A team of researchers has engineered a DNA nanowire with alternating guanine bases to facilitate long-range wave-like electronic motions. This breakthrough may lead to the development of stable, efficient, and tunable DNA nanoscale devices.
A new computer processor designed specifically for robotic motion planning can plan movements up to 10,000 times faster than existing approaches while using significantly less power. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize robotics and automation in manufacturing environments.
A team of Duke researchers has solved the structure of an enzyme required to synthesize trehalose, a chemical cousin to table sugar that pathogenic fungi need to survive in human hosts. The research paves the way for designing new antifungal drugs against three deadly fungi: Cryptococcus, Candida, and Aspergillus.
A Duke University study found coal ash ponds in five Southeastern US states consistently contaminate nearby surface waters and groundwater with toxic heavy metals. The study also suggests that removing the ponds may not be enough to address ongoing subsurface contamination.
Duke University researchers have created a system that allows real-time observation of the enteric nervous system, which controls digestion and communicates with the immune system. This innovation enables the exploration of the gut's neural activity in response to medications, diseases, and other stimuli.
A long-term study found that cannabis users had more gum disease, while tobacco smokers showed worse lung function and metabolic health. However, the researchers noted that heavy recreational cannabis use has some adverse consequences, but does not appear to cause significant damage to physical health.
Scientists at Duke University have discovered a potential new class of small-molecule drugs that block two key pain targets, including TRPV4 and TRPA1. These compounds show promise in treating various types of pain, such as osteoarthritis, headaches, and abdominal pain.
A study by researchers at Duke University found that coal from the Appalachian Mountains contains the highest amounts of rare earth elements. The team identified ash from this region as a potential source for extracting these critical materials, which are essential for clean energy and emerging technologies.
A new approach to health care could involve tailoring treatments to individual genetic makeup, lifestyle and environment. This precision medicine method aims to replace the use of race in treatment decisions and reduce disparities in health outcomes.
A study by Duke University scientists reveals a biological pathway for depression in adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged families. The research shows that these individuals accumulate epigenetic tags on a gene linked to depression, leading to increased amygdala activity and higher risk of depression symptoms.
Researchers found that treatment can reduce negative life outcomes for dropouts, such as getting arrested and needing government assistance. The study also identified factors that increase the risk of dropping out, including rejection by classmates in elementary school and becoming a parent at a young age.
Most US local governments gain from oil and gas development due to increased revenue from local property taxes, state severance taxes, and sales tax revenues. However, rural regions face difficulties in keeping pace with rapid industry growth.
A new study from Duke University reveals that misnaming follows predictable patterns, with people often using relationship categories and phonetic similarities to mix up names. The study found that family members frequently call other family members by the name of the family dog, suggesting a special bond between humans and canines.
A new study from Duke University and King's College London found that urban children are at a higher risk of experiencing psychotic symptoms due to low social cohesion and high crime rates. The study, which followed 2,232 British twins, found that 7.4% of urban children had experienced at least one psychotic symptom by age 12 compared ...
Researchers found that fungi acquired a protein from a virus that hijacked their cell division control machinery, allowing them to grow and divide uncontrollably. This discovery could lead to the development of new antifungal drugs that target only fungal cells, not plant or animal hosts.
A trio of new age-dating methods developed at Duke University can determine the age of oil and gas wastewater spills and identify their origins based on radium isotope variations. The methods verify that radium's decay products, including thorium and lead isotopes, can be used to detect the age and source of spills.
Research reveals that tropical cyclones in the southeastern United States increase forest photosynthesis and growth, capturing significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. This effect significantly exceeds carbon emissions from American vehicles each year.
A Duke University study finds that framing climate change as a win-win issue can exacerbate opposition and trigger a significant negative effect among polarized audiences. Messages that conflict with audience's partisan identity fail to sway skeptics and instead make them more opposed to governmental action on the issue.
A Duke University study found high levels of contaminants in brine-laden wastewater from fracking spills, exceeding federal drinking water guidelines. Soil samples contained higher levels of radioactivity downstream from spill sites, suggesting radium builds up in the environment.
Researchers at Duke University discovered a genetic circuit in bacteria that creates spatial patterns with proportional scaling, similar to those seen in animals. This finding suggests that timing cues may play a key role in pattern formation and development in other organisms.
A study of 196 wild female baboons found that those with multiple early misfortunes experienced reduced life expectancy and had fewer surviving offspring. The research suggests that social support may play a role in overcoming adversity.
Ring-tailed lemurs combine wrist and chest secretions to create more complex scents, increasing the amount of information conveyed by a single dab. This mixture may also lock in fleeting aromas and boost their staying power.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered the structure of MraY enzyme, revealing a hidden binding pocket that can be targeted by muraymycin. This breakthrough provides a platform for designing broad-spectrum antibiotics that could combat antibiotic-resistant infections and save millions of lives.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new technology using coded apertures to improve the performance of mass spectrometers, enabling portable devices to detect environmental hazards in the field. The innovation could lead to miniaturized mass spectrometers for detecting trace amounts of methane and explosives.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that adult-onset offenders have a history of anti-social behavior from childhood and are more likely to struggle with mental health issues. The study, which tracked nearly 1,000 New Zealanders, suggests that the court system may not be addressing the root causes of crime in adults.
