Researchers believe a zone of preferential heating surrounds the sun's surface, with temperatures rising and individual elements heated to different levels. The Parker Solar Probe will test this theory by entering the zone in 2021, providing direct measurements of processes behind solar wind acceleration.
A study published in Nature Medicine finds that targeting the stalk of the flu virus provides protection against infection. Researchers analyzed naturally occurring influenza cases and found that individuals with higher levels of stalk antibodies had a reduced risk of getting sick, correlating with a 42% reduction in influenza infection.
A new University of Michigan study found that fall-related injuries are a leading cause of hospital readmissions among people 65 or older. Hospitals can improve patient recovery and mobility by emphasizing personalized fall prevention before discharge, especially for at-risk patients.
Researchers argue that increasing crop yields is insufficient to end global hunger, as it overlooks the environmental impacts and nutritional quality of diets. A new study suggests that adopting ecological principles can improve the environmental sustainability of food production and promote biodiversity.
A new blood biopsy technique allows for comprehensive genetic profiling of cancer cells, capturing variation among cells within a single patient. This improves treatment monitoring and targeting by identifying genes active in cancer cells and tracking their response to therapy.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that LGBT employees report worse job experiences, less respect from supervisors, and lower job satisfaction compared to their non-LGBT colleagues. Racial/ethnic minority LGBT respondents also face additional challenges.
Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that paper wasps possess the ability to use known relationships to infer unknown ones, similar to humans. This cognitive skill may be linked to their complex social behavior and dominance hierarchies, allowing them to rapidly make deductions about novel social relationships.
Researchers found that a high-sugar diet in fruit flies changes the way they taste sweets, leading to overeating and obesity. The study suggests that reducing sugar intake may help regulate food intake and curb obesity-related chronic diseases.
MORPHEUS, a new processor architecture, blocks potential attacks by encrypting and randomizing key bits 20 times per second. This makes vulnerabilities virtually impossible to exploit, providing a future-proof secure system.
A University of Michigan study found that expressing empathy for victims after an extremist attack can alleviate negative responses from non-Muslims. However, accepting group responsibility can cultivate perceptions of collective guilt and backfire, increasing the perception that Muslim Americans are to blame for terrorist acts.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new class of coatings that sheds ice from even large surfaces with just the force of a light breeze. The coatings introduce a second strategy, low interfacial toughness, which encourages cracks to form between ice and the surface.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a method for working with uncertainty in deadlines. By mapping out the uncertainty and incorporating it into a project management system, managers can improve their success rates. This technique can help managers save time and resources by focusing on less uncertain requirements.
A University of Michigan study found that self-driving cars could partially or completely offset energy savings due to induced driving miles. The researchers estimated that a 38% reduction in perceived travel time cost would eliminate fuel savings, suggesting the possibility of 'backfire' and net increases in energy consumption.
A University of Michigan researcher has found that the mechanics producing wheezing and crackling noises with every breath are likely a cause of injury and inflammation. This new understanding could change how lung diseases are treated and represent a paradigm shift in doctor-patient interactions.
A new study assesses the environmental sustainability impacts of flying cars and finds that they could outperform ground-based cars for longer trips. For trips over 100 kilometers, fully loaded VTOLs carrying a pilot and three passengers had lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles.
The IDAct system uses battery-free RFID tags and readers to track objects and detect human presence, potentially enhancing elder care with unobtrusive monitoring of medications and daily activities. The technology has been tested with high accuracy, detecting specific activities over 96% of the time.
Researchers used genomic data to estimate the precise location of ice-age refugia for two hickory species, finding evidence of northern microrefugia. The study suggests that some trees likely survived farther north and closer to the ice sheet than previously believed.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a method to improve ovarian follicle development, increasing survival rates from less than 5% to 42-86%. The approach uses adipose-derived stem cells in a 3D scaffold to mimic the ovary environment.
A new analysis of 40 years of bird collision data reveals that nocturnal flight calls increase building collisions among migrating birds, especially in areas with artificial light. The study suggests that the faint chirps may lure other nearby birds to their death.
A new University of Michigan study found that negative media portrayals of Muslim Americans can reduce their identification as Americans and weaken their trust in the U.S. government. The study suggests that exposure to biased news coverage can be a stronger factor than personal discrimination in shaping these attitudes.
Human cells can now travel more than five times faster than previously documented by slingshotting themselves forward, according to University of Michigan researchers. This new method of cell movement could be involved in the spread of cancer and potentially harnessed for tissue repair therapies.
Wild bees experiencing widespread declines due to urbanization may be more male-dominated as females decline in numbers, impacting pollination and reproduction rates. This study suggests considering sex-specific differences in bee behavior when analyzing environmental change effects on populations.
Researchers from the University of Michigan have adapted a sexual violence prevention program to address specific issues in Ghana, including power dynamics and peer assaults. The program has shown promising preliminary results, with students rethinking gender relations and challenging rape myths.
A University of Michigan-led team of biologists has documented 15 rare and disturbing predator-prey interactions in the Amazon rainforest, including images of tarantulas dragging opossums across the forest floor. The study highlights the importance of arthropods like spiders as a source of vertebrate mortality in tropical ecosystems.
A University of Michigan study found that stressed Kalahari meerkat mothers alter the growth and behavior of their daughters, leading them to redirect energy towards helping future offspring, thereby benefiting their mothers. This phenomenon highlights a unique example of maternal effects on offspring in nonhuman animals.
