The McCombs School of Business at UT Austin is part of a $50 million blockchain program launched by Ripple, supporting academic research, technical development and innovation. The program aims to explore increasingly useful applications of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
The new transmitter uses ultrafast 'frequency hopping' and data encryption to protect signals from being intercepted and jammed. This technology could secure medical devices, wearables, vehicles, and smart household technologies, making the internet of things a more secure place.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that playing recordings of mothers' voices can significantly improve sleep quality for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The study, which enrolled 50 babies born after 33 weeks gestation, showed that babies slept better and woke up less often when exposed to their mother's voice. Researc...
Two new planetary systems have been discovered, one featuring three Earth-sized planets orbiting a red dwarf star. These planets are thought to be rocky worlds with temperatures tens of degrees higher than Earth due to their close proximity to the star.
A new model proposes that dark inflation drove the early universe's expansion and predicts the detectability of primordial gravitational waves. The model provides a precise chronology of events during the first moments after the Big Bang.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identify SMCHD1 as critical regulator of X chromosome inactivation, allowing genes to be suppressed. The study's findings have implications for treating diseases associated with misfolded chromatin and hold promise for reactivating the inactive X chromosome.
Researchers found that golden snub-nosed monkeys increase their energy intake from fats and carbs in winter to counteract elevated thermoregulatory costs. This adjustment enables the monkeys to balance their macronutrient content and meet specific nutritional needs, suggesting a key adaptation for survival in cold environments.
A team of researchers at the University of Freiburg has created a new model to explain how the brain stores memories of tangible events. The model is based on an experiment with mice, where they used a virtual environment and recorded the activity of their nerve cells.
The discovery of ancient tetrapod fossils in South Africa suggests that four-limbed animals evolved in environments beyond tropical regions. The presence of these animals near the poles raises questions about the role of high-latitude environments in their evolutionary transition.
A new analysis reveals that task-based fMRI experiments with typical sample sizes of about 30 participants are only modestly replicable. Larger sample sizes may be needed to improve replicability in neuroscience studies.
Colorado State University biomedical engineer Jesse Wilson is proposing a radical new imaging technology that could diagnose mitochondrial defects in an instant. His technology aims to create a cost-effective, non-invasive way to diagnose mitochondrial diseases, which affect about 1 in 5,000 children and are often fatal.
A study found that persistent illicit drug use was associated with a higher risk of kidney disease progression and early death among chronic kidney disease patients. Tobacco smoking was also linked to an increased risk of early death.
Researchers found that male dolphins keep their unique whistles to identify partners and competitors, even in strong alliances. This allows them to negotiate a complex social network of cooperative relationships.
Direct air capture technology captures CO2 from the atmosphere and converts it into fresh fuels, reducing carbon footprint of transportation with minimal disruption. The resulting fuels are compatible with existing infrastructure and have ultra-low life cycle carbon intensities.
A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech found that mucus and airway secretions protect the flu virus when it becomes airborne, regardless of humidity levels. The study refutes previous findings that suggested the virus degrades and is inactivated at higher humidity levels.
New study finds that eye dominance and visual acuity are governed by separate areas of the brain, making it possible to correct one without affecting the other. Researchers can now address acuity directly, bypassing normal eye dominance restoration.
A study at the University of Toledo identifies a new centriole in human sperm that functions in zygotes, potentially contributing to male infertility and early embryo developmental defects. The research provides new avenues for diagnostics and therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at the University of Manchester are using 4D scanning technology to predict the behavior of lava flows and volcanic eruptions. By studying crystallization in magmas, they can simulate the behavior of natural lava flows and better understand the hazards posed by fast-moving flows.
Researchers discovered that asymptomatic malaria infections do not protect against new infections, and treating these cases could help prevent the spread of malaria. Treating asymptomatic malaria carriers reduced the risk of malaria illness by 50%.
A USC research team discovered 150 proteins affecting brain development and cell activity that contribute to mental disorders. The study used stem cells to determine chemical reactions influencing nerve growth and cell functions in people.
Researchers found that male bottlenose dolphins retain individual vocal labels in long-term cooperative alliances, enabling them to track complex social relationships. This study provides insight into the role of vocal communication in coordinating social behaviors among these intelligent marine mammals.
