Two outbreaks of respiratory illness in wild chimpanzees were identified, one lethal and the other non-fatal, caused by human metapneumovirus and parainfluenza virus 3. The viruses were found to be nearly identical genetically to common strains in humans, suggesting a human origin.
Researchers model the hagfish's unique slime production, discovering it relies on hydrodynamic forces to unspool microscopic threads. This finding has implications for understanding biological gels and their applications in industries and medicine.
The Antarctic Ice Sheet's growth and decay are linked to changes in obliquity and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Loss of sea ice could amplify the effects of Earth's astronomical motions on the ice sheet's stability.
A new report highlights the need for effective communication in addressing 'post-normal' science technologies, such as gene drives, which pose a challenge to science journalists. The technology has the potential to reduce malaria deaths but also raises concerns about safety and regulation.
Researchers developed a mobile CRISPRi system to study antibiotic function in various bacteria, including those that cause disease and promote health. The system allows scientists to screen for antibiotic targets thousands of genes at once, providing clues on how to improve existing antibiotics or develop new ones.
Grasses have multiple copies of a gene that induces flowering during long days, but one duplicate has been repurposed to be expressed during short days, giving some grasses a new way to prepare for spring. This adaptation allows them to flower quickly in spring, providing an edge in the race to produce seeds.
A new, battery-free implantable device has been developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers to aid in weight loss. The device generates gentle electric pulses that stimulate the vagus nerve, helping the brain feel full after only a few bites of food.
Scientists have developed a new approach to modeling turbulence, which allows for the simplification of complex systems. By representing both growing and decaying motions, researchers can greatly improve existing models and tackle previously intractable problems, such as fusion experiments and weather forecasting.
A recent study suggests that humans are accelerating a long-term cooling trend, tracing back at least 50 million years, with projected warming expected by 2030 and potentially reaching Eocene-like conditions by 2150. The research implies that the planet's climate may resemble that of the mid-Pliocene epoch within two centuries.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that low-abundance species like the spiny water flea can go undetected even with rigorous sampling. Increasing net size and targeting specific times of year can improve detection rates.
Researchers developed a new wound dressing that applies gentle electrical pulses using energy from body motions, significantly speeding up healing times in rodent tests.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers develop a material that can transition from an insulator to a conductor without changing its atomic structure, enabling faster switching speeds in advanced devices. The breakthrough uses a dual-layer sandwich structure to stabilize the material's unique properties.
Mature oligodendrocytes have been found to be capable of remyelinating damaged axons, suggesting a potential new target for treating multiple sclerosis. This discovery opens up new avenues for slowing or reversing the disease by promoting the activity of these cells.
Researchers create amino acid chains with specific sequences, hinting at first glimmers of information storage on early Earth. The study aims to unlock new capabilities for modern medicine by designing drugs and synthesizing compounds more efficiently.
Scientists use venom shapes to identify distinct branches in the scorpion family tree, supporting a new evolutionary relationship. The study reveals that venom shape carries information about its function and has remained relatively unchanged over 300 million years.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison identified a fatty acid called butyrate as the mechanism behind certain protective effects of a high-fiber diet. Mice with Roseburia bacteria and a high-fiber diet had reduced inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Researchers sequenced and compared the genomes of 332 yeast species, revealing an extensive picture of their evolution over hundreds of millions of years. The study suggests that yeasts evolved through reductive evolution, losing traits to specialize in specific food sources, with modern yeasts having narrower appetites.
A genetic scan of 4,578 TB samples from China revealed just two dominant strains account for 99.4% of cases, with strain L2 spreading widely due to internal movement allowing its spread. The study also found that strain Lineage 4 was introduced via the silk trade between 1084 and 1336 A.D.
The discovery of human embryonic stem cells in 1998 revolutionized regenerative medicine, with 29 clinical trials underway globally. The field has grown exponentially, enabling large-scale production of pure cells for research, and nearly $1.43 billion spent on NIH stem cell research over the past 20 years.
A study reveals how a single mutation in the GFAP protein, the most common protein in astrocytes, produces devastating effects on brain cells. The mutated protein causes widespread tangles and disturbs cellular processing units, reducing myelin formation.
Researchers found that mice recovering from heart attacks are more likely to die if treated with antibiotics, which can eliminate both bad and good microbes. Restoring the gut microbiome through fecal transplants or probiotics boosted survival rates.
A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that California mice who communicate calmly after infidelity are more likely to produce a litter of mouse pups and have good fathers. The quality of their conversations helps predict pair bond success, with less aggressive vocalizations indicating a stronger bond.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new fuel cell concept that uses an organic compound called quinone to shuttle electrons and protons, increasing energy efficiency by 100 times compared to previous designs. The design also reduces costs by using lower-cost metals like cobalt as catalysts.
Researchers discovered that fossil ants preserved in amber had specialized structures to support bacteria that produced antibiotics, helping them combat crop diseases. This ancient ant-bacteria symbiosis evolved independently three times and may hold clues for reducing antibiotic resistance in humans.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a novel type of lignin, C-lignin, that can be refined into various bioproducts with high yields and minimal processing. This breakthrough has the potential to transform agricultural markets by utilizing a previously underutilized plant biomass.
