A new gene called RGS9-2 has been found to regulate body weight by modulating metabolism. The discovery was made by a University of Rhode Island researcher who initially studied the gene's role in brain protein dyskinesia, a side effect of certain medications.
A 70-million-year-old nest containing 15 juvenile Protoceratops dinosaurs has been discovered in Mongolia, revealing new insights into postnatal development and parental care. The analysis suggests that the young dinosaurs remained in the nest for an extended period and were cared for by their parents.
Researchers found that slow eaters consumed significantly fewer calories than fast eaters, with whole grains taking longer to digest. The study also showed a strong association between eating rate and body mass index (BMI), suggesting that slower eating may be related to lower energy needs.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds a strong correlation between precipitation patterns in the Northeast and Southwest. Researchers used sediment layers to reconstruct records and found that extreme weather events are predicted by climate models.
Researchers found that terrestrial biodiversity recovered in about 5 million years, compared to the 15- to 30-million year recovery period estimated earlier. This suggests a more rapid recovery than initially thought and rules out theories stating a severe spill-over effect into the terrestrial realm.
A University of Rhode Island study found that Tanzania's Saadani National Park protects mangrove ecosystems while providing new income opportunities for local communities through increased fishing and shrimping activities. Mangrove cover declined by 27% before park establishment, but remained stable with reduced harvesting.
Zooplankton have adapted to survive in low-oxygen areas by suppressing their metabolism and using anaerobic glycolysis. However, as climate change expands these zones, zooplankton will face increased predation risk, potentially leading to population crashes and cascading effects on the ocean ecosystem.
Navindra Seeram has discovered 54 beneficial compounds in pure maple syrup, with 20 previously identified compounds playing a key role in human health. The research also reveals anti-inflammatory properties and potential uses in fighting cancer, diabetes, and bacterial illnesses.
A portable device provides results in under 30 minutes with a small blood sample, revolutionizing point-of-care diagnostics. The device can detect biomarkers of disease and is expected to reduce healthcare costs.
Researchers have created a more accurate seismic model to detect nuclear explosions and differentiate them from natural events. The model spans the complex tectonic region of Turkey to India, and will improve location and characterization of seismic events while reducing errors.
Recent studies by University of Rhode Island scientist Katherine Kelley reveal that the Earth's mantle is highly oxidized due to exposure to oxygen during its formation. The findings suggest that oxygen from subduction zones controls mineral composition and gas behavior in the mantle, influencing volcanic eruptions.
Researchers identified a large colony of Siboglinidae tubeworms on the side of an underwater mountain in the Eastern Mediterranean. The discovery was made possible by a team of scientists ashore and the public watching live via internet, using high-definition video cameras and satellite telecommunications.
A team of scientists, led by URI oceanography professor Steven D'Hondt, will embark on a nine-week expedition to the South Pacific Gyre to drill into the basaltic basement and search for evidence of life. The team aims to test whether microbial communities can be sustained by hydrogen released from radioactive water decay.
A recent study published in Mass Communication & Society found that TV viewing can lead to increased concern about personal health and reduce satisfaction with life. People who watch more TV are more likely to believe they are at risk for health problems, even if the shows are fictional, and may become disillusioned with life as a result.
The Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting has received a $199,909 NSF grant to enhance the communication of oil spill research. The project will bring together scientists and science communicators to clarify early scientific findings about the oil spill's impacts.
A new drug delivery system has been developed using nanoparticles embedded in liposomes that can be triggered by non-invasive electromagnetic fields. The system can control the rate and extent of drug release, with a quick release in just 30-40 minutes.
A recent study by URI researcher Mark Wood found that teens tend to increase their alcohol consumption during the summer before entering college. The study's results suggest that parents who monitor their children's activities, provide emotional support, and express clear disapproval of alcohol use can help decrease drinking and relate...
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have found that migratory birds prefer certain fruits rich in antioxidants and pigments. This study may provide insights into how humans can prevent disease through diet. The discovery highlights a potential partnership between plants and birds, where berries are eaten and seeds are dispersed.
University of Rhode Island researcher Navindra Seeram has discovered over 20 compounds in pure maple syrup with potential health benefits, including anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties. The research found that these compounds are also present in the Acer family for the first time.
A comprehensive study found that community involvement is crucial for the success of marine reserves. Residents' compliance with reserve rules was linked to ecological health and fish stocks. Community participation in setting up and monitoring reserves is vital to their success.
Large amplitude internal waves can reach heights of 150 meters in the South China Sea, affecting surface wave fields and observable from space. The Earth's rotation modifies these waves as they travel across the deep ocean basin, influencing their steepening process.
A University of Rhode Island researcher is proposing a global monitoring network to track banned chemicals in oceans. The initiative uses inexpensive polyethylene passive samplers, which can be easily deployed by non-scientists worldwide.
A recent study found that a client-directed therapy technique can increase relationship satisfaction by 46.2% and reduce divorce/separation rates. The technique involves using four simple questions to generate feedback, giving clients a sense of ownership in their healing process.
A nutrition professor at the University of Rhode Island found that chewing sugar-free gum can help reduce calorie intake by 67 calories at lunch and increase energy expenditure by 5%. Gum chewing also leads to feelings of fullness and reduced hunger, potentially aiding in weight management.
The University of Rhode Island has been awarded a $13 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop vaccines for emerging infectious diseases. The grant will fund research on immunome-derived vaccines, which have the potential to be safer and more effective than traditional vaccines.
