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Syracuse University


The spin behind fading black hole flares

Researchers at Syracuse University found that stellar spin can explain the fading of black hole flares in repeating partial tidal disruption events. The study suggests that stars with rapid initial spin may produce flares that decline in brightness over time. This new understanding provides insight into the complex interactions between...

SourceSyracuse University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 20, 2026

How a whale's dive shapes its song

Researchers found specific song themes tied to specific parts of a dive, revealing insights into how singing affects energy use, oxygen management and vulnerability. The study's findings offer practical applications for tracking whale populations and establishing a clearer baseline for normal humpback behavior.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 3, 2026

A cooperative approach to reproductive success

Researchers explore the widespread occurrence of sperm conjugation across arthropods, a coordinated team effort that improves reproductive success. The study reveals how collective behavior influences fertility and opens new avenues for pest control by disrupting reproduction in harmful species.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 31, 2026

New study finds neighborhood-level sampling could close equity gap in wastewater disease surveillance

Researchers at Syracuse University found that larger populations with more vulnerable communities struggle with early detection due to dilution. Taking wastewater samples upstream from large treatment plants can detect outbreaks in smaller sub-communities before dilution makes it more difficult.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 27, 2026

Protein helps cells handle stress

Researchers discovered how a yeast protein called Dsk2 forms temporary clusters to gather and process damaged proteins, which can accumulate in diseases like ALS. The study reveals the importance of specific structural features within Dsk2 and offers insights into how cells handle stress and protein quality control.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateApr 15, 2026

How black holes light up the dark

Researchers use high-resolution simulations to model the disruption of stars near supermassive black holes, uncovering details about their mass, spin, and orientation. The study sheds light on the formation of tidal disruption events (TDEs), which offer a unique way to observe these invisible objects.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 14, 2026

Where wells run deep, biodiversity runs thin

Conventional oil and gas infrastructure leaves a deeper mark on freshwater biodiversity than shale gas development in Pennsylvania, according to a new study. The research analyzed over 6,800 benthic macroinvertebrate samples and found conventional development was linked with fewer species and a decline in ecosystem health.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalACS ES&T Water·DateMar 10, 2026

New “lock-and-key” chemistry

Researchers have developed a new chemistry-based strategy to localize therapeutic drugs to tumors, reducing harm to healthy tissues. The 'lock-and-key' system uses biorthogonal supramolecular chemistry to release drugs in specific locations, offering a potential path to safer and more precise cancer treatment.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateFeb 25, 2026

Making every identity count

Syracuse University professor Gabriel Merrin has developed a software tool called CATAcode to help researchers handle demographic data more thoughtfully. The tool addresses the issue of respondents selecting multiple options for characteristics such as race, gender identity, or other traits. By providing systematic approaches for explo...

SourceSyracuse University·JournalAdvances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science·DateFeb 10, 2026

When tropical oceans were oxygen oases

Research reveals that ancient tropical oceans had the highest oxygen concentrations during the Proterozoic Eon, driven by photosynthetic organisms producing oxygen. The study suggests that a critical threshold of atmospheric oxygen led to a shift in ocean biogeochemistry, fundamentally reorganizing oxygen distribution.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 21, 2026

Climate’s impact on earthquakes

Climate changes in Lake Turkana influenced fault activity and magma production, rewriting the story of human evolution. Researchers found that lower lake levels led to increased melting and faulting, with potential implications for future volcanic and tectonic activity in East Africa.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 10, 2025

Transforming cancer treatment with ultrasound

Researchers at Syracuse University have developed a novel method using ultrasound to trigger chemotherapy drugs in targeted areas, minimizing damage to healthy tissues. The approach could lead to safer and more effective cancer treatment, potentially reducing side effects and improving patient outcomes.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalChemical Science·DateNov 4, 2025

Resistance training may improve nerve health, slow aging process, study shows

A study led by Syracuse University researchers found that simple resistance training can improve nerve function in older adults, potentially leading to greater independence and quality of life. The training reactivated fast neurons in the muscles, which deteriorate with age, allowing for faster muscle activation and improved strength.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateSep 17, 2025

Tissue forces help shape developing organs

Researchers at Syracuse University found that slow-moving tissues generate mechanical forces that help sculpt developing organs, such as the zebrafish's body symmetry. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of organ formation and inform treatments for birth defects and other conditions.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 21, 2025

Shortcut to weight loss: No nausea required

Researchers at Syracuse University have identified a new target for treating obesity and diabetes, reducing nausea and vomiting associated with existing treatments. A molecule called tridecaneuropeptide (TDN) produced by brain support cells suppresses appetite and improves glucose processing without adverse effects.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 5, 2025

