Replacing PE packaging with paper, glass, aluminum, or steel may not reduce environmental impacts, researchers found. The study highlights the importance of considering the complete packaging system and the product being protected.
A new study analyzing 38,467 songs from 230 artists found that lyrics have become less emotional and socially focused over time. Within artists' careers, both positive and negative words declined, as did references to family and friends, suggesting that song lyrics are strongly shaped by artistic, cultural, and industry-level forces.
A Michigan State University study found that anger can motivate political activism, but only if people believe they can effect change. Those who felt powerless due to their anger were less likely to vote. The study suggests that campaigns should focus on offering concrete ways for people to act, rather than relying on extreme anger to ...
Researchers have identified a link between anorexia and rare genetic variants of a fat-storage gene, suggesting that altered fat metabolism may contribute to the disease. The study found that patients with anorexia were nearly four times as likely to carry potentially damaging variants of the PLIN4 gene, which regulates fat storage.
MSU researchers aim to disrupt viral fusion, a shared mechanism between flu and HIV, to develop universal vaccines. This could lead to multi-year protection against multiple flu subtypes and effective HIV vaccines targeting multiple strains.
A new AI program supports 2.2M US workers exposed to toxic dust, enabling early detection and protection by reviewing X-ray images and identifying early signs of lung scarring with 91% accuracy.
MSU has received a $20 million NSF grant to establish a new shared-use facility that will accelerate the development and testing of semiconductor technologies for extreme environments. The facility, called IDiCaRS, will bring together researchers, industry partners, and advanced research capabilities to tackle challenges in space elect...
A new study from Michigan State University found that certain personality characteristics, such as achievement motivation and self-discipline, are important for effective leadership. However, the study suggests that organizations may need to re-evaluate their hiring practices to focus on the characteristics that are most relevant for s...
Academic researchers from Michigan State University have found a molecule called indole that inhibits the growth of Campylobacter jejuni, a leading cause of food poisoning. The discovery could lead to new non-antibiotic treatments and explore how dietary approaches influence gut environments to control infection.
Researchers from MSU and U-M are launching a three-year study to examine the impact of urban clean energy investments on local communities, with a focus on equity and participation. The project aims to understand how cities can reduce carbon emissions while ensuring community voices are heard and benefits are shared.
A Michigan State University team is launching a project to study the underwater fault system where the 1946 tsunami originated, measuring vibrations of tectonic plates in the Alaskan-Aleutian subduction zone. This will help scientists assess whether the region poses a risk today and inform building codes.
A multi-university team is launching a project to develop advanced computer models that predict how female hormones affect medicine efficacy and side effects. The goal is to create a clinically driven tool that guides medical care across a woman's life, leading to stronger research studies and better outcomes.
Researchers found that Staphylococcus aureus can adjust its inner workings in response to sulfur-containing compounds, switching between nutrient sources to keep growing. The bacteria can also use sulfur as armor to shield itself from toxic stresses.
Researchers found weaknesses in lost and stolen device reporting systems, allowing attackers to block legitimate devices from cellular networks. The vulnerabilities could affect more than smartphones, including home security systems, which rely on cellular connectivity for backup.
Researchers have found that coastal wildflowers, such as the yellow monkeyflower, have evolved multiple adaptations to withstand salt spray, including altered pore structures and ability to bead up and roll off salt droplets. This knowledge could point to ways to make other plants, including crops, more resilient to salt exposure.
A new study suggests iron helped scientists trace Earth's oxygen and also recorded the building of mountains and the rise of land plants. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides a more nuanced way to interpret over 1.2 billion years of Earth's history.
Researchers found over 1,200 genetic variants associated with Big Five personality traits, which also predict life outcomes such as health, education, and career paths. The study suggests an interconnected relationship between genetics and the environment, with environmental factors reinforcing and shaping personality traits.
Michigan State University has received a $30 million grant to establish a turbulence research center, bringing together experts in physics, mathematics, engineering, and AI to understand and control turbulence. Researchers will focus on applications for energy, transportation, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing, with the goal of res...
A new study by Michigan State University and Oklahoma State University found that bird nesting season in Minnesota prairies is declining, with 33 species showing a 22% drop in spotting likelihood over 16 years. The loss affects common birds, not just rare species, and is linked to climate change.
Researchers found that the lost species are long-lived perennials with tough leaves that help them survive stress, but are slow-growing and cannot compete in post-destruction grasslands. New plants that grow back in their place have features associated with faster growth and greater resource capture.
A new study analyzed extinction patterns among tropical forest mammals worldwide, revealing that past extinctions can provide valuable insights into species vulnerability. The research showed that traits like large body size, small brains, and slow reproduction were linked to extinction risk in the past, but these patterns are not cons...
A study by Michigan State University found that individual demographic characteristics are more strongly associated with being childfree than state factors. California and Michigan have the highest percentages of childfree people, but reducing cost of living or changing abortion laws won't lead to an increase in births.
Researchers at Michigan State University identified a counter defense used by phages that helps them stay ahead of bacterial hosts. The discovery could lead to more effective phage therapies in response to the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant infections.
A recent study by MSU entomologists found that urban growers' use of pollinator management practices is driven more by access to educational resources and labor than demographics. The researchers surveyed 74 urban growers and found that hard-copy books, online materials, and conversations with fellow growers were the most commonly used...
Scientists are working to provide geodiversity data to researchers, helping close the gap in understanding ecosystems. By analyzing satellite data, they can capture more than just the mean environment, revealing microclimates that support specific species.
