Researchers found that phytoestrogens from soy can cause irreversible changes in the brain's reproductive development, leading to early-onset puberty and symptoms of advanced menopause. The study also shows that these compounds can alter the sex-specific organization of the hypothalamus, a critical region for female reproduction.
A new issue brief examines the current financial status of state retiree health plans, finding that not all states face a fiscal crisis and retirement benefits are not protected by law. States with low unfunded liabilities include North Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa, and Oregon.
A study by North Carolina State University found that educating the public about emerging technologies like nanotechnology and artificial intelligence increases concern over their potential benefits. After participating in a deliberative forum, participants reported feeling more cautious and worried about human enhancement technologies.
A new study by Dr. Charles Coe highlights three best practices to prevent local government fiscal crises: monitoring finances, assisting with amelioration, and taking over governance when necessary. Implementing these practices can help states maintain healthy fiscal reserves, anticipate economic changes, and provide public services.
Researchers found that female mosquitoes are attracted to water containers with specific fatty acids and methyl esters from bacteria, which stimulate them to lay eggs. The study aims to use this knowledge to devise lures and traps to control yellow fever mosquito populations, preventing global diseases like dengue fever.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that quantum dots can penetrate rat skin if there is an abrasion, providing insight into potential workplace concerns. The study shows that even minor cuts or scratches could allow these nanoparticles to penetrate deep into the viable dermal layer and potentially reach the bloodstream.
A North Carolina State University study found that examining an insect's 'family tree' can help predict a cousin insect's level of tolerance to pollutants. The research used 21 species of insects from different families to test their sensitivity to cadmium, a toxic metal.
Scientists have developed an iron-zirconium alloy that retains its nanocrystalline structure at temperatures above 1,300 degrees Celsius. The alloy's high-temperature stability enables bulk production and easier shaping into useful forms.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully reinvigorated a failed HIV drug by adding gold nanoparticles, which enhances its binding capability and prevents the virus from gaining a foothold. This innovative approach offers new hope for treating HIV infection.
A new study by NC State University archaeologist Dr. Scott Fitzpatrick reveals that Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe was likely aided by unusual weather conditions, including an El Niño event. This led Magellan to sail far north of the Spice Islands and miss his intended destination.
Dr. Stephen Reynolds and his team discovered the youngest known supernova remnant G1.9+0.3, estimated to be around 100-140 years old, using Chandra X-Ray Observatory images from 2007 and 1985. The discovery suggests that a supernova explosion occurred relatively recently, providing insights into the life cycle of galaxies.
NC State's Dr. Brenton Faber and Dr. David Berube are crafting a white paper to advise the government on communicating nanotechnology risks to the media and public. The goal is to ensure accurate risk communication for years to come.
NC State University is leading a $236,000 nationwide effort to recruit and mentor young researchers to study disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. The project aims to train well-equipped experts to analyze disaster impacts, building on earlier projects led by Texas A&M University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Researchers from NC State University have made significant advancements in understanding how light interacts with matter at the atomic scale. Their work could lead to faster and more energy-efficient computers by improving the analysis of materials' bonding properties.
Researchers found that up to one-third of genes are differentially expressed due to environment, with respiratory genes upregulated in urban populations. The study suggests that environmental factors play a large role in modulating gene expression, and that the same gene can be expressed differently depending on the environment.
Researchers at NC State University have identified a small group of genes responsible for regulating hormone production in plants. The study found that the TAA1 gene is essential for auxin synthesis and that its disruption can lead to reduced auxin levels, affecting plant growth and development.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a method to silence a gene that turns nicotine into a carcinogen, resulting in a six-fold decrease in N-nitrosonornicotine and a 50% overall reduction in TSNAs. This breakthrough could lead to tobacco products with reduced amounts of cancer-causing agents.
Scientists at North Carolina State University have developed Janus particles, microscopic spheres with different material properties on either side, which can move and respond to changes in their environment. The phenomenon, called induced-charge electrophoresis, has potential applications in microactuators, sensors, and drug delivery.
Researchers found that a specific protein-protein interaction, involving the rogue Ras protein and its binding partner Raf, blocks the switch from being turned off, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. The study resolves a paradox in the behavior of Ras mutants in cells versus solution.
Scientists at NC State University have identified genes that contribute to fruit fly alcohol sensitivity, with 72% of these genes having human counterparts. The study could lead to the development of a drug for people with higher genetic risk factors for alcoholism.
New evidence from a tiny Mongolian dinosaur suggests that small size evolved before flight in dinosaurs, forcing paleontologists to re-examine their assumptions about the evolution of birds. The study found that some dinosaur lineages actually increased in size over time, contradicting previous theories.
Two newly discovered species of giant prehistoric penguins lived in equatorial Peru during the Eocene epoch, contradicting previous hypotheses on penguin evolution and climate change. The species, Icadyptes salasi and Perudyptes devriesi, stood up to 5 feet tall and had unique beak features.
A team of scientists led by Dr. Mary Schweitzer confirmed the presence of original protein fragments in soft tissue from a 68 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil. The discovery uses mass spectrometry to analyze ancient proteins, providing new insights into fossil preservation and potential medical applications.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that Phytophthora infestans, the fungus-like pathogen responsible for the 1840s Irish potato famine, originated in the Andes region of South America. The study used gene genealogies to track the migration patterns of different strains of the pathogen, pointing to an Andean origin.
