The Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change proposes seven policy responses to address the global challenge of feeding a world confronted by climate change. The report highlights opportunities under the Rio+20 Earth Summit, UNFCCC, and G20 mandates, and calls for changes in policy, finance, agriculture, development aid...
A new study reveals a correlation between working memory capacity and mind wandering, suggesting that higher working memory resources may enable off-topic thoughts. Working memory capacity has previously been linked to intelligence measures, and the study suggests it plays a role in everyday planning and decision-making.
A new study suggests that stem cells could potentially restore muscle coordination deficits in patients with Huntington's disease. Researchers successfully integrated human embryonic stem cells into mouse brains, reestablishing the broken communication network and restoring motor function.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created early retina structures containing proliferating neuroretinal progenitor cells using induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human blood. The structures showed the capacity to form layers of cells, which possessed the machinery to communicate information.
Scientists measure the probability of an electron antineutrino transforming into another type over a short distance, revealing a surprisingly high rate of disappearance. The results provide critical insight into neutrino oscillation and its role in explaining the universe's matter-antimatter asymmetry.
A new study with monkeys suggests that higher doses of the ADHD medication methylphenidate can impair learning and memory, while lower doses improve performance. The results have implications for finding the optimal dosage for children with ADHD.
The Dictionary of American Regional English has completed its fifth volume, covering Sl to Z, after nearly five decades of research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The dictionary records regional variations in words, phrases, pronunciations, and grammar across the US.
A new study found surprising diversity in a single neural connection in flies, challenging the idea that structure is key to understanding function. The research suggests that genetic drift or natural selection may have shaped these diverse connections, leading to rapid evolution.
Jack Williams' research uses paleoecological data to understand species responses to past climate change, revealing the importance of combining modern and historical data for accurate predictions. This approach aims to improve forecasting ability and inform conservation priorities.
Researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison find that nacre's microscopic structure can be used to measure water temperature and depth, providing a new tool for reconstructing ancient environments. The material's unique signature also holds information on environmental conditions.
A study by Catalina Toma and Jeffrey Hancock found that liars use fewer first-person pronouns, more negation, and shorter self-descriptions on their profiles. The researchers were able to correctly identify the liars about 65% of the time, highlighting the potential for language analysis to detect deception in online communication.
A new metabolic 'breathalyzer' technology can detect early signs of disease by analyzing changes in glucose metabolism, offering a potential breakthrough in disease diagnosis. The method uses isotopic signatures of carbon-containing metabolic byproducts to distinguish between healthy and diseased states.
Researchers have developed modular growth factors that can stimulate bone and blood vessel growth in sheep, showing promise for treating orthopedic injuries and defects. The approach uses flexible proteins to activate specific signaling pathways, reducing the risk of unwanted side effects like cancer.
Researchers have discovered a gene called distal-less critical to the fruit fly's ability to receive and process smells. In humans, this gene has also been linked to autism and epilepsy. The study found that the gene plays a key role in generating and maintaining stem cells responsible for processing odors.
A recent international data analysis on school mathematics performance found that social and cultural factors, not biology, contribute to the math-gender gap. Countries with better gender equity have higher math scores for both boys and girls.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that shifting truck-borne freight to trains could significantly improve air quality in the Midwest. The study estimates that reducing truck traffic by just 5% would lead to a 31% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to taking about 4 million cars off the road.
A study proposes a common root for record-breaking rainfall and historic tornado outbreaks in the US. Researchers link these events to a rare coupling between polar and subtropical jet streams originating in the western Pacific. This phenomenon, known as a 'superjet,' can carry twice as much energy as typical jet streams.
A new study reveals that changes in ocean chemistry and sea level have robustly driven marine life evolution over the past 500 million years. The findings suggest a strong connection between environmental proxy records and fossil diversity.
Researchers have discovered the molecular sensor that detects wound-induced hydrogen peroxide, orchestrating the marshaling of immune cells. This finding has broad implications for cancer biology, wound healing and infection fighting.
A team of Wisconsin scientists reports that lab-grown neurons can successfully fuse with the brain's wiring and send/receive signals. The study uses optogenetics to modulate transplanted cells, opening doors for light-based stimulation technology in treating neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have successfully integrated single-crystal piezoelectric material onto silicon, enabling low-voltage near-nanoscale electromechanical devices. These devices could improve high-resolution 3D imaging, signal processing and energy harvesting applications.
A study found that northern muriqui monkey mothers play a key role in their sons' reproductive success, with no evidence of inbreeding. The research suggests that this egalitarian society may be the reason for the species' critical endangered status.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that replacing short auto trips with bicycle trips can save an estimated $7 billion per year by reducing mortality and healthcare costs. Biking also improves local air quality and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found that social relationships, both formal and informal, significantly influenced the effectiveness of conservation easements. The Malpai Borderlands project demonstrated the importance of tight personal relationships in achieving conservation goals.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison study suggests that short-term sleep restriction in adolescent mice prevented balanced growth and depletion of brain synapses, which may have lasting consequences for the wiring of the brain. The study's findings could be relevant to mental illnesses like schizophrenia that often start during adolescence.
