Researchers at Michigan State University are using $2.8M in NIH grants to study the piRNA pathway and its role in controlling male fertility. They hope to identify new targets for male contraception, addressing a significant reproductive health issue affecting one in ten couples.
The study demonstrates the evolution of associative learning in an artificial organism without a brain, allowing it to navigate complex environments and adapt to changing signals. This breakthrough has huge implications for developing robots that can learn from experiences as effectively as humans do.
Researchers found that predictors of juvenile delinquency, such as low self-control, are common factors for both boys and girls. For girls, peer associations played a significant role in hacking behavior, while for boys, time spent playing video games was associated with hacking. The study highlights the importance of parents understan...
A four-year study will examine the impacts of autonomous vehicles on the future workforce, focusing on how driving jobs will change and what new skills are required. Researchers will also investigate the anticipated downstream impacts on drivers' employment trends and income inequality.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new approach to delivering enzyme-producing genes that can convert certain drugs into toxic agents and target tumors. The study found that nano-bubbles, or extracellular vesicles, were 14 times more effective at delivery and killed over half of the breast cancer cells in mice.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that microorganisms residing on plant leaves are connected to those living in the soil, forming a key part of the bioenergy community. The researchers identified hundreds of leaf microbiome members and compared them to thousands in the soil, using deep sequencing techniques.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that many core microbes on bioenergy plant leaves originate from the soil and remain consistent across seasons. The study suggests that these microbes play a crucial role in the plant's growth and health, and their phyllosphere microbiome can be targeted for cultivation.
A new study reveals that global change is triggering an identity switch in grasslands, with many species changing drastically without altering the overall number of species present. The research, published in PNAS, found that grasslands can resist the effects of global change for up to a decade, but eventually transform as conditions b...
Scientists at Michigan State University have received a four-year, $2.6 million grant to investigate tuber evolution in plants like potatoes and tomatoes. The researchers aim to uncover the genetic mechanisms behind this adaptation, which allows plants to store energy underground and survive harsh conditions.
A new study found that married people are less likely to develop dementia as they age, whereas divorced individuals are twice as likely to experience the condition. The research analyzed data from over 15,000 respondents and suggests that marital status is an important social risk factor for dementia.
A five-year study aims to examine the impact of ecological restoration on health and wellness in low-income Detroit neighborhoods. Researchers will assess the health of 700 residents while restoring parks, measuring physical wellbeing and stress levels.
Researchers at Michigan State University have created a synthetic nano-sized factory using a new shell protein that can be controlled to direct useful enzymes inside. The team successfully produced factory shells with the new protein, allowing them to incorporate molecules and control cargo imports.
A new study from Michigan State University found that transnational environmental crime drives social conflicts globally, threatening development and undermining peace and security. Researchers highlight potential solutions, including cooperation, engagement of local communities, and legislative reform.
A new study found that nearly one in eight female adolescents between ages 14 and 19 experienced reproductive coercion, a form of abuse where a woman is pressured to become pregnant against her wishes. The study also highlights the need for clinicians to understand how to spot relationship abuse in younger patients.
Researchers have identified a combination of gene mutations that are frequently found together in endometrial cancer and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. The ARID1A and PIK3CA genes' mutations can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, increasing the risk of cancer.
A Michigan State University team applied metacoupling to analyze socioeconomic and environmental interactions in global soybean trade. The results show that Chinese demand for foreign soybeans affects not only Brazil but also neighboring countries like Paraguay and Argentina.
Researchers at Michigan State University studied four different hotspot analysis methods for Great Lakes waterbirds, finding that no single method produced consistent results. A combination of data-driven approaches may be the best way to inform conservation management decisions.
Scientists studied how garfish regrow fins and found genes and mechanisms responsible for this process. These findings suggest that the last common ancestor of fish and tetrapods had a specialized response for appendage regeneration.
Michigan State University has received a $2.5 million grant to develop the teaching of less commonly taught languages, particularly Indigenous languages, through a multi-university initiative. The project will create sustainable models of instruction and promote language proficiency to deepen cultural understanding.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered a new mechanism determining how carbon is stored in soils, which could improve climate resilience and reduce carbon footprints. Soils from ecosystems with higher plant diversity have more pores of the right size for stable carbon storage.
A study by Michigan State University reveals that crime rates, not racial bias, predict fatal police shootings. The findings show that black officers are more likely to shoot black citizens due to demographics, but this does not support the idea of white officer bias.
A study of 300,000 participants found that implicit bias against people with disabilities increases over time and with age, while explicit attitudes towards them become more positive. Women and those with contact to the disabled population show lower prejudice.
A new study found that at-home support networks using social work case managers and online resources significantly improve stroke patients' physical health and confidence. Patients with access to these services reported better outcomes compared to those with traditional care.
Michigan State University has received a $38 million USAID grant to implement a new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity and Influence. The lab will partner with local agricultural policy research organizations to strengthen their ability to carry out rigorous research on food security policy.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that spermine, an odorous compound in male semen, attracts mature female sea lampreys and helps them select suitable mates. This finding could potentially be used to control invasive sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes.
