University of Minnesota researchers have provided unprecedented images of cancer genome-mutating enzymes acting on DNA, offering vital clues into how these enzymes promote tumor evolution. The findings suggest ways to block enzyme activity in cancer, potentially making current anti-cancer therapies more effective.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have made a groundbreaking breakthrough in developing a noninvasive brain-computer interface technology that allows people to control a robotic arm using only their minds. Eight healthy human subjects successfully controlled a robotic arm to pick up objects and move them from one location to a...
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment has produced a map of farming households across the world. The map highlights the distribution of average farm sizes at subnational scales and reveals the contribution of smallholder farming to global food production.
A new study by an international team of researchers highlights how manipulation of 2D materials can improve device speed, size, and efficiency. The findings could unlock new possibilities for electronic and photonic devices, enabling applications such as sensing, fingerprinting minute amounts of biomolecules, and energy harvesting.
A team led by Professor Yong-Zhong Qian uses new models and meteorite evidence to show a low-mass supernova triggered the formation of our solar system. The study found that short-lived nuclei in meteorites are consistent with a low-mass supernova trigger, supporting the theory that this event played a key role in solar system formation.
Researchers at University of Minnesota and Dow Chemical Company developed a new method for customizing ingredients in oral medications to improve solubility and absorption. The discovery has the potential to lower production costs and advance the development of life-saving drugs.
A team of researchers invented a new soap molecule made from natural products like soybeans, coconut, and corn that works better than conventional soaps in challenging conditions. The technology has the potential to simplify ingredient lists and reduce environmental harm in cleaning products.
A study published in Ecology Letters examines the relationship between agricultural runoff and harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico, revealing that managing landscapes at watershed levels can improve water quality. Reservoirs are identified as areas where nutrient loads could be diminished without affecting silica concentrations.
A team of 90 institutions from 44 countries found that forests with many tree species are more productive than those with few, providing an estimated USD$166-490 billion in annual economic benefits. This discovery highlights the need for a re-assessment of biodiversity values and conservation priorities.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that endoglin modulates key signaling pathways to favor early cell differentiation into blood cells over the heart. High levels of endoglin expression enhance blood cell development, while cardiac cells are in deficit. The study's findings provide new insights into mechanisms regulating ...
A study by University of Minnesota researchers found that elevated levels of APOBEC3B in breast cancer cells lead to reduced response to tamoxifen therapy. Depletion of the protein accelerates development of resistance, while increased production speeds it up.
A new study finds that globalization has not increased food diversity as much as anticipated, with diets still largely determined by local biodiversity. The lack of specialization in agriculture has implications for the global food supply, including inefficiencies and potential trade-offs for food security.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment have proposed a framework that accounts for the damages caused by reactive nitrogen, estimating the dollars-and-cents cost of nitrogen pollution. The tool will help integrate nitrogen costs into decisions made by agencies and groups.
Researchers found that mothers experience a greater 'work' of parenting tasks while fathers enjoy more leisure time with their kids. This imbalance leads to increased stress and fatigue among mothers.
A new international study links fertilizer addition to decreased plant diversity in diverse ecosystems globally, highlighting the need for ecosystem preservation strategies as they face multiple human-induced threats.
A new study found that captive monkeys in zoos lose their native gut bacteria diversity and acquire a set similar to humans. The researchers suggest that a low-fiber Western diet may be the cause, as it led to a loss of microbial diversity in both captive and semi-captive populations.
A citizen science project, SOS, uses high-resolution satellite images to help researchers count Weddell seals in the Ross Sea. By contributing to this effort, the public will aid in understanding how fishing affects seal populations and the entire ecosystem.
The LawSeqSM project aims to clarify current genomic law, address gaps, and generate recommendations for a forward-looking legal foundation. This 3-year project brings together experts from academia, industry, and clinical care to create guidance on translating genomics into clinical application.
Researchers developed a method to assess and compare the environmental impact of green products, allowing purchasers to maximize environmental benefits under budget constraints. The Hotspot Scenario Analysis-Procurement Portfolio Optimization (HSA-PPO) method estimates savings of up to 54% in greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
The Bell Museum has launched the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas, providing public access to hundreds of thousands of plant and animal specimens. The Atlas serves critical needs like guiding field surveys, conservation planning, and enabling research on biodiversity in Minnesota.
A recent study at The Hormel Institute has uncovered a new molecular mechanism that detects missegregated chromosomes and prevents the formation of tumors. This discovery provides insight into the regulation of chromosome segregation and its role in cancer development.
A study found that gut bacteria can predict the risk of life-threatening blood infections following high-dose chemotherapy in cancer patients. The researchers created an algorithm that uses bacterial DNA sequencing to identify good and bad bacteria, predicting infections with around 85% accuracy.
A study by University of Minnesota researchers reveals a pathway that enables cancer cells to tolerate faulty DNA replication, potentially leading to new anti-cancer therapies. The discovery was made possible by the development of a tool to analyze protein regulation triggered by DNA errors.
University of Minnesota researchers record first-ever videos of heat moving through materials at the nanoscale, traveling at the speed of sound. This breakthrough could aid in designing better, more efficient materials for a wide range of applications, including personal electronics and alternative-energy technologies.
A University of Minnesota study found that plants can acclimate to warmer temperatures, releasing significantly less additional carbon dioxide than previously believed. The 'B4Warmed' project simulated the effects of climate change on 10 tree species, revealing a 5% increase in leaf respiration compared to ambient temperatures.
