A new University of Michigan-led study reveals that irrigation systems in arid regions can increase malaria risk for over a decade, even with intensive mosquito control efforts. The research highlights the need for long-term public health and safety programs to mitigate this impact.
A University of Michigan study found that high-ability whites are less likely to report prejudiced attitudes but still support policies that benefit the dominant group. Intelligent whites may genuinely believe in racial equality but fail to take action due to their privileged position.
Researchers discovered a biological mechanism that preserves intestinal tracts in mice treated with lethal doses of chemotherapy, increasing survival rates by up to 75%. The findings could revolutionize cancer therapy by allowing humans to tolerate stronger doses of chemotherapy and radiation, potentially curing later-stage metastasize...
Ray-finned fish, including species like Fouldenia and Styracopterus, rapidly diversified in the aftermath of the Hangenberg extinction. They exploited ecological opportunities to fill vacant niches, using their crushing jaws to prey on hard-shelled animals.
Researchers have developed a new model that simulates the calving process of icebergs, predicting areas at risk of rapid disintegration due to climate change. The model suggests that stretches of ice on Antarctica and Greenland are vulnerable to catastrophic collapse, potentially exacerbating sea level rise over the next 100 years.
The Curiosity rover has made high-precision measurements of Mars' atmosphere, revealing it was much thicker in the past. Heavy isotopes of carbon and oxygen were more abundant, indicating a warmer and wetter climate.
Physicists at U-M create topological insulators by doping bismuth telluride with thallium, enabling control over electrical conductivity and unique surface properties. The new approach reveals the properties of the surface states, opening doors to applications in quantum computing and Majorana fermions.
Scientists have captured the first direct images of a snow line in an infant solar system, revealing its role in forming planets. The study uses radio-wavelength images from the Atacama Larger Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope to show a carbon monoxide snow line around TW Hydrae, 175 light-years away.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new type of stretchable conductor made from spherical nanoparticles embedded in elastic materials. The material exhibits exceptional stretchability and electrical conductivity, making it suitable for various applications such as brain implants and flexible electronics.
A study from the University of Michigan found that electronic health records can slow the rise of healthcare costs, with a 3% savings in outpatient care compared to traditional paper records. The study examined data from nine communities and estimated $5.14 in savings per patient per month.
Health info exchange efforts in the US have seen significant growth, with a tripling of participating hospitals and doctor's offices since 2010. However, many organizations struggle to develop sustainable business models and rely on government grants, which will expire in January 2014.
A study identifies 40 countries as most poorly funded for biodiversity conservation, harboring 32% of threatened mammalian species. The researchers suggest how funding should change to achieve the UN's 2020 goals on reducing extinction.
A University of Michigan-led study found that influenza infection significantly increases the likelihood of developing pneumococcal pneumonia, with a risk increase of up to 100-fold. The study suggests that vaccination against both flu and pneumococcal disease is crucial in reducing bacterial pneumonia incidence.
A new laser system can analyze reflected infrared light to determine a target's chemical composition, improving military surveillance capabilities. This technology could also enhance full-body airport screening.
The University of Michigan ecologist predicts a very large and potentially record-setting 2013 Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone,' expected to be between 7,286 and 8,561 square miles. This would be roughly equivalent to the size of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia combined.
Researchers found that latency arbitrage, a common high-frequency trading practice, diminishes profits collectively for both regular investors and high-frequency traders in fragmented markets. They recommend regulatory changes to move to discrete trading, which would lead to more efficient trades and eliminate the latency arms race.
A team of researchers has successfully measured heat transfer at the atomic scale, enabling insights into the relationship between heat dissipation and electronic structure in devices. This breakthrough could help overcome technological hurdles in creating smaller and more powerful electronics.
A new U-M study explores the relationship between social media use and narcissism levels, finding that college students who score higher in narcissism tend to post more on Twitter, while middle-aged adults use Facebook to boost their self-image. The study sheds light on how social media platforms can amplify narcissistic tendencies.
A new study found that the bacterium NI1060 causes gum disease by triggering a normally protective protein called Nod1 to destroy more bone, not just fight infection. This discovery could lead to personalized therapy for dental patients.
A new study from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University found that Facebook connections can play a role in helping young people, especially those who are traditionally less likely to go to college, feel more confident about their ability to get into college and to succeed there. First-generation students who use socia...
A recent study by University of Michigan researchers has found that sturgeon have evolved at an incredible rate in terms of body size, with some species reaching sizes comparable to those of Volkswagen vans. This discovery challenges the common perception of sturgeon as 'living fossils' and sheds new light on the evolutionary process.
University of Michigan researchers have discovered how a defective gene in Down syndrome is regulated and its impact on neurological development. By studying fruit fly neurons, they identified two molecular pathways that converge to regulate the gene's abundance, offering a possible therapeutic approach to an aspect of the syndrome.
Researchers at University of Michigan discover that a single gene, DLK, regulates both axon and dendrite growth in neurons. The finding highlights the importance of considering the bimodal nature of neurons when developing new treatments for regeneration of nerve cells.
Scientists have identified a mutant gene responsible for Native American myopathy, a rare hereditary muscle disease. The discovery of the Stac3 gene may lead to the development of drugs to treat the condition and other related muscle diseases.
