Neutrophils, a key player in the immune system, have been found to preferentially phagocytose (eat) rod-shaped particles. This preference may lead to targeting neutrophils and leaving other white blood cells to do their jobs, potentially preventing acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by COVID-19.
Researchers at the University of Michigan and Purdue University have developed a method to measure electron energy distributions in metal nanostructures, which could lead to more efficient energy conversion and storage applications. The technique uses surface plasmons to give extra energy to charge carriers, enabling faster reactions.
A University of Michigan study found that up to 60% of students in certain schools vape daily, highlighting the importance of understanding individual and school-level factors driving e-cigarette use. The study's findings suggest that tailoring interventions to specific school environments can be effective in reducing vaping prevalence.
A study on chicken adaptation reveals that genetic changes play a more prominent role when organisms return to their ancestral homelands. Researchers found that plastic phenotypic changes are sufficient to help animals adapt when reintroduced to familiar environments, but mutation-induced changes are necessary for initial adaptation.
Warming temperatures are causing increased aridity across the western United States, leading to declining river flows, tree death, and agricultural stress. Climate scientists warn that this trend will continue eastward, resulting in more frequent and severe dry spells, flash droughts, and interannual droughts.
People with ACL injuries can lose up to 40% of muscle strength due to muscle atrophy. A new University of Michigan study found that adding eccentric exercises to physical therapy can increase muscle volume and improve outcomes.
A study by University of Michigan researchers maps China's export-driven CO2 emissions to specific coastal manufacturing hubs, revealing that 1% of the country's land area generates 75% of these emissions. The findings highlight key sectors and cities driving climate change.
A new neural probe design captures lost signals in brain activity, enabling experiments previously impossible. The probe's improved shielding and boron-infused silicon increase conductivity, allowing researchers to modulate neurons with high temporal resolution.
Climate researchers question CESM2 model's extreme warming projections, citing geological evidence from a 50-million-year-old warming period. The study highlights the need to benchmark climate models using geological data to ensure accurate predictions.
A new algorithm developed by researchers at the University of Michigan can quickly differentiate between benign and illicit radiation signatures in cargo, enabling cost-effective detectors at borders. The algorithm works even in high-radiation backgrounds and can identify weak signals from plutonium encased materials.
A new study found that existing and planned roads in tiger habitats will exacerbate threats to the species, including prey depletion, habitat degradation, and poaching. By 2050, nearly 15,000 miles of new roads are expected to be built, deepening the big cat's extinction risk.
Researchers unveil the structure of a key protein in human metabolism, which could lead to better obesity treatments. The study found that calcium ions play a crucial role in the protein's function, opening new paths for developing targeted pharmaceuticals.
A new study reveals that transposable elements contribute to cell-specific chromatin looping, gene regulation, and species divergence. The researchers developed software MapGL to track physical gain and loss of genetic sequences across species, shedding light on the evolutionary influences of structural variations.
A new data-processing approach developed by researchers at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute offers a simpler path to analyzing cryo-electron microscopy data. The pipeline uses machine learning and connects various tools to streamline the process, making it more accessible to researchers from diverse backgrounds.
A study by Geoffrey Hoffman found that active older veterans experience 11% more noninjury falls but 28% fewer injurious falls compared to non-veterans. Despite the increased risk of falls, physically active veterans are less likely to suffer serious injuries.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico emit approximately one-half a teragram of methane each year, comparable to large emitting oil and gas basins. The effective loss rate of produced gas is roughly 2.9%, significantly higher than current inventory estimates.
A University of Michigan-led team has produced a synthetic microparticle with a twisted, spiky structure that surpasses nature's complexity. The particles show promise for improving fluid-and-particle mixes and could lead to new technologies in holographic projectors and biosensors.
Researchers found that four common human coronaviruses are sharply seasonal in Michigan, peaking between December and April/May. They also show similar transmission potential to the flu virus. The study's findings could help investigators prepare for SARS-CoV-2 behavior.
Researchers demonstrate the potential for using existing optical fibers as seismic sensors, providing high-resolution maps of shallow subsurface and validating a new technique. The approach has great potential for use in large earthquake-threatened cities with extensive networks of buried optical cables.
A new study by University of Michigan-led researchers found that West African lions do not favor life inside park boundaries over hunting concessions. Habitat quality in national parks is inadequate, leading to a lack of preference among lions.
A new machine-learning algorithm helps design lightweight glass compositions that are very stiff, suitable for next-gen materials in vehicles and wind turbines. The goal is to reduce weight while maintaining strength, leading to fuel efficiency improvements.
A new study from the University of Michigan and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has found no evidence that sterile neutrinos are dark matter. The research team used archival data from the XMM-Newton space X-ray telescope to search for signs of dark matter in the Milky Way galaxy, but their analysis yielded no results.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a small, precise, and affordable gyroscope that can help drones and autonomous cars navigate without a GPS signal. The device, made from a nearly symmetrical mechanical resonator, is 10,000 times more accurate than existing gyroscopes.
Researchers found that patients prescribed opioids after tooth extraction reported worse pain, and half of prescribed opioids remained unused. The study suggests that alternatives such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen control pain better and improve patient satisfaction.
Researchers propose axion as solution to three mysteries: matter-antimatter asymmetry, dark matter, and the strong CP problem. The axion's rotation creates a tiny excess of matter over antimatter, explaining why we exist.
