Babies born to kidnapped brides in Kyrgyzstan have lower birthweights due to maternal stress, according to a new study. Infants born to kidnapped brides weighed 80-190 grams less than those born in arranged marriages.
A new study by Duke researchers found that teenagers who were exposed to violence consumed more unhealthy foods and beverages, including increased soda consumption, which is a strong predictor of weight gain. The study also revealed that adolescents took more steps on days they were exposed to violence, contrary to expectations.
Researchers at Duke University discovered how fungal spores use the power of merging water droplets to launch themselves. The team used high-speed cameras and an inkjet printer to study the mechanism, which involves the release of energy from the merged drop causing the spore to break away.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new way to produce the seasonal flu vaccine that could speed up production and provide better protection against infection. By keeping the human influenza virus from mutating during production, they generate a perfect match to the target vaccine in a shorter time frame.
A Duke University study reveals that rush hour commutes may be more hazardous to human health than previously thought. The levels of particulate matter and chemicals causing oxidative stress found in car cabins were twice as high as roadside sensors, posing a significant risk to drivers' health.
A new study by Duke University scientists found that invasive plant species can provide essential ecosystem functions in degraded coastal habitats. Non-native seaweed, such as Gracilaria vermiculophylla, helped offset the loss of foundation species and offered vital services like food production and storm protection.
A new study by Duke University found a connection between ozone pollution and cardiovascular health in Chinese adults. Exposure to ozone was linked to increased platelets, elevated blood pressure, and other factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at Duke University have developed an algorithm that allows robots to recognize and understand 3-D objects, even when parts are hidden from view. The system can simultaneously guess what a new object is and how it's oriented without examining it from multiple angles first.
A study of modern hunter-gatherers in Tanzania found that mismatched sleep schedules and restless nights may be an evolutionary leftover from a time when predators lurked in the shadows. This natural variation in sleep patterns helps ensure at least one person is awake to keep watch, reducing the need for nighttime sentinels.
A new study estimates that air pollution and dust are cutting global solar energy production by more than 25% in certain parts of the world, with China, India, and the Arabian Peninsula being the hardest hit. The regions experiencing heavy losses are also those investing the most in solar energy installations.
International scientists warn that deep-sea mining will inevitably harm biodiversity due to the scale and depth of operations. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean is at risk of severe damage, with some projects covering over 83,000 square kilometers.
A study by neuroscientists at Duke and Stanford University found that multiple brain regions collaborate to produce empathetic decision-making in rats. The results clarify conflicting findings on the role of specific brain regions in guiding antisocial behavior, suggesting a more complex neural context.
A new study from Duke University and the University of California, Davis, found no marked improvement in the survival rate of U.S. gunshot victims over the past decade. The researchers analyzed data from 2003 to 2012 and discovered problems with data collection and coding, leading to an incorrect assumption of a decline in fatality rates.
Researchers discovered a unique repair mechanism in zebrafish spinal discs that protects fluid-filled cells from mechanical stress and promotes regeneration. The study suggests that this mechanism, triggered by the release of nucleotides, may be present in humans at early stages but is lost over time.
A new study by Duke University estimates that seagulls feeding at landfills transport and deposit over 240 tons of nitrogen and 39 tons of phosphorus into nearby lakes or reservoirs each year. This nutrient overload contributes to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and ecological and economic impacts.
Research from Duke University finds that college attendance rates for poor students decline by 20% after a 7% job loss, even when financial aid increases. Job losses also trigger increased stress, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among poor African-American youths.
Researchers have developed an inexpensive printed sensor that can track millimeter-scale changes in tire tread depth with high accuracy. The technology has the potential to increase safety, improve vehicle performance, and reduce fuel consumption by detecting sub-millimeter resolution of tire wear.
Two Duke University-led studies confirm gray seals are making a comeback off the New England and eastern Canadian coasts using research drones, thermal cameras, and Google Earth. The findings suggest there are between 30,000 and 50,000 seals, with conservation efforts being successful.
Macrophages, known as the Pac-Man of the immune system, promote healing by regrowing severed nerves in rats, offering a promising alternative to current treatments like autografts. The approach uses biological signals to recruit younger, undifferentiated cells destined to become pro-healing macrophages.
A study found that meerkat scent marks are made by bacteria, not the animals themselves. The types of bacteria and chemicals in the scent marks vary between individuals and groups, suggesting a role for microbes in animal communication.
Researchers at Duke University have created a technology that fuses GLP1 with a heat-sensitive elastin-like polypeptide, providing glucose control up to three times longer than current treatments. The new biopolymer injection lasts more than two weeks in primates and has the potential to replace daily or weekly insulin shots.
Materials scientists at Duke University have resurrected an online cookbook of crystalline structures, featuring 288 entries with data on symmetry, properties, and unit cells. The revamped website provides a flexible platform for researchers to explore and create new materials.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a handheld device for cervical cancer screening that can capture images of the cervix without a speculum or trained professional. The 'pocket colposcope' is designed to be low-cost, accessible, and potentially self-screening.
A team of researchers, led by Sho Yaida, have found a phase transition in glasses using infinite-dimensional calculations. This discovery could significantly change the properties of glasses at low temperatures, affecting their response to heat, sound and stress.
Researchers discovered that a molecule called PD-L1 can mask pain by suppressing nociceptive neuron activity via PD-1. This finding could lead to the development of predictive tests and treatments for pain, as well as new ways to assess immunotherapy treatment efficacy.
