Scientists simulated the cores of giant planets and exoplanets to understand how they formed and evolved. They found that extreme temperatures and pressures lead to the formation of metallic crystals, affecting a planet's magnetic field and surface activity.
University of Minnesota researchers identify a new population of cord blood stem cells that can regenerate nerve tissue after stroke. The discovery shows promise for treating neurological disorders such as stroke, which affects nearly 750,000 people in the US each year.
Researchers at U of MN develop novel method to assess dynamic brain network interactions using magnetoencephalography (MEG). This breakthrough allows for better evaluation of brain function in diseases like Alzheimer's and monitoring treatment effects.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered post-perovskite in the D'' layer surrounding Earth's core, explaining its unusual seismic properties. This finding sheds new light on the Earth's evolution and aging processes, offering insights into the planet's history.
A recent study found that biodiversity arises from the same underlying processes in tropical rainforests and Minnesota prairies. Rare trees may have an advantage due to reduced vulnerability to predators and resource competition.
A new study reveals that plant metabolic rates are driven by nitrogen content, which has significant implications for understanding the global carbon cycle. By estimating nitrogen content, scientists can model plant metabolism and better assess the global plant metabolic rate.
U of MN researchers identified the specific mutation causing Spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5), a dominant gene disorder. The discovery enables genetic testing for patients at risk, providing improved diagnoses and insight into neurodegenerative diseases.
A University of Minnesota study reveals that nearly 20% of childhood cancer survivors experience physical limitations and trouble performing daily activities. Survivors of brain and bone cancers are most affected, with many reporting difficulties attending work or school.
A new study published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics found that a nicotine vaccine was safe and well-tolerated in helping smokers quit. The vaccine, which works by producing antibodies that bind to nicotine, showed impressive results with 38% of participants quitting for at least 30 days.
Researchers found that women who underwent radiation therapy for anal and rectal cancer had nearly double the rate of fractures compared to those without radiation therapy. The study also found that most fractures (90%) were hip fractures, highlighting the need for preventive measures.
Researchers will focus on understanding human stem cells, transplanting them into patients for leukemia and lymphoma treatment, and using natural killer cells to fight cancer. The funding also aims to apply what has been learned about the use of natural killer cells in fighting diseases including leukemia and breast cancer.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have successfully generated natural killer cells from human embryonic stem cells that can target and destroy cancer cells. The breakthrough research suggests a potential new approach to treating cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, and may also lead to treatments for infections.
A synthetic pheromone has been found to effectively control Great Lakes lamprey populations by attracting them to traps and sterilizing males. The pheromone, PADS, was isolated after 15 years of research and is expected to be environmentally friendly and less expensive than current methods.
The study suggests that roots were a primary food source for early humans on the savannah, leading to adaptations in their dental structure. This finding may have contributed to the initial split between humans and other apes, with the ability to eat roots providing a vital survival advantage.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed new tests for detecting Johne's disease in cattle, enabling faster diagnosis and reducing economic losses. The tests can detect the bacteria in fecal matter or milk and are completed in 72 hours or less with high accuracy.
Researchers in Tanzania are facing a significant threat from lions due to the country's rapid population growth and loss of natural prey. The study suggests that pig-control strategies could be an effective way to reduce encounters between lions and people, while also protecting human livelihoods.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found that increasing fructose-2,6-bisphosphate in the liver can decrease blood sugar levels in mice. This process may also lead to weight loss by reducing food intake and increasing energy expenditure. The study's findings could potentially lead to new treatments for diabetes and obesity.
The largest study of unrelated bone marrow transplantation for leukemia has demonstrated similar survival rates for T-cell depletion and immunosuppressive drug therapy approaches. The study, published in The Lancet, also found no appreciable differences in cost or quality of life between the two methods.
Researchers at U of MN successfully reversed memory loss in mice with dementia, using a transgene to halt disease progression and even increase tangles. This breakthrough study suggests that reversing effects of memory loss may be possible in humans.
Researchers found that the p16 gene inactivates key enzymes JNK 1 and JNK 2, keeping them from activating proteins that promote cell growth. A small protein mimicking p16 has been designed to mimic its action, showing promise for anti-cancer activity.
Researchers at U of MN identified 14 genes that regulate blood stem cell development, which could lead to new treatments for blood disorders and cancers. The discovery provides insight into understanding how to stimulate blood stem cells to multiply in the laboratory.
Researchers at University of Minnesota have made a groundbreaking discovery on how estrogen affects the brain, revealing distinct differences between females and males. The study suggests that estrogen activation of glutamate receptors could explain various non-reproductive behaviors, such as female motor control and pain sensation.
A recent study led by Elizabeth Parks from the University of Minnesota has made a groundbreaking discovery about the origin of fatty liver disease. The research found that excess dietary fat can lead to liver toxicity, causing it to malfunction in its role as the body's central storage and distribution center for fat.
Research by A. Saari Csallany suggests that repeated heating of polyunsaturated oils for frying can lead to the accumulation of toxic compounds like HNE. The study aims to determine the optimal lower temperature for oil heating to prevent HNE formation and its related diseases.
