Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that a widely available fungicide can inhibit steroid production in plants, resulting in smaller, more efficient varieties. These 'dwarfed' plants could significantly reduce agriculture's environmental footprint and costs for seed producers.
A recent study by Purdue University researchers found that modern hybrid corn varieties are more efficient in using nitrogen, producing more grain per pound of accumulated nitrogen. Grain yields have increased by an average of 28 bushels per acre over the past 21 years, despite a slight increase in total nitrogen uptake.
Researchers have developed a new technique to analyze spherules embedded in rock layers, providing precise information about asteroids impacting Earth between 3.5 billion and 35 million years ago. The findings support a theory that the early Earth endured an intense period of asteroid bombardment.
A study predicts that climate change and biofuel mandates will increase corn price volatility by 50% by 2040, exacerbating the impact of extreme heat events on corn yields. The federal mandate for biofuel production could lead to higher prices for livestock producers and consumers.
Researchers have developed nanocrystal-coated glass fibers that can generate electricity when exposed to heat, potentially recovering 10% of the energy wasted in US industries. The technology also enables solid-state cooling without compressors or refrigerants, making it suitable for use in garments and industrial applications.
A compound found in red wine and fruits can block the development of immature fat cells, according to a Purdue University study. The compound, piceatannol, alters gene expressions and insulin action during adipogenesis, delaying or inhibiting the formation of mature fat cells.
Researchers at Purdue University found that popular free apps spend up to 75% of their energy tracking user location, sending info to advertisers and downloading ads. A new tool called eprof analyzes app energy consumption, revealing a way to improve energy efficiency by reducing power drain in interactive programs.
A study from Purdue University found that golfers who see the hole as bigger tend to putt more successfully. The researchers used an optical illusion to manipulate the size of the hole and correlated it with scores.
A Purdue University biochemist is creating maps of all the potential routes for cancer cell formation, which could lead to more effective cancer drugs. By identifying kinases and their direct protein targets, researchers can tailor kinase-inhibiting drugs to block multiple pathways and make them more effective.
A Purdue University scientist has developed a way to encase nutritional supplements in food-based products, protecting them from degradation due to heat, light, oxygen, and other external factors. The method involves creating crystalline-like fibers that embed the nutraceuticals, allowing for improved stability and bioavailability.
A recent study by Purdue University researchers found that fatigue and unmet expectations of parenthood can contribute to post-adoption depression in women. The study, based on survey results from 300 mothers who adopted within the past two years, identified unrealistic expectations as a common theme related to depression.
Scientists at Purdue University have identified enzymes and biochemical compounds that are targeted and modified by the dengue virus during infection, suggesting a potential new therapy. Medications used to treat high cholesterol may also inhibit dengue's replication.
A Purdue University study found that obese white teenage girls who lose weight still struggle with negative body perceptions and low self-esteem. The study suggests that addressing body image, identity, and self-esteem issues is crucial to maintaining weight loss.
Purdue University researchers discovered that chemical additives in pesticides can form smaller 'satellite' droplets that drift into unwanted areas. By carefully modulating the strength or ratio of surfactants to polymeric additives, these unwanted satellite droplets can be mitigated or eliminated.
Researchers found it's unlikely materials can spread between Gliese 581's super-Earth and other planets due to high orbital velocities, making biologic exchange unique to our solar system.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new imaging technique to detect subtle changes in breast tissue, which may help determine a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. The technology uses vibrational spectral microscopy to identify early precancerous stages and study the impact of fatty acids on breast tissue.
Two research teams report new findings on the structure of enterovirus 71, a virus causing hand, foot and mouth disease and potentially fatal brain swelling. Researchers propose designs for antiviral drugs to treat the infection by targeting a unique 'pocket factor' exposed in EV71.
A Purdue University study reveals that hermetic grain storage bags work by depriving weevils of water through metabolic processes, not just oxygen deprivation. The bags' effectiveness in reducing insect infestations has saved West and Central African farmers hundreds of millions of dollars.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a protein mutation that disrupts the protective function of DJ-1, a key player in preventing neuronal death in Parkinson's disease. This finding may lead to new treatment strategies by targeting this error in the protein.
The new approach allows for reliable sensing with compact devices, opening up potential applications in national security, food processing, breath analyzers, industrial monitoring, and more. Researchers have improved the performance of microsensors using tiny vibrating microcantilevers to detect chemical and biological agents.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that football players who received more hits to the head over time showed brain changes, even if they didn't have concussion symptoms. The findings suggest that a concussion is likely caused by many hits over time, not just one blow.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new type of miniature medical sensor that uses acoustic waves from rap music to recharge and monitor pressure. The sensor can be used to diagnose incontinence and treat conditions such as aneurisms and paralysis, offering potential benefits over conventional implantable devices.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that greenhouse bedding plant growers can increase profits by providing cuttings with sufficient light. The study showed that plants rooted faster and were of higher quality when exposed to more light.
Researchers have created new microtweezers capable of manipulating objects to build tiny structures, print coatings for advanced sensors, and grab live stem cell spheres. The tool enables the precision printing of chemical or protein dots onto microcantilevers, which can detect chemicals in air and water.
Researchers at Purdue University have found a link between honeybee deaths and exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides used on corn and soybean seeds. High levels of these pesticides were detected in talc waste, soil, and pollen collected by bees, suggesting that they may be contributing to bee deaths.
