Research found that increased biodiversity can either help or hinder disease outbreaks in wildlife, depending on environmental conditions. Environmental pollutants like road salt changed the susceptibility of amphibian species to parasites, with higher biodiversity communities experiencing a dilution effect when exposed to pollutants.
A new recycling method reduces emissions by 60% and opens the door to reusing materials like plastic film, multilayer materials, and colored plastics. The technique recovers olefins from pyrolysis oil and uses them in a chemical process to convert into aldehydes and industrial alcohols.
Scientists analyzed DNA from fecal samples to study the reproductive behavior of northern muriquis, an endangered primate species. They found that females tend to mate with males having diverse MHC genes, which may provide offspring protection against pathogens.
A new algorithm has been created to search fungal genomes for clusters of genes likely to result in interesting biological compounds. The algorithm, trained on a newly described type of chemistry in fungi, has discovered over 1,300 fungal species with biosynthetic gene clusters centered on isocyanide chemistry.
The study mapped global wildland-urban interfaces, revealing previously undocumented regions in eastern Asia, East Africa, and South America. The findings suggest that these areas are crucial for managing environmental conflicts like wildfires and disease spread, and can inform better management practices.
A new study from University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher Nan Li shows that integrating art with data visualizations can make climate data more meaningful to viewers and reduce political divides. Participants who saw the painting reported stronger positive emotions, while those shown only graphs did not.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that ticks can harbor transmissible amounts of the protein particle causing CWD, potentially spreading the disease between deer. The study also suggests that better land stewardship and tick management could help manage CWD populations.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has produced an image of the Milky Way using neutrinos, revealing it is a neutrino desert. The observation suggests the galaxy produces significantly fewer high-energy neutrinos than distant galaxies.
Scientists have discovered how the PA-X protein degrades host cell RNA while leaving the virus intact, enabling it to infiltrate and replicate within cells. The findings provide new insights into how influenza A viruses evade the immune system.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison tracks immune cell movement in zebrafish, documenting a strikingly organized network of T cells. The findings shed light on how adaptive immune systems function in non-mammals and present exciting questions to pursue.
A recent study published in Demography found that analyzing birthplace instead of residence reveals significant geographic disparities in mortality. The research suggests that interstate migration reduces regional inequalities, making them less visible in previous studies.
Researchers developed a powerful simulation model that predicts the conformability of flexible electronics on spherical surfaces. This allows for faster design process, determining optimal design without needing extensive experiments.
Researchers at UW-Madison developed a model of how catalytic reactions work at the atomic scale, potentially allowing for more efficient catalysts and enormous energy savings. The new framework challenges established assumptions about catalysis, its relevance to non-metal catalysts, corrosion, and tribology.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a specific cell population, called CD4/CD8 double positive T cells, that causes graft-versus-host disease in bone marrow transplants. The team's findings may lead to targeted treatments and improved patient outcomes.
A new report highlights the critical role of corporate investment in advancing climate technology. Corporate investors can accelerate innovation, access global markets, and meet ESG commitments. However, a significant gap remains for governments to incentivize investment in climate-tech that aligns with long-term goals.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison study found that regular mindfulness activities can improve engineering graduate student emotional well-being and resilience. Students who participated in a mindfulness training program reported significant improvements in emotional well-being, stress management, and focus.
A newly published study of a stalagmite in Cave of the Mounds, Wisconsin, provides evidence for massive warming events during the last ice age, with temperature swings up to 10C over a decade. The research suggests a possible link between these events and Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Greenland ice cores.
Physicists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison directly measured the fluid-like flow of electrons in graphene for the first time at nanometer resolution. This breakthrough study provides new insights into the behavior of electrons in this material, shedding light on its potential applications.
A new study reveals that a single seeding of native understory plants can reap lasting benefits in restored fallow agricultural fields and other landscapes. Cooler and wetter conditions, shallower needle depth, and greater tree spacing promote better establishment.
A study found that unintentional weight loss in people with Down syndrome coincides with brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease, indicating it could be an early predictor. The researchers suggest that weight loss may be a useful tool for making an earlier diagnosis.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a machine-learning model that detects cancers at an early stage by analyzing fragments of cell-free DNA in plasma. The technique, which uses readily available lab materials, distinguished people with any stage of cancer from healthy individuals 91% of the time.
A recent study from UW's Center for Healthy Minds found that COVID-19's impact on K-12 schooling took a toll on educators' mental health, with 78% reporting clinically meaningful anxiety symptoms. Meditation-based interventions showed promise in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among school system employees.
Researchers at UW-Madison developed silica nanocapsules that can carry CRISPR tools across the blood-brain barrier, enabling brain-wide gene editing for disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The technology has potential for non-invasive delivery of gene therapies.
Researchers have successfully grown retinal cells from stem cells that can connect with neighboring cells and transmit sensory information like healthy ones. The breakthrough could lead to human clinical trials to treat degenerative eye disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers Hayley Boigenzahn and John Yin investigated the potential role of the drying process in prebiotic chemistry. They found that amino acids could bond together into peptides during periods of environmental change, such as when a pool of water evaporates.
