Research found that college students in Colorado increased their daily sleep time by 30 minutes and kept more regular sleep schedules after stay-at-home orders. Post-pandemic, students also met the CDC's minimum seven hours of recommended sleep, with some sleeping up to two extra hours nightly.
A decades-long study found that youth programs can have lasting positive effects on both participants and their children. The program, Raising Healthy Children, demonstrated benefits in behavior problems, developmental delays, and cognitive maturity.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new method for smart window technology that uses reversible metal electrodeposition to control tinting. The process is cheaper, more effective, and more durable than current options on the market.
Researchers at CU Boulder have discovered a synthetic molecule that mimics natural antifreeze proteins, minimizing freeze-thaw damage and increasing the strength of concrete. This new method challenges conventional approaches and has the potential to reduce costs and decrease carbon emissions.
A new animal study suggests that exposure to beneficial microorganisms during pregnancy may prevent an autism-like disorder in offspring. The study found that rats given a heat-killed preparation of Mycobacterium vaccae showed no signs of autism-like behavior, unlike those who were stressed and administered terbutaline.
A new study suggests that implementing orbital-use fees for satellites in orbit could reduce collision risk and increase the industry's long-run value. The fees, which would be calculated based on projected costs of additional collision risk and space debris production, could quadruple the value of the satellite industry by 2040.
A study by Kris Karnauskas found that a marine heatwave followed by a terrestrial one, exacerbated by global warming, led to the massive coral bleaching event. The warm water persisted for months, causing extensive damage to the ecosystem and drastically changing species composition.
A recent brain imaging study suggests that the absence of a partner can strengthen the motivation to reunite, potentially driving the instinct to form lasting bonds. The research found unique clusters of cells in the brain associated with reunion and social distancing, shedding light on why social distancing is tough.
Researchers have discovered how carboxysomes work and can be accurately measured, leading to potential breakthroughs in renewable fuels production and plant growth. The study also reveals a possible route to developing novel antibiotics targeting bacterial microcompartments.
CU Boulder researchers developed a method to predict ocean acidity up to five years in advance, providing crucial information for fisheries and communities. The new approach leverages historical climate model forecasts to improve prediction accuracy.
Scientists have long struggled to explain the 'Great Unconformity,' a phenomenon where ancient rocks sit atop much younger sediment. New research suggests that multiple smaller events may have triggered these unconformities worldwide. The findings could help better understand the origins of complex life during the Cambrian Explosion.
The Southern Ocean's biodiversity is at risk due to current marine protected areas, which are insufficient to represent the region's unique habitats and species. To address this, a new study suggests doubling existing protected areas to better safeguard biodiversity and resilience in the face of climate change.
A new study found that weakened wind patterns and a thinner ocean mixed layer fueled the record-breaking 2019 marine heat wave, dubbed Blob 2.0, which damaged marine ecosystems and hurt coastal fisheries.
New research from CU Boulder suggests that as much as two-thirds of western states will lose their ability to predict seasonal drought using snowpack by mid-century. Coastal areas and regions at lower elevations will be most affected, leading to increased reliance on reservoirs and potential water supply complications.
A new study led by CU Boulder suggests that continued CO2 emissions will significantly reduce our basic decision-making ability and complex strategic thinking. Indoor CO2 levels could reach up to 1400 parts per million, leading to a 25% reduction in basic decision-making ability and a 50% reduction in complex strategic thinking.
Researchers have found that neutrinos and antineutrinos behave differently, providing a possible explanation for the universe's dominant matter content. The T2K experiment detected subtle discrepancies in their oscillation rates, shedding light on physics' deepest mysteries.
Scientists have found that liquid meltwater from Greenland's glaciers can flow deep below the ice sheet during winter, raising questions about sea-level rise and future climate change. This discovery highlights the need for year-round Arctic hydrological investigations to understand how meltwater moves through the ice sheet.
A new study found that mother cells decide whether their daughter cells will divide based on environmental growth factors. The discovery could lead to longer windows for cancer drug therapies.
Researchers found that Russian troll ads using fear and anger appeals worked well in getting people to engage, with a clickthrough rate of 9.2%. The study analyzed over 2,500 ads placed by the Internet Research Agency in 2016 and found that inflammatory language, such as cuss words and threats, was particularly effective.
A new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder has found that the international ozone treaty has stopped changes in Southern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation. The Montreal Protocol, which phased out ozone-depleting chemicals, has driven recent reversals in these patterns.
Researchers discovered that when cyanobacteria cells become too crowded, they shut down photosynthesis as a defense mechanism. This phenomenon allows the cells to slow down growth and avoid rupture, providing insights into how organisms regulate this essential process.
New research finds that autism prevalence is increasing among poor and minority groups in California, while decreasing in wealthier areas. This trend suggests a growing economic and racial divide in autism risk factors.
Researchers have found that Madagascar's forest cats are domestic cats from the Arabian Sea region, potentially introduced hundreds of years ago via trade ships. This discovery raises concerns about the impact on native species and ecosystems, particularly the fossa, a forest predator facing extinction.
A new study published in Environment International links poor air quality to changes in the human gut microbiome, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. Young adults exposed to higher levels of ozone showed less microbial diversity and more species associated with obesity and disease.
Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a low-cost solar cell with one of the highest power-conversion efficiencies to date by layering perovskite cells on top of silicon cells. The new technology increases efficiency by up to 27% and is more affordable than current silicon-based cells.
