Research at the University of Minnesota found a strong association between participating in weight-related sports and unhealthy weight control behaviors, including induced vomiting and laxative use. Steroid use was also more common among teens who participated in these sports, particularly boys.
Scientists identified a variant of apolipoprotein C1 protein associated with higher body mass index, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes in American Indians and Mexicans. This discovery can help identify risk factors for diabetes and inform diet and lifestyle choices.
Researchers at U of MN have discovered a treatment to halt disease progression in advanced ALD patients by combining NAC and transplant. This breakthrough offers new hope for devastating disease affecting young boys.
Researchers found a significant decline in moderate to vigorous physical activity among teenagers, from 5.9 hours/week in early adolescence to 4.9 hours/week in midadolescence for girls. Meanwhile, sedentary behaviors like computer use increased substantially, associated with increased risk of obesity.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota successfully used adult stem cells to replace the immune system and bone marrow of mice, offering a promising new therapy for people in the future. The study replicated previous findings and demonstrated that multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) can give rise to blood cells.
A University of Minnesota study found that families who frequently eat fast food for dinner have poorer access to healthy foods, drink more soda, and are at a higher risk of obesity. Limiting fast food intake at home can help improve eating habits and overall health.
Researchers at U of MN identified novel genes critical for organ development in humans, with implications for understanding blood vessel formation, eye and ear development, and lipid metabolism. Zebrafish serve as a model organism to study gene function and organ development.
A University of Minnesota study reveals that heavy smokers who reduce their cigarette use compensate by taking more frequent puffs or inhaling deeper, leading to higher toxin exposure. The study suggests that quitting smoking is the most effective way to lower risk for tobacco-caused premature death.
A University of Minnesota study found that over 90% of children and young adults who survive five years or longer after diagnosis and treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are alive 20 years later. Regular health check-ups and monitoring are crucial to prevent late effects of cancer treatment.
A new study by University of Minnesota researchers reveals that mixtures of native perennial grasses and other flowering plants provide more usable energy per acre than corn grain ethanol or soybean biodiesel. This approach can reduce global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, producing a 'carbon negative' fuel.
A University of Minnesota study found that frequent self-weighing in teenage girls predicts increased rates of binge eating, smoking, vomiting, and skipping meals. The researchers suggest strategies focusing on behavioral change rather than weight may be more helpful for teens.
The University of Minnesota's Maryam Valapour has received a grant to analyze the ethical and policy issues surrounding living-donor lung transplants. She aims to identify factors that encourage and discourage wider use of this procedure, which is currently less common than deceased donor transplants.
Researchers found that Minnesotans in the Twin Cities metro area are expending a significantly greater amount of energy participating in moderately intense physical activities than they were five years ago. The majority of this energy expenditure came from leisure-time physical activities such as walking, running, or biking.
Research by University of Minnesota professor Kathleen Vohs finds that exposure to money motivates individuals to achieve their own goals, leading to increased self-sufficiency. Conversely, it also negatively impacts behavior towards others, causing people to become less helpful and more stand-offish.
U of MN researchers have shown that early brain development is tied to the severity of adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases like spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. The study suggests doctors may be able to target treatment to coincide with critical times in development.
University of Minnesota researchers develop a reactive flash volatilization process that turns soy oil and glucose into hydrogen and carbon monoxide, significantly improving fuel production efficiency from renewable energy sources. The new process works 10-100 times faster than current technology, with no input of fossil fuels.
A recent U of M study found that treating periodontal disease in pregnant women does not reduce the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, concluded that while treatment is safe and effective, it does not directly affect a woman's risk for these complications.
Research from the University of Minnesota found that children who received radiation for cancer are at higher risk for developing secondary brain tumors. Prolonged follow-up is crucial for early detection, and long-term screening recommendations are needed for all childhood cancer survivors.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have successfully differentiated umbilical cord blood stem cells into type II alveolar cells, which can secrete surfactant and repair airways. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for lung diseases like cystic fibrosis.
The University of Minnesota Center for Drug Design has been awarded a 5-year grant to study cyanide antidotes. Researchers aim to develop faster-acting treatments that can be taken before a cyanide attack, with the goal of improving outcomes for long-term survivors of acute poisoning.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered that erotic images can trigger unconscious brain responses in individuals based on their gender and sexual orientation. The study found that even when subjects were unaware of the images, they shifted their visual attention accordingly. The results suggest that the brain processes v...
A recent discovery sheds light on fungi's evolution from water to land, revealing diverse mechanisms of spore dispersal and new tools for medicine and industry. The research provides a deeper understanding of these organisms' roles in nature and their potential applications.
The University of Minnesota's Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) has received a $7.9 million NIH grant to expand its neuroscience research capabilities. The grant will enable more university researchers to access the center's state-of-the-art magnetic resonance equipment and methodology.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified a cell line resistant to retroviruses, including HIV, which is able to withstand infection and attack by the virus. This discovery provides a potential new target for developing more effective drugs to combat HIV and AIDS.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to develop antibiotics, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly. This breakthrough could help create powerful new drugs to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
U of MN researchers developed a mouse model for centronuclear myopathy, a poorly understood muscle disease. They found that knocking out the gamma actin gene impaired muscle cell function, leading to muscle cell death, and identified this protein as a key player in muscle structure.