Fact or fiction? The ADHD info dilemma

A study found that exposure to inaccurate ADHD-related content on TikTok significantly reduced students' accurate understanding of the disorder. Participants who viewed factually incorrect content showed lower accuracy in their ADHD knowledge but reported greater confidence in it afterwards, leading to increased motivation for treatment.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJun 30, 2025

Rock record illuminates oxygen history

A team of researchers from Syracuse University and MIT has uncovered evidence that oxygenation in the ocean—crucial for life as we know it—may have occurred earlier than previously thought. This finding provides new insights into the pace of biological evolution in response to rising oxygen levels.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2025

Optimism can encourage healthy habits

A study by Syracuse University researchers found that optimism promotes healthier behaviors and better psychological well-being in the face of stressors like the pandemic. Individuals with higher optimism levels engaged in more physical activity, perceived greater social support, and were less stressed and lonely.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateFeb 21, 2025

Examining gender inequality in academic publishing

A recent study from Syracuse University found a significant gender gap in management science journals, with only 24% of editors and authors being women. The researchers recommend increasing inclusion and recognizing invisible barriers to promote fair representation.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalThe Leadership Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 12, 2024

Innovative model offers new way for astonomers to analyze powerful space explosions

Astronomers can now analyze powerful space explosions more efficiently using a novel model developed by Syracuse University physicist Eric Coughlin. The model helps track the evolution of shockwaves generated during these events, enabling researchers to infer properties such as energy. Coughlin's research will aid in the detection and ...

SourceSyracuse University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 29, 2024

Scientists untangle interactions between the Earth’s early life forms and the environment over 500 million years

Researchers explored ancient interactions between life and the environment during the Phanerozoic Eon, a period of significant habitability improvements. They found that ocean algae played a crucial role in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and increasing oxygen levels, allowing for the evolution of more complex life forms.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 29, 2024

Caller ID of the sea

Researchers simultaneously tagged many humpback whales from the same pod to analyze their vocalization and compare individual calls. This study provides new information about whale behavior and communication, crucial for informing future conservation efforts.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 25, 2024

Close encounters of the supermassive black hole kind: tidal disruption events and what they can reveal about black holes and stars in distant galaxies

Researchers analyze tidal disruption events (TDEs) to estimate the properties of supermassive black holes and stars. The CN22 model, proposed by Syracuse University researchers, provides a new way forward for understanding TDEs and their implications for galaxy evolution.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 11, 2024

Study reveals wastewater surveillance is key tool in keeping schools open during public health emergencies

A recent study published in PLOS Global Public Health reveals wastewater surveillance is a crucial tool for understanding COVID-19 transmission in schools. The research found high sensitivity and correlation between SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in wastewater and COVID-19 cases, highlighting its potential in managing public health responses.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateJan 11, 2024

Exploring the existence of life at 125°F

Researchers investigate protists in Lassen Volcanic National Park's hot and acidic geothermal lake to gain insight into their evolution and genome biology. They aim to understand how these organisms adapted to survive in extreme environments, which could expand the understanding of life's potential habitats.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 25, 2023

How climate warming could disrupt a deep-rooted relationship

Researchers found that climate change can cause a shift from high to low biomass fungal species, leading to simpler networks between trees. This disruption can have cascading effects on tree performance and ecosystem function. The study suggests that warming and drought may harm forest resilience by breaking down ectomycorrhizal networks.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2023

A machine learning approach to freshwater analysis

A team of researchers from Syracuse University and Texas A&M University applied a machine learning model to explore the sources of salinization and alkalinization in U.S. watersheds. The study found that human activities, such as road salt application, were major contributors to salinity, while natural processes dominated alkalinity.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateJun 14, 2023

‘Fishing’ for biomarkers

A team of researchers from Syracuse University has developed a tiny, nano-sized sensor that can detect protein biomarkers in a sample at single-molecule precision. The sensor is capable of identifying and quantifying specific proteins associated with various hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2023

A star’s unexpected survival

A team of physicists has proposed a model for a repeating partial tidal disruption event, revealing the capture of a star by a supermassive black hole and its repeated stripping of material. The study provides unprecedented insight into the existence of supermassive black holes and the orbital dynamics of stars in galaxy centers.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 13, 2023

Wastewater testing expected to work for most infectious diseases, study says

A recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that wastewater surveillance can detect almost all infectious diseases classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. However, more research is needed to maximize the utility of this powerful science for public health benefit.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 17, 2022

New study investigates how beliefs and political affiliations shape the public’s understanding about racial inequalities

A recent study coauthored by Syracuse University researcher reveals that learning about historical events can increase beliefs in systemic racial inequality and reduce racial resentment among white Republicans. The study suggests exposure to such information can induce more nuanced thinking on contemporary racial inequalities.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalPolitics Groups and Identities·TypeSurvey·DateOct 14, 2022