A study by NRRI scientist Chris Filstrup found that the evenness of species distribution is a stronger signal of ecosystem function than species richness. This discovery has implications for conservation practices and understanding biodiversity loss impacts, especially in the face of climate change stress.
Research from the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic reveals biosimilar drugs can lower costs for patients, but their use is still hindered by regulatory barriers. The study found that while physicians are willing to prescribe biosimilars, cost savings are minimal, and market share remains limited.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota's DAMSL and WTL labs created temperature-responsive textiles using shape memory alloys, enabling self-fitting garments with adjustable fit and conformance to irregular body shapes. The technology has significant implications for medical, aerospace, and commercial applications.
Researchers discovered that consuming healthier foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables has a significant positive impact on the environment. In contrast, diets high in red meat and processed foods lead to substantial negative environmental impacts.
Researchers found non-antibacterial nanoparticles can cause rapid bacterial resistance in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. The study suggests that nanoparticles could have significant effects beyond bacteria, affecting ecosystems and human health.
A new collaborative project aims to address the Great Lakes' seafood trade deficit by promoting sustainable aquaculture. The project, funded by $1 million, will focus on environmentally responsible and science-based initiatives.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a new way animals can modify their vision, found in the photoreceptors of larval mantis shrimp. The structure resembles a human-made optical device and may help the mantis shrimp larvae see bioluminescence.
University of Minnesota researchers have discovered a novel cellular process called 'bystander uptake' that allows cells to engulf nano-sized materials without direct peptide functionalization. The study found that cysteine surrounding the cells stimulates this activity.
The University of Minnesota has been awarded a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct sustainable plastics research. The center aims to create environment-friendly alternatives, including biodegradable and recyclable plastics.
A University of Minnesota study found that high-fat foods significantly increase cannabidiol (CBD) absorption into the body. CBD exposure is vastly increased when taken with high fatty foods, and concentrations in the blood can be four times higher than fasting levels.
The study found that countries with a variety of crops experience less severe food shortages, with declines in total yield exceeding 25% less common. Researchers encourage nations to evaluate their crop diversity and consider strategies like new drought-tolerant varieties and intercropping to enhance food supply stability.
New research shows climate change has already affected production of key energy sources, with some regions and countries facing greater declines. The study found that climate change causes significant yield variation in the world's top 10 crops, with negative impacts mostly seen in Europe, Southern Africa, and Australia.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota and University of Massachusetts Amherst have discovered a way to speed up chemical reactions using oscillating catalysts. This breakthrough could significantly reduce equipment costs and increase production efficiency in various industries.
Researchers argue that preserving rare species can have a direct positive impact on human life, from restoring food sources like bluefin tuna to storing airborne carbon in giant sequoias. This new understanding is crucial for conservation decisions under climate change, shifting focus to future benefits rather than current conditions.
University of Minnesota researchers have identified a novel circuit in the cell membrane that signals changes to bacterial surface adhesive proteins. This intramembrane signaling system appears to provide a 'fail-safe' mechanism to edit surface proteins and enable bacteria to adhere and colonize different body surfaces.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a 3D-printed transparent skull implant that allows for real-time brain activity monitoring. The device, called See-Shell, provides unprecedented control and precision in studying brain function, enabling new insights into human brain conditions.
The largest study of childhood cancer after IVF found that IVF babies are at a higher risk of certain cancers, particularly hepatic tumors. The study did not find any association between IVF and an increased risk of other specific cancers.
A new study estimates that air pollution from corn production causes 4,300 premature deaths in the US each year, resulting in a monetized cost of $39 billion. The health damages vary by region, with some areas experiencing greater damage than their market price.
A breakthrough study has revealed that the building blocks of sickle cell disease are much less efficient at organizing than previously thought. This finding could lead to new treatments, including medicines prescribed at lower doses, and improve outcomes for approximately 20 million people worldwide who suffer from the lifelong disease.
The study estimates that global lake greening could increase methane emissions by 30-90% over the next century. This is attributed to human population growth, climate change, and increased stormwater runoff, which lead to eutrophication and oxygen depletion in lakes.
The University of Minnesota is leading a $9.7 million NIH grant to develop an implantable device that can restore more natural hearing to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The new technology aims to bypass the cochlea and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, improving activation in noisy environments and music.
Researchers have discovered that noninvasive daily ultrasound stimulation of the spleen in mice with inflammatory arthritis results in significantly less joint swelling compared to untreated mice. The study is a first step towards developing new treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease affecting millions of peo...
Researchers found that PM2.5 pollution is disproportionately caused by the consumption of goods and services by the non-Hispanic white majority, but disproportionately inhaled by black and Hispanic minorities. This disparity is driven by differences in consumption patterns and exposure to pollution.
Researchers at University of Minnesota develop graphene-based device that detects protein structures with near-perfect efficiency, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The device uses plasmons to generate local electric fields, enabling detection of single layers of protein molecules.
Researchers have developed a new technique using machine learning to classify large datasets of camera trap images, reducing the time needed for analysis. The computer can identify species with high accuracy and also learn to distinguish between empty images, greatly increasing efficiency.
