Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a process to create concentrated sugar streams using gamma valerolactone, which can be converted into cellulosic ethanol and drop-in biofuels. The process converts 85-95% of starting material to sugars suitable for yeast fermentation.
The SHY hypothesis suggests that sleep weakens brain connections to conserve energy and avoid cellular stress. During wakefulness, learning strengthens synaptic connections, making them more susceptible to interference with new information.
Researchers found that alphaB-crystallin enhances breast cancer cells' ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and form metastases in the brain. Tumors expressing this protein had a poorer prognosis and were more likely to be triple-negative breast cancers.
A study by Gary Lupyan reveals that humans make mistakes in even the simplest rule-based calculations, favoring contextual information over clear rules. People consistently mistake numbers like 798 for odd and prefer 400 as a better even number.
Researchers found that children from low-income families have less gray matter in the parietal and frontal regions of the brain by age 4. This can lead to behavioral, learning, and attention problems. Providing an enriched environment with normal interactions may help alleviate this issue.
A new study reveals specific molecular changes in the body following mindfulness meditation, including altered levels of gene-regulating machinery and reduced pro-inflammatory genes. The findings provide a possible biological mechanism for therapeutic effects and suggest that meditation can lead to epigenetic alterations of the genome.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has detected 28 high-energy particle events from cosmic accelerators, providing the first solid evidence for astrophysical neutrinos. The signals are more than one million times more energetic than those observed in 1987 and originate from outside our solar system.
A new monkey study links impulsivity, rewards, and ADHD medication Ritalin, shedding light on the brain's reward processing mechanism. The study found that methylphenidate improved impulsive behavior in monkeys, but did not eliminate it, suggesting a potential link between the drug and temporal discounting.
Researchers have identified a crucial intermediate step in the formation of plaque that causes type 2 diabetes. The protein amylin aggregates into plaques that kill cells, but animals resistant to the disease prevent this by targeting an earlier clumping process.
A new study found that minority students in the US are attending schools with fewer white classmates than in 1993. Despite increased diversity, the exposure of blacks and Hispanics to whites was higher than expected, according to researcher Jeremy Fiel.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have created a highly detailed structural model of the rhinovirus C, which is responsible for up to half of all childhood colds. The new model shows that the virus has distinct surface features that make it difficult for drugs to effectively target it.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that evolution can favor mutations making avian flu more transmissible in mammals. The research found that even rare mutants can be transmitted if they have an evolutionary advantage, highlighting the potential for H5N1 viruses to infect humans.
A study of herpes simplex virus type 1 confirms the 'out-of-Africa' pattern of human migration, with African isolates clustering together and Asian viruses grouping based on sequencing of human genomes. The findings support existing analyses of human migration and provide insights into how organisms are related.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison team developed a model to forecast the impact of future policies on urban development and agricultural cultivation on aquatic ecosystems. The study found that crop cover is projected to decrease in some regions, while urbanization may exacerbate biodiversity loss in others.
A team of researchers has developed a model system using fruit flies to study traumatic brain injury (TBI), revealing the genetic underpinnings of susceptibility and links to human TBI. The findings suggest that genetics play a crucial role in determining the outcome of an injury, which may explain why current TBI drugs have failed in ...
A UW professor discovered a new possible tick species that infests the noses of Ugandan chimps, suggesting it may be an underappreciated disease carrier. The tick's behavior is thought to be linked to chimp grooming habits, raising concerns about exotic tick populations and global disease spread.
Researchers will analyze reviews and manipulate demographic factors on grant proposals to determine if biases exist in the NIH's peer review system. They aim to understand mechanisms behind proposal decisions and identify potential causes of disparities in funding rates among different groups.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison discover that zinc ions play a crucial role in maintaining protein stability. A shortage of zinc can cause proteins to misfold and clump together, leading to cell death. Researchers identify a 'protein chaperone' called Tsa1 that prevents protein aggregation and maintains cellular balance.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a promising vitamin D-based treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) that can halt and even reverse the course of the disease in a mouse model. The treatment involves giving mice with MS symptoms a single dose of calcitriol, followed by ongoing vitamin D supplements throug...
A team of astronomers reports key observations that confirm a theory describing how dust grains in interstellar space align themselves in the presence of magnetic fields. The findings have significant implications for understanding interstellar medium and novel observational tactics to probe magnetic fields.
Researchers discover how anxiety affects olfactory processing, linking emotional centers of the brain. Neutral smells become distasteful under anxiety, leading to a vicious cycle that can heighten distress and lead to conditions like anxiety and depression.
Scientists have isolated and characterized a stable intermediate in a dirhodium metal complex reaction, allowing them to study its mechanism for the first time. The discovery opens new avenues for the field of catalysis and could lead to more efficient chemical reactions.
Scientists have observed water ice and ammonia ice in Saturn's atmosphere for the first time. The new findings suggest that clouds of different chemical compositions can coexist, with water ice making up 22% and ammonia ice 55%.
A study led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center found that mindfulness training reduced teacher stress and burnout, while improving classroom organization and increasing self-compassion. The study used a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course adapted for elementary school teachers.
