynthesis and cellular function. The study reveals compositional heterogeneity between thylakoid rings, with different processes in photosynthesis occurring in different areas of the membranes.
Researchers found that some abiotic precursors to life on Earth carry 'handedness' in a larger number than previously thought. The discovery was made possible by the study of an exceptionally pristine meteorite, which revealed molecular asymmetry in extraterrestrial chemistry.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered microorganisms that can convert the chlorinated solvent TCE into ethene, a harmless product. Using membrane biofilm reactors, these organisms were able to remove TCE from water efficiently and effectively, making them a promising tool for cleaning up contaminated groundwater.
Researchers suggest diversifying local ecosystems to increase resilience against climate change impacts. Local policies focus on adaptation rather than mitigation, according to Charles Perrings' research based on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
The study proposes antimicrobial cycling and patient isolation as effective strategies to curb dual-resistant bacteria in hospitals. The model's results indicate that these methods can reduce the prevalence of dual resistance, making them crucial in combating the growing threat of superbugs.
Ecological balance diverges across cultural, economic and political perspectives, according to ASU researcher Ann Kinzig. The biosphere can be both robust and fragile, with instability in one part required for stability in another.
Mental illness is subject to biological and socio-cultural factors, according to Arizona State University bioethicist Jason Robert. He argues that personalized medicine must consider the person, not just their genome or brain scans. Robert will discuss the complexity of diagnosis and management of mental illness at the AAAS annual meet...
A recent survey of American households and U.S. nanotechnology scientists reveals differing views on the technology's potential risks and benefits. While scientists express concern over pollution and new health problems, the general public is more concerned about privacy issues and job losses.
ASU researcher Daniel Sarewitz argues that excessive direct democracy in science funding can result in abuse and a loss of credibility. He suggests that representative democracy is more effective, allowing for informed decision-making and consideration of complex issues.
Researchers at Arizona State University aim to create an environmentally friendly energy source by harnessing the power of sunlight and bacteria to produce hydrogen. The project uses microbial photosynthesis to generate hydrogen, which can be converted into a clean fuel without releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.
The researchers' successful sequencing of the cyanobacterium's genome has revealed its genetic secrets, shedding light on how it produces chlorophyll d and absorbs far-red light. This discovery holds potential for plant research and could lead to the development of crops that can harness a wider range of light spectrum.
Researchers address questions about future city shape and population growth's effects on the environment, highlighting cities as substantive ecosystems with complex human-environmental interactions. Cities' growing footprints contribute to global biodiversity loss, climate change, and resource depletion.
Arizona State University professor C. Austen Angell discovered the 'glassy state' of water, a sub-state of matter that behaves oddly due to its unique hydrogen bond network. He found that supercooled water exhibits an unusual heat capacity, which is different from other glass-forming liquids.
A new species of whirligig beetle has been discovered in India and named Orectochilus orbisonorum in honor of rock legend Roy Orbison. The beetle's unique characteristics make it a valuable addition to the scientific community, showcasing the diversity of insect life.
Arizona State University has received two grants from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Initiative to develop new materials for solar cells, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The grants will focus on exploring photovoltaic potential of new materials that were originally developed for laser applications.
Researchers at Arizona State University develop a gene detection platform using self-assembled DNA nanostructures, enabling label-free detection of RNA genes in single cells. The technology has potential applications for disease diagnosis and could revolutionize the way gene expression is analyzed.
A team of researchers at Arizona State University has gained critical insights into a promising microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology using bacteria to generate electricity. The MFC can handle various water-based organic fuels, making it a viable option for wastewater treatment and energy production.
The program will offer interdisciplinary research experiences and a pipeline to graduate programs and full-time jobs, targeting juniors majoring in computational mathematical sciences. Students will have the opportunity to apply math concepts to real-world problems in fields like physics, engineering, and life sciences.
Research by Arizona State University scientists reveals that helium-3/helium-4 ratios can be used to identify areas with high geothermal resource potential. Analyzing samples from over 60 hot springs and shallow wells in the Basin and Range province, they discovered a correlation between helium ratios and deformation rates.
A recent study by Arizona State University professor James Elser found that ecosystems are not as different as they seem when it comes to nutrient limitation. The study analyzed over 300 publications and found that nitrogen and phosphorus are equally important in freshwater systems, contradicting conventional wisdom.
Arizona State University has partnered with BP and Science Foundation Arizona to develop a renewable source of biofuel using photosynthetic bacteria. This project aims to produce sustainable high-energy fuel that can be used in conventional engines, reducing our transportation economy's dependency on oil.
Arizona State University faculty members Matthew J. Fouch and Jenefer Husman received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for their innovative research in geophysics and educational psychology. The award recognizes their work on integrating geophysical data types to better understand Earth's interior.
Seismologists have recast their understanding of the Earth's inner workings, depicting it as a dynamic and chemically diverse living organism. New research shows that Earth's upper mantle exhibits chemical heterogeneity beyond just temperature and pressure.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University has discovered the earliest evidence of modern human behavior in South Africa, dating back 164,000 years. The findings suggest that early humans expanded their diet to include shellfish and other marine resources, likely as a response to harsh environmental conditions.
