A study by University of Michigan researchers found that CLIP performs poorly on images from low-income and non-Western households, potentially exacerbating digital technology inequality. The model's bias can propagate into downstream applications and tools, excluding diverse representations and perpetuating socioeconomic disparities.
A University of Michigan-led study found genetic mutations promoting reproduction are linked to shorter lifespans. Individuals with higher reproductive rates have lower probabilities of living beyond age 76.
A University of Michigan study found that Black patients are less likely to receive a home health care referral after hospital discharge, despite having higher risk profiles. The disparity was observed even when adjusting for different risk factors.
Researchers propose a new method to track small pieces of space debris by detecting electric signals emitted when they collide. This approach could help protect satellites and spacecraft from damage, as tiny pieces of debris can cause significant harm at high orbital speeds.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a new way to move quasiparticles, which could lead to more efficient devices and room temperature quantum computers. The team used a laser to create a cloud of quasiparticles that migrated up the pyramid's edge and settled at the peak.
Researchers successfully grow dolomite in laboratory using new theory developed from atomic simulations. The breakthrough resolves the 'Dolomite Problem,' which had puzzled scientists for 200 years. By removing defects in mineral structure, researchers can promote crystal growth of modern technological materials.
University of Michigan researchers discovered that less evolved dwarf galaxies have bigger regions of star factories with higher rates of star formation. A 10-million-year delay in blowing out gas allows these galaxies to hang on to their gas and dust, enabling more stars to coalesce and evolve.
Research reveals that male teens with two or more concussions in a year are twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to those with one concussion. Females also show increased odds of suicidal behaviors regardless of concussion frequency.
A team of researchers has developed an atom-predicting model similar to the GPT models that support applications like ChatGPT. The new model focuses on small organic molecules with relevance to energy storage and conversion applications.
A new study suggests that diverse forests can capture approximately 226 gigatonnes of carbon, enough to make a meaningful contribution to slowing climate change. Restoration efforts should include a natural diversity of species and sustainable agricultural practices to maximize their potential.
A University of Michigan study found that meeting the 50% electric vehicle sales target by 2030 is possible, but not just through increased EV sales. The study suggests implementing additional strategies such as reducing vehicle production emissions and promoting walkable, bikeable cities to accelerate emission reduction. By 2035, a 45...
Scientists have successfully constructed a quasicrystal using DNA-assembled nanoparticles, demonstrating programmable control over material structures. The discovery opens avenues for designing advanced nanomaterials with unique properties.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new smartphone case called BrushLens that can help users with visual impairments, tremors, and spasms to interact with touch screens. The device uses a camera to read screen options aloud and guides the user's hand to tap buttons or autoclickers on the underside of the phone case.
A team of engineers at the University of Michigan and Google has designed a simple touchscreen interface for programming exoskeleton assistance settings. Users can provide feedback on two pre-programmed profiles and receive personalized recommendations based on machine learning algorithms.
A new U-M-led study found that lions tend to avoid human-dominated areas unless facing food scarcity and habitat fragmentation. The study suggests expanding human land use and climate change could increase human-lion conflict, threatening lion populations.
Researchers found a significant link between geomagnetic disturbances and disruptions to nocturnal bird migration. The study used massive datasets from U.S. Doppler weather radar stations and ground-based magnetometers, revealing a 9-17% reduction in migrating birds during severe space weather events.
A new study from the University of Michigan found significant racial disparities in preparedness for aging in place, with 40% of older Black adults living with a disability. Researchers highlight factors such as income, disability status, and household composition that negatively impact minority aging.
A new study finds that drier ecosystems in savannas and grasslands have a greater potential for carbon storage when fires are less frequent. Over the past two decades, soil carbon rose by an estimated 23% in dryland savanna-grasslands, while it declined by 25% in more humid regions.
The James Webb Space Telescope detected no significant atmosphere around TRAPPIST-1 b, a planet in the habitable zone of its cool star. The study highlights the impact of stellar activity on observations of exoplanets, which can create 'ghost signals' that affect data interpretation.
Researchers found that peer discrimination had the greatest impact on cortisol levels in teens, leading to unhealthy cortisol patterns and chronic disease risks. The study also highlights the need for policies and programs to eliminate racial discrimination and its negative health effects.
Researchers have developed a new model to study DEPDC5-related epilepsy, revealing the role of breathing control in fatal seizures. The model identifies a unique pattern in fatal seizures, which starts with increased breathing rate and stops completely, leading to fatal lack of oxygen.
A study analyzed Medicaid claims data to find that less than 20% of patients treated for opioid overdoses were started on FDA-approved medications, including buprenorphine and naltrexone. Despite the potential for these medications to be lifesaving, crucial opportunities to prevent overdose deaths are being missed.
Agriculture can both facilitate and hinder pathogen spread through deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and biodiversity loss. Promoting agricultural practices that boost biodiversity and create barriers can prevent zoonotic spillover.
University of Michigan researchers found that large cosmic structures grow at a rate slower than expected, with dark energy accelerating the universe's expansion having an opposite effect on structure growth. This discovery challenges the standard model and addresses the S8 tension in cosmology.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a machine-learning algorithm that highlights issues in antibodies binding to non-target molecules. The model can be used on existing or new antibodies, reducing the number of manufacturing and testing iterations needed.
A new study finds that farmers in India are intensifying groundwater withdrawal for irrigation as temperatures rise, potentially leading to a tripling of groundwater loss. This trend threatens the livelihoods of over one-third of India's population and has global implications.