A new study finds that binturongs release a popcorn-like aroma from their urine, containing the compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, to mark territories and attract mates. Researchers analyzed urine samples from 33 binturongs and identified 29 chemical compounds, with 2-AP being present in every sample.
Researchers from Duke University demonstrate that oxygen levels in coal ash disposal sites greatly impact the leaching of toxic selenium and arsenic. The study suggests that ignoring oxygen conditions when closing ash ponds may not be a solution to the problem, and highlights the importance of considering this factor for safe disposal.
A new Duke University-led study uses mapping software to track threats to endangered species, pinpointing areas for conservation. The San Martin titi monkey's habitat has been fragmented due to farming, logging, and urbanization, with nearly 95% of remaining habitats too small or poorly connected to support viable populations.
Researchers at Duke University found that antibiotics do not promote the spread of bacterial antibiotic resistance through genetic swapping, contrary to previous assumptions. The study's results suggest that differential birth and death rates, rather than DNA donation, are to blame for the spread of resistance.
Researchers have discovered regulatory sequences in zebrafish that can turn on genes involved in regeneration, which also exist in humans. These 'tissue regeneration enhancer elements' or TREEs may hold the key to improving human regenerative capabilities through genome editing technologies.
Duke University researchers have discovered a new class of molecular tags that can enhance MRI signals by 10,000-fold, generating detectable signals that last over an hour. This breakthrough paves the way for widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging to monitor metabolic processes in real-time.
Scientists have developed a system to track individual cells in regenerating skin tissue using color-coding, enabling the study of cellular responses to injury and tissue regeneration. The Skinbow system uses technicolor zebrafish with permanent barcodes on their cells, allowing researchers to monitor cell movements and changes over time.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a potential drug target in the skin for treating short-term itch. By targeting a specific ion channel protein called TRPV4, scientists hope to develop topical treatments that can suppress itch and inflammation.
A new study by neuroscientists at Duke University found that even practiced movements are imperfect due to brain noise, which can affect our responding movements. The research team discovered a correlation between the activity of individual neurons and the size of eye movement delays.
Researchers have pinpointed the effects of Huntington's disease on a specific brain area responsible for complex movements, such as talking or playing music. The study suggests that reintroducing normal patterns of activity in this area may be sufficient to restore normal behavior, offering potential therapeutic targets.
A Duke University-led study found that friendly rivalry among fishers can lead to better conservation of marine resources when cooperation and competition are in balance. This balanced approach helps maintain group cooperation and reinforces collective action, ultimately benefiting the communities that depend on these areas.
A rare fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus deuterogatti, has lost over a dozen genes involved in RNA interference, a defense mechanism used by fungi to protect their genomes. This loss of gene silencing machinery makes the fungus more virulent and deadly to humans.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new brain imaging strategy that allows people to control their motivational centers, leading to healthier and more productive lives. By using neurofeedback, participants were able to learn which strategies worked and adopt more effective ones.
Scientists have created detailed maps charting seasonal movements and population densities of 35 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. The maps provide insights into habitats, tracking regional differences in population densities and large seasonal shifts in migratory baleen whales.
A new study by Duke University warns that China's coal-based chemical industries will significantly increase the country's carbon footprint. The industries, which include synthetic fuels and olefins, emit nine times more CO2 than alternative methods.
A Duke University theorist proposes that the universe's varied body sizes are a result of internal tension release through hierarchical formation. This concept is rooted in Bejan's constructal law, which states that flowing systems will tend towards easier architecture by releasing tension through smaller, more numerous bodies.
A national survey found that most Americans are willing to pay more taxes to support biodiversity conservation in the Gulf of Mexico. The survey showed that people value preserving biodiversity for future generations and are willing to pay between $35 to $107 more annually for the expansion of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sa...
Researchers found that black widow spiders' red hourglass markings are more visible to birds than to insects, helping them avoid detection by predators while still warning off potential prey. This study highlights the complex communication strategies used by animals to adapt to their environments and evade threats.
Duke University researchers have engineered microbes that can't run away from home; those that do will quickly die without protective proteins produced by their peers. The system could be used to reliably program colonies of bacteria to respond to changes in their surrounding environment, such as releasing specific molecules on cue.
Nearly all US forests are vulnerable to future declines due to increasing drought and climate change, according to a new study. The effects have been most pronounced in the West, but Eastern forests are also at risk as tree populations struggle to adapt to changing conditions.
Reducing U.S. climate emissions could prevent up to 175,000 premature deaths nationwide by 2030, generating $250 billion annual health benefits. Cleaner energy policies and transportation reductions could yield significant long-term health benefits worth 5-10 times the costs.
A rat study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology found that exposure to Beijing's polluted air increases weight and metabolic dysfunctions. The study also showed that pregnant rats exposed to polluted air had higher levels of insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have created artificial arteries containing both endothelial and media layers, demonstrating normal communication and function. The new technique allows for miniaturized arteries to test drugs for efficacy and side effects, potentially enabling quicker experimentation and more accurate testing.
Research at Duke University reveals that larger rolling stones and turbulent eddies exhibit the same life span, travel distance, and number of revolutions as smaller counterparts. The findings demonstrate the constructal law's applicability to non-biological systems, challenging traditional views on evolution.
Researchers at Duke University found that 40 years of mountaintop coal mining has made parts of Central Appalachia 40% flatter than before excavation. The study suggests that this change could lead to increased water quality issues due to the creation of valley fills and changes in water movement.