A new study reveals that coral reef fish species at the extremes of the food chain, such as strict herbivores or predators, evolve faster than those in the middle with varied diets. This finding has valuable conservation implications for managing fisheries exploitation and preserving functional diversity on coral reefs.
A recent study found that poverty and obesity are connected, with a significant increase in obesity rates among low-income households since the early 1990s. The correlation between household income and obesity rate has grown steadily over time, with the poorest counties experiencing the largest increases.
Microorganisms living underground have a total carbon mass of 15-23 billion tons, vastly more than humans. The deep biosphere has a volume of between 2 and 2.3 billion cubic kilometers, almost twice the volume of all oceans.
A new study suggests that heat-resistant enzymes like Cytochrome P450 can be designed for better and more cost-effective drug production. The enzyme's flexibility at high temperatures may lead to improved drugs for humans, producing them en masse and making them more cost-effective.
A new study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters proposes that plate tectonics could have started as early as the planet's formation. Researchers analyzed noble gas isotopes Helium-3 and Neon-22 to establish a timeline of Earth's tectonic plate cycling, providing insight into the planet's earliest conditions.
A new study estimates that up to a quarter of the microbes on Earth could be uncultured and dominate nearly all environments except the human body. The research, led by Karen Lloyd, used computational power to analyze 1.5 million DNA sequences and found that as many as 30 phyla of unseen microbes exist.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee suggest that a genetic mutation may cause Huntington's disease to appear earlier in life. A new drug, Panobinostat, may regulate gene expression and prevent disease progression.
A new study found that the Siberian Flood Basalts, a massive volcanic eruption around 250 million years ago, sent nearly 90% of life into extinction. The team discovered that chlorine, bromine, and iodine in the lithosphere were released into the atmosphere, destroying the ozone layer.
A new study found that overweight mice with Type 2 diabetes who don't sleep well need more time to heal their wounds compared to healthy mice. The research suggests that sleep plays a crucial role in wound healing among obese mice with Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers discovered a chemical compound that lowers sugar levels as effectively as metformin but with a 30-times lower dose, providing an alternative treatment option for patients unresponsive to the current medication. The study published in PLOS One could lead to the development of a new and effective drug to fight diabetes.
A new study found that coal mining significantly reduces aquatic species abundance and richness in US streams. Despite regulations, mining continues to harm biodiversity, with some watersheds facing irreversible declines.
A researcher re-examined seven bone measurements from 1940 and found they were more similar to Amelia Earhart than 99% of individuals in a large reference sample. The study concluded that the bones belonged to Earhart, citing evidence including her humerus and radius lengths.
A new study from UT scientists finds that buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, can impair the ability of obese mice to vary their breathing. This discovery may encourage similar studies in humans, who also need to achieve tasks like climbing stairs and respond to challenges such as disease and surgical stress.
Researchers have identified specific chemical receptors in cells that could deceive bacteria and improve patient response to drugs. The study's findings suggest that targeting these receptors could help adapt antibiotics to better attack infections.
A study published in Population Health Management found that state-level Medicaid expansion improved health care access among low-income US residents, increasing insurance coverage and reducing barriers to care. Residents in non-expansion states were disproportionately negatively affected by the decision not to expand Medicaid coverage.
Researchers have identified a new species of prehistoric crocodile, Deltasuchus motherali, from a fossil site in north central Texas. The species, which lived around 95 million years ago, is estimated to have grown up to 20 feet long and ate a wide variety of prey, including turtles and dinosaurs.
A large-scale study of nearly 400 individuals from birth to adulthood found no increased risk of anxiety and mood disorders among those born very preterm or at low birth weight. Social support from romantic partners plays a crucial role in preventing mental health issues.
A new study found that women working in 'breastaurants' are more likely to experience anxiety and disordered eating due to the revealing uniforms. The study also revealed that female servers felt they had less power and control at work.
Researchers observed Cuban boas in bat caves and found that coordinating their positions formed a wall across the entrance, making it difficult for bats to pass without getting within striking distance. This cooperative hunting strategy was always successful, with more snakes present leading to faster capture times.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, discovered that tiny soil organisms create 'soil highways' for young trees, influencing their migration patterns. The study suggests that these invisible biotic communities could be used to encourage tree migration and preserve heat-sensitive species.
A new study from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville shows that diversity within a wild songbird community enhances its members' access to food and increases their ability to solve problems. The research found that mixed-species groups are more effective in finding food sources and using problem-solving skills.
A new study by Vladimir Dinets of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville shows that broad-footed moles feed on the ground frequently during cool, wet nights with fog or rain. This nocturnal foraging behavior makes surface-active moles difficult to observe, and contradicts long-held assumptions about their fossorial lifestyle.
Vladimir Dinets finds evidence of spectral bats living in caves and roosting in Utila's secondary forests, adapting to human presence through social media accounts and tourist photos. The discovery reveals the species' potential for longevity and challenges previous assumptions about its habitat.
A new algorithm developed by a UT professor helps online volunteers prioritize grid cells in disaster response, focusing on areas with high population density and road networks. This enables response teams to make more informed decisions and respond more efficiently to the most urgent needs.
