Duke researchers have developed a new method to precisely control gene activity by chemically manipulating proteins that package DNA. This technology allows for the activation of specific gene promoters and enhancers, which could provide a new avenue for gene therapies and guiding stem cell differentiation.
Northern coastal marshes are more susceptible to overgrazing by herbivores from nutrient-rich runoff, leading to destabilization and reduced function. This study integrates field experiments and finds that latitude plays a key role in mediating the impact of nutrient loading on plant-herbivore interactions.
A recent study on wild baboons reveals that those born during periods of famine have long-term effects on female fertility, making them 60% less likely to become pregnant during food shortages. The findings support the idea that early adversity carries lifelong costs and can lead to poor health as adults.
Researchers analyzed mouse songs using a new statistical tool, finding that males sing more complex songs when they smell a female's urine but don't see her. The songs' dynamics are influenced by social contexts and can be used to study vocal communication and disorders, including autism spectrum disorder.
Dwarf lemurs' ability to put their bodies in standby mode, known as torpor, correlates with increased longevity. Hibernating lemurs live up to ten years longer than non-hibernators, staying healthier and reproducing for a longer period.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that ending federal beach nourishment subsidies could lead to a rapid and dramatic adjustment in coastal property values. Values could erode by up to 17 percent in towns with high property values and almost 34 percent in towns with low property values.
A new study found that unpredictable division patterns in HPV-infected stem cells play a critical role in eradicating the virus. This finding suggests that tweaking infected cell division patterns may help clear HPV infections and lower cancer risk.
A new study predicts that global water demand will outpace supply by mid-century unless innovative solutions are developed. Researchers used a mathematical model to analyze past trends and suggest a similar pattern of technological advancements could alleviate future shortages.
Researchers discovered a gene called Plexin D1 that controls fat storage and cell shape, which is associated with health risks. Zebrafish without the gene had less abdominal fat and were protected from insulin resistance.
Brown planthoppers develop short wings for breeding and long wings for travel due to insulin receptor silencing, a major factor in their pest status. Researchers found that two insulin receptors determine alternative wing morphs in planthoppers.
A new Duke University study finds that die-hard college sports fans are rare, making up only about 2% of published obituaries of adults. These ardent fans were more likely to be white, mainline Protestants, and participate in coaching, but not linked to a college's academic reputation.
A new study in baboons reveals that social relationships play a role in shaping an individual's gut microbial makeup. The researchers found that baboons who groomed each other more frequently shared more similar sets of gut microbes, suggesting that physical contact may be a key factor in allowing people to swap gut germs.
Duke University researchers have found shape-shifting DNA base pairs that can trick the copying machine, leading to random genetic changes. These 'quantum jitters' appear at a frequency similar to DNA copying errors, which might underlie evolution and cancer.
A Duke University study suggests that public health programs should allocate funds to encourage more boys to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), which could ultimately protect more people. The study found that boosting HPV vaccination coverage in girls may become increasingly expensive as the pool of willing parents shrinks.
Recent research suggests that irisin, believed to travel from muscle to fat tissue after exercise, may not exist in humans. New tests used in previous studies found antibodies were poorly vetted and nonspecific, leading to false positive results.
A new technique measures forces inside materials like sand, soil, or snow under pressure, allowing researchers to better understand phenomena like grain hoppers and natural disasters.
A new Duke University study estimates that a gallon of gasoline costs around $3.80 more than the pump price when health and environment are factored in. The social cost of diesel is about $4.80 more, while natural gas becomes cheaper than its initial price. Solar and wind power also become cheaper.
Researchers studied mantis shrimp claws, discovering that certain parts are more sensitive to changes than others. This mechanical sensitivity allowed the other parts to evolve independently without compromising the striking force.
Researchers found that pregnant lemur moms carrying boys produce simpler scents with fewer odor compounds compared to those carrying girls. The change in scent patterns correlates with changes in blood hormone levels. The study provides the first evidence of a pregnant mother's scent differing depending on the sex of her baby.
Researchers found a key difference in human and chimpanzee DNA that boosts brain size in mouse embryos. This discovery sheds light on the genetic basis of human brain evolution and may help explain why humans have unique capabilities compared to chimps.
Lemurs are expected to lose considerable amounts of suitable habitat due to climate change, with some species shrinking their ranges by nearly 70 percent. The study identifies key forest corridors that need protection for lemurs to reach future habitats.
Duke researchers demonstrate a genetic therapeutic technique targeting a large region of the dystrophin gene to treat up to 60 percent of DMD patients. The CRISPR system is used to cut specific exons, altering the gene and producing a shortened dystrophin protein.
Duke researchers have identified the uhrf1 gene as a key regulator of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels, which are associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The study found that loss of uhrf1 leads to increased TNF production, which can cause inflammation and damage to the digestive tract.
A Duke University study found that rural Indian healthcare providers frequently misdiagnose and mistreat childhood diarrhea and pneumonia. The study revealed that even providers with formal medical training were likely to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics or other potentially harmful drugs.
