A new study reveals that melatonin use is increasing among US children and adolescents, with nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children taking the hormone for sleep. The study found that parents are giving melatonin to preschoolers without proper regulation, raising concerns about safety and efficacy.
Researchers controlled spin dynamics in a Heusler compound using extreme ultraviolet high-harmonic probes, enabling precise manipulation of magnetic behavior and potential for redefining electronics and data storage. The study's results matched theoretical models, offering insights into spintronics and its applications.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder developed a new way to count microorganisms that is 36 times faster than conventional methods and uses 15 times less plastic. This method, called Geometric Viability Assay (GVA), could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics and diagnose infections faster.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have found that diffusiophoresis, a mechanism used in laundry cleaning, may play a role in creating animal patterns. The study suggests that pigment-producing cells are dragged through tissue by chemical agents, forming sharp spots and stripes.
A new study suggests that infection with the common cat-borne parasite Toxoplasma gondii may contribute to frailty in older adults. Among those infected, individuals with higher 'serointensity' or antibody levels to the parasite were more likely to be frail, highlighting a potential link between latent infection and inflammation.
Researchers developed an AI system that can scan through college application essays to identify evidence of key personal traits, such as leadership and perseverance. The system aims to reduce algorithmic bias and provide more holistic admissions decisions.
A study of 110 Colorado facilities found that 74.5% are at risk of climate-related hazards, including wildfires, heatwaves, and floods. Incarcerated individuals from marginalized communities face added risk due to poor infrastructure and lack of agency.
A comprehensive analysis of retention in academia reveals that women faculty are leaving academia at a higher rate than men, especially after receiving full professorship. The study found that harsh workplace climates, including harassment and feelings of not belonging, were the most common reason for women's departure.
Researchers found that subalpine forests in the Northern Rockies consistently recovered from wildfires over 4,800 years, with lake sediment cores providing a detailed record of past ecosystem responses. The study suggests that these forests are resilient to fire now, but future climate change may alter this resilience.
A team of space physicists used NASA's Parker Solar Probe to analyze whistler waves, finding they originated from disturbances in Venus' weak magnetic fields. The results support a previous study that failed to detect radio waves generated by lightning strikes on the planet.
Scientists at CU Boulder and Harvard Medical School discovered how RNA regulates PRC2 activity, enabling genes in certain regions of the genome to keep firing while others remain off. This finding sheds light on development and could pave the way for novel therapeutics for hard-to-treat cancers.
A new study sheds light on US forest carbon offset projects, revealing that most credits are issued for improved forest management practices rather than planting trees or protecting forests. Researchers also found that 26% of projects are in areas of moderate wildfire hazard, posing a risk to the stored carbon.
A new report reveals that Antarctica experienced both a record-breaking heatwave and extreme precipitation in 2022. The coldest and driest continent's ice sheet lost significant amounts of ice, contributing to sea level rise. Despite this, the region's snowfall actually protected the world against further sea level rise.
A sweeping analysis of over 130 traits and millions of couples reveals that birds of a feather flock together, with similarities common among partners. The study confirms the notion that genetics plays a role in shaping human relationships, debunking the idea that opposites attract.
Breast cancer survivors often struggle to take their life-extending medication due to side effects and high costs. A new study found that interventions such as cost-cutting policies, mobile apps, and psychological counseling can increase medication adherence by nearly 1.5 times. Addressing mental health issues, particularly depression,...
Researchers have developed a tiny, squishable robot called CLARI that can change its shape to pass through narrow gaps. The robot's modular design allows it to be customized and expanded with additional legs, enabling potential applications in search and rescue operations after major disasters.
A new study finds that cost-cutting policy changes, mobile apps, and psychological strategies can increase medication adherence by nearly 1.5 times among breast cancer survivors. The study also highlights the importance of managing side effects through physical therapy, exercise, and behavioral counseling.
Researchers observed novel ergodicity-breaking in C60, a highly symmetric molecule composed of 60 carbon atoms. The molecule's rotation rate dictates its structural deformation, leading to peculiar ergodicity transitions.
