The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the rhesus macaque genome, shedding light on the evolutionary relationship between humans and chimps. The findings also reveal the significance of mobile elements in shaping genomes and their impact on diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
A team of LSU researchers, led by John Day, join forces with world-renowned coastal scientists to publish a commentary on delta preservation. The article emphasizes the need for science-guided restoration efforts in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain due to climate change and resource scarcity.
A study led by LSU Professor Kam-biu Liu reveals that the chances of a Category 4 or 5 hurricane directly hitting any Gulf location are approximately 0.03 percent annually, contradicting previous assumptions.
The LSU School of Social Work is offering group interventions to reduce long-term consequences of post-hurricane trauma in elementary school-aged children. The program aims to help caregivers cope with their children's emotions and reactions to the disaster.
Chris Austin, an LSU molecular genetics lab expert, discovered a new lizard species in Borneo through extensive field research and DNA analysis. The species was confirmed by comparing its genetic variations with closely related species.
Researchers Harry Roberts and Bob Carney are studying the animals that live near oil and gas seeps in the Gulf, including bacteria that feed on hydrogen sulfide gas. They will use the Alvin submersible to take them down to the bottom of the Gulf, where they hope to discover new species and learn more about these unique communities.
Researchers discovered that specific DNA sequences, known as AluYb elements, played a crucial role in human evolution by secretly spawning hyperactive copies. These elements are responsible for the development of genetic disorders such as hemophilia and some cancers.
Astronomer Dr. Schaefer has discovered a long-lost star catalog of Hipparchus, an ancient Greek astronomer, on the Roman statue Farnese Atlas. The catalog, which dates back to 129 B.C., was previously thought to be lost and its accuracy questioned.
A $2.8 million NSF grant will create a virtual laboratory for earth and planetary studies, allowing researchers to share data and conduct simulations using computer visualization techniques. Karki's expertise in scientific computing and visualization makes the project a natural fit for his research interests.
LSU Assistant Professor Mette B. Gaarde has been awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for her groundbreaking research on attosecond pulses of light. These pulses, produced in the interaction between intense laser pulses and atoms, can capture electrons as they rearrange during chemical bonding events.
A team of LSU professors aims to create a computer-based, virtual testing system for construction materials, reducing the need for physical specimens and improving durability. The goal is to decrease life-cycle costs and enhance current practice in mix design.
The LSU FACES Lab is building a comprehensive database of Louisiana's missing and unidentified persons. The project will utilize DNA information, dental structure, and other characteristics to identify individuals. The database will be searchable and will initially be accessible only to law enforcement agencies.
Researchers at LSU are working on developing a better aircraft self-diagnostic system that can detect problems earlier, recommend the best course of action, or take control of the flight. The goal is to improve flight safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
The LSU Vet School has received a $9.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a Center for Experimental Infectious Disease Research. The COBRE program aims to enhance the school's research capacity and competitiveness for NIH grants, focusing on human health and comparative medicine.
A LSU vet school professor has successfully treated a dog with cancerous tumors using gene therapy, which helps the body develop an anti-tumor memory. The treatment involves electroporation and cytokine gene therapy, resulting in the elimination of smaller tumors and reducing the size of larger ones.
Researchers at LSU are working on creating superconducting microfibers that can reduce the cost of magnets in space travel, making it more efficient. The new technology has the potential to confine plasma for power generation and propulsion in spacecraft.
The new Center for BioModular Microsystems at LSU will focus on micro- or nano-fabrication for biology and medical purposes. The center aims to develop state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, bringing together an interdisciplinary research team with expertise in various fields.
Peter Chen's research on 'smart linkage' aims to discover hidden data relationships and link databases for efficient information sharing. The project uses a complex mathematical model to narrow down lists of suspicious individuals, prioritizing searches based on risk levels.
A team of LSU researchers is contributing to the largest-ever cosmic-ray experiment, analyzing data from a $100 million facility in Argentina. The project aims to understand the origin and properties of high-energy cosmic rays, which have puzzled scientists for years.
Two LSU professors are working to develop survivable sensor networks that can collect valuable data during disasters, which could be used in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and national security projects. The researchers also aim to ensure secure data transmission through methods like anonymous email tracking.
A joint research effort discovered Mars-like soils in Chile's Atacama Desert, which are depleted in organic materials and would have been missed by NASA's Viking missions. The team found that the conditions in this environment represent a limit for microbial life on Earth.
The LSU Museum of Natural Science is part of a $4 million grant to compare DNA sequences of 500 bird species. The goal is to understand the history of avian diversity and reconstruct the evolution of bird behavior, morphology, and ecology.
Scientists have discovered proof of an ancient earth-shaking asteroid impact in South Africa and Northwest Australia, using ancient rocks containing spherules formed from vaporized meteor material. The study provides insight into the earliest known meteor strike on Earth, which had a profound impact on the planet's surface and climate.
Researchers investigate the link between ocean changes and hydrate stability using sediment cores and chemical markers. They aim to identify past environments with gas hydrates and explore how they affected the atmosphere in the past.
A $1.1-million study led by LSU will examine marine life on offshore platforms for pharmaceutical value, while also investigating the potential for better glues and adhesives. The research aims to identify new treatments for diseases such as cancer and AIDS.
LSU will create a new engineering discipline to address design concepts behind buildings and infrastructure in hurricane-prone regions. The program will offer courses in civil engineering and disaster engineering for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students.
The new equipment will provide a better view of the earth than ever before, allowing researchers to see specific houses or trees. The lab will supplement its existing technology to track hurricanes and access environmental data from dozens of satellites.
A new wave/current/surge information system will provide accurate storm surge predictions and support evacuation plans. The system, called WAVCIS, uses offshore instruments to measure oceanographic conditions.
A new LSU study reconstructs past hurricane landfalls dating back 5,000 years and finds the US has a low incidence of major hurricane landfalls along the Gulf Coast over the past 1,000 years. The study provides concrete information on catastrophic hurricane landfalls in the US, with a likelihood of once every 300-600 years.