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.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that changes to genes regulating olfactory behavior in fruit flies have far-reaching implications. The study used a model organism to quantify the extent of ripples in the genome affecting behavior, revealing that two-thirds of affected genes impact olfactory behavior.
Researchers are exploring ways to combat the devastating impact of the Asian woody adelgid on western North Carolina's hemlock forests. CAMCORE, a global forest conservation program, is working with natural predators and developing resistant tree varieties to preserve genetic diversity.
Researchers can now study specific gene function in Arabidopsis by quickly searching for and ordering genetically modified plants with knocked-out genes. Over 21,700 genes were identified as having been turned off using insertional mutagenesis, representing a significant advancement in understanding plant genome functions.
A recent study by North Carolina State University researchers found that a gene variant in the Dopa decarboxylase enzyme is associated with variation in fruit fly lifespan. The study's results suggest that this genetic variation may also play a role in human longevity, with potential implications for pharmacological interventions to im...
NC State statisticians Drs. Anastasios Tsiatis, Marie Davidian and Marc Genton have won a $1.125 million NIH MERIT Award for their work on statistical methodology in designing complex HIV clinical trials. Their research aims to develop sophisticated designs that can handle the variability of patients' responses to treatment.
Researchers at NC State and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have successfully tuned the atomic-level zone between substances, opening the way for smaller, faster and smarter computers. By manipulating the electronic dipole charge at the interface, they've found a way to overcome the limitations of Schottky barriers.
Researchers have identified 43 different resistance genes on chromosome 10 of the rice genome, which are grouped into three major clusters that help improve its specificity in fighting pathogens. The discovery aims to aid the rice plant's battle against diseases such as rice blast.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that loblolly pines and Arabidopsis thaliana share 90% of their genes, despite being vastly different in appearance. This suggests that woody and herbaceous plants may have evolved using the same genetic mechanisms.
Researchers argue that age differences in memory studies are influenced by stereotype threat and social contexts. Older adults perform similarly to younger adults when making objective decisions and judging character.
Researchers found that cloned pig behavior is not identical to the original animal's behavior. Cloning increases variability associated with some traits, making it difficult to predict the behavior of cloned animals.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully reduced lignin content in aspen trees by 45-50% through genetic modification. This reduction increases cellulose content and accelerates tree growth, offering economic and environmental advantages for the wood, paper, and pulp industries.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully created a line of transgenic chickens carrying a reporter gene that can be easily tracked. This innovation provides a valuable tool for studying embryo development and potentially leads to new insights into birth defects and improvements in human and animal health.
The LabWrite Web site provides step-by-step instruction on writing lab reports, including goal-setting, data organization, and visualization. Students using the tool showed statistically significant improvement in lab-report scores and attitudes toward lab reports.
Researchers used stable isotope assessment to determine that most late-season moths in the Cotton Belt are developing on non-cotton plants like corn, providing a major refuge for H. zea moths and helping to control pesticide-resistant pests.
The research found that Helicobacter pylori can use hydrogen as an energy source, increasing its colonization in mice. The study showed that mice stomachs contained sufficient hydrogen to support the growth of H. pylori.
Researchers are working to isolate the nicotine N-demethylase gene, which converts nicotine into nornicotine, a potent carcinogen. The goal is to reduce levels of harmful nitrosamines in Burley tobacco and explore alternate uses for the crop.
Researchers found that glutinous rice originated in Southeast Asia due to a single genetic mutation in the Waxy gene, which suppresses amylose and gives it its sticky composition. The study also suggests that early Asian farmers selectively bred glutinous rice for its desirable traits.
A new study confirms Pfiesteria cultures can produce a toxic compound, contradicting previous claims that it was non-toxic. The research used standardized methods to test the strain, showing it could kill fish at low cell densities, and detected a potent water-soluble toxin in both pure culture and with algae.
Researchers discovered the chemical principles to reorganize liquids, creating new 'symphonic compositions' with desired optical and electronic properties. The team engineered molecules into glasses and liquids, manipulating their structure to produce changes in properties.
The study found limited genetic diversity in maize's starch pathway, making it harder to increase yields. To address this, researchers suggest incorporating genes from teosinte or using transgenics as alternative methods for improving crop diversity and productivity.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel molecular template that enables the creation of surfaces with varying particle concentrations. This innovation allows for the design of sensors, filters, and other devices that can be tailored for specific applications in electronics, chemistry, and life sciences.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Magnaporthe grisea, a fungus that causes rice blast, which destroys enough rice to feed 60 million people worldwide. The genomic structure is now available online, offering opportunities to dissect, understand and manage plant disease.
A natural compound found in tomatoes has been patented and licensed for production as an insect repellent. The substance, IBI-246, is considered slightly safer than DEET and repels a range of insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and biting flies.
NC State researchers create polymers that allow larger molecules to pass through, improving both permeability and selectivity. The 'reverse-selective' membranes have potential applications in natural-gas suppliers and petroleum processors.
Researchers found mostly beneficial gene substitutions in fruit fly Drosophila, but mostly detrimental substitutions in mustard weed Arabidopsis. The study attributes this difference to the Arabidopsis mating system of partial self-fertilization, which reduces effective population size and increases deleterious mutations.
Scientists have confirmed the syntenic relationship between rice and other cereal grasses like corn, wheat and barley, thanks to a pioneering genome sequencing project. This breakthrough allows researchers to identify important genes in these crops more efficiently.
Researchers at North Carolina State University challenge dominant linguistic theories of African-American English, proposing a new model based on African-based Creole language and regional dialects. Their research, conducted in Hyde County and the Appalachian Mountains, reveals similarities between black speech and African influences.
Scientists have identified a novel family of peptide antibiotics, Piscidins, isolated from the tissues of hybrid striped bass and found in mast cells. These potent compounds show broad-spectrum activity against various bacterial pathogens, including multi-drug-resistant strains.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a method for creating electrical circuits using self-assembling colloidal nanoparticles under the influence of an alternating current electric field. The process, known as dielectrophoresis, allows microwires to form spontaneously and can be used in wet environments.
A North Carolina State University graduate student has discovered a nearly hatched dinosaur embryo in a well-preserved dinosaur egg unearthed over 30 years ago in Alabama. The discovery, made by James Lamb, is the first of its kind in the eastern United States and provides new insights into dinosaurs' diets and climate.
Researchers have used Empirical Mode Decomposition to analyze patterns in tropical storm occurrences along the East Coast. The technique reveals four distinct cycles, or modes, that determine the number of hurricanes making landfall each year.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that fire ant queens can alter the sex ratio of their colonies by limiting female eggs laid. This finding suggests a negotiated middle ground between queens and workers, who have competing interests in raising new colony members.