Social media use has been linked to psychological distress and impaired functioning in some people, but the impact varies widely depending on how and why it's used. Researchers are debating how to measure social media addiction and need more rigorous studies to determine whether it should be classified as a clinical disorder.
A recent study compared food web similarity in 127 protected areas across Africa, finding that fragmented habitats predict similar food webs. The research also showed that primary productivity is a key factor in determining food web structure.
A new study found that exposure to PFAS may weaken the immune system in adults, raising concerns about long-term health effects of these widely used chemicals. The research highlights the importance of reducing PFAS levels in drinking water to protect public health.
Researchers analyzed nearly four decades of data from three North American grasslands to find that coping with climate threats isn't just a numbers game. Multiple dimensions of biodiversity can help ecosystems thrive in harsh conditions, the study reveals.
A new study from Michigan State University finds that isolated honey bees experience a rapid hormonal rise when exposed to high temperatures, while those in groups remain stable. The discovery highlights the role of social conditions and chemical signals in shaping bees' ability to withstand environmental stress.
A recent study found that global warming can offset the negative effects of insect galls on tall goldenrod, a common wildflower in North America. The research suggests that warmer temperatures and drought conditions can boost the growth and biomass of gall-infested plants, making them more competitive than unaffected counterparts.
A new study by Aldo Barrita found that affirming one's racial and gender identity can be a source of psychological strength, not just vulnerability. The research suggests that stronger cohesion with intersectional identities is positively associated with resilience and negatively associated with depressive symptoms.
A study of over 5,000 couples found that narcissistic rivalry traits consistently linked to lower relationship satisfaction, while narcissistic admiration had no meaningful effect. The rate of decline was also found to be less severe for couples with high narcissism scores, suggesting a more nuanced impact.
A study from Michigan State University reveals that extreme weather can actually strengthen certain ecosystems, leading to increased productivity and resilience. The researchers found that phytoplankton species, which are crucial for removing carbon dioxide from the air, thrive when temperature fluctuations increase.
A recent study published in Social Work Research found that strong social support networks can significantly reduce the likelihood of incarceration among youth in foster care. Emotional support was particularly crucial in this regard, with those who received adequate emotional support being less likely to experience incarceration.
Research reveals postpartum GBS strains with mutations that allow them to survive in the birth canal and resist treatment. Identifying these mutations is crucial for understanding how GBS is evading antibiotic treatment and finding new drug targets.
Research at Michigan State University reveals how cocaine addiction is notoriously difficult to treat due to its impact on brain function. The study found that chronic cocaine use changes brain activity, particularly in the hippocampus and reward centers, leading to compulsive behavior.
A new study has found that a group of little brown frogs from Southeast Asia may be as many as 18 distinct species, rather than one. The research uses genetic sequencing to reveal complex evolutionary dynamics and challenges conservation efforts.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that AI agents that mimic human behavior can lower the threshold to cooperation, producing larger pools of reciprocity. This study suggests that AI could be used to promote cooperation in self-driving vehicles and other real-world scenarios.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that female immune cells are less active, leading to delayed recovery from chronic pain. The study suggests that immune cells can be manipulated to produce signals that calm pain, paving the way for non-opioid treatments.
A new international study presents a comprehensive framework for understanding and managing cross-scale socioeconomic and environmental interconnections. The metacoupling framework helps connect the dots across systems, scales, and borders to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Researchers at Michigan State University have created the first simulation that reproduces the two-lobed shape of contact binaries naturally with gravitational collapse. This finding suggests that the formation process is surprisingly simple and not rare.
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.
A study tracking nearly 1,000 emerging adults found that reports of childhood adversity remained stable but fluctuated over time, influenced by relationship quality. Fluctuations were more pronounced when people reported less support from their parents.
A study by Michigan State University found that the majority of college students experienced broad improvements in psychological functioning after the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants reported higher life satisfaction, less loneliness, and a greater preference for in-person learning opportunities.
A groundbreaking study found that social and academic difficulties emerge years before clinical symptoms of psychosis appear, offering a critical window for early intervention. Early-life struggles are strongly predicted to later negative symptoms and cognitive impairment.
A new analysis of 73 species reveals that most animals are changing their habits in response to warming, but surprisingly, many are thriving. The study found that most species shifted their timing in warmer years, yet maintained or even increased their numbers despite the climate crisis.
A recent study from Michigan State University found that blocking postoperative inflammation may actually delay recovery and prolong pain. The researchers used a mouse model to investigate the role of TNF-α signaling in postoperative pain resolution.
Evidence suggests Sagittarius A* flared dramatically within the past few hundred to 1,000 years, according to X-ray emissions observed by XRISM. The findings unveil new details of supermassive black hole evolution and provide lessons about our cosmic home.
