Researchers sequenced nearly 400 wild and domesticated cotton plants to confirm the Northwestern Yucatán Peninsula as the center of upland cotton's domestication. The study reveals valuable genetic diversity in wild cotton populations that can improve breeding efforts and make modern cotton more resilient.
A physicist at Mississippi State University has received a prestigious CAREER Award to study stellar explosions and their role in forming elements. The five-year project aims to improve computer models of supernovae and neutron stars, shedding light on the universe's elemental composition.
Colleen Scott's patented research develops a shortwave infrared dye to visualize cancer cells, enabling safe and high-resolution deep tissue visualization. Her technology selectively targets cancer cells, allowing clinicians to identify tumor boundaries with greater precision.
A recent study published in Science Advances highlights the importance of maintaining mitochondrial DNA integrity for extending lifespan. Biologist Jean-Francois Gout's contributions show that reducing IGF-1 signaling is not universally beneficial, and instead, can lead to compromised mitochondrial function if the genome is unstable.
Researchers are using eye-tracking technology at MSU-Meridian to study how students process and respond in high-pressure training scenarios, helping design the next generation of medical training tools. The project aims to identify key gaps in student performance and improve clinical outcomes by comparing data with clinical professionals.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that over 70% of Leishmania parasite isolates showed evidence of genetic mixing, indicating sexual reproduction and hybridization play a major role in their evolution. This challenges longstanding assumptions about the reproduction mechanisms of these parasi...
The MSU Libraries have been elected to the prestigious Association of Research Libraries (ARL) membership, effective July 1. The ARL membership is a recognition of the library's commitment to advancing research excellence, expanding access, and supporting discovery.
Mississippi State University researchers have developed an updated version of the Forest Valuation and Investment Analysis software program, known as FORVAL-XL, built specifically for Microsoft Excel. The new version includes features such as discounted cash-flow results, sensitivity analyses, and easy-to-read tables and graphs to supp...
Researchers studied cancer deaths in nearly 3,000 US counties from 1981-2019, finding urban and affluent counties experienced significant declines. However, rural areas often had lower rates of improvement, with some cities like New York City showing notable reductions in lung cancer mortality.
A Mississippi State physicist has achieved a significant scientific advancement by producing a direct laboratory measurement of a key nuclear reaction believed to occur during explosive bursts on neutron stars. These reactions forge heavier elements, including oxygen and iron, which are essential for planet formation and life.
Professor John Bickle has made significant contributions to the field of philosophy of science and neuroscience, bringing together experts from various disciplines to study the human brain, cognition, and behavior. His work aims to develop new treatments for mental disorders through the isolation of proteins.
A new study published in the Journal of Hydrometeorology reveals significant declines in snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere, with about 24% of regions showing decreases. The research also identifies seasonal shifts, with snow cover declining earlier in March and retreating at the southern edge.
A new study published in Science reveals that diseases closely related to syphilis originated more than 5,000 years ago and were transmitted from the Americas, challenging long-held European theories. The research uses ancient DNA discoveries from Colombia and Mexico to shed light on human disease evolution and global health.
A new organism, Solarion arienae, and its unique predatory structure have been discovered, providing insight into the earliest stages of complex life. The research team identified ancient mitochondrial pathways and established a new phylum, Caelestes, reshaping our understanding of eukaryotic evolution.
Vrantsidis' study explores how people tend to focus on apparent causes and overlook absent ones, leading to oversimplified reasoning. Her findings highlight the importance of considering multiple factors in real-world situations.
A research-based workbook tackles chronic nightmares and insomnia, offering tools to rewrite distressing dreams, improve sleep quality, and regain daytime functioning. The author, MSU Psychology Professor Michael R. Nadorff, aims to provide empirically-supported treatments for this debilitating disorder.
A recent study published in Physics Letters B reveals that quarks can defy expectations when hit by high-energy electrons, challenging long-held ideas about symmetry in nuclear physics. The research team's findings may impact how future experiments interpret quark behavior and the structure of matter.
A long-term shift towards drier conditions is reshaping landscapes and livelihoods globally, affecting 40% of Earth's land and 2.3 billion people. The research highlights solutions to adapt to a future where water is no longer guaranteed, including smarter irrigation strategies, data analytics, and restoring degraded land.
A Mississippi State University scientist has discovered 16 new species of grasshoppers living in the thorny scrubs of U.S. and Mexican deserts, showcasing the thriving biodiversity in arid ecosystems. The newly uncovered species are native to the southern U.S. and Mexican deserts and were described in a recent scientific journal article.
Researchers estimate that 1.72 billion people were within 50 km of shoreline in 2000, increasing to 2.2 billion by 2020, with the most significant increases occurring nearest the shoreline.
A researcher is helping young people and older adults tackle hoarding disorder through subtle and positive intervention methods. Her work focuses on the psychosocial impact of hoarding symptoms in college students and the potential for early intervention, finding that simple interventions can lead to life-changing outcomes.
Increased nitrogen deposition from human activity is reducing diversity and evolutionary distinctiveness of nitrogen-fixing plants. The loss of these plants threatens both biodiversity and ecosystem stability, according to a study published in Science Advances.
Ling Li's groundbreaking research improves global nutrition and sustainability by increasing protein content in rice and soybean crops. The gene-edited approach boosts nutritional value while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Researchers at Mississippi State University have discovered a new parasitic wasp species that attacks and infects adult flies, revealing a 'spectacular example of undescribed biology hidden in plain sight'. The study highlights the importance of ongoing research investment in insect biodiversity and systematics.
Fossil discovery of microbial eukaryotes from 750 million years ago provides new insights into the evolution of early life and ecosystems. Researchers can now better understand the history of testate amoebae, which are some of the earliest confirmed heterotrophic eukaryotes.
Vilas Shinde, an MSU assistant professor, has received a $1.13 million NASA grant to develop a new simulation tool for designing hypersonic vehicles. The project aims to improve the accuracy of boundary layer transition predictions, crucial for aerodynamic design and space exploration.
MSU researchers developed a new cotton quality module as part of the GOSSYM application, simulating plant growth and yield. The tool can predict crop growth, yield, and fiber quality, providing valuable insights for farmers to maximize income and resiliency in the face of climate change.
Researchers challenge single-origin theory of root nodule symbiosis, identifying multiple origins and ideal experimental systems to better understand symbiotic relationships. The findings suggest a lesser role for shared genetic machinery in genetically engineering crop plants to work with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Researchers have developed a new mathematical tool to study cell protein degradation rates, which helps understand cell growth, death, and aging. The study found that not all proteins degrade at the same pace, with some breaking down in minutes, hours, or days.
A multidisciplinary team reconstructed the genomic history of the Balkan Peninsula during the first millennium CE, finding an influx of genetically similar individuals who spoke Slavic languages. This study sheds light on the cosmopolitanism of the Roman frontier and the long-term consequences of migrations that accompanied the breakdo...
A doctoral student's research explores how avoiding positive experiences may contribute to depression development and maintenance. The study, based on the theory of reward devaluation, suggests that individuals learn to distrust happiness and positivity after experiencing negative outcomes.
Recent research at Mississippi State University has discovered melatonin's various health benefits for cattle, including antioxidant properties that alleviate oxidative stress and potentially controlling body temperature. The hormone also alters the microbiome and promotes skeletal muscle growth in cattle.
A recent study by Mississippi State University faculty members found that individuals with hoarding tendencies who own multiple pets are at risk of poor animal health. Households with eight or more animals were associated with worse health outcomes for the animals.