Researchers from University of Colorado Boulder have calculated that a sub-two-hour marathon time is theoretically possible. To achieve this, athletes would need to wear shoes around 100 grams lighter than the current world record holder's shoes.
Researchers from CU Boulder are exploring the connection between gut microbiota and arterial dysfunction in both mice and humans. The study aims to identify lifestyle or pharmacological strategies that may preserve microbial health, enhance arterial function, and reduce the risk of age-related cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that human-ignited wildfires accounted for 84% of all US wildfires over a 21-year period, tripling the length of the average fire season. The study highlights the importance of considering where ignitions start and how they contribute to wildfire risk.
Researchers found that dietary prebiotics improved non-REM sleep and REM sleep after stressful events in male rats. The prebiotic diet also maintained a healthy gut microbiota and normal body temperature fluctuations even after stress exposure.
Researchers found that a subgroup of NSAIDs also act strongly on another family of enzymes called caspases, which play a key role in aggressive immune responses like sepsis. The study suggests that these drugs could be repurposed to address other conditions and develop safer versions.
Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a functional MRI-based model that identifies brain activity patterns involved in varied pain experiences. The model, called SIIPS1, maps positively correlated and negatively correlated brain sub-regions, including regions not traditionally considered important for pain assessment.
Researchers developed a scalable metamaterial film that efficiently reflects solar energy while allowing objects to shed heat through infrared thermal radiation. The material has been successfully tested in field trials, demonstrating significant radiative cooling powers even under direct sunlight with zero energy consumption.
Research found that exposure to natural light for as little as a weekend camping trip can shift the circadian rhythm and potentially deliver health benefits, including improved sleep and reduced seasonal depression. The study suggests that architectural design can incorporate tunable lighting to enhance performance and well-being.
Research led by University of Colorado Boulder found that coal mine dust lowers spectral reflectance of nearby snow and ice by up to 84 percent. This reduction in reflectance can lead to faster Arctic ice melt due to the dark-colored particulates' ability to absorb more solar radiation.
A new study found that Colorado's wildfire-stricken forests are not regenerating as expected, with only 2-38% of plots showing abundant regeneration. Climate change is expected to hinder further recovery, particularly in hotter and drier areas.
A CU Boulder-led study found that rapid evolution at species habitat edges can drive population expansions, providing insight into climate change and invasive species encroachment. The study used red flour beetles and demonstrated that populations allowed to evolve independently at the edge spread 6% faster on average.
A CU Boulder team, in collaboration with NIST and UC Davis, will track methane leaks from natural gas storage facilities using a novel laser system. The ground-based system measures changes in methane concentrations down to one part-per-billion, while light aircraft flights provide estimates of total emissions.
A new study investigates how cookstove emissions contribute to both indoor air quality issues and global climate change. The research reveals that reducing cookstove use in certain countries, such as Azerbaijan and Ukraine, could have the largest positive impact on climate change, despite not being major users of residential cookstoves.
Research at University of Colorado Boulder reveals nicotine reverses hypofrontality in mice with schizophrenic characteristics, suggesting novel non-addictive treatment option for 51 million people worldwide affected by the disease.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that humans, not climate change, led to the extinction of Australian megafauna around 45,000 years ago. The researchers analyzed ancient poop and sediment cores, finding a significant decline in megafaunal populations during this period.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered a new broad-spectrum antiviral protein called Schlafen11 that can inhibit HIV-1 replication in non-human primate species. The protein's effectiveness is highest in chimpanzees and orangutans, but much lower in humans and gorillas.
A new study suggests the Galapagos Islands' incredible biodiversity emerged approximately 1.6 million years ago when the Equatorial Undercurrent collided with the archipelago, bringing nutrient-rich waters to the surface. This event allowed for the growth of unique plants and animals that thrive in the islands' ecosystem.
A new study found that ring-tailed lemur populations have declined significantly due to habitat destruction and hunting, with only three sites containing more than 200 individuals. The species is ecologically adaptable but many other lemurs in Madagascar are also in dire straits.
A team led by CU Boulder Professor Delores Knipp found that shock waves from CMEs create nitric oxide, which rapidly cools and shrinks the upper atmosphere. This natural 'thermostat' mechanism helps regulate Earth's temperatures after intense solar activity.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that empowering local governments with forestry decisions can significantly reduce deforestation. By engaging local users in the decision-making process, policymakers can develop more effective and sustainable forest governance strategies.
Researchers developed a tiny, soft, and wearable acoustic sensor that measures vibrations in the human body, allowing for monitoring of human heart health and recognition of spoken words. The device can gather continuous physiological data and has implications for remote healthcare and communication for people with speech impairments.
The CU Boulder instrument suite, EXIS, will measure energy output from the sun that can affect satellite operations, telecommunications, GPS navigation, and power grids on Earth. The instruments will provide rapid alerts for solar flares and monitor extreme ultraviolet light wavelengths.
A recent CU Boulder study has shown that mitochondrial division is a complex process involving at least three constriction steps and two proteins, Drp1 and Dyn2. The discovery changes the understanding of mitochondrial function and its role in cellular processes such as energy generation and longevity.
Researchers found that running with heavier shoes, even just 3.5 ounces heavier, slows runners down by roughly 1 percent in a 3,000-meter race. The study used lead pellets to add weight to shoe pairs and measured oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.
