A study by the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that cocaine's addictive potential is linked to a second brain mechanism involving glial cells and Toll Like Receptor 4. Blocking this mechanism could lead to a new drug treatment for cocaine addiction.
Researchers found that Arctic sea ice trend is influenced by internal variability, making long-term predictions challenging. There's a 34% chance of no change or growth in sea ice over a seven-year period, and a 5% chance of rapid loss.
A study led by the University of Colorado Denver found that cities using bike-to-work days can capture a wide range of bicyclists and gather insights into barriers to increasing their commuting. The study suggests that cities should use these events to understand participants' motivations and identify obstacles, such as safety concerns...
A recent study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found that pain processing in the brain involves two separate pathways: one for physical pain and another for cognitive regulation. The latter pathway is involved in emotion and motivation, but also plays a key role in long-term pain and disability.
Two studies found a unique molecule that can repair damaged nerve cells by locating and clearing out bad cells. The phosphatidylserine receptor (PSR-1) also helps reconnect broken nerve fibers in the regeneration process.
Researchers found that people exhibit a 'progress bias,' prioritizing movement toward goals over movement away from them. This bias can lead to overestimation of progress and underestimation of setbacks, potentially hindering goal achievement.
BioServe Space Technologies will launch state-of-the-art hardware on SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, including petri dishes with infected nematode organisms, to study bacterial virulence in low gravity. The experiment aims to understand how pathogens behave in space and has implications for human health.
A team led by University of Colorado Boulder discovered an invisible shield in the Van Allen radiation belts that blocks ultrafast electrons, threatening astronauts and space systems. The barrier is thought to be maintained by Earth's magnetic field or plasmaspheric hiss.
A new study found that Parkinson's patients' brain activity improves equally in response to real medication and placebo treatment, highlighting the power of expectations to drive changes in the brain. The research suggests that dopamine-rich areas in the brain are activated when patients believe they have received medication, offering ...
A new powdered measles vaccine has been found safe and effective in early human testing, with no clinically relevant side effects reported. The dry powder vaccine was delivered through a puff of air and showed promise as an alternative to traditional injectable vaccines.
A new study shows that senior citizens who run regularly can walk as efficiently as 20-year-olds, while those who only walk expend more energy. The research suggests that running helps slow down the aging process and improves independence.
A new study finds that physical pain and social rejection activate different brain regions, challenging the long-held theory that they are processed similarly. The research could lead to more effective treatments for social pain, including the use of traditional painkillers.
A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder found that working night shifts decreases total daily energy expenditure, leading to an increased risk of weight gain and obesity. Researchers discovered that participants burned more fat when sleeping during the day compared to nighttime sleep.
Researchers analyzed fracking fluid samples from five states and found that surfactant chemicals were commonly found in everyday products, including toothpaste and laxatives. The study's results suggest that the toxicity of these chemicals may not be as high as previously thought.
A study found that midfielders and forwards with higher facial-width-to-height ratios were more likely to commit fouls and score goals. The research adds weight to the argument that facial structure is associated with aggression in athletic populations.
A new University of Colorado Boulder study links hotter temperatures to the risk of armed conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa. The research team found a clear signal that higher temperatures increase conflict risk, particularly for communal incidents.
Two NASA and European spacecraft have gathered data about Comet Siding Spring's effects on Mars' atmosphere, detecting an intense meteor shower and a new layer of ions. The comet's debris added significant but temporary changes to the planet's upper atmosphere.
A new study suggests that aggressively fighting wildfires may actually increase societal vulnerability, highlighting the importance of learning to coexist and adapt with natural hazards. The research recommends integrating fire management strategies into land-use planning, zoning regulations, and building codes to mitigate human losses.
A CU-Boulder study suggests that modern hearing aids can distort music due to advanced processing designed for speech. Researchers found that simpler hearing aids with minimal processing allowed users to enjoy music more, despite reduced sound quality.
The mission has provided unprecedented ultraviolet images of the tenuous oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon coronas surrounding Mars. Scientists also made a comprehensive map of highly variable ozone in the Martian atmosphere underlying the coronas.
A team of scientists used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to create a detailed map of the atmosphere of WASP-43b, an extremely hot and gaseous planet. The findings reveal that the planet has extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night, with winds howling at supersonic speeds.
A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder found that acknowledging physical beauty can reduce bias against attractive women applying for masculine jobs. The study identified two types of sexism: hostile and benevolent, which are mitigated when applicants acknowledge their appearance or sex.
A CU study led by Humboldt State University found that recent Colorado Front Range wildfires are not more severe than those in the past. The researchers analyzed fire-scarred trees and tree-ring data going back to the 1600s, showing only 16% increase in severe fires since then.
A CU-led study found that emission caps and encouraging renewable energy are effective strategies for reducing power plant emissions. The study's findings have significant implications for the EPA's Clean Power Plan and suggest a bottom-up approach to climate mitigation.
Researchers found that people respond to surveys by selecting answer options with similar language, even when the similarities are subtle. The study highlights the importance of considering language patterns in survey design and analysis, potentially revealing unique attitudes among respondents.
A collaborative study found that people with higher wildfire risk ratings are less likely to participate in cost-sharing programs. However, the majority of landowners (84%) said they would participate in a cost-share program for removing vegetation on their properties.
