A new study by Michigan State University researchers suggests that climate-change deniers are successfully changing people's minds with negative messages, regardless of their political affiliation. The study found that core beliefs about climate change remain unchanged even when presented with positive messages, highlighting the diffic...
A new scientific model developed by Michigan State University researchers provides a better understanding of depression and its complex drivers. The model, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, incorporates various biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to the illness.
A Michigan State University study found that too much FSH decreases a woman's chances of having a baby, reversing traditional thought on hormone use during IVF. The live birth rate decreased by as much as 15-20% with high FSH doses, regardless of age or treatment length.
A Michigan State University study reveals that developing strong internal relationships leads to a significant increase in sales volume. Successful salespeople leverage political skill to build connections with well-connected co-workers and extraversion helps facilitate cross-fertilization of ideas.
Michigan State University has been awarded $18.5 million in USAID grants to support food security initiatives in Nigeria and Senegal. The grants will help strengthen the countries' policies and procedures necessary for achieving their own food security goals.
A new study by Michigan State University sociologists found that Americans are more likely to accept a higher gas tax if the revenue is used for energy-efficient transportation, road and bridge repairs, or refunded to taxpayers. The survey of over 3,000 participants showed that an average increase of 51-53 cents per gallon could be acc...
A recent study published in Microbiome found that controlling the levels of specific gut bacteria, such as Escherichia, may help prevent severe diarrhea. The research, led by Michigan State University, discovered that patients with certain microbial community profiles had more severe disease.
A new MSU study analyzed historical data from India to find reliable economic information on drug use. It shows that users switch between opium and cannabis when the price of one goes up, a phenomenon called substitution. This finding has significant policy implications for tackling addiction.
Researchers have engineered a new receptor that can counter stealthy diseases by boosting plant defense systems. The modified Arabidopsis plants show resistance to both insects and pathogens.
A new study spanning two generations in the US found that women have surpassed men in bachelor's-degree attainment and white-collar jobs, yet continue to earn less. Women have increased their mobility across generations better than men, leading to a gender revolution in education and job attainment.
Michigan State University is partnering with the University of Minnesota and J.R. Simplot Company to develop improved potato varieties for smallholder farmers in Bangladesh and Indonesia. The project aims to reduce pesticide use and increase sustainable growing methods.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that changes in a new species of fruit fly have an almost domino effect on several species, including parasitic wasps. The research reveals how these sequential events can generate a large number of species in a short period.
A group of Michigan State University scholars argue that colleges need to transform their introductory science courses, focusing on core ideas and scientific practices. They suggest adopting strategies from K-12 schools to improve learning in STEM fields during the first two years of college.
A five-year, $4.15 million grant will investigate how a high-fat diet interacts with common sunscreen chemicals like BP-3, which may mimic estrogen and increase breast cancer risk. The study aims to identify predictive markers for increased breast cancer susceptibility and develop prevention strategies.
Researchers found that the visual cortex can make decisions on its own, switching between different interpretations of visual input. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the role of the visual cortex in processing visual information.
A new framework reveals how panda conservation efforts in China impact cities worldwide, including economic impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. The study also explores the effects of tourism and conservation on local ecosystems.
Michigan State University has partnered with ExxonMobil to improve the efficiency of photosynthesis in microalgae to produce biofuels and bioproducts. The project aims to determine which algae are most efficient under various conditions, leveraging new technologies developed by MSU researchers.
The Feed the Future program aims to address declining coffee production in Rwanda by promoting research, farmer capacity building, and policy engagement. MSU will inform coffee sector stakeholders of effective practices for controlling pests and establish a policy environment that encourages producers to invest in sustainable practices.
Research led by Michigan State University scholar Amy K. Nuttall found that mothers who took on too much caregiving role as children tend to be less sensitive to their own children's needs, understanding child development and parenting in a similar harmful manner.
A new study will follow 800 recently released detainees from the Genesee County Jail in Flint, Michigan, and the Department of Corrections in Cranston, Rhode Island, to track mental health outcomes and compare two intervention strategies.
A team of researchers at Michigan State University has created a synthetic protein that improves the assembly of carbon-fixing factories in cyanobacteria, enabling more efficient biofuel production. The new protein also provides a proof of concept for improving plant photosynthesis or installing new metabolic pathways in bacteria.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that Chinese farmers are adapting to shrinking domestic soybean fields by planting more profitable crops like corn, but this shift has environmental implications. Meanwhile, pockets of resilience in soybean cultivation suggest potential solutions for China's burgeoning food demand.
Researchers are working to design recommendations for scientists and government organizations to work ethically with indigenous peoples. The project aims to improve collaboration between Native American tribes and climate scientists to better plan for climate change.
A team of researchers has identified ERManI as a key protein that prevents HIV-1 replication, providing a potential natural defense against the disease. The discovery could lead to the development of new antiretroviral treatments and promote HIV resistance by increasing ERManI levels.
A team of researchers from Michigan State University has manipulated vanadium dioxide to make it usable in small devices, allowing for smart antennas with tunable properties. This technology could enable applications such as switching between communication bands or precise microsurgery.
