University of Michigan scientists found a significant connection between the lipid PI(3,5)P2 and neuronal health, revealing potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Lowered levels of this signaling molecule lead to massive neurodegeneration in mice.
A new study suggests that firing clay in unvented kilns could be a significant source of exposure to dioxins, particularly for individuals who use the kilns regularly. The study found elevated levels of dioxins in two women who frequently used kilns in their homes.
A new study suggests that a lack of HIV prevention dollars for male sex workers in the Caribbean is fuelling the region's AIDS epidemic. The study found that bisexual behaviour among these men can significantly contribute to the spread of HIV.
A new study found that white women are almost five times more likely to take tamoxifen and three times more likely to have adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer. Women with government health insurance were less likely to receive combination breast conserving surgery and radiation.
University of Michigan researchers developed a composite plastic that's as strong as steel but lighter and transparent by mimicking the molecular structure found in seashells. The new material consists of layers of clay nanosheets and a water-soluble polymer, achieving ideal transfer of stress between nanosheets and a polymer matrix.
University of Michigan researchers develop new computer program and analysis method to identify smaller wave combinations as major contributors to ship damage. The approach goes against traditional simulations that focus on individual wave height.
A comparative study of Black Caribbeans living in America found better health, higher incomes, and less discrimination than both black Americans and English Caribbeans. The research attributed these differences to economic inequalities and migration patterns.
New studies show that soft drink contracts in schools contribute to childhood obesity rates, with low-income areas having more fast-food options. Minority students face greater exposure to junk food through advertising and school policies.
A new study suggests that training programs promoting balanced activity of the inner and outer thigh muscles may help protect the ACL from injury. The research found that women tend to activate their outer thigh muscles more than their inner thigh muscles when preparing to land from a jump, leading to a larger valgus knee angle.
A national survey found racial differences in knowledge and beliefs about Alzheimer's disease, with blacks and Hispanics more hopeful about research advances and reporting lifestyle changes to reduce risk. Despite increased knowledge over the past two decades, misconceptions remain among large segments of the population.
Researchers used solid-state NMR spectroscopy to create high-resolution images of cytochrome b5 in its membrane environment, revealing its helical shape and interaction with cytochrome P450. This breakthrough sheds light on the complex dynamics between these two proteins.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully established entanglement between two atoms, a key feature of quantum communication. This achievement has significant implications for the development of super-fast quantum computers and a quantum internet.
Researchers at University of Michigan dispute the immortal strand hypothesis, which suggests adult stem cells minimize genetic mutations through a non-random DNA segregation process. They found no evidence supporting this idea in blood-forming mouse stem cells.
Researchers identified different areas of risk-taking based on ancestral challenges, finding that fertility risks are the least taken and social status-related risks are the most. Men were consistently more risk-takers than women across various domains.
Researchers have observed the properties of neutron stars, including their sizes and masses, using a new technique that exploits Einstein's general theory of relativity. The study provides insights into the extreme conditions within these ultradense objects.
Researchers have created synthetic antibiotics called Teflon AMPs that are more resistant to bacterial defenses than their natural counterparts. These compounds mimic the immune system's early line of defense and show promise in battling a range of infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Research by Cindy Lustig and David Bissig found that people who use smart strategies, such as studying more than testing, show large improvements in memory. Meanwhile, those who focus on testing without studying do poorly. The study suggests that the way people approach training is more important than age or initial ability.
A University of Michigan survey found that nearly half of Air Force women experience little to no impact from family separation on their work, but those with higher family-work conflict rates are more likely to suffer symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study aims to identify areas where interventions can reduce this source of stress.
University of Michigan researchers have made a significant breakthrough in accelerating quantum computers by harnessing the power of pulses of light. This innovation has the potential to foil national and personal security threats by rapidly deciphering encrypted codes and strengthening information protections.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that plain soap is as effective as antibacterial soap in preventing illness and reducing bacteria on hands. The team's analysis also suggests that triclosan, a common active ingredient in antibacterial soaps, may render some antibiotics less effective.
A new study by the University of Michigan has found that over 90% of Americans age 65 and older now have prescription drug coverage, up from 75% in 2004. The study also revealed that poor seniors are as likely to have coverage as wealthy elders, with many citing few or no drugs as the reason for not obtaining coverage.
A new University of Michigan study shows the wealth gap is increasing steadily, with the top 2% of families seeing a nearly doubling of their net worth, while the poorest quarter of families lose ground. The poorest ten percent of families even have negative net worth.
A series of surveys shows a decline in support for religious government and an increase in support for secular political rule. Iraqis exhibit a strong sense of national identity, prioritizing being 'Iraqis' over other affiliations.
The study provides a complete picture of how anthrax-causing bacteria survive and grow inside immune cells, identifying key genes and enzymes that play crucial roles. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective and easily tolerated treatments for anthrax infections.
A University of Michigan study has identified the Sox17 gene, which regulates blood-forming fetal stem cells. The discovery may lead to new insights into childhood leukemias and the development of bone marrow transplantation from human embryonic stem cells.