A University of Michigan study reveals that ostrich eggshell beads were exchanged over long distances for at least 30,000 years, facilitating relationships between hunter-gatherer groups. The findings provide evidence of a complex exchange network used to share information on resources and landscapes.
A new study by researchers from the University of Michigan found that several commercially available arsenic test kits performed poorly, with some underestimating arsenic levels by a factor of two. The most accurate kits returned field-test values closest to lab-tested arsenic values, while others produced lighter color test strips tha...
University of Michigan researchers create a way to tame temperamental nerve endings, separate thick nerve bundles into smaller fibers, and amplify signals to enable precise control. The approach involves tiny muscle grafts and machine learning algorithms, allowing for intuitive prosthetic control with no learning required.
A new study led by University of Michigan researchers found that highly active gray and cubera snappers in a Bahamian mangrove estuary spread the highest levels of essential nutrient nitrogen through their urine, nearly doubling its presence. This fertilizer supports more plant growth and food at the base of the food web.
A new study from the University of Michigan presents the first genetic evidence of resistance in some bats to white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease that has decimated some North American bat populations. Genetic differences were found in genes associated with regulating arousal from hibernation and breakdown of fats.
Researchers from University of Michigan found that using a manual dishwasher with the two-basin method can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18% compared to machine washing. They also suggest avoiding pre-rinsing and selecting energy-efficient settings to minimize environmental impact.
A new study found that parents who report loving each other tend to have children who stay in school longer and marry later. The researchers followed the children of 151 married couples in Nepal for 12 years, using data from the Chitwan Valley Family Study.
Scientists at U-M identified distinct excitatory neurons in the retrosplenial cortex, which can continuously encode direction-related information over long durations. These low rheobase neurons are ideal for navigation, providing persistent sense of direction that complements other brain signals.
Researchers have identified five regions of the genome that show signs of selection for glyphosate resistance in morning glory, suggesting multiple ways the plant may evolve resistance. The study found evidence for both parallel and nonparallel genetic changes associated with glyphosate resistance.
The study reveals an intricate universe of nanoscale rods, sheets and spirals that form spontaneously in eutectic solidification. This discovery could lead to the creation of lightweight alloys and optical products with superior properties.
A team of doctors and engineers developed a noninvasive device that measures brain metabolism using an infrared laser, enabling faster and more certain concussion diagnoses. The technology could guide treatment for serious brain injuries and other conditions, improving patient outcomes.
Researchers discover that mature bone marrow stromal cells can transform into regenerative cells after an injury, providing an alternative source for bone healing. This breakthrough suggests that these cells could be generated through transformation of readily available mature stromal cells.
Researchers found that the Asian tramp snail B. similaris consumes fungal pathogens causing coffee leaf rust, reducing their numbers by up to 30% on infected leaves. However, further studies are needed to understand potential tradeoffs and the snail's effect on other controlling factors.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Disease found that full influenza vaccination among children reduces the risk of hospitalization associated with influenza by 54%. The study, conducted in Israel, tested the effectiveness of childhood vaccination against influenza and risk of hospitalization due to complications.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that aged urine can be used as a fertilizer with low risks of transferring antibiotic resistant DNA. The 'aging' process deactivates 99% of antibiotic resistant genes in bacteria, making it a promising alternative to traditional fertilizers.
A new technique developed at the University of Michigan uses bacteria to produce billions of different drug candidates that won't fall apart quickly inside the body. The peptides on bacteria are so plentiful that researchers can see how well they work right on the bacterium, enabling them to test hundreds of millions of different designs.
A University of Michigan study found that prompt disposal of leftover medications improved when parents received a disposal packet and tailored online messages. The study suggests that easy disposal and risk education can significantly reduce the number of parents keeping leftover opioids for their children.
The number of e-cigarette users who began vaping at age 14 or younger has more than tripled in the last five years, according to a University of Michigan study. This increase is alarming as early e-cigarette use is linked to later risk for cigarette smoking and nicotine exposure can confer particular risk.
A new study found that fossilized shells from around the globe show evidence of both rapid ocean warming and elevated mercury levels during the Deccan Traps volcanic eruptions. The findings suggest that the mass extinction event that killed off dinosaurs may have been triggered by both asteroid impact and massive volcanic eruptions.
A study by University of Michigan researchers reveals that Azteca ant colonies in Mexican coffee farms exhibit a Turing pattern, similar to leopard spots and zebras' stripes. This finding highlights the complexity of agroecological systems and challenges simplistic pest management approaches.
A new species of fossil whale, Aegicetus gehennae, has been discovered, representing an intermediate stage between foot-powered and tail-powered swimming. The creature's body shape is similar to that of ancient whales like Basilosaurus.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that water births are no more risky than land births, with fewer first and second-degree tears. The study analyzed 397 waterbirths and 2025 land births, showing similar outcomes in neonatal intensive care admissions and postpartum hemorrhage rates.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that oxidative stress in early life increases subsequent stress resistance later in life. Oxidative stress, which occurs when cells produce more oxidants than they can deal with, is part of the aging process but can also arise from stressful conditions.
A new analysis of a dataset of over 70,000 North American migratory birds found that body size decreased in all 52 species, with statistically significant declines in 49 species, while wing length increased in 40 species. The study suggests that warming temperatures may be causing these changes as an adaptation to climate change.
The Parker Solar Probe mission has unveiled a surprisingly chaotic world within the sun's corona, characterized by rogue plasma waves, flipping magnetic fields, and distant solar winds. The findings have significant implications for space weather forecasting and our understanding of the sun's behavior.