Researchers found that exposure to fracking chemicals and wastewater at diluted concentrations spurred fat cell development, with effects seen even when samples were diluted 1,000-fold. The study used laboratory models and observed significant increases in fat cell proliferation and lipid accumulation.
A scientist at Duke University outlines how the constructal law of evolution in nature predicts the natural evolution of social organizations into larger and more complex communities. By applying this principle, Bejan shows why humans naturally organize themselves into societies with hierarchical systems to access finite resources.
A new study finds that swamp sparrows create time-honored song traditions by faithfully copying the most popular songs, with some lasting hundreds of years. The birds' cultural conformity generates extremely stable traditions in their bird song, rivaling those of humans.
A new study reveals how cleaner shrimp partner with would-be predators by waving their antennae and using color changes to convey a willingness to clean. This exchange is based on truth in advertising, with both parties benefiting from the interaction.
Researchers found that removing coral-eating snails significantly boosted corals' resilience to bleaching, with only 50% of corals experiencing bleaching when snails were removed. In contrast, corals with high snail densities experienced near 100% bleaching.
A new study from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business found that how inequity is presented can influence individuals' willingness to rectify it. Participants were more likely to give up part of a bonus when told a specific black colleague was unfairly disadvantaged, rather than being told they had an unfair advantage.
A new study by Duke University has found widespread uranium contamination in India's groundwater, with levels exceeding the World Health Organization's safe drinking water standard. The contamination is linked to human activities such as over-pumping of aquifers and nitrate pollution.
A Duke University study finds an iPhone app easy to use, liked by parents, and good at producing reliable scientific data. The app collects videos of young children's reactions while watching movies designed to elicit autism risk behaviors, which are then analyzed for emotional responses.
Researchers found that activating olfactory receptor OR51E2 in prostate cancer cells causes aggressive castration-resistant disease, suggesting a new treatment approach. Blocking the receptor with specific molecules or scents could provide a new way to treat prostate cancer.
A new study reveals that a malaria parasite manipulates liver cells to survive and reproduce, building strength before invading red blood cells. Disrupting this process by targeting the aquaporin-3 protein may lead to new treatments for malaria before symptoms appear.
A study published in Demography reveals a widening wealth gap between senior households and those with children, with the richest seniors seeing a $3 million increase in net worth. In contrast, families with children have struggled to gain wealth, with many holding negative net worth due to debt.
Duke researchers have identified a key fork in the road for the way the liver deals with carbohydrates, fats, and protein. By targeting BCAA breakdown, they found that activating this process reduces fat deposition in the liver and improves glucose regulation. This approach offers a promising new target for combating fatty liver disease.
Researchers at Duke University and Zhejiang Wanli University identified a key gene called Kdm6b that affects how genes are expressed in turtles, determining their sex. The study found that cooler egg incubation temperatures activate the Kdm6b gene, leading to testes development and producing males.
Researchers found that brain regions responsible for understanding what we see have trouble communicating with other brain networks, increasing risk of mental illness. This breakdown may help target interventions and therapies.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to identify patterns within human gut bacteria that predict susceptibility to cholera. The study found that a set of 100 microbes associated with the disease can be predicted by AI, potentially leading to improved vaccines and preventive approaches.
Recent studies suggest that large predators such as alligators, sea otters, and mountain lions are re-colonizing ecosystems they once occupied due to conservation. This challenges the long-held assumption that these species are habitat specialists. As populations recover, these species are adapting to new habitats with surprising ease,...
Researchers at Duke University have developed a technique to capture RNA molecules in precise images, revealing new opportunities for drug discovery. The method identifies potential anti-HIV compounds from millions of possibilities, showcasing its accuracy and potential to treat various ailments.
Scientists at Duke University have developed custom silicon microparticles that can assemble, disassemble, and reassemble on demand. The particles were engineered to exhibit various behaviors, including synchronization of motion and reversible assembly/disassembly, in response to different electric fields.
The new technology can control electromagnetic waves in many different ways by adjusting the size and angle of tiny silicon cylinders within a grid structure. This allows for subwavelength control, faster reconfiguration, and potentially improved security scanners and visual displays.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered that a cancer drug, Marimastat, can help treat tuberculosis by improving the structural integrity of leaky blood vessels in granulomas. This allows antibiotics to penetrate and attack the disease-causing bacteria more effectively, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
A new mathematical model explains how small organisms like mantis shrimp and trap-jaw ants generate their powerful strikes with spring-loaded parts. This knowledge could help design more efficient robots, but it's unclear how these mechanisms work together for optimal performance.
Researchers at Duke University successfully delivered CRISPR/Cas9 repressors to silence the Pcsk9 gene, which regulates cholesterol levels, in adult mice. The treatment resulted in reduced blood cholesterol levels and sustained gene repression for six months after a single treatment.
Researchers found that metastatic cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to capitalize on fructose levels in the liver, leading to unchecked growth and proliferation. This discovery could lead to new therapies targeting metastatic cells and provide insight into how cancers adapt to new environments.
Researchers discovered that mature ependymal cells require continuous Foxj1 production to maintain shape and function, but viruses can shut down this process, leading to hydrocephalus. This study may lead to alternative treatments for the condition.
A Duke professor argues that fake news and social media's 'filter bubbles' threaten the functioning of the First Amendment. The proliferation of cheap, easily spreadable misinformation raises concerns about the role of government intervention in regulating online content.