Scientists at Michigan State University and Czech Academy of Sciences have successfully recreated powerful compounds from deadly plants wolfsbane and larkspur, opening up new avenues for medicinal research. The discovery could lead to the development of new, sustainable drugs inspired by these natural products.
A new fiber-optic-inspired technology has been developed to distribute sunlight more evenly throughout algae cultivation systems, increasing biomass productivity by as much as six times. This innovation could benefit various applications that rely on photosynthetic organisms, including biofuel production and carbon capture.
Researchers at Facility for Rare Isotope Beams identified magnetic transitions within the nucleus of zinc-70 as the cause of an unexpected excess of low-energy gamma rays. This discovery sheds light on a long-standing puzzle in nuclear physics and has implications for astrophysics, including the formation of heavy elements.
Michigan State University researchers have created a new research tool to investigate the regenerative biology of zebrafish gut nerves. The tool allows for controlled removal and regeneration of neurons, revealing how neural networks are restored in about nine days. This could lead to better understanding of nerve repair in humans.
A FRIB-led collaboration, including Michigan State University, has received a Genesis Mission Phase I award from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop artificial intelligence tools for heavy-ion accelerators and isotope separators. The project aims to transform how these systems are operated using physics-informed digital twins.
A $2.5 million project shifted focus from South America to the southeastern US, where researchers confirmed Mycobacterium ulcerans' presence in aquatic habitats. The study identifies patterns linking disease occurrence to environmental factors like flooding and land disturbance.
A new study reveals that CDK8 helps plants allocate sulfur for growth and defense by regulating the use of sulfur in molecular machinery. Plants can switch between high-sulfur and low-sulfur defense strategies, conserving sulfur when necessary, to maintain immunity.
A team of astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope to observe gaseous filaments connecting a galaxy's hot atmosphere to its central supermassive black hole. The observations showed that gas flowed along these filaments and poured into a spinning disk, which feeds the SMBH.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that current AI models can be duped into seeing signatures of life in digital organisms with high accuracy. However, when tested on unseen examples, the results were less impressive. The team showed that it was possible to convince the AI that it was seeing signs of life where they didn’t ...
Scientists have found that 15 million years ago, the Atlantic Ocean had large low-oxygen zones, while the Pacific Ocean's zones were much smaller. A new study suggests that ocean circulation and continental position played a crucial role in shaping these zones, indicating that warming alone cannot explain changes in oxygen levels.
A Michigan State University researcher has challenged a long-held belief about how the liver repairs itself after surgery. By studying mice, the team found that reducing plasminogen levels led to stronger liver regeneration and improved outcomes for patients undergoing liver surgery.
MSU scientists have discovered a protein called TPPP3 that helps ovarian cancer cells withstand chemotherapy. Removing this protein restores the drug's effectiveness, suggesting a new approach to overcoming resistance. This breakthrough has implications for improving existing treatments and may lead to new therapeutic strategies.
A Michigan State University team discovered that two closely-related proteins STAG1 and STAG2 play distinct roles during antibody-gene assembly. STAG2 acts as a molecular gatekeeper, preventing oversized DNA loops, while STAG1 promotes long-range DNA interactions needed for assembling antibody genes.
A new study from Michigan State University found that taking hormone pills in the form of oral contraceptives increases binge eating, but not all women are at risk. The study tracked 422 women and found that emotional eating significantly increased when women were taking active versus inactive pills.
A new study from Michigan State University found that vocational interests predict significant life outcomes well into adulthood, including work, relationship, and community outcomes. Enterprising interests were the most broadly predictive category, while social interests predicted relationship outcomes.
A controversial cooling strategy to shield Earth from sun's rays could offer unequal protection for oceans and communities, leaving 25-75% of seas at risk from overheating. Researchers used computer simulations to forecast marine heat waves under future scenarios with and without solar geoengineering.
A new study published in The Lancet Public Health found that the Rx Kids program reduced low birthweight and preterm birth rates by 18% and 27%, respectively. The program also prevented NICU admissions, resulting in millions of dollars in healthcare savings.
A team of researchers led by Michigan State University has been tracking tree seedlings for 25 years to understand their impact on forest resilience. They found that some species are better suited to the changing climate than others, while tree canopy cover can help shelter certain species from extreme weather conditions.
A study from Michigan State University found that people consistently underestimate their friends' cynicism and overestimate their benevolence. This biases can impact friendship maintenance and may be more pronounced in newer friendships.
A new MSU study found that the perceived likelihood and severity of an incident explain why people fear law enforcement. Researchers suggest that addressing police violence by better preparing officers to recognize and respond appropriately can help mitigate fear, but may take time for public perceptions to change.
The study suggests that a more collaborative, cross-sector approach known as horizontal governance can help identify overlooked opportunities and empower local communities to become both producers and consumers of their own energy
A new national study led by Michigan State University researcher Amber Pearson found that the biological benefits of nature are not experienced equally across all populations. While higher tree canopy is generally associated with lower allostatic load, this association was not seen in less-advantaged groups.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a digital twin tool that uses AI and laser mapping to test different management strategies in simulated pine forests. The tool predicts trunk diameter and volume with high accuracy, enabling targeted treatments to minimize waste and bolster financial returns.
A new study reveals that the disappearance of large mammals led to significant changes in food webs across different continents. The researchers found that regions with more severe past extinctions had distinct differences in their current mammal populations, indicating a lasting impact on food webs.
A new remote psychological therapy program has been shown to improve symptoms and quality of life in young lupus patients. The six-session Treatment and Education Approach for Childhood-onset Lupus (TEACH) program incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness meditation to help kids manage depression, fatigue, and pain.