A University of Colorado Boulder study suggests that a tumor suppressor gene helps cells fend off stress and survive under starvation conditions. The research found that the Rb gene regulates the expression of multiple genes to help organisms survive longer when encountering starvation.
The CU-Boulder instrument package, known as the Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS), is designed to measure energy output from the sun that can affect satellite operations. The EXIS will provide rapid alerts for solar flares and monitor extreme ultraviolet wavelengths to track space weather effects.
A new camera inspired by insect compound eyes has been developed, featuring a wide field of view and infinite depth of field. The camera uses stretchable electronics and a hemispherical lens design to eliminate distortion.
A CU-Boulder study found that rats forced to exercise by mechanized wheels showed reduced anxiety levels compared to sedentary rats. Humans who feel forced to exercise may also benefit from the mental health benefits of physical activity.
A new CU-Boulder study found that parents tend to share more bacterial communities with their family dogs than with their children. The research, which analyzed microbial samples from 60 American families including canines, highlights the impact of environmental exposure on human microbiome composition.
A CU-Boulder study found that regular aerobic exercise is associated with less damage to the brain's white matter among heavy alcohol users. The study suggests that exercise might repair the damage caused by heavy drinking and could be a promising treatment approach for alcohol problems.
A CU-Boulder study found that people reported higher levels of happiness as they reported higher sexual frequency, but also believed their peers were having less sex than them. This 'relative aspect' of sex frequency increases happiness, suggesting social comparisons play a role in the relationship between sex and happiness.
CU-Boulder students are playing a major role in developing and flying small satellites, including CubeSat satellites, with NASA. The university has been awarded numerous launch opportunities for these tiny satellites, worth up to $300,000 each.
Scientists have developed a way to predict pain levels by analyzing brain scan patterns, with accuracy of 90-100%. This breakthrough may lead to the development of reliable methods for doctors to objectively quantify patient pain. The study also explores potential applications in measuring anxiety, depression, and other emotional states.
Astronomers at CU-Boulder used the Hubble Space Telescope to study a quasar's impact on early universe conditions. The team found that 'sideline quasars' likely teamed up with the bright quasar to heat helium gas, preventing small galaxy formation.
A new CU-Boulder study found that sleeping just five hours a night led to significant weight gain in participants, who also ate more calories than those who slept nine hours. The research suggests that healthy sleep may help people maintain a healthier weight and battle obesity.
A new CU-Boulder study suggests that volcanic aerosols, rather than industrial pollution, have counteracted as much as 25% of human-caused global warming since 2000. The research, led by Ryan Neely, used sophisticated computer models to separate coal-burning emissions from Asia from volcanic contributions worldwide.
Scientists have discovered a third Van Allen radiation belt that forms and dissipates in a matter of weeks, challenging our understanding of the environment around Earth. The discovery was made possible by twin NASA space probes carrying CU-Boulder instruments, which captured data on the belt's formation and behavior.
A CU-Boulder study found that ponds with diverse amphibian species have a 78% reduction in parasitic infections, which can cause severe deformities. Greater biodiversity also appears to protect against other diseases, such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led study found significant declines in pinyon pine seed cone production due to regional warming and drought. The biggest declines were at higher elevation sites with more dramatic warming, which likely inhibits cone initiation and development.
The University of Colorado Boulder's American Gut project has raised over $340,000 through crowdfunding to sequence the gut bacteria of thousands of people worldwide. The initiative aims to understand how diet and lifestyle affect human health and disease, with potential implications for autoimmune diseases and food allergies.
A new CU-Boulder-led study reveals that plants can exhibit altruistic behavior, prioritizing the growth and well-being of their closely related offspring. The research found that endosperm in seeds sharing the same mother and father grew more heavily than those with genetically different parents.
A new study analyzing ice cores from the Greenland ice sheet found that between 130,000 and 115,000 years ago, the climate rose to about 14 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than today. This past warm period may serve as a 'road map' for future warming due to increasing greenhouse gases.
A CU-led study reveals that pine beetle outbreaks do not harm adjacent stream water quality, but instead increase the uptake of nitrates by smaller trees and understory vegetation. This compensatory response provides potent water quality protection in western forests.
A person's style of speech, including the pronunciation of 's' sounds and vocal resonance, affects how listeners perceive their gender. According to CU-Boulder researcher Lal Zimman, a higher pitch can still be perceived as male if the speaker pronounces 's' sounds in a lower frequency.
Researchers have developed a framework for creating new materials by applying mathematical theorems to liquid crystal mediums. This approach could lead to improved energy efficiency in display devices, such as laptops and TVs.
Researchers found that consensus and cooperation are the norm within Congress, with most major programs renewed every 4-6 years. Manufactured crises like the 'fiscal cliff' often serve as catalysts for significant policy changes.
A CU research team studied the Larsen C Ice Shelf, finding that massive crevasses make it more susceptible to collapse. However, they also discovered that bendable ice in suture zones helps protect the shelf from disintegration.
A CU-led team has been awarded a $9.2 million DOE grant to research modifying E. coli to produce biofuels like gasoline. The team aims to develop technologies that can efficiently and inexpensively convert E. coli into ethylene and isobutanol, widely used commodities for gasoline production.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have discovered that the western Grand Canyon was largely carved out of its current depth by about 70 million years ago, during the time of the dinosaurs. This new date challenges the conventional understanding of the canyon's formation and suggests a more complex history of geological events.