A new study by Duke University found that millions of African Americans who migrated from the rural South to urban areas during the 20th century experienced a significant increase in mortality rates. The study attributed this increase to unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking, which were more prevalent in cities.
Researchers discovered a fern that is the offspring of two distantly-related plant groups that haven't interbred in 60 million years. The finding challenges traditional views on reproductive incompatibility among species.
A Duke University study found that chimpanzees and bonobos prefer the glass half full when presented with a choice between two snacks. The apes were more likely to choose fruit over nuts when framed as a prize rather than a penalty, regardless of equal average payoffs.
A new study found that serotonin-deficient mice are more vulnerable to social stress and do not respond to the antidepressant Prozac, which may help explain why some people with depression seem unresponsive to treatment. The researchers also discovered a possible therapeutic strategy by targeting the lateral habenula brain area.
Researchers at Duke University have devised a method to activate genes in specific locations using light, allowing for precise control over genetic expression. This technology has the potential to revolutionize genetic engineering and may lead to breakthroughs in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Duke University researchers studied monkeys' eyes to understand how the brain processes distractions and predicts focus on goals. They found that changes in pupil size in response to distractors might predict how well the brain focuses on a goal.
A new study from Duke University has found that a brain marker can predict who will develop depression and anxiety years after a stressful event. By measuring the activity of the amygdala, researchers were able to identify individuals who were at higher risk for developing mental illness.
Duke researchers discovered a gene called Raf that acts as a switch to turn on Yorkie, making fly hearts grow bigger. The study sheds light on the genetic circuitry of signals governing growth and may help understand how human hearts respond to disease.
A study of 12 years of observations of chimpanzee playground fights found that chimps with higher-ranking moms are more likely to win. However, the mothers did not intervene in most cases, letting their offspring fight their battles for themselves.
A new study finds that climate models are inconsistent in explaining decade-to-decade temperature variability, which may lead to misinterpretation of data. The inconsistency may undermine the models' reliability for projecting future warming and suggests a bumpier road to a warmer world.
Researchers found that green turtles tend not to bask when local winter sea surface temperatures stay above 23 degrees Celsius. The scientists project that global warming trends could lead to the end of beach basking globally by 2102, with Hawaii's green turtles possibly stopping by 2039.
New research from Duke University finds that low-income boys exhibit more antisocial behavior when living among affluent neighbors, while girls do not show a similar effect. The study suggests that neighborhood surroundings play a significant role in shaping the behavior of low-income children.
Researchers found that autophagy, a cellular recycling process, helps eliminate a molecule called A20 that blocks the immune response. By removing A20, autophagy allows for a quick release of emergency signals, boosting anti-fungal immunity.
Duke University scientists have discovered high levels of ammonium and iodide in oil and gas wastewater, exceeding EPA water-quality thresholds. These contaminants can harm aquatic life and promote toxic byproducts in drinking water when mixed with chlorine.
Research reveals that HIV/AIDS patients in the southern US have significantly lower survival rates compared to other regions. The study found that 15% of people diagnosed with HIV and 27% of those diagnosed with AIDS died within five years of diagnosis.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully grown human skeletal muscle that contracts and responds like native tissue, enabling the testing of new drugs and study of diseases in functioning human muscle outside the body. The lab-grown tissue can also mimic clinical responses to various drugs.
Researchers have found hazardous levels of mercury hundreds of miles downstream from Peruvian gold mines, contaminating local soil, sediment, and water resources. The study highlights the widespread impact of artisanal small-scale gold mining on human health and the environment.
A new system between the gut and nervous system may be more direct than hormone release in signaling fullness. The connection also suggests a potential pathway for foodborne viruses to infect the brain.
A new study by Duke researchers has identified a protein called hevin that plays a critical role in forming brain connections, particularly in the cortex. The discovery sheds light on how disruptions in this process may contribute to conditions such as autism and depression.
Researchers found that a specific gene variant is associated with children's vulnerability to negative environments, but also responded positively to an intensive intervention program called Fast Track. The study suggests that personalized treatments may be possible for society's most troubled children.
Researchers found that swamp sparrows can perceive sound categories in context, a skill shared with humans. This ability may be crucial for understanding how human language arose.
Duke University researchers develop software to predict genetic changes in bacteria that will allow it to evade new experimental drugs. The team successfully identified four mutations that would confer resistance, with over half of surviving colonies carrying the predicted mutation.
A new study from Duke University finds that a combination of federal regulations and local community-based conservation measures are urgently needed to protect spinner dolphins in Hawaii. The research suggests that managing the bays where dolphins rest should be tailored to each bay's unique use, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-...
A DNA study from Duke University sheds light on the extinction of giant lemurs, finding that their smaller population sizes made them more susceptible to extinction. The research suggests that lessons learned from ancient DNA can be useful in protecting remaining species.
Duke University scientists developed new forensic tracers to identify coal ash contamination in water and distinguish it from other sources. The tracers provide additional fingerprints that give regulators a more accurate tool to trace coal ash effluents to their source.
Despite lingering issues of child obesity and poverty, the US sees significant advancements in safety, education, and stability for its kids. Test scores have risen, and more children are pursuing higher education and enrolling in preschools.