A team of scientists found surprisingly few organisms beneath the seafloor of the South Pacific Gyre, with cell counts three to four orders of magnitude lower than at similar depths outside gyres. The sediment's oxygen levels were also unexpectedly high, supporting an aerobic community.
The University of Rhode Island has been awarded a five-year, $18 million grant by the National Institutes of Health to strengthen biomedical research capacity in Rhode Island. The grant will support at least 22 faculty research projects in molecular toxicology, cell biology, and behavioral science.
Researchers have developed a unique bulls-eye electrode that can interpret brain signals, allowing paralyzed patients to control their environment. The device is also being studied as a means of delivering a stimulus to control epileptic seizures, with potential applications in treating status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have discovered a biochemical mechanism that explains how protein tyrosine kinases, such as Src and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor families, sense and respond to oxidative stress signals. This understanding may help in designing targeted therapies for specific cancers.
The Nile Delta fishery has grown significantly due to the influx of nutrients from fertilizers and sewage discharges, with 60-100% of production supported by these sources. This unexpected expansion raises questions about the value of anthropogenic nutrient inputs to ecosystems.
Researchers from the University of Rhode Island found that the Great Lakes' water level is highly sensitive to climate changes. The study revealed that a dry climate interval caused lake levels to fall dramatically, disconnecting the lakes and running their overflow rivers dry.
A study by University of Rhode Island scientists finds that elevated CO2 levels will reduce jumbo squid's oxygen consumption rate and activity levels, affecting their feeding behavior. The researchers predict that the squids may migrate to northern climes to escape CO2 and oxygen stress.
A team of researchers at the University of Rhode Island is working on developing a new variety of salt-tolerant grass that can thrive in roadside environments. The project focuses on identifying a salt tolerance limit for native and ornamental turf grasses, with the ultimate goal of improving highway maintenance.
A 50-year analysis of Narragansett Bay fish-trawl surveys reveals a shift from vertebrate to invertebrate species and from benthic to pelagic species composition. The study attributes this change primarily to global warming, with smaller, warm-water species increasing while larger, cool-water species declining.
The study models seasonal distribution of BOD and DIN to identify areas at greatest risk for low water quality. Unmanaged shrimp mariculture development leads to increased BOD and DIN, causing oxygen depletion and harming aquatic life.
A new study refines hurricane intensity prediction models by incorporating the impact of large eddies on wind speed and air humidity. The research suggests that large eddies contribute significantly to energy, heat, and moisture transfer between the ocean and atmosphere.
Researchers discovered a correlation between the deepening of the Pacific Ocean's CCD and global cooling approximately 34 million years ago. The study suggests that prolonged absence of warm summers inhibited summer snow melt, leading to ice sheet growth.
The study aims to understand the complex linkages between environmental change, whale population dynamics, and human societies in Alaska's Arctic ecosystem. Collaborators will investigate climate variability, ice reduction, and its impact on local whaling practices and global commerce.
The study found that eelgrass significantly increased survival of silversides, tautog, and cunner even at low shoot densities. Macroalgae did not provide a similar benefit.
The study combined three computer models to investigate the effect of surface waves and wind on hurricane dynamics. The team found a new characterization of the effect of surface waves on air-sea momentum under hurricane wind forcing, which is necessary for accurate predictions of track and intensity.
Research refutes old idea that dinosaurs were declining in diversity during their time on Earth. Early dinosaur diversity increased dramatically throughout the Cretaceous period, reaching 245 genera.
A new portable field laboratory will enable researchers to sample subsurface life from diverse marine environments, including estuaries and deeply buried sediments. The facility will aid in the training of young scientists and enhance existing research on extremophilic communities.
A 117-year coastal temperature record at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, shows sustained warming since the 1960s. The data reveals a significant increase in water temperatures during the past few decades, with averages rising by up to 1.2?C over the annual cycle.
Physical oceanographers investigate how sea floor structure affects the Gulf Stream's meandering behavior. They discover a new mechanism, jet equilibration, where counter-currents lead to a nearly straight path.
Researchers develop a new Coupled Wave-Wind model to estimate hurricane speed and intensity, incorporating surface breaking waves. The improved model aims to enhance forecast skills and mitigate natural hazards caused by hurricanes.
Researchers studied coastal 'jet' south of Block Island, revealing strong seasonal variability in currents. Analysis showed that freshwater outflow from estuaries and wind stress drive the interplay behind this phenomenon, producing a stronger jet during summer and weaker flow during winter.
A team of scientists led by a URI oceanographer will extract long sediment cores from Lake Bosumtwi to study West African monsoon dynamics and tropical climate linkages. The research aims to improve understanding of Earth's climate system.
Researchers found that increased Labrador water transport due to Gulf Stream movement actually decreases primary productivity, contrary to expected outcomes. This phenomenon may be linked to nutrient supply and influence large-scale climatic effects on the carbon cycle.
A recent study by URI graduate student found that off-road vehicles significantly impact beach ecosystems, with a 30-50% decrease in invertebrate populations on beaches where driving is allowed. The research highlights the importance of protecting the wrack line, which serves as a crucial habitat for many species.
Regime shifts occur when changes in ocean conditions, such as warming, affect plankton production and propagate up the food chain. Overfishing can also force a regime shift, changing population dynamics of an entire ecosystem.