A new analysis of a group of bacteria called Streptomyces reveals the way some strains developed advanced abilities to tear up cellulose and points out more efficient ways to make fuel from plant material. The study identifies important enzymes and new groups of enzymes produced when Streptomyces flex particular genes.
Engineers at University of Wisconsin-Madison created world's fastest stretchable, wearable integrated circuits, expanding Internet of Things capabilities. These powerful circuits can operate up to 40 GHz and are 25 micrometers thick, enabling biomedical applications like epidermal electronic systems.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that urban heat islands accelerate the growing season, with potential consequences for native and migratory birds and bugs. Urban parks can provide "cool island" refuges for wildlife.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a new way to synthesize hydrogen peroxide in a single step, which could make it an economically feasible oxidant for various chemical processes. The method uses a palladium-based catalyst and avoids the decomposition reaction that typically occurs during synthesis.
A new approach predicts the antigenic evolution of circulating influenza viruses, enabling a closer match for vaccine viruses and potentially improving vaccine effectiveness. The method identifies clusters of viruses featuring novel mutations, which can predict the molecular characteristics of next seasonal influenza virus.
A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found that captive giant pandas experience gastrointestinal problems when switching from bamboo stalks to leaves, leading to reproductive issues. The researchers analyzed the bacteria in the pandas' poop and discovered a unique population of microbes associated with digestive dysfunction.
A single defect in a histone gene has been linked to pediatric cancers, with researchers finding that the mutation can form a tumor on its own. The discovery could lead to new treatment options for metastatic breast cancer and provide insights into human development.
The carrot genome study sheds light on its domestication history and reveals new insights into the accumulation of carotenoids. Researchers found a new gene responsible for this process, which was likely inadvertently selected for by early growers.
A recent study published in NeuroImage tracked the rate of myelination in children's brains, revealing insights into the rapid growth of nerve fibers during childhood. The findings have implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders and diseases like multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophies.
Scientists recreate aspects of bacterial design in synthetic systems, discovering that strain in complex fluids can shape the properties of soft materials. The study reveals previously unappreciated parameters governing the behavior of biological membranes and opens up new avenues for designing synthetic materials.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientist has successfully inserted a genetic switch into nerve cells to regulate dopamine production with designer drugs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new Parkinson's disease treatment and expand its application to other conditions.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher has used an experimental drug to reverse damage from the mutation that causes fragile X syndrome in mice. The treatment, Nutlin-3, blocks a chain reaction that leads to memory deficits and neural stem cell formation issues.
A study of historical 'citizen scientist' ice records reveals increasing trends toward later ice cover formation and earlier spring breakup since the start of the Industrial Revolution. The findings strongly indicate more rapid climate change during the last two centuries.
Researchers at UW-Madison have pioneered a unique method to fabricate high-performance transistors on flexible plastic, enabling wireless capabilities and ultra-fast processor speeds. The transistor operates at 38 gigahertz, with simulations suggesting it could reach 110 gigahertz.
A team of engineers and physicists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a compound that combines polar and metallic properties, defying scientific conventions. The new material exhibits both insulating and conducting properties, paving the way for devices with simultaneous electrical, magnetic, and optical functions.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created a mouse model to study Zika virus, allowing researchers to test vaccines and antivirals while understanding the virus's effects on human brains. The model, lacking key immune system defenses, shows the virus causes severe pathology in brain tissue.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that heavy media multitaskers benefited from a short meditation exercise in which they sat quietly counting their breaths. Heavy media multitaskers scored worse on attention tests, but improved significantly after the exercise.
University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers developed a biologically inspired artificial eye that can see in the dark using a lobster-inspired fish-eye design. The system improves image-taking through lenses rather than sensor components, resulting in fourfold sensitivity improvement.
Researchers discovered bacteria capable of using iron as an electron acceptor, enabling them to process energy and potentially leading to the origins of life. The studies also have implications for the search for life on Mars, where iron metabolism could be a crucial component.
A new species of fruit fly, Drosophila yakuba, has evolved to consume yeast growing on the toxic noni fruit. Genetic analysis revealed that this adaptation occurred around 30,000 years ago, providing a unique opportunity to study evolutionary changes and genetic adaptations in response to environmental pressures.
A new study reveals that invasive species in the Great Lakes have a much greater economic and ecological impact than previously thought. Researchers found that a single non-native species can rack up millions of dollars in damages, highlighting the need to recalculate the cost of invasive species.
A new study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography finds that drought following wildfires hinders forest recovery in the Rocky Mountains. The research shows that forests are not adapting quickly enough to climate change, with subalpine tree species being negatively impacted by warm, dry conditions.
The 2016 UW-Madison Cool Science Image contest winners were selected based on scientific content and aesthetic qualities. The contest showcased images and videos from atmospheric science to zoology, including a pinhole camera image of the sun and a micrograph of breast tissue.
University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientist Xinyu Zhao has identified the genetic machinery that causes maturation in a young nerve cell, revealing four stages of gene activation. The study found hints about the origin of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's diseases and autism, suggesting a link between stem cell impairment and complex disorders.
