Researchers recommend supporting entrepreneurship, infrastructure development and diaspora engagement to help Somalia's economy grow. The US government is urged to provide venture capital, improve relations between returnees and locals, and invest in roads, health clinics, and water sanitation systems.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota have discovered a new 'wonder material' in black phosphorus, which demonstrates high-speed data communication on nanoscale optical circuits. The devices show vast improvement in efficiency over comparable graphene-based devices.
A study suggests that Republicans and Independents are more likely to disapprove of lenient neurolaw reforms, while Democrats support equally across framing conditions. This finding underscores the need for careful public presentation of neuroscience in law to maintain a non-polarizing stance.
A University of Minnesota study reveals that hunger increases intention to acquire nonfood objects, resulting in higher spending. Hungry shoppers opt for 70% more products and spend 64% more money than satiated counterparts.
A new study sheds light on nutrition, land use, and water security dimensions of global food trade. The research reveals that more than one-fifth of calories grown in farm fields are traded, requiring about 20% of the world's croplands.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed a financial feasibility metric to determine when solar-heated biomass gasification systems can be profitable. The study found that these systems could break even at natural gas prices between $4.04 and $10.90 per gigajoule.
A new study uses Flickr photos to calculate the value of clean water, finding that higher-quality lakes receive more visits and users are willing to travel farther to reach them. The research also highlights the potential for social media data to inform social-ecological research.
Research from the University of Minnesota found a significant connection between Craigslist's personals section and a 16 percent increase in reported HIV cases. The study suggests that online platforms can facilitate new social routes of HIV transmission, emphasizing the need for targeted efforts to reduce disease spread.
A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered potential materials that could improve ethanol and petroleum production, reducing multi-step processes and costs. The study identified all-silica zeolites with superior performance for separating ethanol from water and upgrading petroleum compounds into higher-value products.
A new study found that climate variability historically accounts for one-third of yield variability for maize, rice, wheat, and soybeans worldwide. The equivalent of 36 million metric tons of food is lost each year due to climate-related crop yield fluctuations.
A University of Minnesota study shows that a warmer climate will change the composition of northern forests, with oak and maple trees replacing spruce and fir. The study found that oaks and maples are better suited to warmer temperatures and can outcompete boreal species for sunlight and water.
A new study found groups of genes linked to imbalanced gut microbes in patients with IBD, offering a step toward developing targeted treatments. The research also confirmed the impact of antibiotics on gut microbiome imbalance, highlighting the complex interplay between genetics and environment.
A new study finds that driving electric vehicles powered by renewable energy can reduce air pollution-related deaths by up to 70%. The research also shows that switching to natural gas-powered electricity or vehicles yields significant health benefits. In contrast, vehicles running on corn ethanol or coal-based electricity would increa...
University of Minnesota engineers have developed a novel device platform that generates and confines both sound wave and light wave on a computer chip. This technology has the potential to improve wireless communications systems using optical fibers and could be used for computation using quantum physics.
A University of Minnesota study found that natural genetic variation in a protective antiviral enzyme, APOBEC3H, can limit HIV-1 replication if the virus has weak Vif. This discovery opens doors to potential treatments by targeting Vif's ability to disable APOBEC3.
A new study shows that adopting healthier traditional Mediterranean, pescatarian, or vegetarian diets could boost human lifespan and quality of life while slashing greenhouse gas emissions and saving habitat for endangered species. The research predicts that this dietary shift would prevent massive environmental damage, increase global...
Researchers found widespread antibiotic production by soil bacteria in tropical forests, with varying abundance and effectiveness across the landscape. This variation could influence plant disease, productivity, and forest composition.
Researchers studying blind cave fish are uncovering insights into degenerative eye disease and sleep disturbance. The species' genome sequence reveals similarities with the human genome, suggesting potential avenues for understanding human diseases.
Researchers found that long-term yoga and meditation practitioners can learn to control a computer with their minds faster and better than inexperienced participants. The study could lead to new treatments for people paralyzed or with neurodegenerative diseases.
University of Minnesota researchers have created a nanoscale device capable of capturing and transporting fundamental particles of light called photons. The discovery could lead to the development of faster and more energy-efficient optical devices.
Researchers have identified a specific gene required for human cells to survive chromosomal defects that occur as cells divide over time. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind cancer cell survival and holds promise for developing new treatments.
A University of Minnesota researcher found that Siberian lakes have pulled more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than they have released into it since the last Ice Age. This process, known as thermokarst, has caused a slight cooling effect due to the sequestration of carbon in permafrost.
Researchers uncover the evolutionary roots of animals' ability to quickly absorb critical life lessons, a phenomenon known as the Garcia Effect. The study found that statistical reliability across generations determines what animals can learn and what they can't, with different environments favoring specific associations.
A new study suggests that improving food systems on specific regions and crops can boost global food security and protect the environment. The report identifies key leverage points for reducing environmental impacts and increasing food production in six countries: China, India, U.S., Brazil, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Closing the yield g...
