A new microbial genetic system has been developed to dissect biomass to biofuel conversion, allowing for the efficient extraction of sugar molecules from biomass polymers. This breakthrough enables researchers to study the functional significance of specific enzymes and understand how microorganisms carry out the complex process of pla...
A powerful new genome barcoding system has revealed large-scale structural variations in the human genome, including variations of thousands to hundreds of thousands of DNA's smallest pieces. This technology allows for a comprehensive view of the human genome and may lead to breakthroughs in disease treatment and personalized genomics.
Researchers found that bacteria in oxygen-free environments can use insoluble organic compounds to accelerate mineral respiration, a new pathway for electrical charges to move around in the environment. This discovery has implications for understanding soil chemistry and environmental contamination.
A team led by University of Wisconsin-Madison chemist Song Jin shows that a screw dislocation drives the growth of hollow zinc oxide nanotubes. The finding provides new insight into the processes guiding the formation of smallest manufactured structures, a significant challenge in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Researchers have discovered a key ingredient in animal color patterns: a diffusible protein called Wingless. This morphogen prompts cells to make pigment, creating intricate designs like stripes and spots. The study's findings have implications for understanding how animals evolve their color patterns.
A new model of tectonic-plate movements has been developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison geophysicist Chuck DeMets and his collaborators. The MORVEL model offers a precise description of the relative movements of 25 interlocking plates, accounting for 97% of the Earth's surface.
Researchers found that moderate levels of UV radiation reduced MS symptoms in mice, suggesting a potential link between sunlight and the disease. The study suggests that compounds produced in the skin may play a role in blocking autoimmune damage, paving the way for potential new treatments.
Scientists at UW-Madison have designed a method to harness small amounts of wasted energy to produce usable hydrogen fuel. The process uses the piezoelectric effect to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, achieving an impressive 18% efficiency.
Physicists at UW-Madison created an atomic circuit that may help quantum computing become a reality by exerting control over two atoms for a short period. The achievement uses neutral atoms to create a controlled-NOT gate, a basic type of circuit essential for any quantum computer.
A team of UW-Madison engineers has developed a highly efficient process that converts gamma-valerolactone into the chemical equivalent of jet fuel, preserving about 95% of the energy from biomass. The process requires little hydrogen input and captures carbon dioxide for future use.
Researchers found that CS-8958 resulted in higher survival rates and lower virus levels than oseltamivir in mouse models. The novel compound also protected mice from lethal H5N1 infection when given before or after exposure to the virus.
A new study found that genetic interactions between avian H5N1 influenza and human seasonal influenza viruses can create hybrid strains with increased virulence. The researchers identified a key gene segment, PB2, which is responsible for the increased pathogenicity.
A new study finds that induced pluripotent stem cells differentiate less efficiently and faithfully than embryonic stem cells, which are considered the 'gold standard' for all pluripotent stem cells. Despite their limitations, induced stem cells can still be used for certain applications, such as testing potential new drugs.
Researchers found that blocking facial expressions can hinder our ability to understand emotions in written language. Tiny applications of Botox reduced reading times for angry and sad sentences.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison reported finding brain response patterns similar to those during natural deep sleep under anesthesia. The study suggests that loss of consciousness may be linked to a breakdown in cortical connectivity, lending support to the integrated information theory of consciousness.
Researchers created super-strong collagen with improved stability, which could treat conditions like arthritis by mimicking natural collagen. The new collagen holds together at high temperatures and has a similar three-dimensional structure to natural collagen.
Scientists from University of Wisconsin-Madison present a new model of stem cell regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans, balancing stem cell maintenance and differentiation. The regulatory network defines two states - stem cell state and differentiated state - and regulates their balance.
Astronomers have discovered that blue stragglers, which appear youthful despite being older than expected, steal mass from companion stars through stellar smashups. In a star cluster, binary systems brush up against each other, sometimes leading to collision-course orbits and the formation of more massive stars.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists found that housing development around national parks and protected areas poses a significant threat to wildlife habitats. The research used data from the US Census and local sources to track changes in housing units near conserved lands since 1940, projecting growth rates until 2030.
A new study in Journal of the American Chemical Society explains how sea urchins form hard, complex structures from calcium carbonate. The resulting calcite crystal is tough enough to grind away limestone or sandstone.
A new study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that depressed patients struggle to sustain activity in brain areas related to positive emotion and reward. Researchers found that despite normal initial levels of activity, depression impairs ability to maintain them over time.
A new compound, T-705, has been found to be effective and safe against H5N1 virus, a highly pathogenic bird flu virus, even three days after infection. The compound works by targeting the viral polymerase enzyme, making it a promising front-line drug for treating influenza.
A new study found that university students who use interactive animations in their studies retain a better understanding of scientific concepts than those who don't. The animations, which can be manipulated to adjust real-world variables, demonstrate complex physics phenomena such as precipitation formation.
A new study finds that elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide has boosted aspen growth rates by 50% in natural stands of quaking aspen. The accelerated growth could have widespread ecological consequences, particularly for slower-growing plant species.
A study led by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers reveals that the decline of iconic ice age animals like mammoths and mastodons preceded a dramatic shift in North America's plant communities, fueled by wildfires. The research sheds light on the dynamics of extinction and its impact on landscapes.
