A study from Duke University found that a weight management program significantly reduced depression in nearly half of low-income black women. The 12-month intervention included personalized goals and behavioral changes, which had no direct impact on weight loss or treatment for depression.
A study from Duke University found that the sex of children born to couples is linked to relationship conflict and pregnancy stress. Girls are more likely to be born into strained marriages, while boys may not survive such pregnancies as easily as girls do.
A study by Duke University scientists identified a highly virulent strain of Mucor circinelloides fungus in Chobani yogurt that caused severe symptoms in consumers. The researchers found that the fungus can survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract and produce a lethal systemic infection in diabetic mice.
A recent Duke University study has found that the mutated Huntington's disease protein is crucial for normal brain development and synaptic circuitry in early life. The research suggests that faulty connections may be the root cause of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, with potential implications for treatment strategies.
A new study from Duke University found that unwed parents are more likely to marry when their child is young, with the 'magic moment' lasting longer than previously thought. However, the study also revealed that many of these marriages are fragile and do not last.
A new study finds that tropical countries with rising middle-class incomes are willing to pay more for conservation, but government actions lag behind. Public surveys in Malaysia showed people willing to pay $437 a year per hectare to protect forests from logging and poaching.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a method to measure the response of an individual neuron to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a procedure used to treat psychiatric disorders. By recording activity from single neurons during TMS, the team gained a basic understanding of the technique's physiological mechanisms.
Researchers found that restricting food to nematode worms triggers a state of arrested development, allowing them to live twice as long as normal. The study hints at an easier way to achieve human longevity and has implications for cancer research.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a key protein that drives DNA copying in plasmids responsible for antibiotic resistance in staphylococcus bacteria. By understanding how this protein works, scientists may develop new ways to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant plasmids.
Researchers used a tracing technique in mice to map the brain circuitry controlling chewing movements. They found shared premotor neurons connecting to multiple motoneurons regulating jaw and tongue movements, suggesting a simple coordination method for safe mealtime.
Duke researchers discovered a novel neuron population in the adult brain that instructs stem cells to produce new neurons. The finding opens up possibilities for brain repair and regeneration through neural circuits.
Researchers have discovered how lemurs fight the Cryptosporidium parasite using next-generation sequencing technology. This breakthrough could aid in conservation efforts and develop new methods for detecting and treating the infection.
A new study led by Duke University finds that emerging technologies can efficiently identify species at greatest risk and take steps to protect them. Online databases, smartphone apps, and crowd-sourcing are making it easier to collect data on species.
Researchers at Duke University discovered an antibody that simultaneously blocks the sensations of pain and itching by targeting Nav1.7 sodium channels. The study showed promising results in mouse models, suggesting a new treatment option for pain and itch conditions.
Researchers at Duke University have developed software that tracks and records infants' activity during videotaped autism screening tests. The program is as good as experts giving the test themselves and better than non-expert medical clinicians and students in training, showing promise in identifying early signs of autism.
Recent shale development has generally benefited local governments in the US, generating new revenues from property taxes, sales taxes, and severance taxes. However, some municipalities have struggled to manage rapid population growth and associated infrastructure needs.
Researchers at Duke University developed a chip-like device that can sort, store, and retrieve hundreds of thousands of individual living cells in minutes. This technology revolutionizes research by allowing fast and efficient control of individual cells, enabling the study of small but significant differences within populations.
Researchers identified a single-letter change in DNA that turns cold-sensitive TRP ion channels into heat-activated ones, offering potential for more specific pain relievers with less severe side effects. The study could lead to the development of analgesic compounds to treat chronic pain by targeting temperature-sensitive molecules.
A new study published in the Journal of Human Evolution identifies two genes that show evidence of positive selection in humans, contributing to the thickening of enamel. The research suggests that natural selection played a key role in shaping human teeth, with specific genetic changes linked to diet and environmental pressures.
Researchers at Duke University mapped fragile sites across the entire yeast genome, finding they occur in areas where DNA replication slows or stalls. These sites are linked to genetic abnormalities seen in solid tumors and can lead to chromosome instability.
A new model shows that molecules in glassy materials settle into a fractal hierarchy of states, unifying mathematics and theory. The findings explain several behaviors seen in glasses, including avalanching, which leads to crystallization.
Researchers have fully sequenced the Cryptococcus neoformans genome, providing a playbook to understand its pathogenesis and develop methods to combat its evolution into deadlier strains. The study reveals genetic changes that occur after laboratory handling, making the fungus more susceptible to stress and less virulent.
Research from Duke University shows that interest in pursuing goals enhances performance while reducing mental exhaustion. The study found that individuals who experienced activities as enjoyable and personally significant performed better and were less exhausted than those who did not.
Ring-tailed lemurs can match scents with sounds from the same female, indicating a stronger response when both cues are present. This ability may aid lemurs in detecting nearby individuals, as scents can linger after the animal has left the area.
Ferns acquired a gene called neochrome from hornworts, allowing them to thrive in shaded environments. The transfer of this gene helped ferns diversify and flourish under the new canopy, outcompeting flowering plants.
Residents of poorer Chicago neighborhoods face more life-changing negative events and experience a range of serious health issues due to the complex interplay between traumatic events and lack of resources. The study's findings highlight the need for addressing poverty and providing support for vulnerable populations.
