University of Michigan researchers Kevin Kubarych and Carlos Baiz have achieved the feat of watching the first solvation shell respond to a chemical reaction. They realized that electrons move during chemical reactions, causing vibrational frequencies in surrounding molecules to change.
A University of Michigan researcher proposes a 'revolution by evolution' to boost fuel efficiency in gasoline-powered cars. By prioritizing efficient combustion engines and hybrid drives, the target is to reach 52 mpg by 2025 and 74 mpg by 2035.
A University of Michigan survey found that core values such as equality and respect for diversity are widely held across the US population. However, divisions exist on issues like same-sex marriage, immigration, and universal healthcare.
A 10-year study of an organic coffee farm in Mexico uncovered intricate interactions between ants, beetles, and other species that buffer the farm against extreme outbreaks of pests and diseases. The complex web buffers the farm against magic bullets necessary for modern agriculture.
A University of Michigan professor uses Wikipedia revisions as a teaching tool to improve public understanding of science and promote teamwork among students. The approach has shown success in achieving course learning goals, including communicating complex concepts to a diverse audience.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that bacteria spend more on internal proteins than external ones, conserving resources and improving their competitiveness. This thrifty behavior is linked to protein location and cost, with cheaper amino acids used in internal proteins.
New studies suggest that vitamin A and beta-carotene supplements may increase the amount of HIV in breast milk, potentially leading to mother-to-child transmission. The research found that these nutrients can raise the risk of developing subclinical mastitis, an inflammatory condition that causes viral particles to leak into the milk.
A University of Michigan professor has developed a new type of color filter made of nano-thin sheets with precisely spaced gratings, trapping and transmitting light of specific colors. The filter acts as a polarizer simultaneously, eliminating the need for additional polarizer layers, making it simpler to manufacture.
Research by Elizabeth Tibbetts and Amanda Izzo found that paper wasps punish peers who falsely advertise their fighting ability to maintain accurate signals. In experiments, wasps with mismatched facial patterns and behavior were punished, while those whose signal and behavior matched were rarely targeted.
According to a study at the University of Michigan, children who see homework as an investment rather than a chore are more likely to spend time on it. The researchers found that students who expected to have a job dependent on their education were more likely to invest time in homework and had better grades over time.
As we age, breakdowns in brain connections lead to slower reactivity and confusion during one-sided motor movements. Researchers found that older adults' brains communicate more with each other while at rest, hindering brain function.
A global team of researchers has identified 95 regions of the human genome where genetic variants are associated with blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a major indicator of heart disease risk. The study found that many common variants discovered by the team also influence lipid traits across different racial and ethnic groups.
A pilot-dentist duo proposes adapting airline crew resource management principles to dental offices, aiming to reduce human errors and improve patient safety. By implementing standardized safety procedures and empowering team members with CRM checklists, dentists can significantly reduce complications and deaths in surgical settings.
Stem cell differentiation is a crucial process that can be accelerated using a novel type of matrix, adjusting its stiffness without altering its chemical composition. By analyzing traction forces and cellular behavior, researchers predict stem cell differentiation as early as Day 1.
A University of Michigan biologist and a colleague at the University of California, Berkeley, found that shade-grown coffee farms support native bees that pollinate native trees and enhance genetic diversity. The study suggests that these bees play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity in tropical regions.
A recent discovery of a 29-million-year-old fossil catarrhine provides new insights into the facial anatomy of the ancestral stock of apes and Old World monkeys. The Saadanius skull supports the hypothesis that the last common ancestor had a baboon-like, long snout, similar to that of modern true apes and monkeys.
New research reveals the TRPML1 channel plays a crucial role in lysosome function, offering new avenues for treating conditions like ALS and CMT. The findings suggest that activating this channel could help overcome membrane traffic defects caused by disease-causing mutations.
A University of Michigan study finds that Russians are more likely to focus on negative feelings but are less likely to feel depressed as a result. They tend to spontaneously distance themselves from their emotions, leading to lower levels of distress and blame compared to Americans.
A new study from the University of Michigan found significant variations in emotional reactions among black, white, and Hispanic caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. The research suggests that racial and ethnic differences play a crucial role in shaping their grieving experiences.
Researchers discovered 12 new regions on the genome with DNA variants linked to type 2 diabetes, raising hopes for early detection and prevention. The study also revealed surprising overlaps between type 2 diabetes and non-related diseases.
The University of Michigan predicts a larger-than-average Gulf dead zone this year, with a range of 6,500 to 7,800 square miles. The impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the size of the dead zone is unclear, but it could either increase or decrease due to various factors.
Researchers have discovered that tiny smectitic clay coatings on the rock surfaces of the San Andreas fault reduce friction and facilitate creeping motion. This coating, less than 100 nanometers thick, acts as a lubricant, allowing the fault to move slowly and steadily over time.
A 10-year study of a chimp community in Uganda found that chimpanzees violently kill individuals from neighboring groups to expand their own territory. The researchers witnessed 18 fatal attacks and found signs of three others, with the Ngogo chimpanzees expanding their territory by 22%.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new synthetic stem cell growth matrix that overcomes major challenges in human embryonic stem cell research. The new coating, made from a water-soluble gel, has been shown to support long-term growth and maintenance of pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells.
A genetic analysis reveals that flu strains in the US don't disappear at the end of winter, but instead migrate to South America and other parts of the world. This knowledge has implications for public health efforts, including antiviral use and vaccination programs.
