University of Michigan researchers John Vandermeer and Ivette Perfecto argue that peasant farming practices actually support conservation in the tropics. The study found that agroforests, where fruit and timber trees share space with other crops, serve as thoroughfares for migrating animals and promote biodiversity.
A culturally tailored HIV-prevention program reduces risky sexual behaviors among Latino adolescents, even a year after attendance. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of behavioral training in decreasing HIV transmission risk.
New research suggests that sudden, rapid global warming drove the dispersal of early primates from South Asia to Europe and then to North America. The whole event happened within about 25,000 years.
Researchers from the University of Michigan and Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics discovered atomic nitrogen in interstellar gas clouds, suggesting pre-life molecules may be present in comets. This finding sheds new light on the early conditions that led to life on Earth.
University of Michigan researchers use gas bubbles to block blood flow to tumors, offering a promising new technique in embolotherapy. The method allows for precise control over bubble formation, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
A University of Michigan study reveals that established eBay sellers can earn up to 8% more revenue than new sellers due to their positive reputation. The feedback system on the site effectively rewards reputable sellers and deters buyers from trusting those with low reputations.
UM researchers discover benzodiazepine-423 inhibits F1F0-ATPase enzyme, reducing ATP production while selectively targeting disease-causing cells. This mechanism may open new avenues for treating various conditions including lupus, arthritis, and psoriasis.
Researchers found that genetic mutations cause the PERIOD protein to degrade more quickly, contradicting previous thinking. This discovery could lead to new treatments for sleep disorders and depression by manipulating the circadian rhythm.
New X-ray data from Chandra reveals that magnetic fields are responsible for the prodigious amounts of radiation emitted by super-massive black holes. The discovery uses a scale model in our galaxy to understand how all black holes work, including those powering quasars.
Evolutionary biologist Jianzhi Zhang discovers parallel evolution of pancreatic enzyme RNASE1 in Asian and African colobine monkeys, showing identical amino acid changes despite separate duplication events. The study reveals a division of labor between old and new genes after duplication.
Researchers found that leptin suppresses appetite in tadpoles, but not as it does in other animals, allowing them to continue eating and developing limbs. The study reveals a new role for leptin in frog development and highlights its importance in regulating energy balance.
A study reviewing 40 years of disaster research found that PTSD affects a substantial burden of people who experience disasters. The most important risk factors for developing PTSD are the extent of exposure and the scope of the disaster.
Asteroid Itokawa is found to be a rubble pile, providing valuable clues on how the planets were formed. The confirmation has significant implications for theories of asteroid evolution and will lead to a better understanding of the early solar system.
Researchers used a technique to analyze political book sales and blog networks, finding distinct communities and cohesion within groups. The algorithm identified left- and right-wing book groups and blogs, with rare connections between them, suggesting polarization and factional strength.
Research suggests that women live longer than men due to the biological imperative of attracting mates, with males competing aggressively for female attention. This competition leads to riskier behavior and physiology, ultimately shortening male lifespans relative to females.
Researchers at U-M's Life Sciences Institute discovered that the MT1-MMP gene regulates fat cell size and metabolic gene expression. In three-dimensional environments, the gene plays a critical role in adipocyte development, potentially leading to novel therapeutics for obesity prevention.
Researchers discovered that African legless amphibian B. taitanus females provide nutrition to their hatchlings via their skin for up to four weeks. This post-hatching parental care is unprecedented in amphibians and may represent an evolutionary intermediate between reproductive modes.
The team, led by Joerg Lahann, aims to create a non-invasive and inexpensive over-the-counter breast cancer screening test using metabolites present in breath. The device will utilize switchable surfaces that can attract and detect cancer-indicating metabolites.
Scientists have developed a method to track and quantify the absorption of multi-walled carbon nanotubes into living cells. Research found that 74% of nanotubes were assimilated by cancer cells after 15 minutes, with nearly irreversible uptake.
A new study by an international team finds that climate change may contribute to malaria's rise, with rising temperatures creating favorable conditions for mosquitoes and pathogen development. The researchers also suggest that other factors such as drug resistance and human migration play roles in the disease's resurgence.
Researchers observed male chimps in Uganda's Kibale National Park using 'directed scratches' to request grooming of specific areas on their bodies. The study suggests that these primates may be capable of mental-state attribution, making inferences about the knowledge of others.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a novel method to weaken Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli, making them susceptible to existing antibiotics. The approach, which involves genetic modification, has shown promising results in reducing antibiotic doses needed to kill the bacteria.
A cancer researcher is working on a targeted way to deliver drugs to specific cells, making treatment more precise and effective. The approach uses natural biomolecules to target diseased cells while leaving healthy ones alone.
Researchers are developing nanotechnology approaches for oral health diagnosis and treatment, including precise drug delivery using dendrimers and PEBBLES-probes. These systems aim to increase the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs and control mineral composition in bone tissue.
Researchers found that humans lost genes related to the sense of smell, bitter taste, and immune response, which may have improved our ability to fight infections. The loss of the CASPASE12 gene, in particular, led to a stronger immune response, but also made it harder for humans to fight off severe bacterial infections.