A study in northern Tanzania found that cattle, sheep, and goats are infected with Leptospira bacteria, which can cause severe disease in humans. The research highlights the importance of understanding animal transmission to develop control measures.
A University of Kansas researcher found that helping others and building mutually beneficial relationships can boost an organization's reputation and build resources. The study analyzed studies from evolutionary biology and economics, concluding that indirect reciprocity is a key to effective cooperation.
Written resources can enhance health behavior changes and are a fundamental component of health promotion efforts. However, research reveals that over 50% of physical activity resources have reading levels above an eighth-grade level, limiting their effectiveness.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that private insurers deny coverage for life-saving hepatitis C drugs at a rate of 52.4%, while Medicaid and Medicare deny treatment at 34.5% and 14.7% respectively. The high denial rates may be due to varying restrictions on reimbursements among states.
A study published in The BMJ found that spending more years in full-time education is associated with a greater risk of developing myopia. Every additional year of education was linked to more myopia, with university graduates being at least 1 dioptre more myopic than those who left school earlier.
A study by San Francisco State University and UCSF found that higher opportunity neighborhoods can protect children from negative health impacts associated with growing up poor. Living in such neighborhoods may mitigate stress, improve physical health, and lower cortisol levels.
A new analysis of US internet search data found a strong association between anti-Muslim and pro-ISIS searches in ethnically alike communities with high poverty levels. The study suggests that counterterrorism policies targeting Muslims may inadvertently increase radicalization in these communities.
Researchers have gained a deeper understanding of telomerase, an enzyme that maintains DNA in telomeres. Telomerase is active in cancer cells, enabling them to grow and spread. The study provides clues about how to target the enzyme's activity to develop new drugs.
A study of 50,734 Japanese children aged 3 found that prenatal and postnatal exposure to smoking was associated with an increased risk of hearing impairment. Children exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy or at 4 months had a higher relative risk of hearing problems compared to those not exposed.
New Cornell research finds that immediate rewards increase intrinsic motivation by increasing positive experience of a task. This can lead to improved persistence and motivation, with important implications for employee motivation and loyalty programs.
A new study found that playing a recording of a mother reading stories can improve sleep in preterm newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. The research involved 20 near-term and 27 premature infants born between 33-34 weeks, with results showing reduced likelihood of wakefulness during peak noise levels.
Researchers discovered fossil footprints for animal appendages in the Ediacaran Period in South China, revealing evidence of early animal life. The trackways indicate that bilaterian animals with paired appendages existed during this period, raising questions about their evolutionary origins.
Tropical Depression 05W briefly reached tropical storm status before weakening back to a depression. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared imagery showing the storm's strength and potential for heavy rainfall.
According to a Dartmouth College study, airlines can avoid 60-80 percent of crew-related delays through sophisticated crew scheduling practices. This results in savings of up to $13 billion system-wide each year in terms of reduction in delay costs to airlines and consumers.
Researchers demonstrate large-scale fabrication of transparent conductive electrode film based on nanopatterned silver, offering high-performance and long-lasting option for use with flexible screens. The silver-based films could also enable flexible solar cells and improve existing flexible displays.
Researchers identified urinary markers that differentiate between hip replacement patients who develop bone tissue destruction and those who do not. The combination of α-CTX and IL-6 biomarkers predicted osteolysis with high accuracy.
Researchers at Embrapa have developed improved rice varieties with increased yields and reduced plant height, allowing for more efficient use of resources. Over a 45-year period, grain yield improved by an average of 0.62-0.73% per year, resulting in thousands of pounds in increased yield for farmers.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that mouse vocalizations are influenced by sex and social context, with males producing more vocalizations after social interaction. Females, on the other hand, produce similar numbers of vocalizations regardless of prior social experience.
Researchers discovered a naturally occurring antibody that binds to oxidized phospholipids, blocking inflammation and preventing arterial plaque formation. The antibody protected mice from atherosclerosis, aortic stenosis, hepatic steatosis, and prolonged their lives.
Researchers identified a neural strategy that enables the brain to rapidly select and perform different mental operations. The brain uses a combination of internal cues and external inputs to control movement times flexibly, allowing for novel computations on the fly.
