Across North America, including Missouri, bats of certain species are dying in worrisome numbers from a disease called white nose syndrome, a fungal disease. This disease kills the bats while they are in hibernation. Dr. Tom Tomasi, Missouri State University biology professor and his colleague, Dr. Christopher Lupfer, Missouri State biology assistant professor, are working … [Read more...] about Why are some bats species dying from a disease?

What we eat may not actually make us who we are. But it can influence how we feel.  The recent research of Dr. Paul Durham, distinguished professor of biology and director of the Center for Biomedical and Life Sciences (CBLS) at Missouri State University, connects to this idea.   Durham’s lab studies brain signals. They find ways to block pain involved in migraines, jaw pain … [Read more...] about How dietary changes can lead to better pain management

Some regions are known for their ability to grow the most flavorful agricultural products.   Ancient farmers, through trial and error, determined the best fit between a crop, the soil and weather conditions. They had plenty of land to choose from to find the perfect fields for their crops.  But today, our ability to grow food is becoming limited as the availability of … [Read more...] about Getting to the root to grow understanding

Congenital heart defects affect nearly 40,000 births every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   Dr. Ryan Udan, associate professor of biology at Missouri State University, leads studies in his lab to understand how blood-vessel-related birth defects form.  “We want to learn how the smooth muscle tissue grows to surround … [Read more...] about Vascular research as a path toward a cure