Researchers are exploring using tiny amounts of radioactive material to power microscopic devices, improving medical equipment, environmental management, and automobiles. The goal is to capture the natural decay of radioactive material and convert it into a power source, without the use of nuclear reactions.
A new study reveals a common genetic theme in three distinct animal species, supporting a simplified three-limbed tree of life for nearly all animals. The findings provide powerful evidence to place mollusks to humans on the same evolutionary tree.
Researchers found a protein called GON-1 that regulates organ shape in Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic worm. This discovery could lead to the development of inhibitors to slow or stop cancer cell spread and may one day enable growing human organs in labs.
Researchers have found surprising variation in nicotine withdrawal symptoms, with many experiencing intense spikes months after quitting. The study suggests that the duration or pattern of withdrawal symptoms is more difficult to overcome than the initial intensity.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison uncover new process to produce lovastatin, a natural substance that lowers cholesterol in humans. The discovery may lead to more potent and affordable drugs through genetic engineering.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified two compounds, gamma-tocotrienol and beta-ionone, that suppress the growth of three types of human cancer cells. These isoprenoids, found in cereal grains and fruits/vegetables, work by interfering with cell division and disrupting cholesterol synthesis.
Researchers have found a copper ion plays a crucial role in helping plants detect minuscule concentrations of ethylene, a hormone that triggers ripening and aging. The discovery confirms a long-standing hypothesis about protein receptors and their interaction with transition metals.
Western towns' healthiest economies focus on environmental quality and tourism, rather than resource extraction. Thriving towns like Kremmling, Colo., have seen growing populations and revitalized economies due to their natural beauty and lower costs.
A comprehensive study found that quality child care has a positive impact on children's social development, but family influences remain the dominant factor. The research, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Deborah Lowe Vandell, measured caregiver sensitivity and warmth to find a strong correlation with child outcomes.
A pre-Darwinian tradition of controversy over human origins existed in the US for two decades before Darwin's publication. Notions such as different races having different origins and proto-fundamentalist beliefs about a prehistoric, prebiblical lineage for humans persisted despite Darwin's influence.
Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison describe a genetic trick that helps explain the diversity of patterning and color on butterfly wings. This trick is also believed to be used among animals, enabling the emergence of new morphological characteristics through evolution.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that amino acids must attach to transfer RNA (tRNA) in the nucleus for efficient delivery out of the nucleus. This quality-control process, known as proofreading, ensures genetic instructions are complete and ready to function.
Researchers found that maternal tissue types can improve survival rates of slightly mismatched kidney transplants. The study suggests adding maternal HLA typing to the routine family workup could expand the pool of optimal donors.
Researchers have developed a new method to introduce genes into unfertilized oocytes, increasing the efficiency of producing transgenic cattle. This breakthrough could make traditional methods obsolete and pave the way for applications in agricultural livestock and other mammals.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have derived and cultured human embryonic stem cells, opening doors to growing tissues from scratch. The achievement has profound implications for transplant medicine and drug discovery, offering new possibilities for treating diseases such as Parkinson's and heart disease.
Scientists have captured the most insightful images to date of Neptune's wildest weather, including monster storms and equatorial winds of 900 miles per hour. The new observations revealed a
The UW Medical School team determined the three-dimensional molecular structure of a key enzyme responsible for activating many cell functions. This breakthrough is crucial in developing drugs that can control unchecked cell growth leading to cancer.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison research team has developed a gene therapy vaccine that helps the animal's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. The vaccine was tested on 16 dogs with advanced stages of melanoma and showed promise, with some animals living longer and tumor shrinkage in about 20 percent of cases.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison biochemist Ron Raines found that a ribonuclease A protein in humans has the same cancer-fighting potential as a frog-derived protein. The finding opens a door to creating a new class of natural drugs aimed at fighting cancer without side effects.
Researchers at UW-Madison discovered a molecular mechanism that allows influenza viruses to cause sweeping damage throughout the body. The finding provides an additional marker for scientists to be aware of in their surveys of emerging viruses and may have broader implications in the virology field.
A new computer model predicts that climate events like El Nino can affect Aedes aegypti mosquito populations, potentially leading to outbreaks of dengue disease. The model takes into account climatic variables such as precipitation, temperature, and humidity to forecast population booms and peaks.
University of Wisconsin Medical School researchers found that two connected brain structures control the way light affects rodent sleep activity, separate from the biological clock. The structures are part of the visual system and can override normal circadian rhythms with acute lighting changes.
Researchers discovered lithium's dual anti-manic/anti-depressive effect by finding it stabilizes glutamate levels in mice brains, bringing them within a stable zone. This results in controlling both extremes of mania and depression in bipolar disorder patients.
Scientists have identified a new family of insecticidal toxins produced by Photorhabdus luminescens, which are active against a wide range of insects and at least as potent as Bt. The discovery holds promise for the future of natural pest control, particularly in the face of increasing resistance to Bt.
High-temperature superconducting materials have limited performance due to energy loss caused by defects and grain boundaries. A University of Wisconsin-Madison experiment found that designing better conductors with improved current flow is crucial for overcoming this barrier.
Researchers aim to detect microorganisms like Cryptosporidium and Giardia before they reach tap water, using pilot-scale treatment systems and advanced detection methods. The study will help evaluate new technologies like dissolved air flotation and microfiltration to ensure public safety.
