A new study challenges the long-held view that conserving energy maximizes sprinter performance. Instead, researchers found that maximizing the force of each foot hit on the ground allows sprinters to achieve top speed.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) physicists have designed a key component of the world's largest physics experiment at CERN. The new high-speed fiber-optic data link, supported by the US Department of Energy, will be 75 times faster than the current link, enabling scientists to analyze vast amounts of data more efficiently.
Researchers have created a dynamic 3D computer model of the human P-glycoprotein, which is thought to contribute to chemotherapy failure in many recurring cancers. The model enables scientists to virtually screen over 8 million potential drug compounds to find one that can help stop chemotherapy resistance.
Fruit flies developed insulin resistance by overloading on carbs and protein, mimicking Type 2 diabetes. The flies' lifespan shortened and fertility decreased with both diets, offering a new model for studying human disease.
A new study analyzing 1,500 years of tree-ring data and fire-scar records from the Southwest US found that today's megafires are atypical and driven by a combination of modern climate change and human activities. The researchers suggest that changes in fire management could be a solution to mitigate these extreme fires.
A new study from Southern Methodist University finds that the US government nutritional program WIC has no significant positive or negative impact on infant health. The study accounted for underreporting of WIC benefits and poor participation, which can skew analysis results.
Economists Santanu Roy and Kamal Saggi found that trade restrictions on parallel imports can actually promote trade. When a market is smaller than the firm's own, imposing trade restrictions motivates the firm to export. The study suggests that policy diversity is working well, but countries with major asymmetries may need intervention.
SMU's David Blackwell presented on nationwide geothermal energy opportunities, highlighting unconventional techniques as a game changer for US energy policy. The presentation revealed vast geothermal resources across the US, accessible via current technology, and demonstrated synergy with the oil and gas industry.
A new study by Southern Methodist University found that middle school boys who used e-readers rated reading more valuable as an activity, but girls struggled with motivation. The study, which included Amazon's Kindle e-reader, showed that boys improved their attitudes towards reading after using the e-readers.
A majority of college students (64%) are willing to donate blood or genetic material for scientific research. Education plays a role in acceptance, with seniors being more familiar with biobanks and comfortable with the concept.
A new study finds that public health insurance is a better option for infants, providing more comprehensive benefits and improving their health despite being drawn from disadvantaged backgrounds. Private insurance, on the other hand, may be detrimental to child health due to negative selection.
A new study shows that Indian and Vietnamese immigrants in Texas develop a unique American identity through community participation and civic engagement. They deepen their American identity by engaging in various activities such as festivals, banquets, and volunteer work, without losing their cultural heritage.
Research from Southern Methodist University's Geothermal Laboratory reveals vast geothermal resources across the US capable of producing over 3 million megawatts of green power, outpacing coal plants. The study refines locations for resource exploration using advanced mapping and geological analysis.
SMU scientists are collecting water samples in UNHCR camps, analyzing them in the lab, and training workers to test water supplies. The team will develop a worldwide database to identify contaminants and track water quality over time, addressing issues such as iodide and fluoride contamination.
Researchers at Poggio Colla excavation site in Italy discovered a ceramic fragment with two images of a woman giving birth to a child, over 2,600 years old. The unique find is the first of its kind ever found in an Etruscan excavation, providing new insights into the culture.
A study found that MLB umpires call strikes more often for white pitchers than minority pitchers, leading to a decrease in performance and pay. Minority pitchers responded by playing it safe with their pitches, resulting in decreased performance.
Panic attack sufferers experience significant physiological instability for at least 60 minutes before the attack, including changes in heart rate, respiration, and carbon dioxide levels. This finding challenges the common notion of sudden, unexpected panic attacks.
A well-preserved, 96-million-year-old fossil snout discovered in Texas indicates that the prehistoric crocodile Terminonaris originated in the Lone Star State and North America. The find, which is the oldest of its kind worldwide, provides new insights into the group's wider distribution range and age.
A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity exhibited reduced anxiety reactivity when engaging in high levels of physical activity. Regular exercise was shown to be an effective alternative or complementary strategy to traditional treatments for depression and anxiety problems.
A study of 37 families found that mothers who recorded their interactions with their young children revealed chaotic and often ineffective corporal punishment practices. The audio recordings, captured over six days, showed a wide range of reactions from children, including crying, tantrums, and whimpering.
Scientists have discovered a new species of birch mouse ancestor, Sicista primus, which is 9 million years older than previously known and originated from Asia. The tiny fossil teeth found in sediments in Inner Mongolia provide evidence of the genus' persistence over time without significant morphological changes.
A new study found that nonperforating appendicitis and nonperforating diverticulitis share many similarities, including association with colon hygiene and low fiber intake. The study suggests that antibiotics may be a better treatment option for these conditions than surgery.
Archaeologists have created a 3D topographical map of the ancient Maya city 'Head of Stone', which reveals the location and size of its many buildings and architectural patterns. The site, dated from 800 B.C. to 900 A.D., includes a triadic pyramid, astronomical observatory, ritual ball court, and residential mounds.
Researchers confirm it is possible to make complex bamboo tools with simple stone tools, but find that prehistoric people preferred crudely made stone flakes instead. Bamboo knives were efficient for cutting meat but not hides, suggesting a preference for simpler tools.
A new pilot study aims to fill the research gap for young women with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that affects mostly African-American or Hispanic women. The two-year study will survey up to 60 women recently diagnosed with this type of breast cancer.