Researchers created new water cycle diagrams to promote better understanding of human impact on the 21st century water cycle. The diagrams depict human activities such as consumption, land use changes, and climate change, highlighting the need for accurate representation.
A new Michigan State University study found that taking vitamin D supplements did not decrease the incidence of heart attacks, strokes or other major adverse cardiovascular events. The study of over 83,000 patients showed no benefit from vitamin D supplements in reducing cardiovascular risk.
A study by Michigan State University found overdoses and suicides as leading causes of deaths among new mothers in California. The research highlights the need for increased focus on prevention, particularly among non-Hispanic white and low-income women.
Researchers have identified specific genetic markers that contribute to larger switchgrass harvests while reducing potential crop weaknesses. This study provides new insights into how plants adapt to different environments and could lead to improved bioenergy crop performance.
A recent study found that taking vitamin D for at least three years may lower the risk of death among cancer patients. The researchers analyzed data from over 79,000 patients and discovered a statistically significant difference in mortality rates between those who took vitamin D and those who received a placebo.
A 1-year-old Rottweiler named Stella received a groundbreaking treatment using fish skin grafts for her second- and third-degree burns after escaping a house fire. The innovative therapy, developed by Michigan State University, leveraged the anti-inflammatory properties of Icelandic cod skin to aid in healing and tissue regeneration.
A recent study from Michigan State University suggests that there are more layers to political trust than previously thought. The researchers tested a vulnerability-centered definition of trust and found that three key dimensions - ability, benevolence, and integrity - play a crucial role in shaping public trust in the government.
Researchers analyzed large volumes of genomic data to determine better research models to fight breast cancer's spread. They found substantial differences between lab-created cell lines and actual advanced tumor samples, with some cell lines showing little genomic similarities to patient tumor samples.
A recent study by Michigan State University researchers found that nature reserves close to cities are more effective at preventing deforestation than remote areas. The study evaluated China's protected areas and concluded that these reserves can sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to combat global deforestation.
A Michigan State University study reveals the significant economic impact of the craft beer value chain on the state's economy. The industry generates nearly $1 billion in aggregate economic contributions, making it a substantial driver in Michigan.
Michigan State University researchers have created a potential solution for emerging wearable tech by developing highly stretchable supercapacitors powered by crumpled carbon nanotube forests. The new design has demonstrated solid performance and stability, even under extreme stretching and relaxing cycles.
Two papers by Michigan State University scientists introduce a new framework to analyze the complex interactions between global water and energy trade. The nexus approach reveals unexpected impacts, including provinces losing one resource while gaining another, and virtual energy transfers driving inequality.
A new study suggests that older adults with poor sense of smell may be at a 46% higher risk for death at 10 years and 30% at 13 years compared to those with good smell. Poor sense of smell is linked to higher mortality in both healthy and unhealthy individuals, with most of the risk remaining unexplained.
Michigan State University researchers have discovered an evolutionary function in wild tomato plants that could be used by modern plant breeders to create pest-resistant tomatoes. The team identified a specific gene that produces a sticky compound, which acts as natural insect repellent and helps protect the plant from insects.
A new study reveals that bumble bee populations in Michigan have decreased significantly over the past century, with 12 out of 19 species experiencing declines. The research found that bumble bees that collect pollen from a narrower range of plants are more likely to decline.
Research suggests marijuana users are more likely to maintain a healthy weight compared to those who don't use cannabis. The study of over 33,000 participants found that persistent users were less likely to be overweight or obese.
Research published in Deviant Behavior found that the dark web is a hub for anonymous handgun sales, with 64% of products advertised being handguns. The study sheds light on a niche market where buyers can circumvent stricter gun laws, highlighting the need for further investigations and potential regulation.
Researchers from Michigan State University used satellite imagery to quantify nitrogen losses in Midwestern corn fields. They found that nearly $1 billion worth of fertilizer is wasted annually, resulting in 6.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study by Michigan State University found that the state's graduation requirements for math are leading to more students taking and passing advanced math courses. This policy change is also resulting in higher college enrollment rates, particularly among low-income students.
A study by Michigan State University found that online sexual experiences can predict offline risks, including HIV risk, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence. The researchers identified four classes of experience patterns, which predicted susceptibility to these outcomes.
A study found that a common food additive, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), can hinder the immune system's ability to fight off flu viruses, making vaccines less effective. In mice exposed to tBHQ, CD4 and CD8 T cells showed reduced functionality, leading to increased inflammation and mucus production in the lungs.
A new study from Michigan State University has dispelled the myth that women are less fit than men behind the wheel. Despite natural hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle, female drivers react and respond similarly to male counterparts on the race track.
Michigan State University has landed a $1.8 million National Institutes of Health R01 grant to develop new brain implants that decipher complex chemical and electrical input and output for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, depression, and traumatic injuries.
Researchers found a significant increase in tweets about embarrassment since Trump's election, with peaks around high-profile events like debates and controversies. The study suggests that people feel vicarious embarrassment due to Trump's norm violations as president, threatening their social integrity.
A study by researchers at Michigan State University found that social factors can contribute to muscle and joint pain in nurses. When support is perceived as uneven, tempers rise, leading to increased risk of injuries. Implementing strategies to improve the social environment for nurses may reduce stress and promote physical health.