Researchers at SMU have found a way to prevent polysulfide dissolution in lithium-sulfur batteries, leading to more durable and long-lasting batteries with higher energy levels. The new hybrid polymer network cathode outperforms conventional lithium-ion batteries in terms of cycling capacity.
Researchers created SmartCADD, an AI-powered virtual tool combining quantum mechanics and Computer Assisted Drug Design techniques. The tool speeds up the screening of chemical compounds, significantly reducing drug discovery timelines and identifying promising HIV drug candidates.
A new technique called Small Molecule In situ Resin Capture (SMIRC) allows researchers to collect microbial natural products in their natural environment, expanding the search for new chemical scaffolds. The technique has already uncovered compounds with potential applications in cancer and heart care.
A new study by SMU seismologists confirms that earthquakes in the Permian Basin occurring before 2017 were causally linked to underground wastewater injection. The study uses advanced earthquake location methods to reveal a spatial and temporal correlation with shallow injection activities since 2009.
A recent study published in the American Economic Review suggests that transparency about past transactions can improve market efficiency when sellers have high profits due to competition. However, it may worsen outcomes when buyers observe previous sales quantities, as sellers are more likely to heavily discount their services.
A new study by SMU-led researchers found that ground surface conditions significantly impact the speed and distance of leaking natural gas, with saturated surfaces allowing gas to migrate farthest. The study also highlights the importance of considering soil surface structures when evaluating pipeline leak safety risks.
A new device can accurately detect protein-protein interactions, paving the way for innovative medical therapies and advancements in gene therapy. The solid-state nanopore device can monitor virus-cell interactions in real-time, enabling better understanding of tropism and targeting specific diseases.
Researchers at SMU found that combining behavioral activation and savoring therapies significantly improved students' positive and negative moods. The study suggests that this approach can be an effective standalone strategy or complement to traditional treatment for depression.
A research team from Southern Methodist University has found evidence of the splitting of South America and Africa in ancient rocks and fossils in Angola. The study provides a clear visual representation of the continents moving apart and the formation of the South Atlantic Ocean, offering insights into Earth's past.
A game-based semiconductor curriculum is being developed for high school students, bridging the knowledge gap between technology and career options. The project aims to inspire future semiconductor professionals through online games, workshops, and industry field trips.
A new study by SMU psychologists reveals that interpersonal racial discrimination has a significant impact on the mental health of adolescents in the US justice system. The research emphasizes the importance of considering these intersecting factors when providing support systems to meet the unique needs of adolescents of color.
Elfi Kraka and colleagues develop a novel machine learning interatomic potential called ANI-1xnr that accurately simulates atomic-level interactions in various environments. The model has the potential to aid in understanding planetary care, drug interactions and exploring cosmic materials.
A new study from Southern Methodist University reveals that passive video use among toddlers can hinder language development, but caregivers' reasons for exposing them to digital media can lessen the negative impact. When videos are used for educational or social purposes, such as video chats with family members, the risk of stunted la...
Researchers developed Subak, a cost-effective method to detect nuclease digestion using fluorescent silver nanoclusters. The tool reduces costs of nucleic acid detection tests, such as those used for COVID-19 identification.
A new study by Southern Methodist University's Neely Myers found that young people with early-onset psychosis are ambivalent about stopping substance use. Participants offered feedback on ways to improve care, including more information about substance use and strategies for addressing psychological and physical pain.
A study by Southern Methodist University researchers found that tennis ball head injuries can cause traumatic brain injuries, although they are rare. The study used computational modeling to simulate the impact of a tennis ball on a person's head, and found that high-speed impacts could lead to concussions or worse.
A recent study by SMU psychologist Sarah Kucker and a student researcher found that shyness can influence young children's performance on language tests. Shy children tend to struggle with verbal tasks but excel in pointing tasks, highlighting the importance of considering social interaction levels when assessing language abilities.
A new study from SMU fire scientist Christopher Roos reveals that Pacific island wildfires are not solely driven by human activity, but also by climate change. Research found fires predate human settlement by thousands of years and corresponded to droughts linked to El Niño events.
A community-led research program aims to study the impact of improved transportation on health outcomes for people with chronic medical conditions and women with high-risk pregnancies. The project provides individuals with a mobility wallet, allowing them to access medical services without relying on traditional transportation options.
A large granite deposit discovered below the lunar surface suggests ancient volcanic activity, likely feeding a volcano that erupted 3.5 billion years ago. The finding helps explain how the early lunar crust formed.
Researchers at SMU measured Dallas's resilience using anonymous cell phone data before, during, and after the February 2021 North American winter storm. The study found that Dallas recovered almost immediately after the winter storm ended, indicating a great degree of resilience among its residents.
A recent study by SMU anthropologist Neely Myers found that ethnoracially minoritized youth are less likely to utilize early intervention programs and more likely to drop out once they begin. Culturally sensitive care can help, but family culture and language play a significant role in healthcare disparities.
A study analyzed 25 countries' baseline mercury emission estimates and found that they rarely provide enough information to determine whether changes are due to actual change or data uncertainty. This lack of transparency hinders efforts to draft meaningful mercury reduction targets in national action plans.
A new study suggests that Native American tribes once used controlled burns to weaken climate's impact on wildfires. For roughly 400 years, cultural burning practices appear to have broken the link between climate conditions and fire activity in the southwestern United States. This ancient approach may hold lessons for modern wildfire ...