Researchers developed a lightweight, ultra-shock-absorbing foam that outperforms existing materials in mitigating concussions. The new material exhibits superior mechanical properties and can remain robustly shock-absorbing across various temperatures.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that while phosphorus is a key ingredient for algae blooms, other factors like calm winds, warm surface waters, and low zooplankton populations can delay or prevent blooms. Drastically reducing phosphorus use on land may be the only option to head off future blooms.
A new study of thousands measures daily water intake and turnover in people worldwide, revealing significant variations. The study found that physical activity level, sex, age, and environmental factors drive differences in water consumption.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison develop nanoparticles to neutralize molecules implicated in IBD, significantly improving treatment outcomes. The probiotic bacteria are equipped with nano-backpacks that target reactive oxygen species, reducing inflammation and promoting weight gain and colon length restoration.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Andre Sousa investigates the differences and similarities of cells in the prefrontal cortex between humans and non-human primates. The researchers found five cell types unique to humans and differences in cell abundance across species.
Analysis by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers confirms Black Americans bear greater mortality burden, even after accounting for age and population differences. Partisan policies played a significant role in this shift, with states led by Republican governors lifting pandemic measures faster, leading to higher white death rates.
A new study found that over a 5-year period, millions of cattle spent part of their lives grazing in protected areas of the Brazilian Amazon, including indigenous lands. This undermines efforts to conserve forests and biodiversity in these regions.
A new report found that 90% of COVID-19 preprint data points remained unchanged after peer review, with only minor changes in estimates. This suggests that preprint studies can be reliable and trustworthy, especially for infectious-disease research.
A new research model allows scientists to study hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) and test potential therapeutics. HSPs cause increased muscle tone in infants and young children, leading to wheelchair-bound individuals who lose motor function.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found a strong correlation between historical rates of enslavement and present-day gun ownership in the US. The study suggests that American attitudes towards guns are shaped by historical events, such as the legacy of slavery, and are influenced by social transmission of beliefs.
Researchers developed a new technique to track single blood stem cells in live organisms and describe their ultrastructure using electron microscopy. This allows for better understanding of cell-cell interactions and potential therapeutics for blood diseases and cancers.
Researchers have developed an immunity-boosting postoperative treatment that could prevent glioblastoma relapse by targeting cancer stem cells with nanoparticles. The injectable gel promotes the cancer-killing immune response and reduces toxic side effects.
Researchers have discovered the mechanism behind enzyme Polα-primase and protein CST's interaction at the ends of chromosomes. The findings reveal an unprecedented role for CST in facilitating Polα-primase activity, shedding light on telomere replication and cell division.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Healthy Minds found that mindfulness training alters specific pathways in the brain related to pain regulation. Participants who completed an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course showed a reduction in pain-related brain activity, suggesting a potential new ...
A tiny marine animal, copepod Eurytemora affinis, has evolved rapidly in response to declining ocean salinity due to climate change. The study found that certain genetic combinations of ion transporters were more likely to survive and thrive in freshwater environments.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a direct link between the p53 and PI3K/Akt pathways in cancer cells. The study identified two enzymes, IPMK and PIPKIa, as key regulators of these pathways, offering new insights into potential cancer treatments.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that deliver NAD(H), a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties, to treat sepsis in mice. The treatment improved survival rates and prevented multiorgan injury.
A team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found no significant differences in structural brain changes between participants who received short-term mindfulness training and those who did not. Despite this, participants reported increased mindfulness, suggesting that benefits may be related to wellness interventions more broadly.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers suggests that eliminating air pollution emissions from energy-related activities in the United States would prevent over 50,000 premature deaths each year. The study also found that this action could provide more than $600 billion in benefits annually from avoided illness and d...
Researchers developed nationwide maps of bird species to aid conservation efforts, providing fine-resolution data for individual counties or forests. The maps predict bird diversity based on traits such as nesting habits and environmental factors like forest cover and temperature.
Researchers revised their understanding of the relationship between Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and freshwater from melting polar ice. A new model simulation suggests that AMOC is less sensitive to freshwater forcing than previously thought, contradicting long-held assumptions.
A new biodegradable gel has been developed to improve the immune system's ability to combat cancer. The gel releases drugs and special antibodies that target tumor cells, slowing their growth and increasing the lifespan of mice. This breakthrough could lead to new clinical trials for human patients in the coming years.
Lab tests show antiviral therapies like remdesivir, molnupiravir, and nirmatrelvir remain effective against the BA.2 variant. Some monoclonal antibodies, such as Evusheld, also appear to be more effective against BA.2 than earlier strains.
Researchers have identified a group of clinical signs that can be paired with genetic testing to better inform the timing of more aggressive treatment for leukemia patients. The study used a mouse model to understand how genetic mutations trigger bone marrow failure and life-threatening complications.
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed an ultra-precise atomic clock that can measure time differences to a precision equivalent to losing one second every 300 billion years. By using a 'multiplexed' optical clock design, the team was able to test ways to search for gravitational waves and detect dark matter with unprecedented accuracy.