Researchers have created a three-dimensional human heart organoid that can replicate atrial fibrillation, a condition affecting millions worldwide. The organoids' ability to study heart development, diseases, and drug responses has the potential to revolutionize arrhythmia treatment.
A recent study from Michigan State University found that narcissism is a universal trait with consistent patterns across cultures, contrary to popular beliefs in the United States. The study included over 45,000 participants from 53 countries and found that young adults and men are more narcissistic than older adults and women.
The study reveals multiple outflows of material and dramatic delays in the ejection process, challenging long-held views about nova eruptions. Images captured using interferometry allow scientists to directly observe the rapidly evolving explosions.
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking method that can identify and sort bacteria based on their natural fluorescence, allowing for the study of unculturable microbes. This breakthrough enables researchers to investigate how different bacterial shapes contribute to behavior such as disease and growth.
The STREAMS project has developed new global guidelines to improve how microbiome studies are reported, covering a wide range of environments and disciplines. The guidelines include 67 checklist items that guide researchers through each section of a scientific paper.
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.
Researchers found that kestrels deter smaller birds from fruit while also reducing the likelihood of cherry damage more than tenfold. Kestrels were associated with a 3-fold reduction in droppings spotted on branches, making them a low-cost, low-maintenance tool for growers.
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.
A new study reveals fresh chemical evidence of life in rocks over 3.3 billion years old, with molecular traces showing oxygen-producing photosynthesis emerged nearly a billion years earlier than thought. The approach uses machine learning to recognize subtle molecular fingerprints left behind by living organisms.
Recent genetic advancements have created a biodiversity library, offering untapped opportunities for solving global challenges. Researchers are exploring unconventional models, such as electric eels, octopi, and bacteria, to develop new therapeutics and tackle environmental issues.
The James Madison College Academy for Civic Education (ACE) will provide intensive seminars on America's founding principles, exploring five pillars of the American achievement: political institutions, free market principles, statesmanship, citizenship, and scientific innovation. The program aims to address gaps in history and civics e...
Researchers at Michigan State University have uncovered the secrets of a native Death Valley plant that thrives in extreme heat. By studying Tidestromia oblongifolia, scientists have discovered a blueprint for engineering crops that can adapt to high temperatures, potentially transforming agriculture in a hotter world.
A Michigan State University-led study examines how well AI personas can detect human deception and compares their performance to humans. The results show that AI is more lie-biased and less accurate than humans, highlighting the need for improvement before generative AI can be used for deception detection.
Combining data from T2K and NOvA experiments, MSU researchers provide precise measurements of neutrino properties, including oscillation behavior and mass ordering. The results shed new light on the mystery of how the universe evolved, with implications for theories of particle behavior.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered a technique to grow lead halide perovskites, crucial for LEDs, solar cells, and medical imaging. By striking gold nanoparticles with a single laser pulse, they achieved precise control over crystal formation.
Michigan State University scientists have pinpointed the molecular 'switch' that supercharges sperm for their final sprint to an egg. The discovery could reshape infertility treatments and pave the way for a new generation of male contraceptives.
PhD candidate Jonah Branding's work provides a framework for evaluating animal consciousness, distinguishing between symmetry and asymmetry approaches. The study highlights the importance of considering hermit crabs as a case example to navigate complex questions about animal welfare and conservation policy.
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...
A new study led by MSU researchers explores the link between hormonal fluctuations during midlife and mental health outcomes like psychosis. The comprehensive study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, aims to identify women at risk and develop personalized treatments.
A study from Michigan State University and Henry Ford Health found that emergency departments are increasingly becoming initial touchpoints for hospice and palliative care consultations. The researchers evaluated 8,055 ED-initiated HPC consults at five hospitals in the Detroit area from 2016 to 2023.
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.
Researchers at Michigan State University have figured out how to use a fast laser to wiggle atoms in a way that temporarily changes the behavior of their host material. This approach could lead to smaller and more efficient electronics like smartphones in the future. By using a special microscope and a super-fast laser, the team was ab...
A study found that Lake Michigan shoreline armoring has increased fivefold in response to high-water levels, posing threats to coastal ecosystems. The increase in structures like seawalls and groins raises concerns about their long-term effects on the environment.
Researchers found that playing virtual reality sports games can promote psychological well-being by helping players feel connected to others and engage in real-time communication. The positive effects of feeling socially present were even stronger for those experiencing loneliness.
Researchers at MSU discovered images of 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object, two months before its detection, revealing a comet-like tail and activity far from the sun. This finding suggests that comets in other solar systems may release different molecules than those in our own system.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that wireless ultrasound devices can provide similar information to standard machines, enabling fast and cost-effective imaging in field-based settings. The study showed strong associations between muscle thickness and size measured by both devices.