A new clean-up strategy using phytoremediation has been discovered, allowing plants to transport environmental arsenic from roots to shoots. This breakthrough could help clean up thousands of sites worldwide where arsenic poses serious health risks.
A team of researchers at the University of Georgia has discovered a gene that encodes one of the proteins responsible for pectin synthesis, a major component in plant cell walls. This breakthrough discovery could lead to advances in plant disease resistance and potentially manipulate pectins to fight cancer.
A new report emphasizes the importance of studying the intersection of social science and ecosystems in long-term ecological research. The study suggests that a more integrated approach will improve our ability to forecast future scenarios and understand the impact of humans on biophysical systems. By examining how social and ecologica...
A new species of diatom, Hannaea superiorensis, has been discovered in Lake Superior, providing insights into the lake's environmental changes. The unique boomerang-shaped diatom is found in pincushion-like colonies attached to rocks along the shore.
The University of Georgia has been selected to conduct a pilot program aimed at increasing educational attainment among Hispanic students. The program will be compared to the practices at the University of Texas at Austin, which has a long history of attracting and retaining students from an established Hispanic community.
Marine biogeochemists have shown that microbes degrading organic carbon respond differentially to temperature changes, affecting organic matter breakdown efficiency. This finding suggests that global climate change could influence the efficiency of organic carbon recycling and burial.
African-American adolescents face unique challenges in developing a sense of self amid racial, gender, and socio-economic complexities. A new study led by Professor Jerome Morris will explore the role of class status and context in improving educational outcomes for African-American students.
Researchers aim to mass produce technologies for consumer market, focusing on fundamental research and nanofabrication techniques to improve hydrogen storage and generation from solar cells. The grants are part of a $64 million DOE initiative aiming to make vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells available and affordable by 2020.
A new NIH grant will help researchers at the University of Georgia develop long-term communication campaigns promoting healthy dietary modifications. The study aims to identify attitudes toward fruit and vegetable intake among adults with diverse lifestyles.
A University of Georgia research team is studying the effects of manufactured nanoparticles on microorganisms and small worms in soil. The study aims to understand the bioavailability and toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles, which may establish potential ecological and human health risks if released into the environment.
Scientists investigate bacterial adhesion to iron oxide surfaces using dual-strategy approach, combining protein pinpointing and random mutagenesis. The goal is to understand genetic, biochemical, and regulatory processes controlling cell attachment, with potential applications for environmental remediation and metal biotransformation.
The University of Georgia has received a $3.5 million CDC grant to establish a center focused on reducing health disparities through effective communication and marketing strategies. The center will conduct research studies on how low-income individuals respond to health risks and develop culturally appropriate risk messages.
The study aims to identify factors that protect students from violence-related behaviors and those that predict academic success. It will collect data through surveys, behavioral ratings, interviews, and focus groups to better understand student behaviors.
Researchers aim to identify the point of salmonella transmission in the poultry industry, allowing intervention measures to be introduced effectively.
Researchers at UGA College of Veterinary Medicine have identified a new way to combat viral diseases by blocking a protein that helps transport viruses out of cells. This approach, targeting the host gene Rab9, shows promise in preventing the replication of four different viruses: Marburg, Ebola, HIV-1, and measles.
Commonly used disease models may make overly optimistic predictions about the levels of public health interventions needed. Researchers found that ignoring the latent period or assuming unrealistic distributions can result in underestimating transmission potential. The study emphasizes the need to consider these factors when making qua...
William Yen, a UGA physics professor, has received an international honor for his groundbreaking work on luminescence. He was awarded the ICL Prize for his pioneering advances in understanding optical spectroscopic behavior of solids that emit light or luminescence.
Researchers at UGA have conducted the first global survey of protein expression in Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that causes Chagas disease. The study identified patterns of protein expression across the parasite's four lifecycle stages, providing new criteria for selecting vaccine targets and potential drug candidates.
Researchers have developed a new method that uses so-called 'caged compounds' to control protein synthesis, which can be activated by light. This technique could lead to more intricate studies of biological processes, such as protein synthesis in nerve synapses.
Researchers have discovered that naturally occurring cannabinoids, such as 2-AG, play a role in stress-induced analgesia. A new drug targeting the enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase could manipulate these compounds to provide pain relief without psychoactive side effects.
A new University of Georgia study analyzed existing data and found that airbags are associated with slightly increased probability of death in accidents, particularly at high speeds. The analysis contradicts earlier studies on the effectiveness of airbags, which have been required for drivers and front-seat passengers since 1998.
A new enzyme group has been identified that attaches an unusual molecular tag to microtubules, directing motor proteins to specific destinations. This discovery paves the way for further research on polyglutamylate modification and its role in cellular traffic.
Researchers from eight universities and conservation groups compiled a comprehensive database on nationwide river restoration projects, analyzing over 37,000 current projects. The study found that most projects were implemented in the Pacific Northwest or Chesapeake Bay watershed and had median costs of $57,000 in Georgia.
Grady College will receive a $200,000 grant from the Hearst Foundation to further develop media relationships with industry professionals. The endowed program aims to strengthen journalism education by providing vital insight from experienced leaders.
A new study published in the journal Personal Relationships found that secret romantic relationships consistently report lower levels of relationship quality. The researchers also discovered that the allure of secrecy can quickly degrade during the beginning weeks of such a relationship.
The UGA/Penn team aims to develop a single-access point for genomic and related information about Apicomplexa parasites, enabling accelerated vaccine, diagnostic, and therapeutic development. The database will link existing databases for Plasmodium species, Toxoplasma gondii, and Cryptosporidum parvum.