A University of Michigan researcher has developed a new thermoelectric material that converts waste heat into power with increased efficiency. The material, engineered at the atomic level, boosts its ability to convert heat into power by 200 percent and its electrical conductivity by 43 percent.
A new study found that a spike in acetylcholine in the right prefrontal cortex activates response to signals, suggesting a potential brain mechanism for switching between behaviors. The findings have implications for treating disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and autism.
A University of Michigan-led study challenges prevailing theories on whooping cough's resurgence by showing vaccines offer long-lived protection and reduced transmission. The study highlights the success of Thailand's childhood immunization program in reducing pertussis cases, especially among infants.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully developed a new type of laser that uses electricity instead of light, requiring significantly less energy to operate. The device produces a coherent beam of light and has potential applications in various fields, including optical communication and medical surgery.
Researchers at the University of Michigan and MIT have discovered a method to control the arrangement of nanocrystals into complex patterns, including the herringbone style. By understanding the interactions between particles, they can design materials with specific properties, revolutionizing the field of nanotechnology.
The discovery of pear-shaped nuclei in exotic atoms may hold the key to understanding the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance. The shape allows for stronger detection of a new interaction that could explain the discrepancy.
A new University of Michigan study found that more than one in 10 GenXers are enrolled in classes to continue their formal educations, with 48% taking continuing education courses. The study also revealed that GenXers have earned graduate and professional degrees at a higher rate than any previous generation.
Stem cells use a process called nonrandom chromosome segregation to divide into different cell types, suggesting that distinct genetic information on the chromosome copies may underlie this diversification. The study used fruit fly stem cells to demonstrate this ability and sheds light on how cells develop into complex organisms.
A research team from the University of Michigan has developed a new class of thermoelectric materials made with organic semiconductors that can convert waste heat into electricity more efficiently. The material, PEDOT:PSS, achieves a figure-of-merit of 0.42, nearly doubling the efficiency of existing organic semiconductors.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have decoded the molecular signals that enable cancer cells to spread throughout the body. By understanding how tumor cells recruit healing cells, researchers can now develop drugs to block these messages and prevent metastasis.
Long-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to heart attacks and strokes by speeding up atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Higher concentrations of fine particulate air pollution were found to be linked to faster thickening of the inner two layers of the common carotid artery.
Scientists used a new lab technique to analyze fossil snail shells, gaining insights into an abrupt climate shift 34 million years ago. The study found a drop of up to 10 C in land temperature and linked atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations to surface temperatures.
A University of Michigan study examines how community size affects interracial friendships and found that larger groups discourage such relationships. Researchers tested a theoretical model using data from 4,745 US high school students, revealing the impact of group size on friendship formation.
Researchers found that animals use various methods to self-medicate, including learning and innate behaviors. This practice has significant implications for the ecology and evolution of animal hosts and their parasites.
GapSense software controls traffic to dramatically reduce interference, enabling devices to communicate more efficiently and reducing collisions by up to 45%. The technology could also address the 'hidden terminal' problem and reduce energy consumption of WiFi devices.
Researchers at the University of Michigan identified a new potential therapeutic target for lowering cholesterol, inhibiting a gene responsible for transporting a protein that interferes with liver cell function. This approach preserved the liver's capacity to clear plasma cholesterol from the blood without affecting overall health.
University of Michigan researchers create a new single-photon emitter that improves upon existing technology and is easier to make, paving the way for practical quantum cryptography. The device releases one photon at a time, allowing for secure communication by encoding messages in photons.
Researchers found that resistance training promotes the growth of white muscle, which helps regulate blood glucose levels. The study also identified potential drug targets for obesity and metabolic disease.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a method to build robust blood vessels using adult stem cells, which may lead to new treatments for circulatory diseases such as diabetes. The technique involves injecting endothelial cells and support cells into a scaffolding carrier, resulting in mature, functional capillaries.
Researchers found that Green Pea galaxies, compact and highly star-forming, may leak ionizing radiation. This could confirm the prevailing theory of reionization during the Big Bang's early stages.
A recent study suggests that the record-breaking 2011 Lake Erie algae bloom was caused by a combination of intense spring rainstorms and agricultural practices. The researchers used climate models to predict an increase in extreme precipitation events, which will likely fuel future massive blooms.
New research found that planting trees on non-forested lands significantly increases soil carbon levels. This effect is most pronounced after surface mining and industrial processes have been terminated, leading to doubling of soil carbon within two decades.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a way to reverse copper nanoparticle oxidation using light, potentially leading to an eco-friendly production process for propylene oxide. The discovery has significant implications for the chemical industry, which currently produces large quantities of unwanted chemicals.
A new laser-powered terahertz source and detector system has been developed, offering 1,500 times more power and sensitivity than existing technologies. This enables deeper tissue imaging and sensing applications with improved efficiency.
A University of Michigan study found that gay couples establish 'sexual agreements' to prevent HIV transmission, with 80% keeping their agreements. However, only 57% of couples confirm having an agreement, and 50% of those break it, increasing the risk of HIV transmission.
University of Michigan engineers create thin-layer, conducting, highly aligned film for high-performance plastic electronics by designing semiconducting polymers with natural twist and flexible arms. This breakthrough enables faster charge carrier mobility and could lead to cheaper, greener electronics.