A new study by the University of Colorado at Boulder estimates US oil and gas methane emissions are 60% higher than previously thought, with most emissions coming from leaks and equipment malfunctions. The study finds that repairing these leaks could reduce emissions by an estimated $2 billion annually.
A team of researchers has discovered the last reservoir of ordinary matter hiding in the universe, located in the space between galaxies. The finding is significant as it fills in the gap of about 30% of missing baryons predicted by theorists.
A large observational study found that middle-to-older aged women who are naturally early to bed and rise have a significantly lower risk of developing depression. After accounting for environmental factors, the study shows a modest link between chronotype and depression risk.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new approach to detecting cyberbullying on social media networks like Instagram. The technique combines multiple computing tools to scan large amounts of data and send alerts to parents or administrators in real-time, with an accuracy rate of 70%.
A new study reveals that RNA changes played a crucial role in the domestication of sunflowers, allowing for rapid evolutionary transformation over 5,000 years. The researchers identified key genes and regulatory mechanisms involved in alternative splicing, which created useful efficiencies but also introduced variation.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that single activations of black holes occur more often in mismatched galaxy mergers, where one galaxy is huge and the other is puny. This is because violent collisions lead to less gas and dust falling onto black holes, making it less likely for two black holes to become active.
Researchers found that immunizing with Mycobacterium vaccae creates a lasting stress-resilient phenotype in the brain by blocking sensitizing effects of stress. This could lead to new probiotic-based immunizations for PTSD and anxiety, or treatments for depression.
The 2017 US wildfire season was exacerbated by a series of extreme events, including a wet winter, hot summer, and dry fall. Climate change likely played a role in fueling the fires, while human activity contributed to ignition, with nearly 90% of wildfires sparked by people.
Researchers at CU Boulder propose that 'detached objects' like Sedna may result from the collective gravity of these bodies and space debris in the outer solar system. Computer simulations suggest that these icy objects orbit the sun like the hands of a clock, with smaller objects moving faster than larger ones.
Researchers found that phosphorus addition allows microbes to rapidly grow in previously thought to be uninhabitable sites. This challenges previous ecological assumptions and expands understanding of life's limits on Earth.
Researchers found that just one simulated night shift altered levels and time-of-day patterns of over 100 proteins in the blood. These disruptions can lead to higher diabetes rates and decreased energy expenditure, highlighting the importance of timing treatments around the circadian clock.
New NOAA study reveals unexpected increase in CFC-11 emissions, likely from new production sources in eastern Asia. This rise in emissions threatens the ozone layer recovery, with significant delays expected if remedied soon.
Researchers found a single species of bacteria in Laguna Caliente lake water, a toxic environment that resembles ancient Mars hot springs. This discovery may help scientists searching for signs of life on Mars.
Researchers have created a new superconductor with a critical temperature over 6 Kelvin, which could enable the development of ultrafast and powerful computers. The electroplated rhenium material is non-toxic, easy to work with mechanically, and melts at high temperatures.
A new study published in PNAS found that children raised in rural environments with animals have more stress-resilient immune systems and lower risk of mental illness than pet-free city dwellers. The research supports the 'hygiene hypothesis,' which posits that overly sterile environments can breed health problems.
Researchers found that taking a mitochondrial-specific antioxidant supplement improved blood vessel dilation by 42%, making them appear younger. The improvement was due to reduced oxidative stress and associated with a 13% reduction in heart disease risk.
Researchers at CU Boulder explore galaxy NGC 6240 with two supermassive black holes, revealing how stellar winds and black hole winds combine to power down star formation. The study creates a massive cloud of gas in the shape of a butterfly, significantly impacting the galaxy's evolution.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that post-surgical opioids can lead to chronic pain in rats for more than three weeks. The researchers discovered that opioids stimulate specialized immune cells in the spinal cord, making them more reactive to pain, and that gradual tapering has no effect on the prolonged pain.
New University of Colorado Boulder research suggests that limiting warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit would reduce the likelihood of an ice-free Arctic summer to 30 percent by 2100. In contrast, warming by 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit would make at least one ice-free summer certain.
A new University of Colorado Boulder study found that consuming nicotinamide riboside (NR) daily improves blood pressure and arterial health, particularly in those with mild hypertension. The supplement mimics caloric restriction's key chemical pathways responsible for its health benefits.
University of Colorado Boulder engineers are developing a proof of concept for wireless power transfer that can transmit electrical energy through electric fields at high frequencies. This technology has the potential to enable electric vehicles to charge on the go, reducing the need for frequent charging stations and increasing drivin...
A new field instrument can quantify methane leaks as tiny as one-quarter of a human exhalation from nearly a mile away. The revamped laser technology provides game-changing information for safe industry operations and controlling harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
A new map by University of Colorado Boulder researchers shows wide variability in how and why different areas receive snow or rain. Coastal areas have a cooler threshold for rain, while inland and mountainous areas are more likely to see flurries even above freezing temperatures.
A University of Colorado Boulder study shows that cash payments can induce people to conserve nature longer term, even after payments are discontinued. Participants who received cash incentives cut down 48% fewer trees and continued to conserve even after payments stopped.
Research reveals that preschoolers' production of sleep-promoting hormone melatonin is suppressed for at least 50 minutes after exposure to bright light. This finding highlights the potential risks of electronic use in young children's sleep and circadian rhythms.