Researchers found that laptops can increase students' engagement, attentiveness, and participation when used to facilitate interactive discussions and activities. Students reported feeling more attentive and able to learn when using LectureTools.
Researchers have discovered a new nanoscale electrical phenomenon that allows for nondestructive transmission of electricity through glass, enabling the development of faster and less expensive portable diagnostic devices. This breakthrough could also enable significant advancements in building micro-mechanical and lab-on-a-chip devices.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that African Americans' poorer physical health is linked to their effective coping strategies for depression, which also lead to higher rates of obesity and mortality. Researchers suggest improving living conditions and job opportunities as a key solution.
Researchers at University of Michigan find that hand-washing reduces influence of past behaviors and decisions with no moral implications. Washing hands results in reduced buyer's remorse and less rosy evaluations of choices.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have built a more efficient Rydberg atom trap, which could enable faster quantum computers. By trapping giant Rydberg atoms, they can create stronger quantum circuits and solve complex problems that conventional computers cannot.
Researchers detected significant changes in chemical tracers in stream water, indicating increased thaw depth of permafrost. The study suggests that coastal erosion and greenhouse gas releases are likely outcomes of thawing permafrost.
The University of Michigan researchers have developed a pressure-cooking method to create better biofuels from algae, speeding up the crude-oil-making process from millennia to minutes. This new method eliminates the need for drying and extracting oil, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Researchers at University of Michigan created a microfluidic integrated circuit that regulates fluid flow without external instructions. This innovation aims to simplify lab-on-a-chip devices and enable instant home diagnostic tests for various illnesses and contaminants.
Researchers discovered that TRPV3 plays a crucial role in regulating hair growth and skin health. The protein's activation leads to the release of TGF-alpha, which stimulates EGFR, forming a positive signaling loop.
Researchers are developing a computer inspired by the feline brain's ability to recognize faces and learn from experience. The project aims to create a machine that can perform tasks simultaneously, like recognizing faces, while conventional computers rely on sequential processing.
Researchers have taken the first close-up pictures of Epsilon Aurigae's mysterious dark companion, revealing a geometrically thin, dark, dense, but partially translucent cloud. The images show that the basic paradigm was right despite slim probability, and provide new insights into the system's shape and surface characteristics.
A new study found that middle-aged Americans aged 50-64 reported a significant increase in mobility-related difficulties, with over 40% citing health problems as causes. The trend is concerning, as it may lead to increased need for long-term care and societal costs.
A new study by University of Michigan scientists suggests that evolutionary genetic mechanisms underlying changes in form and function are distinct. Researchers found that genes affecting morphology (form) evolved faster than those affecting physiology (function), supporting the idea that morphological changes result from gene expressi...
New research suggests the Andes rose gradually, not abruptly, due to changes in oxygen isotopes and rainfall patterns. Climate modeling experiments supported this conclusion, indicating that increased precipitation rates caused the ratio of oxygen-18 to oxygen-16 to decrease.
Researchers discovered a nearly complete juvenile Diplodocus skull that reveals drastic changes in skull shape during normal growth. The discovery provides new insights into the feeding behavior of young Diplodocus, which may have been choosier browsers selecting high-quality plant parts.
Researchers are using thermography and endoscopy to examine the contents of a 1,000-pound lead coffin found in an ancient Italian city without breaking it. The discovery is significant due to its rarity, with only a handful of examples from this time period existing in Italy.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed mini generators that can produce electricity from random, non-periodic vibrations. These devices have the potential to power a range of applications, including remote wireless sensors and surgically implanted medical devices.
The spliceosome, a giant complex of RNA and protein subunits, assembles and operates to remove unwanted genetic material and join the remaining pieces. Researchers spied on the process using FRET and observed reversible contortions in the presence of energy.
University of Michigan engineers have found that light can cause rigid nanoparticles to twist into complex shapes. This discovery could lead to breakthroughs in superchiral materials, invisibility cloaks, and novel applications in drug delivery, microfluidics, and lithography.
Researchers at U-M have solved a long-standing mystery about how insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) work on muscle cells. IGFs promote either muscle cell differentiation or division, depending on oxygen availability.
Researchers found that sea urchins prey on crinoids, a type of marine animal known as sea lilies, and suggested that these interactions drove the development of motility in sea lilies. The study, published in PNAS, provides evidence for an evolutionary arms race between predators and prey dating back over 200 million years.
Researchers develop method to efficiently turn carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide using visible light, a process similar to what organisms naturally do. The technique has potential applications in producing electricity or hydrogen and could be scaled up with mass production of the catalyst.
University of Michigan researchers found a vulnerability in RSA authentication, a widely used encryption method. By manipulating voltage supply to the private key holder, hackers can extract the key and compromise security. The discovery has significant implications for media companies, mobile device manufacturers, and online retailers.
A study of corporate executives found that only 68% took their cholesterol-lowering medication as prescribed. Executives who took statins were twice as likely to meet their cholesterol goals and achieved better outcomes than those who didn't take the medication, even sporadically.
Researchers found that coastal and open-ocean fish have distinct mercury signatures, ruling out the idea that they pick up methylmercury by eating contaminated coastal fish. Instead, they suggest that mercury is deposited into the open ocean and undergoes methylation in low-oxygen microenvironments.