Engineers used tweets from the 2013 Colorado floods to study infrastructure damage, providing insights into damage distribution, geographic scope, and time progression. This study demonstrates the potential of social media for reconnaissance by non-emergency professionals after disasters.
The study found that natural-terrain schoolyards foster supportive relationships and feelings of competence in children. Students who had access to green settings reported reduced stress and improved attention spans, with some even experiencing fewer incidents of bullying.
A new study led by Old Dominion University and the University of Colorado Boulder found sea levels are rising in the tropical Pacific off the coasts of the Philippines and northeastern Australia. The research team estimated that areas near these regions are being raised by about 1 centimeter per year due to anthropogenic warming.
A CU-Boulder-led team has discovered fossils of a tiny, unknown hedgehog species, Silvacola acares, approximately 2 inches long. The ancient creature was found in north-central British Columbia and provides insights into the evolution of North American mammal communities during the Early Eocene Epoch.
A new study involving CU-Boulder reveals that red kangaroos use their tails as a powerful fifth leg to support and propel motion while grazing on all fours. The study, published in Biology Letters, shows that the kangaroo tail performs as much mechanical work as one of its legs.
A new study reveals that ancient Arctic sand tiger sharks were able to tolerate brackish water conditions 50 million years ago, unlike modern sand tiger sharks which require much higher salinity levels. This finding has significant implications for how today's sharks might fare in a warming Arctic region.
Researchers at CU-Boulder and NCAR aim to reduce deadly air pollution from residential cooking using technology and behavioral change. They'll measure pollution levels in west Africa and assess health impacts on households using modern cookstoves.
A CU-Boulder team printed the first 3D version of 'Goodnight Moon' using 3D printing technology, enabling visually impaired children and their families to explore tactilely. The project aims to represent 2D graphics in a 3D, tactile way on a scale suitable for young children, providing an interactive reading experience.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that children who spend more time in less structured activities are better able to meet their own goals and exhibit self-directed executive function. In contrast, those with more structured schedules have poorer self-directed executive function skills.
Scientists detect the first Thorne-Żytkow object, a bizarre type of hybrid star formed from red supergiant and neutron stars. The discovery provides evidence for a new model of stellar interiors and offers insights into heavy element production in the universe.
A CU-Boulder study found prominent US newspapers using more hedging language in climate change articles, while Spanish papers use less uncertainty about climate change than expected. Researchers examined articles from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, as well as El Mundo and El Pais.
A new CU-Boulder study reveals that individuals are more genetically similar to their spouses than to randomly selected individuals from the same population. The researchers found a preference for genetic similarity in mates, known as genetic assortative mating, which is about a third of the strength of educational assortative mating.
Oil and gas operations in Colorado's Front Range leaked nearly three times as much methane, a greenhouse gas, as predicted based on inventory estimates. The new study found seven times as much benzene, a regulated air toxic, and about twice as high emissions of other chemicals that contribute to summertime ozone pollution.
An international team has completed the first mapping of virtually all global glaciers, including their locations and sizes. The 198,000 mapped glaciers will contribute significantly to rising seas over the coming decades as temperatures rise.
A new study by CU-Boulder reveals that an antioxidant called MitoQ can reverse the negative effects of aging on arteries, improving vascular function and reducing the risk of heart disease. MitoQ targets mitochondria, specific cell structures responsible for oxidative stress, and restores endothelial function in old mice.
A recent CU-Boulder study contradicts the widely held notion that Neanderthals were dimwitted and primitive, suggesting they had cognitive abilities comparable to those of anatomically modern humans. The researchers found evidence of complex communication, efficient hunting strategies, and a diverse diet among Neanderthals.
A new method allows scientists to determine a frog's susceptibility to disease by analyzing its protective mucus layer. The technique can help reduce the risk of disease in endangered amphibians, enabling successful reintroduction into the wild.
The CU-Boulder toilet uses concentrated sunlight to heat human waste, disinfect pathogens, and produce biochar, which can increase crop yields and sequester carbon dioxide. The project aims to improve sanitation in developing countries, reducing deaths from food and water tainted with fecal matter.
A CU-Boulder-led study found that crowdsourcing can be an accurate tool for counting lunar craters, surpassing even experienced professionals. The research compared the work of over 5,000 amateur counters to eight expert planetary crater counters, with surprising results.
A University of Colorado Boulder study has found that physicians' unconscious biases do not affect high blood pressure treatment for their minority patients. Despite earlier research showing a link between biases and lower patient ratings, the new study found no similar effect on treatment outcomes.
Researchers at CU-Boulder found that exposing leafy vegetables to daily bright pulses of light can increase the production of eye-protecting nutrients like zeaxanthin. This finding has implications for astronauts during long spaceflights and could also improve plant-based human nutrition on Earth.
A CU-Boulder study reveals that palm oil wastewater is a significant source of heat-trapping methane in the atmosphere. Capturing this methane could provide a renewable energy solution, potentially meeting a quarter of Malaysia's electricity needs.
A CU-led study bolsters the theory that early Americans may have been isolated on the Bering Land Bridge for thousands of years before spreading throughout the Americas. The research links genetics to paleoecological evidence, suggesting a population of hundreds or thousands lived in central Beringia for 5,000 years or more.
Researchers have developed a new technique using nanoscale pillars to radically improve thermoelectric materials, potentially leading to more efficient solar panels and power plants. By slowing down the flow of heat, these pillars can reduce thermal losses and increase electricity generation.