Researchers are developing an evidence-based training option to teach children with severe speech impairments to use commercially available apps as communication tools. The goal is to support the development of children with disorders such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, who often face social and educational challenges.
Researchers discovered a key molecular machinery driving DNA segregation in yeast cells, which may hold insights into human chromosome maintenance and cancer development. Cells lacking this machinery, RSC, exhibit abnormal DNA segregation and spontaneous chromosome duplication.
A study has revealed that pyraclostrobin, a widely used fungicide, impairs silk production in silkworms by increasing caterpillar mortality up to three times and reducing cocoons size. This finding suggests that pesticide poisoning may be one of the causes of the decline in Brazilian silkworm cocoon production.
Researchers have found evidence that dissolving NETs can reduce swelling and improve blood flow after traumatic brain injuries. A drug called DNase, which is currently used to thin out lung mucus in cystic fibrosis, appears to dissolve NETs and has shown promise in reducing swelling and improving recovery.
Research reveals that impaired neural mechanisms in six large-scale brain networks contribute to human drug addiction behaviors, affecting cognition, emotional processing, and decision-making. The study identifies consistent impairments in brain function across these networks, which can inform the development of targeted treatment inte...
Scientists at the University of Münster have decoded a mechanism that regulates the release of S100A8/S100A9 protein complexes, which can trigger or amplify inflammatory reactions. The researchers aim to develop new treatment options for autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders with fewer side effects.
Silver nanoparticles have been found to be highly toxic to Danio fish embryos, with flat particles being more toxic than spherical ones. The research suggests that the toxicity of nanosilver is due to the presence of nanoparticles themselves, not just silver ions.
Researchers studying axonal transport may uncover new avenues for treating or preventing Alzheimer's. The UB lab, led by Shermali Gunawardena, investigates the role of presenilin in regulating brain cell traffic.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new nanoparticle-based drug delivery system that targets cancer cells using mechanical properties of diseased cells. The 'mechanotargeting' approach outperforms existing 'chemotargeting' strategy in delivering drugs to targeted cells.
A large-scale study found that tree fungi communities are stressed by pollution across 20 European countries. The study revealed thresholds of essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus beyond which the community of mycorrhizal fungi changes.
A Baltimore campaign found that automated phone calls were more effective than Facebook ads in encouraging residents to request free smoke alarm installations. The campaign, which ran in 2014, reached over 90,000 households via landline and resulted in 458 requests for smoke alarms, compared to just 25 from Facebook ads.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University discovered that prolonged stress can lower sperm motility, affecting fertility. The study compared sperm samples from military conflict periods to unstressful periods, finding a significant difference.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that single activations of black holes occur more often in mismatched galaxy mergers, where one galaxy is huge and the other is puny. This is because violent collisions lead to less gas and dust falling onto black holes, making it less likely for two black holes to become active.
Researchers identified a pair of genes, EphB4 and ephrin-B2, that are silenced in healthy adult tissue but reactivated in tumors resistant to treatment. Adding an experimental inhibitor targeting these genes to existing therapies improved survival rates in mice models.
University of Adelaide researchers have developed a laser that can measure gas composition in under one second with high accuracy and precision. The device uses patterns of light absorption to differentiate between different gas compounds, mimicking the sensitive nose of a bloodhound.
Researchers developed an algorithm to determine the optimal caffeine dosage and timing for maximum alertness during sleep loss. The 2B-Alert app uses a validated mathematical model and optimization algorithm to provide personalized caffeine-dosing strategies, improving alertness by up to 64%.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a 'thin triple' super window design that is seven times more insulating than a single-glazed window. The new technology could save $10 billion annually in energy costs, outperforming insulated walls in winter.
A new study of 563 participants found significant differences in skin cancer risk among outdoor professionals, with mountain guides facing the greatest threat. The research highlights the need for tailored prevention efforts based on individual profession and environmental factors.
Research reveals that desert bighorn sheep have begun crossing Interstate 40, potentially increasing genetic diversity among populations but also risking disease transmission. The ability to cross may be attributed to individual animals discovering a new route.