A CU-Boulder study shows that noise pollution negatively affects woodland bird populations, with declining species richness at noisy sites. However, some bird species, such as black-chinned hummingbirds and house finches, prefer noisy areas due to reduced predation by western scrub jays.
A new CU-Boulder study warns that climate change could lead to a one-in-two chance of fully depleting the Colorado River's reservoir storage by mid-century. The study found that even with a 20% reduction in stream flow, the risk of full depletion would still be significant.
Researchers using NASA's SIERRA aircraft and satellite data to map and measure ice conditions below cloud cover. They found a 74% decline in older ice types since 1988, with only 2% of the Arctic Ocean now covered by these ice types.
The SPIRE instrument package has successfully made its first observations, targeting two galaxies near the Milky Way. The telescope's high-resolution images will aid in studying the birth and development of galaxies, shedding light on star formation processes.
The University of Colorado at Boulder is developing a new communications technology called Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) with NASA, which will extend Earth's Internet into outer space and across the solar system. The technology enables automated future communications capabilities for lunar habitation and surface exploration.
A CU-Boulder study found that chemicals released by the brain's immune system can cause chronic seizures in people who have suffered a traumatic head injury. The research suggests that temporarily shutting down the immune response could prevent the development of acquired epilepsy.
A recent study suggests that Saturn's moon Enceladus' water vapor jets originate from the surface and not an underground ocean. The research, conducted by the University of Colorado at Boulder, found that the sodium content in the water vapor was too low to support the geyser hypothesis.
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team has discovered the first definitive evidence of shorelines on Mars, indicating an ancient lake that was up to 1,500 feet deep. The lake appears to have formed around 3.4 billion years ago and provides a prime target for future landing missions searching for signs of past life.
A University of Colorado at Boulder team discovered a large manioc field in the ancient village of Ceren in El Salvador, which was buried under volcanic ash around A.D. 600. The cultivation system is believed to be the first evidence of intensive manioc farming at any New World archaeology site.
A new study led by CU-Boulder found that only 11% of fuel-reduction activities took place within 1.5 miles of the wildland-urban interface, where fires pose the greatest risk to homes and people. The research suggests federal wildfire treatments are minimally effective at mitigating wildfire threat.
A CU-Boulder study reveals that prehistoric mammals in the high Arctic lived year-round in a warm and humid climate with lush forests. The findings contradict traditional migration theories, suggesting that these animals adapted to the harsh winter conditions by altering their diet.
A new University of Colorado at Boulder study suggests that an asteroid attack nearly 4 billion years ago may not have extinguished potential early life on Earth, but instead gave it a boost. The research indicates that microbes could have survived in subsurface habitats and flourished during the Late Heavy Bombardment.
A new study found that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet's collapse would raise global sea levels by only 3.3 meters, not the previously estimated 5-6 meters, with US coastal areas experiencing a 25% increase in sea level rise, posing significant threats to cities like New York and San Francisco.
The CU-Boulder instrument, part of NASA's Hubble Servicing mission, will probe the universe's evolution from its perch on the Hubble Space Telescope. Scientists aim to reconstruct the physical conditions and evolution of the early universe by gathering information from ultraviolet light.
The InDevR FluChip has been shown to detect and distinguish swine-origin H1N1 from human influenza viruses with high accuracy. The assay's robust performance is attributed to its targeted M-gene sequence, which codes for the virus' matrix proteins.
After 75 years, the disappearance of Everett Ruess has been solved using forensic and DNA evidence. The remains were identified as a male matching Ruess's age and stature through facial reconstruction and mitochondrial DNA analysis.
Researchers detected magnesium in Mercury's atmosphere during a MESSENGER flyby, surprising scientists with its distribution and abundance. The discovery is one clue to understanding the creation of the rocky planet closest to the sun.
The FluChip technology has been licensed by InDevR to detect the deadly flu virus. The test can distinguish between human H1N1 viruses and the new swine H1N1 subtype, a crucial gap in current diagnostics. This new tool has the potential to greatly enhance influenza surveillance and track the virus.
A 11,600-year-old methane spike in ancient Greenland ice suggests wetlands as the primary source, offering relief from oceanic clathrate concerns. Methane emissions from human activities remain a significant concern, with potential to release large amounts of greenhouse gas.
Researchers use tightly focused blue and ultraviolet light to create patterned lithography on a substrate, resulting in smaller structures. The new technique has potential applications in constructing nanomotors and may lead to advancements in Moore's Law.
A University of Colorado at Boulder study found that an in-class writing assignment increased the grade-point averages of African-American middle school students over a two-year period. The intervention reduced the rate at which these students were held back or placed in remediation, suggesting targeted psychological interventions coul...
New Arctic satellite data shows a decade-long trend of shrinking sea ice extent, with thinner ice replacing older, thicker ice. The maximum sea ice extent for 2008-09 was 5.85 million square miles, 278,000 square miles below the average for 1979 to 2000.
Future rocket launches will lead to significant ozone layer depletion if unregulated, potentially exceeding losses from chlorofluorocarbons. The study estimates that rocket emissions could result in more ozone destruction than CFCs by 2050.
Researchers found that 3-year-olds and 8-year-olds don't plan for the future or live in the present, instead calling up past memories as needed. This challenges the long-held belief that children's brains operate similarly to those of adults.
A CU-Boulder research team has identified a type of skeletal muscle stem cell that contributes to the repair of damaged muscles in mice. The newly identified stem cells, dubbed satellite-SP cells, renew the satellite cell population after injection into injured muscle cells, contributing to recovery of muscle tissue.
