A new technique uses interactive software to analyze digital images of giant panda footprints, identifying individual animals and their sex with high accuracy. The system's ease of use makes it suitable for studying elusive species like the giant panda.
A new study by researchers at Duke University found that negative portrayals of shooting victims can lead to victim blaming and sympathize with the shooter. The study showed that participants favored lighter sentences for the shooter when given a negative biographical sketch about the victim, regardless of their race.
Engineers at Duke University have successfully counted the presence of at least four photons at a time using a widely used method of detecting single photons, providing easier paths to developing quantum-based technologies. The discovery will unlock new capabilities in physics labs working in quantum information science around the world.
Human emissions of vanadium have spiked since the start of the 21st century due to heavy oil use, surpassing natural sources combined. The health risks of airborne vanadium particles are not well documented but may impair respiratory functions and exacerbate conditions like asthma.
A new study found that fewer than 3,600 adult cheetahs remain in southern Africa, with most cats living within just two habitats. Conservation efforts are needed to protect the species, particularly those who live on or travel through livestock farms.
Duke University's Department of Biomedical Engineering faculty members Joseph Izatt, Nimmi Ramanujam and Tuan Vo-Dinh have been elected to the National Academy of Inventors for their work on optical imaging, spectroscopy and photonics-based health technologies. Their research has led to significant advancements in medical diagnostics, ...
Researchers at Duke University have developed a water cloaking concept that uses electromagnetic forces to eliminate an object's wake and drag. By matching the acceleration of the surrounding water to an object's movement, it is theoretically possible to greatly increase propulsion efficiency while leaving the surrounding sea undisturbed.
Researchers have devised a method to scan walls without prior knowledge of their material composition, exploiting symmetry for effective resolution. This approach enables inexpensive devices to locate conduits, pipes, and wires in construction, with potential applications in security and industry.
A new study published in The Lancet found that short-term exposure to air pollution on city streets can cancel out the beneficial health effects of exercise in adults over 60. Researchers recommend stricter air quality limits and better traffic-control measures, as well as increasing access to green spaces for people to exercise.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that child abuse and violence are associated with higher high school dropout rates, particularly among girls who experienced childhood violence. The study suggests that policies aimed at reducing violence against children may also help lower the national dropout rate.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have successfully grown a fully functional artificial human heart muscle large enough to patch over damaged tissue. The breakthrough enables therapies to replace lost muscle after a heart attack, which currently leaves patients with scar tissue that cannot transmit electrical signals or contract.
Researchers identify a fleeting, yet key structure that allows cells to break through tissues and spread to other parts of the body. A single protrusion bulges out from the cell surface, wedges a hole through the protective layer, and swells until the breach is wide enough for the entire cell to squeeze through.
Researchers have developed a high-speed quantum encryption system that can transmit encryption codes five to 10 times faster than existing methods, potentially securing the future of the internet. The system uses photons of light and advanced detectors to encode and decode keys, making it secure from common attacks even with imperfect ...
Researchers found that bacteria can quickly share genes to maintain resistance, making it unlikely that reducing antibiotic use will reverse the trend. However, conjugation rates can be disrupted and reversed using existing drugs, paving the way for future development of new treatments.
Researchers found that babies as young as six months old can recognize relationships between words and objects, such as cars and strollers. This understanding of word relationships is linked to the amount of time caregivers talk about objects in their daily lives.
Female chimpanzees who leave their family and friends behind take longer to become mothers, around three years on average, due to social integration challenges. In contrast, those with supportive networks start reproducing earlier, raising questions about the factors influencing this behavior.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that people at-risk for anxiety were less likely to develop the disorder if they had higher activity in a region of the brain responsible for complex mental operations. Higher functioning dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may buffer against worsening anxiety.
Researchers compared 11 measures of aging, including blood and chromosome tests, and found that none consistently predicted physical or cognitive changes. Telomere length and epigenetic clocks showed some promise but were less clearly linked to physiological outcomes.
A genetic variant in ankyrin-B gene causes cells to store more fat, leading to obesity. This variant is carried by millions of Americans and can be identified through family history and physiological traits.
Scientists discovered that sensory neurons in the head and face are directly connected to the brain's emotional pathways, explaining why people experience greater fear and emotional suffering from these types of pain. This finding may lead to more effective treatments for chronic headaches and neuropathic face pain.
A new study by U.S. and Chinese scientists found that coal ash from high-uranium deposits in China contains radiation levels 43 times higher than UN safety standards. The use of such ash in residential building materials is not suitable due to potential human health risks.
New research from Duke University reveals that astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating the development and function of synapses in the brain. The study found that three proteins control the web-like structure of each astrocyte, which directly impacts the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural connections.
Researchers studied wild-born bonobos at a sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The results showed that bonobos will help strangers get food even when there is no immediate payback. This behavior is linked to a basic form of empathy called emotional contagion, which suggests that bonobos are also contagious with yawning.
Researchers from Duke University and Ohio State University found that high levels of molybdenum in Wisconsin drinking water wells come from natural sources, not coal ash. The study used forensic isotopic 'fingerprinting' and age-dating techniques to determine the contamination's origin.
A study published in the Journal of Human Evolution found that humans do not have uniquely expensive brains, challenging a major dogma in human evolution studies. Researchers measured the cross-sectional area of cranial arteries and brain glucose uptake to compare brain costs across 22 species.
