Add BrightSurf on Google Email

University of Colorado at Boulder


Why some stroke patients fare better than others

A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals how the brain's defense mechanism can backfire, forming micro-clots that damage tissue after the original clot is gone. This phenomenon, known as no reflow, affects up to 50% of stroke patients and can lead to long-term disability or death.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2026

Can leaderless societies get stuff done? Ask the honeybees

A study suggests that decentralized strategies of decision making are at least as good as centrally coordinated ones, especially in situations where a central coordinator's loss leaves the group vulnerable. The model found that leaderless groups can be more resilient by having multiple pathways for communication.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 22, 2026

What gets published? Sweeping analysis shows prestige, topic and location matter most

A University of Colorado Boulder-led study analyzed over 110,000 manuscript submissions to top-tier scientific journals, revealing that prestige, topic, and location matter most in determining publication. The study found a significant disadvantage for authors based in China and those studying social sciences.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 15, 2026

Indonesia’s air quality got worse after China banned plastic waste imports

A new study by Ellen Considine and Rachel Nethery shows that Indonesia's air pollution increased in 2018 and 2019 due to the diversion of plastic waste from China, which was previously a major import source. The team used satellite data to evaluate changes in fine particulate matter at 356 open dump sites in Indonesia.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of the Royal Statistical Society Series C (Applied Statistics)·DateJun 2, 2026

Watching carbon capture in action

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have built an instrument that lets them study direct air capture (DAC) in detail. The custom-designed laboratory flow cell enables accurate spatial mapping of the reaction's kinetics in real-time, shedding light on how efficiently the system works and how it should be designed.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateMay 19, 2026

Diseases can spread between apartments via shared ventilation, study shows

A study found that airborne viruses can spread between separated indoor spaces through shared bathroom ventilation systems. The study, conducted in a high-rise building in Spain, confirmed COVID-19 transmission through vertical ventilation shafts, highlighting the risk of disease transmission in older buildings.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 13, 2026

Mental and physical illnesses go hand in hand. A new genetic study helps explain why

A recent genetic study analyzing DNA from 2 million people found that similar chunks of DNA are associated with both psychiatric disorders like depression and PTSD, as well as various physical ailments. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments that address both mental and physical health.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2026

Political polarization can spur CO2 emissions, stymie climate action

A new study found that countries with more partisan hostility emit significantly more CO2 from power plants, hindering climate regulation. In contrast, countries like Great Britain, which framed the shift towards renewable energy as a national endeavor, have been able to rein in their worst-polluting facilities.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2026

Battling the other 'Alzheimer's protein': Studies ID a novel way to stop toxic tau

Scientists have discovered a new strategy to prevent the formation of toxic tau tangles in brain cells, which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. By targeting polyserine, an amino acid chain that drives tau misfolding, researchers have found a potential preventative treatment for tauopathies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2026

What causes chronic pain? New study identifies key culprit in the brain

Researchers have discovered a neural circuit hidden in an understudied region of the brain plays a critical role in turning temporary pain into chronic pain. Silencing this pathway can prevent or halt chronic pain, offering new hope for treating severe chronic pain with injections or infusions targeting specific brain cells.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNeuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2026