Researchers link Henry VIII's reproductive issues, including multiple miscarriages, to Kell blood group incompatibility. The study also suggests McLeod syndrome as a possible cause for his dramatic physical transformation and mental instability.
A unique 89-million-year-old pterosaur fossil found in Texas may be the earliest known Pteranodon. The specimen, discovered by an amateur fossil hunter north of Dallas, has a wing span between 12 and 13 feet and belongs to the toothless variety of pterosaurs.
A new analysis found that female scientists face sexism in award competitions, with women winning fewer research awards than men but more service and teaching awards. The study suggests that the selection process is biased against women, with committees favoring male-dominated language and stereotypes.
Researchers create first high-resolution, three-dimensional digital model of an at-risk fossil using portable laser scanning technology, providing a baseline to measure future deterioration. The digital model duplicates a 110-million-year-old Texas dinosaur track and is shareable with others.
A new breathing therapy, CART, has been shown to be more effective than traditional cognitive therapy in reducing panic symptoms by reversing hyperventilation. The treatment program teaches patients to breathe normally, reducing chronic and acute hyperventilation and associated physical symptoms.
A comprehensive analysis of Africa's fossil rodents provides valuable insights into the continent's paleoecology and sheds light on human evolution. The study documents over 130 genera, underscoring the diversity of habitats in ancient Africa.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas have discovered a family of small molecules that protect brain cells against nerve-degenerative diseases. The compounds, developed by SMU and UT Dallas scientists, showed promise in tissue culture models and animal models of neurodegeneration.
Research suggests that parental guidance plays a crucial role in shaping a child's strengths and development, rather than just inherited genes. Effective parents cultivate their child's individual characteristics and help them progress along positive developmental trajectories.
A new study found that three factors contribute to the feminization of veterinary medicine: decreasing discrimination against female students, male applicants deterred by growing female enrollment, and increasing female graduates. The study reveals no evidence of acceptance bias or gender-based concerns about tuition and salaries.
Despite extensive research, fossil pollen from Central and West Africa provides no definitive evidence for communities of rainforest trees at the beginning of the Cenozoic. Paleobotanist Bonnie F. Jacobs and her colleagues have mapped out the limited fossil record, which consists of only 82 sites, most dating back to 50 million years ago.
Researchers at SMU's Geothermal Laboratory estimate that West Virginia's geothermal generation potential has increased to 18,890 megawatts, a 75% increase over previous estimates. This discovery could provide a new source of green energy in coal country.
Researchers discovered that trampling animals can push artifacts up to 21 centimeters into the ground, potentially altering a site's interpretation. This finding suggests that archaeologists should reanalyze some previous discoveries due to the significant impact of animal trampling on artifact context.
The Neurophotonics Research Center aims to develop a two-way fiber optic communication link between prosthetic limbs and peripheral nerves, enabling realistic movement and 'feeling' sensations. Successful completion will allow for revolutionary freedom of movement and agility for amputees.
Scientists at the University of Trieste discovered a massive 280-million-year-old fossil supervolcano in northern Italy's Sesia Valley, exposing magmatic plumbing system to unprecedented depth. The discovery provides a model for understanding active calderas and may help predict future eruptions.
A pilot study in North Carolina found that mailing surveys instead of calling people on the phone yields higher response rates and more complete data. This method is being tested as a replacement for the current home telephone survey used by NOAA to determine which areas off the coast are overfished.
A new USDA-funded study found that children who eat federal school lunches are more likely to become overweight. In contrast, students who participate in both breakfast and lunch programs tend to be lighter than those who only eat lunch.
Economists Santanu Roy and Lars J. Olson analyze the balance between controlling invasive species and free trade, finding that some restrictions may be necessary to prevent economic damage while allowing for entry when damages are low. Their study provides a qualitative framework for policymakers to determine optimal response strategies.
Researchers are investigating the effects of radiation on human bone strength to improve treatment for cancer patients with bone metastases. The study aims to establish the mechanical strength of bone before and after stereotactic radiosurgery, which has been shown to cause high fracture rates in post-treatment patients.
Despite the benefits of cell phones, such as improved daily life and access to market prices, their impact on economic development is limited. Researchers found that while there is positive micro-economic impact, macro-economic improvements are still lacking in African countries.
A new study found that intensive home visits from therapists teaching parenting skills and emotional support significantly improved mothers' behavior and reduced child maltreatment. The intervention was more effective than conventional services, resulting in fewer recurrences of abuse.
Archaeologists are studying the production of large quantities of decorated ceramic vessels by the prehistoric Hohokam people without a managerial elite hierarchy. The researchers aim to understand how a egalitarian society achieved mass-production techniques.
Anthropologists analyze farmers branch texas revealing that immigrants are perceived as a threat to American identity, not just race but also class status. The study shows how immigrants changing their communities make whites react with anti-immigrant legislation.
A new genus and species of flying reptile, Aetodactylus halli, has been discovered in Texas, providing insights into the diversity of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous Period. The specimen is estimated to be around 3 meters long and had a unique jaw structure with 54 teeth sockets, differing from other ornithocheirid species.
The Department of Defense is funding a $1.6 million grant to develop two new surveillance applications, one for a tiny cave camera and another for iris recognition, both building on the lightweight 'Panoptes' platform developed by Southern Methodist University.
A new integrated circuit, designed by Southern Methodist University physicists, can transmit data at 5.8 billion-bits per second in the Large Hadron Collider, the largest particle accelerator in Europe. The 'link-on-chip' serializer circuit is critical for the upgrade of the collider and plans to increase data speed and number of lanes.