Physicists at the University of Chicago have measured nanoscale forces causing droplet formation in a falling stream of tiny glass beads. The resulting 'granular liquid' exhibits surface tension 100,000 times smaller than that found in ordinary liquids.
A new species of parrot-beaked dinosaur, Psittacosaurus gobiensis, has been discovered in the Gobi Desert with characteristic skull traits and associated gizzard stones suggesting a diet rich in nuts and seeds. The unique chewing style of the dinosaur provides insight into its feeding habits.
New research using meteorite grains reveals that the material incorporated into Earth's planets and life has younger cosmic roots than previously thought. The study found that most of these grains spent less time in interstellar space than estimated, with some as young as 3 million years old.
Researchers developed an electronic glue to overcome a hurdle in semiconductor nanocrystal manufacturing. The innovation increases electronic coupling between nanocrystals, paving the way for mass-produced, low-cost device applications.
Researchers found a biological link between tumors and negative mood changes in animal models, suggesting that tumor-induced molecules may be responsible for depression. The study also showed that disruptions in gene expression and stress hormone production are associated with tumor development.
The QUIET team will deploy a new gravity-wave probe in June to test the existence of cosmic inflation. The probe aims to detect remnants of the universe's earliest moments, when space expanded faster than light.
The Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago is using modern technology to digitally record thousands of ancient Persian Empire tablets. The project, supported by a substantial grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, aims to record about 10,000 tablets and fragments by 2010.
Jeanne Century highlights complexity of educational reform efforts, citing difficulties in replicating best practices across different contexts. She proposes Researchers Without Borders project to address disciplinary and institutional barriers hindering lasting reform.
A new approach has been developed to reconcile the conflict between fossil and molecular data in evolutionary studies. A recent study found a strong match between the two methods, with lineages defined by their physical appearance showing an imperfect but very good fit to molecular data.
A National University of Chicago study found that elderly individuals experiencing loneliness face higher risks for poorer mental and physical health. Those who adapt to alone time without developing strong feelings of loneliness tend to fare better.
A 90-million-year-old dinosaur herd composed entirely of juveniles of the Sinornithomimus species was discovered in the Gobi Desert. The site provides a rare snapshot of social behavior, suggesting that immature individuals were left to fend for themselves when adults were preoccupied with nesting or brooding.
A study published in Psychological Science reveals that hand movements can aid in creating new math concepts and aid learning. Fourth-grade students who repeated a specific gesture during a lesson solved more problems correctly than those who only spoke the words or partially correct gestures.
The University of Chicago is launching a large-scale collaboration to develop a computational modeling tool that will help policymakers make informed decisions on climate and energy policy. The new framework, CIM-EARTH, will analyze and predict the effects of climate policy decisions on the global economy.
The University of Chicago's Biophysical Sciences program has received a $2 million training grant to provide intensive interdisciplinary training for graduate students. The program, led by Adam Hammond, aims to produce scientists conversant across disciplines and able to combine multiple methods in new ways.
Researchers using South Pole Telescope aim to detect extremely weak gravity waves produced by cosmic inflation. The detection could provide conclusive evidence for the theory, ruling out competing ideas for the universe's origin.
Research shows that deaf children in Nicaragua create their own gesture systems, combining with homemade signs to form a new language-like system. This homesigning enables them to develop Nicaraguan Sign Language, a complex communication system that surpasses conventional spoken languages.
Researchers used fMRI scans to study the connection between loneliness and brain activity. The study found that lonely individuals showed reduced activity in the ventral striatum, a region associated with rewards, when viewing pleasant settings. In contrast, non-lonely individuals showed increased activity in this region.
Researchers at the University of Chicago found that ground squirrels can reconnect with their siblings' smells after prolonged hibernation. This ability is crucial for survival and social bonding in these animals.
Research at the University of Chicago found that children who convey more meanings with gestures at 14 months have larger vocabularies at 54 months, indicating better school preparedness. The study also showed differences in parent gesture use between high- and low-income families.
Mass transportation ranks 10th with a positive score of +40.8, up from 2002. Education remains top priority, followed by health care. Support for infrastructure spending increases following the Minneapolis bridge collapse in 2007. The General Social Survey found growing public support for mass transit and infrastructure spending.
A global analysis of marine bivalves reveals the echo of ancient mass extinction, with the recovery rate persisting despite latitudinal differences. The study found that the initial post-extinction boom never really fizzled out, but instead slowed to a crawl without returning to pre-extinction levels.
Solarmer Energy Inc. is working on a new plastic solar cell technology that achieves 8% efficiency and has a lifetime of at least three years. The invention, PTB1, converts sunlight into electricity using a semiconducting material with a thickness of just 100 nanometers.
A study by Boaz Keysar and colleagues found that negative reciprocity, or taking, escalates in social exchanges, leading to irrational feuds. In contrast, acts of giving are perceived as more generous, encouraging pro-social exchanges.
Young zebra finches learn new songs when they practice singing and then sleep, with changes in brain activity during sleep reflecting the tutor song and auditory feedback. This discovery provides insight into the role of sleep in learning and suggests a general mechanism for learning new skills.
A chemist at the University of Chicago has developed a new method to predict many-electron chemistry using only two electrons, allowing for faster and more accurate chemical reaction predictions. This breakthrough could lead to significant advances in fields such as atmospheric ozone depletion, greenhouse gas reduction, and drug design.
