A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that ultraviolet rays, not cosmic rays or X-rays, fuel chemistry in late-stage planet development. This discovery provides a chemical signature to trace exoplanets back to their cosmic nurseries.
A new solar panel technology has achieved 9% efficiency in converting water into hydrogen and oxygen, mimicking natural photosynthesis. The technology uses a self-healing semiconductor that withstands high temperatures and concentrated light, reducing the cost of sustainable hydrogen.
Researchers developed a new technology that captures sound waves created by X-rays to map radiation dose within the body. This allows doctors to guide treatments in real-time, reducing collateral damage and increasing precision.
Researchers found that subtle variations in daily cognitive performance can signal changes in brain states increasing the risk of illness. The study used a digital self-test to measure cognitive function and found a strong association between cognitive variability and immune performance.
Researchers developed wearable sensors to monitor dolphin movement and behavior, estimating energetic cost of swimming. The study provides new insights into dolphin swimming and energy requirements, enabling more effective conservation strategies.
A University of Michigan study found that both children and adults believe villains are more likely to have a true self that differs from their outward behavior than heroes. Despite committing bad actions, characters like Ursula are seen as having some inner goodness, according to the research.
A new analysis of Michigan bees reveals that both high-quality habitats and diverse species communities can positively impact bee health by reducing common viral pathogens. However, the researchers also found that improving habitat quality features like floral density may not necessarily benefit pollinator health.
Researchers analyzed over 20,000 trees on five continents and found that old-growth trees are more resistant to drought, while younger trees in the upper canopy show greater resilience. This study highlights the importance of preserving old-growth forests for carbon storage and ecosystem functioning.
Researchers found a way to use phthalates in plasticizers as mediator for chemical reaction, allowing for electrochemical recycling without heat. The process reduces hydrochloric acid release and improves efficiency.
A newly discovered pinwheel structure made from nanoparticles enables unique material properties useful in areas like machine vision, chemical and biological sensing, and more. The twist in the structure could be used to create biosensors for viruses and adaptable catalysts.
Researchers at the University of Michigan and NASA discovered a major vulnerability in time-triggered ethernet networks, which could lead to unpredictable and potentially catastrophic behavior. The PCspooF attack exploits a trusted network technology to introduce disruptive messages, causing systems to operate unpredictably.
Researchers at University of Michigan discovered how cerium flow batteries lose voltage due to complex molecular interactions. This understanding will help design more efficient cerium-based batteries with reduced voltage loss.
A University of Michigan study found that Americans who earned a college degree and took required science courses developed a general level of biological literacy, enabling them to make informed policy judgments about the COVID-19 pandemic. This education gap was particularly pronounced among those with limited scientific knowledge, in...
COVID-19 caregivers, mostly women, face unprecedented stress due to cognitive changes, managing infection, and increased responsibilities. Researchers offer practical guidance on preparing families for a hospitalization and developing support systems.
A team of researchers found that evolution overshot the optimal bone structure in hopping rodents, leading to fully fused metatarsals in larger species. This finding could inform robotic leg design and shed light on evolutionary changes in bipedal locomotion.
A University of Michigan study found that long-term air pollution exposure is associated with increased body size and composition measures in midlife women. High levels of physical activity offset the negative effects of air pollution on body fat and lean mass.
Researchers capture electron movement in attoseconds, enabling more precise observation of electrons in solids and semiconductors. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel quantum materials with tailored properties and help create scalable quantum information technology.
Researchers at University of Michigan discover that a missing gene TMEM251 is responsible for mucolipidosis type II, a rare genetic disorder causing organ swelling and skeletal dysplasia. The team proposes an enzyme replacement therapy to rebuild functional lysosomes, offering hope for treating the disease.
A study of over 420,000 households found that gender inequality is a significant predictor of child physical abuse. High levels of inequality are associated with higher rates of abuse, particularly in situations where women face economic insecurity.
A new study suggests that the Chicxulub asteroid impact triggered a massive tsunami that scoured the ocean floor thousands of miles away from the impact site. The tsunami was estimated to be up to 30,000 times larger than the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake tsunami.
A new study analyzing data from 57 coral reefs in French Polynesia found no correlation between fish populations and coral recovery. Instead, the researchers suggest that other location-specific attributes are critical for reef resilience and should be considered when managing fisheries.
New research reveals flaring at oil and gas facilities releases five times more methane in the U.S. than previously estimated, posing a significant risk to climate change. Simple fixes could remove equivalent of 3 million cars from roads, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Developed by a University of Michigan-led team, the material controls infrared radiation flow and is stable at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It uses destructive interference to reflect infrared energy while letting shorter wavelengths pass through, potentially reducing heat waste in thermophotovoltaic cells.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a precision medicine approach to treat cancer, targeting 'backup genes' that are used by tumor cells. The algorithm successfully predicted and targeted these genes, leading to complete cancer remission in six out of six mice tested.
Researchers found that patients with periodontal maintenance care had shorter hospital stays and more follow-up visits after a heart attack. The study suggests an association between oral health and overall health, highlighting the importance of improved communication between medical and dental teams.
A new approach uses a mirror-like structure and layered semiconductors to efficiently transport energy, potentially reducing losses in solar cells. The device mimics the long-range energy transfer in photosynthesis.
