A recent study from Michigan State University reveals that zoning can be an effective tool for balancing human activities with wildlife habitat. The analysis of a nature reserve in southwestern China shows that zoning ordinances are helping protect endangered giant pandas, but also highlights critical weaknesses such as ambiguous rules...
A new five-year, $1 million grant enables Michigan State University to develop an intensive three-year residency curriculum focused on primary care mental health. The program aims to improve training for primary care physicians in caring for patients with mental health needs.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that individuals perform better when focusing on the team's effort, rather than their own. This approach boosts both individual and group confidence through effective use of self-talk motivational statements. The findings have significant implications for various contexts beyond sp...
A Michigan State University researcher is working on a $450,000 grant to better understand breast cancer's genetic complexity and heterogeneity. The study aims to create more accurate models to study human cases, potentially leading to tailored therapies and improved patient outcomes.
A new paper by Michigan State University scientist Zach Hambrick finds that working memory capacity can outperform practice in complex tasks such as piano sight reading. The study shows people with higher levels of working memory capacity perform better even with extensive experience and knowledge.
A new program aims to increase physical activity among middle school girls, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The Girls on the Move project will expand its successful pilot program to more schools, targeting girls' physical health and well-being.
A groundbreaking study by Michigan State University researchers found that people who believe they can learn from their mistakes exhibit distinct brain activity compared to those who do not. This difference may be used to tailor training programs to individuals' learning styles and abilities.
Researchers at Michigan State University have created a new malaria vaccine that combines an immune-stimulating gene with a disabled cold virus, increasing the immune response against the parasite. The vaccine was found to be more effective than previously developed systems in animal models, paving the way for human clinical trials.
A Michigan State University study found that low-income youth are more likely to vote if they are involved in political activism and influenced by friends and family. The researchers controlled for civic knowledge and found discussions with peers and parents to be key drivers of engagement.
A new MSU study aims to develop a model of community engagement to guide ethical questions surrounding the use of newborn blood spots in research, addressing issues like informed consent and resource prioritization. The project seeks to inform public policy decisions and improve the state's bio-bank, Michigan BioTrust.
A new laser technology has been developed by Michigan State University researchers to detect roadside bombs with high sensitivity and selectivity. The laser can canvas large areas and distinguish between explosives and similar compounds, making it a potential game-changer for detecting improvised explosive devices.
A $1.1 million grant aims to boost under-represented students in health-related research, fostering diversity and addressing disparities in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases. The program will provide mentorship, research training, and financial assistance to 16 students from diverse backgrounds.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that organisms quickly evolve ways to compensate for genetic and genomic disruptions in sex determination. The study used an experimental evolution approach to study adaptations in nematodes and showed that the mechanisms themselves are flexible and adaptable from an evolutionary viewpoint.
Researchers suggest using linear compensation to design emissions reduction strategies that benefit all nations, with punishments adjusted relative to other countries' performance. This mechanism leverages national abatement efforts to incentivize cooperation.
A recent study by Michigan State University's Corwin Smidt found that news coverage of Washington politicians' rhetoric has limited influence on public opinion. Instead, citizens are swayed by stories about grassroots protests and local events.
A Michigan State University study linked parental behavior to kids' videogame playing, revealing that perceived negative parent interactions and lack of monitoring drive children to engage in gaming. Researchers aim to explore the relationship between videogame playing and actual parental behavior.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that Geobacter bacteria can generate electricity while cleaning up uranium contamination in soil. The nanowires on the surface of these tiny micro-organisms play a key role in this process, effectively immobilizing uranium and preventing its mobility.
Researchers paired agent-based land-use models with stakeholder interviews to better understand the impact of human activities on landscapes. The study highlights the potential benefits of involving local communities in decision-making processes for more effective and sustainable solutions.
A low-cost, hand-held device called Gene-Z is being developed to detect cancer in resource-poor countries. The device monitors microRNAs and other genetic markers to diagnose cancer, providing an affordable solution to the lack of cancer screening resources in these countries.
Researchers found that hyenas can count individual voices and assess their numerical advantage, supporting the concept of complex social groups leading to big brain evolution. Hyenas were more cautious when outnumbered and took risks with a numerical advantage.
A team of researchers from Michigan State University is working on a five-year project to develop tools to help farmers cope with climate variability. The study will focus on corn and soybean growth and profits across 12 states, using models to predict the impact of climate scenarios.
A Michigan State University study shows that converting Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land to corn and soybean production creates a significant carbon debt. Growing CRP grasses for cellulosic ethanol instead provides immediate energy and climate benefits, with no carbon debt.
Patricia Soranno is pioneering landscape limnology, a new field of research that studies bodies of water as integrated elements in the landscape. The goal is to create a new understanding for natural resource managers to address unique freshwater resources in a landscape context.
A Michigan State University researcher has developed a web-based genetics curricula with the goal of making the subject more engaging and accessible to students starting in fifth grade. The system, supported by a $2.3 million NSF grant, aims to improve students' understanding of genetic-related concepts.
Researchers are investigating Fasudil, a drug that has shown positive outcomes in improving blood flow and reducing disease risk for Alzheimer's and stroke victims.
A new study by Michigan State University found that teacher influence persists in early grades, affecting students' reading and math scores in later grades. The research highlights the importance of identifying and hiring effective teachers in elementary school to improve student achievement.