A new study from the University of Tennessee reveals that Brazilian free-tailed bats can reach remarkable flight speeds, challenging existing assumptions about their capabilities. The research used a novel airplane tracking method to track the bats' flight patterns, demonstrating that they adapt to wind conditions like airplanes and birds
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have identified 32 bacterial genes and 38 mouse genes that may help reduce malaria severity. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments, as it provides a limited number of genes to work with.
A recent study by University of Tennessee professors found that most consumers skim over risk warnings on drug websites, ignoring important information about potential side effects. The researchers suggest presenting risks before benefits and highlighting unique risks with graphics to increase attention.
A new UT study found that human limbs do not evolve independently, but are influenced by genetic correlations with other bones. The research challenged traditional theories on body shape and size, suggesting that multiple forces shape human form in response to environmental factors.
Researchers at UT Knoxville have discovered a novel regulatory pattern for cytokinesis, the final stage of cell division, triggered by the signaling protein Cdc42. This finding has implications for understanding cancer and other diseases, where defects in Cdc42 control are associated.
Researchers argue that Wendell Scott's racing career was a form of political practice for moving freely in the segregated South. The study highlights the struggle for equal rights and access to transportation today, particularly for people of color.
Researchers observed striped hyenas joining grey wolf packs in the Negev desert, suggesting a mutually beneficial relationship. The unlikely alliance may have arisen from necessity, with hyenas utilizing their keen sense of smell and wolves leveraging their agility to tackle prey.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed a computational approach to trace the evolutionary history of human genes more precisely. This method will help doctors identify disease-causing mutations and provide more effective treatment options for patients with genetic disorders.
Researchers found reptiles and amphibians to be a crucial high-value food source for whooping cranes, particularly during spring nesting season. This adaptability suggests the birds have an increased chance for survival in human-modified environments.
Researchers discovered that gut microbiomes play a role in reducing the severity of malaria. Mice fed yogurt with specific bacteria showed decreased malaria pathology. The study provides a potential new approach to developing treatments for malaria.
A recent University of Tennessee study suggests that the belief people are born with their sexual orientation is not the key to improving attitudes toward lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals. Instead, it's what else they believe about sexual orientation that distinguishes them from those with negative or positive attitudes towards ga...
A new UT study found that inadequate sleep can disrupt protein synthesis, a fundamental cellular process involved in physical growth and brain activity. The circadian clock regulates this process, and misaligning behavior with it can have negative consequences.
A University of Tennessee study found that Caucasian parsley frogs rely on insect-rich bat guano for food in limestone caves. The research highlights the critical role bats play in maintaining cave ecosystems and underscores the need to protect small bat colonies.
Research by Vladimir Dinets and Mark Hauber found that two invasive Eurasian cuckoo species are on the verge of invading North America, posing a threat to native bird populations. The cuckoos' sophisticated parasitic behavior, including egg mimicry, may evade defenses developed by Native American birds against cowbirds.
A new study proposes a logical classification scheme for dogs and wolves, revealing that domestic dogs are descendants of two interbred species: an extinct Asian wild dog and the grey wolf. This finding has implications for wolf conservation, as some hybrids have evolved into full species.
A UT study found that active video games involving total body participation can provide moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity in children aged 5-8 years old. The study compared energy expenditure of active video gaming to unstructured outdoor play and showed a significant difference in accelerometer readings.
A new UT study suggests that prey emit warning cues to survive and also help predators avoid danger. The theory proposes a mechanism called concurrent reciprocal selection, where both prey and predators benefit from the signals, ensuring their survival.
Researchers have developed a method using bacteria to test for pollutants in water and soil, detecting uranium and nitrate pollution. The test can be done overnight for up to 100 samples and is showing promise in predicting oil spills.
A team of scientists from UT Knoxville has discovered extensive salty groundwater networks in Antarctica using SkyTEM technology. This finding supports the presence of subsurface microbial ecosystems and provides insights into glacial dynamics and ancient climate change.
A new paper suggests that conservation organizations need to be bolder in their adaptation efforts due to the rapid ecological changes caused by climate change and other global changes. By adapting like the organisms they seek to protect, these organizations can conserve something that won't stay still.
Karen Lloyd, a University of Tennessee professor, has been selected as a 2015 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow in Ocean Sciences for her groundbreaking research on marine microbial life and geochemical cycles. Her work holds promise for understanding the physiology and ecology of marine microbial life.
A University of Tennessee study finds crocodiles engage in play-like behavior, including locomotor play, play with objects and social play. They have been observed playing with other animals and forming strong bonds with humans.
A University of Tennessee professor is using plantations to examine race relations and history in the US. The study will analyze how Southern plantations are incorporating the history of slavery and how visitors interpret the information.
Researchers studied a rare rock covered in small diamonds, speckles of garnet, and other minerals using X-ray machines to uncover its genesis. The findings suggest diamonds form at high temperatures and pressures, contradicting previous theories.
Research led by Devon Burr shows that Titan's winds must blow faster than previously thought to move sand, explaining the formation of massive dunes. The discovery validates older models for thin atmospheres like comets and asteroids.
A University of Tennessee study finds that plant evolutionary history influences community responses to global change, with native species from the same lineage more effective at sequestering carbon. The research may aid in predicting ecosystem futures and informing conservation efforts.