A new study by University of Michigan researchers links childhood spankings to depression, substance abuse and suicidal tendencies in adulthood. The study suggests that spanking should be considered an adverse childhood experience, similar to physical and emotional abuse.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that some obese adults store their body fat more healthily than others, breaking down fat at slower rates and having fewer inflammatory cells. Aerobic exercise may lead to healthier fat storage, with regular exercisers showing increased blood vessels in their fat tissue.
University of Michigan researchers found that killer T cells use a multi-pronged attack to kill bacteria, targeting multiple processes. This discovery could lead to the development of new medications or repurposing of existing drugs to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
A new University of Michigan study compares the toxic chemical releases associated with coal-generated and natural gas obtained via fracking-based electricity. The results suggest that potential human health impacts of coal electricity are much higher, outweighing those from shale gas electricity.
Researchers developed a wearable device called VAuth that creates a unique and secure signature using speech-induced vibrations on the user's body. The technology has achieved a 97-percent detection accuracy and successfully thwarts various practical attacks, making it a promising solution to enhance voice authentication security.
A new study from the University of Michigan emphasizes the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in both environmental and economic perspectives. The research identifies timetables for action for the U.S.'s most energy-hungry sectors, automotive and electricity, after which it will be too late to stave off a climate tipping point.
A new University of Michigan study reveals the NFL's transformation from a leader in avoiding concussion discussion to one that now leads the charge. The league has implemented significant changes, including creating expert-only committees and advocating for legislation, to address the issue, which had previously damaged its public image.
Researchers at U-M have developed a technique to detect chemicals, including explosives and gases, quickly and accurately using a laser-based method. The new approach combines two techniques to speed up detection while preserving accuracy.
A new web application reveals that raising the minimum age to 21 nationwide could save over 306,000 lives. The Tobacco Control Policy (TCP) tool also examines state-by-state impacts of cigarette taxes and smoke-free air laws.
A new technology can print pure, ultra-precise doses of drugs onto various surfaces, enabling on-site printing of custom-dosed medications. This technique accelerates drug development and makes life easier for patients taking multiple medications daily.
One in five teens reported having suffered a concussion, with 5.5% experiencing multiple concussions over their lifetime according to a University of Michigan study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
A new chip etched with fluid channels sends blood samples through a hydrodynamic maze to separate out rare circulating cancer cells into a relatively clean stream for analysis. The labyrinth chip is already in use in a breast cancer clinical trial, enabling doctors to plan customized treatments and monitor genetic changes.
A University of Michigan study found that older Americans report feeling dramatically healthier than 14 years ago. However, the majority of health gains went to high-income, well-educated, and white individuals. Researchers used data from 55,000 adults to analyze health trends by education, race, and income.
Researchers are developing living patches that mimic heart muscle cells, blood vessels and optical circuitry to create implantable heart tissue. The goal is to produce a true-to-life 'heart on a chip' to aid the pharmaceutical industry in developing better treatments for arrhythmia.
A new study shows that bipedal desert rodents use unpredictable movements to evade predators and gain a competitive edge. The jerboas' unique gait use, including hopping, skipping, and running, allows them to outmaneuver their quadrupedal neighbors.
A new University of Michigan study found that elderly Chinese-Americans who experience racial discrimination are twice as likely to consider suicide. The study, which examined 3,157 Chicago-area Chinese-American adults aged 60 and older, also highlights the impact of age, loneliness, pain, and depression on suicidal thoughts.
Polypterids, known as living fossils, are repositioned on the fish evolutionary tree, shifting their origin and that of modern ray-finned fishes. The study uses CT scans to analyze fossil skulls and DNA sequences, revealing ancient cousins and specializations that evolved later.
A new blood test can predict how early-stage lung cancer patients will fare, identifying clusters of aggressive tumor cells that indicate shorter survival times. The test uses circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream to monitor cancer progression and resistance to treatments.
Researchers at the University of Michigan and MIT have developed Vroom software that optimizes the end-to-end interaction between mobile devices and web servers. By bundling resources and sending 'dependency hints' to browsers, Vroom cuts median load times by half, from 10 seconds to 5 seconds.
Researchers discovered that combining a novel drug MI-773 with traditional chemotherapy cisplatin destroyed salivary gland tumor cells and prevented recurrence within 300 days. This combination therapy showed promise in treating adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer affecting 3,000-4,000 people annually.
A University of Michigan professor analyzed sailors' mouths for clues in the 1845 Franklin expedition disaster. The study found that tuberculosis resulting in adrenal insufficiency, or Addison's disease, likely contributed to the crew's deaths.
New research finds that binge-viewing TV shows can negatively impact sleep quality in young adults, leading to increased fatigue and insomnia. The study suggests that the intense engagement with content before bedtime causes mental arousal, disrupting sleep patterns.
A new study found that individuals with bipolar disorder often face exclusion and stigma at work, leading to negative outcomes. The research highlights the importance of intervening to improve relationships with co-workers and supervisors, and suggests that workplace support is crucial for individuals with severe mental illness.
A University of Michigan study found that hospital admissions for older adults rose an average of 4 percent in the 30 days after a tornado outbreak in 2011. This increase was significant even when excluding the initial three days following the disaster.
Recent technological advances enable researchers to study animal coloration more comprehensively. The authors of a review article highlight recent progress and set out key questions for the future, shedding light on evolutionary processes and the intricacies of function.
