Ecuador laurel trees support more scale insects, which produce honeydew for Azteca ants, boosting their numbers and defending the foliage. The tree-ant mutualism is stronger under resource-poor conditions, with trees paying carbon to ants in exchange for guard duty.
Researchers found that mammalian body size decreased during two ancient global warming events, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) and Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (ETM2). The study suggests that mammals may adapt to extreme warming by becoming smaller.
A new headpiece design could improve a depression treatment by allowing researchers to hit finer targets in the brain, up to twice as deep as today's systems. The system uses computer simulations and metamaterials to reduce pain and increase effectiveness.
Researchers at University of Michigan and Jiangnan University have developed a new method for detecting DNA using twisted light, achieving 50 times better sensitivity than current methods. This technology has the potential to aid in diagnosing patients, solving crimes, and identifying biological contaminants.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a microfluidic chip that can capture elusive circulating tumor cells from blood, supporting their growth for further analysis. This technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment by providing accurate prognoses and testing treatment options on cultur...
A University of Michigan researcher challenges the widely held notion that biofuels like ethanol are carbon neutral, arguing that plants used to make fuel do not remove additional CO2 from the atmosphere. He suggests reforestation and protecting forests as more effective ways to address climate change.
A University of Michigan study explores how divorce and remarriage impact caregivers, finding that adult stepchildren can be a source of stress. The research highlights the need for tailored interventions to address the unique needs of re-partnered older adults in complex family situations.
The University of Michigan has released seven technical reports on hydraulic fracturing in Michigan, exploring its potential economic benefits and environmental risks. The studies found that while natural gas reserves exist in the state, high-volume hydraulic fracturing may not be feasible due to low gas prices and drilling costs.
A team of researchers from the University of Michigan discovered that the loss of motor ability associated with aging begins in neurons and spreads to muscles. By stimulating neurons, they were able to reverse the decline in motor ability in roundworms and potentially develop a new treatment for human muscle decline.
Researchers found that coal soot reduced Alpine glacier ice by shrinking them, despite cooler temperatures. European glaciers retreated an average of nearly 1 kilometer between 1860 and 1930 due to industrialization, contradicting previous natural climate shift assumptions.
A University of Michigan biologist and colleague challenge the notion that genetic reproductive barriers are a driving force behind speciation. Their study found no evidence that genetic barriers to reproduction predict the rate at which new species form in nature.
A University of Michigan study found two critical components involved in the brain's cell clearing process: TRPML1 calcium channel protein and an alipid molecule. The researchers also identified a synthetic chemical compound that can activate TRPML1, potentially providing a drug target for combating neurological diseases.
African-American children and teens who adapt to mainstream culture while maintaining their own identity can reduce stress and stress eating, lowering type 2 diabetes risk. Higher socioeconomic status does not necessarily protect against diabetes risk for Latino adolescents.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how mercury enters open-ocean fish, finding that up to 80% is produced deep in the ocean by bacteria. Mercury levels are likely to rise in Pacific fish over the coming decades due to increased industrialization in Asia.
A fungal-bacterial consortium converts tough plant materials into isobutanol, producing 1.88 grams per liter of fluid, with 62% energy conversion rate. The system reduces capital investment and operating cost, making biofuel production economically viable.
Researchers at the University of Michigan used an electroencephalogram to study how the brain responds to a fall. They found that many areas of the brain sense and respond to a fall, but this happens well before the muscles react. The study aims to improve understanding of falls in the elderly and potentially prevent them.
A new University of Michigan study found that Facebook use predicts declines in a user's well-being, undermining their social connection needs. In contrast, direct interactions with other people on the platform led participants to feel better over time.
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.