A new study has found that radiation therapy for prostate cancer increases the risk of developing rectal cancer by approximately 70%. The research team recommends monitoring men who have received radiation for prostate cancer starting five years after treatment.
A University of Minnesota researcher reports 14 cases of NAION linked to Viagra use. Patients had arteriosclerotic risk factors and low cup to disk ratios, increasing risk of permanent vision loss.
Purpura fulminans is a newly emerging deadly disease characterized by skin lesions and tissue damage. Researchers at the University of Minnesota have identified three recommended treatments for purpura fulminans, including antibiotic therapy against Neisseria meningitidis and methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
A new study reveals that separate populations of neurons respond to narrow ranges of orientations, enabling the brain to recognize objects viewed from different angles. The research found that adaptation effects occur when subjects are presented with adapting images and then tested with identical images at varying orientations.
A study of 45,354 US women found that high calcium intake reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 26%. Consuming a diet rich in calcium, even lower than current recommended daily allowance, is a safe and effective way for women to guard themselves against colorectal cancer.
Scientists have discovered minerals in comet dust similar to those found on Earth, providing insights into the solar system's formation. The Spitzer space telescope has captured detailed images of Comet Encke, helping researchers model how comets eject particles as they orbit the sun.
A 15-year study found that frequent fast food consumption is associated with a significant increase in body weight and insulin resistance, even after accounting for other lifestyle factors. The study suggests that reducing fast food intake may help mitigate the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have developed DNA scaffolding that allows for the creation of high-performance nanoelectronic circuits with unprecedented precision. The technology uses synthetic DNA tiles to assemble devices closely, enabling short interconnects and high performance.
Researchers recreated extreme conditions to find that rocks rich in chromium minerals accelerate the production of more complex hydrocarbons. This process may help explain the diverse communities thriving around hydrothermal vents.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a computational model of addiction that connects learning theories with neurophysiological mechanisms. The model uses temporal-difference reinforcement learning to simulate how addictive drugs impact brain function and behavior.
U of MN researchers have developed a new approach to adult cord blood transplantation, achieving high engraftment rates and low complications. The treatment uses combined use of two cord blood units from different donors, offering potentially life-saving therapy to patients previously denied treatment.
Research suggests that impulsive behavior in animals, including blue jays, may be an evolutionary adaptation to foraging in the wild. The study found that birds prioritized immediate rewards over delayed ones, as they would often forget about food and continue foraging. This impulsiveness may have been beneficial for survival but is no...
Researchers have successfully demonstrated that half-matched donor (haploidentical) natural killer cells can survive and persist to actively attack cancer cells, potentially leading to remission and eligibility for bone marrow transplant. This breakthrough treatment option shows promise for some patients with AML.
A low-glycemic load diet was found to be more effective in reducing hunger and improving metabolic rate during weight loss. The diet also showed beneficial effects on several obesity-related risk factors compared to a low-fat diet.
Researchers found that bretylium tosylate, an old antiarrhythmic drug, prevents arrhythmias and reduces heart muscle damage after AMI. Blocking the sympathetic nervous system may be a key factor in its effectiveness.
A University of Minnesota study found that girls who eat three to four family meals per week are at one-third the risk for extreme weight control practices. Regular family meals also benefit boys, although the association is weaker than for girls.
A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention journal found that obesity is associated with a higher risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older women. The study followed over 37,000 Iowa women for 14 years and found that those who were overweight or obese had a 90% increased risk of developing AML compar...
A mathematical model suggests that antibiotic use in chickens can decrease the risk of food-borne illness while potentially increasing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but the benefits outweigh the risks according to researchers.
Researchers have developed blood cells without animal serum, paving the way for potential human applications. The new method uses specific growth factors to guide cell differentiation, avoiding contamination risks associated with animal serum.
Researchers discovered a molecule that brings DNA polymerase alpha to replication sites, and it stabilizes the complex. This finding suggests that targeting Mcm10 may prevent cancer cells from multiplying.
The bacteria sequester methane and turn it into methyl alcohol using methanobactin, a tiny pyramid-shaped compound with a cleft that holds a single atom of copper. Methanobactin serves to keep copper under control and protect the bacterial cells from its toxicity.
Research by Barker and colleagues revealed that all songbirds, including robins and crows, share a common origin in Australasia and New Guinea. The Passerida group, comprising 3,477 species, made it out of Australasia onto the Asian mainland before the Corvida group did, about 20 million years ago.
Researchers found that APOBEC3F protein can evade VIF's destruction of retroviral restrictors, potentially contributing to HIV resistance. The 'search and destroy' defense of APOBEC proteins may play a crucial role in resisting HIV infection.
Astronomers have observed features of nearby galaxy M33 using infrared pictures from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, revealing details hidden to the human eye. The galaxy is a gigantic laboratory where dust is created in novae and supernovae, being distributed in giant star winds and reborn in new stars.
The University of Minnesota has established the nation's first endowed chair in sexual health, aiming to promote science-based research and education. The new chair will provide important contributions to the field of public health, guided by principles of equity and social justice.
The CDMS II experiment has narrowed the search for WIMPs, a type of dark matter particle. The results show that the interaction rate of a WIMP with ordinary matter should be less than one interaction every 25 days per kilogram of germanium.