A team of University of Minnesota researchers used natural snow to measure airflow around large wind turbines, revealing significant differences in patterns at the large-scale compared to lab measurements. This technique is crucial for improving wind energy efficiency, which can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
New study reveals emperor penguins may adapt to changing environments better than expected, moving among colonies and challenging long-held assumptions about their behavior. The research uses satellite images to track colony movements, showing that penguins do not return to the same location every year to nest.
A University of Minnesota researcher studied monarch butterflies' response to road salt, finding elevated sodium levels alter foraging behavior and development. The study suggests that excessive sodium can lead to increased mortality rates.
A groundbreaking nationwide study found that people of color are exposed to 38% higher levels of nitrogen dioxide outdoor air pollution compared to white people. The health impacts are substantial, with an estimated 7,000 deaths from heart disease among nonwhites each year if they breathed the lower NO2 levels experienced by whites.
Researchers found that when herbivores increased the amount of light reaching the ground through vegetation removal, plant species diversity increased on both fertilized and unfertilized plots across six continents. The study suggests that nutrient availability and grazing can have a positive impact on grassland biodiversity.
A University of Minnesota study found that using treadmills at work increases physical activity by 7-8% and boosts productivity. Productivity improved as employees adjusted to walking while working, with a substantial increase in overall performance.
A new study reveals that fertilization of natural grasslands disrupts ecosystem stability, reducing diversity and plant growth. The researchers used the Nutrient Network to collect data from 41 sites across five continents, finding a significant impact of fertilizer on ecosystems.
Research by the University of Minnesota and Georgia Tech found that male Pinterest users are more interested in photography, art, design, and home decor than sports, technology, and cars. In contrast, women tend to focus on traditional female categories such as food and drink, crafts, and fashion.
The study identified three repeated evolutionary shifts: seasonal shedding of leaves, thinner water-conducting pathways, and avoiding cold seasons. Researchers used a comprehensive 'timetree' with 32,223 species to model the evolution of these traits and climate surroundings.
A new study found that increasing cropping frequency could boost global food production by up to 44% on existing agricultural lands. Harvest gaps, the difference between actual and maximum potential harvest frequencies, are highest in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
University of Minnesota researchers have developed a new approach for identifying potential environmental effects of releasing genetically engineered (GE) insects. The framework evaluates the entire range of potential effects, including those during transitory and steady state phases, providing improved guidance for ecological risk ass...
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that multicellular algae reproduces by dispersing single cells, contradicting long-held assumptions. This finding has significant implications for understanding the evolution of multicellular complexity.
Researchers developed a new method to target cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, using synthetic lethal interactions. The approach has the potential to create targeted cancer treatments for specific tumor types.
A study published in Science found that reducing phosphorus levels in lakes can lead to decreased nitrogen removal processes, resulting in nitrogen accumulation. This has significant implications for global pollution control efforts, as many large lakes are affected by successful phosphorus control measures.
A crowdsourcing project, Galaxy Zoo 2, has produced a 10 times larger galaxy catalog than any previous one. Over 16 million galaxy classifications were gathered, representing about 57 million computer clicks, and over 300,000 galaxies were included in the catalog.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed an early-warning system to predict fishery collapse decades in advance, enabling conservation measures to be taken. The 'Eventual Threat Index' uses minimal data to identify conditions that would eventually cause a species to be overharvested.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a groundbreaking technique for manufacturing nanostructures, enabling smaller and better electrical and optical devices. The breakthrough involves using Scotch Magic tape to create extremely thin gaps through metal layers, with widths controlled on the atomic level.
In a study of gray tree frogs, females preferred calls that were longer and more frequent, which is a challenging task. The findings support the multitasking hypothesis, suggesting that high-quality males can produce multiple signals at once.
Research suggests that reallocating croplands away from fuels and animal feed can boost food availability for people by 70 percent without clearing more land. The study found that growing food exclusively for human consumption could provide enough calories to feed a few billion more people.
University of Minnesota engineers discover technology to produce 'electronic ink' using non-toxic nanometer-sized crystals of silicon. The research could lead to affordable electronic touch pads and home solar cells.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that APOBEC3B, a human antiviral enzyme, causes DNA mutations that lead to several types of cancer. The enzyme was found to be significantly elevated in six types of cancer and produced a unique mutational signature that matches the actual mutation pattern in these cancers.
Current global crop yields are not increasing quickly enough to support estimated global needs in 2050, according to a University of Minnesota study. The analysis identifies focus areas for closing the gap, including targeting investments on arable lands and improving best management practices.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a noninvasive brain-computer interface that allows people to control a flying robot using only their thoughts. The technology has the potential to help people with disabilities, such as paralysis or neurodegenerative diseases, regain mobility and independence.
Increasing crop water productivity could feed an additional 110 million people while meeting domestic water demands of nearly 1.4 billion, according to a new study. The research team analyzed 16 staple crops globally, identifying opportunities for improving trade-off between food and water.
A new paper in Science pushes back against recent recommendations from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, arguing that returning genetic incidental findings without patient consent violates basic human rights. The authors urge patients' autonomy to remain firmly in place as science advances.
A new study warns that inadequate funding for disease resistance research could lead to the spread of deadly Ug99 stem rust, threatening millions with affordable access to food. The University of Minnesota estimates that $51 million a year is needed to combat the disease.