Leaf-cutter ants cultivate fungus for food and depend on nitrogen-fixing bacteria to make their gardens grow. The partnership between ant and microbe permits leaf-cutters to be amazingly successful.
The maize genome is a complex sequence of DNA that has been analyzed using a unique optical mapping facility at UW-Madison. The research advances knowledge of corn's ancestry and guides breeders in extracting increased productivity from the crop.
Researchers found a significant increase in wind speed and current strength on Lake Superior, but a decrease in chlorophyll levels due to temperature stratification. This affects the lake's ecosystem and may impact airborne pollutants and nearby communities.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health have identified a critical link between two signaling pathways that contribute to the development of colorectal tumors. The study reveals how CRD-BP binds to and increases GLI1 messenger RNA, leading to cancer-promoting gene activation.
A new study has identified a gene essential to age-related hearing loss, which is linked to oxidative stress and programmed cell death. The researchers found that oral antioxidants can prevent the condition, providing hope for future treatments.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison used two FDA-approved drugs to eliminate and prevent cervical cancer in mice. The drugs, which block estrogen's ability to bind to cells, cleared precancerous growths and prevented cancer onset in mice with HPV-positive lesions.
Researchers have developed a new model that explains the formation of banded iron formations, offering insights into the early ocean floor's composition and geochemical conditions. The study suggests that interactions between rocks, water, and air played a crucial role in creating these iconic formations.
Researchers mapped sand dune activity across northern China and found unexpectedly high levels of mobility and change between 8,000 to 11,500 years ago, a time period generally thought to have a wetter climate. The result suggests that common assumptions about the effects of future climate changes may be incorrect.
The study reveals that DNA hybridization is sensitive to sequence composition, with certain sequences binding rapidly and others through a diffusive process. Understanding this process can aid researchers in designing technologies like gene chips more effectively.
Researchers suggest a lowly parasite, trichomonosis, caused holes in Sue's jaw and may have led to her demise. The parasite, common in modern birds, was transmitted through salivary contact or cannibalism, making feeding difficult for the dinosaur.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have developed a computational model that optimizes fuel cell catalysts by increasing particle size, reducing degradation and extending the lifespan of fuel cells. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective fuel cells for widespread use.
Scientists have decoded the genome of Phytophthora infestans, the cause of late blight, which destroyed potato crops in the 19th century and is now affecting tomatoes. The genome contains a massive amount of repetitive DNA, thought to be key to its adaptability and effectiveness as a plant pathogen.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers suggests that many mainstream scientists regularly work with journalists, contradicting the common perception that they are out of touch. The study found that senior researchers tend to interact most frequently with reporters.
Researchers found that cotton-top tamarins responded to music with emotions such as anxiety and calmness, mirroring human responses. The study suggests that animals use musical elements to convey emotional content, similar to humans, and could have deep evolutionary roots.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison team successfully grew multiple types of retina cells from two types of stem cells, suggesting a potential future in repairing damaged retinas. The discovery will also lead to laboratory models for studying genetically linked eye conditions and screening new drugs.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that synaptotagmin plays a critical role in initiating fusion by bending a target membrane, providing a point of contact for easier merging. The study also found that the protein overcomes fusion deficiency when mutated and compensates with an endocytic protein.
Researchers developed an ultra-thin material with precise silver dose that kills 99.9999% bacteria without damaging cells needed for healing. The new approach is more targeted and controlled than current wound dressings.
Researchers designed synthetic protein-like mimics that interrupt HIV's interaction with host cell proteins, blocking infection. The novel molecules, dubbed 'foldamers,' are highly resistant to degradation and have potent antiviral activity.
Researchers have successfully created various types of mature white blood cells from embryonic and adult stem cells, opening up new possibilities for studying disease development and treatment. The technique could produce cells tailored to specific infections or tumors, making it a potential tool for safety screening of new drugs.
A diesel engine can be programmed to blend gasoline-diesel fuels in real-time, resulting in a 53% thermal efficiency. This technique reduces combustion temperatures, lowers energy loss, and decreases pollutant emissions.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found a new site for RNA degradation initiation, challenging existing assumptions about the process. The discovery involves CRD-BP, a protein that prevents RNA from degrading in this location.
Researchers created a detailed 'motion picture' of Earth's last major warming event, allowing them to identify key drivers and potential consequences of abrupt climate changes. The study's results provide valuable insights into the complex interactions between ocean currents, atmospheric carbon dioxide, and subsurface heat.
A study of rhesus macaques has shown that consuming fewer calories leads to a longer, healthier life, with a reduced risk of age-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The diet also preserved brain health, particularly in regions responsible for motor control and executive functions.
A new MRI technique developed by UW-Madison researchers has the potential to reduce breast biopsies in high-risk women. The technology allows radiologists to visually identify cancerous lesions based on characteristics such as shape and smoothness of edges. This could lead to fewer unnecessary biopsies and improved patient outcomes.
According to experts, a nationwide effort can accelerate the decline of tobacco use in the next 50 years. Researchers analyzed data from the 1960s to the present and found that smoking rates have declined steadily, dropping from 42% to 20% over six decades.