Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified a specific gut bacterium, Bacteroides uniformis, and its metabolites that can positively impact the body's immune response to cancer. The study found that these metabolites can suppress tumor growth and boost anti-tumor immunity in mice.
A study found that social media helped spread information during the Rolling Fork tornado, but also revealed communication challenges facing rural areas due to limited broadband access and fragmented media. Researchers suggest a need for personalized messaging strategies to address diverse community needs.
A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reveals that cumulative exposure to parental smoking over time significantly increases the likelihood that adolescents will view smoking and vaping more favorably and engage in those behaviors. Most surprisingly, a father's smoking habits were found to be more significantly linked to ...
A study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that interspersing realistic portrayals of motherhood alongside idealized posts can help sustain positive feelings and reduce shame among mothers. This balanced approach may mitigate some social media harms, particularly for those prone to social comparison.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a promising new vaccine approach against highly pathogenic bird flu (H5N1) that demonstrates strong efficacy in both mice and dairy cattle. The vaccine platform protects against multiple H5N1 strains and generates immunity in both the bloodstream and respiratory tract.
A crisis communication study reveals Ticketmaster's inadequate response to technical failures and public backlash, leading to a political scandal and antitrust lawsuit. The company's lack of transparency, avoidance of responsibility, and failure to issue a full apology further damaged its reputation.
Researchers mapped participants' eye movements to identify patterns when viewing spider images, revealing attention is drawn to spider-specific features like webs and eggs. The study aims to better understand the mechanisms underlying arachnophobia, paving the way for more effective mental health treatments.
A new study challenges the common method used worldwide to measure genetic progress in crop breeding, finding that most reported gains are due to maintenance breeding, not genetic improvements. This has significant implications for agricultural research policy and investment, highlighting the need for more robust evaluation methods.
A new study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln sociologist Philip Schwadel found that God-believing religious nones are more likely to hold conservative views than other nones. They tend to support school prayer, the death penalty, and anti-abortion laws, while opposing increased spending on welfare and education.
A new study using hyoid bone analysis has confirmed that Nanotyrannus was a distinct species from T. rex, with the fossil standing at 18 feet tall compared to the massive 40-foot long T. rex. The findings provide conclusive evidence for the existence of Nanotyrannus and shed light on its growth patterns and ecosystem dynamics.
Young mountain lions in California struggle to navigate busy roads and developed areas, compromising their ability to access breeding territories and maintain genetic diversity. The study's findings highlight the need for wildlife crossing structures to maintain connectivity and promote healthy populations.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has received a $2.5 million grant from the Department of Energy to investigate ferroelectric oxides and control oxide and van der Waals materials in ways previously thought impossible. The research aims to create new, energy-efficient electronic devices and platforms for smartphones.
Researchers and artists created MuMu: Worlds of Connection, an XR experience illustrating the interconnectedness of human well-being, environment, and other life forms. The game, designed for middle school-aged youth, aims to convey complex scientific concepts in a tangible way.
A new study reveals that true crime media can be both a help and a hindrance to co-victims, with many experiencing a loss of privacy and trauma due to sensationalized coverage. The research highlights the need for ethical production practices and standards to protect co-victims from harm.
An international team has published a new framework for studying 'Earth engineers' who have fundamentally altered ecosystems globally. The framework distinguishes between engineering behaviors with local and planetary scale effects, offering insights into how humans and other organisms have shaped the planet.
A study analyzing data from 10 species at 14 national parks found that animals avoid human infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings. However, responses varied across populations, species, and individual animals, with some adapted to human presence.
In a groundbreaking pilot project, South Sioux City has constructed a 4,000-foot stretch of Foundry Road using two million recycled plastic bags. This innovative asphalt blend aims to reduce plastic waste while improving road durability under varied weather conditions.
A study found that knowledge-based messages are more well-received than those focusing on avoiding pain during a pap test. Demonstrating medical instruments like the speculum can cause unintentional fear, especially when combined with messaging about potential discomfort.
Researchers created a soft robotics technology that can identify damage, pinpoint its location, and autonomously initiate self-repair. The system uses a multi-layer architecture featuring liquid metal microdroplets, thermoplastic elastomer, and electromigration to melt and seal damaged areas, effectively self-healing the wound.
The new Epigraph vaccine developed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln virologist Eric Weaver protects against H1N1 swine flu and can also protect against influenza in humans and birds. The vaccine significantly outperformed commercial vaccines, providing protection for up to a decade.
An international team of agronomists calls for a new approach to estimate crop yield potential and gaps. Current statistical models rely on best-case scenarios and extrapolate a single yield potential across large regions, leading to conflicting results.
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln research team has identified methanogens that can consume hydrogen and dissolve calcium carbonate, producing methane. This discovery has implications for the sustainable development of bioenergy sources and challenges current understanding of carbonate mineral stability.
Maital Neta, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor, has received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Her lab explores how people cope with uncertainty, and her work has been featured in partnerships with Nebraska Athletics and the National Institutes of Health.
Researchers have developed a method for delivering therapeutics to targeted locations in the human body using universal milk exosomes. This technology could be used to treat common and rare diseases alike, offering a potential boon to rare disease communities.
Researchers discovered that highland deer mice have evolved distinct ways to acclimate to low oxygen conditions, surpassing their lowland counterparts. The study also showed that the highland mice possess a genetic advantage that helps suppress pulmonary hypertension.
