Researchers discovered that the Ebola virus uses a protein called VP35 to mask its RNA, evading the host cell's immune response. This unique mechanism makes Ebola highly deadly and difficult to treat.
Two teams of Iowa State researchers will study biodiesel production from algae and thermochemical conversion of biomass to fuels. The grants aim to accelerate the development of clean energy sources and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
Physicists at Iowa State University are starting to see real data from the Large Hadron Collider, a multibillion-dollar particle accelerator. The team is analyzing the data from the ATLAS experiment's silicon pixel detector, which uses 80 million pixels to make precise measurements of particles created in high-energy collisions.
Savanna chimpanzees in Senegal exhibit predictive behavior towards seasonal fires, avoiding the fire as it approaches. Researchers interpret this behavior as a cognitive stage similar to human understanding of fire control. The study provides insight into how early human ancestors may have developed fire control abilities.
The completed maize genome sequence reveals a complex genome with nearly as many genes as humans but substantially more complexity, containing about 85% repetitive sequences. This provides clues to genetic variability and gene function, enabling researchers to develop diverse maize hybrids that can adapt to environments.
The software converts flat medical scans into 3D images, making it easier for doctors to plan surgeries or radiation therapy. The technology is also being used in school biology classes to engage students and teach anatomy.
A team of researchers, led by Iowa State University's Adam Bogdanove, has made a groundbreaking discovery about the molecular basis of bacterial diseases in plants. They found that specific proteins bind to host DNA molecules at predictable locations, activating targeted genes.
A new lab machine developed by Iowa State University professor Neal Iverson can simulate key elements of glacier sliding, helping researchers understand how glaciers react to climate change. The machine uses a ring of ice and hydraulic press to apply pressures equal to those beneath a 1,300-foot-thick glacier.
Gary Wells, a noted scholar on eyewitness misidentifications, is conducting two new studies to explore the thought processes of eyewitnesses when their memory fails. The studies aim to understand how mistaken identifications occur and develop a better theoretical understanding to improve police procedures.
ISU researchers have discovered a compound that neutralizes the cell-killing kinase-C and allows dopamine-producing cells to survive and function. This finding brings hope for a possible cure for Parkinson's disease by targeting the protein responsible for killing these cells.
Researchers have detected gamma rays of a trillion electron volts coming from the M 82 galaxy, providing evidence for a strong connection between galaxies with high star formation and the production of cosmic rays. The discovery uses the VERITAS array of four telescopes at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona.
The Iowa State T-ray facility offers a state-of-the-art tool for measuring and characterizing materials, with applications in automotive, energy, and medical fields. The instrument uses terahertz rays to provide spectroscopic analyses of chemical and physical compositions.
A new Iowa State University study suggests that frequent video game players have difficulty maintaining focus on tasks requiring longer attention. The research found that brain wave and behavioral measures of proactive attention were significantly diminished in high-volume gamers compared to those who played less frequently.
Researchers at Iowa State University have identified an enzyme that helps make tuberculosis resistant to a human's natural defense system. A new method to neutralize this enzyme may lead to a cure for the disease, which kills 1.5 to 2 million people worldwide annually.
Researchers led by Jackie Shanks aim to develop a catalyst that allows plants to produce hydrocarbons, potentially creating second-generation biofuels. The project will investigate the conversion mechanisms and structures of biological hydrocarbons, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
A new Iowa State University study found that a family and school-based intervention program increases kids' consumption of fruits and vegetables, while reducing TV time. Program participants also walked 300 more steps per day.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working on an embryonic test that can determine a calf's genetic soundness before birth, allowing producers to select valuable embryos and reduce waste. The new technology has the potential to revolutionize cattle breeding and marketing, enabling producers to target specific traits and markets.
Researchers at Iowa State University are exploring a new method of controlling soybean aphids without using chemical pesticides. They aim to genetically modify soybeans to produce a toxin that is lethal to aphids but harmless to mammals.
The Iowa Power Fund supports a three-year project to develop new, low-cost manufacturing systems that could improve wind energy production by up to 35 percent. The laboratory will focus on automation, quality control, and nondestructive inspection of turbine blades.
Cystorm is a Sun Microsystems machine with 3,200 computer processor cores, powering Iowa State University's research in materials science, power systems, and systems biology. The supercomputer achieves peak performance of 28.16 trillion calculations per second.
The grants are worth a total of $7.7 million, with 19 awards from the National Science Foundation and four from the National Institutes of Health. Researchers will use the funding to build their research programs, work with students, and advance their projects.
A new national study found that low-income children between 11-16 reported having sex, with the average age of first intercourse being 12.77 years old. Boys reported their first sexual intercourse at a younger age than girls.
The grant aims to support the development of a vaccine designed to protect pigs from novel H1N1 and other strains of influenza. Researchers at Iowa State University will test the technology against various strains.
Researchers have discovered a way to produce working SMN proteins using the SMN2 gene, potentially treating Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The technology could also be applied to other diseases caused by aberrant gene splicing.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a new technique for making genetic changes in plant genes, allowing for targeted manipulations with high efficiency. This process harnesses homologous recombination to precisely introduce DNA at predetermined locations, enabling faster and safer gene editing for various crops.