Researchers used continuous flash suppression to render objects invisible and found that hearing the correct word boosted object visibility. Hearing an unmatched word suppressed it. The study suggests a deep connection between language and sensory perception.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in genome editing technology, enabling precise control over genetic changes in fruit flies. The CRISPR RNA/Cas9 system allows for targeted mutations and gene expression manipulation, opening up new possibilities for studying human diseases and developing gene therapies.
A new study analyzes dozens of tuberculosis genomes to understand why TB is so prevalent and how it evolves to resist countermeasures. The analysis shows that the bacterium takes advantage of human population growth and history, evolving to thrive in crowded and wretched conditions.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that children exposed to lead are nearly three times more likely to be suspended from school by the 4th grade. This highlights a significant disparity in school discipline, with African-American students facing a notable disadvantage.
Researchers developed an efficient way to target and repair defective genes using a novel technique that simplifies previous methods. This breakthrough enables the potential to repair genetic defects responsible for diseases like breast cancer, Parkinson's, and others, opening doors for meaningful therapeutic applications.
Researchers found that plants can eavesdrop on herbivore cues, including snail slime, to mount a defensive response before being attacked. The study shows plants can use generalist herbivore cues in a sophisticated way to trigger defense mechanisms.
A new study reveals the H7N9 avian influenza virus can infect and replicate in human cells, suggesting it has pandemic potential. The virus also transmits efficiently in ferrets and other mammalian species, raising concerns about a potential global outbreak.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new catalyst that can produce hydrogen gas from water using electricity, avoiding rare and expensive metal platinum. The discovery uses commercially available molybdenum disulfide to facilitate the reaction.
Ecologists Monica Turner and Jiangxiao Qiu mapped ecosystem services in the Yahara River watershed, finding complex interactions between provisioning, cultural, and regulating services. The study identifies areas with high levels of multiple services, suggesting a holistic approach to land management.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a diamond catalyst that efficiently converts nitrogen to ammonia under ambient conditions. The new technique, which uses synthetic industrial diamond, reduces energy consumption by up to 2% compared to traditional methods.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology identifies new fungal enzymes that can break down cellulose, a key component of plant biomass. The researchers found that the fungi and bacteria in leaf-cutter ant gardens work together to convert plant biomass into energy-rich compounds.
A team of researchers plans to model how humans respond to viral pathogens like influenza, Ebola and West Nile, aiming to provide a detailed molecular understanding for drug development. The study will focus on the host response during infection, using high-throughput screening and advanced data processing methods.
Researchers have discovered that genetically engineered immune cells can promote healing in mice infected with a neurological disease similar to multiple sclerosis. The new finding suggests that immune cells could be engineered to create a new treatment for people with MS.
A new study shows that spending time on one's own Facebook profile can increase self-esteem. However, this boost in self-esteem ultimately diminishes motivation to perform well in tasks. The study used the Implicit Association Test and found significant effects of Facebook profile viewing on psychological effects.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have made an engineered stem cell advance that points toward a treatment for ALS. The study, published in Molecular Therapy, found that using adult stem cells to deliver growth factors improved survival and delayed disease progression in rat models with symptoms resembling ALS.
New study finds Down syndrome neurons have reduced connections and high levels of oxidative stress, which could contribute to accelerated aging and increased susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope to use these cells to test potential treatments for the condition.
A new paper validates a fundamental assumption in space-for-time substitution, a popular approach for predicting relationships between complex variables. The study used fossilized pollen data to reconstruct ancient ecosystems and found that the model explained about 72 percent of the variation in their time data.
Researchers say that conserving major tributaries in the Mississippi River Basin may be a more effective approach to saving large-river fish. Studies found that rivers with flow rates above 166 cubic meters per second support 80% or more of large-river species, making them crucial habitats for these fish.
Researchers have synthesized potent new compounds that effectively interfere with Staphylococcus aureus quorum sensing, a key behavior in the development of disease. The peptides work by blocking chemical receptors and can target all four subtypes of staph, making them a promising new antibiotic strategy.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that adults can be trained to engage in compassion meditation, increasing caring feelings for people suffering. Participants showed increased brain activity in regions involved in empathy and emotion regulation after training.
A decline in snow cover poses a significant threat to many plant and animal species, compromising their survival during harsh winter weather. The subnivium, a seasonal microenvironment beneath the snow, is experiencing drastic changes due to rising temperatures.
Researchers have developed a method to convert skin cells into neural progenitor cells without passing through the pluripotent stem cell stage. This breakthrough allows for the production of specific types of neural cells, enabling rapid drug screening and modeling of neurological diseases such as ALS and spinal muscular atrophy.
Researchers from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and University of Wisconsin-Madison discover the crystalline secrets of vaterite with the help of a needlelike spicule from a sea squirt. They found that vaterite is composed of two different crystal structures coexisting within a pseudo-single crystal.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison successfully transplanted human embryonic stem cells into mouse brains to repair damaged neural circuits. The study demonstrates the potential for stem cell therapy to treat neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and depression.
A genetic analysis of the avian flu virus reveals it is evolving to adapt to human cells, allowing it to efficiently infect humans. The study found that the virus can grow in human cells at a lower temperature than birds, posing a significant risk to human health.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new screening process that simplifies non-viral transfection, providing more precise control over stem cell behavior. The method uses calcium phosphate coatings to deliver genetic material to cells, resulting in up to a 70-fold increase in successful gene expression.