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Louisiana State University


More than skin deep

Researchers at LSU have identified a new gene regulation pathway that prevents inflammation and speeds up the skin's healing process. A nanoparticle-carried small interference RNA blocks the Nax sodium sensor, enabling faster healing.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 4, 2015

New species discovered: Hog-nose rat

Scientists have discovered a new genus and species of shrew rat on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, featuring an extremely large nose, long hind legs, and unusual dental characteristics. The Hog-nosed rat is genetically distinct from other rodents and has a weak jaw musculature, indicating a diet that does not require vigorous chewing.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·DateOct 6, 2015

Geological game changer

A comprehensive biological study refutes a long-standing geological fact, showing plants and animals migrated between North and South America nearly 30 million years ago. This new information changes our understanding of biodiversity and climate, both at regional and global levels.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2015

LSU sociology professor researches the relationship between religion and educational attainment

A recent study by LSU sociology professor Samuel Stroope examines the relationship between religion and educational attainment in the US. The findings reveal that individual biblical literalism is negatively associated with college completion, while congregational biblical literalism has a sharp negative impact on non-literalists.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalSociological Perspectives·DateJan 23, 2015

New analyses of Martian chemical maps suggest water bound to sulfates in soil

A new study suggests that water is bound to sulfates in Martian soil, a key finding with implications for the search for life on Mars. The research team analyzed elemental data from the Gamma Ray Spectrometer onboard the Mars Odyssey orbiter and found a spatial association between sulfur and hydrogen in the southern latitudes of Mars.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 2, 2015

Seeing the forest for the trees

A 50-year study on Australia's protected rainforests has found that the earliest life stages of individual trees are more critical to the overall diversity of the forest than later stages. The research, conducted by LSU ecologist Kyle Harms and his collaborators, used a dataset from Joseph Connell's long-term ecological research study.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 15, 2014

Mapping the tree of life

A team of scientists completed the largest whole genome study of a single class of animals to date, sequencing and comparing full genomes of 48 bird species. The study resolves early branches in the tree of life of modern birds, providing new insights into their evolutionary history and adaptation to different lifestyles.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalScience·DateDec 11, 2014

Darwin 2.0

A recent study published in Nature sheds new light on how species diverge, finding that prolonged periods of landscape stability are more important than dramatic geographical changes. The research shows that longer the length of time a species can inhabit an area, the more likely it will disperse and diverge.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalNature·DateNov 20, 2014

Neighborhood ethnic composition and problem drinking among older Mexican-American men

Researchers found that older Mexican-American men are less likely to experience problem drinking when living in neighborhoods predominantly inhabited by other Mexican-Americans. This is attributed to factors such as inter-household family networks, residential stability, and shared norms regarding alcohol abuse. The study also discover...

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health·DateAug 18, 2014

LSU psychologist discovers intricacies about lying

A new study by LSU Associate Professor Sean Lane explores the cognitive machinery of lies, revealing that false descriptions are more accessible and durable in our memories due to the effort required to make them up. This finding has implications for police interrogation methods and forensic techniques.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalJournal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition·DateSep 4, 2013

Strong attachment to local communities made oil spill more stressful for many coastal residents

A study by LSU sociologists found that individuals with stronger sense of community attachment experienced higher anxiety, worry and fear during the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. Strong attachments can create a self-reinforcing cycle of stress and anxiety when communities are threatened by natural resource depletion.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalAmerican Behavioral Scientist·DateOct 7, 2011