Researchers have discovered a novel gene therapy aimed at eventually regrowing limbs in humans, building on studies of axolotl, mice and zebrafish. The breakthrough could potentially replace prosthetics with fully functional limbs.
A new study by Wake Forest University found that wearing a weighted vest can help preserve bone mineral density during weight loss. However, the benefits were only seen in participants who spent more time standing or stepping, suggesting that movement plays a crucial role in reaping these benefits.
A study by Wake Forest University found that students who report a stronger sense of belonging in their first year are 3.4 percentage points more likely to graduate within four years. Fostering a sense of belonging is vital on campus, and institutions can improve graduation rates by removing barriers and building a culture.
A recent study published in Science found that wildebeest and zebra compete for nutrient-dense grasses in Serengeti, pushing each other along in a 'push-pull' hypothesis for grazing succession. This challenges the prevailing theory of how mass-migration patterns occur in the park.
A new $7 million study at Wake Forest University is investigating the impact of resistance training, bone-loading exercises, and osteoporosis medication on bone health in older adults who are losing weight. The study aims to determine whether these interventions can help preserve bone mass and reduce fracture risk.
Researchers used abstracted social ideas to tap into mathematical interplay between distance and cohesiveness in complex data, such as cultural values and regional differences. The study found distinct cultural groups with rich internal network structures, despite analytical challenges posed by cultural diversity.
The Honesty Project will investigate the science of honesty, examining what predicts honesty in various situations and how it affects relationships and institutions. Researchers aim to develop ways to foster honesty in daily life, despite the consequences of dishonesty being often met with resignation.
A college social belonging exercise has long-term benefits for black students' career satisfaction, well-being, and community involvement. The intervention helped students understand that worries about belonging are common and can be addressed through support from professors and friends.
A team of Wake Forest researchers, led by Gloria Muday, is working on a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to find heat-tolerant tomatoes. The goal is to map out how reproductive genes work in these varieties, which can help breed or engineer dependable crops despite rising global temperatures.
Researchers at Wake Forest University are testing whether weighted vests can preserve bone density and quality in older adults with obesity. The study aims to provide a low-cost alternative to traditional resistance training, which has been shown to reduce muscle loss and improve bone strength.
Researchers at Wake Forest University have developed a new process to convert carbon dioxide into usable chemicals or fuels using silver diphosphide as a novel catalyst. The process reduces energy loss by a factor of three compared to current state-of-the-art methods.
Researchers discovered the water conditions that drive snakeheads onto land, where they can survive for up to 20 hours. The study's findings can inform natural resources agencies' population management strategies.
Researchers at Wake Forest University's Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation found that biochar combined with fertilizer significantly improved height and diameter growth of tree seedlings. The treatment also increased the number of leaves developed by the seedlings.
A new study sheds light on the metabolic shifts that occur during chronic asymptomatic malaria infection, which can help develop more effective detection and treatment methods.
Spiders, including wolf spiders, react to irritating chemicals like allyl isothiocyanate in a similar way to mammals and humans, who have transient receptor potential channels that activate sensations like pain and taste. This reaction causes them to avoid eating insects coated with these chemicals.
A high-protein, low-calorie diet has been shown to help older adults with obesity lose more weight while maintaining muscle mass and improving bone quality. Participants lost about 18 pounds, mostly fat, without losing bone density.
Researchers from Wake Forest University found that female Nazca boobies have a shorter lifespan due to their high reproductive activity. The study suggests that the females' efforts to raise their chicks and find new mates may contribute to their shorter lives.
Hoary bats exhibit unusual silent behavior during their fall mating season, potentially to avoid eavesdropping from competitors and mates. The study suggests that this 'inconspicuous echolocation' may provide an advantage in the mating game but poses a deadly risk when encountering obstacles like wind turbines.
A new study by Wake Forest University researchers suggests that weight training with a low-calorie diet preserves lean muscle mass in older adults. Combining resistance training and calorie restriction resulted in less muscle loss and significant fat loss compared to cardio workouts or diet alone.
The $900,000 NSF grant enables researchers to analyze large datasets describing gene responses to ethylene in Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing patterns and relationships. This work has significant agricultural implications as root structure affects plant water and nutrient uptake.
A new molecular trap, MIL-101-Cr, removes nearly all radioactive iodide from used nuclear fuel rods, exceeding current regulations by up to 0.003 percent. The breakthrough could save on fuel costs worldwide, as the new method is cheaper and more effective than existing industrial adsorbents.
Professor Patricia Dos Santos of Wake Forest University has received a $680,000 NSF grant to support her biochemistry research and mentorship program. The grant enables her to work with graduate students and undergraduate researchers from local colleges, providing hands-on research experience and career development opportunities.
Researchers at Wake Forest University are testing the effectiveness of SAWHET, an automated lab report feedback system, to improve scientific writing in STEM students. The study aims to enhance explanation of research to the public and receive a $280k NSF grant.
Researchers from Wake Forest University and Smithsonian detail a new genus of large forest tree commonly found in the tropical Andes. The Incadendron esseri, also known as 'Esser's tree of the Inca', is a canopy tree that stretches up to 100 feet tall and is susceptible to climate change.
A new study predicts that rising ocean temperatures will exclude sardines from the Galápagos Islands' ecosystem, leading to a decline in Nazca booby populations. The bird's reproductive success has already been affected by the absence of sardines, which were replaced by flying fish over 30 years ago.
