Researchers have discovered stone tools and faunal remains at the Page-Ladson site in Florida that date back around 14,550 years, challenging the long-held timeline for human settlement in the region. The findings provide strong evidence that humans and megafauna coexisted for at least 2,000 years.
A University of Michigan study found that women prefer smaller competition sizes, which may contribute to pay gaps and the underrepresentation of women in certain fields. Women feel more comfortable in smaller groups, where communal behaviors are more normative.
A survey of 1,163 people found that phone use varies depending on activity and who is at the table. Adults generally think it's more acceptable to use a phone than children, but perceived appropriateness declines with age.
A study of worldwide sleep patterns combines math modeling, mobile apps and big data to parse the roles society and biology each play in setting sleep schedules. Cultural pressures can override natural circadian rhythms, with effects showing up most markedly at bedtime.
A University of Michigan robot, MARLO, can now walk down steep slopes and uneven ground using a novel feedback control algorithm. The algorithm's potential benefits extend to powered prosthetic legs and other two-legged robots.
The new technique could lead to more precise dosing of drugs in intensive care units, where up to two-thirds of patients experience serious kidney injury. By simulating the flow of medication through human kidneys, researchers can test medications and determine safe doses more accurately.
A study of 44 US climate-adaptation plans found that local communities apply diverse strategies to combat climate change, but often fail to prioritize goals or provide implementation details. The plans also lack clarity on metrics for measuring progress and addressing uncertainty related to climate-change impacts.
Researchers found the Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana emits roughly 2% of global ethane, equivalent to 250,000 tons per year. This single region's emissions are 10-100 times larger than reported inventories and impact air quality across North America.
A team of researchers has created the first comprehensive in vivo fitness landscape of a gene, which provides a way to visualize and predict evolution. The findings show that about 1 percent of point mutations are beneficial to an organism, while 42 percent are harmful, and two harmful mutations interacting can lead to more harm.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing a new strategy to combat cancer metastasis by targeting an enzyme called P-Rex1. Tumor cells produce high levels of P-Rex1, allowing them to spread and become mobile.
A value-based insurance plan in Connecticut boosted employee use of targeted preventive services by 13.5 percentage points and reduced emergency room visits, leading to potential cost savings over time.
A University of Michigan study found that personality traits, such as being introverted or extroverted, affect how people interpret language in emails. Introverts are more likely to judge others harshly for grammatical errors, while extroverts tend to be more lenient.
A new University of Michigan-led study concludes that meeting the goal of reducing levels of algae-promoting phosphorus in Lake Erie by 40 percent will require widespread use of strong fertilizer-management practices, significant conversion of cropland to grassland and targeted conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that older women have lost their advantage in living active lives, with a four-year decrease in active life expectancy at age 65 compared to men. Despite longer lives, women can now expect only two-and-a-half years free from disability after age 85.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that Lake Huron's Chinook salmon fishery is unlikely to recover due to a severe food shortage caused by the collapse of the alewife population. The study suggests that restoration of native fish species and adaptation to this new situation are crucial for the ecosystem's recovery.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a durable, inexpensive ice-repellent coating that can be applied to various surfaces, including airplanes, power lines, car windshinds, and freezers. The coating works by exploiting interfacial cavitation, a phenomenon where rubbery surfaces break free from solid ones with minimal force.
Researchers found that lead exposure during gestation and lactation altered the gut microbiota of adult mice, leading to increased body weight. The study suggests a potential link between early life lead exposure and obesity in adulthood.
A new University of Michigan study finds that voting restrictions are actually increasing voter turnout among Democrats, who become angrier about the laws' impact on minority voters. The study reveals that media frames about voter ID laws trigger powerful emotions in Democrats, leading to increased participation.
Researchers found that carbon nanomaterials, like C60 molecules, can enter immune cell membranes without triggering a response. This passive entry allows the materials to escape and evade the cell's disposal mechanisms.
A new study by the University of Michigan explores how children perceive fairness in discipline practices. Preschool-age children tend to favor giving equal rewards or punishments, while older children and adults prefer a more merit-based approach.
A new study of wild tomato genetics reveals complex genetic mechanisms driving diversification of plant species, with potential applications for creating more resilient crop plants. The research identifies three major genetic strategies behind the tomato's ability to adapt to ecological change.
A new study by University of Michigan anthropologist Andrew Marshall highlights major gaps in research effort, with a disproportionate focus on charismatic great apes. This bias leads to crucial knowledge gaps in tropical protected areas and unrealistic assessments of threatened taxa.
Female gelada monkeys are more attracted to male vocal sequences containing acoustically elaborate calls, such as moans, wobbles, and yawns. These complex calls lead to females lingering longer and spending more time near the speaker.
A thin, stretchable film developed by University of Michigan researchers could enable doctors to catch cancer recurrence earlier with more effective treatment. The film produces circularly polarized light, a crucial ingredient in early warning systems, making it potentially simpler and less expensive to produce.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a polymer sphere that delivers microRNA molecules to bone wounds, instructing cells to repair damage. This technology can help grow bone in patients with conditions like oral implants or osteoporosis, offering a new therapy for treating bone loss and associated functional problems.
