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.
Researchers found that the more popular a name becomes, its future popularity declines, while rare names rise to higher frequency. Similarly, dog breeds with lower popularity today were once trendy, suggesting boom-bust cycles drive diversity in naming choices and canine preferences.
A new modeling study suggests that reducing phosphorus levels in Lake Erie may lead to an increase in toxin production from cyanobacteria. The study found that biologically informed models can reproduce emergent properties of blooms not predicted by traditional models, and that a shift in thinking is needed for water management.
Scientists at the University of Michigan and University of Regensburg have developed a method to emulate impossible 'unipolar' laser pulses, which could enable faster processing of quantum information. This breakthrough accelerates conventional computing and brings us closer to room-temperature quantum computing.
Researchers found that binary star systems form planets in a different way than single stars, which can significantly impact the search for alien life. The study used ALMA telescopes to observe a young binary star system and discovered a cyclic pattern of gas and dust movement that may trigger bursts of material towards the star.
A new study reveals that the introduction of domesticated sheep, goats, and cattle led to population growth, community cemeteries, and large monuments in ancient Mongolia. The adoption of ruminant livestock drove social changes on a long timescale.
A new study found that the Western Interior Seaway in western North America was as warm as today's tropics during the height of the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum. Average water temperatures ranged from 28 to 34 degrees Celsius, consistent with modern tropical extremes like the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool.
Researchers compiled catalog of Lake Erie-area earthquakes between 2013 and 2020 to investigate potential connection to shifting water levels. The study found no conclusive correlation between earthquake rates and water levels.
A recent study found that tropical vegetation benefits less from elevated CO2 levels due to its surprising small effect on woody cover. Moisture availability and wildfire frequency were identified as the most important factors influencing woody cover change in tropical forest-savanna transitions.
Researchers propose an integrated conceptual framework for examining cold-survival strategies in animals, recognizing that species often combine multiple strategies to cope with freezing temperatures. This framework can help resolve discrepancies in Bergmann's rule and provide insights into animal responses to climate change.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that mentioning 'white privilege' can create polarized and less constructive internet discussions. The term led to decreased support for renaming college buildings among white respondents, while opposing whites and nonwhites showed no significant difference.
Researchers developed an algorithm to analyze wearable heart rate data, discovering new signals indicating COVID-19 infection and disease progression. The study's findings could enable the use of wearables in tracking disease at home or during pandemics.
Researchers at the University of Michigan used histotripsy to destroy 50-75% of liver tumor volume in rats, allowing their immune systems to clear away the rest with no recurrence. The technique stimulated immune responses, preventing further spread and potentially improving cancer outcomes for humans.
Researchers at University of Michigan develop scalable method to grow single layers of hexagonal boron nitride on graphene, paving the way for high-efficiency LEDs and quantum computing applications. The process produces large sheets of high-quality hBN, enabling the creation of deep-UV LEDs with potential applications in lasers, air p...
SmartScan software improves heat distribution and reduces deformations by up to 47% in laser powder bed fusion printers. The technology speeds manufacturing by optimizing scan sequences and minimizing heat-caused defects.
Studies in mice show that immune cells prevent stem cell repair after volumetric muscle loss, a common type of injury such as gunshot wounds or car accidents. This understanding could lead to new treatment strategies and potentially restore function and prevent limb loss.
A new University of Michigan-led analysis found that community gardens on Detroit's Lower Eastside play a crucial role in reducing neighborhood blight and promoting social cohesion. The study recommends scattering future gardens across the landscape to maximize benefits, rather than clustering them in specific areas.
A new University of Michigan study found that most adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms continue to struggle with addiction into adulthood. The study's lead author warns that prescribing controlled substances to individuals with multiple substance use disorder symptoms poses safety concerns.