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Michigan State University


Charter schools lead to similar improvements in outcomes for students with and without disabilities

A study from Michigan State University found that charter schools lead to similar improvements in attendance and academic outcomes for students with disabilities as those without. After switching to a charter school, students with disabilities saw an increase in resource program participation and a decrease in cognitive programs.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEducation Finance and Policy·DateFeb 5, 2026

Bat besties start to sound alike over time

Researchers found that female vampire bats alter their contact calls to match those of familiar companions, a behavior similar to humans adopting regional accents. This phenomenon allows the bats to recognize one another in noisy environments.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2025

Folklore sheds light on ancient Indian savannas

Researchers used medieval literary works to study vegetation in ancient Indian savannas, finding that they existed for at least 750 years. The study challenges the view that these areas are remnants of former forests and suggests that tree planting efforts may need to focus on different locations.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPeople and Nature·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 24, 2025

MSU scientists discover regulatory pathway behind cyanobacteria’s carbon-fixing factories

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered a crucial regulatory pathway in cyanobacteria that enables them to balance their energy demands and improve photosynthesis efficiency. The study reveals that the protein RpaA plays a key role in controlling carboxysome growth and integrity, allowing for better understanding of ca...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateOct 8, 2025

Decoding plants’ language of light

Researchers have discovered how a compound called naringenin chalcone 'reprograms' a light-sensing protein in plants, activating it to send growth-regulating signals even without UV light. This unexpected interaction could lead to crops with improved tolerance to harsh environments and more efficient use of light energy.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 17, 2025

When rattlesnakes marry their cousins

A long-term study found that Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes are 13% less likely to have surviving offspring and have a nearly 12% lower annual survival rate when inbred. Habitat connectivity is crucial for the snakes' survival, as fragmentation isolates populations, making it difficult for them to find mates.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2025