A new study suggests that warmer temperatures will speed up the transition from field to forest in the eastern US, leading to increased carbon sequestration. This could result in more rapidly growing forests replacing weeds and grasses, but also raises concerns about the impact of droughts on tree growth.
Researchers at Duke University have designed a thin material that can control sound waves with almost perfect efficiency, revolutionizing the manipulation of acoustic waves. The device uses a class of materials called metamaterials to redirect and reflect sound waves, offering significant improvements over previous devices.
A recent study analyzed the social networks of 19 male chimpanzees, revealing how power struggles and competition for mates led to the division of the chimp community. The findings suggest that internal conflicts can have far-reaching consequences in primate societies.
A team of researchers found that lung tumor cells can revert to a developmental program similar to their nearest relatives when a key gene is lost. This discovery highlights the remarkable resilience and adaptability of cancer cells.
Biomaterials with precisely ordered structures could be used for various biomedical applications due to their precise control of self-assembly. The hybrid approach allows researchers to expand the chemical diversity of protein-based materials by combining different alphabets, such as amino acids and lipids.
A new study projects that cutting carbon emissions sooner could avoid up to 153 million premature deaths globally, with the greatest gains in Asia and Africa. Cities like Kolkata and Delhi, India, could see up to 4.4 million projected saved lives.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that hogfish sense light with their skin, which differs from eye-based vision. The skin's unique ability allows it to detect changes in brightness or wavelength, such as moving shadows or light fluctuations, enabling the fish to adapt its color pattern accordingly.
A Duke University study found that reduced forest elephant populations will lead to significant changes in tree species composition and structure, as well as understory density and nutrient availability. Without intervention, up to 96% of Central Africa's forests may undergo major transformations.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that Müller glia play a crucial role in preserving retinal synapses and preventing vision loss in macular degeneration. The research suggests that Müller glia are an important therapeutic target for treating degenerative eye diseases.
A new study by Duke University neuroscientists used electrical brain activity to predict depression vulnerability in mice, finding different networks of brain activity were linked to depression-like symptoms. The results may lead to a predictive test for mental illnesses like depression and could inform treatment strategies.
Scientists found that Trichophyton rubrum nearly all belong to a single mating type and refuse to mate with others, even under various conditions. The fungus's high clonality may limit its ability to adapt, making it more susceptible to new antifungal medications.
Researchers at Duke University created a framework to determine when using multiple cell populations is beneficial. The system models how variables interact in complex bioengineering tasks, revealing that efficiency and growth rate are key factors. This tool can help industries producing chemicals with bacteria, such as pharmaceuticals...
A Duke University-led study has found dangerous levels of mercury and methylmercury near artisanal gold mines in Senegal, contaminating soils, sediments, and rivers. Mercury poisoning can cause various health impacts, including tremors, muscle weakness, and birth defects.
Researchers found a transient, shape-shifting mechanism in DNA that influences the frequency of spontaneous mutations, which can drive evolution and diseases like cancer. The study reveals that specific DNA sequences affect the rates of these errors.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that moving the eyes triggers vibrations in the eardrums, even without sound. This finding provides new understanding of how the brain coordinates visual and auditory information.
A new Duke University study finds that radioactivity in sediments at three disposal sites is 650 times higher than normal, with conventional oil and gas wastewater contributing to the contamination. The study confirms that radionuclide accumulation occurs after 2011, when authorities limited fracking wastewater disposal.
Researchers found that mantis shrimp engage in predictable sparring matches to assess their rivals' abilities before deciding whether to fight or retreat. Heavyweight winners typically emerge victorious, but fights often follow a similar course, with both opponents trading blows and rarely de-escalating.
Researchers used drones to count olive ridley sea turtles in Costa Rican waters, estimating densities of up to 2,086 animals per square kilometer. This method provides a safe and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, revealing crucial insights for conservation and research.
Researchers discovered that dengue virus takes over an accordion-shaped structure within host cells to produce proteins, while avoiding the larger fluid-filled space of the cell. This subtle approach allows the virus to reproduce tens of thousands of times without triggering the body's defenses.
Researchers at Duke University confirm theoretical model by blasting yttrium manganite sample with neutrons at 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The study reveals the atomic mechanisms behind the material's rare electromagnetic properties, which could lead to breakthroughs in computing and sensor technology.
Researchers found that women are more likely to survive crises like famines and epidemics due to biological factors, not behavioral differences. Newborn girls are particularly hardy, outliving newborn boys by up to 50%.
Duke researchers successfully grew functioning human skeletal muscle from induced pluripotent stem cells, offering a promising path for cellular therapies, drug discovery, and studying rare diseases. The technique allows for the growth of far more muscle cells and provides an easier route to genome editing and individualized models.
A Duke University study found that bonobos are more attracted to jerk-like behavior than helpful actions, challenging the idea that humans have a unique preference for kindness. The researchers observed bonobos preferring individuals who hinder others over those who help, suggesting that having powerful allies may be key to their socia...
Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to create hybrid thin-film materials that can absorb and emit light efficiently. The technique, called Resonant Infrared Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation, allows for the creation of delicate organic-inorganic crystals with improved scalability and durability.
Biomedical engineers have discovered a way to enhance the effectiveness and safety of sonogenetics, emerging techniques that use sound waves to control neuron behavior. By attaching microscopic beads to receptors on cell surfaces, they can produce cell-stretching effects with much less risk of cellular injury.