A study found that a cell-surface estrogen receptor called GPER1 plays a critical role in protecting the fetus from maternal inflammation caused by viral infections. The researchers discovered that GPER1 helps to suppress type I interferon signaling, which can lead to serious developmental abnormalities and fetal death.
Researchers at Duke University developed a predictive theory for tumor growth that approaches the subject from a new point of view, using thermodynamics and physical space. The results demonstrate how a tumor's growth is directly tied to its need to create greater access to flowing nutrients and conduits for removing refuse.
The study uses a decontamination algorithm to identify the bacteria living in tumors, finding that normal and cancerous organ tissues have distinct microbiota compositions. The researchers also discovered that bacterial information could help diagnose cancer and predict patient outcomes.
The Ocean 100, a group of 100 transnational corporations, dominated the ocean economy with $1.1 trillion in revenues in 2018. The top industries were offshore oil and gas, seafood production, and container shipping.
A new polymer patch provides controlled release of a drug blocking COX-2 enzyme, driving pain and inflammation. The patch can provide three to four days of localized pain control for critical post-surgical period.
A third of US households with children are 'net worth poor,' lacking enough financial resources to sustain their families for three months at a poverty level. The study found that Black and Latino families were twice as likely to experience net worth poverty than have poverty-level incomes.
A large study tracked 1,000 people from birth to age 45 and found that those with higher self-control as children were aging more slowly. Their bodies and brains were also healthier and biologically younger. Higher childhood self-control correlated with slower aging in multiple measures, including physiological signs of aging.
Researchers at Duke University have created a new method to concentrate and separate nanoparticles using sound waves, working in under a minute instead of traditional centrifugation methods which take hours or days. The technique can be used for precision bioassays, cancer diagnosis, and more.
A new study from Duke University finds that an intensive childhood intervention program called Fast Track can help prevent deaths from suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver disease. The program reduced rates of suicidal ideation, hazardous drinking, and opioid use in young adults.
A team of researchers from Duke University has developed a method to make neural networks more transparent and interpretable. By modifying the reasoning process behind predictions, it is possible to better understand how these complex models work. The approach involves replacing standard parts of a neural network with new ones that con...
Researchers found that selective pruning of key brain connections in the developing mouse visual cortex clears a path for certain pyramidal neurons to be more active. This process allows for faster communication between the two visual hemispheres, enabling binocular vision and depth perception.
Researchers found bacteria that feed on toxic halogenated compounds, providing a potential mechanism for measuring exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds. The study suggests that certain SVOCs are correlated with the abundance of bacterial and fungal species in children's guts.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a novel thermal contact system that can switch between heating and cooling modes. The device uses specially designed nanoscale materials to harness or expel specific wavelengths of light, reducing energy consumption by nearly 20% in the US.
A team of researchers at Duke University has developed a new method to program stem cells into desired cell types using CRISPR gene editing. By analyzing the transcription factors key to making each cell type, they improved the accuracy of model cells grown from stem cells.
A new study finds that mine ponds created by artisanal gold miners have increased the risk of mercury poisoning in Peru's Amazon. The proliferation of these ponds has amplified the environmental and human health risks associated with mercury exposure.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a simplified method to calculate the attractive forces between nanoparticles, allowing for faster simulations and potentially leading to breakthroughs in fields like solar energy and catalysis. The new approach has been shown to be accurate within 8% of the actual results.
A team of researchers has unpacked the bacterium Francisella tularensis' toolbox, revealing the shapes and interactions of its infectious machinery. The insights point to a way in which the bacteria's unique infectious machinery might be blocked, potentially preventing it from infecting over 200 animal species.
A long-term study of over 1,000 people found that childhood lead exposure was associated with structural brain changes and a significant loss of IQ points by age 45. The study revealed subtle but detectable differences in brain structure, including reduced cortical surface area and hippocampal volume.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered that astrocytes play a crucial role in governing connections between neurons. The star-shaped cells form the glue-like framework of the brain and regulate inhibitory synapses by binding to neurons through an adhesion molecule called NrCAM.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a new model that predicts the persistence of genetic packages in bacterial populations. The model, dubbed 'persistence potential,' uses five variables to determine whether a plasmid will thrive or fade away.
A new hydrogel biomaterial triggers an adaptive immune response, leading to improved tissue repair and stronger healed skin. The material, developed at Duke University, demonstrates a regenerative immune response that can potentially heal skin injuries like burns and cuts more effectively than current wound-healing hydrogels.
A new study by Duke University researchers reveals that dull-colored birds like Bengalese finches categorize colors in a unique way, focusing on brightness rather than hue. This difference is attributed to their evolutionary environment and the signals they've adapted to detect.
Researchers at Duke University developed lab-grown mini-lungs that mimic human lung air sacs, allowing for the study of SARS-CoV-2 infection and lung damage. The model enables high-throughput science to screen for new drug candidates and identify self-defense chemicals.
A study by Duke researchers found that transcription factors tend to bind strongly to mismatched sections of DNA, which can lead to the accumulation of mutations in regulatory regions. This binding is thought to be energetically favorable due to the lower energy required to distort mismatched DNA.
Researchers at Duke University identified mutations in SARS-CoV-2 that helped it thrive in humans, including two regions dubbed Nsp4 and Nsp16. These changes affected RNA folding and may have contributed to the virus's ability to spread before symptoms appeared.