Researchers at CU Boulder discovered a neural signature that identifies fibromyalgia patients with 93% accuracy, a potential breakthrough for diagnosis and treatment. The study used functional MRI scans to identify three sub-markers that correlate with pain hypersensitivity in fibromyalgia.
A CU-Boulder study found that preschoolers who lost three hours of sleep consumed 20% more calories and 25% more sugar on the day of restricted sleep. On the recovery day, they returned to normal levels but still ate 14% more calories and 23% more fat than usual.
Researchers have created a cost-effective method for producing lithium-ion battery electrodes using brewery wastewater, reducing costs for beer makers and providing a renewable fuel source. The unique partnership between breweries and batteries could lead to significant waste reduction and energy savings.
Researchers have discovered that a yeast gene called XRN1 rapidly evolves to recognize and destroy attacking viruses. This finding suggests that non-immunity proteins can play a role in viral defense. The study's results provide new insights into the genetic arms race between hosts and viruses.
A CU study reveals that genes may play a significant role in how people perceive their weight, with female participants showing a stronger genetic influence. The research used twin data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, finding that perceived weight status has a heritability estimate of 0.47.
A new CU Boulder study found that differences in mate-choice decisions among closely related populations can lead to the evolution of different physical traits. Barn swallow males with altered breast feathers and streamer length were more successful in reproduction, suggesting that females play a crucial role in speciation.
A new study finds that climate change could remobilize abandoned hazardous waste from a US military base in Greenland, potentially disrupting nearby ecosystems. The camp's infrastructure and waste are estimated to contain toxic pollutants like PCBs and radioactive coolant.
A new study finds that earlier snowmelt periods associated with a warming climate may hinder subalpine forest regulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The findings predict a 45% reduction in snowmelt period forest carbon uptake by mid-century.
Researchers analyzed public data to determine the sources and occurrence rate of methane in groundwater. The majority of dissolved methane was found to be microbially-generated, rather than high-volume hydraulic fracturing.
A University of Colorado Boulder study reveals that regular pedelec use improves cardiovascular health, boosts aerobic capacity, and regulates blood sugar control. By incorporating physical activity into daily commutes, riders can increase their fitness levels without requiring separate exercise sessions.
A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder found that global ethane emissions are increasing again after a steady decline between 1970 and 2005. The majority of the increase is attributed to North American oil and gas activity, which has reversed the emission controls implemented in the past.
A new study at CU-Boulder found that empathy for others' pain is rooted in cognitive neural processes rather than sensory ones. The research suggests that empathy involves mentalizing and taking another person's perspective, distinct from experiencing physical pain.
A new research paper suggests that the Himalayan region is experiencing a buildup of strain energy due to past earthquakes. Historical earthquakes and recent afterslip data indicate that only part of the fault moved during the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, leaving significant strain stored in the fault system.
A new global atlas reveals that the Milky Way is only visible from 33% of the world's population, with 80% of Americans experiencing light-polluted nights. This widespread issue affects not only human connections to nature but also confuses wildlife and exposes them to fatal consequences.
Research suggests that galaxies actively launch large amounts of oxygen, carbon, and iron atoms up to a million light years away from their surroundings, leaving them with depleted reserves. This process, driven by violent supernovae and supermassive black holes, can take over 10 billion years.
A new study suggests that comets like 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko may undergo a repeating process of breaking up and reuniting, driven by spinning dynamics. The research team used numerical models to simulate the past life of 67P, predicting exactly where cracks would form on its neck.
A new CU-Boulder study found that morphine treatment can cause chronic pain by exacerbating the release of pain signals from specific immune cells in the spinal cord. This could have far-reaching implications for humans, as opioids are already linked to thousands of fatal overdoses annually.
Research from the University of Colorado found an inverse relationship between fossil fuel emissions and biomass burning, with locations having high emissions being rare. The study suggests a shift towards more efficient combustion methods, potentially excluding open-fire use in landscapes.
Injections of Mycobacterium vaccae promote stress resilience and improve coping behaviors in mice, reducing colitis and stress-induced behaviors. This study suggests that immunization with bacteria may have wide-ranging health benefits, highlighting the importance of microbiome diversity.
Research finds honeybees anticipate and react to rapid temperature increases sooner in larger groups of 10, suggesting decentralized information gathering improves response time. This study explores the role of group size on self-organization and biological environments.
A new CU-Boulder study found that online user ratings are only 57% correlated with objective product performance. Consumers rely heavily on average user ratings when making purchase decisions, despite the low accuracy of these ratings.
Scientists at NREL developed a new, light-driven chemical process to produce ammonia, the main ingredient of fertilizer. The research uses nanocrystals to harness light energy, which then energizes electrons to trigger nitrogen transformation.
Thousands of islands face severe climate change impacts, including increased evaporation and freshwater scarcity. A new modeling approach shows that 73% of small islands will become more dry by mid-century, affecting 18 million people.
A new University of Colorado Boulder study suggests that ancient Martian bombardments created regions with hydrothermal systems similar to those in Yellowstone National Park. These systems may have made early Mars habitable for a time.
A CU-Boulder study found that daily monetary incentives increased fruit and vegetable consumption among participants. Internal motivation to eat such produce also increased over time, suggesting a potential direction for future incentive research in terms of psychological factors related to changing behavior.
A survey of a major oil and gas-producing region in Western Canada suggests that hydraulic fracturing may be linked to induced earthquakes. The study found that significant percentage of events are caused by the fracturing process itself, not just wastewater injection.