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Mushrooms, water-repellants more similar than you might think

DURHAM, N.C. ?- What do spore-launching mushrooms have in common with highly water-repellant surfaces?

Study shows how carbon nanotubes can affect lining of the lungs

Carbon nanotubes are being considered for use in everything from sports equipment to medical applications, but a great deal remains unknown about whether these materials cause respiratory or other health problems.

The lotus's clever way of staying dry

DURHAM, N.C. ?- An ancient Confucian philosopher once said, "I love the lotus because while growing from mud, it is unstained."

Alcohol tolerance 'switch' found

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a genetic "switch" in fruit flies that plays an important role in making flies more tolerant to alcohol.

Internet fuels virtual subculture for sex trade, study finds

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Internet has spawned a virtual subculture of "johns" who share information electronically about prostitution, potentially making them harder to catch, according to a new study co-authored by a Michigan State University criminologist.

Stereotypes can fuel teen misbehavior

Drinking. Drugs. Caving into peer pressure. When parents expect their teenagers to conform to negative stereotypes, those teens are in fact more likely to do so, according to new research by Christy Buchanan, professor of psychology at Wake Forest University.

Presidential election outcome changed voters' testosterone

DURHAM, N.C. -- Young men who voted for Republican John McCain or Libertarian candidate Robert Barr in the 2008 presidential election suffered an immediate drop in testosterone when the election results were announced, according to a study by researchers at Duke University and the University of Michigan.

New material could boost data storage, save energy

North Carolina State University engineers have created a new material that would allow a fingernail-size computer chip to store the equivalent of 20 high-definition DVDs or 250 million pages of text, far exceeding the storage capacities of today's computer memory systems.

Are humans still evolving? Absolutely, says a new analysis of a long-term survey of human health

Durham, NC -- Although advances in medical care have improved standards of living over time, humans aren't entirely sheltered from the forces of natural selection, a new study shows.

Children's blood lead levels linked to lower test scores

DURHAM, N.C. -- Exposure to lead in early childhood significantly contributes to lower performances on end-of-grade (EOG) reading tests among minority and low-income children, according to researchers at Duke University and North Carolina Central University.

Exercise can aid recovery after brain radiation

DURHAM, N.C. -- Exercise is a key factor in improving both memory and mood after whole-brain radiation treatments in rodents, according to data presented by Duke University scientists at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

Scientists demonstrate link between genetic defect and brain changes in schizophrenia

CHAPEL HILL -- For decades, scientists have thought the faulty neural wiring that predisposes individuals to behavioral disorders like autism and psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia must occur during development. Even so, no one has ever shown that a risk gene for the disease actually disrupts brain development.

New laryngoscope could make difficult intubations easier

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- A new tool developed by a Medical College of Georgia resident and faculty member may make it easier to place assisted breathing devices under difficult circumstances.

About 2 percent of patients that undergo the process, called intubation, experience complications -- regardless if it's performed in an emergency situation or prior to surgery.

Looking for privacy in the clouds

DURHAM, N.C. -- Millions of Internet users have been enjoying the fun -- and free -- services provided by advertiser-supported online social networks like Facebook. But Landon Cox, a Duke University assistant professor of computer science, worries about the possible down side -- privacy problems.

Nitrogen mysteries in urban grasslands

MADISON, WI, OCTOBER 12, 2009 -- Areas of turf-forming species created and maintained by humans for aesthetic and recreational (not grazing) purposes, i.e. "urban grasslands" are an extremely common, but poorly studied ecosystem type. There are over 150,000 km2of urban grasslands in the U.S.



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