Elk and rhinoceros beetles use insulin to grow big horns and attract mates. A study by Michigan State University found that these traits are not handicaps, but rather honest indicators of quality. The research suggests that the males' insulin dependence provides a way for them to show off their strength and suitability as partners.
A team of researchers at Michigan State University has identified the secret to the deadly 2011 E. coli outbreak in Germany, attributing its lethality to biofilm formation. By targeting this mechanism, the researchers aim to potentially tame the killer bacteria.
A survey of Michigan residents shows overwhelming support for government programs helping farmers adapt to climate change. The study found that more than 65% of respondents backed financial assistance for farmers, with many linking it to concerns over recent food price increases and long-term food security.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that multinational firms perform better over time, especially when they have a global strategy and coordinate efforts across multiple countries. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 48,000 firms, also found that firm size does not affect success in multinationality.
A large national study found that marriage does not boost longevity for black Americans in the same way it does for white Americans. Black couples who live together without marrying have similar mortality rates as married black couples.
Despite criticism that local school boards are outdated, Americans favor local control, with over 40 years of public surveys showing strong support for local governance. Local leaders should be involved in shaping federal policies and receiving resources to implement them.
A study found Asian victims of domestic violence use mental health services only 5.3% of the time, compared to 14.6% of Latino victims. Cultural barriers and language limitations contribute to this trend. Researchers are calling for more outreach efforts to increase access to culturally sensitive services.
A new rehabilitation program developed by Michigan State University's Amy Hoffman uses the Nintendo Wii-Fit Plus to promote light-intensity walking and balance exercises. The program has shown excellent improvement in reducing cancer-related fatigue levels over time.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a novel biofuel production process that produces energy more than 20 times higher than existing methods. The process, known as microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), uses bacteria to breakdown and ferment agricultural waste into ethanol.
Michigan State University researchers discovered how bacteria flip a DNA switch to transform from harmless microbes to deadly insecticides. The bacteria, bioluminescent insect pathogens, reside in the intestines of worms and aid their survival, but can rapidly grow and produce toxins when the worms infest insects.
A new MSU study suggests that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should intervene in the stock market only when external financial disruptions make it difficult for large shareholders to fend off speculators. The study finds that such interventions are rare and should be temporary.
A Michigan State University professor and colleague discuss the importance of plant research in a paper published in Science. They highlight the need to improve our understanding of plant metabolism to develop more sustainable agriculture and medicinal products.
A massive study of nearly 250,000 U.S. women found that live birth rates for fertility treatment can approach natural fertility rates with favorable patient and embryo characteristics. The study highlights the importance of factors such as age and embryo quality in determining success rates.
A Michigan State University study found that online shoppers tend to be happier when they receive an offer rather than making one. This can have significant impacts on the fast-growing e-commerce industry. By putting customers in the receiver role, businesses may be able to fill more hotel rooms and airplane seats.
A Michigan State University study found that poor mothers produce fattier milk for their daughters than sons, supporting a 1973 hypothesis. In contrast, wealthy mothers prefer to invest resources in sons who are more likely to increase their status through marriage.
A Michigan State University study found that only 50% of patients looked directly at the warning labels, highlighting the need for redesign. Researchers suggest moving warnings to the main label or repositioning them for better visibility, especially for older patients who take multiple medications daily.
Research suggests that a growing global population will significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental stress.
A Michigan State University study reveals that easy online access and personal devices have made the digital divide disappear during vacations. People are using their phones to plan, check weather forecasts, and access local information, showing a significant shift in how travelers use technology on holiday.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that anxious girls' brains respond more intensely to mistakes, suggesting a potential link between worrying and brain function. The study may help identify girls prone to anxiety problems.
Researchers found that married people tend to be happier than single individuals, as marriage stabilizes happiness levels despite life changes. Personality traits do not play a significant role in adapting to major events like marriage or job loss.
A Michigan State University study suggests that lower-income mothers should adopt healthy eating habits themselves and encourage their children to eat good foods. By doing so, mothers can help create a healthier diet for their kids without using force or restrictions.
A new protein-based antiviral approach has been developed to combat deadly flu epidemics, neutralizing vulnerable sites on H1N1 and H5N1 viruses. This innovative method uses manufactured genes as therapeutics, designed using computer-aided design and optimized through DNA deep sequencing.
A new study from Michigan State University reveals that exercising with a moderately capable virtual partner can significantly boost motivation, with women cycling twice as long when working with a partner. The results suggest the gains observed over six hour-long sessions could be sustained on a longer-term program of exercise.
A Michigan State University researcher has developed a synthetic biosensor that glows green in response to conditions mimicking human tuberculosis infection. The goal is to find new treatments for chronic TB and multidrug-resistant TB.
Research reveals female athletes performed worse on visual memory tests and reported more symptoms post-concussion. Younger athletes, particularly high school athletes, took longer to recover than collegiate athletes.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that the peak risk for misusing prescription pain relievers occurs in mid-adolescence, specifically around 16 years old. The results suggest that prevention programs may need to be introduced earlier, in childhood and early adolescence.