A CU-Boulder study suggests the iconic Columbia Glacier in Alaska will cease its retreat by 2020, reaching a new stable position 15 miles upstream. This prediction challenges current understanding of sea level rise and highlights the complexities of glacier dynamics.
The American Gut project aims to characterize the microbes living in and on human bodies, with a focus on diet and lifestyle's impact on health. The public is encouraged to participate, and the study will analyze data from tens of thousands of individuals.
A $20 million remote sensing instrument package built by CU-Boulder is being integrated onto a NASA Mars spacecraft. The package, designed to study the Martian atmosphere, will provide global context and help scientists rewrite textbooks about the upper atmosphere of Mars.
A new study by University of Colorado and Loyola professors found that replacing a head coach for poor team performance has mixed results. On average, teams with poor records see a short-lived improvement in performance after a coaching change, while mediocre teams' records worsen.
A CU-led effort is transplanting biological soil crusts onto damaged military lands in the American West. The goal is to decrease erosion and increase water retention and soil fertility in these areas. The research team will evaluate the effectiveness of such soil inoculations and determine the optimal dosage for field test sites.
A new CU-NOAA study analyzes 90 years of observational data to show that summer climates in regions across the globe are changing, mostly warming, according to lead author Irina Mahlstein. The technique reveals location-by-location temperature changes and could yield valuable insights into changes in ecosystems on a regional scale.
A CU-led study found that social environments play a crucial role in determining friendships, with genetically similar individuals more likely to form bonds in stratified settings. In contrast, egalitarian environments led to weaker genetic homophily among friends.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have discovered a novel target for anti-cancer drug development by targeting the telomerase enzyme at the ends of chromosomes. This approach may provide an effective solution to the complex problem of cancerous cells. By blocking the telomerase enzyme, the growth of cancerous cells can be prevented.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder team analyzed extensive climate datasets and violent conflicts in East Africa, finding moderate increases in temperature reduce conflict risk slightly, while very hot temperatures increase it. Socioeconomic factors have a much greater impact on conflict risk than climate change.
Scientists at CU-Boulder have discovered the cellular targets of the Hepatitis B virus, including proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for liver disease in millions of people infected with the virus, many of whom lack access to effective treatment.
A new study of human twins suggests that environmental factors play a larger role in shaping the types of microbes in the mouth than genetic background. The research found that saliva samples from identical and fraternal twins showed similar microbial communities, indicating that environment contributes more to oral bacteria.
A team led by Assistant Professor Noah Molotch will identify thresholds of change in land use, forest management, and climate that may compromise the sustainability of trans-basin water diversions. The project aims to provide projections on future water supply and demand changes due to climate change.
The University of Colorado Boulder has developed graphene membranes with tiny pores that can efficiently separate gas molecules based on size. This technology holds promise for enhancing natural gas production while reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plant exhaust pipes.
BioServe Space Technologies is providing an automated incubator for fluid-processing devices carrying a pathogenic yeast strain on the unmanned Dragon cargo spacecraft. The experiments aim to test how C. albicans responds to low gravity, a concern for astronauts' immune systems.
A CU-Boulder-led team will examine social, ecological, and economic aspects of natural gas development. The project aims to provide a framework for society to evaluate the trade-offs associated with the benefits and costs of natural gas development.
A novel genetic study led by CU-Boulder postdoctoral researcher Jessica Metcalf has clarified the native diversity and distribution of cutthroat trout in Colorado, revealing a single surviving population outside its native range. The study also confirmed the extinction of two previously unknown cutthroat strains, including one from the...
Researchers found that X- and Y-shaped ocean waves, predicted by mathematical equations, can form in shallow water near low tide. These nonlinear wave interactions can significantly increase a tsunami's destructive power.
A new CU-Boulder study found that consumer preferences and willingness to pay are influenced by the depth of explanation about novel products. 'Explanation foes' prefer shallow explanations, while 'explanation fiends' require deep details.
A study found a fourfold increase in dissolved zinc in the upper Snake River over the last 30 years, driven by warmer air temperatures. Rising temperatures also accelerated mineral weathering rates, leading to increased metal concentrations in other months.
A new study by CU-Boulder researchers finds mid-elevation mountain ecosystems sensitive to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation and snowmelt. The 'tipping point' where these forests switch from moisture-dependent to sunlight-temperature dependent is crucial for understanding climate change's impact.
The Arctic sea ice extent has reached its lowest level on record, according to a research team from CU-Boulder. The decline is attributed to warming temperatures caused by human-produced greenhouse gases, which have led to the replacement of old, thick multi-year ice with young, thin ice that melts quickly.
A University of Colorado analysis predicts Mitt Romney's victory in the 2012 presidential election based on state-by-state economic factors. The model suggests Obama will win 218 electoral votes but lose key swing states, including Colorado and North Carolina.
Two CU-Boulder student-built payloads will be launched on a NASA sounding rocket on August 23, as part of the RockSat-X project. The experiments are designed to test drag effects on CubeSat satellites and analyze atmospheric particles and pressure.
CU-Boulder designed and built an instrument to capture high-energy electrons, while another instrument measures changes in electric and magnetic fields. The mission aims to understand and mitigate space weather risks for satellites and astronauts.
A CU-Boulder-led research team has discovered a new chemical compound in Earth's atmosphere that reacts with sulfur dioxide to form sulfuric acid, which impacts climate and human health. The newly found oxidant affects the atmospheric sulfur cycle and may explain recent cooling trends in parts of the southeastern United States.