A new study from Duke University suggests that living with grandparents can exacerbate the baby blues in some mothers. Married and single mothers who live in multi-generational households experience higher rates of depression, while cohabiting couples without marriage benefits from having one or more grandparents in the house. The find...
Researchers at Duke University have successfully grown lab-grown muscle that demonstrates self-healing properties, integrating into mice quickly and contracting powerfully. The breakthrough, led by Nenad Bursac, uses well-developed contractile muscle fibers and satellite cells to create a microenvironment for regeneration.
Adolescent girls are more sensitive to untrustworthy faces due to a weaker limbic system connection with the rest of the brain. This leads to heightened responses and a greater disconnection from brain regions involved in regulating responses.
Duke University engineers have developed a new urinary catheter design that can eliminate nearly all hard-to-kill biofilm from the catheter's walls using physical deformation. The design features an inflation channel that forces the thin wall into the urinary tract, leaving the outer dimensions intact.
Carbon markets are emerging at the state and global levels, teaching valuable lessons on what works and what doesn't in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite challenges, these markets have expanded to cover a substantial share of global emissions and encouraged modest reductions.
Duke University engineers developed a modified lens for shock wave machines, improving lithotripsy efficiency by 89% while reducing tissue damage. The new design uses a groove near the lens's perimeter to optimize pressure distribution and cavitation bubble formation.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully demonstrated the world's first three-dimensional acoustic cloak, rerouting sound waves to create an illusion of emptiness. The device has potential applications in sonar avoidance and architectural acoustics, altering sound wave trajectory to match a flat surface.
Researchers propose using software like R Markdown to teach students the concept of reproducibility, which can lead to more transparent science. The study found that introductory statistics students who used R Markdown for homework assignments showed gradual gains in preference and no negative impact on grades.
A Duke University-led study of nearly 80,000 middle-schoolers found that students who repeat a grade contribute to a disruptive environment, leading to increased suspensions and discipline problems. The study suggests that supporting older and retained students through tutoring and peer mentoring can improve the entire school climate.
A protein in Drosophila controls the metamorphosis of dendrites, thin structures that receive electrical impulses. The discovery could help treat brain injuries by allowing neurons to regrow new dendrites and function better after injury.
A study by researchers at Duke University found that fruit-eating lemur species excel in spatial memory tests, demonstrating a strong link between diet and cognitive abilities. The findings suggest that lemurs with diets rich in fruits, which are seasonally available and often hard to access, develop superior spatial memory skills.
A new study of 11,000 teenagers found that combining school-based Life Skills Training with home-based Strengthening Families program significantly reduced prescription drug abuse rates by 10%. The six-year study also identified the most cost-effective programs, with Life Skills Training costing just $15 per child.
Duke researchers have successfully used gene therapy to induce stem cells to produce growth factor proteins, overcoming the challenge of delivering these proteins after implantation. The technique allows for long-term delivery and could be applied to various orthopedic tissues, presenting a significant step toward commercialization.
A panel of experts from Duke University and Scripps Institution urges policy and stewardship measures for deep sea ecosystems. The extraction of deep-sea minerals and precious metals creates economic incentives but poses unknown ecological risks.
A new screening technique assesses environmental and agricultural effects of treated waste used as fertilizer. Researchers found high concentrations of triclosan and three other antimicrobial compounds in biosolids, posing potential ecological threats.
Fossilized jawbones and teeth from northern Egypt confirm the existence of a primitive lineage of bats, which eventually spread to South America. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of sucker-footed bats, which roost head-up using wet adhesion.
A new study found that lemur lovers mirror each other's scent-marking behavior and emit similar odors, possibly as a way to defend territory or advertise their relationship status. The study revealed that lemur couples with kids have more similar scents than those without offspring.
A new study by Duke University finds that children growing up in dangerous neighborhoods exhibit more aggressive behavior across nine countries. The research suggests a link between perilous environments and harsh parenting practices, which may contribute to increased child aggression.
Researchers at Duke University tested a theory on bacterial dispersal patterns using E. coli, finding that spreading out to multiple habitats simultaneously can be beneficial but also increases the risk of population collapse due to the Allee effect. This study has implications for managing invasive species and understanding the impact...
Duke researchers found that neurons in the superior colliculus use two different strategies when responding to visual and auditory stimuli, contradicting previous theories. This discovery opens up a mystery regarding the underlying mechanism of how vision captures sound.
Researchers from Duke University and Boston University found over 5,900 natural gas leaks under Washington, D.C., with concentrations as high as 500,000 parts per million. The leaks pose explosion risks and release high levels of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
Researchers at Duke University have determined the structure of a key part of the HIV envelope protein, gp41 membrane proximal external region (MPER), which previously eluded detailed structural description. This discovery will help focus HIV vaccine development efforts.
Duke University researchers have successfully demonstrated wireless power transfer using a 'superlens' technology that focuses magnetic fields, enabling the transmission of power over distances much larger than traditional setups. This breakthrough could enable smaller, more practical wireless charging solutions for everyday use.
A Duke University study found that blending fracking wastewater with acid mine drainage can remove up to 100% of radium and other radioactive contaminants, making the treated water suitable for reuse in hydraulic fracturing. This process could reduce environmental risks and provide a win-win for the industry and the environment.