A team of researchers identified an antibody called 2B7 that neutralizes the NS1 protein, a key factor in dengue virus replication and disease. The findings offer a potential strategy for developing effective treatments and vaccines against dengue and similar diseases.
A new study found that high levels of cadmium are associated with higher death rates in patients with influenza or pneumonia. Long-term exposure to cadmium may undermine lung defense systems, making people more susceptible to severe flu-like symptoms and increased mortality.
A University of Michigan-led study finds that urine diversion and recycling can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, freshwater consumption, and the potential for algal blooms. The method also has lower environmental impacts than conventional wastewater treatment and fertilizer production methods.
A University of Michigan study examining 3.8 million federal inventory records found little evidence that seizing military weapons increases violent crime or puts police at risk. Previous data analyses supporting the use of military equipment to reduce crime were unreliable due to data problems.
A new laser-based method allows researchers to map the electronic structures of crystals at room temperature, revealing potential capabilities for solar cells, LED lights, and artificial photosynthesis. The technique also enables the design of novel semiconductor-based quantum devices.
A new University of Michigan study finds that over half of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals who misuse alcohol or tobacco also have a co-occurring psychiatric disorder. Women are particularly affected, with higher rates of anxiety, mood disorders, and PTSD compared to heterosexual women.
A recent study by the University of Michigan found that internet censorship is increasing in 103 countries, including Norway, Japan, and India. The Censored Planet tool collected over 21 billion measurements across 20 months in 221 countries, revealing widespread blocking of human rights sites, same-sex dating sites, and news outlets.
A University of Michigan-led research team found that toxic mercury pollution from fish carcasses reaches the deepest ocean trenches, including the Mariana Trench. The study suggests that most of this mercury comes from human activities, posing a threat to seafood safety and human health.
A high-sugar diet reprograms taste cells in fruit flies, leaving a lasting molecular memory that affects future eating behavior. The researchers found that the molecular memory is persistent even after switching to healthy diets, leading to changes in gene expression that impact sweet taste perception.
A synthetic protein nanoparticle has been developed that can deliver cancer-killing drugs directly to malignant brain tumors. In a study, the treatment led to long-term survival in seven out of eight mice with glioblastoma, with no signs of regrowing tumor cells.
The study aims to assess the prevalence and attitudes towards workplace genomic testing in diverse workplaces, as well as employees' interest and objections to such testing. The research team will analyze employers' perspectives, employee responses, and potential issues related to genetic privacy and discrimination.
Researchers from the University of Michigan found that the vast majority of field massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud are 'runaways,' or stars ejected from clusters. They discovered that these stars could have formed in isolation or were dynamically ejected due to unstable orbital configurations.
A study from the University of Michigan challenges the notion that plastic packaging is the primary environmental concern, instead revealing that product content often has a greater impact. The research emphasizes the importance of reducing overall consumption and waste management.
A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that localized data on childhood vaccination coverage can help predict and prevent measles outbreaks. The research found that when people who are not vaccinated cluster geographically, the probability and size of an outbreak increase.
A new study suggests that localized vaccination surveillance can help predict and prevent measles outbreaks by analyzing geographic clustering of non-vaccinators. The researchers found that even at high overall vaccination coverage, clustering of non-vaccinators increases the probability and size of an outbreak.
A University of Michigan study found that nearly one-third of students who reported misusing prescription opioids as high school seniors later used heroin by age 35. The research also showed a significant increase in heroin use among individuals with a history of prescription opioid misuse, contributing to the opioid epidemic.
A new study found that light pollution draws mule deer to artificial lighting, making them more active at night, while cougars exploit dark spots to hunt successfully. The research combined satellite data with GPS location information from hundreds of animals, providing the largest dataset on cougar-mule deer interactions.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered a neural network in fruit flies that can convert external stimuli into a binary decision. The network, which involves the posterior medial core region, amplifies weak signals and suppresses strong ones to make 'yes' or 'no' decisions.
A new study by the University of Michigan and Texas State University found that more college-age Americans are abstaining from alcohol, with a significant decrease in alcohol misuse. However, the study also shows an increase in marijuana use and co-use of alcohol and marijuana.
Researchers found daily average sound levels dropped approximately 3 decibels during the pandemic, which could have a significant impact on people's overall health outcomes. The analysis shows that digital devices can be used to evaluate daily behaviors and exposures.
A University of Michigan researcher found that religious Muslims experienced the largest decline in mental health, with a 11 percentage point rise, compared to other groups. The study suggests that sociopolitical events can have negative consequences for educational and social outcomes among affected groups.
Researchers developed a machine learning technique that rapidly discovered rules governing catalysts, which took humans years of difficult calculations to reveal. The team believes this will enable faster progress in designing materials for various purposes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a self-erasing chip that can store authentication information or secret messages. The chip uses a new material that emits light in specific frequencies, which can be erased with a flash of blue light, making it suitable for anti-counterfeit measures and secure data transmission.
Researchers have developed a new type of solar cell that can reflect 99% of the energy it can't convert into electricity, allowing for more efficient use of waste heat from exhaust pipes and chimneys. This technology has the potential to make renewable energy storage cheaper by ten-fold compared to traditional battery-based systems.
A new study on chimpanzees shows that a plant-based diet and substantial opportunities for exercise can reduce cardiovascular disease risk to human levels. Free-ranging chimpanzees in sanctuaries exhibit lower body weight and lipid levels, indicative of better health.
