A study published in Biology Letters found that house sparrows can learn from each other's behavior and become more daring when approaching new objects. After being paired with a more confident partner, cautious birds were 2.6 times more likely to feed near a new object.
A study by Louisiana State University researchers found that heavy rainfall in August can suppress crawfish harvest yields in the spring due to low oxygen levels in ponds. Winter temperatures also impact crawfish growth, with freezing conditions slowing it down.
Researchers have developed a new method to calculate the exact entanglement cost of a given quantum state, allowing for more precise measurement and application in various quantum research areas. This breakthrough resolves a longstanding investigation in entanglement theory, enabling efficient computation and broad applicability.
Jun-Hong Liang, an LSU associate professor, has received a five-year NSF CAREER award to support his research on ocean bubbles and their impact on upper ocean dynamics and air-sea gas exchange. The award will enable him to develop high-resolution simulations and physics-based formulas to calculate air-sea gas flux, ultimately improving...
The $11 million grant will support four research projects investigating lipid metabolism, reproductive fat tissue's contribution to preeclampsia, and the neural circuit linking metabolism and anxiety. The goal is to develop new treatments for obesity-related illnesses.
A team of Louisiana engineers and scientists, with federal funding from the National Science Foundation, are developing new technologies and materials to enhance structural safety and integrity in 3-D printing. They will use machine learning to efficiently discover and test optimal material compositions and processing methods.
LSU's wildlife management program offers students a unique educational experience through hunting, connecting them to the wildlife resource and promoting stewardship. The program aims to create the next generation of conservation professionals by teaching holistic knowledge of wildlife.
A Louisiana State University meteorologist is studying how coronavirus-induced lockdowns improved air quality in China, which could have implications for global temperatures and weather patterns.
Menhaden growth in the Gulf of Mexico is primarily influenced by environmental conditions such as wind and climate cycles, whereas in the Atlantic, fishing pressure is the dominant factor. The study suggests that reducing competition among menhaden may lead to increased growth rates.
A new study at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center investigates the metabolic consequences of short-term weight gain, which may negatively impact health in the long term. Researchers found that even temporary weight fluctuations can alter physiology and increase risk of heart disease and insulin resistance.
Researchers at Louisiana State University have discovered a new species of shrew, the Sulawesi hairy-tailed shrew, which has thick hair on its tail and climbs trees. The discovery highlights the significant diversity of mammals in Indonesian islands, with many habitats remaining unexplored.
Researchers Alyssa Johnson and Adam Bohnert have discovered a new class of lysosomes, dubbed 'tubular lysosomes,' which can form complex networks that affect aging, disease, and stressors. Their findings could lead to medical therapies and treatments to extend health and longevity in humans and animals.
Researchers at Louisiana State University have developed a new cationic cobalt bisphosphine hydroformylation catalyst system that is highly active and extremely robust. The discovery has the potential to replace rhodium-based catalysts, which are currently expensive and in short supply.
A Louisiana State University study uses pathogen biogeography to forecast disease outbreaks, outperforming traditional methods. The approach leverages data on pathogens and countries to predict outbreak potential, providing a baseline for comparison to more advanced techniques.
LSU astronomers predict that binary star V Sagittae will become the brightest in the Milky Way galaxy, outshining Sirius and Venus, around 2083. The star is currently faintly visible but will brighten rapidly due to its rapid orbital decay.
Coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico face extinction due to rising temperatures, acidification, and increased storm intensity. The region's reefs are expected to disappear by the end of this century if no action is taken to mitigate climate change.
New research reveals how Antarctic penguins adapted to a century of human impacts, including whaling and climate change. Gentoo penguins thrive on fish and squid, while chinstrap penguins struggle with declining krill populations.
A team of LSU researchers has successfully demonstrated a method to generate groups of photons with manipulable quantum properties, known as multiphoton states. By subtracting out some photons, they can reshape the form of the wavepacket and artificially increase the number of photons in it.
Researchers studying the Ross Ice Shelf's paleo-pinning points aim to understand how and why it unpinned from Ross Bank. The study focuses on a crucial 30-year period, with data collection set for January 2021 in Antarctic waters.
A new study finds that Mississippi River diversions lead to more land loss rather than gain due to increased nutrient availability and flooding. The research suggests that the $5 billion planned future diversions may do more harm than good through unintended consequences.
Researchers from Louisiana State University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the process of photosynthesis, shedding light on a long-standing puzzle. The study reveals three transport proteins that facilitate the movement of bicarbonate into the compartment where Rubisco resides, a crucial step in carbon dioxide fixation. This b...
Research by LSU biologist Ryoichi Teruyama and student researcher Ryan LeBlanc has identified a group of cells activated by oxytocin in one area of female mouse brains not found in males. This discovery may lead to new treatments for postpartum depression, which affects 10-20% of women after childbirth.
A Louisiana State University biologist conducted a groundbreaking study using PET scans on wild songbirds to understand the role of dopamine in stress resilience. The research found that dopamine receptors decrease over time during captivity, leading to anxiety-related behaviors.
The LSU School of Social Work has been awarded a $3.73 million grant to improve the quality of life for Louisiana residents and families living with Alzheimer's disease. The program, LA-GWEP, will train social workers, nurses, and physicians in dementia-friendly integrated practice.
Conduct disorder is a highly impairing psychiatric disorder that requires improved diagnosis and treatment. The condition is associated with a seven times greater health burden than ADHD and is linked to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in children. Correct diagnosis and management can improve patient well-being and life chances.