Researchers detect complex microbial communities in extreme environment, sustaining life on high-altitude, arid soils. Unique bacteria thrive in soil without associated fumaroles, revealing resilience of microbes to harsh conditions.
A new study estimates that commercial ships emit about 1,100 tons of particle pollution annually, posing significant health concerns for coastal communities and affecting global climate. Ship emissions also contribute to smog-forming nitrogen oxide gases.
A team of CU-Boulder students and professionals will operate the Kepler spacecraft from launch, monitoring onboard systems and uploading commands twice a week. The mission aims to identify small, rocky planets in habitable zones, fueling growing excitement among space scientists.
A new study by the University of Colorado at Boulder found that teenagers who express concern about hearing loss risk actually play their music louder than peers, while those with lower concerns listen at safer volumes. The study also shows teens play music louder than young adults and may inaccurately perceive volume levels.
A CU-Boulder professor argues that K-12 teachers need better training on evolution education to counter creationist and pseudoscientific claims. The disconnect between students' and public's understanding of evolutionary processes is partly due to difficulty grasping biochemical events and mechanisms behind adaptation.
Researchers are using stable isotope analysis to reconstruct the past lives of hominids, revealing their diets and environments. The study of Paranthropus robustus suggests a diverse diet that includes hard foods like nuts, as well as sedges, grasses, seeds, and possibly animal foods.
A new study has found that tree deaths in the West's old-growth forests have more than doubled in recent decades due to regional warming and related drought conditions. The research team measured tree deaths in all sizes at varying elevations, including tree types such as pine, fir, and hemlock.
Invasive plant species are thriving in altered Great Plains ecosystems, outcompeting native plants. Researchers will use biocontrols and other methods to control key invaders like Dalmation toadflax, cheatgrass, and Canada thistle.
The University of Colorado at Boulder received two $11 million grants to study the lunar surface, atmosphere, and cosmos. The LUNAR team will conduct astronomical observations and investigate the early universe, while the CCLDAS project focuses on lunar dust and astronaut safety.
The University of Colorado at Boulder has been awarded a $6 million grant from NASA to build the Lunar Dust Experiment (LDEX), a high-tech lunar dust detector. The instrument will provide new information on lunar dust interactions with the moon's atmosphere and solar wind, as well as astronaut safety issues.
Researchers document increasing resistance to adamantane-based antiviral drugs in over 30% of H5N1 samples. The study provides a framework for monitoring global evolution of drug resistance using molecular evolution tests and geographic visualization techniques.
A CU-Boulder study reveals that peer discussion during 'clicker' questions significantly improves students' learning outcomes, leading to better answers and higher grades. The researchers used a method to test whether students were genuinely learning or influenced by their peers.
A CU-Boulder study suggests a single plume of hot material drove the migration of volcanic activity on Mars. The theory, proposed by Shijie Zhong, explains how the Tharsis Rise region formed and how the Crustal Dichotomy's crust moved relative to the underlying mantle.
A University of Colorado study predicts dramatic changes for Rocky Mountain ski areas due to climate warming, including shortened ski seasons and higher snowlines. To adapt, resorts must expand operations to higher elevations and invest in gondola transportation systems and increased snowmaking efforts.
A University of Colorado at Boulder study reveals that periodic 'breathing' of the Earth's upper atmosphere is triggered by cyclic solar wind disturbances, which can alter satellite drag and cause communication disruptions. The findings should improve models for tracking satellites and predicting electronic communication issues.
BioServe is launching two educational experiments involving butterflies and spiders on a space shuttle mission in November. The experiments will compare the life cycles of butterflies and spiders in space to those on Earth, with over 100 K-12 students from Colorado participating.
A CU-Boulder study found that women's hands harbor a significantly greater diversity of microbes than men, with an average of 150 different species detected. The researchers also discovered that the diversity of bacteria on individual hands was not significantly affected by regular hand washing.
CU-Boulder researchers have developed a new method to observe electrons in action, using ultrafast lasers to chart chemical reactions and understand how atoms move and electrons rearrange. This breakthrough has significant implications for fields like catalysis and alternative energy.
A study by CU-Boulder Assistant Professor Lawrence E. Williams found that holding a hot cup of coffee or cold compress pads primes subjects to perceive others as warmer or colder, respectively. This association affects pro-social behavior and marketing strategies.
A CU-Boulder study reveals that diverse host species, such as gray tree frogs, can reduce the risk of parasitic infections and limb deformations in American toads. The research found that tadpoles raised with tree frog tadpoles had significantly lower infection rates than those without.
Preliminary data indicate 2008 may represent the lowest volume of Arctic sea ice on record. The decline is due to rising greenhouse gases and strong natural variability.
MESSENGER spacecraft will make its second flyby of Mercury on Oct. 6, providing a region unseen before by spacecraft and revealing details about the planet's atmosphere and surface. The mission aims to gather data and images from Mercury for about 90 minutes, including observations in the far ultraviolet portion of the light spectrum.
A new CU-Boulder study reveals that air quality regulations primarily target primary particles, while secondary particles formed by oxidized VOCs contribute significantly to poor air quality in the Los Angeles region. The study suggests that regulations need to focus on reducing VOC emissions from gases such as gasoline vapors.
A $70 million CU-Boulder instrument will be installed on the Hubble Space Telescope in mid-October to study the 'fossil record' of gases in the early universe. The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph will gather information from ultraviolet light, allowing scientists to reconstruct the physical condition and evolution of the early universe.
The Arctic sea ice cover has reached its minimum extent for the year, marking the second-lowest on record. The current trend reinforces a strong negative impact of summertime sea ice extent over the past 30 years.