Researchers developed a 3D bioengineered model of lung tissue that showed drugs effective in Petri dish tests did not work in patients, highlighting the need to target other aspects of pulmonary fibrosis. The study used tissue engineering and mechanical cues to understand how fibroblasts drive disease progression.
Older caregivers of newly diagnosed dementia patients experience a 30% increase in depressive symptoms, which persists over two years. This is significantly higher than those without a partner diagnosis, with an additional 27-33% increase depending on the length of caregiving time.
A new University of Michigan study reveals that two-thirds of the plastic put into use in the US in 2017 were used for other purposes, including electronics and furniture. The overall recycling rate for plastics in the US is slightly lower than previous estimates, at 8%.
A new study emphasizes the importance of involving local communities in global forest restoration efforts, which could provide benefits to millions of people living on lands suitable for forest restoration. The research highlights opportunities for tropical countries to remove atmospheric carbon, promote biodiversity conservation, and ...
Researchers have developed a new rechargeable zinc battery that integrates into the structure of a robot to provide much more energy. The battery uses a network of aramid nanofibers and a water-based polymer gel, making it environmentally friendly and efficient.
A new study reveals that cold-climate forests at high latitudes are already absorbing less carbon, casting uncertainty on their ability to continue doing so. In contrast, Siberian forests have increased their carbon uptake four times more than other North American forests, suggesting stark divergent responses across regions.
Researchers at University of Michigan develop transparent organic solar cells with 8.1% efficiency and 43.3% transparency, ideal for buildings with glass facades. The new material balances sunlight absorption, voltage, current, resistance, and color-neutral transparency.
The region's forested areas grew more fragmented due to urban sprawl, but also saw an increase in tree cover, mainly attributed to maturing trees and land-conservation efforts. This paradox highlights the need for effective land-use planning techniques to protect habitats and minimize fragmentation.
Researchers found that approximately 3.3% of families engage in 'coupon-collection behavior', where they have children of both sexes except for the last-born child, reducing sex-ratio variation. The trend is more pronounced in recent decades and suggests a growing desire for gender equality.
A study by the University of Michigan found that incorporating online 'boosters' into existing safety programs increased knowledge and attitude towards hearing conservation practices among farm youths. The research showed significant improvements in favorable attitudes, but no impact on actual behavior.
A study of wild female baboons found that early life trauma had a significant negative impact on adult glucocorticoid concentrations, which are a measure of health. Despite having strong social relationships as adults, the stress hormone levels were still significantly higher in those who experienced trauma in early life.
University of Michigan engineers have created centimeter-sized robots capable of more than ever before, leveraging origami principles to enhance their speed, agility, and control. The microbots can form complex shapes, complete tasks, and reconfigure into new shapes up to 80 times per second.
The team discovered a technique to compress brain signals, focusing on neural activity spikes called threshold crossing rate or TCR, which requires less data while still being able to predict firing neurons. By listening to a specific feature of neuron data called spiking-band power, the SBP method is highly accurate and takes in one-t...
A new University of Michigan study estimates that wealthy American homes generate about 25% more greenhouse gases than lower-income residences, mainly due to their larger size. The researchers used data from over 93 million American homes to create nationwide rankings by state and zip code.
A University of Michigan study found that Michigan coyotes in the Upper Peninsula have a less meat-based diet due to coexistence with gray wolves. The researchers analyzed scat samples and gut microbiomes to determine the animal's position in the local food web.
Researchers developed a new robotic prosthetic leg that consumes half the battery power of state-of-art robotic legs while producing more force. The streamlined design features regenerative braking, which charges the battery with energy captured when the foot hits the ground, enabling users to walk for over twice as long on one charge.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a method to stabilize plasma compression using twisted magnetic fields. The technique reduced escaping plasma tentacles by 70% and improved conditions for studying extreme plasma states.
The Flint water crisis resulted from simultaneous failures of federal drinking water standards and Michigan's emergency manager law, which exacerbated local financial challenges. The crisis offers lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic on building healthy communities through investments in modern infrastructure.
A new study finds that climate warming and nutrient pollution reduce the effectiveness of quagga mussels in preventing Asian carp invasion. The researchers simulated historical conditions and projected future changes, showing that Asian carp habitat improves in warmer waters, benefiting the invasive fish.
Researchers created a three-layer anti-reflection surface to improve transparency and conductivity in plastic, achieving a transmittance of 88.4% compared to 88.1% for the plastic alone.
Paper wasps use social eavesdropping to learn about the fighting ability of potential rivals, allowing them to rapidly assess and avoid opponents. This complex behavior is surprising given their relatively small brains, highlighting the importance of social environment in shaping sophisticated behaviors.
A team of researchers discovered that distinct neural circuits in the forebrain send signals to the brain's control center to regulate sighing in response to stress, anxiety, or relief. Sighing rate increased when mice were confined, indicating a complex interplay between physiological and emotional inputs.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a system that measures occupants' facial temperature to determine optimal temperatures for comfort. The Human Embodied Autonomous Thermostat (HEAT) aims to reduce energy consumption and enhance indoor comfort.
A University of Michigan study found that organic carbon in thawing permafrost soils can be converted to carbon dioxide by sunlight, known as photomineralization. This process could contribute an additional 14% of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, increasing global warming by 0.3-0.4°C.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new signaling pathway that can regulate beige fat thermogenesis independently of adrenergic signaling. This discovery opens a new direction for approaching metabolic disorders and could potentially provide a treatment option for patients with catecholamine resistance.