A new study reveals that nearly half of new mothers and a quarter of new fathers leave their full-time STEM jobs within four to seven years of having their first child. This trend is attributed to cultural expectations and workplace obstacles, with women being more likely than men to switch to part-time work or leave the workforce alto...
Researchers have developed a new live-imaging technique that detects short-lived leaks in epithelial tissues and reveals an active repair mechanism involving the protein Rho. This discovery could provide insights into diseases targeting the epithelial barrier, such as those caused by microbes, allergens, and cancers.
Researchers used reverse-biased LEDs to cool devices by harnessing thermal radiation, a concept commonly used in battery operation. This approach could lead to new solid-state cooling technology for microprocessors, enabling faster and more efficient computing.
University of Michigan researchers develop a novel approach to teaching self-driving cars to recognize and predict pedestrian movements. They achieve this by analyzing humans' gait, body symmetry, and foot placement using cameras, LiDAR, and GPS data. The system can predict poses and future locations for one or several pedestrians up t...
Computer simulations of planet formation suggest that the presence of radioactive elements from a massive star may have created a wet system on Earth, while also forming ocean worlds in other systems. Researchers found that without these elements, the inner terrestrial planets of our solar system could be very dry and hostile.
A new intervention has successfully encouraged couples in a rural South African area to undergo HIV testing. The Uthando Lwethu program improved communication skills and relationship dynamics, leading to higher HIV-testing rates compared to a control group.
A new study found that diets with lower carbon footprints are also healthier, consuming more poultry, whole grains, and plant-based proteins. Diets in the lowest-impact group had lower amounts of important nutrients, such as iron and calcium, due to lower intakes of meat and dairy.
Researchers found that prior dengue exposure protects children from symptomatic Zika disease in the Americas. Children with a prior dengue infection were 38% less likely to develop symptomatic Zika than those without prior exposure. This suggests an immunological interaction between dengue and Zika viruses.
A University of Michigan study found that older caregivers who provide marginal assistance for up to an hour experience worse well-being compared to those who assist for two hours. The researchers suggest this may be due to the challenges of incorporating care into busy lives or caregivers' initial poor mental health.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that bisexual individuals and those unsure of their sexual identities are at greatest risk for substance abuse. Those who identified as lesbian or gay were also over twice as likely to have a severe alcohol or tobacco use disorder compared to heterosexuals.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have identified a liver hormone called tsukushi that slows down metabolism when energy levels are high. The study found that mice without this hormone gained less weight and had better metabolic parameters than normal mice.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new approach to 3D printing that lifts complex shapes from a vat of liquid, producing objects 100 times faster than conventional methods. The method uses two lights to control where resin hardens and harden, enabling the creation of sophisticated patterns and durable materials.
Researchers created a damage-resistant rechargeable zinc battery with a cartilage-like solid electrolyte, extending flight time by 5 to 25 percent in drones. The batteries can withstand hard impacts and stabbing without losing voltage or starting a fire.
Researchers detected just two galaxies near M94, with few stars each, contradicting predictions of galaxy formation models. The study suggests that Milky Way-like galaxies host a wider diversity of satellite populations than previously thought.
Researchers have identified a molecule called SLO-1 that regulates motor function and lifespan in tiny aging worms. Targeting this molecule may slow down aging in humans and other animals by improving motor function and increasing lifespan.
A University of Michigan study reveals that hybridization between black and mantled howler monkeys is playing a direct role in completing the speciation process by enhancing genetic differences. The researchers found evidence for multiple forms of natural selection, including reinforcement, driving species differences.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new memristor that can model synaptic behavior in hardware, allowing for exploration of competition and cooperation among neurons. The device enables controlled changes in conductance, mimicking the strengthening or weakening of connections between neurons.
A study found that parents spend more time talking to children about the mechanics of using their mobile devices than what they watch and download. Children are also exposed to multiple media sources at once, and older siblings play a bigger role in mediation for younger siblings.
University of Michigan researchers have developed a technique to reveal hidden information in sound waves by shifting frequencies, allowing for improved detection and tracking capabilities in sonar systems. This breakthrough could enhance performance in naval vessels and medical imaging devices, such as biomedical ultrasound.
Participants in three experiments rated researchers with messy offices as less conscientious, agreeable, and less neurotic than those with clean offices. The findings suggest that perceived disorganization can impact how others treat individuals in personal and professional settings.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that children can distinguish between willing and coerced apologies. Parents are advised to help their child learn empathy for the victim before forcing an apology. This approach ensures a sincere apology and maintains a positive relationship.
Researchers found that overwintering Microcystis cells in sediments can seed the next year's bloom, explaining the rapid increase in Lake Erie bloom size and spatial extent. The study advances scientists' understanding of the basic biology driving the annual summer blooms.
University of Michigan researchers have developed a new building block that can serve as a safer alternative for the development of new medicines. The novel compound is produced using visible light and does not produce harmful metabolites like traditional anilines.
A new University of Michigan study suggests that spanking may be more harmful for children in developing countries than previously thought. The research, which analyzed data from 62 countries, found a link between physical discipline and lower social development among young children.
Research reveals that women who undergo reconstructive surgeries using a large back muscle after radiation therapy experience significant losses in shoulder stability and function. Conversely, other methods such as pectoral muscle rebuild and abdominal tissue transfer produce equally good results for future shoulder function.