A low-cost, portable optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner has been developed by Duke University, promising to bring vision-saving technology to underserved regions. The device produced images of 120 retinas that were 95% as sharp as those taken by commercial systems, allowing for accurate clinical diagnosis.
A Duke University study identifies over 100 human genes co-opted by malaria parasites during the silent earlier stages of infection. This finding could lead to new treatments and prevent the disease from spreading.
Research suggests that humans have lost the ability to shunt fat cells toward beige or brown fat, leading to an increased reliance on calorie-storing white fat. This shift may have provided an energy advantage for human brain growth, but also contributes to modern obesity.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a key cluster of neurons in the mouse brain responsible for producing ultrasonic 'songs.' By controlling these neurons, scientists can make a mouse sing or not on command. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that allow humans to form speech and communication sounds.
Researchers found that lemurs' gut microbes vary by species and habitat, affecting their ability to digest plant-based diets. The study suggests that leaf-eating sifakas may be more sensitive to forest loss due to their specialized microbial mix.
Scientists have discovered a small molecule drug that can stop cancer cells from becoming resistant to chemotherapy. The compound, JH-RE-06, works by thwarting cancer's ability to survive and adapt to DNA damage caused by traditional chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin.
A new study found that humans can only burn calories at 2.5 times their resting metabolic rate before the body starts breaking down tissues to make up for the caloric deficit. This limit is linked to the digestive process and applies to various endurance activities, including marathons, ultra-marathons, and pregnancy.
A new study finds high levels of coal ash contaminants in sediments from Sutton Lake, suggesting multiple unmonitored spills have contaminated the eastern North Carolina lake and potentially other lakes near coal ash ponds. The research highlights the risk of large-scale unmonitored spills occurring at coal ash storage sites nationwide.
A recent study by Duke University researchers found that how a community or neighborhood fares in an extreme storm or flood has a stronger and more lasting effect on climate beliefs than individual losses. Damage at the zip-code level was positively associated with stronger climate change beliefs even three or four years after the event.
A Duke University study shows that birds mentally sort hues on the blue-green side of the spectrum into two categories, but the line between them is fuzzier. Birds are better at distinguishing subtle differences within each color category than in recognizing distinct boundaries.
A new Duke University-led study reveals that marsh plants killed by disturbances like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill can double shoreline erosion rates. The loss of wetland vegetation increases erosion on wave-stressed shorelines by 100%, according to researchers.
A new study led by Duke University researchers found that adopting common business practices can increase the demand for improved cookstoves in rural India. The study showed a significant increase in adoption rates, with nearly half of households purchasing stoves in intervention areas compared to zero purchases in control villages.
A new modeling study suggests that rapid tests for drug-resistant infections could turn the tables against bacteria, allowing doctors to target resistant strains with precision. However, the researchers found that asymptomatic carriers must also be screened and treated to reverse the spread of resistance.
A new study by Duke University scientists reveals that tropical and subtropical fish are taking up residence on shipwrecks and other sunken structures off the North Carolina coast. The artificial reefs created by these structures serve as stepping stones for fish moving northward in search of suitable habitat.
A Duke University study suggests that giant devil rays may have an unknown birthing zone in nearby waters, which could be a good news for conservation efforts but requires action to limit fishing during birthing months.
A new study reveals that female sand tiger sharks exhibit site fidelity to shipwrecks off the North Carolina coast, using them as rest stops or potential mates. The finding suggests that the wrecks are crucial habitats for this endangered shark species, which experienced significant population drops in the last century.
Engineers at Duke University create a smart robotic system that uses physics-based models and path planning algorithms to locate gaseous leaks in complex environments. The system can handle multiple sources and measure contamination rates, offering a more robust approach than existing heuristic methods.
Scientists at Duke University discovered that general anesthesia works by hijacking the neural circuitry responsible for sleep and hormone regulation. The study found that certain anesthetic drugs activate a cluster of cells at the base of the brain, leading to unconsciousness and offering potential new avenues for developing pain-free...
Biomedical engineers at Duke University developed a method to improve CRISPR accuracy by adding a short tail to the guide RNA, creating a 'lock' that prevents off-target activity. The approach increases accuracy by an average of 50-fold across five different CRISPR systems.
Researchers at Duke University have developed an AI-powered algorithm that can accurately identify and segment neurons from video recordings in minutes, comparable to human experts. This breakthrough has significant implications for real-time behavioral studies and could accelerate progress in neuroscience experiments.
Researchers have developed a technique using time signals 'temporal barcodes' that can label molecules with distinct flashing patterns. This allows for the detection and identification of any number of molecules, including proteins, at the molecular scale, increasing efficiency and reducing costs compared to traditional methods.
A Duke University economist argues that federal subsidies for US commercial fisheries should be rejected due to their lack of scientific merit. The proposed rule change could lead to overfishing, weak economic performance, and increased by-catch and habitat impacts if finalized.
A new study by Duke University finds that droughts and rising water temperatures will significantly impact US power plants' generating capacity. The researchers recommend replacing traditional once-through cooling systems with recirculating cooling systems to mitigate these effects.
Theoretical approach uses layers formed by liquids to arrange nanoparticles into unique structures for optics, plasmonics and electronics applications. By controlling nanoparticle properties, researchers can create exotic arrangements, such as strings or sheets, with potential benefits in multi-stage chemical catalysis.
