Paleontologists discovered a new species of marsupial, Unnuakomys hutchisoni, which lived during the Late Cretaceous Period about 69 million years ago. The tiny creature, weighing less than an ounce, adapted to survive four months of winter darkness in the Arctic Circle.
Researchers from University of Colorado at Boulder found that daily household activities like cooking and cleaning release high levels of airborne chemicals, contributing to indoor and outdoor air quality. The study highlights the importance of proper ventilation in homes to minimize health impacts.
Researchers have directly observed an Antarctic ice shelf bending under the weight of ponding meltwater, a phenomenon that may have triggered the 2002 collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf. The study found that meltwater lakes can contain up to two million tons of water, pushing downward on the ice and creating stress.
New research reveals that slower runners can benefit significantly from measures improving 'running economy', such as better footwear and nutrition, resulting in faster finish times. For recreational runners, these methods can lead to substantial improvements, while elite athletes face more limited gains.
Researchers have identified a potential economic opportunity for Greenland by exploiting its abundant river sediment, which has a market value equivalent to half of the country's GDP. Sand export could provide a new revenue stream, but it would require careful assessment of environmental impact and collaboration with local authorities.
Scientists discovered that Antarctic meltwater streams retain their chemical composition regardless of flow rate, with high levels of chemical weathering being the primary mechanism. This finding has implications for understanding stream behavior and predicting water quality changes in temperate watersheds.
Radiocarbon dating reveals ancient plants preserved on Baffin Island have been covered by ice for at least 40,000 years. The findings suggest the region may be experiencing its warmest century in 115,000 years.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that people who strongly oppose genetically modified foods often believe they know more about the topic than they actually do. Despite a scientific consensus on GM food safety and nutritional benefits, many opponents think they are knowledgeable on the subject.
Scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new technique for finding galaxy mergers, which may be crucial for building huge galaxies and forming new stars. The method was tested on data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and successfully identified fusing galaxies 80% of the time.
Chemical synthesis breakthrough offers hope in combating lethal drug-resistant infections; researchers develop efficient, scaleable antibiotics to fight Staphylococcus aureus and other bacterial species.
A new study examines data from 11 western sites to quantify climate change effects on coniferous forests. The researchers found that previous datasets yielded conflicting results depending on the methodology used, highlighting the need for a standard approach.
A new study shows that imagination can be a powerful tool in helping people with fear and anxiety-related disorders overcome them. Brain imaging studies suggest that imagination can alter the way threats are represented in the brain, leading to extinction of fear responses.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found that ozone depletion above Antarctica increases snowfall, partially offsetting the continent's ice sheet mass loss. However, the gains in snowfall are outpaced by an even greater ice loss rate due to warming oceans.
Scientists created ultra-hot quark gluon plasma, a liquid-like state of matter thought to have filled the early universe. They discovered three distinct geometric patterns: circles, ellipses, and triangles.
A new study finds that spinal cord injuries profoundly impact the body's internal clocks, affecting body temperature, hormone fluctuations, immunity, and other bodily processes. The researchers discovered that expression of clock genes was reduced in both injured and uninjured tissue, with implications for recovery.
Researchers found that forest fragmentation decreases transmission of a parasitic nematode in the pale-flecked garden sunskink, with infected skinks being 75% less likely to carry the parasites. Habitat disruption can lead to dramatic changes in ecosystem dynamics.
Researchers used detailed dataset to identify factors causing speedup and slowdown of tidewater glacier, finding geometry of fjord bed plays critical role. The study may help predict how tidewater glaciers contribute to sea level rise.
A new study highlights the previously underexplored consequence of wake effects from upwind wind farms on downwind neighbors' energy production. The research demonstrates that these effects are measurable and predictable yet remain largely unaccounted for in current U.S. property law.
Researchers warn that Antarctica's ice sheet, which holds 190 feet of potential sea level rise, is under stress due to increasing meltwater on its surface. This could lead to the collapse of ice shelves and increased flow of ice into the ocean, contributing to global sea level rise.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder geoscientists sheds light on the hidden world beneath our feet, revealing how rainfall affects the depth of the critical zone. The researchers found that a shallow critical zone forms under dry conditions, while a thick one forms in wet conditions.
A CU Boulder study found a surprisingly strong correlation between warmer winters and higher violent crime rates in the US. The research used powerful climate analysis techniques to investigate year-to-year fluctuations in climate and crime rates, revealing a strong relationship between temperature and crime in winter months.
A new brain imaging study found that when subjects expect more heat, brain regions involved in threat and fear are more activated, leading to increased pain perception. The study also showed that positive expectations can have the opposite effects, suggesting a potential link between negative expectations and chronic pain.
A recent study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that academic ideas tend to spread faster from highly-ranked universities, even when the quality of the idea is mediocre. This suggests a power imbalance in academia, where elite institutions have an advantage in spreading their research to others.
Researchers at CU Boulder discovered statistical rules governing fire ant colonies' flexibility, which may help craft smart polymers and swarming robots. The findings could also aid in understanding dynamic networks in nature, including human cells.
Researchers found that barn swallow subspecies evolved independently of humans but in sync with human expansion and settlement, suggesting a significant link between the two species. The study suggests a 'founder event' where swallows rapidly expanded into new environments alongside humans.