Cancer cells exhibit sneaky movement patterns that allow them to invade adjacent tissue and spread throughout the body. Researchers have found a way to target these movements, using medicines to stop cancer cells in their tracks.
Researchers have discovered a possible path forward in preventing cancers linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), which cause infectious mononucleosis. By blocking the viruses' defense proteins, it may be possible to treat mono and prevent cancer development.
Researchers found that farmers have adapted to climate change by adjusting planting practices and using longer maturing varieties. This shift has increased maize yield trends by 28% since 1981, but it remains unclear if these benefits will be maintained in a hotter environment.
A study found that maternal opioid use disorder diagnoses are increasing among rural residents, with over half of these cases occurring in rural hospitals. Rural women with opioid use disorder are more likely to give birth in urban teaching hospitals, highlighting the need for resources in both rural and urban settings.
A study published in Ecology tracked seed movement using electrical engineering and mathematical models, predicting colonization and establishment patterns for 50 prairie plant species. The researchers found their estimates accurately predicted the likelihood of colonization and spatial establishment patterns across abandoned fields.
A recent National Academies report on returning individual research results to participants makes recommendations that create major new roadblocks to data sharing and would roll back important privacy protections. The report's findings highlight the need for transparency and respect for participants' rights, rather than building barriers.
An international team of astrophysicists has identified the first-ever merger of white and brown dwarf stars, with the debris left behind exhibiting unusual chemical compositions and organic molecules. The discovery sheds new light on the origin of a mysterious star observed by French monk Père Dom Anthelme in 1670.
Researchers identified key strategies to differentiate practices with improved performance for chronic disease patients, including fostering intrinsic motivation among providers and staff. These findings inform payers and primary care practices seeking evidence-based strategies to foster a stronger delivery system.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota's Sustainable Healthy Cities Network found that one in five metropolitan areas have sufficient milk and egg production to meet residents' demands, while about one in ten can fully meet fruit and vegetable needs. This challenges common assumptions about local food self-reliance in urban areas.
Scientists used ecological niche models to predict habitat suitability and invasion risk for over 900 lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The models found relatively high risk of invasion in central Minnesota and eastern Wisconsin waters.
The University of Minnesota is leading a new multi-university project to explore how to make interdisciplinary research more common and effective. The two-year project, funded by the National Academies Keck Futures Initiative, aims to identify best practices for embedding interdisciplinary approaches in institutional reform.
A new study published in JAMA found that immediately reducing nicotine in cigarettes leads to more rapid positive public health effects, including decreased exposure to toxic chemicals and increased smoke-free days. However, smokers may experience more severe withdrawal symptoms during the transition.
A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota and University of Massachusetts Amherst has developed a method to predict molecular motion with high accuracy when confining molecules in small nanocages. This breakthrough discovery could improve the production of fuels and chemicals, as well as capture CO2 from the air.
A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota has successfully 3D printed a hemispherical surface with an array of light receptors. This breakthrough discovery brings scientists closer to creating a 'bionic eye' that could potentially restore vision in blind individuals.
Researchers developed a new material that is 18 times more efficient in computing processing and memory compared to current materials. The discovery uses a quantum material with unique spin-electronic properties.
Researchers from UMN have developed a portable luminometer to screen and identify harmful bacteria within one hour. The new method uses chemiluminescence and can be used in healthcare settings, particularly for detecting antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA.
A new study analyzes fatalities among people with dementia in long-term care homes, revealing that nearly half of deaths were caused by physical contact. The study also found that evenings and weekends are the most vulnerable times for incidents to occur, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent these events.
New study finds that 40% of plant material is removed by insects and fungi each year, supporting diverse communities of organisms. Contrary to expectations, plants don't face trade-offs in defending themselves against different consumers, with some species protected against everything and others devoured.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a groundbreaking 3D-printed device that uses regenerative cells to connect living nerve cells above and below spinal cord injury sites. The device has shown promise in improving bladder control, stopping uncontrollable movements, and alleviating pain.
Researchers investigate the role of dopamine neurons in assigning value to environmental cues, revealing parallel motivational roles for different types of neurons. This study contributes to understanding relapse in addiction by highlighting the importance of normal cue-triggered motivation.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, open-source field imaging system that enables real-time tracking of plant movement and lodging resistance. The system uses commercial hardware and electronics to capture high-quality videos of plant movement under windy conditions.
The US refugee resettlement program is struggling to cope with a changing sociopolitical climate, particularly with regards to Syrians. Researchers found that organizations are struggling to obtain basic resources for refugees upon arrival, including housing and job placement.
Research from the University of Minnesota found that small classes close the gap between men and women' academic performance. Smaller classes do not impact underrepresented minorities' performance regardless of class size. The study suggests other education environment factors affect learning beyond class size.
Researchers used spectral data to measure plant diversity and predict ecosystem function, finding that it was more effective than traditional methods. The study showed that spectral dissimilarity among plant species increased with functional dissimilarity and evolutionary divergence time.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a new ferromagnetic material, ruthenium (Ru), which is the fourth single element to exhibit unique magnetic properties at room temperature. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in sensors and devices in the computer memory and logic industry.