Researchers at Michigan State University found that photorespiration is essential for producing folates, a crucial nutrient for preventing birth defects. The study measured how much carbon flows through photorespiration to make folates, revealing a significant decrease in production under high-carbon dioxide conditions.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a hydrogel that can be applied to the scalp before chemotherapy treatment, helping to restrict blood flow and prevent hair loss. The temperature-responsive gel is designed to be easily washed off once treatment is complete.
A Michigan State University study found that unstructured digital media use contributes to digital skills, which are strong predictors of performance across academic domains. However, the study also highlights a significant gender gap, with boys experiencing substantially larger benefits from digital media use.
A new MSU-led study analyzed 38 million US obituaries to examine values people are most remembered for, cultural events' impact on memory, and legacy reflections. Researchers found that tradition and benevolence are the most prevalent personal values in obituaries.
A team of economists and scientists proposes a groundbreaking 'climate-smart' biofuel policy to promote low-carbon biofuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance soil carbon sequestration. The policy aims to reward farmers for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices, such as no-till farming and precision agriculture.
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.
A new study sheds light on how viruses pack their genetic material with high selectivity, achieved with over 99% accuracy. Understanding this process could help create lab-made versions of capsids for gene therapy and antiviral development.
MSU researchers have discovered a massive genome in the ground oak plant, containing nearly as many base pairs as the human genome. This discovery could lead to the development of natural pesticides and antimicrobial compounds to combat pests and microbes, with potential applications in large-scale agriculture.
A new MSU study suggests that print-focused activities are more effective in teaching preschoolers to read than digital games and apps. The research found that shared book reading was only a significant predictor of early literacy skills for children without speech and/or language impairments.
A new MSU study found that natural microbial exposure impacts brain structure immediately after birth and may influence development while still in the womb. The research team discovered that germ-free mice had fewer neurons in a key brain region, regardless of whether they received microbes after birth.
A new MSU study explores the perceptions of consumers regarding 'Made in USA' labels, finding that confusion exists and reality often exceeds or falls short of expectations. Researchers analyzed survey data from 131 adult respondents to better understand consumer attitudes towards domestic production and labeling.
A recent study analyzing three decades of butterfly counting data in the Midwest found that 59 out of 136 species have declined in population over the past 32 years. The analysis combined over 4.3 million observations and reported a significant reduction in abundance for both common and rare butterflies.
Researchers found that translocations of red-cockaded woodpeckers into the Avon Park range led to substantial population growth and improved genetic health. The study suggests that this conservation strategy can be a promising approach for other threatened species.
A newly discovered pathway in plants complements the main workflow of photorespiration, aiding in processing cytotoxic chemicals and improving energy efficiency. This parallel pathway has potential for increasing crop yield without compromising plant resilience to stress conditions.
A new study published in Nature Communications shows that rice coral passes on thermal resistance to its offspring, avoiding coral bleaching. This finding is crucial for breeding stronger, heat-tolerant corals to face environmental stress and preserve the future of coral reefs.
Researchers from Michigan State University have discovered how Candida auris uniquely reconstructs its cell wall to survive antifungal treatments. The findings show that C. auris increases production of β-1,6-glucan to preserve structural integrity, providing a roadmap for designing more effective therapies.
Agricultural systems scientist Bruno Basso's research at Michigan State University provides a dynamic baseline approach to measure climate benefits in agricultural carbon markets. The study evaluates both soil organic carbon sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions, offering a comprehensive assessment of net climate impact.
A study led by MSU researchers reveals that Staphylococcus aureus possesses a surprising level of metabolic redundancy, allowing it to survive even when key enzymes are knocked out. The discovery uncovers mechanisms that could be targeted by new antibiotics, particularly when two specific enzymes are removed.
A Michigan State University study found that better handling of daily stress is associated with increased extroversion, agreeability, and openness to new experiences over a nearly 20-year period. Conversely, poor stress management leads to reduced extroversion, decreased agreeableness, and increased introversion.
A new study by Michigan State University found that people's personality perceptions of tattooed individuals are often inaccurate. Researchers discovered that those with quirky or wacky tattoos were accurately judged as open-minded and open to new experiences, despite not aligning with other traits.
A new study from Michigan State University explores the economic shock of the largest series of U.S. tariff hikes since 1930, reshaping global supply chains. The framework helps researchers and policymakers understand the chaos and make sense of future disruptions.
A global study by Michigan State University found that livestock manure contains high levels of antibiotic resistance genes, posing a significant threat to human health. The research team developed a map highlighting regions with the most common dangerous genes and ranked them based on their risk to human health.
A new MSU study found that friendships with others who share the same identity can lead to greater life satisfaction and less loneliness for queer people. However, similar relationships may also increase feelings of isolation due to geographical distance or societal marginalization.
A Michigan State University team analyzed 126 simulated warming experiments to understand how plants respond to a hotter climate. They found that summer-only experiments may not account for winter warming effects and highlighted knowledge gaps in current studies.
Researchers used nanomedicine and artificial intelligence to analyze plasma samples, identifying potential biomarkers for metastatic prostate cancer and atherosclerosis. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to advance early detection and develop targeted therapies for these conditions.