Scientists have found that human-induced and natural earthquakes in the central US share similar ground motions, allowing existing prediction frameworks to be applied to both types. This simplifies hazard assessment and could lead to improved building design and infrastructure resilience.
A new technique can change plastic's molecular structure to help it dissipate heat more efficiently, making it suitable for applications like vehicles, LEDs, and computers. The process is inexpensive and scalable, and preliminary tests show a polymer with thermally conductive properties similar to glass.
A new study predicts that shrinking the Gulf of Mexico dead zone will require a 59% reduction in nitrogen runoff, primarily through changes to agricultural practices. The study suggests that bold new approaches are needed to achieve this goal and meet the longstanding objective of reducing the dead zone by two-thirds.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found a Swiss cheese pattern in Flint's damaged drinking water pipes, revealing a significant amount of missing lead. The team estimated that each lead service line released 18 grams of lead during the 17 months the city received Flint River water.
Researchers have discovered three new tiny frog species in Peru's Pui Pui Protected Forest, expanding the total number of new species found to five. The newly discovered frogs are part of the diverse genus Pristimantis and exhibit unique reproductive adaptations.
A new longitudinal study found that 32% of young adult cancer survivors experience consistently low social functioning over time. The researchers highlight the need for support programs and screening at diagnosis to address these challenges.
A University of Michigan team has created a method to add metallic nanoparticles into semiconductors with virtually no added manufacturing cost. The process enhances LED lighting efficiency and allows for precise control over the distribution of particles, potentially enabling future applications such as invisibility cloaks.
A new robotic lake-bottom laboratory is tracking the levels of toxic cyanobacteria in Lake Erie to provide advance warning to municipal drinking water managers. The goal is to prevent another water crisis like the 2014 Toledo event, where over 400,000 residents were left without safe drinking water.
Researchers found a single amino-acid difference between toothed whales and filter-feeding baleen whales that may explain their distinct body shapes. This variation affects the sensitivity of a key receptor, potentially impacting feeding behavior and body size in these species.
A University of Michigan study finds that low-income mothers view television as a positive tool when watching parent-approved educational programming with their child. The study also highlights the importance of parental mediation and setting limits on screen time, especially for obesity prevention.
A recent study from the University of Michigan and Dartmouth found that over half of opioid prescriptions are written for adults with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The research highlights the concerning trend of vulnerable patients with mental illness being prescribed opioids.
Girls experience higher rates of digital dating abuse and report more negative emotional responses compared to boys. Digital sexual coercion victimization also disproportionately affects girls due to societal expectations of prioritizing relationships and feeling entitled to sexual power over girls.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a fast and short-lived spike in signaling lipid PI3,5P2 that helps protect yeast cells from high salt stress before gene expression takes over. The study suggests that this early protection pathway may exist in other organisms and respond to different types of cellular stress.
Researchers developed a chess-like board game, Azteca Chess, to educate small-scale Mexican coffee farmers about the insects and fungi living on their plants. The game's goal is for players to capture opponent tokens, illustrating key ecological interactions.
Researchers at University of Michigan develop cost-effective material to capture near-infrared light in solar cells, making concentrator photovoltaics more efficient and practical for large-scale electricity generation. The new alloy is significantly less expensive than previous formulations and enables easier manufacturing.
Researchers have gained near-atomic resolution insights into the disaggregase protein's unfolding process, which helps break apart toxic protein aggregates. The study's findings suggest a ratchet-like mechanism and potential applications in developing new drugs or understanding biological processes.
A University of Michigan study found exposure to chemicals like naled and chlorpyrifos during pregnancy associated with lower fine and gross motor skills scores. Infants exposed to these pesticides showed signs of motor delays, which may predict developmental problems later in childhood.
Biologists analyzed genetic sequences from 17,000 individuals in 173 bird species, finding a positive correlation between population differentiation rates and speciation rates. The study supports the long-held assumption that genetic differences between populations predict species diversity.
Researchers captured the first cryo-electron microscopy snapshots of a key cellular receptor in action, providing near-atomic-resolution images. The study reveals how peptide hormones like GLP-1 bind to and transmit signals through G protein-coupled receptors.
A new study finds that both active and inactive women report similar ingredients for feeling happy and successful, including connecting with others, being relaxed during leisure time, and accomplishing goals. However, inactive women's negative expectations about exercise hinder their ability to adopt and sustain physically active lives.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new memristor chip that can process complex data, such as images, much faster and with less power than traditional systems. Inspired by how mammals see, the chip uses pattern recognition to shortcut energy-intensive processes.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that bumblebee populations are higher in Detroit than surrounding less-urbanized areas. Vacant lots may provide essential nesting sites and food sources for the bees. The results suggest that urban landscapes can be managed to support native bee conservation.
Research reveals that TV accentuates traditional women's roles at the expense of their needs, leading to lower sexual assertiveness and increased shame. Women who reject these norms face backlash, making it difficult for them to challenge negative discourse and improve their confidence about sex.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that preschoolers who recognize food brand logos are more likely to be overweight. The study showed that children with higher BMI percentiles recognized unhealthy foods like M&M's and Coca-Cola more often than healthy-weight peers.
A new study suggests that adjusting psychiatric medication can reduce the risk of falls among older adults. The research found an association between depressive symptoms and falls, with moderate increases in depressive symptoms linked to a 30% higher risk of experiencing a fall over two years.