A novel pouch system developed by Duke University researchers can provide a potentially life-saving dose of an anti-HIV medication to newborn babies born at home. The system uses foil and plastic pouches that can hold a single dose of Nevirapine, allowing mothers to give their newborns treatment shortly after birth.
Duke University engineer Chris Dwyer demonstrates that DNA can be used to create simple logic gates, or switches, using light to excite molecules. This technology has the potential to produce virtually unlimited supplies of these tiny circuits, paving the way for faster and more efficient computing.
A new DNA barcoding technique has found that many garden ferns sold at nurseries are actually exotic species from other parts of the world. The technique identified three species of ferns as mistakenly labeled, with over 50% of collected plants being incorrectly identified.
A study of British 12-year-olds found nearly 6 percent exhibiting at least one symptom of psychosis, including hallucinations and delusions. The children shared similar risk factors with adult schizophrenia, such as genetic and social risks.
A collaborative effort has resulted in a comprehensive Primate Life History Database containing life history data from long-term field studies of seven species of lemurs, monkeys, and apes. The database facilitates comparative analyses of primate evolution and ecology.
Researchers have discovered that microRNAs can move from one cell to another, influencing the development of plant tissues. This mobility allows them to regulate gene expression and play an important role in sharpening the boundaries between different plant tissues.
Researchers from Duke University found that exclusive patents in gene testing slow promising new technologies and business models. The studies examined genetic risk testing for 10 clinical conditions, including breast and colon cancer.
A new study from Duke University and Georgia Institute of Technology finds that energy-efficient measures in the south could save consumers $41 billion on their energy bills by 2020. Investing $200 billion in energy efficiency programs by 2030 could return $448 billion in savings.
A new 4,000-year study reconstructing fire history in the southern Appalachians supports the use of prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health. The study found that fires became more frequent about 1,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of Native Americans.
A new study estimates that up to two million sea turtles may have been caught in commercial fishing gear since 1990, highlighting the need for guidelines to reduce turtle bycatch. The study suggests that using circle hooks and Turtle Excluder Devices can significantly reduce losses.
Living longer and healthier is possible due to public health efforts and improved medical interventions. However, the aging process itself, including dementia and heart disease, remains largely unchanged, with a steady risk of death after age 110.
Duke University researchers have devised a method to dry and preserve proteins in a glassified form that retains their properties. The technique uses decanol as a 'drying' agent to remove water from proteins, creating a glass-like substance with potential applications in protein-based drugs.
In a series of experiments, capuchin monkeys were given tokens to choose between their favorite food or a buffet of options. They consistently opted for the variety tokens, even when the favorite food was included in the assortment. This suggests that these animals have an innate desire to seek variety in their diet. The findings have ...
A new generation of marketers may use advanced brain scanning tools to test product appeal before it's designed. This 'neuromarketing' approach could provide affordable insights into customer decision-making, but raises ethical considerations.
New research reveals the mechanical properties of footpads vary predictably across animal sizes, with bigger critters requiring stiffer shoes. The study found that larger animals have softer pads on rear feet, which may help them recover energy from each step and enhance propulsion.
Duke University professor Amy Laura Hall argues that cultural views on evolution can have significant ethical implications. She critiques popularized ideas about evolution that reinforce racial biases, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of human development.
The old balkanized approach to ocean management has failed to protect ocean ecosystems; marine spatial planning provides a comprehensive map of human uses and natural resources. Effective ocean management requires considering all ecosystem elements, and the AAAS symposium will showcase innovative techniques for mapping spatial impacts.
A recent study by an international working group of economists, marine scientists, and seafood experts emphasizes the need for sustainable fisheries to ensure global food security. The researchers highlight the complex environmental, political, and economic factors threatening global seafood supplies and livelihoods.
A new study has created a more accurate family tree for arthropods, including insects, crustaceans, and others. The research identified five newly discovered groupings, including remipedes as the closest living relatives of insects.
Researchers at Duke University used brain scans to study the emotional impact of sports on memory. The study found that fans remember successful shots by their own team better than misses or opposing team successes. Positive emotion improves memory and activates multiple brain areas, including the amygdala and hippocampus.
Researchers found bonobos never seem to learn how not to share, whereas chimps do as youngsters but grow out of it. Bonobos' behavior is shaped by their environment's abundance, leading to a 'Peter Pan world'. They shared like juveniles even after reaching adulthood, unlike chimps.
A long-term study of over 1,000 New Zealanders found that children who later developed schizophrenia showed early cognitive deficits in verbal and visual learning, reasoning, and processing speed. These deficits persisted as they grew, with the children losing mental age at a rate comparable to those without schizophrenia.
A study by Duke University researchers found that globally distributed teams need face-to-face communication to overcome time zones and locations. Teams with non-overlapping work hours experienced significant coordination delays despite using technology like email and instant messaging.
Adrian Bejan's research reveals that the golden ratio is a fundamental principle in nature's design, guiding the flow of information from vision to cognition and locomotion. This concept, known as the constructal law, explains why the golden ratio appears in various natural systems, from animal vision to river deltas.
Duke University engineers have created a new generation of lens that surpasses traditional lenses in focusing electromagnetic rays, with a wide angle of view and flat focal point. The lens is made from exotic composite materials known as metamaterials and has the potential to replace traditional optical systems.
A Duke University study of over 3,000 orphaned and abandoned children in five countries found that institutional care can be a viable option, with better physical health and cognitive functioning than community-dwelling peers. The research challenges global policies recommending institutions only as a last resort.