A new study reveals that local populations of threatened species may adapt to specific conditions, necessitating different conservation strategies. The research suggests using ecological models to predict suitable areas for each population, improving conservation efforts for the Karner blue butterfly and Siberian primrose.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have made a breakthrough in understanding how retrovirus RSV brings together protein molecules to form tiny molecular claws, which can help develop anti-retrovirals to target integrase functions and improve HIV/AIDS therapies.
Paul West will discuss how global and regional data sets can be used to enhance productivity while considering climate change and environmental impact on subsistence farmers. The talk aims to provide insights into the opportunities and risks related to improving food security and sustainability in data-limited areas.
A new synthetic biopathway enables efficient conversion of agricultural waste into various useful products, including spandex and chicken feed. The process results in a 70% higher yield and is better for the environment than previous methods.
Researchers found that tropical secondary forests exhibit a high level of resilience and can sequester large amounts of carbon. These new-growth forests have accumulated enough biomass to uptake 3.05 tons of carbon per hectare per year, 11 times the rate of old-growth forests.
A study led by USGS research ecologist Jim Grace found that communities rich in species are substantially healthier and more productive than those depleted of species. Biodiversity is crucial for stable ecosystems and human society, the researchers say.
A new study suggests that global plant growth is not keeping up with CO2 emissions, contradicting expectations. The research indicates that satellite-based results and model-based estimates diverge due to limitations in water availability and nutrient supply.
A study published by the University of Minnesota found that handling money makes young children work harder and give less, despite lacking concrete knowledge of money's purpose. The effect was observed in children as young as 3 years old and persisted across cultural lines.
A new study from the University of Minnesota used a network of 180 sensors to capture detailed temperature patterns across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, highlighting the strength and variability of the urban heat island effect. The research provides valuable insights into efforts to reduce heat-related harm in metro areas globally.
A study of 46 grasslands in North America and Europe found that increasing plant diversity decreases the extent to which extreme wet or dry conditions disrupt grassland productivity. Higher biodiversity communities are more stable, exhibiting resistance during extreme climate events.
Researchers find hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-BDEs) in San Francisco Bay, suggesting human activity enhances natural production. Elevated levels of OH-BDEs are linked to higher nutrients and water temperatures in populated areas.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that woody vines, known as lianas, dramatically reduce tropical forests' ability to store carbon. By crowding out trees and killing them, lianas lead to reduced tree growth and increased tree death, resulting in a 76% decrease in above-ground biomass.
A study by Carlson School of Management and NYU Stern found that increased broadband availability led to a 20% rise in racial hate crimes committed by lone-wolf perpetrators. The Internet's impact on hate crime was predominantly present in areas with higher levels of racism.
Researchers developed a custom silicone guide implanted with biochemical cues to promote both motor and sensory nerve regeneration. The study showed improved walking ability in rats within 10-12 weeks, paving the way for human trials.
A new report by the University of Minnesota-led team reveals that stripe rust poses a significant threat to the world's wheat supply due to inconsistent funding for research. The disease has expanded its range, affecting 26 states in the US and threatening 88% of global wheat production.
A University of Minnesota-led study reveals that nitrous oxide emissions from the US Corn Belt have been significantly underestimated, with estimates off by as much as 40%. The researchers found a strong relationship between stream size and emission strength, which can be used to scale up emission estimates. This discovery has importan...
A University of Minnesota study identifies a single gene responsible for the difference in psychoactive content between hemp and marijuana. The discovery could strengthen hemp producers' arguments that their products should not be subject to the same narcotics laws as hemp's cannabinoid cousin.
A global study by University of Minnesota researchers found that adding nutrients to grasslands gives invasive species a leg up on native species. The study, published in Nature Communications, used data from 64 sites across 13 countries to pinpoint the role of nutrient availability and herbivore density in plant invasion.
A recent study by University of Minnesota researchers highlights the importance of everyday contact with nature for healthy aging in seniors. Green and blue spaces are found to promote feelings of renewal, restoration, and spiritual connectedness, as well as provide opportunities for multi-generational social interactions.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and Union of Concerned Scientists found that tropical peatland carbon losses from oil palm plantations may be significantly higher than previously estimated, with actual rates nearly twice as high as official estimates. This suggests improved strategies for measuring greenhouse gas emissions i...
In tough economic times, parents tend to allocate more resources to their female offspring, according to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research. The researchers found that when parents perceive economic conditions as poor, they are more likely to prioritize their daughters over sons.
A new study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota has found a three-way link among infant antibiotic use, changes in gut bacteria, and disease later in life. The study developed a predictive model for measuring healthy development of bacteria in young children.
Researchers at The Hormel Institute discovered that aspirin may exert its chemopreventive effects against colorectal cancer by normalizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in gastrointestinal precancerous lesions. This finding suggests EGFR as a novel target for preventing colorectal cancer.
A University of Minnesota study found that reducing biodiversity in grasslands leads to reduced ecosystem stability, while other factors have no impact. The research emphasizes the importance of preserving biodiversity to maintain ecosystem health and services.
Research demonstrates dynamic nature of fecal microbiota in FMT donors and recipients, with healthy changes sustained for up to 21 weeks after transplant. The study's findings have implications for the regulation of treatment and could influence the use of fecal transplants for a range of diseases associated with microbial imbalance.