A comprehensive assessment of US democracy during the Trump presidency finds substantial areas of agreement among experts and citizens about critical democratic principles. However, there are concerns about the erosion of democratic norms, particularly regarding checks and balances and institutional resilience.
Scientists at the University of Rochester's LLE have successfully turned a liquid metal into a plasma, exhibiting classical properties at high temperatures. This discovery has implications for better understanding stars and planets, as well as realizing controlled nuclear fusion, a promising alternative energy source.
Researchers from the University of Rochester discover that LINE1 retrotransposons become more active with age, triggering inflammation and age-related diseases. By understanding the impacts of these genomic parasites, scientists can develop strategies to inhibit them and combat aging.
Researchers found that feeling awe leads to a greater awareness of knowledge gaps and increased interest in science. In studies involving virtual reality videos, participants who experienced awe were more likely to seek out scientific information and visit science museums.
A recent study found that parents' ability to self-regulate and think flexibly is crucial in navigating conflicts with teenagers. Fathers were less capable of set-shifting and physiological regulation than mothers, leading to more hostile behavior. However, better-set-shifting fathers could counteract dysregulation and reduce angry res...
Researchers sequenced a large portion of the fruit fly Y chromosome, discovering duplicated sequences and gene conversion mechanisms that enable genes to survive on the often-misunderstood Y chromosome. This new understanding challenges traditional views of the Y chromosome as a 'genetic wasteland',
A study found that the RMET test for mental health understanding is biased against less educated individuals, as well as ethnic and racial minorities. The test relies too heavily on a person's vocabulary, intelligence, and culturally-biased stimuli.
A new study suggests that sex plays a major role in attracting potential partners and encouraging the formation of an attachment. The research found that sexual desire triggers behaviors that promote emotional bonding during face-to-face encounters, including synchronization of movements, close physical proximity, and frequent eye cont...
A Bright Line Watch experiment reveals that partisanship is the dominant factor in voting decisions, outweighing policy positions and democratic values. The study's findings highlight the American public's commitment to certain democratic principles, but also expose significant partisan divides on issues like voter ID laws.
Researchers found that maltreated teen girls are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts due to poor mother-daughter relationships and high levels of conflict. The study, published in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, highlights the importance of relationship-based interventions for vulnerable youths.
Researchers have detected extremely high-energy gamma rays from the microquasar SS 433, which is located 18,000 light years from Earth. This discovery sheds light on astrophysical processes and may offer insights into star systems in distant galaxies.
The University of Rochester has received a $8.39 million grant from the NIH to create a national center for child maltreatment studies. The TRANSFORM Center will focus on preventing child maltreatment and addressing its consequences through research, policy, and training initiatives.
Scientists have discovered the unique characteristics of the Dps protein, which compacts bacterial DNA to protect it from damage. Despite compacting the DNA, the expression of genes remains unchanged. The study suggests that Dps may act as a shield to protect DNA while allowing bacteria to express genes necessary for survival.
Recent research reveals that lipid droplets regulate proteins involved in gene expression, regulating their maturation, breakdown, and storage. This understanding has significant implications for embryonic development and the study of obesity and lipodystrophies.
A new longitudinal study published in Child Development finds that strong sibling bonds can offset the negative effects of parental strife. Adolescents with strong sibling relationships are protected from experiencing distress in response to later parental disagreements and fights.
A new study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that uncertainty about a potential partner's romantic intentions decreases their sexual desirability. In contrast, feeling confident about a partner's interest and acceptance predicts higher levels of sexual desire. The research suggests that certainty serves as a gut-feeling i...
A new study suggests that no civilization can sustainably survive climate change, with four possible scenarios emerging: die-off, sustainability, collapse without resource change, or collapse with resource change. Researchers used mathematical models to analyze the co-evolution of civilizations and planets.
Researchers have developed a step-by-step method to design with freeform surfaces, eliminating much of the guesswork. This new approach enables designers to predict which freeform surfaces will work best for a given configuration, reducing trial and error and increasing efficiency.
Researchers found a gene, MEI-218, that controls the rate of recombination in two species of fruit flies. The discovery sheds light on how crossover rates have evolved to balance benefits and risks, with implications for understanding genetic diversity and evolutionary adaptation.
Scientists discover small microbes removing nitrogen from seawater in microenvironments with low oxygen levels, expanding the nitrogen cycle beyond previously thought regions. This finding changes our understanding of ocean responses to climate change.
Researchers Adam Frank and Gavin Schmidt propose a new definition of civilization based on its energy use, exploring the potential for detection in the geological record. They discuss various signs left behind by industrial activities, such as fossil fuel emissions and global warming, to determine if human beings existed.
Rochester researchers have developed a technique using the flying focus concept to better control the intensity of lasers over longer distances. By capturing fast-moving movies, they can manipulate the focal velocity and produce high-intensity light sources with novel wavelengths.
Researchers gathered ancient clay samples to compile a record of Earth's magnetic field strength over many centuries, revealing the South Atlantic Anomaly is part of a recurring phenomenon. The data suggests that the region under southern Africa may be responsible for recent changes in the global magnetic field.
Researchers investigated naked mole rats' cellular senescence mechanism, finding unique features that contribute to their cancer resistance and longevity. Despite exhibiting senescence similar to mice, naked mole rats display a more structured response to senescence, which may be beneficial for longevity.