Scientists at the University of Michigan developed a lens-like device that focuses electromagnetic waves down to tiny points, removing wavelength limitations for data storage and sensing applications. The breakthrough enables CD storage to hold up to one hundred times more information using terahertz radiation.
A study of over 2,000 children found a genetic marker on chromosome 17 linked to an increased risk of childhood onset asthma. The discovery provides a new molecular pathway for targeted treatments and could lead to improved management of the disease.
A study of 2,785 college students found that over half with significant anxiety or depression symptoms didn't seek help, despite available resources. Socioeconomic background was a key predictor of seeking help, with poor students being more prone to symptoms and less likely to seek treatment.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are conducting experiments to understand how Martian winds and dust affect NASA's Phoenix mission. They are simulating the effects of blowing Mars dust in a laboratory setting to provide insight for the Phoenix team.
The U-M Health and Retirement Study finds that three out of four older workers would prefer to reduce their hours gradually rather than retire abruptly. A two-thirds majority of workers would partially retire if firms allowed them to scale back their hours at the same hourly wage.
A new study links birth weight with adult health and socioeconomic success, finding that low birth weight increases the risk of poor health, lower earnings, and reduced educational attainment. The study analyzed over 35 years of data on more than 12,000 individuals from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics.
Researchers used optical interferometry to produce the most detailed stellar picture ever made, revealing surprising new insights about rapid rotators like Altair. The image shows equatorial darkening, a phenomenon predicted by astronomer Hugo von Zeipel in 1924.
A new study by the University of Michigan School of Public Health suggests that chain-owned nursing homes face a dilemma between administrative and clinical standards. The research found that excessive emphasis on corporate standardization can hurt patient care, while a balance is needed to optimize resident outcomes. The study's autho...
A new study by the University of Michigan found that aspirin therapy is four times more likely to be ineffective in women compared to men with the same medical history. The researchers used a device to test platelet reactivity and found that gender was a predictor for aspirin resistance, rather than medical history.
A U of M-led study has identified 10 new genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes, which could lead to the development of new drugs and more effective treatments. The findings also improve our understanding of how these genetic factors interact with lifestyle factors.
A team of researchers has developed a technique to identify and structurally characterize glycans, assemblies of sugars attached to proteins on cancer cell surfaces, which may lead to the development of diagnostic tools or therapeutic agents specifically targeting them.
A University of Michigan study suggests that economic methods undervalue childhood interventions, despite evidence showing higher value placed on health gains for children and adolescents. The research recommends adjusting economic formulae to better reflect societal values, prioritizing early childhood intervention.
A recent study found female athletes tend to land from a jump with a more flexed ankle and experience greater knee abduction and internal rotation compared to male athletes. This increased risk of non-contact ACL injury during landing may be explained by differences in joint motion and loads between women and men when fatigued.
A new study finds that reading violent scriptures increases aggressive behavior, especially among believers. The study, led by University of Michigan social psychologist Brad Bushman, found that participants who read passages from the Bible exhibited increased aggression when told that God had sanctioned their actions.
Researchers are using solid-state NMR spectroscopy to explore the properties of natural antibiotics called antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are produced by virtually all animals. AMPs have shown promise in targeting microbes without harming healthy host cells.
Researchers will develop software to predict unintended consequences of greenhouse gas reduction policies on the automotive market, life cycle environmental impact, and material demand. The goal is to ensure that policies effectively reduce emissions while minimizing undesirable outcomes.
A team of scientists has discovered a strong connection between carbon dioxide increase and warming during the Paleozoic Era. The research found that as Gondwana deglaciated and atmospheric CO2 rose, tropical regions became arid and vegetation changed dramatically.
Research from the University of Michigan confirms environmental justice scholars' claims that hazardous waste facilities are concentrated in poor, minority neighborhoods. The study found demographic changes occurred before facility siting, contradicting the 'people came first' argument.
A mathematical model of disease cycles developed at the University of Michigan shows promise for predicting cholera outbreaks. The model used El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate variability data to improve prediction accuracy, particularly in recent decades.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that aerosols in clouds significantly impact climate models' ability to predict future temperature changes. The study compared two climate models with varying levels of aerosols and found divergent results, highlighting the need for more research to improve predictive capabilities.
The ankle exoskeleton helps patients regain limb function, and users can learn to walk with it in about 30 minutes. After three days, their nervous system retained control over the device.
A University of Michigan study has found that forest fires release more mercury into the atmosphere than previously recognized. The research, led by Doctoral student Abir Biswas, estimates that wildfires and prescribed burns account for approximately 25 percent of human-generated mercury emissions in the United States.
Researchers developed an efficient synthetic route to produce cryptophycin 1, a promising anti-cancer drug from blue-green algae, and identified a key enzyme that introduces the epoxide group in the desired beta configuration.
A University of Michigan study found that the traditional flu shot was effective in preventing influenza in healthy adults, while the live attenuated-virus nasal spray vaccine was less effective. The study compared the two vaccines head-to-head with laboratory confirmation and found significant differences in their protective effects.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that the construction of new highways in rural Ecuador is linked to higher rates of diarrheal diseases and a breakdown of traditional social structures. The roads, which connect previously isolated villages, bring new people and bacteria, leading to increased infection rates.