Researchers discovered that a rare disease called cystinosis shares the same cellular mechanism as cystic fibrosis, involving the lysosome's recycling center. The study found that a specific protein degradation pathway was responsible for the disease's effects, and a small chemical chaperone could help stabilize the protein.
Researchers from University of Michigan found a strong link between air pollution from wildfires and farming activities, and the risk of developing dementia. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 30,000 adults over 18 years, suggests that reducing exposure to these sources of emissions may help lower the incidence of dementia.
Research at the University of Michigan shows that cracks in lithium-ion electrodes shorten battery lifespans but also reduce charge time. The study uses a neuroscience-inspired technique to measure the charging properties of individual cathode particles, revealing that cracked materials can charge faster due to increased surface area.
The University of Michigan has released new data from a study on the impact of Facebook and Instagram on key political attitudes during the 2020 US presidential election. The data, known as SOMAR, offers insights into social media's effect on polarization, informedness, and democratic attitudes.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have discovered a critical chemical tag on messenger RNAs involved in insulin synthesis, which affects protein production. Altering this tag reduces insulin production and triggers diabetes-like symptoms in fruit flies.
A University of Michigan-led study found that transnational conglomerates' palm oil supply chains contribute to deforestation in Guatemala. Seven Key Biodiversity Areas and 23 protected areas are impacted by oil palm expansion. Environmental certification programs like RSPO do not effectively mitigate deforestation risk.
Researchers found that Black and Hispanic women experienced an earlier onset of menopause than white women when weathering biases were accounted for. This study highlights the importance of considering selection bias in future health studies to better understand and address racial disparities in women's health.
A new University of Michigan-led study estimates that Caribbean seagrass meadows provide approximately $255 billion in annual ecosystem services, including vast carbon storage. The study highlights the importance of conserving these threatened ecosystems, which are critical allies in the fight against climate change.
Young adults' past-year use of non-LSD hallucinogens increased from 3.4% in 2018 to 6.6% in 2021, raising public health concerns. The study found that male and white young adults used these substances more frequently.
A new study estimates that the overall benefits of switching ride-hailing vehicles from gasoline to electric would be very modest, with a 3% gain per trip. The study found that traffic-related factors, such as congestion and crash risk, dominate societal costs, outweighing emissions reductions.
A University of Michigan research team has discovered a mitochondrial loop that allows cells to retreat up the path of differentiation, enabling cell plasticity. This finding challenges traditional views on cell differentiation and has implications for tissue regeneration and cancer treatment.
A new AI model, NeCLAS, can predict how nanoparticles bind to proteins, a crucial step in designing antibiotics and antivirals. This breakthrough could help combat antibiotic-resistant infections and develop new treatments for diseases.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have revealed the workings of a bacterial RNA riboswitch, a promising target for new antibiotics. The discovery uses a combination of biochemistry, structural biology and computational modeling to show how the riboswitch regulates transcriptional pausing.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have created a structure called 'fire ice' using nanoparticles, which harnesses a strange physical phenomenon to manipulate light. The finding showcases an unusual effect called entropy compartmentalization, where entropic forces stabilize even more complex crystals.
A new study suggests expanding the search for habitable planets to consider the space between a star and the soot line in planet-forming disks, which could lead to discovering worlds with rich organic carbon and poor water content. This new model proposes that such planets may have more carbon than Earth and potentially harbor life.
A mathematical model developed by researchers at the University of Michigan could help engineers control the behavior of vortex rings in nuclear fusion and other applications. Vortex rings form during fuel compression and can disrupt the efficiency of fusion reactions. The model, which draws parallels with smoke rings, aims to understa...
A study reveals that South Africa's desert-like interior was more fertile and temperate during two glacial periods, supporting human populations living around paleolakes. Researchers used various technologies to date and reconstruct ancient lakes and shorelines, finding evidence of human presence in the region.
A recent study found that gorillas who survived past age 6 were largely unaffected by difficulties they encountered as infants or juveniles. In contrast, young gorillas who experienced multiple forms of early life adversity had a 70% reduction in the risk of death across adulthood. This suggests that gorillas may have a different biolo...
A new study analyzes over 86,000 bird specimens to reveal that smaller bird species are declining faster in body size while increasing their wing length. The research suggests that climate change may be driving this shift, with smaller birds potentially adapting more quickly to evolutionary pressures.
A new AI system, BacterAI, has mapped the metabolism of two beneficial bacteria associated with oral health. By testing hundreds of amino acid combinations daily, it discovered the required nutrients for their growth, producing accurate predictions 90% of the time. This technology could drastically speed up scientific discoveries in va...
A new study uses tusk analysis to show that adult male woolly mammoths experienced musth, a testosterone-driven episode of aggression. The research demonstrates the potential for teeth to hold records of hormones, offering insights into ancient biology and life history.
A new sensing system, SAWSense, repurposes technology from bone-conduction microphones to detect surface-acoustic waves on various surfaces. The system recognizes different inputs with 97% accuracy, enabling intuitive input mechanisms for smart objects and medical sensing applications.
Researchers at University of Michigan created a realistic driving simulation based on a 'crash-prone' intersection in Ann Arbor. The NeuralNDE uses real-time data to test the safety of autonomous vehicles, reducing the need for actual crashes.
A recent study found that predators can reduce disease levels in prey populations, but may also lead to a decline in population size. The researchers used a small predator-prey-parasite system to test the healthy herds hypothesis, which proposes that predators can help prey populations by picking off the sick and injured.