The University of Michigan's ADVANCE program has made significant progress in improving the representation of women in science and engineering faculties, with a notable increase in female hires. As a result, U-M is now recognized as a national leader in promoting diversity and inclusion.
Using a new geochemical tool, researchers documented how fast glaciers eroded the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, finding rates six times faster than rivers and landslides. Glaciers scraped at least 2 kilometers of rock from mountains around 1.8 million years ago, shaping the landscape.
Researchers have invented a new class of materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can store vast amounts of carbon dioxide. One MOF, dubbed MOF-177, sops up 140% of its weight in CO2 at room temperature and reasonable pressure.
Scientists create a new class of materials called covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which can store hydrogen more efficiently. By slowing down the synthesis process, researchers can predict the internal structure and properties of COFs, allowing for tailored applications.
Researchers found that older adults increase activation in control-related brain regions and additional frontal brain areas when faced with difficult tasks. In contrast, young adults tend to deactivate certain brain regions. These findings suggest that older adults can adapt to challenging situations, although their brains may respond ...
A new study by University of Michigan researchers finds that market-based incentives, such as pollution taxes and emissions permits, can reduce pollution abatement costs for businesses. However, these approaches may not be effective in areas with localized pollution where the source of pollution matters.
A new theoretical model helps explore the fate of CO2 injected into oceans under various temperature and pressure conditions. Liquid CO2 would need to be injected to a depth of at least 800 meters to keep it from escaping, according to Zhang's model.
Researchers found that sea lilies move by shedding stalk ends and using feathery arms to crawl. This defense strategy helps them evade sea urchins, which prey on them. The discovery sheds light on the evolution and ecology of deep-sea creatures.
A geologist is proposing a new approach, called GeoTraverse, to select study sites for the NSF-funded EarthScope project. This approach aims to facilitate greater scientific collaboration and public engagement by selecting areas that can be connected into one or a few east-west transects.
A recent restudy and reconstruction of a Mongolian sauropod skull adds to evidence for sauropod diversity at the end of the dinosaur era. The discovery highlights the existence of titanosaurs, a late surviving sauropod lineage that flourished during this period.
Researchers found that tumor cells use jagged1 protein to interact with endothelial cells, prompting angiogenesis and tumor growth. This discovery could lead to a two-pronged approach to treat cancer by blocking protein secretion and cell contact.
A University of Michigan study found that wealthier seniors experience fewer symptoms, including pain and shortness of breath, in their final year. This disparity persists even after controlling for factors such as age, gender, and diagnosis.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that welfare reform led to increased rates of hypertension, obesity, and poor self-reported health among single mothers. The study's findings suggest that the impact of welfare reform on women's health was not fully considered in policy decisions.
Researchers found attacks on brachiopods were rare but widespread during the Paleozoic Era, with predators likely mistaking them for other prey. The findings hint at how the food chain changed over time as predators diversified and prey groups became better armored.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have discovered a bacterium that can live on toluene as its sole source of carbon and energy. This discovery holds promise for cleaning up environmental pollutants, particularly in oxygen-scarce environments where toluene can cause problems.
A new study by University of Michigan researcher Jeffrey B. Bingenheimer found that adolescents exposed to gun violence are nearly four times as likely to perpetrate violence over the next two years. The study used propensity stratification to simulate randomization and controlled for demographic, socioeconomic, and temperamental factors.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that personal devotion to Islam is not linked to support for suicide bombings, but attending mosques more frequently is. The study analyzed data from over 1,150 Palestinian Muslim adults and found that communal religious practice was a predictor of support for suicide terrorism.
A study by Kira Birditt found that older people are less likely to argue and yell when upset with others. They report fewer interpersonal tensions and use less destructive behaviors, suggesting that they may become better at regulating their responses as they age.
A study examining 37,099 river restoration projects across the US found that individual successes exist but no consistent approach to applying best practices was identified. The Michigan team analyzed ecological success and suggests improving project management and systematic data collection.
Research suggests that parents' messages undermine girls' confidence in math and science, while also making them less interested in pursuing these fields. Teachers can play a crucial role by providing vocational and intellectual reasons for studying math or science.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully created an artificial version of mother of pearl, a naturally occurring compound that is several times stronger than nylon. By layering molecules on top of each other, scientists can engineer the mechanical properties of the material to suit specific applications.
Researchers identified a dozen potential facilities worldwide that could manufacture flu vaccines in emergency situations. Cell-based vaccines have the potential to reduce production time and improve flexibility compared to traditional egg culture methods.
Dendrimers have shown promise for precisely delivering drugs to their targets inside the body, but high concentrations can be toxic. Researchers discovered that engineering dendrimers in particular ways can prevent this damage and make them better at what they do.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed new polymer coatings that generate nitric oxide from compounds found in blood, which may improve accuracy and reduce clots in implanted sensors. The copper-based materials could lead to longer lifespans for these devices, addressing limitations of earlier designs.
Researchers captured ancient, 9-billion-year-old light from a massive galaxy cluster, providing a snapshot of the universe at 5 billion years old. The discovery confirms that galaxy clusters formed in a way consistent with recent structures.