A multiyear study will assess individual differences in placekeeping, a cognitive ability crucial for complex tasks. The researchers aim to develop tools that can identify the right person for the right job at the right time, reducing procedural errors and improving personnel selection.
Researchers aim to recreate the engulfment of cyanobacteria to gain insight into photosynthesis and its evolution. The project explores how this partnership is maintained, with potential applications in sustainable biofuels.
Researchers led by Shuo Zhang used multi-wavelength studies to identify pulsar wind nebulae as potential cosmic ray sources. The findings could help unlock fundamental questions in physics, such as galaxy evolution and dark matter.
Research led by Michigan State University suggests that an enzyme called NrfA can help retain nitrogen in soil, reducing the need for fertilizer and preventing harmful algal blooms. This could have significant positive agricultural implications.
A new MSU study reveals that virtual reality can enhance social connection and student outcomes during classroom instruction, but only until virtual meeting fatigue sets in. The optimal VR duration varies between students, ranging from 20 to 280 minutes.
A new study from Michigan State University found that planting too much genetically modified corn designed to fight off the corn rootworm can cause more harm than good. The study estimates that reducing the Bt planting rate could save farmers $99 million in one-year benefits and $1.98 billion in lifetime benefits.
A new study reveals that ransomware attacks have become the primary driver of health care data breaches in the United States. The study found that ransomware accounted for 69% of all patient records compromised in 2024, despite accounting for only 11% of breaches by number.
Researchers at Michigan State University found a significant link between problematic social media use and the likelihood of believing fake news. Participants who displayed more symptoms of excessive social media use were more likely to engage with and trust false news.
A new study reveals that nearly 75% of ecology and evolution journals do not require authors to consider accessibility in manuscript submissions. The research team recommends adopting Universal Design principles, developing comprehensive guidelines, and fostering a culture of inclusivity.
Asteroid Vesta's interior structure is more uniform than previously thought, contradicting decades-long assumptions about its composition and formation. The new findings suggest two possible hypotheses: incomplete differentiation or being a broken chunk of a growing planet.
A new study suggests that regional conditions alter the makeup of communities, influencing biodiversity. The researchers found that immigration from highly diverse seed mixes maintained species diversity over time, while local factors had a limited impact on biodiversity loss.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that farmers who integrated small-scale solar arrays into their fields were more financially secure than those without. The research suggests using strategic placement of solar panels to improve crop yields on lower-yield spots, reducing the need for entire field conversions.
MSU is developing a computer program called MOSAIC to create holistic biological profiles from skeletal remains, making the investigative process clearer and more efficient. The project aims to leverage relationships between various structures to provide estimates without biasing results by focusing on individual components.
A new research by MSU College of Nursing found that school-based asthma therapy (SBAT) significantly reduces asthma symptoms, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations among students. By administering medication in schools, SBAT improves adherence to medication regimens, resulting in annual savings of $5,000 to $7,000 per student.
A recent study from Michigan State University found that brown rice contains higher levels of arsenic than white rice, posing a potential health risk for infants and children under age 5. The researchers also highlighted the importance of considering food safety along with nutrition when making food choices.
A recent study by Michigan State University found that the percentage of nonparents who never want children has doubled over the past 20 years, rising from 14% in 2002 to 29% in 2023. This trend is part of a growing group of childfree adults whose needs are often overlooked.
Researchers found a new phylum of microbes, CSP1-3, thriving in deep Critical Zone soils, cleaning up impurities and regulating essential processes. The microbes were active, not dormant, and dominated their environments, making up 50% or more of the community.
Michigan State University researchers have created a new light-activated treatment for metastatic breast cancer, offering a targeted option with reduced side effects. The innovative cyanine-carborane salts work like a 'smart' bomb to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Four MSU researchers, Nick Haddad, Gemma Reguera, Laura McCabe, and Michael Thoennessen, were recognized as 2024 AAAS fellows for their contributions to biological sciences, medical sciences, and physics. They join a distinguished list of more than 180 Spartans who have been selected as fellows.
Researchers found that in certain situations, 90% of emergency wireless calls fail to connect to 911 within 120 seconds. MSU's Emerg-Call-Dialer app helps address issues with cellular and Wi-Fi networks, preventing unnecessary long emergency call setup times.
Endometriosis is a painful and infertility-Linked condition that affects millions of women worldwide. New research by MSU professors identifies key cellular cross-talk that could lead to better non-hormonal treatments.
Research at Michigan State University found that dopamine plays a key role in reshaping memories of past rewarding events. This unexpected function challenges existing theories of dopamine and has implications for understanding addiction, depression, and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
A new study found that large, connected forests harbor more biodiversity than fragmented landscapes. The researchers analyzed data from 37 sites around the world and discovered that fragmentation decreases species diversity by an average of 13.6% at the patch scale and 12.1% at the landscape scale.
Researchers at MSU's Plant Research Laboratory found that plants photosynthesize more under high light, high CO2 conditions, leading to larger plants and potentially higher crop yields. However, they also lose carbon during this process, which can impact their ability to make food.
A recent MSU study found that experiencing stress in mid-gestation affects girls' HPA axis and temperament, while late gestation stress impacts boys. The research team discovered periods of higher sensitivity to stress in both mid and late gestation, but with differing patterns for girls and boys.