A recent study published in Science found that the number of tree species consumed by rainforest insects is comparable to those in temperate forests. The research, led by University of Minnesota plant biologist George Weiblen, rejects the notion that tropical insects are picky eaters who prefer fewer host plants.
Research by Phyllis Moen finds that middle class dual-earner couples are stretched thin, with fewer than one in six qualifying as 'super couples' with high quality of life. Women working in insecure jobs often face limited scheduling flexibility and control.
A University of Minnesota study found that teens with low body satisfaction are more likely to engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors, such as binge eating and smoking, which can lead to obesity and poor health. In contrast, those with a positive body image tend to prioritize healthy eating and exercise.
Using minimally invasive robotic surgery, researchers successfully transplanted stem cells into damaged pig hearts, showing improved function and cell engraftment. The technique offers several benefits for patients with heart failure, including reduced risk and less time under anesthesia.
Researchers have discovered that C. albicans can neutralize antifungal drugs by duplicating one arm of chromosome 5 and deleting the other, creating an 'isochromosome'. This finding could lead to strategies for making currently available antifungal drugs more effective.
A large study found that measuring C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and other novel risk markers does not improve the assessment of future coronary heart disease risk. The study, which followed over 15,000 adults, suggests that standard risk factors such as age, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure remain the most accurate indicators.
A comprehensive study reveals that soybean biodiesel produces more energy than is needed to produce it, while corn grain ethanol requires less but still has significant environmental drawbacks
Researchers at the University of Minnesota discover a protein's unexpected role in chopping up damaged DNA molecules, leading to cell death. The finding sheds new light on the process of apoptosis and its potential applications in cancer treatment.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a novel class of tumor-targeting compounds that inhibited tumor growth by up to 80 percent in animal studies. The compounds, designed to mimic anti-angiogenic proteins, show promise in treating solid and liquid tumors, including those found in leukemia and other blood cancers.
A University of Minnesota study found that exercise in a machine simulating gravity can reduce the risk of developing kidney stones in astronauts. Researchers used identical twins to test the effect of exercise on urinary calcium levels, and the results suggest a potential solution for preventing this painful condition.
A study of 28,812 postmenopausal women found that daily decaffeinated coffee consumption was associated with a 33% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The risk reduction was independent of factors such as weight and physical activity.
African American smokers show greater brain activation in response to smoking cues compared to Caucasian smokers. The study suggests that metabolism of nicotine may be slower in African Americans, contributing to lower success rates in smoking cessation.
A new study published in Nature confirms that biodiversity stabilizes ecosystems and can be used to produce a sustainable supply of biomass for biofuels. Biodiverse prairie grasslands are 240% more productive than those with single species, offering a promising solution to meet growing energy needs while restoring global ecosystems.
A University of Minnesota study found that directed health education and advice-oriented counseling can help African American light smokers quit. The study showed that participants who received specific health education had double the quit rate compared to those receiving motivational counseling.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota found a tiny population of cells in the intestine that signal T-cells to fight infections. This discovery may help study and develop treatments for diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
The University of Minnesota is set to establish a new engineering research center focused on compact and efficient fluid power. Researchers will develop technologies to improve efficiency, leading to significant energy cost savings and the creation of new industries.
Researchers have developed a new laser technique that removes hydrogen from silicon surfaces at room temperature, allowing for the growth of silicon devices at lower temperatures. This breakthrough could enable faster and more precise manufacturing of microelectronic devices.
A six-year study found that terrestrial plants' ability to increase growth in response to elevated CO2 is limited by soil nitrogen supply. The research contradicts previous predictions, suggesting atmospheric CO2 levels may rise faster than anticipated.
A U of MN study found that teen dieters are three times more likely to be overweight and suffer from eating disorders. Longitudinal study of over 2,000 adolescents showed dieting behaviors increase risk for obesity and disordered eating after five years.
A new DNA 'fingerprinting' technique separates hemp from marijuana by analyzing genetic markers. This method has the potential to distinguish marijuana varieties and aid in establishing origins of seized drugs, with implications for drug distribution networks and criminal defenses.
University of Minnesota researchers have identified a specific protein complex linked to memory loss and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. The discovery may lead to targeted drug development to prevent the disease from harming the brain.
A University of Minnesota study found that telephone support for smokers was more effective in helping them quit than standard medical care. The study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that 40% of participants who received telephone support had not smoked in the previous seven days after three months.
Researchers at U of MN found that a diverse inventory of T-cells is essential for optimal immune function. They developed a method to monitor small numbers of specific T-cells in mice, revealing that these cells survive and activate more effectively in normal quantities.
Researchers have successfully used pig islet cells to reverse type 1 diabetes in humans through transplantation. The demand for islet cells far outweighs the supply, but this breakthrough offers a potential solution. The University of Minnesota has made significant progress in developing a safe and reliable source of islet cells.