Researchers have found that adding a specific protein from Listeria to a probiotic can decrease the risk of infection by 46%. The breakthrough could lead to the development of a pill or drink to prevent Listeria infections, primarily affecting pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.
Scientists have developed the thinnest silicon wires yet, four atoms wide and one atom tall, which can carry electrical currents just like copper wires. This breakthrough has significant implications for future nanoscale computational devices and quantum computing.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed nanoantennas that precisely manipulate light, allowing for the alteration of its phase and propagation direction. This enables potential applications in steering and shaping laser beams, nanocircuits for computers, and powerful lenses for microscopes.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new type of optical device that can process information in one direction, eliminating the need for translation and increasing bandwidth. This innovation has the potential to lead to faster and more powerful supercomputers by connecting multiple processors together.
Bacteria manipulate a natural cellular process to divert raw materials for building and disguising a structure that houses the bacteria as it replicates. The modification creates a dam, blocking proteins from reaching their destination, allowing the bacteria to blend in with the cell.
Ultrafast laser pulses create precise patterns in metals and ceramics, but new research reveals an early plasma forms immediately before the mushroom cloud, hindering performance. Eliminating this interference could unlock new applications in manufacturing, materials science, and more.
A study by Purdue University found that health-literate patients with advanced degrees did not manage their heart failure symptoms better than those with lower literacy levels. Health literacy, a patient's ability to read and understand health information, was associated with proper daily care but not self-care management. The research...
Researchers at Purdue University and USDA develop method to test toxins on Hessian fly larvae, finding potential solution to failing genetic resistance in wheat. They discovered that snowdrop lectin disrupts digestive function in Hessian flies, slowing their development.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a new type of transistor with a 3-D structure, potentially leading to faster, lighter laptops. The transistors contain nanowires made from indium-gallium-arsenide and have the potential to conduct electrons five times faster than silicon.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique to track both metallic and semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes in live cells and the bloodstream. This 'label-free' approach uses transient absorption to visualize the nanotubes in real-time, overcoming key obstacles in previous methods.
A recent study found that a drop in carbon dioxide led to the Antarctic ice sheet's formation, with levels below 600 parts per million triggering cooling and ice sheet initiation. The team pinpointed this threshold in ancient algae samples from deep-sea cores, suggesting carbon dioxide's importance in past and future climate.
Researchers at Purdue University have found a naturally occurring mutation in corn that eliminates the need for detasseling, a labor-intensive process. The mutation, which affects brassinosteroids, results in plants that produce only female organs, including kernels where male tassels should be.
Researchers at Purdue University found that walnut trees are highly sensitive to certain climates and may struggle to survive in a changing environment. The trees' defense mechanisms against cold and extreme weather events could be compromised by climate change, leading to potential declines in the species.
Researchers found that ABCB4, a protein responsible for moving auxin, also removes excess hormone when it accumulates, potentially affecting root growth. The study suggests that the herbicide 2,4-D may impact plants thought to be resistant due to its effect on this protein.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to grow sweet potatoes in space that requires minimal growing space. The new technique involves training the plant's main vine to wrap around a cone or cylinder cage, allowing for vertical growth and increased crop yield.
Researchers have developed a system to measure the mechanical properties of living cells, which could lead to new ways to diagnose diseases and understand biological processes. The technique uses an atomic force microscope to study three types of cells, including bacteria, human red blood cells, and rat fibroblasts.
Researchers have created a self-assembling platform for biosensors using synthetic DNA and carbon nanotubes. The technology allows for the creation of highly efficient sensors for detecting various compounds, including glucose, with potential applications in diabetes management and personalized medicine.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered odorous house ants in Hawaii, forming large megacolonies that are outcompeting native species. The invasive ants are thriving in Hawaii's climate, which allows them to eat and expand faster than in their native range.
Researchers propose using single photons and metamaterials for more powerful computers. The technology could harness the principles of quantum mechanics, allowing for more efficient data processing.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a more efficient method for converting corn stover into cellulosic ethanol by separating its three distinct parts: the rind, pith, and leaves. This new approach enables better utilization of enzymes to break down cellulose, resulting in increased ethanol production with reduced costs.
A Purdue University and NIST team developed a microring resonator that converts continuous laser light into numerous ultrashort pulses, enabling applications in advanced sensors, communications systems, and laboratory instruments. The device uses nonlinear interaction to generate frequencies with equal spacing.
Researchers found that later-stage prostate cancer cells lack Pten, a tumor-suppressor gene, leading to rapid cell division and mutations. Plk1 inhibitor BI 2356 showed promise in killing cancer cells without Pten.
Researchers found that anti-caking agents in powdered vitamin C products can accelerate degradation, even protecting it from moisture. This is due to the chemical properties of these agents, which can absorb or repel water and lead to further reactions that lower the nutrient's stability.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new type of computer memory called FeTRAM, which combines silicon nanowires with a ferroelectric polymer. This technology has the potential to use 99% less energy than flash memory and may be faster than SRAM.
A new technology developed by Purdue University researchers allows surgeons to detect small clusters of ovarian cancer cells, leading to improved removal rates. The technique uses a fluorescent imaging agent that 'homed' to cancer cells, illuminating their location during surgery.