A Duke University study found that automatic enrollment combined with an opt-out option significantly increased parent participation in early language and learning programs. The research showed that 88.7% of participants stayed in the program for the full 26 weeks, compared to just 1% in a control group.
A Duke University-led team has discovered how malaria parasites can survive fevers by producing a special lipid molecule and binding to heat shock proteins. This could lead to new ways to fight resistant strains of the disease. The findings also suggest caution when using fever reducers with artemisinin-based compounds.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a potential new drug candidate against enterovirus 71, a common cause of severe hand, foot and mouth disease. The small molecule inhibits the virus's RNA structure, blocking replication and potentially offering a new treatment option.
A new study on over 540 baboons in Amboseli National Park in Kenya reveals that male baboons who have close female friends are more likely to survive than those without them. Males with strong social connections, particularly with females, live longer lives.
A new study found that humans exhibit slower epigenetic aging than chimpanzees, with certain DNA sites gaining or losing chemical tags in a clock-like pattern. The researchers analyzed over 850,000 DNA sites in blood samples from 83 chimpanzees aged 1 to 59 and found that aging leaves its mark on the chimpanzee genome, similar to humans.
New research suggests neural implants need to filter out correlated noise in retinal cells to achieve accurate signals, improving performance by 20-100% depending on light conditions
A new tracking technology using Footprint Identification Technique (FIT) helps monitor endangered black rhinos in Namibia. The software analyzes footprint images to identify individual animals and track their movements without disturbing them.
A Duke University-led study found that alpha female baboons have significantly lower levels of glucocorticoids, hormones produced in response to stress. The researchers discovered that higher-ranking females get preferential treatment, leading to faster-growing babies and increased survival rates.
Researchers at Duke University demonstrate prototypes for acoustic tweezers that use sound waves to manipulate bioparticles in Petri dishes. The technology has the potential to bridge the gap between academia and industry, enabling a wider range of laboratories to adopt it.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that certain thermoelectric materials have low thermal conductivity due to their 'floppy' atomic vibrations at high temperatures. This understanding will help develop new and better options for technologies converting heat into electricity.
A study from Duke University and Barnard College found that the pandemic accelerated mental decline in parents and children, with multiple hardships exacerbating negative effects. The research highlights the need for pediatricians to screen for mental health problems and provide support to families struggling during the crisis.
Researchers found that olfactory sensory neurons can activate antiviral genes to fight off the virus, but at a higher level than other cell types. This unique response may be a brain-protective mechanism, allowing these cells to avoid being destroyed by the infection.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University created a combination molecule featuring GLP-1 and FGF21 that controls blood sugar levels and promotes weight loss in mice for up to a week after a single injection. The slow-release ELP linker ensures stable drug release over time.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that songbirds perform better during the day when they warm up their voices in the early morning hours. By singing early and often, birds improve their trill rate and vocal range, ultimately nailing their songs during the day.
A study by Duke University researchers found that individuals who identify with groups tend to discriminate against those outside their groups, even in non-political settings. In contrast, those who do not identify with groups are less prone to bias and make decisions faster.
New research from Duke University reveals that Black women with natural hairstyles are perceived as less professional and less likely to get interviews. The study found that biases against natural hair can perpetuate race discrimination in the workplace.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have created artificial membrane-less organelles within human cells by controlling the phase separation of emerging class of proteins. This advance enables precise tuning of a single property to modulate existing cell functions or create new behaviors.
A machine learning algorithm using high-temporal-resolution growth curves distinguishes bacterial pathogen strains with 92-98% accuracy, predicting antibiotic resistance as well as genetic-based methods. The method has the potential to be faster, simpler, and less expensive than current techniques.
Dolphins under age 10 form close bonds with peers to develop essential skills and social savvy, reflecting future reproductive strategies. Males and females have distinct social behaviors, with males prioritizing friendly interactions and females focusing on foraging and preparing for motherhood.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new optical sensing platform that can detect genomic cancer biomarkers in tissue samples using silver-plated gold nanostars. This technique has the potential to provide fast and reliable diagnostic results for cancer and other diseases, simplifying testing processes.
Researchers have discovered a single-letter change in DNA that alters the way zebrafish build their spines, leading to shorter bodies and tortured-looking spines. This mutation has similarities with fossil specimens of ancestral fish, revealing insights into spine evolution and development.
Researchers have discovered that at least 16 species of deep-sea fish have evolved ultra-black skin that absorbs most of the light, allowing them to blend in and avoid detection. The unique shape and arrangement of melanosomes in these fish's skin cells enables this remarkable camouflage.
Hundreds of frog species have a green coloration due to a biochemical workaround that combines a virus-fighting protein with a toxic bile pigment, not relying on traditional skin chromatophores. This adaptation ensures good camouflage in leafy environments and has evolved over 40 times across different families of treefrogs.
Duke University researchers have made time-lapse movies of the sheet-like latticework surrounding animal tissues, revealing dynamic movement within the matrix scaffolding. The study provides a new toolkit for studying basement membrane defects underlying tissue degeneration and diseases such as kidney disease and aging.
Researchers propose STyLuS*, a new approach to solving complex robot control problems, by growing 'trees' in the search space to find optimal solutions. This method reduces memory requirements and processing power needed for large-scale robotic tasks.