Traces of oxygen appeared in Earth's atmosphere 2.5 billion years ago, 50-100 million years before the Great Oxidation Event. The discovery was made by analyzing a drill core from Western Australia and provides new insights into the history of atmospheric oxygen.
A new study shows that spaceflight affects the genetic responses and disease-causing potential of Salmonella typhimurium, making it more infectious. The research, led by Arizona State University, reveals a key role for a master regulator called Hfq in triggering these changes.
A heat-sensitive camera has discovered seven small, deep holes on the flanks of Arsia Mons, a giant volcano on Mars. The team suggests that these holes may be openings to underground caves, formed as faults created stresses that opened spaces underground.
A team of researchers, including Arizona State University's Gro Amdam, has discovered that the Polistes wasp's larval environment determines its future royal stature through environmental cues. The study sheds light on how developmental diapause and reproduction can be adopted in primitively social settings to result in complex social ...
Researchers found that the genes responsible for color vision in aye-ayes are fully functional, contradicting the long-held theory that nocturnal mammals lose color vision over time. The study sheds light on the evolution of color vision and highlights the importance of examining rare and endangered species.
Researchers at Arizona State University are working on a project to convert vegetable and algal oils into Jet Propellant-8, a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based jet fuel. The goal is to achieve 90% energy efficiency and reduce production costs, with potential applications for commercial jets.
Researchers at Biodesign Institute have received nearly $9 million in grants to develop a preventive vaccine against breast cancer. The team aims to identify common signatures across various breast tumors using genomics, proteomics, and immunology.
Gro Amdam, an assistant professor at Arizona State University, has been awarded the "Outstanding Young Investigator" award from the Research Council of Norway for $1.6 million over four years to support her research on honeybees.
A team of scientists led by Sébastien Merkel found that post-perovskite, a high-pressure silicate mineral, doesn't fit what is known about the mysterious layer D
Researchers used magnetic eruptions from the sun to detect a molten rock layer roughly 10 miles thick beneath the American Southwest, challenging existing theories about the Earth's mantle. The discovery provides insights into the formation of rocks and minerals at extreme pressures, paving the way for further studies.
Arizona State University bee researcher Gro Amdam has been awarded a $240,000 Pew Charitable Trusts grant to investigate the role of social reversal in reversing oxidative damage in honeybees. Her research may lead to new insights into human aging and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A pair of researchers propose a tug-of-war theory model that explains the selection pressures driving the evolution of advanced eusocial groups, such as superorganisms. According to the model, intergroup competition ultimately leads to the emergence of these societies.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University has discovered evidence that honeybees use a phylogenetically old molecular cascade to develop queens and workers. The findings, published in PLoS ONE, show that the TOR pathway is directly linked to nutrient-induced development, enabling two distinct phenotypes to evolve.
Researchers at Arizona State University have evolved new proteins in a fraction of the time it took nature, providing new lessons on how to optimize proteins. The team used 'synthetic evolution' to improve protein stability and binding efficiency, discovering that subtle amino acid changes can significantly enhance function.
A researcher at Arizona State University has created a 3D computational model to simulate crowd behavior in urban settings. The model takes into account individual characteristics and environmental factors, allowing city planners and public safety officials to explore 'what-if' scenarios and test hypotheses.
Research from Arizona State University highlights how global warming will drastically alter the world's fisheries, threatening human nutrition and species health. The study finds that changes in ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions will affect fish stocks and habitats, leading to potential extinction of certain species.
Scientists investigate key clues behind coronavirus illness, including its ability to evade the immune system. They aim to design better vaccines and treatments for diseases like pandemic flu. By understanding virus-host interactions, researchers hope to refine their approach to combating emerging public health threats.
A research team led by Neal Woodbury has uncovered a new view of photosynthesis, revealing the orchestrated movement of proteins on a millionth of a second. This discovery helps explain why changing the energetics didn't knock out photosynthesis, and offers lessons for improving organic solar cells.
Researchers found that water ice exists in variable depths and is patchy across the Martian surface. The discovery was made using data from NASA's THEMIS camera on the Mars Odyssey orbiter, which showed that areas with rocky surfaces have deeper ice deposits, while dusty areas allow ice to survive closer to the surface.
Researchers at ASU and Walter Reed Army Medical Center are creating a smart, active, and energy-storing transtibial prosthesis called SPARKy. The device has been shown to amplify motor power by three-fold in experiments with able-bodied subjects, enabling it to revolutionize prosthetics for military personnel and others.
Researchers found that as cities grow, their creative output increases superlinearly, generating more wealth and innovation. This challenges traditional models of urban growth, suggesting large cities are a source of solutions rather than problems.
A comprehensive analysis of 17 major studies on intercessory prayer found a positive effect, suggesting that prayer offered for the benefit of another person yields positive results. However, the study also notes that standard treatments should be used as the primary method of treatment for conditions like depression.