A research team led by University of Nebraska–Lincoln materials scientists has discovered a new MXene material with p-type properties and increasing conductivity under illumination. The discovery enables complex structures where complementary MXenes are used together to achieve new electronic functionalities.
Researchers are studying the rift to access naturally occurring hydrogen, which could yield vast amounts of clean energy. The data is promising, and scientists believe it's possible to store and access trapped hydrogen in the rift.
A team of University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineers and scientists are assessing the potential threat to human health from antimicrobial-resistant pathogens spread via wastewater and agricultural runoff. They will use field samples and modeling to determine the contributions from each source and develop a risk assessment tool.
A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln examines fossil records going back 66 million years, tracking changes in mammalian ecosystems and species diversity. The research reveals that following the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, mammalian communities experienced a surge in functional diversity for 10 million years.
A recent study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people are more likely to support a politician who denies wrongdoing, especially if they share the same party affiliation. The research suggests that partisans tend to have different standards for different politicians, with those from their own party bei...
A new study found that wire-cut forensic examinations can be misleading due to the high number of comparisons made, potentially leading to wrongful convictions. The researchers recommend additional information about comparison lengths be presented in court cases involving wire-cutting evidence.
A study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has found that participants with slower brain aging had a distinct nutrient profile similar to the Mediterranean diet. This profile is characterized by specific fatty acids, antioxidants, and carotenoids that are associated with improved cognitive performance and brain health.
Assistant professor Yinsheng Guo is developing a comprehensive understanding of metal halide perovskites, promising semiconducting materials for energy technologies. He also seeks to transform how physical chemistry is taught using computational and experiential approaches.
A recent study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor Cory Armstrong found that roughly 50% of those surveyed in the mid-south region couldn't accurately define a tornado warning. Meanwhile, 35% correctly identified a warning as a tornado being sighted or indicated on weather radar.
An international research team has generated the first genomic sequence of four strains of Zygnema algae, closest living relatives of land plants. The study sheds light on how these organisms adapted to terrestrial environments and provides a rich basis for future research.
Eric Markvicka is developing a manufacturing approach to produce novel liquid metal mixtures with enhanced properties, including thermal and electrical conductivity. These mixtures can be used in additive manufacturing and accelerate momentum toward 4D printing, enabling the creation of machines that mimic biological organisms.
A recent study from University of Nebraska-Lincoln scholar Ciera Kirkpatrick explores the impact of idealized social media portrayals of motherhood on new mothers. The research found that exposure to such idealizations increases anxiety and envy among moms, particularly those with a higher social comparison orientation.
A Husker research duo has won a $25,000 prize in the NIH’s Targeted Genome Editor Delivery Challenge. They will advance development of universal milk exosomes capable of transporting gene editors to any location in the body, overcoming a significant challenge in using gene editing to treat disease.
A large survey study found that people are willing to engage in immoral behaviors and judgments when participating in political discourse. The researchers attribute this to genuine internal dislike of the opposing party, leading to moral ambiguity. Politics makes us do things we wouldn't normally do, fuelled by outrage politics.
A new study shows that Africa's rice production can be increased by employing improved agronomic practices such as soil nutrition, weed control, and water management. This can help meet projected demand of 150 million tons by 2050 without increasing imports or land conversion.
A research team led by Nebraska scientists has developed a comprehensive metabolic model of corn, allowing for the study of how temperature stress affects plant productivity. The model found that excessive heat is especially problematic, causing 'metabolic bottlenecks' that slow plant growth.
Research reveals that aquifer depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to continue meeting irrigation demands. As groundwater dwindles, agricultural losses escalate, especially for corn and soybean yields.
A study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers found that crowdfunding platforms create a sense of democracy, but backers often come from similar groups and give to projects they find cool. This limits the democratizing potential of crowdfunding.
Scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a system that can adjust the size, shape, and refractive index of microscopic lenses in real-time. The design uses hydrogels and polydimethylsiloxane to create a dynamic platform for soft robotics and liquid optics applications.
Researchers found 13 mummified leaf-eared mouse cadavers atop 4-mile-high volcanoes, with DNA analysis revealing a distinct population from lower-altitude mice. The discovery suggests the rodents ascended without human assistance and have adapted to extreme conditions.
Researchers found that short-form videos on TikTok can inform and encourage women to get regular pap tests, particularly when created by doctors. The studies also showed that autonomy-supportive messages improved attitude toward the message and engagement intention.
A US research team has developed a prophylactic to help protect US troops from acute radiation syndrome (ARS), a condition caused by high levels of radiation exposure. The Defense Health Agency has awarded $24.5 million to advance the drug's development, building on over $35 million in funding since 2017.
Researchers have identified an essential stage in the takeover of rice cells by a fungus, which could accelerate treatment or prevention of rice blast disease. The discovery involves a modification in tRNA molecules that aid in protein construction, and its absence leads to reduced virulence.
A 10-year study found that golden-crowned sparrows resettled an average of just 90 feet away from the center of their previous year's range when returning to California after winter migration. The study suggests that social bonds and familiar faces help anchor the birds to specific spaces, even when resources are scarce.
Exposure to plastic particles from microwaved baby food containers can be deadly, with up to 75% of cultured kidney cells dying after two days. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln study found that polypropylene containers release 1,000 times more nanoplastics than microplastics.