A new study found that all kinds of motion are well represented by a single mathematical model, including walking horses, skittering spiders, swimming microbes, and slithering snakes. The model shows that speed is driven by changing the shape of the body, not momentum.
A University of Michigan study reveals that living in a neighborhood with high social cohesion can foster critical social skills in teenagers, even when the early mother-child bond is weak. Researchers found that strong connections between neighbors and teens can provide an alternative source of support.
A new durable coating developed by University of Michigan engineers can kill 99.9% of microbes, including SARS-CoV-2, E. coli, and MRSA, for months on end. The coating combines tea tree and cinnamon oils with polyurethane to create a long-lasting antimicrobial surface.
A University of Michigan study finds that an all-electric mail-delivery fleet would reduce lifetime greenhouse gas emissions by 14.7-21.4 million metric tons compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, up to 63% lower than previously estimated. The study highlights flaws in the USPS environmental analysis.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have made significant progress in understanding high-temperature superconductivity. Their studies found that about 50% of superconductivity can be attributed to a 1966 theory, but the reality is more complex. The researchers also discovered that antiferromagnetic fluctuations play a crucial rol...
A hormone secreted by fat cells has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for liver cancer. The study found that neuregulin 4 suppresses the growth of liver tumors in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, suggesting a new approach to treating hepatocellular carcinoma.
A new study found that even modest (1.6 C) climate warming causes reduced growth and increased mortality in northern conifer species, while broadleaved hardwoods may experience enhanced growth. The boreal forest's composition is likely to shift, potentially leading to a more impoverished version of the current ecosystem.
A University of Michigan study found that high school seniors playing contact sports are 50% more likely to misuse prescription stimulants in the next decade. Noncontact sports athletes are also at risk, with greater odds of initiating stimulant misuse in young adulthood.
A new University of Michigan study finds that local wind and solar jobs can fully replace the 80,000 coal-plant jobs in the US by 2030, with operations and maintenance jobs accounting for 57% to 92% of replacement employment.
Researchers found that online shopping with an electric vehicle reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 39% to 51%, while in-store shopping with a micro-fulfillment center can save up to 67%. Trip chaining and reducing shopping frequency also significantly decrease emissions.
Researchers have created a new, more efficient way to produce antibiotics with an additional fluorine atom, which can improve pharmaceutical properties and combat drug-resistant bacteria. This breakthrough uses microscopic organisms to assemble the antibiotic, bypassing toxic chemicals.
A new University of Michigan study found that people with a parent with a history of alcohol problems are at greater risk for showing signs of addiction to highly processed foods. Diets dominated by these foods contribute to preventable death worldwide.
Researchers demonstrate that paper wasps can learn, remember, and apply abstract concepts of sameness and difference. The insects were trained to distinguish between visual or olfactory stimuli associated with safety or danger and applied the concept to new stimuli, achieving an impressive 80% correct choice rate.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a way to manufacture highly efficient and semitransparent organic solar cells using a peel-off patterning technique. The technology has achieved record efficiencies of 10% and is suitable for use in commercial windows with a transparency nearing 50%.
A new machine learning model accurately predicts the behavior of millions of human gut microbial communities from hundreds of experiments. The model enables designing communities with desired metabolite profiles, which may help doctors discover ways to treat or protect against diseases.
A team of researchers has developed a process that can recycle carbon dioxide into fuels and useful chemicals using only solar energy. The new technology uses semiconductor nanowires to split carbon dioxide molecules, producing syngas, a precursor for various fuels and chemicals.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a new approach to expand training data sets for robots, enabling faster learning and improved performance. The method uses 'fake' data generated through simulations, which are then used to train robots on real-world tasks.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new approach to optimize electric vehicle battery design, reducing testing time by 75%. The system uses machine learning to generate multiple configurations to be tested simultaneously, cutting off tests that lack promise and accelerating the development of better batteries.
Astronomers use Gemini South Telescope to study how planet formation differs in low-mass star systems, discovering large rings composed of tiny dust grains around some stars. The team also finds a potential new exoplanet candidate orbiting a young star with a mass similar to Jupiter.
Researchers analyzed mastodon tusk samples to reconstruct its migration patterns, revealing an individual animal traveled annually to a mating ground in northeast Indiana. The study provides the first evidence of an extinct species' seasonal movement.
Researchers found that 75.9% of synonymous mutations were significantly deleterious in yeast cells, while 1.3% were beneficial. The study's findings challenge the long-held assumption that synonymous mutations are neutral, with major implications for human disease mechanisms and evolutionary biology.
A new study has discovered a novel drug delivery microencapsulation approach that allows for the slow release of broader arrays of peptide drugs in the body. This method enables more frequent injections with reduced discomfort, treating conditions like prostate cancer and endometriosis. The researchers also plan to expand their work on...
Researchers analyzed 156,000 children worldwide and found that spanking was associated with a 14% lower odds of physical abuse. Eliminating spanking would result in four fewer children exposed to physical abuse, according to the study.
The study reveals that the BBSome operates outside of cilia to support sight, and that it prevents the degradation of a receptor protein called LITE-1. This discovery could broaden our understanding of how to develop treatments for Bardet-Biedl syndrome.