Researchers found that prebiotic dietary fiber can influence gut bacteria and produce bioactive molecules that may modulate stress physiology and sleep. The study used mass spectrometry to analyze rats' fecal samples and found that those on the prebiotic diet had a different metabolome, including higher levels of fatty acids and sugars.
Researchers discovered that the ratio of oxygen isotopes in ancient ocean rocks suggests a global ocean covered most of the planet's surface at that time. This finding could help scientists understand how single-cell organisms first emerged on Earth.
Researchers used mathematical models to simulate social interactions and found that people's decisions can be influenced by others' indecisiveness. The study's findings could inform strategies to combat misinformation on the internet and provide insights into how people make choices in real-world scenarios.
Researchers used radar and tools to accurately measure the volume of snow produced through cloud seeding. The study found that three cloud seeding events in Idaho's Payette Basin produced a total of about 282 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water.
A University of Colorado Boulder study challenges the International Paralympic Committee's rule requiring double, below-the-knee amputees to race at a shorter height. The research shows that blade shape and stiffness, not height, impact speed, with elite athletes achieving speeds up to 8% faster in certain prosthetic configurations.
A new international advisory system is working to keep aircraft crew and passengers safe from space weather impacts. The system predicts disruptions from solar activity and helps airlines adjust flight paths to minimize impacts on navigation and communications systems.
Researchers analyzed 16 application cycles for Hubble Space Telescope time allocations and found that stripping out personal info can nearly eliminate gender bias. Female lead scientists performed slightly better than men when proposals were completely anonymized, indicating a more equitable review process.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that social media makes breakups harder to get distance from due to constant reminders and encounters with exes. Even when users take measures to remove their exes from their online lives, social media returns them multiple times a day.
New research found that high-elevation forests in Colorado's southern Rocky Mountains have a good chance of recovery after overlapping bark beetle outbreaks. However, foraging elk and deer are slowing the process by browsing smaller trees and stunting their growth.
A recent study by the University of Colorado Boulder and Rutgers University explores the impact of nuclear war on the world's oceans. The research finds that smoke generated by detonated warheads could shift ocean acidification patterns and rob waters of essential building blocks for organisms like corals.
A new CU Boulder-led study finds that abrupt permafrost thaw is a significant contributor to climate change, with potential carbon emissions doubling previous estimates. The rapid thawing of permafrost in the Arctic region has severe consequences on landscapes and ecosystems.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found a 6% increase in fatal car crashes during the workweek following daylight saving time. The risk is higher for those living on the western edge of their time zone, where sleep deprivation and darkness can contribute to crashes.
A recent study by the University of Colorado at Boulder found that US birth weights have fallen significantly due to increasing rates of cesarean deliveries and inductions. The average length of pregnancy decreased from 40 weeks to 39 weeks, resulting in a decline of 67 grams (about 2.4 oz) in baby weight over 23 years.
A CU Boulder-led study reveals human-sparked fires are becoming more frequent and occurring over longer seasons, presenting new challenges for U.S. wildfire managers and firefighters. The shift toward more human-caused fires results in decreased fire intensity and size, but may not be a good thing due to changes in ecosystem roles.
A new CU Boulder-led study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that judges deny minors' abortion requests with impunity, potentially due to personal political biases. The study analyzed data from Texas over 18 years and found that judges denied cases by up to 13%.
Satellite data reveals significant increases in nitrogen dioxide pollution from oil and gas production sites in the US, particularly in the Permian, Bakken, and Eagle Ford basins. The study uses a new inventory to confirm trends and provides valuable insights for addressing emissions in a cost-efficient manner.
A new study suggests that Neanderthals may have spent time at the beach and dove into the Mediterranean Sea to gather clam shells. Researchers found that nearly three-quarters of shell tools had been sanded down, indicating they were collected from the seafloor.
University of Colorado Boulder researchers have created a new approach to designing sustainable buildings using bacteria. The team developed bricks that can heal themselves, remove carbon dioxide from the air, and reproduce, offering a lower-carbon alternative to traditional materials.
A study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that global warming could lead to a significant rise in violent crime rates in the United States. The research team used climate data and an FBI crime database to identify regional connections between warming and crime rates, particularly in winter.
A new study has quantified small levels of iodine in the stratosphere and links it to ozone layer decline. The research suggests that air pollution from the surface can trigger ozone destruction higher in the atmosphere.
Researchers suggest a ring-like structure in the early solar system may have created a compositional dichotomy between terrestrial and jovian planets. This division may have led to the presence of organic molecules on Earth, supporting life.
A three-year study found concussions are twice as prevalent as previously believed and occur significantly more often off the playing field. The research also showed that females are more susceptible to concussions and that incidence is higher among non-sport-related activities, such as falls and motor vehicle accidents.
A new machine learning tool can analyze massive amounts of satellite data to detect significant features for space weather. The algorithm identifies patterns that humans may miss, enabling faster and more accurate forecasts.
A team of researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder has solved the structure of the Facilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT) protein, a key player in DNA packaging and gene expression. The discovery sheds light on how this protein maintains the integrity of chromatin during transcription, replication, and DNA damage repair.
A new study suggests that global temperatures are causing the 'eternal ice' in the Sayan Mountains to melt faster than ever, threatening the livelihoods of traditional reindeer herders. This loss of cultural heritage could have long-lasting impacts on human knowledge and adaptation.