Researchers found that ancient methane from ocean sediments is being released into the ocean, but only a small amount survives to be emitted to the atmosphere. The study suggests that catastrophic emission of methane from degrading hydrates may not be an inherent outcome of climate change.
A novel DNA detector was developed using ultrathin layers, including a nanoporous silicon nitride membrane that serves as a prefilter and a biosensor membrane with a single nanopore. The device creates a nanocavity filled with less than a femtoliter of fluid, improving the precision and reproducibility of DNA detection.
Xi-Cheng Zhang and his team have successfully generated terahertz waves from liquid water, a fundamental breakthrough with significant applications in imaging and spectroscopy. The discovery paves the way for non-destructive inspection of objects and potential uses in security screening, medical imaging, and more.
Researchers develop new scale to measure civilization advancement, emphasizing the importance of sustainable planet management. Earth may reach Class V in future if humanity adopts renewable energy sources.
Researchers found natural geologic methane emissions were three to four times lower than previously estimated numbers, suggesting anthropogenic fossil methane emissions are higher. The study suggests reducing methane emissions from fossil fuels may be an even more important factor in reducing global warming.
Researchers at the University of Rochester discovered a process where wasps co-opt single copy genes to take on new functions, including in their venom glands and other parts of their anatomy.
Scientists reconstruct past climate records from Tibetan Plateau sediment samples, revealing a greater than 6 million year earlier onset of 100,000 year climate cycles. The findings suggest that Antarctic ice sheet fluctuations in the late Miocene exerted dominant control on these cycles.
Scientists have developed a technique to visualize the complete evolution of micro- and nanostructure formation on a material's surface. This allows for better control over these structures, which are crucial for improving various technologies such as anti-corrosive materials, energy absorbers, and medical instrumentation.
A study published in the journal Emotion found that husbands and wives who practiced compassionate acts reported higher emotional well-being, with benefits significantly stronger for the donors than recipients. The researchers discovered that recognition by the recipient is not necessary for the donor's benefit.
Scientists at the University of Rochester have created a new microbial fuel cell using a paper electrode coated with carbon paste, which outperforms traditional materials in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The innovation has significant implications for wastewater treatment and energy production.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new beam pattern, dubbed the 'needle-pulse' beam, which can create incredibly thin and intense beams that expand outward again after a mere nanosecond. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize fields such as ultrasound, radar, and microscopy.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that humans and primates both have an ability to distinguish between large and small quantities of objects. The research showed that this bias is strongest in humans and correlates with increasing age and math education, suggesting a possible evolutionary basis for number perception.
A new species of bird, Tingmiatornis arctica, has been discovered in the Canadian Arctic, dating back to approximately 90 million years ago. The fossil finds reveal a hyper-warm interval during the late Cretaceous period, with conditions allowing large birds to thrive.
A new study found that children with poor vision show vast improvement in their peripheral vision after eight hours of training via kid-friendly video games. The game trains players to pay attention to the entire visual field, not just where their vision is most impaired, resulting in up to 50% improvement in visual perception tasks.
Parents of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) who attribute misbehavior to disabilities tend to use effective pre-emptive strategies, reducing unwanted behaviors. These strategies, such as adapting the environment and using one-step instructions, can improve outcomes for families.
A team of chemists has developed a process to identify new catalysts for synthesizing drugs more efficiently and cheaply. By examining libraries of drugs, they found highly effective ligands that can improve reactions beyond those reported nearly four years ago.
Researchers discovered that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activates SIRT6 to repair broken DNA strands. The study found that JNK modifies a specific amino acid residue on SIRT6, allowing it to recruit the enzyme PARP1 to damaged sites.
The researchers created a device called a quantum enigma machine that can transmit an unbreakable encrypted message using a key significantly shorter than the message, advancing the field of quantum data locking. The team successfully demonstrated six bits of classical information being securely locked in with only one bit of encryptio...
Researchers successfully created conditions for a fusion yield five times higher than current record using the OMEGA laser. The direct-drive approach, used by LLE scientists, is promising for achieving fusion as an energy source.
The study used fMRI to measure human brain activation and found that it can predict brain activity patterns within 70% accuracy. The researchers developed a novel approach to map semantic characteristics of words and correlated them with neural activity patterns.
Researchers have developed a more robust imaging wave using unconventional laser beams, allowing for the detection of objects at greater distances. The technology has the potential to be used for Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies to detect chemical, biological, and explosive materials without damaging human tissue.
Researchers found that couples who perceive their partner as responsive experience higher levels of desire, feeling special, and valuing their partner. Responsive partners convey the impression that they are worth pursuing, promoting an already valuable relationship.
Researchers developed a new model that suggests strong tidal encounters could be responsible for cracks on icy moons. The model, which uses computer graphics code to simulate the behavior of icy moons, indicates that such encounters could lead to cracks in the surface.
Children raised in poverty exhibit a unique behavioral adaptation: they tend to seize opportunities quickly, rather than delaying for rewards. This counterintuitive finding is linked to high vagal tone, which may facilitate rapid decision-making in uncertain contexts.
A new study suggests that human intelligence developed in response to the demands of caring for infants, who are born prematurely and require intelligent parents. The research found a strong correlation between weaning time and general intelligence in primates.
The Rochester Digital Cloak uses flat screen displays to extend the range of angles that can be hidden from view. It enables cloaking large objects without requiring expensive lenses.