University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers used a computer-modeling program to project 200 years of change in a forest in northwestern Wisconsin under three climate scenarios. The model found that some species would not be able to survive warmer conditions, while human actions also contribute to the changing landscape.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor Stephen Gammie found that low levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) trigger maternal aggression in mice, enabling them to protect their offspring. The results show that increasing CRH levels reduces maternal aggression and increases fear responses.
The study suggests that lakes can have either a high or low abundance of invasive rusty crayfish, favoring native species or altering fish populations. Researchers believe alternate states of crayfish abundance may exist among lakes, allowing for strategies to remove these invaders and restore habitats.
Researchers discovered that migrating birds sleep less during migration periods and still perform normally. However, they experience impaired performance when not migrating, similar to humans with sleep disorders. The study provides an intriguing model for studying mechanisms of seasonal mood disorders.
A new study published in Psychological Review suggests that teaching phonics to young children is essential for developing skilled reading skills. The research model, designed by Mark Seidenberg and Michael Harm, learns to read like children and demonstrates the importance of combining phonics with visual methods.
Researchers are developing a new technology that uses fiber-optic probes to analyze tissue properties at the needle tip during breast biopsies. The probe can provide structural information, increasing the likelihood of taking a sample from the correct site and potentially reducing missed diagnoses.
Changes in land use have implications for disease distribution and human health, with activities like deforestation and urban sprawl contributing to the spread of Lyme disease and malaria. The report calls for policy changes and research investments to address these issues.
Researchers found that younger patients, rural areas, and pregnant women were more likely to have their smoking status recorded in patient charts. However, only 50% of identified teen smokers received physician advice to quit and counseling was the most common form of assistance offered.
A new study by UW Health Sports Medicine Center uses a four-component model to measure body composition and predict minimum weight for athletes. The findings have important implications for high school and college wrestlers, as well as the national fight against pediatric obesity.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a groundbreaking gene therapy technique that safely delivers therapeutic DNA to muscle cells. The innovative approach, which uses a non-viral method to inject genes into limb veins, has exciting implications for treating muscle and blood vessel disorders.
A new partnership between researchers and federal agencies has created a powerful tool to manage fire risk, with maps showing the extent of wildland/urban interfaces across the US. The analysis highlights the need for ecological principles in land-use planning, particularly in high-risk areas.
Engineers have used X-rays to study how atoms rearrange themselves in ferroelectric materials as they switch between electrical pulses. As the material fatigues, progressively larger areas cease working, suggesting that the atoms' switching ability decreases over time.
Astronomers have discovered over 300 newly forming stars in a distant nebula, creating ideal conditions for the formation of new solar systems. The sheer number of objects is astounding, and may force us to rewrite our ideas of star formation and how much of it is going on in the Milky Way.
Researchers identified more than 500 proteins contained in the midbody structure necessary for normal cell division. Inactivating these proteins led to cytokinesis defects, causing abnormal cell division, which can lead to diseases such as cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders.
A new study found that genes play a significant role in buffering children against poverty's negative effects on their cognitive and behavioral development. The research, published in Child Development, shows that genetic makeup accounts for 70% of variability in behavioral resilience and 46% of differences in cognitive ability.
A new questionnaire, WISDM-68, has uncovered the diverse motivations behind smoking, including emotional attachment and automatic behavior. This measure helps understand tobacco dependence and points towards more individualized treatment for smokers.
A pair of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed mathematical models examining changes in a community's tolerance to environmental conditions like global warming or acid rain. They found that as individual species disappear, two forces act upon the community, making it more or less tolerant to the condition.
Researchers found that smokers are interested in getting help to quit, with over two-thirds accepting cessation treatment offers. The study also showed that participants were more likely to follow through with treatment and stay abstinent, especially when offered face-to-face counseling.
A team of chemists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has identified a key enzyme essential for the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. Disrupting this enzyme could lead to the development of a new family of antibiotics, providing hope for millions of people affected by multidrug-resistant TB.
Research suggests that non-physical traits, such as personality and behavior, have a substantial impact on how people perceive physical attractiveness. Studies involving familiar and stranger participants found that non-physical traits known only to familiars had a large effect on perception of physical attractiveness.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new storage method that increases stem cell survival rates by over 20 times, allowing for more efficient and reliable research. The technique uses a gel matrix with trehalose to protect cells from freezing and thawing damage.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a potent way to shut down viruses by introducing harmless molecules that mimic the virus's growth machinery, outperforming traditional antiviral strategies in inhibiting viral growth and creating drug-resistant strains.
Scientists from UW-Madison used a new technique to precisely date glacial deposits, revealing that the last two major glaciations were global events. The findings suggest that rapid cooling of the Earth's atmosphere synchronized climate change worldwide during each ice age.
A team of scientists discovered microbes that produce nanometer-scale crystals of extraordinary length, using polymer fibers as templates. The discovery may provide key insight into biomineralization, the process that produces bone, teeth, and shell.
Researchers found that mothers' brain activity increased when shown pictures of their own babies compared to others, indicating involvement of the orbitofrontal cortex in maternal attachment. The study's findings suggest a link between positive emotions and maternal bonding.
