A study published in Cell Reports found that genetic variation in mice shapes their gut microbiome, which regulates insulin secretion and contributes to the onset of metabolic disease. The researchers observed a correlation between specific bacteria in the microbiome and metabolic traits such as body weight and glucose levels.
The NASA team is using satellites to provide real-time air quality data, making it easier for policymakers, doctors, and lawyers to track changes in rural and suburban areas. By collaborating with experts from various fields, the team aims to develop new ways to use satellite data to address pressing public health issues.
A 258-page report outlines principles and guidelines for human genome editing, emphasizing caution on germline editing and enhancement. The report also explores clinical applications, risks, and benefits of the technology.
A four-year research project published in Science offers a direct visual proof of the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis, which suggests that sleep is essential for brain plasticity and learning. The study found that synapses in mice brains shrink by nearly 20% during sleep, creating room for growth and learning the next day.
Researchers discovered lipocalin-2 and prolactin proteins regulate mesenchymal stem cell activity in the lab and in mice with calvarial defects. This discovery aims to improve culture conditions for growing bone cells and develop therapies for bone repair.
Scientists have developed a method to observe gene editing in real-time, enabling the investigation of CRISPR-Cas9's biological processes and potential applications for treating genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis.
A collaboration between two research teams has resolved a scientific controversy on calorie restriction's effects on aging. The study shows that restricting calories improves survival, reduces cancer, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance in adult and older primates but not in younger animals.
A new study published in Nature finds that hurricanes approaching the US coast are more likely to intensify during less active Atlantic periods, contradicting previous assumptions about hurricane behavior. This discovery suggests that coastal regions may be better protected by quieter periods in the basin.
Research suggests that hurricanes approaching the US coast are more likely to intensify during less active Atlantic periods, weakening instead of strengthening. This relationship accounts for part of the weak correlation between Atlantic hurricane activity and major landfalls.
A new study links rapid increase in sediment burial of carbon-rich organic matter to the surge in atmospheric oxygen during the Cambrian explosion. This process prevented dead plant material from burning and allowed oxygen to build up. Fossil fuel formation played a crucial role in supporting advanced animal life on Earth.
A team of researchers led by University of Wisconsin-Madison physics Professor Pupa Gilbert has discovered that mother-of-pearl can accurately record ancient ocean temperatures. By analyzing the thickness of microscopic tablet layers in nacre, they found a reliable method for measuring past climate conditions.
An international study of 260 surgical patients found that just over four percent were conscious before the start of surgery, but none remembered it afterward. The researchers noted no long-term problems associated with brief awareness and emphasized that this does not dissuade patients from necessary surgeries.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a novel approach to reprogram cells from one type to another using artificial transcription factors. This method enables efficient and unbiased conversion of cells, paving the way for faster research and potential therapeutic applications.
Researchers developed a technology that could produce influenza B vaccines with higher efficacy, using mammalian cell culture instead of eggs. This could lead to better protection against both lineages of influenza B and improved ability to respond during an influenza pandemic.
Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation to revive stowed memories, suggesting a separate state of memory apart from active working memory and deep storage. This breakthrough may help individuals control their attention and manage mental health disorders like schizophrenia and depression.
A study of over 5,000 Wisconsin lakes reveals nearly a quarter have become murkier in the past two decades. However, limiting agricultural land around waterways can improve water clarity and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
A new study reveals that young children's ability to describe spatial relationships is more important than the number of spatial words they know. Children who can adapt to different images and supply relevant information tend to perform better in spatial skills tests.
A study published in Nature Cell Biology reveals a pro-growth signaling pathway common to many cancers that can be targeted with precision, leading to the efficient killing of cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected. The researchers identified a scaffolding protein IQGAP1 as a key player in this pathway.
A study has identified the gut microbiome's role in regulating host gene expression through the epigenome. A plant-based diet favors a healthier microbiome and promotes interplay between microbes and host cells. This research suggests that a Western diet may disrupt this communication, leading to potential health issues.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that large fires create a diverse landscape, making it difficult for bark beetles to launch widespread attacks. This variability protects forests from future outbreaks, as trees take decades to reach their preferred size.
Researchers developed a framework to optimize liquid-crystal-based sensors for detecting specific chemicals, enabling portable and inexpensive detection. The approach uses computational chemistry and liquid crystals to create sensitive materials that can be used in various applications.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that 90% of globally caught fish are from rivers with high environmental stress levels. Freshwater fish provide animal protein for 158 million people worldwide, particularly in countries like Cambodia and Bangladesh.
Researchers found a specific rearrangement of collagen fibers surrounding tumors associated with early death, which may indicate poorer survival rates. The study suggests that understanding collagen's role in cancer could lead to new therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.
University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers create a cost-effective method to harness footstep energy using wood pulp cellulose nanofibers. The technology has the potential to rival solar power and provide renewable energy even on cloudy days.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have engineered a strain of yeast that can convert all plant sugars, including xylose, into ethanol. This breakthrough could enable the widespread production of biofuels from cellulosic biomass, transforming the economics of ethanol production.