Researchers at NC State University are developing mathematical and statistical models to aid in designing new treatment strategies for acutely infected HIV patients. The goal is to predict the best course of treatment based on individual patient variables, which could lead to improved quality of care and personalized treatment.
Researchers identified genes affecting fruit fly aggression, finding a 10% genetic contribution to behavior. The study's findings have implications for understanding abnormal aggression in humans and developing pharmaceutical interventions.
A new study reveals that landscape corridors can promote plant diversity by connecting isolated patches of habitat. The research found that patches with corridors retained high numbers of species, while those without lost species. Corridors provide the largest benefit to native species.
Researchers at NC State University have characterized the shape of calbindin-D28K, a protein linked to neurodegenerative diseases. The protein's flexibility and ability to bind to caspase-3 may provide insights into developing drugs to halt disease progression.
Researchers have successfully sequenced the canine genome, revealing genetic similarities with humans that could help identify disease-causing genes. The breed-specific sequencing project aims to develop new cancer treatments by identifying genetic changes in individual dog breeds.
Researchers at NC State have successfully transferred genes from a heat-tolerant sea microbe, Pyrococcus furiosus, into tobacco and Arabidopsis plants to enhance their resistance to extreme temperatures. The study's findings show promise for developing plants that can thrive in harsh conditions on Mars and other planets.
Researchers found that Eastern Bluebirds were 31% more likely to be found in connected patches, while seeds from wax myrtle plants were 37% more likely to be found in traps. The study showed a 'tight fit' between predictions and actual seed movement.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered a link between dinosaurs and living birds by finding medullary bone in a T. rex fossil, indicating the dinosaur was female and likely producing eggs. The presence of this tissue provides an objective means of sexing dinosaurs.
The study reveals novel receptors that enable the fungus to recognize its environment, as well as secreted proteins used to damage rice plants. The M. grisea genome contains retro-elements, which may contribute to its rapid evolution of new strains.
Dr. Mary Schweitzer isolated intact soft tissue from a 68-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex femur, showing blood vessels and cell-like structures. The discovery, published in Science, suggests that dinosaur fossils may retain some of their original flexibility and resilience.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that plants respond similarly to signals from both beneficial rhizobia and parasitic root-knot nematodes. This response involves rapid changes in the distribution of the plant's cytoskeleton, leading to growth changes such as nodules or galls.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that some strains of Pfiesteria are toxic and can kill fish with minimal exposure. They also developed more sensitive tests to detect the toxin, which is produced by Pfiesteria cells even without bacteria.
A new avian species called Vegavis iaai has provided unprecedented fossil proof that some close cousins to living bird species coexisted with dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period. The research, published in Nature, places Vegavis within the Anseriformes group and indicates its evolutionary relationship to ducks and geese.
Research reveals that changes in aerosol levels affect the type of landscape, with forests and croplands becoming carbon sinks due to increased shade, while grasslands become sources. The study suggests that aerosols alter the ground surface temperature, affecting photosynthesis rates.
The root-knot nematode causes more than half of $100 billion in annual crop and plant damage worldwide. Researchers will sequence its genome for a better understanding of its attack mechanisms.
A study published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology reveals that cellular modifications to tRNA enhance its ability to decode genetic information at the atomic level. The research supports Agris' Modified Wobble Hypothesis, suggesting that modified nucleosides enable tRNA to decode more than one DNA code.
Researchers used computer simulations to visualize the formation of amyloid fibrils, similar to those found in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients. The study suggests that understanding how these fibrils form could lead to discoveries of how to slow or halt their growth.
A team of scientists found that the estuaries were resilient and recovered quickly from the storms, with most shellfish and finfish populations returning to normal. However, blue crabs took longer to recover due to overfishing and floodwaters disrupting their migration patterns.
Scientists recommend overhaul of college introductory science courses to implement inquiry-based and active-learning strategies. This approach has proven to spark student interest in science, improve learning outcomes, especially among women and underrepresented minorities.
A new study by Ristaino and Kim May identifies the Ia strain of P. infestans, tracing its probable roots to the Andes Mountains in South America. The researchers analyzed 186 specimens from six regions worldwide, confirming 90% were infected with P. infestans.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a new mine-detection method that uses time reversal to locate buried objects in the ocean floor without complex modeling or arrays of sonar transmitters. The method simplifies equipment and analysis, making it more feasible for naval mine detection.
A study conducted by NC State University researchers found that while there is no systemic racial profiling by the North Carolina Highway Patrol, individual troopers and patrol patterns contribute to disparities in traffic citations. The study suggests that factors such as accident rates, demographic composition, and driving behavior p...
A bacterial enzyme keratinase has been found to fully degrade transmissible prions responsible for bovine spongiform encephalopathy and other diseases. Researchers plan to test its effectiveness in mice to confirm non-infectious levels of prion after degrading it to undetectable levels in vitro.
The discovery allows researchers to move droplets across a chip's surface without touching solid walls, enabling experiments with mixed droplets and materials synthesis. This technology has wide-ranging implications for microscale transport, mixing, and chemical analysis.
Researchers have demonstrated that molecular memories are both durable and practical, with test results showing they can survive high temperatures and up to 1 trillion operational cycles. This finding could spur development of molecule-based memory devices, promising smaller, faster, and more powerful computers.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are developing a nanoscale transistor by assembling molecules and building a functioning electronic switch. The team's pioneering work tackles critical issues in future materials for advanced molecule-based information processing.