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University of Michigan


Global warming may reroute evolution

Research at the University of Michigan suggests that rising carbon dioxide levels associated with global warming may affect interactions between plants and insects, altering the course of plant evolution. The study found that plant families responded differently to elevated carbon dioxide in their production of chemical and physical de...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 16, 2011

Spring break

A study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that students who have agreements with friends about using alcohol during Spring Break are less likely to binge drink. Women were more likely than men to report having understandings about safer behavior, such as agreeing not to get drunk.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateFeb 10, 2011

Resolved to quit smoking?

A new study using brain scans found that neural reactions to pro-health messages can accurately predict smoking quit success. The researchers tested 28 heavy smokers and found that neural activity in the medial prefrontal cortex predicted behavior change, outperforming people's own self-reported estimates.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalHealth Psychology·DateJan 31, 2011

DNA caught rock 'n rollin'

Researchers at University of Michigan and University of California, Irvine discover DNA's building blocks 'rock and roll,' forming alternative structures with Hoogsteen base pairs. These fleeting states contain new layers of information stored in the genetic code, shedding light on critical interactions between DNA and proteins.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateJan 28, 2011

'Catch-up' growth signals revealed

Scientists at the University of Michigan have identified a crucial biochemical pathway involved in catch-up growth, which is triggered by changes in oxygen levels. The research has implications for understanding why babies who experience catch-up growth are at higher risk for later life health problems.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalDevelopment·DateJan 27, 2011

Mercury in Bay Area fish a legacy of California mining

A study using a 'fingerprinting' technique has identified the main sources of mercury in Bay Area fish, tracing it back to sediments and historic mining sites. The findings suggest that small fish acquire mercury from sediments and pass it along to larger fish, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to protect wildlife.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 25, 2011

Shrinking snow and ice cover intensify global warming

New research from the University of Michigan reveals that decreasing snow and ice cover in the Northern Hemisphere has exacerbated global warming, with a stronger positive feedback mechanism than initially predicted. The study shows that the cryospheric albedo feedback is almost twice as strong as models have simulated, contributing to...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 18, 2011

Living in certain neighborhoods increases the chances older men and women will develop cancer

A new study found that living in racially segregated neighborhoods with high crime rates increases the chances of developing cancer, particularly among older adults. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, also discovered a link between neighborhood segregation and heart problems for older women.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateDec 9, 2010

Friends with cognitive benefits

A University of Michigan study found that brief episodes of cooperative social contact enhance executive function, a key component of mental activity. Engaging in conversations with a friendly tone results in improved performance on common cognitive tasks.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 27, 2010

Complexity not so costly after all, analysis shows

A new analysis by Jianzhi Zhang and coworkers reveals flaws in models predicting the cost of complexity and finds that moderate complexity best enables organisms to adapt. The study challenged assumptions underlying traditional mathematical models, suggesting that a moderate amount of complexity is beneficial for adaptation.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 27, 2010