Two Duke undergraduates, Sarah Steele and Langtian Yuan, identified compounds that inhibit the enzyme protein kinase C zeta (PKCzeta) in brain chemistry changes involved in memory and learning. Their discovery may lead to a new remedy for methamphetamine and cocaine addiction.
Research at Duke University reveals that music scales are based on the physics of the human voice, mirroring speech's emotional content. This study provides new insights into why humans appreciate music, suggesting it mimics speech's emotional expression.
Researchers found that male sabertoothed cats were indistinguishable in size from females, suggesting a possible lack of aggression. This contrasts with the American lion, where males are significantly larger and more aggressive than females.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a simple and inexpensive method for loading cancer drugs into nano-scale delivery vehicles. The new formulation showed promising results in animal models, eliminating tumors after a single treatment while reducing side effects associated with systematic chemotherapy.
Researchers at Duke University created a non-linear device that can convert a range of vibrations into electricity, improving efficiency over traditional linear devices. This technology has the potential to power small electronic devices, such as pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators, and even sensors in ocean buoys and spacecraft.
Researchers capture high-speed footage of tiny water droplets jumping off a man-made surface, similar to the ejection of spores from certain mushrooms. The phenomenon has applications in energy harvesting and thermal management, offering an efficient mechanism for removing condensate.
A study by researchers at Duke University and the University of Michigan found that men who voted for McCain or Barr experienced a significant drop in testosterone levels after the election results were announced. In contrast, Obama voters showed stable testosterone levels. The study suggests that vicarious participation in elections c...
Researchers at Duke University found a clear dose-response pattern between lead exposure and test performance, with the effects becoming more pronounced as lead levels increase. Early childhood exposure to lead accounts for 7-16% of decline in test scores, while family poverty status accounts for 25-28%, and parental education for 58-65%.
Landon Cox, a Duke University assistant professor of computer science, is researching peer-to-peer systems that distribute users' personal information across multiple servers. This aims to reduce the risk of data exploitation and provide more control over users' online presence.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully grown a three-dimensional 'patch' of heart muscle cells using embryonic stem cells and a novel mold design. The patch exhibited the ability to contract and conduct electrical impulses, crucial attributes of native heart muscle cells.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that some bacteria exhibit bistability, allowing individual cells to respond differently to external commands. This phenomenon enhances the efficiency of synthetic circuits, which could produce proteins, chemicals, or deliver targeted drugs.
A recent study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization found that social shame was more effective in building latrines than financial assistance in rural India. The study, led by Subhrendu Pattanayak at Duke University, used a 'social mobilization strategy' that included village walks of shame and defecation mapping ...
A study by Christine Drea and Allisa N. Carter found that spotted hyenas cooperate successfully on tasks requiring unison effort, learning quickly with no training. They demonstrated understanding of rope timing and platform coordination, with social factors influencing performance.
Researchers at Duke University have developed SurroundSense, an app that uses phone features to create a unique fingerprint of a space. The system achieves an average accuracy of 87% when all sensing capabilities are used, allowing it to tell whether a user is in a bar or a Target store.
A new study by an international team of researchers argues that the current definition of nanoparticles is not specific enough to determine their potential impact on human health and the environment. The study suggests that only particles smaller than 30 nanometers should be scrutinized for their unique properties.
A longitudinal study of over 1,000 New Zealanders from birth to age 32 found that people underreport mental illness, and the actual rate of anxiety, depression, and substance dependency may be higher. The study's findings challenge current diagnostic standards and suggest that mental illness may be more common than previously thought.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new approach to attach polymers to proteins, improving their circulation and efficacy in animal models. The new conjugates showed longer half-lives and remained active for up to 18 hours, potentially reducing toxic effects.
A study by Duke University environmental engineers reveals that microbes can convert tiny mercury particles into methylmercury, a potent toxin for nerve cells, through reactions with organic matter and sulfides. This process is crucial in understanding how mercury enters the food chain and poses risks to human health.
A single cell in a nematode worm is providing clues into cancer's ability to invade new tissues. Researchers found that integrin and netrin molecules may be a valuable target in halting cancer's spread via metastasis.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a novel class of Janus particles that can be controlled in six degrees of freedom. This breakthrough allows for precise manipulation of the particles' positions and orientations, opening up possibilities for various applications, including electronic paper and self-propelling micromachines.
Research suggests humans and African apes have distinct wrist bone features that indicate independent evolution of knuckle-walking behavior in two separate lineages. A study examining juvenile and adult wrist bones found key features associated with knuckle walking present in 96% of chimpanzees, but only 6% of gorillas.
A Duke University researcher has developed a two-tiered model to simulate the interplay between epidemiological dynamics and evolutionary changes in flu viruses. The model focuses on understanding how flu evolves differently in humans versus animals, with potential implications for developing more effective vaccines.
A Duke University-led research team found that pine trees grown in air with one-and-a-half times the current carbon dioxide level produced twice as many high-quality seeds as those growing under normal conditions. This suggests some woody tree species could outcompete herbaceous plants in the future.
Researchers at Duke University have solved the structure of Ramoplanin A2, a candidate antibiotic that can kill pathogenic bacteria by interrupting cell membrane formation. The molecule forms U-shaped structures that bind to Lipid II, preventing its participation in membrane synthesis and leading to bacterial death.