A recent study on California mice found that surges of testosterone before and after aggressive encounters lead to future wins. Winning experiences change the brain's response to testosterone, fueling competitiveness and confidence.
Research suggests that inferior synthetic horns can drive out wild horn suppliers through adverse selection, reducing poaching and driving down prices. Nonprofits could play a key role in producing these synthetic horns, promoting competition and increasing market supply.
Wake Forest University chemistry professor Michael Gross has been awarded a $500,000 NSF CAREER grant to develop nanomaterials at high temperatures. The award aims to support his research on more efficient fuel cell technologies, benefiting both Wake Forest's engineering program and its students.
A new study found that drinking beetroot juice before exercise improves brain connectivity and efficiency in older adults, similar to those of younger brains. The researchers also discovered higher levels of nitrate and nitrite in the blood after exercising with beetroot juice compared to placebo groups.
Researchers from Wake Forest University have discovered that tiger moths produce ultrasonic signals to deter bats, showing that this behavior occurs in nature and is used as a warning system. The study highlights the evolution of animal behavior in the bat vs. moth arms race.
A new study from Wake Forest University found that testosterone influences the evolution of a waving display in male Bornean rock frogs. The research revealed that testosterone increases foot-flagging behavior and changes how hormones act on leg muscles, similar to the change seen in vocal croaks.
A new international research center will focus on sustainable use of tropical landscapes and combat environmental destruction in the Peruvian Amazon. The center aims to develop transformative solutions for human health and biodiversity, building scientific capacity in local communities.
Researchers at Wake Forest University found that woodpecker pairs coordinate their defense behavior based on the intensity of drumming sounds from intruders. A longer drum is perceived as a tougher opponent, prompting coordination and aggression, whereas a shorter drum signals weakness.
A new study aims to strengthen female recruits with strength training to prevent overuse injuries and retain them as military integration nears. The trial will recruit 150 women runners for nine months, monitoring injuries via bi-weekly emails.
A recent study published in Renewable Energy predicts that the Midwest region will experience a 2% increase in wind energy density by 2038-2070 due to climate change. This is expected to provide additional power for residents, with some counties projected to gain enough energy to run multiple appliances continuously.
A new $6 million NIH grant will fund a WE-CAN study examining the success of community-based programs for treating knee osteoarthritis. The study aims to test the effectiveness of weight loss and exercise interventions in real-world settings, building on previous clinical trial results.
Researchers aim to identify morally exceptional individuals through competitions, conferences, and research projects to foster moral attributes. The project's goal is to understand the psychological, cultural, and spiritual factors that contribute to moral excellence.
New research from Wake Forest University reveals little difference in the force delivered by archerfish's water jets to targets at different distances. In a surprising twist, fish prefer closer targets when given the choice, likely due to time constraints for prey capture.
Researchers discovered that birds with complex courtship displays have muscles sensitive to testosterone, enabling them to perform impressive acrobatics. This groundbreaking study sheds light on how hormones control social behavior in birds, paving the way for further research into the evolution of bird brawn.
Undergraduates at Wake Forest University will conduct original mathematical research under the guidance of Assistant Professor Jeremy Rouse and Visiting Assistant Professor Katherine Thompson. The program, WADE INTO Research, aims to develop students' skills in mathematics and prepare them for future careers.
A small group of COPD patients who drank beetroot juice before exercise were able to extend their exercise time and had reduced blood pressures compared to those who received a placebo. The study found beneficial effects of dietary nitrite supplementation on exercise performance and blood pressure in patients with COPD.
New research from Wake Forest University confirms the conversion of nitrite to nitric oxide by deoxygenated hemoglobin reduces platelet activation, affecting blood flow and clotting. The findings have implications for treating sickle cell disease and stroke.
Mexican free-tailed bats employ a unique strategy by jamming the sonar of competitors to capture prey in complete darkness. The researchers observed that bats almost always missed their prey when another bat was jamming them, and this behavior increased with precise timing and frequency.
A study published in Avian Conservation and Ecology reveals that the iconic Blue-footed Booby population has declined by over 50% in less than two decades. The drastic drop is attributed to a lack of sardines in their diet, leading adult birds to elect not to breed, which in turn causes the population to shrink.
Cloud forest trees are highly sensitive to climate change due to their narrow temperature range, making them vulnerable to migration and population loss. Conservation strategies may need to be revised to protect these ecosystems from massive population decline.
Researchers at Wake Forest University found that tiger moths can detect an increase in a bat's cry rate and sound intensity, triggering the moth's defense mechanism. The study shows that the tiger moth's tymbal can jam the bat's sonar up to 93% of the time, allowing it to evade attack.
Researchers at Wake Forest University have created a novel solution to the challenges of organic semiconductors. The high-performance organic semiconductor 'spray paint' developed by Oana Jurchescu can be applied to large areas without compromising electric conductivity.
Organic semiconductor technology has the potential to create flexible devices like video screens that bend like paper. A $400,000 NSF CAREER Award will support research on the physical structure and electronic properties of single crystals.
Computer scientist Jennifer Burg's innovative approach to teaching digital media has increased students' understanding of technical concepts like sampling and quantization. The study also shows improved aptitude and interest in electronics, physics, and math among STEM majors.
Scientists at Wake Forest University have developed a flicker-free and shatterproof lighting solution using field-induced polymer electroluminescent (FIPEL) technology. The new lights produce soft white light without the yellowish tint of fluorescents or bluish tinge of LEDs.