A study by Michigan State University found that farmers are more likely to reenroll their land in a conservation program if they talk to their neighbors about it. Farmers who interacted with each other were willing to reenroll more land, with over 15% more land being reenrolled after 10 interactions.
A team of researchers led by Michigan State University's Hakan Yildiz developed a complex method to schedule Major League Baseball umpires, resulting in more balanced schedules and fewer violations. The approach has been used successfully by MLB for five of the past six seasons, improving travel rules and restrictions.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that male songbirds use scent to attract both female and male mates through the 'Axe effect'. Female birds preferred the odor of smaller males, while larger males overcompensate with greater amounts of an attractive scent.
A team of international researchers has successfully sequenced the potato genome, revealing secrets of its tuber and potential for improvement. The study aims to accelerate efforts in improving potato varieties with desirable traits such as quality, yield, drought tolerance, and disease resistance.
Michigan State University researchers are reformulating a decades-old drug to combat two debilitating tropical diseases. The goal is to develop a safe and effective treatment for filarial diseases, which affect millions worldwide. With clinical trials expected to begin in about two years, the team hopes to bring hope to those affected ...
A new study by Michigan State University researchers suggests that combining multiple mutations can speed up evolution. Multiple mutations may cooperate to give organisms a bigger boost in fitness, allowing them to survive and reproduce at high rates.
A new study suggests that the threat posed by invasive Asian carp to the Great Lakes ecosystem is real and warrants action. The research finds that separating the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins through hydrological separation could provide a permanent solution to prevent further ecological and economic harm.
A new study led by Michigan State University criminologist Thomas Holt reveals that peer influence and low self-control are major factors driving juvenile cybercrime such as hacking and online bullying. Parents are encouraged to be more proactive with their kids, discussing ethical dilemmas and using parental-control software.
Women's bias against male strangers increases when they are fertile, suggesting genetic influence on prejudice, according to Michigan State University researchers. Fertile women exhibit more negative attitudes towards men of different races and social groups than their own group, particularly those perceived as physically threatening.
Michigan State University researchers aim to breed dairy cows that produce milk with less feed to increase food production efficiency. They will develop a feed-efficiency database and genomic tools to enhance feed efficiency in cattle.
Sheng Yang He, a plant biologist at Michigan State University, has been recognized as one of the nation's most-innovative plant scientists. He will receive funding for his research on the Type III secretion system, a bacterial weapon that affects plant cells.
A MSU scholar argues that current teacher-preparation programs for middle-school math instructors are inadequate, leading to a lack of internationally competitive math knowledge. The researcher recommends adopting more rigorous and uniform standards for math teachers to improve US math education.
A clinical trial at Michigan State University is testing the effectiveness of acetazolamide in reducing vision loss in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The study aims to establish evidence-based treatment strategies and follow patients for up to four years to observe long-term treatment outcomes.
A new forest simulation model helps researchers understand the effects of timber-friendly hardwood regeneration on songbird habitats in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The study found that regeneration in harvest gaps is crucial for forest managers to have choices, with sugar maple regeneration having a significant impact on bird habitat.
Researchers used fMRI to identify how precision-tinted lenses work, finding that they normalize brain activity in patients with migraine headaches. The study showed a 70% improvement in symptoms compared to control lenses, suggesting a potential biomarker for identifying patients who may benefit from tinted lenses.
A recent study by Michigan State University found that many patients struggle to take oral chemotherapy properly, leading to complications and premature death. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to monitor and facilitate adherence through identifying barriers and implementing strategies to overcome them.
Researchers from Michigan State University analyzed the Kohler effect in health video games and found that working out with a virtual partner improves task persistence and reduces social anxiety. The study suggests that incorporating design features based on the Kohler effect could motivate vigorous exercise.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that solar cells are more efficient than plants in capturing sunlight's energy. However, scientists aim to enhance plant efficiency using innovative approaches such as replacing photosystems with those from cyanobacteria.
Digital forensic examiners experience moderate stress but high job satisfaction due to unclear standards and multiple ways of collecting evidence. Police officials should consider hiring more digital forensics experts or improving their work environment.
A study in Michigan's Upper Peninsula reveals that deer are outcompeting saplings for resources, hindering regeneration of sugar maple trees. The research suggests a trade-off between deer populations and timber harvesting, with areas in the south facing severe sapling shortages.
Michigan State University researchers found that scorpion venom selectively targets insect sodium channels, making it a valuable tool for developing new insecticides. The study aims to understand how insects develop resistance and create alternatives to control resistant pests.
Researchers will use cultivated and wild tomato species to determine specific genes controlling chemical evolution and plant metabolism. The goal is to understand how plants produce diverse compounds for survival in their environment.
A study by Michigan State University researcher Aaron M. McCright found that Democrats generally believe in global warming more now than they did 10 years ago, while Republicans increasingly deny its existence. The gap between these groups has increased over the past decade, hindering meaningful national energy policies.
Researchers at Michigan State University have identified the key role of circadian clocks in plant freezing tolerance. The study found that integrating cold-signaling pathways with the circadian clock is crucial for maximum freezing tolerance, paving the way for the development of stress-tolerant crops.