Scientists have developed a new X-ray imaging technique to better understand lithium-ion rechargeable batteries containing iron fluoride. The technique allows for precise visualization and measurement of chemical changes at the nanoscale, enabling improved understanding of electrochemical reactions in these batteries.
Researchers have developed a method to grow organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite nanowires into elongated crystals that make extremely promising lasers. The tiny lasers are nearly 100% efficient and can create many colors of light, making them suitable for mini optoelectronics, computers, and sensors.
A study found that 7 million acres of new land were converted to cropland for biofuels, replacing millions of acres of grasslands and emitting significant carbon dioxide. The conversion, mainly to corn and soy, could have released as much CO2 as 28 million cars on the road.
Researchers discovered a link between prolactin levels and parental behavior, including increased cuddling and sex among paired cotton-top tamarins. The study adds to the growing understanding of parallels between oxytocin and prolactin in pair bonding.
A recent study published in Nature Plants found that climate change is reducing soybean yields across the United States, with an average decline of 2.4% for every one-degree rise in temperature. The study suggests that soybean farmers can minimize yield losses by adopting practices such as earlier planting and no-till farming.
A new Ebola vaccine has been shown to be highly effective and safe in monkeys, using an experimental platform that primes the immune system with the full complement of viral proteins. The vaccine was developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and may offer a promising alternative to existing vaccines.
A team of chemists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has developed a method to precisely order molecules in organic glasses, leading to more efficient and durable portable electronic devices and potentially new generations of solar cells. This breakthrough could result in displays that produce more light using less energy.
Researchers warn that localized issues like nutrient pollution and deforestation can exacerbate climate change impacts on ecosystems. Strengthening local management is crucial to expand the 'safe operating space' for these ecosystems, which are critical to global biodiversity. Local actions can be well understood and not too expensive.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a novel approach to combine biomass conversion and solar energy conversion, enabling more efficient hydrogen production and creating a valuable byproduct. This breakthrough could significantly increase the efficiency and utility of solar-fuel-producing photoelectrochemical cells.
A new study reveals that insect-eating bugs reduce forests' capacity to take up elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Insects' increased feeding and nutrient cycling alter forest ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers Valerie Stull and Rachel Bergmans are introducing insect farming kits to sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to address the region's protein deficiency. The kits, developed in partnership with Tiny Farms, provide a sustainable and culturally appropriate way for rural women's cooperatives to produce mealworms as a source of protein.
A study published in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology reveals an association between frizzled-6 protein expression and more aggressive behavior in canine bone cancer. The findings may provide a new pathway for tumor formation and improve outcomes for dogs with the disease.
A new study by UW researchers suggests that sensor technology can help identify deep tissue lesions during clinical breast exams. The study found that using a palpable force between 12-17 newtons improves the probability of detecting deeper lesions.
A nationwide clinical trial found that Eylea performed better for those with moderate or worse vision loss, while Lucentis and Avastin performed similarly for people with mild DME. The study recruited 660 participants across the US, showing improved visual outcomes for patients treated with Eylea.
A new study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center has made significant progress in understanding the role of human astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and spinal cord injuries. Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, have been found to play a crucial role in neuronal survival and proper nervous system signaling.
Neuroscientists studied animats with complex neural networks that evolved to master video games of varying difficulty. The research found that in more complex environments, the animats developed intricate neural connections and increased their ability to integrate information, supporting the theory of Integrated Information Theory (IIT).
A new kindergarten curriculum developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been shown to improve preschoolers' academic performance and social skills. The curriculum focuses on promoting kindness, compassion, and self-regulation skills in young children.
A new framework by UW-Madison engineers helps plot the future of solar fuels by accounting for general variables and big-picture milestones. The tool is designed to remain relevant as researchers experiment with new technologies and ideas, and can be adapted for other energy-related processes.
A new study shows that Brazil's Soy Moratorium has been effective in reducing deforestation, but government policies alone are not enough. The moratorium helped drastically reduce soy expansion linked to forest clearing, whereas governmental policy alone only curbed a small portion of the issue.
Researchers have made breakthrough discoveries in understanding Pelizaeus Merzbacher disease (PMD), a devastating neurological condition. The study found that myelin-producing cells are still active and can be stimulated to produce more myelin, potentially leading to new treatments for PMD and multiple sclerosis patients.
Researchers found that inactive EGFR is involved in autophagy, a process where cells consume nonessential contents to survive. Cancer cells use this process to thrive under stressful conditions. Combining drugs that block autophagy with those that inactivate EGFR could be an effective way to treat cancers
A report by a team of researchers warns that four of nine 'planetary boundaries' have been crossed due to human activity, posing risks to the stability of Earth's systems. The boundaries include climate change, loss of biosphere integrity, and altered biogeochemical cycles like phosphorus and nitrogen runoff.
The study reveals how polar substances nearby can change the interaction between nonpolar hydrophobic groups, allowing for controlled adhesion or repulsion in water. This discovery may lead to new designs of molecules with useful functions in water-based applications.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison team developed ultra-high-purity semconducting carbon nanotubes using a new technique, enabling more efficient and durable electronics. This breakthrough could lead to flexible displays, clothing-integrated electronics, and improved consumer devices with longer battery life.
