Experts call for new international standards and mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of seismic surveys on vulnerable marine life. The proposed measures aim to reduce risks from sound pollution, protect important habitats, and promote coordinated planning across industries and nations.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that self-control can weaken memory. The study found that when participants had to cancel an intended action, their ability to remember specific details was impaired. This finding may have implications for understanding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and addiction.
A new study by Duke University reveals that drought can cause trees to die years after the drought ends, with 72% of affected trees dead within a decade. Thinning out competing trees and monitoring tree growth rates can help prevent this decline.
Researchers developed a model that predicts personalized daily forecasts for each student, enabling early identification of at-risk individuals and encouraging them to stay home. The study used wearable devices and smartphone apps to collect data on students' interactions and health habits.
New studies establish a framework for nanoinformatics by standardizing the way nanotechnology data are curated. This will enable future studies to combine multiple datasets to explore complex questions. The research also proposes a new, standardized way of studying the properties of nanomaterials using functional assays.
The 'dancing droplets' phenomenon allows small droplets to launch themselves from moderately hydrophobic surfaces, enabling efficient removal of accumulated droplets in fibrous webs. This technology has potential applications in water purification and oil refining by reducing clogging and improving efficiency.
A new sensor developed at Duke University uses metamaterials and compressive sensing to separate overlapping sounds in loud environments. The device achieved a 96.7% accuracy rate in distinguishing between three identical sounds sent from different directions.
A study found that voters naturally prefer leaders with lower-pitched voices, associating them with strength and competence rather than age. The researchers suggest this preference may stem from caveman instincts linking leadership ability to physical strength.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully packaged a widely used cancer drug into nanoparticles, more than doubling its effectiveness in mice. The new approach delivers the drug directly to tumors while reducing side effects and improving targeting, showing transformative results for patients.
A study on nematode worms found that starvation early in life can affect growth, reproduction and stress resistance in subsequent generations. The worms that survived famine became smaller, less fertile, but their offspring were more resistant to starvation and had improved stress tolerance.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered the role of HipA in recurring urinary tract infections, finding that mutant versions of the protein can cause multidrug tolerance by putting bacterial cells into dormancy. The study provides a new method for combating drug-tolerant infections.
A new study from Duke University found that plant light-sensing molecules were inherited from ancient algae, contradicting the prevailing idea of bacterial origins. The researchers analyzed 300 DNA and RNA sequences from phytochrome proteins in a wide range of algae and land plants.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a superfast fluorescence device that can emit light over 90 billion gigahertz, breaking the current speed record. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize optical computing and communication.
A new study finds that a moderate amount of stress stimulates mellow dogs, while hyperactive dogs perform poorly under increased stimulation. Researchers tested pet and assistance dogs, finding that their baseline temperament plays a crucial role in determining optimal stress levels.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that tapeworms in babies' guts can shield their brains from long-term learning and memory problems caused by newborn infections. Expectant mothers who had tapeworms passed on protection to their worm-free offspring, suggesting the benefits began early in life.
Scientists have successfully collected plankton and animal larvae from the deep ocean using a new sampler, PlankZooka, which uses spinning blades to gently pump water through a net system. This allows for more precise sampling and analysis of deep-sea ecosystems.
A previously unknown shipwreck was discovered more than a mile deep off the North Carolina coast using scientific sonar. The wreck is believed to date back to the late 18th or early 19th century and contains artifacts such as an iron chain, wooden timbers, and navigational instruments.
Researchers at Duke University found that attention problems are a key factor in civilian shooting casualties. Training in response inhibition can improve shooting abilities and reduce errors.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that children who are taught to be vigilant for hostility in others are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior themselves. The four-year longitudinal study involved 1,299 children and their parents from 12 different cultural groups worldwide.
Duke University researchers created a method to enhance tumor-frying nanoparticles with chemotherapeutic coatings, releasing drugs in heated tissue. The technique combines photothermal therapy with localized drug delivery, potentially increasing effectiveness.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered that stem cells from bone marrow can alleviate neuropathic pain in mice by increasing levels of the anti-inflammatory protein TGF-β1. The treatment remained effective for several weeks, outlasting traditional painkillers and offering new hope for chronic pain conditions.
A gene mutation called ankyrin-B has been found to cause cells to absorb glucose faster, leading to fat storage and type 2 diabetes. The mutations are common among certain populations, including African Americans and Caucasians, and may provide a genetic link to modern diet-related diseases.
A team from Duke University has developed a new method to measure the aging process in young adults, finding that signs of aging can appear as early as age 26. The study used 18 biological measures to determine an individual's pace of aging, with some participants aging at rates of three years per year.
Researchers have visualized the oldest known Old World monkey skull, revealing a tiny but remarkably wrinkled brain. The ancient creature's brain supports the idea that brain complexity can evolve before brain size in primates, contradicting conventional wisdom.
A new study suggests that brain activity can predict how likely young adults are to develop problem drinking or engage in risky sexual behavior. The research found that imbalance in the function of typically complementary brain areas, such as the ventral striatum and amygdala, is associated with increased risk.
A study led by Duke University researchers found that parrots have distinct brain regions, called 'shells,' that are involved in vocal learning and may contribute to their ability to imitate human speech. The study also suggests that the shells may be responsible for the species' exceptional vocal mimicry abilities.