A new analysis reveals that energy availability and benign climate conditions played a crucial role in shaping societal development over the past 10,000 years. The study found that abundant energy led to societal expansion and prosperity, while declining energy sources resulted in contraction and collapse.
Researchers have uncovered a high-quality jadeite tool with an intact rosewood handle at an ancient salt processing site in Belize. The discovery highlights the significance of salt and Maya salt workers in the Classic Maya marketplace economy over 1,000 years ago.
A new study by LSU researchers found that scientists who post selfies on Instagram are perceived as warmer and more competent, challenging the stereotype that scientists are intelligent but not friendly. The study used social media platforms to bring scientists and non-scientists together, revealing that warmth is a key factor in deter...
Researchers constructed a massive family tree using DNA samples from 221 bird specimens, discovering two African species in a distinct new passerine family and five additional proposed families. This study reveals that global temperature changes and continent colonization were not the sole drivers of passerine diversification.
Pediatric health researchers offer new insights for RSV vaccine development, highlighting the importance of type 1 interferons in infants' immune response. The study suggests strategies to enhance type 1 interferon responses and improve existing vaccines, offering hope for prevention of severe RSV disease in infants.
Physicists have created a device that can detect and measure quantum radiation pressure noise, a significant source of uncertainty in gravitational wave detectors. The breakthrough aims to improve the sensitivity of next-generation detectors, potentially leading to more accurate detections.
A new study finds that shark attack rates have doubled over the past 20 years in highly populated regions like the US East Coast and Southern Australia. However, the overall risk of a shark attack is still extremely low, with one in several million chances
A new study published in Environmental Research Letters finds that the volume of the Gulf of Mexico's dead zone is more responsive to nitrogen load reductions than its area. This suggests that measuring hypoxic volume could be a more effective way to assess the impacts of nutrient pollution on fisheries.
Researchers are using genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to produce biodiesel, plastics and pharmaceuticals. This method could expand biodiesel production by utilizing surplus biomass from food crops.
A new study by LSU researchers found that nearly 25% of homicides in Baton Rouge occur within 3% of the city's area, often near blighted buildings and convenience stores. The study uses risk terrain modeling to identify areas with high crime rates and suggests ways to combat crime through community safety.
Researchers reveal a different internal structure of corn that can help optimize its conversion into ethanol. The discovery opens doors for new approaches to improve biofuel production efficiency.
A new study published in Cell Metabolism suggests that energy balance - the calories consumed versus burned - may not determine the development of gestational diabetes. Women with obesity tend to develop gestational diabetes due to primary risk factors such as excess fat and insulin resistance, which can be evident early in pregnancy.
Physicists at LSU and Penn State develop new mathematical equations that go beyond Einstein's theory of general relativity, showing that black hole singularities do not exist. The theory predicts a funnel to another branch of space-time instead.
Researchers are conducting a comprehensive study of the walking cavefish to better understand the 'fin-to-limb' transition that enabled the first vertebrates to walk on land. The project aims to identify the genomic, morphological and mechanical qualities that enable fish to walk on land.
Filling canals with spoil banks is a successful restoration technique that has been rarely applied in Louisiana. This method is dramatically cost-effective, with estimated costs of $335 million compared to the economic value gained from extracting oil and gas for the last century.
A new review of 28 scientific studies substantiates that changes in diet, prescription medications, and physical activity reduce food cravings. Losing weight and avoiding frequent eating of certain foods are proven strategies to manage cravings.
A first-of-its-kind study from LSU shows that journalists can increase media trust by defending their profession while also doing more fact checking. The combination of these two actions had positive effects on mainstream news use and confidence in facts in politics, but fact checking alone did not.
A new study reveals spaceflight has limited impact on B-cell immunity, a crucial part of the immune system. Astronauts living on the International Space Station for 6 months showed unaffected B-cell immune competency, suggesting in-flight vaccine-based countermeasures may be effective.
A groundbreaking study by LSU researchers found that the loss of local media leads to a decrease in split ticket voting by 1.9%, as voters turn to partisan national news for information. This shift results in voters making more party-based decisions rather than considering candidate platforms.
The three-toed amphiuma, a common species in Louisiana, has shown resistance to the fungus causing amphibian populations to decline worldwide. Researchers discovered compounds that inhibited fungal growth, highlighting its unique properties and potential for protection against chytridiomycosis.
The ancient Maya produced salt in large quantities, salting fish and meat to meet dietary needs, and traded it as a commodity. This discovery substantiates the model of regional production and distribution of salt for the Classic Maya.
A Pennington Biomedical Research Center study found that female mice on a high-fat diet given Russian tarragon or bitter melon supplements gained more weight and body fat compared to those not receiving the supplements. However, there was no significant change in insulin sensitivity or body-fat percentages.
Researchers found a centuries-long delay in West Antarctic Ice Sheet contraction after the Ross Ice Shelf collapse, adding complexity to sea level rise computer simulations. This discovery was made by analyzing sediment cores and fossilized life forms from the seafloor.
The NIH grant will aid research in understanding how to prevent kidney damage and failure caused by type 2 diabetes. Tubular epithelial cells play a crucial role in kidney function and require high amounts of lipids and fatty acids to work correctly, but people with type 2 diabetes have lipid metabolism derailments.
Researchers are evaluating 13 villages across Tanzania's Pangani and Rufiji districts to identify how small communities get caught in poverty traps. They're also analyzing the local mangrove ecosystems, including their role as a habitat for commercially valuable fish and other species. The study aims to create a predictive socio-ecolog...