Researchers found six resistive actions employed by both obedient and disobedient participants, with disobedients resisting earlier and using more diverse methods. Training in these practices could enable individuals to stand up to unethical orders, not just in extreme situations.
A study finds that frozen ground has declined by an average of two to three weeks since 1948, impacting logging operations. The decline is linked to climate change, causing uncertainty in winter harvests and increased costs for equipment and insurance.
A new theory suggests that eukaryotic cells arose from external bacterial infections, where blebs trapped mitochondria-like bacteria, leading to the formation of complex cell structures. This alternative view challenges the current theory and offers a radical rethinking of how complex life came to be.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about coenzyme Q and its production pathway, shedding light on mitochondrial function and its link to human diseases. Two new studies published in PNAS and Molecular Cell reveal the biochemical functions of key proteins involved in coenzyme Q synthesis.
A computer system developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has achieved equal performance to humans in extracting structured information from scientific publications. The system, PaleoDeepDive, was trained on a large dataset of paleontological studies and demonstrated its ability to extract relevant data with high accuracy.
A new computer system developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has equaled or bested human scientists in extracting data from scientific publications and placing it in a database. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the quest to rapidly and precisely summarize, collate, and index vast amounts of scientific output.
A team led by UW-Madison is investigating the Laguna del Maule volcanic field in Chile's Andes, where a mega-eruption could be as large as Mount St. Helens. The team aims to document the volcano's behavior before an eruption using geology, geochemistry, and seismology techniques.
A team of researchers used state-of-the-art computer models to examine the influence of atmospheric carbon dioxide, ice sheet melting and changes in Earth's orbit on El Nino over the last 21,000 years. The study found that El Nino has intensified over the past 6,000 years, with feedbacks between ocean and atmosphere growing stronger.
Researchers found differences in grasshopper types and numbers between undisturbed and post-agricultural woodlands, challenging conventional ecological wisdom. The study suggests new strategies are needed to promote ecological recovery in disturbed environments.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have tracked electrical activity in brains during imagination and reality, revealing opposite directions of information flow. During imagination, signals move from the parietal lobe to the occipital lobe, while in reality, they flow in the opposite direction.
Researchers at UW-Madison identified 1,300 host cell proteins the virus may use to infect cells, testing each protein to see whether eliminating it interferes with viral infectivity. The study aims to develop new drugs targeting cellular machinery rather than attacking the virus itself.
A new study reveals that crop productivity has increased by as much as 25% over the past five decades, contributing to a 50% rise in CO2 seasonality. The research highlights the impact of human activities on the Earth's atmosphere, particularly through intensive agricultural management.
Researchers identify defects in iron pyrite material as the source of inefficiency. The study provides hope for improving this promising material to make inexpensive yet efficient solar cells. By understanding the causes of this problem, scientists can design solutions to overcome it.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison will continue its Inner-City Asthma Consortium research with a $70 million, seven-year grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The project aims to reduce asthma severity in inner-city children and develop effective treatments.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a new process to convert lignin, a biomass waste product, into simple chemicals. The innovation could replace petroleum-based fuels and chemicals with biorenewable materials.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is renowned for its expertise in drilling through ice sheets, playing a critical role in advancing astronomy and understanding climate change. Researchers have successfully extracted ancient climate data from cores, providing valuable insights into the Earth's past.
Scientists at UW-Madison and FAU developed models of swimming turtles, revealing that longer, rotund turtles outperform slender counterparts in terms of energy efficiency. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding animal behavior and predicting environmental interactions.
Researchers found Madison's urban heat island effect peaks in summer, with downtown averaging 7 degrees warmer at night and 3 degrees warmer during the day compared to rural areas. The study also highlights the impact of snow cover and vegetation on temperature differences between urban and rural areas.
A team of engineers has created invisible implantable medical sensor arrays that can continuously capture and associate fleeting brain signals with visible brain activity. The transparent sensors have applications in neuroscience, cardiac care, and contact lenses.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that climate change is causing smaller, southerly distributed bird species to move northwards, altering the composition of winter bird communities in eastern North America. This shift is likely driven by warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.
A $3.3 million grant from the US Department of Energy will fund research into producing renewable plastic precursors and other substances from biomass. The project aims to develop high-value commodity chemicals worth over $5,000 per ton.
A study found that grassland fields in southern Wisconsin supported over three times as many bird species as cornfields, including 10 imperiled species. The research suggests that diverse bioenergy crop fields could benefit birds more than less diverse fields, making grasslands an acceptable tradeoff for biomass production.
A recent study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that mountain pine beetles contribute little to the ecological severity of fires in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The researchers tested six wildfires that affected over 75,000 acres and found no significant link between beetle outbreaks and fire severity.
A study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison examines how attorney representation and limited legal assistance shape access to justice for low-income civil litigants. The research aims to inform policy and intervention strategies to address the 'justice gap' faced by three-quarters of unrepresented individuals in the US.
The UW-Madison team is creating a human tissue chip technology to classify compounds as dangerous or not dangerous. The technology has shown 100% accuracy in predicting toxic responses with early results on a 2-D system with 45 known toxins.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that reducing fossil fuel consumption can lead to cleaner air, increased physical fitness, and improved public health. The analysis highlights opportunities for co-benefits between climate change mitigation and human health.