A Duke University study shows that two biological clocks work together to help plants deal with fungal infections, while maintaining an already-packed daily schedule of activities. The researchers identified a gene called NPR1 that links the two clocks, allowing them to work together and optimize plant defenses.
Researchers analyzed size data for over 1,000 rodent populations to identify those that evolved into unusually large or small sizes. The study found that islands are home to more extreme cases of size variation, with rodents on islands weighing among the top or bottom 2.5 percent for their species.
Researchers at Duke University developed a mathematical model of acetaminophen metabolism based on lab rat data, finding that glutamine may boost the body's ability to recover from overdose. The study suggests that adding glutamine alongside standard antidote N-acetylcysteine could prevent liver damage.
African songbirds use color and pattern traits to recognize forgery eggs from cuckoos, but the system is not foolproof. Researchers found that heavily parasitized birds create unique egg patterns by combining individual traits, which may have security implications.
A study published in PNAS found that strictly protected areas, like parks and reserves, have lower incidences of malaria, acute respiratory infections, and diarrhea. By preserving biodiversity, these areas can act as a barrier to disease transmission, suggesting a potential double win for public health benefits.
A study by Adrian Bejan at Duke University reveals that the ideal fire shape is roughly as tall as it is wide, facilitating efficient air and heat flow. This design enables humans to migrate and spread across the globe, a direct prediction of the Constructal Law.
Researchers at Duke University found that the initial size of cells determines how much they grow before dividing into two, contrary to previous findings. This discovery was made possible by analyzing oscillations in cell growth and gene expression using a unique device that allows for single-cell analysis.
A long-term study in Pakistan found that prenatal treatment for depression had no effect on children's emotional and behavioral development. In contrast, maternal depression was linked to worse child outcomes, emphasizing the need for integrated maternal and child health programs.
A new study of social relationships in wild apes reveals that low-ranking female chimpanzees form stronger bonds with other females of similar status. The researchers analyzed daily records for 53 adult females over 38 years and found that these low-ranking pairs were more likely to seek each other out than those from higher social ranks.
A new tool called Kahawai reduces data usage while delivering graphics and gameplay similar to conventional cloud-gaming setups. The approach uses collaborative rendering to lighten the load, allowing mobile devices to generate rough sketches of frames while remote servers fill in the gaps.
Researchers analyzed DNA of over 250 tree species in southern Appalachians and found that half can trace their ancestry to eastern Asia. The temperate forests of the region are home to more tree species than anywhere else in North America.
Scientists at Duke University have discovered a brain region that integrates the timing of speech, a crucial element of spoken language. The superior temporal sulcus (STS) became active during speech quilts with longer segments, suggesting it plays a key role in processing speech rhythms.
Researchers found that female lemurs have higher testosterone levels in some species, leading to dominant behavior and challenging traditional gender roles. This discovery suggests that hormones play a role in female dominance in these animals.
Duke University scientists have discovered a previously unknown dual mechanism that slows peat decay and reduces CO2 emissions from peatlands. The naturally occurring mechanism was found in 5,000-year-old pocosin bogs and may occur in other regions as well.
A recent study by Duke University researchers has shed light on the epicardium, a mysterious outer layer of the heart known to regrow cardiac tissue in zebrafish. The findings suggest that this layer is critical for regeneration and may hold key to repairing damaged hearts in humans.
Researchers have reconciled three unrelated hypotheses about schizophrenia's causes by studying mice with a genetic deletion. The findings suggest that faulty neural connections, excess dopamine, and brain pruning are linked to the disease. The study aims to develop treatment strategies targeting these underlying causes.
A study by Duke University found that residential and commercial customers using automatic bill payments consumed 4-6% and 8% more power, respectively. This increase in demand may offset savings from energy demand-reduction programs. To combat this issue, utilities are exploring strategies to boost price salience.
A new study by Duke University finds that orphaned boys experience similar rates of physical and sexual abuse as girls in low- and middle-income countries. The research suggests investing in support services for both genders to prevent long-term trauma and abuse, ultimately benefiting girls' safety.
Researchers have identified a single, simple metric to guide antibiotic dosing that could bring first-line antibiotics back into the fight against drug-resistant pathogens. A computer simulation revealed that a regimen based on a pathogen's recovery time could eliminate an otherwise resistant strain of bacteria.
A new study suggests global warming is not as fast as predicted, with natural variability accounting for recent temperature changes. This 'middle-of-the-road' scenario could result in 11-year hiatuses in warming, making it more plausible than the most severe IPCC projections.
A study of wild baboons in southern Kenya reveals that the size of a female's swollen rump doesn't matter as much as previously thought. Females with bigger backsides don't necessarily make better mothers, and males actually prefer females with more postpartum cycles over larger derriers.
A new Duke University study in mice found that immune cells consuming an important amino acid called arginine may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Blocking this process with a small-molecule drug prevented characteristic brain plaques and memory loss in mouse models, suggesting a potential new treatment strategy.
Researchers at Duke University simulate high-speed impacts in artificial soil and sand, finding that materials get stronger when struck harder. This challenges previous models and may lead to better control of earth-penetrating missiles.
The US saw net job growth in electricity generation between 2008 and 2012, with natural gas, solar and wind-energy jobs rising by nearly 200,000. However, coal jobs declined significantly, particularly in regions hardest hit by the industry's decline.