A University of Michigan study found that nisin can kill 70-80 percent of head and neck tumor cells in rats and extend survival. Nisin also fights deadly bacteria such as MRSA, using its ability to bind to bacteria and kill biofilms.
A new study by the University of Michigan predicts that Asian carp invasion in Lake Erie could lead to declines in most fish species, including walleye and rainbow trout, but smallmouth bass may increase in weight. The invasive carp could account for up to 34% of the total fish weight in the lake.
Researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive way to extract high-purity silica compounds from agricultural waste using ethylene glycol and ethanol. This process could significantly reduce carbon emissions and costs associated with traditional methods.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that modifiable health risks like obesity, stress, and smoking cost companies billions in healthcare costs. The study suggests that workplace wellness programs can help reduce these costs by promoting healthier behaviors.
Scientists developed implantable probes with tiny LEDs that can control and record individual neurons, shedding light on neural communication. The new technology could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, which affects hundreds of millions worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a unique lie-detecting software using real court case data, achieving up to 75% accuracy in identifying deceivers. The system analyzes both speech patterns and body language, uncovering common behaviors such as eye contact, hand gestures, and vocal fill.
At the nanoscale, heat radiates from one surface to another in a vacuum 10,000 times faster than expected. This discovery has significant applications in next-generation information storage and devices that convert heat into electricity.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that most economic analyses of carbon capture and storage technology for coal-fired power plants severely underestimates its costs and overestimates its energy efficiency. The researchers conclude that renewable energy sources are likely to be cheaper than reducing carbon emissions from...
A new study uses MRI to diagnose childbirth injuries, revealing that up to a quarter of women suffer from fractures and muscle tears. Women may take eight months or longer to heal, and Kegel exercises often don't work as expected.
A computer model of tuberculosis has shown that daily antibiotic regimens are more effective than once or twice a week in preventing drug-resistant strains. The study suggests that increasing the number of doses and improving drug properties can lead to significant improvements in treatment success rates.
A new University of Michigan study found that kids and teens taking ADHD medications are twice as likely to be bullied by peers than those without ADHD. Middle school students who sold or shared their medications were four-and-a-half times more likely to be victimized.
A nationwide study in Mexico found that diabetes incidence doubled every 10 years from 1960 to 2012, and up to 23% of the population could be diagnosed with the disease by 2050. The study highlights the need for comprehensive prevention strategies to reverse trends.
Researchers have identified more than 300 species of fungi living on coffee leaves, including 15 likely fungal parasites that could be used to combat coffee rust disease. The study suggests using natural enemies to prevent the spread of the disease rather than relying on chemical control.
A liver pathway controlled by BAF60a stimulates the production of bile, leading to increased cholesterol absorption. Mice with disabled BAF60a had lower cholesterol levels, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for reducing atherosclerosis.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that zinc oxide nanopyramids can disrupt the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on medical implants, reducing bacterial load by over 95%. The coating may enable antibiotic treatments to succeed or allow the human immune system to take over.
In a breakthrough study, researchers discovered how search-and-rescue proteins like MutS identify and correct rare DNA mutations that can cause certain cancers. The findings provide insight into the mechanism of DNA mismatch repair and could lead to new methods for detecting and preventing cancer.
A team of international neuroscientists and engineers has been awarded a $5 million grant to unravel the mysteries of the brain and develop new technologies for better healthcare. The project aims to stimulate and sense brain activity at the single-neuron level, reconstructing neural circuits with computer simulations.
A new University of Michigan study found that low testosterone in fathers is associated with less sensitive parenting. Men who are more empathetic and have a loving relationship with their infant's mother exhibit nurturing fathering behavior. This can impact young children's social, emotional, and cognitive development positively.
Researchers found that weaning age decreased by about three years over 30,000 years leading up to the woolly mammoth's extinction. This shift suggests hunting pressure was a primary cause of extinction, contradicting previous hypotheses pointing to climate change.
A new project at the University of Michigan aims to educate patients and healthcare professionals on how to make dialysis sessions safer, reducing instability and its associated risks. The study will use a combination of peer mentoring and provider education to support behavior change.
Researchers found that root fungi in milkweed plants affect the virulence of protozoan parasites and monarchs' ability to resist infection. The study suggests soil organisms play a significant role in host-parasite ecology, with implications for community ecology and disease research.
Researchers created detailed maps of five Great Lakes recreational activities to prioritize restoration projects. The maps show the distribution of recreational use and environmental stressors, providing a scientific foundation for sustainable management.
The University of Michigan released its final report on high-volume hydraulic fracturing in Michigan, providing an analysis of policy options for the state's natural gas and oil extraction process. The report includes recommendations for public participation, water resources, and chemical use related to high-volume hydraulic fracturing.
A first draft of the 'tree of life' for 2.3 million named species has been released, combining existing branches into a single diagram. The digital resource was created by compiling thousands of smaller chunks and requires software tools to analyze and update.
Researchers at U-M Water Center will measure green infrastructure effectiveness in managing stormwater overflows and reducing phosphorus in the Detroit River. The project aims to fill knowledge gaps on the river's contribution to Lake Erie nutrient loading, enabling policy options to be developed.