Researchers at Duke University have developed new algorithms that enable analysis of sensitive data while guaranteeing individual privacy. The tools use a customized definition of privacy similar to differential privacy, injecting just enough noise to satisfy regulations and uphold the law.
Researchers have found that microbes manipulate the molecular machinery of animal cells, triggering patterns of gene expression associated with health and disease. The study suggests ancient parts of the genome and interactions with microbes are relevant to modern-day human diseases.
Researchers have developed a new method using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) enzyme to produce precise, high molecular weight synthetic biomolecular structures. These structures can be tailored to create single-stranded DNA for self-assembling into ball-like containers for drug delivery or incorporating unnatural nucleotides.
A Duke University-led study maps the sooty tern's annual migratory path and reveals its direct correlation with hurricane-forming storms in the Atlantic. The researchers warn that stronger hurricanes may increase due to climate change, posing a new threat to these iconic seabirds.
Researchers at Duke University and CalTech have developed a hybrid imaging technology that combines light and ultrasound to provide live, holistic views of small animal organs. This technique breaks the resolution and speed barriers in whole-body imaging, enabling functional imaging of entire bodies with sub-millimeter-level resolution.
A Duke University study reveals that larger patches of tropical forest are being lost worldwide due to industrial-scale agricultural expansion. The trend is most pronounced in Southeast Asia and South America, where clearings for large-scale agriculture account for more than half of all observed forest loss between 2000 and 2012.
A new analysis by an international research panel suggests that reducing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) like methane and black carbon could yield major health benefits and slow global warming over the next 25 years. Curbing these emissions would also provide substantial benefits for investing in sustainable development.
Duke researchers have created 3D-printed electromagnetic metamaterials with potential to revolutionize the design and prototyping of radio frequency applications. The use of a highly conductive material, Electrifi, enables rapid construction of complex devices and accelerates the design process.
A new study from Duke University found that adolescents already at risk for mental health issues face increased attention, behavior, and self-regulation problems when using technology. However, excessive digital device use was also linked to fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety.
A team of researchers from Duke University found that Epstein-Barr virus manipulates B-cell reproduction and apoptosis resistance to establish latency. This unique mechanism allows the virus to persist well inside the immune system, increasing cancer risk in immunocompromised individuals.
Scientists have identified key genes involved in the homing behavior of rainbow trout, which use Earth's magnetic field to navigate back to their birthplace. The study found that changes in gene expression are triggered by disruption of the fish's internal compass, pointing to a possible role for iron-based magnetite particles.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that fracking wastewater has polluted surface water in northwestern West Virginia. Despite this, groundwater remains untouched, according to the three-year study that tested 112 drinking wells.
A team of researchers at Duke University created a cartilage-mimicking material that can be 3D-printed to match the strength and elasticity of human cartilage, potentially easing damaged knees. The new material is custom-shaped to each patient's anatomy, providing improved shock absorption and reducing pain.
Researchers created a time-lapse animation of the concentrative nucleoside transporter (CNT) transporting nucleosides into cells. The study provides important structural information for designing smarter, more specific anticancer and antiviral drugs.
Researchers at Duke University have created two new magnetic materials using high-throughput computational models. The success marks a new era for the large-scale design of new magnetic materials, with potential applications in motors, MRI machines and beyond.
A Duke University study found that individuals with multiple forms of mental illness exhibit differences in the cerebellum and pons brain regions. These findings suggest that targeting common mechanisms or risk factors could lead to better treatment outcomes.
Researchers have developed a way to deliver drugs to specific types of neurons in the brain, allowing for more precise study and treatment of neurological diseases. The new method, DART, reveals how movement difficulties in Parkinson's Disease are controlled by the AMPA receptor, offering a new approach to treating the disease.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a sensor that detects specific wavelengths of electromagnetic energy using gold-plated crystals. The technology outperforms existing detectors in size, weight, power, speed and cost, making it ideal for detecting methane or natural gas leaks, monitoring crop health and recycling plastics.
A study by Duke University economists found that catch shares reduce the 'race to fish' that compresses fishing seasons. This allows fishers to time their catches with market demand, reducing occupational hazards and improving fish quality. While exceptions exist, benefits still outweigh negatives.
Researchers have developed a method to swiftly screen the non-coding DNA of the human genome for links to diseases driven by gene regulation. The technique uses CRISPR/Cas9 to precisely cut and paste DNA sequences, enabling the identification of regulatory elements controlling disease genes.
Engineers have developed a technology to cool hotspots in high-performance electronics by leveraging the same physical phenomenon that cleans cicadas' wings. Droplets jump toward hotspots, bringing cooling where it's needed most, and the results appear online.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a fully-printed digital memory device using an aerosol jet printer and nanoparticle inks. The device stores information in states of resistance, allowing for flexible electronics on bendable materials, and has a write speed rivaling that of flash drives.
A Duke University professor proposes that wealth inequality is governed by a physical law, where systems evolve to increase access to flow. This natural tendency governs the distribution of wealth in economies, with hierarchical movement leading to greater disparities.
A long-term study of over 500 children found that higher blood lead levels in childhood were associated with lower IQ points and lower adult occupational standing. The effects are slight but significant, suggesting that even small amounts of lead exposure can have lasting impacts on cognitive abilities.
A Duke University-led study using satellite images shows the Sacramento Valley in California has lost nearly all its wetlands, which are crucial for millions of migratory shorebirds. The habitat loss is threatening the survival of these birds, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.