A new study reveals ocean acidification is occurring at a rate 10 times faster than previously predicted, posing severe threats to marine food webs and species diversity. The increasing acidity of the ocean harms certain sea animals and could reduce its ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Archaeologists discovered an 800-pound basalt stele at Zincirli, a major Iron Age site in southeastern Turkey. The stele features an incised image of the man Kuttamuwa and provides written evidence that people believed the soul was separate from the body.
Researchers found that a night's sleep restored abilities lost after 12 hours of training, and protected memory against loss over the next day. Sleep consolidation may help in learning language processes and eye-hand skills.
Comet particles from Wild 2 provide a glimpse of the solar system's early convulsions, flinging primordial material out into the cold regions. The particles contain minerals formed at high temperatures, suggesting transport from the inner to outer solar system.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have successfully induced slower cooling of electrons in nanocrystals, a breakthrough that could improve laser devices and photovoltaic technology. This effect is expected to increase bandwidth for communication satellites and lead to more efficient solar power generation.
Research using brain scans at the University of Chicago found that aggressive youth activated neural circuits underpinning pain processing when watching pain inflicted on others. The study suggests some aggressive youths' natural empathetic impulse may be disrupted, increasing aggression.
New research finds bacteria can directly cause human blood to clot by forming clusters, a process previously thought lost in vertebrate evolution. This discovery may lead to new clinical methods for treating sepsis and anthrax, improving understanding of coagulation during bacterial infections.
Researchers have invented a device called chemistrode that can stimulate, record and analyze molecular signals at high resolution. The device can be used on any surface and has the potential to study diseases such as diabetes and neurology disorders.
Scientists from three universities will establish a new center to develop state-of-the-art chemical libraries, increasing the efficiency of compound synthesis. The center aims to identify new compounds for future drug development and basic biomedical research.
A new dinosaur discovery from Argentina reveals the presence of air sacs in a 10-meter-long predatory dinosaur, Aerosteon riocoloradensis, which shares characteristics with birds. This finding supports decades of research suggesting that birds evolved from dinosaurs.
A team of astronomers has discovered a potential 'wild cousin' of the infamous exploding star supernova 1987A in a nearby galaxy. The newly found supernova, SN1996cr, exhibits similar characteristics to '87A and is an impressive 1,000 times brighter.
Researchers have discovered a way to make magnetic sensors capable of operating at high temperatures, overcoming the limitations of conventional sensors. By introducing slight degradation or impurities into indium antimonide samples, scientists can recreate the effect that was previously observed only at low temperatures.
Research at the University of Chicago shows that playing sports or watching them improves language skills for discussing their sport. The brain's motor areas are activated when listening to conversations about a sport, even if there's no intention to act.
Dinoflagellates have evolved a unique way to pack their genetic material into compact chromosomes without using histones. This discovery raises questions about the evolution of chromosomes and whether dinoflagellates once had histones but lost them. The study provides new insights into the biochemical basis of chromosome formation.
A University of Chicago study found that over 13% of elderly Americans experience mistreatment, with verbal and financial abuse being the most prevalent forms. The study also revealed wide variations in mistreatment depending on age and ethnicity.
A new study reveals that a history of sexually transmitted disease increases the risk of sexual dysfunction in older adults. The study found that physical health and mental health are significant factors contributing to sexual problems in both men and women, with certain demographics experiencing specific challenges.
Researchers used fMRI scans to study children's responses to pain and found that their brains showed similar activation patterns to adults. The study also discovered additional brain regions activated when children saw someone intentionally hurt by another individual.
The discovery at Tell Edfu sheds light on the emergence of urban life in ancient Egypt, revealing a prosperous urban center with grain silos that functioned as banks and food sources. The site provides new information about the development of cities in Egypt, challenging traditional views that focused on monumental architecture.
Studies of 40 speakers from four languages show consistent use of subject-object-verb order in gestures, contradicting linguistic assumptions. This natural ordering suggests that humans may shape language through nonverbal thought processes.
Scientists have discovered a new tool for reconstructing planetary origins using iron isotopes in lava samples from the Kilauea Iki crater. The findings contradict previous views on isotopic variations and provide evidence for a giant collision between Earth and another large object to form the moon.
A team of researchers, led by Stephanie Wachter and Vikram Dwarkadas, investigated the mysterious ring surrounding magnetar SGR 1900+14. They concluded that a powerful flare from the magnetar formed the ring, which measures seven light-years across.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have explained the physics governing how thin materials transition from wrinkles to folds under compression. The study's findings have implications for the design of foldable electronics and the production of synthetic lung surfactant for therapeutic uses, with potential applications in both fields.
Researchers are simulating Type Ia supernovas to better understand dark energy, a mysterious force causing the universe's expansion. The Blue Gene/P supercomputer will analyze how burning occurs in four possible scenarios leading to these exploding stars.
Scientists have determined the crystal structures of two DNA-repair proteins, AlkB and ABH2, which repair alkylation damage to DNA. This discovery could lead to designing molecules that interfere with the repair process, making cancer treatment more effective.
A recent study by the University of Chicago found that happiness in America increases with age, with older adults reporting higher levels of contentment. The research also discovered that baby boomers are less happy than other generations, while economic fluctuations can impact national happiness levels.