A study published in PLOS Genetics identified a gene and protein involved in regulating insulin secretion in obese mice. The researchers found that a single amino acid difference in the tomosyn-2 protein destabilizes it, leading to an insufficient insulin response and diabetes susceptibility.
Scientists have pinpointed a key genetic change that enabled the domestication of corn from its wild relative teosinte. A jumping gene insertion about 23,000 years ago increased the expression of a gene affecting plant architecture, leading to larger ears with more kernels.
The study of 17 mouse strains reveals a range of genetic variation, with over 700 biological traits affected by mutations. The findings advance understanding of human disease and evolution, providing a critical resource for researchers.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison report 99% protein similarity between two types of do-it-all stem cells, shedding light on their potential applications in cell replacement therapies. The study measured over 6,000 proteins using mass spectrometry and provides insights into their biological role.
Researchers have created a more precise system for growing cells by replacing neighboring cells and extracellular matrix with synthetics. This approach reduces uncertainty and biological contamination, facilitating the formation of artificial tissues.
A new study finds that irrigation increases global agricultural productivity by an amount equivalent to the entire US agriculture sector, leading to significant carbon uptake. Adding even small amounts of water can have a bigger impact than larger amounts in wetter regions.
A new energy-harvesting technology, reverse electrowetting, converts human motion into electrical power to power mobile electronic devices. This technology could enable footwear-embedded energy harvesters that capture energy produced by humans during walking and convert it into up to 20 watts of electrical power.
Researchers have identified Saccharomyces eubayanus as the wild yeast that fused with domesticated yeast to create lager beer. The discovery resolves a long-standing mystery and sheds light on the origins of one of the world's most popular beers.
A decade-long study of people living near Kibale National Park in Uganda found that most households improved their prosperity, despite conventional wisdom suggesting parks contribute to poverty. The study suggests that parks provide a source of insurance for poor families, allowing them to hunt or sell park resources.
A new study has developed a simple process to separate sugars from carrier molecules and attach them to drugs, promising to accelerate the development of novel pharmaceuticals. The technique also allows for easy screening of transformed molecules, which could lead to the production of effective treatments for various diseases.
Researchers found hunter attitudes toward wolves inconsistent with stewardship, and existing game hunts are not suitable models for a potential wolf hunt. Support for regulated wolf hunting is conditional and varies among respondents.
A study published in Science found that the last interglacial period saw less melting in Greenland and more in Antarctica than previously thought. The researchers used sediment analysis to estimate past ice sheet behavior and improve future projections.
A new study projects that Yellowstone National Park will experience dramatic shifts in forest vegetation and fire patterns, with large fires occurring annually by 2050. The research suggests that a warming climate could lead to a fundamental change in the ecosystem, affecting wildlife, hydrology, carbon storage, and aesthetics.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison identified a new gene, CtAKR, that improves yeast's ability to consume xylose, a key sugar found in plant biomass. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of renewable fuels from biomass crops.
A GLBRC study links agricultural landscape simplification to crop pest abundance and increased insecticide use. Perennial bioenergy crops, such as switchgrass and mixed prairie, may mitigate negative effects.
The UW-Madison team's expertise in cytogenetics helped analyze the potato genome's 12 chromosomes, revealing unique physical characteristics. This information is expected to speed up breeding projects and improve potato varieties globally.
New research reveals that climate change is negatively impacting the ocean's capacity to absorb human-produced carbon dioxide, with warmer water holding less carbon. This finding challenges previous studies and highlights the need for improved data sets and expanded analysis in other oceans.
Researchers found a significant association between indoor air pollution and increased blood pressure among older women. Exposure to small-particle air pollution can cause premature death and lung disease, while cleaner fuels and stoves could cut cardiovascular risk by up to 22%.
A new study by UW-Madison sleep researchers found that fruit flies with enriched learning environments need more sleep due to increased synaptic growth. The study suggests that sleep is driven by the need to reduce brain energy needs, providing structural evidence for the theory of synaptic homeostasis.
A team of UW-Madison chemistry professors has devised a novel approach to synthesizing substituted aromatic molecules by utilizing a palladium catalyst. This method enables the efficient production of various aromatic compounds with specific substitution patterns, which will have practical applications in drug companies.
Researchers found synaptophysin controls vesicle replacement, potentially leading to new treatments for learning deficits. The study may also help explain why people with synaptophysin mutations experience mental retardation.
A study found that children of divorce fall behind peers in math and social skills during the divorce period, but not before. The study tracked over 3,500 elementary school students through kindergarten and into early childhood, providing insight into the effects of divorce on young children.
A research team has created a risk map to predict wolf attacks on Wisconsin livestock, identifying three variables that distinguish high-risk areas from low-risk ones. The study suggests that targeting prevention efforts on high-risk hotspots can help reduce conflicts between humans and wolves.
A new study estimates that over 19 million people will be affected by rising sea levels in four regions by 2030. The analysis highlights the importance of considering population movement patterns and demographic vulnerability to better understand environmental impacts.
Astrocytes, the most common cell in the human nervous system, have been cultivated in a lab dish using embryonic and induced human stem cells. This breakthrough allows researchers to better understand their functions and develop new therapies for neurological disorders such as dementia and Parkinson's disease.