Researchers used mathematical models to investigate transgene escape from confined crops, finding a high probability that leakage can occur sooner than expected. The study suggests that even with effective containment strategies, genes can still spread to wild populations within a relatively short time frame.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that DHEA significantly increases the division of human neural stem cells, leading to increased neurogenesis. The study's findings provide direct evidence of DHEA's effects on critical human cells, shedding light on the hormone's potential benefits and risks.
Researchers at UW-Madison find that mutations allowing AIDS viruses to escape immune detection also hinder their ability to grow after transmission. The discovery may help design vaccines targeting the virus's most vulnerable spots.
The intelligent design movement argues that life's complexity demands a knowing designer, potentially altering the way science is taught in schools. While differing from scientific creationism, its agenda to weaken or eliminate evolution's teaching in public classrooms remains ambitious.
Researchers found that lake classification systems can increase property value by protecting lakes from overdevelopment and preserving environmental quality. In Vilas County, Wisconsin, homeowners who adopted a lake classification system saw significant increases in property prices due to their commitment to environmental preservation.
A new study presents promising results for acute stroke treatment using desmoteplase, a genetically engineered blood clot-dissolving protein. MRI techniques also play a crucial role in identifying patients who can benefit from this therapy.
Researchers used fMRI to study male monkeys' brain activity in response to attractive female scents, finding high levels of neural activity in areas associated with decision-making and memory. The study suggests that males don't just act on primal urges, but exhibit complex neural processes when evaluating potential mates.
Researchers have sequenced a native centromere in rice, revealing active genes that defy the notion of non-coding DNA. The discovery provides insights into chromosome evolution and has significant implications for plant engineering.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a key gene that regulates flowering in biennials, such as carrots and cabbage. The discovery could lead to new methods for manipulating crop productivity and understanding how organisms control cell fates during development.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison team has developed a stem cell model that mimics placenta formation during the earliest stages of human development, offering new insights into pregnancy and fetal health. The research could lead to better understanding of diseases like preeclampsia, which affects millions of women and infants worldwide.
The study found that intermittent periods of decreased oxygen increased concentrations of the BDNF protein in the phrenic nerve, leading to enhanced respiratory memory. This breakthrough could lead to new therapies for sleep apnea, spinal cord injuries, and other breathing disorders
Research reveals a significant rise in frog deformities over the past three decades, with a notable correlation to trematode parasites. Historically documented cases suggest an ongoing issue, while recent findings indicate increased occurrences and severity across more than 50 hotspots in North America.
A new study from University of Wisconsin-Madison found that mice denied access to a running wheel showed higher levels of neuronal stimulation in certain brain regions, indicating motivation to run. This suggests that some animals may have an addictive nature towards exercise.
Researchers found that a specific protein expressed by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is crucial for tumor cell proliferation and survival in Burkitt's lymphoma. Developing small molecules that target this protein could lead to effective therapies with minimal side effects, offering hope for patients with EBV-associated tumors.
Researchers found that tire chips can absorb nitrate, a main chemical in fertilizers, reducing pollution in groundwater. Turfgrass quality was not affected by the rubber layer, suggesting it can be used as a sustainable solution for golf courses.
A new study shows that C. elegans progeny derived from sexual reproduction can undergo sex change after birth to better survive chemical changes in the environment and shortages of food. This development allows for increased survival flexibility and gene expression, suggesting that sex is a beneficial strategy for this species.
A team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has made a breakthrough in resolving the evolutionary tree using new genomic-scale data. By analyzing eight yeast species, they found that combining more than 100 genes provides an unprecedented level of resolution, overcoming previous limitations.
Researchers found that a mutated fruit fly gene controlling hearing produces similar consequences in humans, including hearing loss and limb deformities. The study suggests that hearing may have evolved earlier than previously thought, linking human genetics to those of fruit flies.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison identify a receptor for botulinum neurotoxin B, allowing for improved medical uses and prevention against biological threats. The discovery enables the development of antidotes and protective agents to neutralize the toxin.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison uncover a potent toxin reveals new antibiotic resistance mechanism, where bacteria deploy a protein to intercept and inactivate the toxin. This mechanism points to the fact that bacteria continue to find new routes to evade antibiotics, threatening the fight against deadly bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that prions, infectious proteins linked to diseases like mad cow and scrapie, can stick to certain soil types. This suggests that the environment may play a role in the spread of these diseases.
Researchers have discovered an engineered mouse that can eat a high-fat diet without gaining weight or developing diabetes. The mouse lacks the SCD-1 gene, which affects fat production and glucose regulation. As a result, muscle cells are more sensitive to insulin, enabling them to absorb glucose and regulate blood sugar levels.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that individuals with greater activity in the left side of the prefrontal cortex had a stronger immune response against disease. The researchers measured brain activity and immune function in 52 individuals between 57-60 years old, and found a positive corre...
Researchers found a common gene, Bric-a-brac2, responsible for diverse pattern and color pigmentation across 13 fruit fly species. The study suggests that similar genetic mechanisms govern body plans in related animals.
Researchers have developed a mouse embryonic stem cell model that can differentiate into pancreatic precursor cells and islet cells producing four types of hormones. This study could provide valuable insights into normal pancreatic development and potentially lead to better stem cell-based therapies for diabetes.