The Deep Soil Ecotron will enable scientists to conduct experiments on columns of soil up to three meters deep, improving understanding of how deep soil organisms react to unprecedented conditions and sequester carbon. The facility will also be used to develop sensors to monitor deep soils in the field.
Researchers found that Tasmanian devils' genome has undergone widespread evolution in response to transmissible cancer, but distinct sets of genes are involved at different timescales. The study suggests that conservation efforts should focus on maintaining genetic diversity across a wide set of functionally important genes.
A multi-institutional team of researchers found that breastfeeding women with COVID-19 transfer milk-borne antibodies capable of neutralizing the virus to their infants. The study analyzed 37 milk samples and showed no maternal-to-infant transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via milk.
A nationwide effort is underway to test whether human milk contains the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a critical question for breastfeeding mothers who test positive for COVID-19. The study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will provide comprehensive testing of human milk samples and inform health officials' advice.
A University of Idaho study reveals that reproducing results doesn't necessarily mean discovering the truth, highlighting the need for a better understanding of scientific processes. The research found that factors like community diversity and experiment complexity can impact the speed of discovery.
A University of Idaho-led team found a way to stimulate the formation of new neural connections in the adult brain, which could help humans fend off memory loss and brain trauma. The study used genetic manipulation in mice to induce axon and dendrite outgrowth, leading to the formation of stable, functional connections.
A team of researchers from the University of Idaho challenges a 2016 study that suggested eastern and red wolves are not distinct species but rather recent hybrids. The new review argues that the data do not definitively prove recent hybridization, instead supporting the genetic and evolutionary distinctiveness of red and eastern wolves.
A new study by researchers at the University of Idaho and Columbia University finds that human-caused climate change has nearly doubled the amount of land burned in western US forest fires over the past three decades. The study estimates that human-caused climate change caused an additional 16,000 square miles of western forest lands t...
Research led by UI Scientist Brian Dennis finds honeybees' decline rooted in hive size, which becomes unstable when cooperative functions are degraded. The study proposes regional pesticide management and conservation programs to help honeybees.
A team of researchers from University of Idaho calls for a national priority on preparing for and adapting to wildfires, which burned over 10.1 million acres in 2015. They propose five Wildfire Grand Challenges to help communities become more resilient to wildfire effects.
Experts discuss ways to modernize livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on technology implementation and high-quality veterinary services. The session aims to improve animal welfare, increase protein quality, and address food security challenges.
The University of Idaho will lead a five-year, $20 million USDA-funded project to study the impacts of climate change on Pacific Northwest wheat and barley production. The team will focus on cereal production systems and create a region-wide research, outreach, and education network to address complex issues raised by changing climate.
The University of Idaho is launching a new STEM Educational Research Initiative, supported by a four-year, $1.2 million funding from the Micron Technology Foundation. The initiative aims to identify and address root causes of why Idaho students may not perform well in STEM fields and develop programs to overcome those barriers.
Researchers from the University of Idaho are exploring biotechnology and synthetic biology to address the world's growing population needs. The goal is to provide healthy, nutritious, and adequate food supplies using technological interventions in agriculture.
Idaho researchers have been awarded a three-year grant to explore novel approaches to gene therapies by targeting specific sections of chromosomes with locked nucleic acids. The team aims to improve targeting and show its impact on genes, potentially leading to new treatments for genetic diseases.
Researchers discuss the potential of nanotechnology in improving food nutrition and safety. Dutch scientist Frans Kampers presents his work on creating nanostructures in food to deliver nutrients efficiently. However, concerns about nanoparticles' migration into human cells and potential health risks are also raised.
Researchers sequenced the fungus's genome and compared gene expression in different stages to identify key genes involved in killing frogs. They hope this study will help combat the deadly chytrid fungus, which affects over 43% of frog species.
A commercially available fruit and vegetable wash has been found to be highly effective in killing disease-causing bacteria in produce-processing washwater. This could significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination in food plants.
The study found that vaginal bacterial communities differ greatly among women, with at least eight distinct types, each unique to a specific racial group. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing effective treatments and preventing infections, including those caused by HIV.
The study found increasing calcium levels in cloned equine embryos led to improved pregnancy rates and successful births. The research also suggests a link between calcium regulation and human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders.
The research team successfully cloned a mule, marking the first time a hybrid animal has been cloned. The cloning process uses fetal cell culture established in 1998 at the University of Idaho and demonstrates potential for advancing understanding of human cancer.
Researchers have discovered that equine cloning can provide insights into human cancer causes, particularly in relation to calcium levels within cells. The study found that horses have lower intracellular calcium and slower cell activity rates compared to humans, which may contribute to their lower mortality rate from metastatic cancer.
The new UI Center for Research on Processes in Evolution will investigate the evolution of drug resistance in microbes and determine how specific viruses choose their hosts. This research could help identify patterns in evolution and constraints, shedding light on nature's workings and future disease threats.
Researchers found that four-fifths of fall chinook salmon females in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River carried a genetic marker linked to males. The study suggests environmental contaminants or water temperature changes may be responsible for this sex reversal, which could contribute to the decline of Northwest salmon runs.