A massive atlas of plant and bacterial proteins has been published, providing unprecedented detail on the molecular controls of nitrogen fixation symbiosis. The study, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers, reveals the interplay of proteins in rhizobia colonization of root nodules in the model legume Medicago truncatula.
Researchers found that poplar trees and many other plants naturally produce zip-lignin, a compound that breaks down easily under simple chemical conditions. This discovery could lead to increased degradability of a vast array of plants through breeding or engineering.
Researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison have revealed a fabrication process for revolutionary transparent sensors, which can be used for brain imaging, electrophysiology, fluorescent microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and optogenetics. The technology has the potential to expand its applications into areas such as stroke...
New research reveals that Asian jumping worms can strip forest floors and flood soil with nutrients at an alarming rate. This accelerated nutrient release may benefit plants initially, but also threatens to outcompete native species and contaminate groundwater sources.
A new trial will enroll over 9,000 participants in the US and Canada to test a high-dose flu vaccine for heart patients. The study aims to reduce hospitalizations and deaths among vulnerable individuals, with half receiving a more potent vaccine.
A framework has been developed to help scientists predict when forests will be resilient enough to recover from fires, and when they will be drastically altered. The framework considers factors such as ecological memory, material legacies, and the impact of changing climate conditions on forest recovery.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have created carbon nanotube transistors that outperform state-of-the-art silicon transistors, achieving a current 1.9 times higher than silicon transistors. The breakthrough could pave the way for carbon nanotubes to replace silicon in electronic devices.
A collaboration of Chinese and U.S. chemists has developed a highly efficient new method to convert carbon-hydrogen bonds into nitriles, common components of bioactive molecules used in medicinal and agricultural applications.
A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that visual interference can disrupt recall of what things look like. The study, published in the Journal of Memory and Language, challenged widely held theories about visual knowledge and how it is processed in the brain.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers discover the importance of symmetry in creating functional collagen fibers outside the body. The study uses symmetry to grow long, stable collagen fibers that mimic those found in nature, offering potential breakthroughs for biomaterials and nanotechnology.
New research challenges conventional wisdom on backup plans, finding they can cause people to work less hard and achieve primary goals less successfully. Researchers suggest understanding potential costs, but also encourage strategic planning to mitigate these effects.
Researchers used advanced computational methods to demystify complex catalytic chemistry in fuel cells, bringing cost-effective alternatives closer to reality. The study reveals that water plays a huge role in dictating which hydrogen atom breaks free from methanol first.
Researchers from IceCube Neutrino Observatory find no evidence of sterile neutrino in two independent analyses of data, suggesting the hypothesized particle may not be real. This discovery could help resolve puzzles related to dark matter and neutrino mass.
A new virus, largemouth bass reovirus, has been discovered in association with a 2015 fish kill in Pine Lake, Wisconsin. The virus is a distant relative of known pathogens and makes the species a key suspect in fish mortality.
Researchers have found evidence that botulinum toxins can move beyond the injection site, entering nerve cells and causing symptoms consistent with botulism. The study uses a lab dish system to visualize toxin movement, shedding light on the potential for remote effects of this deadly substance.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have created high-performance, micro-scale solar cells that outshine comparable devices in key performance measures. The new, small cells capture current from charges moving side-to-side and generate significantly more energy than other sideways solar systems.
A new study on the King Fire in California finds that even large, intense fires like this one do not exterminate spotted owls. In fact, owl populations may be resilient to megafires, contrary to previous studies, which suggests a reevaluation of forest thinning and prescribed burns as conservation strategies.
Researchers discovered microscopic crystals telling of unimaginable pressures and temperatures when a 12-kilometer asteroid formed Meteor Crater. The zircons endured temperatures of 2,000 degrees Celsius, revealing an unusual realm for geology where extreme pressure and temperature occur briefly.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Laura Hernandez found that increased serotonin levels lead to increased calcium levels in dairy cows, which could help treat milk fever. However, this effect may also cause bone loss in lactating women who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) while breastfeeding.
A study published in PNAS highlights two protective mechanisms compromised in macular degeneration. Drugs that target immune abnormalities and cholesterol levels may slow or prevent the condition, which affects 2 million Americans.
Researchers at UW-Madison and Purdue University have solved the atomic structure of rhinovirus C, a cold virus linked to severe asthma and respiratory infections in children. The findings provide a foundation for future antiviral drug and vaccine development against the virus.
The domesticated yeast that makes cold-brewed lager beer is a complex mix of two species, with scientists discovering new strains in Europe and the Americas. Genetic analysis reveals the organism's origins are more geographically diverse than initially thought.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have confirmed that a benign bacterium called Wolbachia pipientis can completely block transmission of Zika virus in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The bacteria, which are self-sustainable and low-cost, can also reduce vector competence in mosquitoes and impact their infection status.
Researchers found that Zika virus infection can persist for up to 70 days in pregnant monkeys, whereas non-pregnant animals clear the virus within 10 days. The study suggests that immune systems of mothers-to-be may be compromised, allowing the virus to linger.
A team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has identified dozens of genes that contribute to the rigidity and integrity of bacterial cell envelopes. These findings have significant implications for developing new antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria, which are notoriously difficult to treat.