A new climate model developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison can better predict changes to the ocean-carbon sink, a crucial factor in understanding future climate change. The improved predictive capacity allows scientists to distinguish human-induced effects from natural variability.
A recent study found that human influence has accelerated the rate of species change in Wisconsin prairies, with some sites having fewer than 18% of original species and more than 60% non-native species. Controlled fires are being shown to be beneficial for restoring native habitat.
A team of Wisconsin researchers has successfully transformed mouse fibroblasts into primitive master heart cells, which can form the developing heart. The technology could permit a scalable method for making an almost unlimited supply of cardiac progenitor cells, providing material to study heart disease and potentially treat diseased ...
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed an energy-harvesting technology that captures human motion to power mobile devices. The 'bubbler' method generates high power densities, enabling smaller and lighter energy-harvesting devices that can be integrated into shoes.
A study published in Nature Climate Change looks at climate change over the next 10,000 years, finding that catastrophic impact will persist even after carbon dioxide releases cease. The research shows that sea level rise will continue for thousands of years, affecting land and population centers.
New research reveals that estrogen receptor α (ERα) provides stronger protection for female newborn brains against hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The study, published in eNeuro, found that ERα levels are significantly higher in female compared to male brains following oxygen deprivation and reduced blood flow.
New research reveals that a common lithium battery catalyst harms a key soil bacterium, raising concerns about the environmental impact of these materials. The study found that the compound nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) impairs the growth and respiration of Shewanella oneidensis, a hardy soil bacterium.
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed a technique for creating nearly two-dimensional sheets of compounds that do not naturally form such thin materials. The new method uses a surfactant to grow crystalline faces and has great potential for different materials and applications.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that people with excellent 3D vision are more susceptible to motion sickness while using virtual reality displays. The study found that these individuals are also better at judging the direction of moving objects, which may contribute to their discomfort.
Researchers have identified over 13,000 Zika cases in Colombia, with the country now second only to Brazil in reported infections. The team is exploring ways to control the spread of the virus using a bacterium that infects mosquitoes, aiming to prevent transmission and mitigate serious consequences like microcephaly.
Fruit flies have evolved protective armor plates in their reproductive tract to shield against rough male genitalia, while females also employ a 'cross-dressing' strategy by darkening their skin to evade male attention. This study explores the genetic controls behind these strategies and their survival value.
Researchers found that a type of lung cell acts like a sensor, linking the lungs and nervous system to regulate immune responses. This discovery may lead to new treatments for pulmonary diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
A new study reveals clouds trap heat on the Greenland Ice Sheet, raising its temperature by 2-3 degrees and accounting for up to 30% of ice melt. This findings could improve future climate models, helping scientists and policymakers adapt to sea level rise.
A recent study of Laguna del Maule volcanic field reveals dramatic uplift over the past 8 years, mirroring similar events in the past 10,000 years. The research suggests that sustained input of new magma underground is the most likely cause of this rapid deformation.
Researchers found that compassion is linked to helping victims and punishing transgressors differently. Compassion training increased altruistic behavior in just two weeks.
A recent study published in Nature finds a sharp decline in the association of plant and animal species over the last 6,000 years. This shift is attributed to human population growth and agricultural practices, which have led to changes in ecological conditions.
Researchers have successfully created human stem cell-derived serotonin neurons, a breakthrough that could lead to more effective drug treatments for depression and anxiety. The cells were generated using induced pluripotent stem cells from patients' skin cells.
Researchers found that freshwater rivers and streams pump about 10 times more methane into the atmosphere than previously estimated, driven by human activity in agricultural and urban watersheds. This discovery highlights the importance of improving stream health in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers link flibanserin-induced decreases in female brain metabolism to increased pair bonding and grooming behavior in common marmosets. The study provides insight into how the drug may work in women's brains, but highlights room for improvement in treatment and safety.
Researchers identified the orbital partner parasitized by a blue straggler, a star that appears younger and brighter than expected. The study expands our understanding of binary star systems, bringing 25% of all stars into the fold of stellar evolution.
Human cells have evolved mechanisms to detect and respond to latent herpesvirus infections, but the virus has developed ways to evade these defenses. The study identifies a viral protein that blocks cellular proteins from reactivating the infection.
Scientists have developed a new way to make yeast hybrids in the lab, allowing industries to create new strains of microorganisms to work with. This technique could lead to the creation of new flavors, enhanced production, and the development of entirely new products.
University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists successfully grew functional vocal cord tissue in the laboratory using bioengineering techniques. The tissue was able to transmit sound and showed similar characteristics to native tissue, paving the way for potential clinical applications.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that reducing cropland to below 60% or restoring wetlands to above 6% can bring about significant improvements to surface water quality. Small tweaks to landscape composition may also enhance freshwater benefits in urban areas by adding rain gardens or parks.
Researchers found that individuals with faster alpha oscillations can perceive two flashes of light in 25 milliseconds, whereas those with slower frequencies require a 45-millisecond delay. This suggests that finer resolution in visual perception is linked to faster brain waves.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created an antibody that selectively links to a protein on highly aggressive brain cancer cells, causing them to light up in PET scanners. This breakthrough could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly form of brain cancer.