Scientists are gaining a deeper understanding of extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny particles that carry unique cargo from cells. EVs play a critical role in communication between cells, contributing to conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers studying soil conditions at US military installations along coasts aim to understand the effects of sea level rise and flooding. They will collect data through intensive monitoring and laboratory experiments to develop geospatial modeling tools.
University of Delaware Assistant Professor Carlos Moffat studies coastal systems and glacial ice retreat to understand global sea level rise. He will investigate freshwater discharge and its impact on ocean circulation and marine organisms.
A new study published in Nature Food investigated how to ensure the food supply chain functions under environmental disruptions, highlighting key areas for future research. The researchers identified the need to understand the shape of a supply chain, evaluate simultaneous shocks, and quantify substitutions within supply chains.
A new study by University of Delaware Professor Doug Tallamy identifies the most critical plants needed to sustain food webs across the United States. These powerhouse plants, including oaks, willows, and goldenrod, support insects that are essential for energy transfer and soil decomposition.
Terry Papoutsakis, University of Delaware professor and Unidel Eugene Du Pont Chair, was named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. He holds over 16 patents and contributes to sustainable manufacturing and human health through his work on microbial engineering tools.
The University of Delaware has secured a $11 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to support its biomedical research program. The grant, led by Professor Joseph Fox, will focus on discovering new molecules to study and treat diseases such as breast cancer and tuberculosis.
Researchers found a decrease in nitrogen dioxide concentrations at most monitoring sites, but no significant improvement in particulate matter. In contrast, some areas experienced worse air quality in April 2020 compared to previous years.
A University of Delaware researcher studies the impact of birth experiences on hormone development, finding that C-sections disrupt natural hormonal signals. He proposes investigating potential interventions to promote healthier outcomes, such as reintroducing missing microbes or hormones in children born via cesarean.
The study reveals structural features of the Ebola nucleocapsid, a promising therapeutic target for destabilizing the virus and knocking it out with antivirals. The researchers used supercomputers to simulate the inner workings of Ebola, observing the way molecules move to carry out their functions.
Researchers developed a new mathematical framework that leverages uncertainty and expert knowledge to create more accurate and efficient computer models. This method provides guarantees on model performance and can lead to breakthroughs in renewable energy, battery technology, and other fields.
A study found that trees in larger cities are healthier and more productive than those in less dense areas, with red maples being the most productive in urban environments. The research highlights the importance of planting the right tree species in cities to support ecological resilience.
A new metric, stopover-to-passage ratio, helps determine when birds fly over a site or stop to refuel or rest. The study reveals critical importance of habitats around the US Gulf Coast for sustaining migratory birds, with over half stopping at these sites.
University of Delaware researchers develop tiny cargo-carrying systems that can selectively bind to degrading collagen, providing site-specific medicine delivery over longer periods. These nanoparticle carriers have the potential to improve treatment for diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Feng Jiao, a renowned chemical engineering expert, is leading research on transforming carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals using catalysis. His projects aim to produce formic acid and ethylene from CO2 without purification, with the goal of commercializing this technology.
A new study suggests hackers are motivated by a company's attempts to fake social responsibility, targeting firms that engage in 'greenwashing' efforts. Companies with peripheral CSR actions are more likely to face data breaches and hacker attacks.
Researchers, led by University of Delaware biologist Shuo Wei, have won $1.8 million in NIH support for their study on birth defects caused by genetic mutations in neural crest stem cells. The study focuses on the DDX3X gene and its role in developmental disorders.
UD Prof. Koffi Pierre Yao receives a $1 million grant to create a next-generation battery that will power devices longer, making them more affordable and accessible. The new anode material can store up to 10 times the energy of current batteries.
A new study by the University of Delaware found that diverse directors are less likely to serve in board leadership roles, despite being highly qualified. This inequity persists even when controlling for specialized skills and experience. The research suggests biases may be a contributing factor.
Scientists at the University of Delaware have made an unprecedented discovery of bacterial cell fusion, where cells from two different species combine to form hybrid cells. This phenomenon allows microbes to share machinery and increase their odds of survival.
Researchers at the University of Delaware used supercomputing resources to gain insights into the hepatitis B virus's genetic blueprint and how its protein shell assembles itself. They found that a mutation impairs this assembly process, revealing communication between different regions of the protein.
A new study published in Politics and Gender found that men are more likely to endorse COVID-19 conspiracy theories than women. The researchers suggest that learned helplessness and conspiratorial thinking contribute to this gender gap.
A team of scientists, including Kathryn Coyne from the University of Delaware, have developed protocols for studying the genetic underpinnings of marine algae. By analyzing the genetics of a specific species of algae that produces harmful blooms, they were able to create genetically modified strains and identify genes involved in toxin...
Researchers found that microbes inside hydrocarbon seeps have less efficient, fast-growing lifestyles while those outside have slower but more efficient lives. This difference in lifestyle could mirror how microbes behave higher in the water column.
The University of Delaware's new Center for Hybrid, Active, and Responsive Materials (UD CHARM) aims to transform the way materials are made. Researchers will focus on developing new materials with potential applications in biomedicine, security, sensing, and more.