Researchers at Michigan State University have created a satellite-guided plan to effectively control the tsetse fly, which spreads sleeping sickness disease in Africa. The plan uses unprecedented precision to predict where and when to direct eradication efforts, significantly reducing costs and increasing effectiveness.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharide can significantly reduce the severity of colitis in mice. The prebiotic stimulates beneficial bacteria growth, leading to a 50% reduction in inflammation and abnormal cells, precursors to colon cancer.
A Michigan State University study found that citizens are injured 41% of the time when stun guns are used during apprehension, compared to 29% without stun gun use. Meanwhile, officers are injured only 5% with stun guns, but nearly 10% without.
Michigan State University researchers are leading a clinical trial in Malawi to test the safety and feasibility of levetiracetam, an anti-seizure medication, to control seizures in children with cerebral malaria. The trial aims to improve neurologic outcomes for survivors, who often develop epilepsy or other neurologic disorders.
Michigan State University researchers Merlin Bruening and Greg Baker have invented a high-performance membrane protein purifier that can simplify the process of isolating desired proteins. This innovation has the potential to reduce costs, speed up new drug development, and improve pharmaceutical efficiency.
A long-term study reveals that nature tourism in China's Wolong Nature Reserve increases conservation efforts, but disproportionately benefits individuals with existing resources. The research suggests that poverty alleviation policies may need to be revised to address the unequal distribution of benefits.
A study by Michigan State University found that customer loyalty increases when participants view other customers as similar to themselves. The general physical appearance and behavior of the other customers also play a role in increasing loyalty by up to 30 percent.
The rate of workplace deaths in Michigan remained steady in 2011, with the construction industry having the most deaths at 24. However, new research reveals a vast underreporting of workplace burns, with 1,461 work-related burns reported, more than three times the number reported by employers.
Researchers at Michigan State University have found a way for plants to balance their growth and defense mechanisms, enabling them to continue growing while protecting themselves from harm. This discovery could help improve crop yields by allowing plants to prioritize growth over defense.
A new clinical trial aims to develop a simple saliva test that can detect oral cancer in its early stages. The test has the potential to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies and improve survival rates for patients with this common cancer, which affects over 60,000 people worldwide.
Research from Michigan State University highlights disparities in writing standards across US states, hindering the implementation of Common Core. The existing standards vary widely compared to the new set of common standards being implemented by most states.
The study found that countries like Taiwan and Singapore prepare math teachers better due to rigorous high school math instruction, highly selective university programs, and a more attractive teaching profession. This suggests that university-based teacher education programs are effective in preparing math teachers.
Promiscuous queen bees on Hainan Island and other locations keep their colonies healthy by maintaining a diverse gene pool. By mating with multiple males, they ensure the combination of complementary sex determination genes is kept diverse.
A study by Michigan State University found that charter schools spend nearly $800 more per pupil on administration and $1,100 less on instruction than traditional public schools. Charter schools devote only 47.4% of total expenditures to instruction, while traditional public school districts allocate 60.5%.
A new study published in the Journal of Athletic Training found that overuse injuries account for nearly 30% of all collegiate athlete injuries, with females more affected in low-contact sports. The most common overuse injuries were general stress, inflammation, and tendinitis.
Spartan Innovations, a new initiative by Michigan State University, aims to turn research innovations into successful businesses. The program provides resources such as entrepreneurship education, stipends, CEO mentors-in-residence, and gap funding to support MSU startups.
A group of scientists and educators has proposed a new approach to teaching science in US schools, emphasizing eight fundamental concepts and the practice of inquiry. The 8+1 Science concept aims to help students understand how scientific laws and principles apply across different disciplines.
Research from Michigan State University found that autistic children born preterm or post-term have significantly higher screening scores for autism spectrum disorder than those born on time. The study also reveals a link between the length of pregnancy and the severity of autism symptoms.
The incidence of twin births in the US has increased significantly over the past three decades, with one in every 30 babies born being a twin in 2009. Fertility treatments are a key factor in this increase, accounting for two-thirds of the rise.
Researchers have redefined the timing of the Great Rift Valley's formation in Africa, suggesting it occurred around 25 million years ago. This new evidence has significant implications for understanding climate change models and animal evolution.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a novel procedure to assess plant species diversity in an area by analyzing vegetation information collected by satellites over time. This allows resource managers to evaluate biodiversity without collecting regionwide field data.
Research suggests that calorie-restricted diets can impair immune systems and increase mortality in mouse models with colon cancer. The findings contradict previous research on obesity's impact on inflammatory bowel diseases. Further studies are needed to understand the association between body fat percentage and immune responses.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that curcumin can prevent clumping of alpha-synuclein proteins, a common cause of Parkinson's disease. By binding to these proteins, curcumin rescues them from aggregation, potentially slowing the progression of the disease.
A Michigan State University study found that computer users with triple-threat protective software are 50% less likely to have their credit card information stolen. Computer-related deviance, such as downloading pirated content, increases the risk of identity theft.