Researchers found Mycobacterium bacteria thriving in US showerheads, particularly in areas with high rates of lung disease. The study also revealed geographic patterns and material-specific influences on bacterial growth.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder found that amyloid-like structures play a beneficial role in the development of healthy muscle tissue during regeneration. The discovery sheds new light on potential origins of diseases such as ALS, inclusion body myopathy, and muscular dystrophy.
Researchers have successfully scaled up a water-cooling system that can provide continuous day-and-night radiative cooling for structures. The low-cost hybrid organic-inorganic metamaterial can be scaled into an array small enough to fit on most rooftops and act as a natural air conditioner with minimal electricity consumption.
Engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a 3D printing method that allows for fine-grain control over rigidity, enabling the creation of complex geometries similar to those found in blood vessels. This technology could lead to personalized treatments for hypertension and vascular diseases.
A new study presents a unified path for development and conservation, considering the needs of both people and nature. By using leading projections and aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, researchers envision a world in 2050 where human well-being and nature thrive together.
A CU Boulder-led study found that targeted training can improve spatial reasoning skills in young adults, increasing their performance in geoscience classes. After one semester, 70% of trained students showed significant improvement in spatial skills, with many reporting enhanced abilities in other science classes.
Astronomers successfully collected microscopic material streaming from Saturn's rings using Cassini's Cosmic Dust Analyzer and Radio and Plasma Wave Science instruments. The research reveals that the main component of Saturn's rings is water ice, with tiny silicates also present.
A neuroscientist is studying the neural mechanisms behind attachment and bereavement using prairie voles. The findings could help inform treatment for people who have trouble forming emotional connections, such as those with autism or depression.
A team of researchers from CU Boulder has discovered that stagnant slabs, which form when oceanic plates are forced deep underground, may be caused by a thin layer of weak material at the boundary of the planet's upper and lower mantle. This discovery could change how scientists think about tectonics and volcanism on Earth's surface.
A new study by CU Boulder-led researchers reveals that the Vavilov Ice Cap has dramatically accelerated, losing massive amounts of ice mass and challenging scientists' assumptions. The rapid collapse raises concerns for glaciers in other polar regions.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered a critical mechanism in skin development, shedding light on genetic roots of birth defects like cleft palate. The study sheds new light on how p63 regulates key signaling pathways involved in hair follicle and sweat gland formation.
A new study found that rainy years lead to a 3.9% spike in snake bites across California's 58 counties, contradicting the notion that drought increases encounters with venomous reptiles. The researchers suspect that rodents, which thrive in rainy conditions, may be the primary driver of this unexpected trend.
A new study finds that alpine ecosystems take decades to recover from high levels of nitrogen air pollution, with soil acidification and biodiversity lingering long after emission rates decrease. Researchers used a 12-year field experiment to test the extent to which ecosystems can reverse the effects of nitrogen deposition.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder develop Controlled Hindrance of Adaptation of OrganismS (CHAOS) approach to disrupt gene expressions in bacteria, effectively stunting their ability to evolve defenses. The method offers a sustainable long-term solution to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs that infect nearly 2 million p...
A new study projects a 50-100% increase in pest-induced crop losses in European wheat and 30-40% increases in North American maize, even with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Insect population growth is expected to be fueled by warmer temperatures, leading to significant pressure on grain producers.
A new study reveals China's air quality is worse than the US, Europe, Japan, and South Korea in terms of surface ozone levels. The country experiences more high ozone days than any other nation, posing a significant threat to human health and crops.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a shape-shifting material that can transform into complex, pre-programmed shapes via light and temperature stimuli. The controllable material could have broad applications for manufacturing, robotics, and biomedical devices.
A new study reveals that E. coli produces a compound called enterobactin, which helps cells absorb iron, benefiting the host in the process. This discovery could lead to more effective therapies for iron deficiency anemia, impacting over 1 billion people worldwide.
Adolescents with conduct and substance use problems are five times more likely to die prematurely than their peers. Conduct disorder is a powerful predictor of early mortality, beyond substance use problems.
Climate change is projected to double rain-on-snow flood risk in the Sierra Nevada, Colorado River headwaters, and Canadian Rocky Mountains by the end of this century. This could lead to a 200% increase in localized flood risk and strain existing infrastructure.
Researchers have uncovered tantalizing clues to the origins of persistent gravity waves in Antarctica, suggesting two possible sources: lower-level waves breaking and re-exciting new waves, or polar vortex winds. Studying these waves is crucial for improving climate and weather models.
An international research team has identified more than 1,200 genetic variants associated with educational attainment. The study found that a polygenic score developed from these variants can predict 11-13% of the variation in years of completed schooling, comparable to demographic factors like household income.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder and NIST have developed a device that converts microwave energy into laser light, crucial for sending quantum signals. The team's innovation could one day enable huge networks of quantum computers to communicate efficiently.
Researchers from CIRES and NOAA are utilizing drones and tethered balloons to collect weather data in the Arctic, filling critical gaps in atmospheric measurements. These unmanned technologies provide a comprehensive understanding of the region's lower atmosphere, enabling more accurate weather and climate forecasts.
Researchers found temperatures as low as -98 degrees Celsius in small valleys near the top of Antarctica's ice sheet, driven by persistent clear skies and extremely dry air. The study challenges current understanding of Earth's surface temperatures, suggesting a limit to how cold it can get.