Researchers from SMU and ARA demonstrate that chemical coatings alter microparticle propulsion in biological fluids. The study offers new approaches to drug delivery strategies by designing specialized surface coatings for precise navigation.
Researchers found adults with attachment anxiety tend to remember details incorrectly more often than people with other personality types. They were more likely to get facts wrong only when they could see the person relaying the information, not when reading or hearing it.
A new species of pterosaurs has been identified from the Atlantic coast of Angola, boasting a 16-foot wingspan and providing insights into these ancient flying creatures. The discovery sheds light on their ecological role and behavior, suggesting they were fish-eating birds with impressive diving abilities.
A new study has found that soil moisture content is the main factor controlling how far and at what concentration natural gas spreads from a leaked pipeline underground. The research team looked at over 300 soil samples and found that methane gas leaking from a pipeline does not spread as far when the soil moisture content increases.
Research from SMU's Locomotor Performance Lab shows that men have a relatively small advantage over women in shorter sprint distances. The study analyzed data from sanctioned international athletic competitions and found that sex differences in sprint running performance increase with event distance.
A new study by SMU psychology professor Nathan Hudson found that practicing activities like donating money to charity or talking to strangers can decrease all three Dark Triad traits after four months. The surprising twist is that people who wanted to increase their dark traits also wanted to become more agreeable.
A team of 76 scientists used multiple forms of technology to collect data on the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano eruption, which was measured globally by 53 infrasound monitors. The data revealed that infrasound waves traveled surprisingly far and accurately recorded the event's seismic activity.
A new study by Southern Methodist University researchers suggests that people with high empathic accuracy and affect sharing skills can better understand emotions conveyed through music. The findings provide a foundation for future research on the impact of socially engaged music listening on social cognition.
A new SMU study suggests that precipitation played a more direct role in shaping large herbivore populations than temperature in ancient Alaska. The research provides historical insights into the consequences of climate change and may help inform modern strategies to mitigate its effects.
The study found that restricting arm motion had a negligible effect on sprint time, with only a 1.6 percent difference from normal arm movement. Runners compensate for restricted arm swing by rotating their torso to maintain a forward-facing orientation.
Researchers at SMU found a gene that enables both mechanosensation and olfaction, potentially leading to new treatments for loss of smell in COVID-19 patients. The gene mec-2 is crucial for activating touch neurons in worms and has similar isoforms that enable smell in humans.
Researchers found that current screening protocols for compassionate dialysis are putting too much strain on emergency rooms, leading to longer wait times. The protocols can be adjusted to relieve congestion, but only if implemented effectively.
Research by Southern Methodist University professor Nathan Hudson found that conscientiousness can be improved through tasks, even if participants are not motivated. However, emotional stability requires active participation and investment to change. The study suggests that schools and companies can use interventions to improve employe...
A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that college students misuse prescription drugs more often during the week and when they are alone at home. The study, which surveyed 297 students, suggests that there may be different motivating factors underlying prescription drug misuse compared to other substances.
Researchers detected over 600 slow-moving landslides in western US states using satellite radar imagery. Most were in mountain ranges, near towns and roads, with some at risk of shifting due to earthquakes or rainfall. Landslides cause thousands of deaths worldwide each year.
A new $2.5 million grant will help students see math in their surroundings through guided walks and an app that turns cell phones into math tools. The Mathfinder app will provide feedback on student-created STEM walks, enhancing math education outside of school.
A CT scan of an ancient reptile skull found nearly identical to one from much older elasmosaurids, indicating minimal evolutionary change over 22 million years. The discovery challenges the notion that such species would undergo significant changes in their morphology over extended periods.
Researchers at SMU found that decreasing TIGAR protein levels in cervical cancer cells makes them more responsive to chemotherapy drugs at low doses. This discovery offers a potential new treatment approach for HPV-induced cervical cancer with fewer side effects.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University have found that P-glycoprotein can transport amyloid-β proteins out of the brain, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could lead to new treatments for the disease affecting nearly 6 million Americans.
A SMU professor is receiving a $215,000 grant from NASA to analyze data on Active Galactic Nuclei using the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. The two-year project aims to shed light on black hole behavior and processes that emit powerful jets into host galaxies.
A new genus and species of hadrosaur, Yamatosaurus izanagii, has been identified in Japan, revealing insights into the herbivores' migration from Asia to North America. The discovery also highlights an evolutionary step as dinosaurs transitioned from bipedalism to quadrupedalism.
A new study suggests that Native American farmers in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico learned to manage fire as an ally to prevent dangerous blazes, clearing flammable material and promoting forest resilience. The ancient practice of controlled burns could help mitigate modern wildfires.
A new study suggests autistic children may react more negatively to constructive parent conflicts, missing opportunities for learning healthy conflict resolution. Researchers recommend teaching autistic children to distinguish between destructive and constructive conflicts.
A new study suggests that Texas's Research Incentive Program has increased private donations to eligible public universities by 37.2% annually. The program has also led to a $14 million increase in state funding for grants and contracts, but does not appear to have significantly impacted long-term endowment assets.
Researchers found that tattooed skin has reduced sweat rates, which can lead to increased risk of overheating. The study suggests that the tattooing process damages eccrine sweat glands, potentially causing long-term complications.
A recent study by SMU psychology professor Nathan Hudson found that people experience higher levels of happiness when socializing with friends compared to spending time with family members. The research revealed that being around romantic partners predicted the least amount of happiness among these three groups.