Engineers from the University of Delaware develop procedure to purify monoclonal antibodies with 43% higher productivity, thanks to understanding of adsorption affinity and its role in protein transport into ion-exchange beads. This breakthrough could lead to reduced waste during expensive drug manufacturing process.
Wild strains of salmonella have been found to reopen stomates on plants, allowing them to bypass the immune defense system and cause foodborne illnesses. This finding highlights the increasing threat of opportunistic pathogens jumping from plants to humans through contaminated foods.
A new study finds that investments in tree plantations and palm oil production consistently lead to higher rates of tropical deforestation. Governments must provide transparent information on land deals to protect forests effectively.
The Arctic Ocean's capacity to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has decreased due to rapid warming and sea-ice loss. This reduction will have significant implications for climate change, with the Canada Basin predicted to become a minimal carbon sink by 2030.
Researchers found that strong photosynthesis in SAV beds increases pH and generates high carbonate levels, which are then transported downstream to neutralize acidic waters. The study suggests that SAV beds play a key role in combating ocean acidification.
Researchers have identified similarities and differences in ocean acidification on both coasts of North America, with the east coast experiencing a near-equilibrium pattern and the west coast showing enhanced acidification due to upwelling. The study highlights vulnerable hot spots, particularly in northern waters where rising carbon d...
University of Delaware researchers have developed a technique to visualize the three-dimensional structure of materials in detail while maintaining context. This approach enables scientists to study specific particles on the material's surface and observe how they evolve over time under different conditions.
Researchers found that contacts form between particles, stabilizing microstructure and stiffening materials. This discovery explains age-related changes in paste materials and has implications for industries using similar materials.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a method to detect red blood cell damage in real-time, which could improve patient safety during dialysis. The technique uses mechanical resistance to measure changes in blood conductivity caused by damaged red blood cells.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have optimized vehicle dynamics and powertrain operation using connectivity and automation to reduce stop-and-go driving and travel time while ensuring energy efficiency. The algorithms achieved a 30% increase in energy efficiency in real-world testing, surpassing simulation predictions.
A recent NIH-funded project explores how the fear of cancer recurrence affects the well-being and relationships of breast cancer patients and their spouses. The research team, led by Jean-Philippe Laurenceau, will focus on three main health behaviors that can be influenced by recurrence fears.
Research by University of Delaware reveals that hiring and retaining effective principals and teachers leads to significant gains in student achievement. Effective teacher retention strategies, such as financial incentives, were found to be persistently effective in reform efforts.
Researchers used data science and machine learning to forecast urbanization patterns, predicting a 1.8-5.9-fold increase in urban areas by 2100. Global simulations show countries transitioning from rapidly to steadily to urbanized over time, with varying impacts on environment and society.
LaShanda Korley, a renowned materials scientist at the University of Delaware, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Her work focuses on developing bio-inspired materials with applications in healthcare, sensing, and soft robotics.
Researchers found that fish and zooplankton behavior are disrupted by artificial light during the polar night, affecting stock assessments of commercial and non-commercial fish species. They also discovered that this disruption occurs as far down as the Mesopelagic Zone, where it can impact fisheries surveys.
Researchers suggest a more detailed approach to assessing forest health, focusing on protected areas with finer scale data. This method can help identify non-intact forests and track changes in forest cover over time.
Jason Gleghorn is developing microfluidic devices to culture entire lymph nodes outside the body, enabling real-time study of cell behavior. The project aims to understand chronic infection and inflammation, as well as drug delivery strategies for chemotherapy and antiretroviral therapies.
A team of researchers led by University of Delaware Professor Velia M. Fowler has made a groundbreaking discovery about MYH9-related disorders, a condition affecting 1 in 25,000 people. The study found that mutations in the MYH9 gene disrupt platelet formation and movement, leading to unstable clots and various health issues.
A new study published in Nature Sustainability shows that irrigation of cattle feed crops is the leading driver of water shortages and fish imperilment in the Western United States. Sixty fish species are at an elevated risk of global extinction due to flow depletion, primarily caused by irrigation of cattle-feed crops.
Assistant Professor Fabrizio Sergi at the University of Delaware received a NSF CAREER Award for his work on motor control and brain-body interaction using MRI-compatible robots. His research aims to improve neurorehabilitation practices for individuals with motor impairment, such as stroke survivors.
A new study warns that ocean warming will lead to the loss of commercial fish species, with tropical nations facing significant economic and ecological impacts. The research highlights the lack of policy interventions to address this issue, but suggests that international cooperation could mitigate losses and preserve resources.
Researchers have decoded a genetic map for maize, revealing how tropical varieties can be adapted to temperate climates. The study aims to improve the crop's resistance to emerging diseases and drought, ensuring global food security.
Researchers identified precisely which mouse is making which sound in a study published in Nature Neuroscience. Mouse calls are different depending on the position of the mouse and relate to dominant signals.
Researchers found that firms like Fabindia use a specific approach to shape industry futures, transforming key aspects of the landscape. The team mapped Fabindia's evolution over 50 years and identified three major instances where the company successfully transformed its industry.
Researchers discovered a substantial concentration of microplastics in the Delaware Bay, accumulating in hotspots driven by tidal, wind, and buoyancy variations. The study used field sampling and modeling to simulate microplastic distribution and found high concentrations near salinity fronts where surface currents converge.