Researchers found Leptospirillum ferrooxidans is a more important contributor to mine pollution than previously thought. The study could provide the mining industry with a new predictive technology to estimate acid mine drainage from a given site.
Researchers have discovered a new class of synthetic molecules that effectively inhibit inflammation by removing L-selectin proteins from the cell surface, preventing cells from sticking together. This approach offers a novel strategy for treating pain and swelling associated with injury or illness.
Researchers successfully incorporated and reprogrammed genes from adult cells of various animal species into bovine eggs. The study's findings suggest a conserved molecular mechanism in mammals for embryonic reprogramming, enabling the use of cow eggs as a 'universal recipient' for genetic material from other species.
The discovery of glowing hydrogen gas on Io, a moon of Jupiter, was made using the Hubble Space Telescope. The findings indicate that hydrogen may be concentrated at the poles in the form of hydrogen sulfide frost, which could be broken up into constituent hydrogen and sulfur atoms with glow.
Astronomers use Hubble Space Telescope images and a computer model to study the behavior of stars in their infancy, shedding light on how cosmic dust influences the environment. The findings provide new insights into the formation of solar systems and the role of powerful jets of dust and gas in shaping star formation.
A task force of scientists concludes that smoked foods sold in the US are virtually safe due to limitations in epidemiological studies. The researchers suggest other factors may cause correlations between cured meats and childhood cancers, such as diet composition.
University of Wisconsin-Madison experts conduct detailed surveillance on H5 influenza, a deadly strain found in birds that has infected eight people and killed three. The study aims to identify the source of the virus, test for genetic variation between bird and human strains, and determine potential public health risks.
Scientists have discovered a new bacterium, Photorhabdus luminescens, with a toxin effective against a broad range of insect pests. The bacteria can be used as a spray or fed directly to insects, and its genetic material has been licensed for use in crop plants.
A new study published in Social Science Research found that cognitive ability does not create growing differences among socioeconomic classes in the United States. Instead, educational attainment is the key variable in the American class system.
A study published in Child Development found that moderate alcohol exposure during pregnancy can harm infant development, leading to reduced motor skills, shorter attention span, and increased drowsiness. The study, conducted on rhesus monkeys, suggests that even moderate drinking poses a risk to infant health.
Researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison found that shifting tropical Atlantic monsoons and increased solar radiation led to a wetter Sahel region, driving vegetation growth and increasing rainfall. This study promises to improve computer models used for climate predictions.
The E. coli genome, consisting of 4,639,221 base pairs, has been fully sequenced, revealing 1,333 known genes and 1,000 unknown functions. The completion of the genome paves the way for a similar analysis of human DNA.
Researchers have discovered powerful evidence that an ancient common ancestor invented a set of body-building genetic machinery that has survived to this day. This discovery revolutionizes our understanding of the origin of animal life, as it reveals that the development of appendages was solved just once in the distant past.
Researchers found a causal relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and hypertension in a substantial number of American adults. People with mild to moderate sleep apnea were 1.8 times more likely to have hypertension than those without, with the severity of apnea linked to increased blood pressure risk.
Astronomers have found evidence that small, evaporating ice particles in the tail and surrounding the nucleus of comet Hyakutake are responsible for most of the water and other gases seen from Earth. The discovery provides new insights into how comets survive orbits around the sun without being wasted away by solar radiation.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a critical step in cell communication that promotes bone formation, limb growth, and tissue development. The study reveals how the MAD protein regulates gene transcription in response to specific signals.
Researchers at UW-Madison found that limiting calorie intake later in life can stall muscle deterioration associated with aging. The study shows promise for human health, particularly for addressing sarcopenia, a condition contributing to physical frailty in older people.
Researchers found that manipulating fish populations can alter the flow of carbon between lakes and the atmosphere, with implications for global climate. The study reveals that even slight rearrangements of an intact ecosystem's food web can have far-reaching consequences.
Contrails can indeed influence regional climate due to their potential to increase cloud cover, which can disrupt the radiation balance and affect climate. The study suggests that contrails may be more significant than previously thought due to their ability to modify energy distribution and feed other cloud formation processes.
Scientists found that both drugs stimulate release of glutamate, triggering brain cell activity to control mood swings in bipolar disorder. This additive effect may explain the clinical observation that using two drugs together produces better results.
Engineer Max Lagally and colleagues create tiny pyramids assembled from several thousand germanium atoms, perfectly shaped and uniform across the surface. The pyramid crystals can hold a single charge and represent some of the smallest materials structures ever created.
Researchers have developed microporous ceramic materials that can remove extremely fine particles from indoor air and water. These materials offer a durable, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional technologies, such as incineration.
A new experimental vaccine has been developed to block viral entry in cattle, which may have implications for the development of vaccines against human herpes viruses. The vaccine stimulates the animal's immune system to make antibodies that line the nasal passages and block the virus from entering the animal.
Researchers discovered a way to disrupt the aggregation of proteins that form poisonous plaque deposits in Alzheimer's patients. By synthesizing specific inhibitor molecules, they successfully blocked the toxicity of beta amyloid proteins, potentially leading to new treatments for the devastating disease.