Researchers found that Amanita fungi lost genetic material to form a closer bond with plants, allowing them to thrive in forest ecosystems. The study suggests that symbiosis may be easier to develop than previously thought.
Researchers discover that glutamate activates a wave of calcium in plant tissues, triggering a defense response. The study uses fluorescent imaging to visualize the calcium signaling system, showing that it moves quickly through the plant to prepare distant tissues for future threats.
A new study suggests that ancient farming practices led to a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane, altering the climate. Without human influence, the planet would have likely experienced another ice age by the start of the Industrial Revolution.
Research reveals that pitcher plant communities converge in terms of microbial life and small animal populations, even across different continents. The study found that Asian and North American pitchers house similar species, such as bacteria and insects, and can even mimic each other's ecosystems.
Researchers found that martens on Isle Royale were genetically linked to populations in Ontario, suggesting they arrived in the 1990s. The population's low genetic diversity indicated a severe bottleneck, with estimates suggesting two individuals repopulated the island just before their reappearance in 1993.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a robot named Minnie to serve as a reading buddy to middle school kids, resulting in increased excitement about books and attachment to the robot. The study showed that social learning through interaction with the robot improved comprehension and motivation for reading.
A new video game designed to train empathy in middle schoolers showed improved connectivity in brain networks related to empathy and perspective-taking. The game, 'Crystals of Kaydor,' was developed by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers and found to enhance emotional regulation skills.
Researchers have identified two changes to a single gene that can make yeast tolerate pretreatment chemicals used in biofuel production. The modified yeast can survive and ferment alongside amounts of toxic ionic liquids, increasing efficiency by up to 70%. This breakthrough could revolutionize the biofuel industry.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison research team discovered a previously unknown mechanism for controlling cellular decisions, combining an on-and-off switch in a single protein. The protein EBS binds to two different chemical modifications on histones, promoting or preventing the transition to flowering.
A new pilot clinical trial found that consuming crickets can help support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and reduce inflammation in the body. The study showed an increase in beneficial gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium animalis and a decrease in inflammatory proteins.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found two genes, IRX3 and IRX5, that work together to construct a cellular communication system in mouse ovaries. This system, involving junctions between eggs and granulosa cells, helps ensure proper egg development and survival leading up to ovulation.
Researchers trained a machine learning algorithm to analyze microscopic radiation damage, achieving an accuracy of 86% compared to humans. The algorithm can process images faster and more efficiently than humans, making it a promising tool for developing safe nuclear materials.
A new study suggests that thousands of miles of buried fiber optic cable in densely populated coastal regions may be inundated by rising seas within 15 years. The study found that over 4,000 miles of conduit will be underwater and 1,100 traffic hubs will be surrounded by water by 2033, potentially disrupting global communications.
A new method tracks mechanisms causing nerve cell damage in the heart, a previously unappreciated area affected by Parkinson's disease. The research has implications for testing therapies and exploring causes of fatigue, fainting, and falling.
Researchers discovered a blazar, a giant elliptical galaxy with a massive black hole, is the source of high-energy cosmic neutrinos detected by IceCube Observatory. The discovery resolves a century-old mystery about what creates and propels cosmic rays.
A new study forecasts up to 1,000 additional deaths annually in the Eastern US due to elevated air pollution from increased air conditioning use. The study suggests transitioning to clean energy sources like wind and solar power to mitigate these effects.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine found that Zika virus infection increased the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth by 26% in pregnant monkeys. Researchers also discovered damage to the placenta and cell death, which can lead to poor pregnancy outcomes. The true rate of human miscarriage may be higher than previously reported.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison used an innovative approach to study the Laguna del Maule volcanic complex in Chile, measuring average uplift of 8 inches per year. The team found that magma rising under the area is causing rapid uplift, but also has a potential impact on future eruptions.
Researchers create FluVision technology to visualize influenza infection in real-time, observing differences between highly-pathogenic H5N1 and milder H1N1 strains. The tool reveals increased damage caused by H5N1, including pulmonary leakage and immune cell activation.
A new study from Ophelia Venturelli and her team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison uses dynamic modeling to predict gut microbiome behaviors, reducing the need for laborious lab experiments. The model also reveals a balance between positive and negative interactions between microbes.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new stealth material that can hide hot objects from infrared detectors. The material, made with black silicon, absorbs approximately 94% of infrared light and can be used to trick infrared cameras.
A new study estimates that 65% of global freshwater fish catch is underreported, with millions of people relying on these 'hidden harvests' for protein. Inland fisheries play a crucial role in food security, especially in low-income countries where they are dispersed across the landscape.
A new study found that hurricanes are moving more slowly, spending more time over land, resulting in catastrophic local rainfall and flooding. The slowdown is attributed to climate change, which is amplifying the effects of human activity on hurricane behavior.
Scientists reconstruct Earth's history with a new method that links astronomical theory to geological observation, enabling the analysis of ancient climate change. The study reveals days on Earth were over 18 hours long 1.4 billion years ago, and the moon's movement away contributed to the lengthening day.
A new study suggests that just two weeks of compassion meditation training can reduce distress and improve ability to respond with compassion when witnessing others' suffering. The research found that compassion training shifted habits of becoming overly distressed, leading to a calmer and more balanced response.