A recent study published in PNAS found that holding hands can synchronize brain wave patterns and reduce pain. The study also discovered that empathy plays a crucial role in this phenomenon, with more empathetic partners experiencing greater brain activity sync.
Climate warming is taking a toll on forest health in subalpine regions of Colorado's Front Range, hindering the establishment of spruce and fir trees. The study found that only three years out of 40 have been conducive to seedling establishment, compared to seven favorable years during the prior 40.
Warmer, drier conditions led to a 25-year decline in Northern rock jasmine populations, ultimately causing local extinction. The study highlights the challenge of developing management policies for threatened populations.
A new study finds that consumer and industrial products are a dominant urban air pollution source, contributing as much as the transportation sector. Particle-forming emissions from chemical products are twice as high as those from vehicles, causing lung damage.
A research team detected an acceleration in global sea level rise over the last 25 years, with a potential doubling of total sea level rise by 2100. The rate is increasing by about 0.08 mm/year every year, driven mainly by accelerated melting in Greenland and Antarctica.
The new CU Boulder e-skin has sensors embedded to measure pressure, temperature, humidity and air flow. It can be easily conformed to curved surfaces and is fully recyclable at room temperature, making it a valuable material for diverse medical, scientific and engineering fields.
Researchers discovered molecular evidence of obligate symbiosis in lichens, where fungal organisms streamline their genomes to coexist with algae. This finding suggests a genetic division of labor that makes the resulting lichen more efficient, potentially conferring an ecological advantage.
Researchers found that the Moon's excessive equatorial bulge formed slowly over four billion years ago as it receded from Earth. The study suggests a weaker young Sun may have enabled this process, with implications for our understanding of Earth's early energy dissipation.
A new study reveals that the collapse of the Laurentide Ice Sheet in North America approximately 16,000 years ago led to significant climate variations in West Antarctica and the tropical Pacific. The research suggests a previously undocumented inter-polar climate change mechanism.
A new global database of surface ozone observations has been released, providing insights into ozone pollution trends and patterns worldwide. Despite decreasing emissions in North America and Europe, many regions still experience excessive ozone levels, posing health concerns for populations.
A new study by CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that children who played with construction-based toys and video games had higher spatial skills compared to their peers. The research found that when childhood play patterns were controlled for, gender differences in spatial skills disappeared.
Researchers at CU Boulder discovered a mechanism explaining the persistence of asymmetrical stellar clusters surrounding supermassive black holes. This rate suggests that in post-galactic merger periods, orbiting stars could be flung into the black hole and destroyed at a rate of one per year.
Researchers have discovered that three distinct varieties of the protein AKT play different roles in brain health, with AKT2 targeting brain cancer and AKT1 promoting memory formation. The study's findings hold promise for developing targeted therapies for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
A team of researchers has compiled a 'most wanted' list of around 500 key bacterial species that are both common and abundant worldwide. These dominant bacteria can now be targeted for future study to improve soil health and fertility.
The innovative technology splits sunlight into efficient light and repurposes infrared light for water purification, improving agricultural competitiveness and reducing energy costs in greenhouses. Researchers plan to test the material in pilot greenhouse facilities and expand its application to various crops.
A study published in PNAS found that constant noise from oil and gas operations can cause physiological stress in birds, leading to reduced egg hatching rates and stunted chick growth. The research also showed that species previously thought to be tolerant of noise were actually most affected.
Researchers have developed soft, electrically activated devices that mimic the expansion and contraction of natural muscles. These devices can be constructed from low-cost materials, are able to self-sense their movements and self-heal from electrical damage.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led study confirms that climate factors limit species expansion in stressful environments, but interactions with other species play a crucial role in shaping range limits. The researchers found that stress impacts plant growth, survival, reproduction, and germination, which drives the pattern.
A University of Colorado Boulder student-built satellite has solved a 60-year-old mystery regarding the source of energetic and potentially damaging particles in Earth's radiation belts. The study found that these particles are created by cosmic rays entering the atmosphere, producing charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field.
A study predicts that global wind power resources may decrease in the Northern Hemisphere's mid-latitudes and increase in the Southern Hemisphere and tropics by 2100. However, if emission levels are mitigated, wind power production in these regions may not see a corresponding increase.
CU Boulder's Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS-1) instrument suite is set for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aiming to monitor the planet's climate by measuring solar radiation. The mission will help distinguish between natural and human influences on climate, with implications for understanding Earth's processes.
Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder are developing a new laser microscopy technique to study the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. This technique, which involves shooting pairs of photons deep into brain tissue, may enable earlier diagnosis and better treatment options.
Researchers have discovered a potent drug-like compound that inhibits Toll-like receptor 8, a key player in autoimmune diseases. The compound, CU-CPT8m, exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects on tissue, offering a potential breakthrough for treating rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions.
The study reveals that a human protein called TRIM25 acts as an early defense mechanism, recognizing the unique structure of the flu virus and preventing its replication. However, the NS1 protein produced by the flu virus blocks this function, enabling the virus to evade the immune response.
A review of over five dozen studies reveals that excessive screen time in youths aged 5-17 is associated with delayed bedtimes, fewer hours of sleep and poorer sleep quality. Biological, neurological and environmental factors contribute to the negative impact of digital media on sleep patterns.