A new project led by University of Michigan math professor Daniel Forger aims to understand how the brain's daily clock controls mood in humans and animals. The study uses mathematical modeling and experiments involving mice to examine the relationship between abnormal circadian rhythms and bipolar disorder.
A US study has found that physicians are less likely to prescribe antidepressants to African-American and Hispanic patients with major depressive disorder. The study also reveals significant variations in prescription patterns based on patient age, payment source, and physician ownership status.
The study's addition of genetic data provides a major new dimension for research, combining genetic background with data on older people's lives. Researchers will be able to describe behavioral and environmental risk factors for disease and disability.
A recent study found that teachers and parents significantly influence adolescent engagement in school, contrary to the widely-held belief that peers do. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,500 teens and found that social support from adults can counteract the negative effects of peers.
A University of Michigan team has identified a synthetic small molecule that can activate lysosome calcium channels, potentially treating rare inherited metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery could also provide insights into the aging process.
A year after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, scientists are lacking fundamental knowledge about how nuclear fuels behave under extreme conditions. A review article calls for a long-term national research program to study this topic.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have designed a device that converts heartbeat vibrations into electricity to power pacemakers and defibrillators. The new energy harvester could save patients from repeated surgeries by reducing or eliminating the need for battery replacements.
Marin Clark's study challenges the long-held theory of plate tectonics by suggesting that mantle strength, not mountain height, is the key factor controlling convergence. The Indian sub-continent will halt its collision with Eurasia in about 20 million years due to the strong uppermost mantle beneath Tibet and the Himalayas.
A University of Michigan study found that pairing masks and hand washing can reduce flu-like symptoms by up to 75 percent. The research suggests that these measures should be used together for maximum effectiveness in preventing the spread of illness.
University of Michigan researchers use a liquid laser to detect genetic mutations that might predispose someone to a particular type of cancer. This new technique amplifies the difference in signals, making it hundreds of times brighter than current methods.
A University of Michigan report found that young adults in Generation X were moderately concerned about the flu and followed the issue closely. Despite a low vaccination rate, they responded accordingly by being well-informed and taking actions to protect themselves and their families.
Researchers found that unhealthy narcissism is more than twice as large a predictor of cortisol in males as in females, indicating chronic HPA axis activation. The study suggests that societal definitions of masculinity may contribute to the physiological effects of narcissism on men.
A study of 26 wealthy nations found that countries with a higher density of fast food restaurants per capita had much higher obesity rates compared to those with lower densities. Obesity rates in the US and Canada were significantly higher than in Japan and Norway, suggesting free market policies may have unintended side effects.
A new study reveals that acid rain's impact on Great Lakes sugar maples goes beyond soil acidification. Excess nitrogen from acid rain slows microbial decay of dead leaves, creating a physical barrier for seedlings. This mechanism is expected to worsen as nitrogen deposition increases by the end of the century.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that CAFE standards can create a financial incentive for automakers to produce larger vehicles, leading to increased carbon emissions. The study suggests that the policy can be adjusted to reduce these unintended incentives.
Researchers found that paper wasps can differentiate between unaltered faces faster and more accurately than geometric patterns or altered facial images. The ability to recognize individuals is crucial for colony stability in species like P. fuscatus.
Researchers have optimized a type of optical resonator to boost infrared signals to higher-energy ultraviolet beams using low-power nonlinear processes. This enables the creation of low-cost, wavelength-tunable ultraviolet sources with applications in chemical detection, medical imaging and fine lithography.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing insect 'cyborgs' that can power sensors and communications equipment, allowing them to monitor hazardous situations before human intervention. The devices harness kinetic energy from wing movements, enabling the insects to gather vital information in confined environments.
A study analyzing patient ratings found that most US patients are very satisfied with their physicians, with an average overall satisfaction rating of 9.28. Patients who experienced shorter waits and spent more time with their doctors had the highest scores.
Engineering researchers have successfully watched a ferroelectric memory bit switch between 0 and 1 states in real time. The breakthrough discovery offers greater storage capacity, faster write speed, and longer lifetimes than current memory designs.
University of Michigan researchers will provide genetic testing and risk estimates for individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The study aims to evaluate the impact of health education and genetic testing on psychological adjustment and behavior changes.
A University of Michigan survey found most Gen Xers lead active, balanced, and happy lives, with 90% participating in outdoor activities and 40% engaging in two or more recreation and leisure activities per month. Generation X adults are also engaged in community organizations, read regularly, and report high levels of happiness.
Scientists have discovered thousands of Earth-oceans' worth of water within the planet-forming disk of TW Hydrae. This finding suggests that comets could deliver vast amounts of water to new planets through impacts. The detection was made using the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far-Infrared on the Hershel Space Observatory.
A new analysis by University of Michigan researchers found that Olympic timing procedures don't accurately detect false starts by female sprinters, with some being able to anticipate the gun by up to 20 milliseconds. The researchers recommend lowering the force threshold for females to ensure fair racing.
A 12-year study found that future forests can grow faster under elevated carbon dioxide levels, outpacing assumptions of reduced growth due to climate change. The increased growth is sustained by enhanced soil nitrogen cycling and a greater ability for trees to absorb nitrogen from the soil.