Agriculture is expected to see an increase in supply and demand, leading to higher real prices for grain and oilseeds. The rising trend of corn and soybean yields in major production areas, combined with new technologies and genetic improvements, will contribute to this growth.
Researchers at Iowa State University have discovered a previously unknown genetic pathway regulating plant growth, controlled by brassinosteroids. The HERK1 pathway, induced by BRs, plays a significant role in plant size and growth, with potential to manipulate crop yields for biofuels.
Researchers found that increased stress levels in adolescents are associated with a greater likelihood of being overweight or obese. The study also highlights the importance of reducing stress and food insecurity in households to prevent childhood obesity.
A Iowa State University researcher has figured out a mechanism involved in marking where DNA instructions are located in cells. The Gcn5 protein plays a crucial role in recognizing chemically modified histones, facilitating efficient gene reading and shedding light on diseases like cancer.
A national survey of 1,178 American youths aged 8-18 found nearly one in 10 to be pathological players, causing harm to their functioning. Pathological gamers exhibited symptoms such as excessive playing, poor grades, and health issues.
A team of researchers has identified a key protein in microalgae that concentrates CO2 for improved photosynthesis and growth. This breakthrough could lead to increased productivity in biofuel production and improved crop yields in plants such as rice and wheat.
Nikki Pohl's breakthrough technology can produce complex carbohydrate molecules in 24 hours at a fraction of the cost of current methods. The startup company, LuCELLa Biosciences Inc., plans to develop an online catalog and sell custom-order carbohydrates to researchers and pharmaceutical companies.
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing a new, low-emissions burner and catalyst to produce clean, renewable energy for the ethanol industry. The technologies use biomass-based gasification to efficiently and cleanly burn biomass and convert it into ethanol.
A new study by psychologists found that TV ratings for kids' shows don't reflect the aggressive content, with cartoons containing higher levels of physical violence than general audiences. The researchers argue that ratings should be improved to address indirect aggression, a type of harm that is non-physical and often overlooked.
A study by ISU researcher Yeon-Kyun Shin found that statins can reduce brain function by depriving the brain of cholesterol, a vital component for efficient brain function. This affects neurotransmitter release, data-processing, and memory functions.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working on a three-year project to improve the efficiency of thin film solar cells, with a goal of boosting efficiency to around 10%. The project aims to develop new silicon alloys and organic semiconductors for improved performance.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working to improve high school chemistry education, including surveying teachers and developing laboratory experiments using household items. The team aims to address concerns about teacher certification and laboratory access, with the goal of enhancing student understanding of chemistry concepts.
Iowa State University researchers have developed a technique called tape-FISH that can test produce for Salmonella contamination in about two hours. This approach uses adhesive tape to collect a sample from the skin of the produce, which is then analyzed using Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization.
Researchers have solved the structure of VP35, a key part of the Ebola protein that interferes with host cell defense mechanisms. This discovery paves the way for designing drugs that can bind to and inhibit VP35 function, potentially neutralizing the Ebola virus.
A new study from Iowa State University found that early socioeconomic adversity in children contributes to poor mental health by the time they become teens, disrupting their transition into adulthood. The study also shows the mechanisms that this influence operates through.
The center is researching ways to reduce carbon emissions from biofuels, develop economic models for industry costs, and assess the impact of land-use changes on greenhouse gas emissions. The center aims to support interdisciplinary research and provide policy-relevant insights for the biobased industry.
Researcher Mark Gordon is exploring ionic liquids as a potential rocket fuel due to their non-toxic and high-energy properties. He aims to develop an ionic liquid that can ignite by chemical reaction, making rocket engines easier to control.
The Iowa State researchers are developing a computer model to help create a 40-year national plan for optimizing the country's energy and transportation systems. The model will consider various energy sources and transportation technologies to balance cost, sustainability, and resiliency.
A team of Iowa State physicists, including Soeren Prell, are part of an international research team testing the Kobayashi-Maskawa theory, which explains the difference between matter and antimatter. The BaBar experiment has confirmed the theory's predictions and provided insights into the universe's origins.
The Iowa State University Research Foundation will receive a grant from the Grow Iowa Values Fund to support the development of a cheaper and better way to make a titanium alloy powder for artificial joints. The project aims to reduce corrosion and save patients from additional surgeries.
The sensors can be buried in a grid pattern and relay data to a central computer, providing real-time high-resolution data for farmers and researchers. This technology aims to maximize yields, minimize environmental impacts and provide more accurate crop growth predictions.
A new Iowa State University study found that mothers' self-fulfilling effects on their children's alcohol use are rooted in the power of positive thinking and self-verification theory. The research suggests that if moms help their teens develop a positive self-view, it can limit their chances of using alcohol.
The Blue Waters project will enable Iowa State researchers to tackle large-scale problems in fields like genomics and chemistry. The team aims to leverage petascale computing power to advance research and innovation.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working on various combustion projects to improve engine performance. They aim to reduce emissions and increase efficiency by developing new technologies, such as diesel engines and computer models of gasoline engines.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that mothers' stress levels contribute to their children's likelihood of being overweight, even in food-secure households. The study analyzed data from over 800 children and found that young children were most affected by household stress.