Aging causes slower image processing speeds, leading to fewer new mental images and a perceived passage of time. This phenomenon is attributed to physical changes in the human brain's tangled webs of nerves and neurons.
A new study from Duke University found that patients shed more weight when doctors give specific instructions, such as tailored behavioral goals and educational material, compared to generic advice. Patients who received empathetic care also lost more weight on average.
A study published in Psychological Science found that our brains automatically prioritize self-referential stimuli, such as our names or faces, over random information. This 'self-referential bias' can drive decisions and behaviors, potentially leading to selfish outcomes.
A team of researchers from Duke University and Aalto University has developed a device called a meta-mirror that can perfectly reflect sound waves in any direction. The device uses metamaterials to control the speed and amplitude of sound waves, allowing it to steer them towards desired directions.
A new monitoring method uses thermal stress measurements to identify drought conditions sooner, enabling conservation measures and reducing damage. The method, developed by Duke University researchers, combines surface and air temperature data from thousands of weather stations and satellite images.
A new Duke University study reveals that overweight individuals who tracked their daily food intake using a free smartphone app lost a significant amount of weight. The results showed that participants who consistently tracked their food and weight lost the most weight, highlighting the importance of compliance in successful weight loss.
A new study from Duke University reveals that patient savers quickly choose the higher amount, screening out irrelevant factors, and making decisions with minimal analysis. The research aims to provide strategies for improving financial literacy and promoting savings.
Researchers found that cyanobacterial diazotrophs drive nitrogen fixation in coastal areas, fueling photosynthesis and CO2 uptake. The new technique allowed for near-continuous analysis of N2 fixation, revealing higher rates in coastal waters than previously thought.
Research from Duke University and National University of Singapore reveals pre-natal exposure to forest fire haze leads to a 1.3-inch decrease in expected height at age 17, resulting in long-term human capital losses and permanent stunting effects on children's growth.
A new report by Duke University researchers highlights the dire impacts of Israel's targeting of agricultural, water, and energy infrastructures in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on human welfare and livelihoods. The study shows that these attacks often result in significant degradation of civilian infrastructure and economy.
Researchers at Duke University found that a single CRISPR treatment can safely correct genetic disease for over a year, despite immune responses. The study suggests approaches to address potential challenges and potentially deliver the therapy to infants or restrict Cas9 expression.
A study by Duke University found that children living in homes with vinyl flooring or flame-retardant sofa foam have significantly higher concentrations of potentially harmful toxins in their bodies. The researchers discovered a six-fold increase in PBDEs in the blood serum of children from homes with flame-retardant sofa foam.
Researchers have discovered that a material designed to absorb all light of a specific color demands the waves be synchronized as well. By adjusting parameters, they were able to create a coherent perfect absorber with two overlapping modes, increasing versatility and flexibility in tailoring the material's properties.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a new photoacoustic imaging technique that can quickly and accurately measure the temperature of deep tissues. This breakthrough has significant implications for thermal-based therapies in cancer treatment.
A Duke University study analyzed hundreds of US estuaries to identify factors driving marsh loss, finding that scale and macro-scale coastal characteristics play a crucial role in determining wetland resilience. The research provides valuable insights for preservation and restoration efforts.
A team of researchers at Duke University has determined the structure of the TRPM8 protein, which is responsible for sensing cold and menthol. The findings suggest that PIP2 and cooling agents like menthol cooperate to control structural changes in TRPM8, potentially leading to new treatments for chronic pain and migraine.
A new study reveals Cuvier's beaked whales dive up to 1,400 meters, lasting about an hour, with brief recovery times. The findings provide a baseline for studying their reactions to sonar and offer insights into the species' remarkable diving capability.
A new study by Duke University reveals that Indonesia's deforestation rate is changing, with wildfires, mining, and small-scale farming playing a larger role than previously thought. This shift highlights the need for policymakers to adjust their conservation policies and practices to account for the varied causes of forest loss.
A new international study reveals that the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation is primarily driven by cooling waters west of Europe, with significant implications for predicting future climate impacts. The study found that the overturning variability in this region was seven times greater than in the Labrador Sea.
A study of Twitter activity reveals that viral videos of exotic animals can fuel demand for them as pets. Researchers analyzed nearly 14,000 tweets mentioning pet or captive lemurs and found a significant spike in searches for 'pet lemur' after a popular video went viral.
Researchers found that cancer cells switch to brute force and build a protrusion when MMP enzymes aren't available. This allows them to penetrate the basement membrane and invade other organs. The study identified a mitochondrial gene target that could be used to develop new treatments.
A study of people who grew up in the era of leaded gasoline found that higher blood lead levels at age 11 were associated with signs of mental illness and difficult personality traits by age 38. Participants exposed to higher levels of lead as children were rated as more neurotic, less agreeable, and less conscientious than their peers.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University developed a framework to predict mutually beneficial biological systems using machine learning. They created a simplified metric to determine collective benefit using variables like temperature, pH, and genetics.
Scientists at Duke University and colleagues have identified four main shapes of the angiotensin receptor, which interact differently with various drugs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more specific medications that target only the desired effects, reducing unwanted side effects.
Research from Duke University suggests that context plays a significant role in food choices, with nearby indulgent treats leading to healthier options. The study found that when paired with unhealthy snacks, healthy foods became more appealing.
Duke researchers will develop a new type of X-ray scanner that combines the best features of two technologies, enabling the detection of an object's molecular composition. The resulting device could one day become standard in airports worldwide.