A tsunami in Hawaii's Kona Coast provided a rare glimpse into underwater soundscapes without human disruption, revealing that boat traffic and sonar exercises create the loudest disruptions in bays. This study validates concerns about human noise pollution disrupting dolphin sleep patterns.
A new Duke University study suggests that corals are attracted to plastics due to their chemical composition, which makes them taste good. Corals in the experiment preferred unfouled microplastics over fouled ones by a threefold difference.
Researchers at Duke University are developing guidelines for deterring unwanted drones from ballparks and botanical gardens. The project, funded by a $750,000 grant, aims to create passive, inexpensive solutions that can detect and deter drones without compromising safety and privacy.
Bacteria self-organize to form a golden shell around their colony using gold nanoparticles, creating a functional pressure sensor. The researchers controlled the size and shape of the device by altering the growth environment, demonstrating a proof-of-principle for fabricating structured materials.
A new iPhone app called MS Mosaic aims to improve multiple sclerosis management by tracking patients' daily and weekly symptoms. The app collects data through various surveys, performance tests, and wearable device integration, providing insights for more tailored treatment.
A new study reveals that livestock grazing has damaged one-third of giant panda habitat in the park, with bamboos being a crucial food source. The degradation coincides with a nine-fold increase in livestock numbers over 15 years, driven by factors such as increased consumer demand for meat and unclear government policies.
A pilot program in five North Carolina schools reduced absenteeism among first- and second-grade students by an average of 10%. The Early Truancy Prevention Program, which involved teachers visiting homes to establish a positive connection with parents and students, showed strong evidence of effectiveness.
A specific mutation in the DNA of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus deuterogattii increases its mutation rate, allowing it to rapidly develop resistance to antifungal drugs like FK506 and rapamycin. This hypermutator trait is likely widespread among pathogenic fungi.
Researchers found that mechanical tension plays a crucial role in the regeneration of zebrafish hearts, with supersized cells leading the way and smaller cells multiplying to cover the surface. The study's findings open up new possibilities for developing bioengineering approaches to human heart disease.
Recent satellite imagery reveals a 5% decrease in panda habitat since 1976, with an average patch size decreasing by 23%. The main culprit behind this decline is the increase in road density, which has fragmented the habitat.
Researchers at Duke University have created a prototype device that uses sound waves and microfluidic technologies to sort out biological nanoparticles, known as exosomes, from blood samples. The device can isolate more than 80% of exosomes with a purity of 98%, offering a potential breakthrough for diagnostic or therapeutic devices.
A new study found that individuals with higher reward-related ventral striatum activity are less likely to experience depressive symptoms when they have poor quality sleep. This finding may help identify individuals for whom sleep hygiene is more effective or important.
New research reveals OPEC's impact on global oil production, driving up costs by $160 billion. This has led to the development of complex, expensive technologies, such as fracking, outside OPEC countries.
A 52-million-year-old ankle fossil reveals that early primates, such as Donrussellia provincialis, were agile and nimble, able to bound between trunks and branches. This challenges the long-held notion that these ancestors were slow and deliberate climbers.
Researchers at Duke University have pinpointed a single type of neuron, the fast-spiking interneuron (FSI), as the master controller of habitual behavior. Forming a habit makes FSI cells more excitable, and shutting them down with a drug breaks habits in sugar-seeking mice.
Researchers at Duke University mapped out the complex molecular circuitry of Francisella tularensis, a bacterium that causes tularemia and is considered one of the world's most infectious pathogens. By understanding how the bacteria becomes virulent, scientists can design new drugs to shut down its virulence.
A new study suggests that as Earth's climate warms, global unforced temperature variability will likely decrease, while local regions could see sharp increases in natural temperature variability. This shift is due to albedo feedback, which reduces the impact of melting sea ice on amplifying natural temperature fluctuations.
A team of researchers has discovered a network of genes and genetic regulatory elements in the lining of the intestines that remains remarkably consistent across 420 million years of evolution. This conserved genetic signature is linked to various human diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes, and obesity.
The H.L. Hunley's explosive torpedo instantly killed its crew of eight due to a powerful shockwave that traveled through soft tissues, particularly lungs and brains. Researchers estimate the likelihood of fatal lung trauma to be at least 85% for each crew member.
Duke scientists discovered a gene variant linked to susceptibility to typhoid fever and found that cholesterol-lowering drug ezetimibe protected zebrafish against Salmonella Typhi. The study provides insight into human susceptibility to infectious disease and potential avenues for protection.
A new treatment combines gold nanostars and immunotherapy to treat cancer. The treatment successfully cured two mice and vaccinated one mouse against the disease. By destroying tumors and triggering the immune system, the treatment activates immunity against remaining cancerous cells.
Biomedical engineers have grown miniature human blood vessels exhibiting symptoms of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disease. The technology will help doctors screen potential therapeutics more rapidly, with the goal of creating a personalized screening platform.
A new study found that partners who have low power in their relationships are stuck with their partner's preferred brands, leading to a death-by-a-thousand-cuts feeling and decreased happiness. The researchers used brand preferences in various products to study individuals and couples over two years.
Researchers mapped evolutionary turning points that transformed a fungus with tens of thousands of mating types to one with only two. They found that translocations brought together separate chunks of sex-determining genes onto a single chromosome, mimicking the human X or Y chromosome.
A new portable platform enables sensitive and rapid diagnostic testing in resource-limited settings, detecting telltale markers of disease as accurately as the most sensitive tests on the market. The D4 assay can identify a disease biomarker in as few as 15 minutes.