A new school-evaluation method called value-added has been found not to affect housing prices, according to research by economists at Michigan State University and Cornell University. The public release of such data did not influence property values in Los Angeles, contradicting previous research that linked test scores to housing pric...
A new study by Michigan State University researcher Arend Hintze found that moderate competition optimally drives the evolution of decision-making strategies in humans. In crowded areas, hermit crabs evolve split-second decision-making to claim new shells, demonstrating a similar phenomenon in human politics.
A new Michigan State University study aims to identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease among Latinos and Hispanics, potentially delaying or preventing its onset. The $5.67 million grant will gather health data from nearly 7,000 middle-aged and older adults, with the goal of differentiating mild cognitive impairment from normal aging.
A team of MSU researchers, led by Sarah Evans, will study how plants interact with microbes to obtain nitrogen in abandoned farmlands. The goal is to maximize biofuel yields while minimizing fertilizer use and preserving soil health.
A federally funded study led by Michigan State University researcher finds that teaching toddlers to understand emotion through 'emotion bridging' with their mothers can reduce behavioral problems. Mothers of higher-risk toddlers benefited most from this strategy, particularly those from disadvantaged families.
Research at Michigan State University suggests that using smartphones to alleviate depression can have negative effects. Lead authors argue that face-to-face interaction is a more effective antidote to problematic mobile phone use.
A recent study found that signaling to one another can be lost in populations, particularly if receiving the signal is not crucial for mating. This loss of signals can happen rapidly and may lead to extinction or hybridization with other species.
A Michigan State University study found that gang-related homicides spread in a systematic pattern, clustering in vulnerable areas like Newark, New Jersey. The researchers' analysis could help predict future hotspots of violent crime, informing prevention efforts and targeting resources to communities at risk.
Researchers at Michigan State University developed a targeted brain game that helps people focus and reduces anxiety. The study found that anxious college students who completed the game task showed improved concentration and lessened anxiety after being distracted.
Researchers tracked five pandas with GPS collars for three years, finding they exhibit three daily activity peaks - morning, afternoon, and midnight. This unique pattern may be linked to their low nutrition quality from bamboo consumption, allowing them to adapt to their environment.
A Michigan State University study found that septic tanks are contaminating freshwater sources with fecal bacteria, threatening water quality and human health. The research used a novel source-tracking method to analyze 64 river systems in Michigan and identified areas with high numbers of septic systems as hotspots for pollution.
Researchers found that ethoxzolamide inhibits TB's ability to detect acidic environments, effectively blinding the bacterium and allowing the immune system to attack. This compound could help shorten treatment duration and slow the emergence of drug resistance in TB.
A new study reveals that young people with autism are struggling to find and keep jobs, with only 47% securing employment after receiving vocational services. Experts emphasize the importance of vocational counseling, guidance, and coordination between high schools and rehabilitation systems to support this growing population.
Mint research aims to unlock their chemical diversity to develop new medicines, fragrances and synthetic molecules. The study will map the mint genome to identify key genes driving their unique properties.
A team of researchers has advanced new modeling technology to quantify human dependence on nature and its impact on human well-being. The study found that people who depended on multiple types of ecosystem services fared better than those with limited resources.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new 3-D model of a giant star's last moments, which could help explain how these stars explode. The model addresses previous limitations, including the shape of the star and the lack of fuel source, paving the way for a deeper understanding of supernova mechanisms.
Michigan State University researchers are studying how electric fish signals evolve in a natural hybrid zone along Gabon's Louetsi River. The discovery could help identify genes underlying complex and simple electric signals.
BEACON researchers explore evolutionary dynamics of disease, antibiotic resistance, and climate change using digital organisms, aiming to develop robust solutions for industrial and societal problems. The grant renewal enables further breakthroughs in understanding and harnessing evolution in action.
A recent study by Kelly Klump at Michigan State University reveals that ovarian hormones influence eating disorders in women by turning genetic risk on and off. Changes in hormone levels drive increases in binge eating and emotional eating across the menstrual cycle.
A national study by Michigan State University sociologist Hui Liu found that childhood stress fuels weight gain in women, while adult stress has no significant impact on men's weight. Childhood family-related stressors such as economic hardship and divorce were associated with rapid weight gain in women.
A recent study from Michigan State University found that perennial biofuel crops use a comparable amount of water as traditional corn crops in the Midwest. This discovery has significant implications for cellulosic biofuel production and understanding the impact of climate change on water balances.
A new study led by Michigan State University suggests there may be fewer galaxies further out in the universe than previously expected. The research used simulations to examine galaxy formation in the early universe and found that the number of faint galaxies could be as low as ten times larger than initially thought.
A groundbreaking study published in PNAS has found that fingerprint recognition accuracy stays the same even after years of aging. Using large-scale data from the Michigan State Police, researchers Anil Jain and Soweon Yoon demonstrated that fingerprints remain stable over time, addressing a long-standing concern in forensic science.
A Michigan State University study found that high school and college students engaged in intelligent debate about scientific issues on a voluntary Facebook forum. The informal learning environment connected students with professionals and experts, sparking interest in careers and civic engagement.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new method to change the electronic properties of materials, enabling more efficient solid-state electronics. By using ultrafast laser pulses, they can create new electronic phases with desired properties.