UGA's Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases has received a grant to train Brazilian scientists in bioinformatics, aiming to combat tropical diseases such as schistosomiasis. The program will support the development of analysis infrastructure and provide opportunities for trainees to work with NIH-funded studies.
The University of Georgia has received a grant to promote trade between the US and Uganda, with the goal of creating jobs and economic growth for both countries. The project is part of the Africa Initiative on campus and aims to build capacity in international trade.
Researchers at the University of Georgia are developing a stem cell-based drug assay to identify promising treatments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a group of inherited diseases that destroy nerves necessary for voluntary muscle movement. The goal is to accelerate development of safe and effective treatments by late 2007.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers confirmed that wild capuchin monkeys in northeastern Brazil routinely crack open palm nuts using heavy stones. The behavior was previously observed only in chimpanzees and other primates. This finding expands our understanding of tool use among non-human primates.
A new study by UGA researcher Rob Maier found that Salmonella uses molecular hydrogen as an energy source, expanding previous findings on major human pathogens. This discovery has profound implications for the treatment of some diseases and could lead to therapeutic interventions by targeting unique metal clusters in bacteria.
Researchers from UGA found that Georgia's recent drought, combined with an opportunistic parasite, led to the decline in blue crab numbers. The study reveals that the delicate balance of saltwater and freshwater in coastal estuaries is disrupted during droughts, creating a favorable environment for the parasite to thrive.
The UGA Graduate School will launch interventions to reduce Ph.D. completion rates, collecting data on entering and exiting students to identify areas for improvement. The project is supported by Pfizer and the Ford Foundation.
A team of mathematicians, led by University of Georgia Professor Dino Lorenzini, have solved a four-decade-old math problem involving groups A and B. They demonstrated that the number of elements in group B is always a perfect square under certain conditions.
The Peabody Archives at UGA will digitize over 5,000 vintage TV tapes using a robotic system, preserving American history and culture for scholars and researchers. The grant is part of the Save America's Treasures program, supporting the preservation of national significance.
UGA researchers are using evolutionary game theory to study the conflict between humans and viruses, aiming to design better responses to viral diseases. The project applies game theory to understand human behavior in response to disease virulence and how viruses respond to treatment.
Dr. Moran's research focuses on the ecology and diversity of coastal bacteria, which influence sulfur emissions, carbon storage, and energy acquisition in marine surface waters and coastal marshes. The award supports her investigation into these processes, shedding light on global climate regulation.
Dr. Jeffrey K. Springston, a UGA professor, has been awarded a $3 million grant to investigate the effectiveness of CD-ROMs versus person-to-person telephone consultations for promoting breast cancer screening. The study aims to determine which method is more cost-effective and can help increase mammography screenings among women.
A 12-week physical activity program will be implemented and evaluated in 16 worksites across the US and Canada to assess its effectiveness on promoting physical activity among employees. The study aims to determine the effects of a multilevel intervention aimed at personal goal-setting and ecologically based organizational action.
Researchers discovered that a type of plant TE called MULEs can capture and fuse rice gene fragments to create new genes and functions. This process, known as Pack-MULEs, may be an important mechanism for evolutionary change in plants.
Researchers at UGA identified morning glory families tolerant to glyphosate, a noxious herbicide. The study suggests developing regional strategies for managing tolerance is crucial. Increased tolerance of morning glories to glyphosate could leave farmers without effective control, highlighting the need for new management strategies.
Researchers have found a well-preserved layer of tiny grains at a kaolin mine in Warren County, Georgia, indicating that the grains and surrounding rocks were formed during a recent meteor strike beneath the Chesapeake Bay. The discovery provides valuable information about the massive impact event and its effects on the environment.
The University of Georgia has been awarded a $5.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop artificial chromosomes in corn, which could lead to breakthroughs in crop protection and yield improvement. The research will focus on centromeres, repetitive DNA regions that control chromosome movement during cell division.
Scientists at UGA Vet School found a mechanism that blocks replication of retroviruses, including the Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus, which causes ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The discovery provides new insights into viral life cycles and could lead to the development of novel anti-retroviral therapies.
Research reveals integrons in poultry litter generate clusters of varied antibiotic resistance genes, complicating efforts to control spread. The discovery has significant implications for farm animal operations, human health, and the development of new antibiotics.
Researchers at UGA's SREL will conduct experiments to identify major factors affecting amphibian population persistence and responses to upland habitat alteration. The study aims to model species responses to forest management at larger scales.
Scientists recommend preserving contaminated DOE sites as is, rather than undergoing costly remediation, to protect wildlife, biodiversity, and regional air and water quality. This approach would also reduce remediation costs and minimize public health risks.
A team of biologists has discovered that the parasite relies on salvage enzymes to steal nutrients from its host to survive. This discovery provides new targets for drugs designed to treat victims of this parasitic disease, which causes chronic severe diarrhea and life-threatening complications in AIDS patients.
Researchers at UGA are using manmade tracers to study the exchange of gases between vegetation and the atmosphere. They aim to improve methods for evaluating carbon sequestration in plant canopies, a crucial step in understanding how much carbon is taken up by different ecosystems.
The University of Georgia has been awarded a $3.9 million NSF grant to study the genetic analysis of meristem organization and leaf initiation in plants. The team aims to improve laser dissection microscopy techniques for plant tissues, allowing researchers to analyze thousands of genes simultaneously.