Researchers found that ultraviolet radiation from massive stars evaporated gas in intergalactic medium, clearing a narrow cone-shaped passage. This process helps explain why similar phenomena in other galaxies were difficult to detect.
Scientists found that bubble-rafting snails, such as the common purple snail (Janthina janthina), evolved from sea-floor snails by modifying their egg masses to create buoyant rafts. This discovery suggests a new evolutionary pathway for these unique snails.
Astronomers at the University of Michigan discovered ocean-like water in Comet Hartley 2, a finding that suggests comets may have delivered a significant portion of Earth's oceans. The discovery was made using data from the Herschel Space Observatory and suggests that the source of Earth's oceans is more complex than previously thought.
A University of Michigan study found that advance directives can lead to lower Medicare expenditures for end-of-life care, particularly in regions with high spending. Patients with treatment-limiting advance directives were less likely to die in hospitals and more likely to receive palliative hospice care.
Scientists have long hypothesized that the Pacific Ocean was a significant source of carbon dioxide during glacial times. However, a new study suggests that this may not be the case, forcing researchers to reassess their ideas about the fundamental mechanisms that regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide over long time scales.
A recent study found that villages along roads have higher rates of antibiotic-resistant E. coli than rural areas, suggesting roads facilitate the spread of superbugs. The researchers attribute this to increased antibiotic use and poor water quality, which allow resistant strains to thrive.
A new study has identified subtle markers of heart damage hidden in hours of EKG recordings, allowing doctors to identify high-risk heart attack patients. The researchers found that these anomalies can predict patient mortality within 12 months, enabling targeted treatments to save lives.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new power management approach called E-MiLi, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 44% in real-world wireless networks. The technology works by slowing down the WiFi card's clock and detecting incoming messages using a new firmware modification.
Researchers Beverly Strassmann and Wendy Garrard found that children in nuclear families were over four times more likely to die by age 5 if their mothers were dead. In contrast, paternal grandparents did not improve a child's survival due to competing for scarce resources in patrilineal societies.
A recent study used genomics to unravel the immune response to the flu virus, finding significant and complex differences between those who got sick and those who remained asymptomatic. The research may lead to new therapies to prevent illness by detecting early warning signs of infection.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a generic mechanism for creating near-perfect nanoparticles that assemble into uniform structures. The breakthrough enables the formation of clusters with desirable properties, such as size, shape, and electrical conductivity.
Researchers found that ancient whale skulls were asymmetrical, suggesting a link to directional hearing in water. This discovery contradicts the idea that asymmetry evolved later as an adaptation for echolocation.
Researchers have cultured and identified a new type of fungus, Archaeorhizomycetes finlayi, found in soil for millions of years. The fungus, which is slow-growing and produces spores only in soil, may play a role in breaking down dead plants.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new anticensorship scheme called Telex, which uses public-key steganography to divert connections through participating ISPs. This system could shift the arms race regarding censorship in favor of free speech and access to information.
Scientists found satellite data inaccurately measures aerosols' effect on climate, leading to underestimated cooling effect. Researchers need to combine models with satellite data to improve climate predictions.
Researchers found that conservative candidates used Twitter to convey a coherent message on economic issues and were more cohesive in their messaging. The study also showed that analyzing Twitter activity can predict election winners with high accuracy.
A team of researchers has captured the real-time data on a football player who broke his neck during a head-down tackle. The data provides valuable insights into the impact of spinal fractures in high school and college athletes, highlighting the need for preventive measures to reduce such injuries.
A large-scale study by the University of Michigan found a link between phthalates and BPA exposure and decreased thyroid hormone levels in adults. The study suggests that exposure to these chemicals may have significant health implications, particularly for fetal and child development.
Researchers found that neurons can prefer multiple signals simultaneously and choose based on competing signals. This discovery could lead to more efficient brain implant design for treating neurological disorders.
Recent research found that zinc acts like a security guard to prevent amylin from forming harmful clumps. In healthy individuals with normal zinc levels, amylin helps regulate blood sugar, but in zinc-starved environments, it forms toxic aggregates.
Researchers at University of Michigan developed a new way to search for drugs that target RNA, a molecule essential to retroviruses like HIV. They successfully predicted the binding of six new small molecules to HIV's genetic material and demonstrated their efficacy in inhibiting viral replication.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive brain implant that wirelessly transmits brain signals to control computers and reactivate paralyzed limbs. The BioBolt implant uses the skin as a conductor to reduce power consumption and enable potential applications in controlling epilepsy and diagnosing diseases like Parkinson's.
Astronomers used Chandra X-ray Observatory to discover massive black holes growing more aggressively than thought, in tandem with host galaxies. The study suggests that these young black holes are related to quasars and could have played a role in clearing cosmic fog.
A record-sized Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone' is expected, driven by massive amounts of nutrients from the Mississippi River. The predicted size could surpass 8,500 square miles, threatening major fisheries and ecosystems.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers suggests that banning federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research would have disastrous consequences on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). The two cell types are complementary and interdependent research tools, and their use has become intertwined. As a re...