A new study from the University of Colorado at Boulder has developed an economical approach for producing green hydrogen, a precursor to liquid fuels. The method uses heat generated by solar rays to split molecules of water and carbon dioxide into hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which can be converted into fuels like gasoline and diesel.
Paleontologists discovered a tiny fossil mammal that thrived in Arctic conditions 73 million years ago. The 'ice mouse', weighing only 11 grams, likely weathered four months of winter darkness and freezing temperatures.
Researchers have created a one-of-a-kind shape-shifting display that can generate scrolling text and fast enough to shake a chemistry beaker. The device uses soft robotic muscles that sense outside pressure, pop up to create patterns, and could potentially deliver the sense of touch in a digital age.
A new University of Colorado Boulder study finds that reducing food loss and waste could lead to increased access to affordable food worldwide, but at the cost of reduced environmental benefits. The study suggests that more food availability would result in lower prices, leading to changes in consumer behavior.
A recent study led by the University of Colorado Boulder found that burning from the Marshall Fire left a mark on buildings, with elevated concentrations of carcinogenic materials like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) detected in dust samples. The research aims to inform best practices for recovering after future wildfires.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new way to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic using electricity and chemical reactions. In small-scale lab experiments, PET was broken down into its basic building blocks, which can be recovered and potentially reused to make new plastic bottles.
A new CU Boulder-led study suggests the global economy will grow slower in the 21st century, leading to a larger income gap between wealthier and poorer nations. Wealthier countries may need to help finance climate change adaptations for lower-income nations, as debt-ceiling crises become more common.
Researchers found minimal change in surface melt rates over the past four decades, despite rising global air temperatures. However, Antarctic ice shelf surface melt rates are expected to increase substantially in the coming decades due to climate change.
A recent study suggests that supermassive black holes at the center of large galaxies grew in size over billions of years, challenging previous estimates. The research, led by astrophysicist Joseph Simon, used computer simulations to predict the masses of massive black holes, revealing a diverse range of sizes across the universe.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells can adapt to novel CDK2 inhibitors in as little as one to two hours, but adding a second drug can squelch this workaround. Combining CDK2 inhibitors with existing drugs may treat resistant breast cancers more effectively
A study by CU Boulder researchers suggests that the ancient virus-like protein PEG10 may contribute to the development of ALS by interfering with brain and nerve cell communication. The findings provide a promising new target for treating the underlying cause of the fatal disease.
Researchers found that communities with collective land rights were more cooperative during forestry and non-forestry activities, such as working on community projects. They scored higher on measurements of cooperation and tended to collaborate more on tasks like maintaining roads or digging wells.
Researchers have designed tiny self-propelled robots that can deliver prescription drugs to hard-to-reach places inside the human body. The microrobots are capable of traveling at incredible speeds and could provide relief for bladder disease patients by releasing medication over a longer span of time.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder documents more than 60 years of change in snowpack water storage across Western North America. The researchers found that snowpack water storage has significantly declined in over 25% of the Mountain West, leading to earlier water scarcity and impacts on agriculture and wildfire risk.
A new assessment by University of Colorado at Boulder researchers reveals that over 50% of the world's largest lakes are losing water. The study found that climate change and unsustainable human consumption are major contributors to this decline, with many lakes in dry and wet regions experiencing significant losses.
The newly discovered planet, LP 791-18d, is almost the same size as Earth and has a chaotic environment with intense temperatures and possible volcanic activity. The planet's proximity to its neighbor LP 791-18c could create hazardous gravitational forces, but also potentially seed its atmosphere with gases and water.
A study published in Nature Sustainability predicts the number of farms worldwide will drop from 616 million in 2020 to 272 million in 2100. This decline is linked to a doubling in farm size as people migrate to urban areas, threatening biodiversity and food supply.
Saturn's rings are estimated to be 400 million years old, much younger than the planet itself, according to a new study. The researchers used dust analysis to determine the age of the rings, which are composed of ice and rocky material.
A new laser-based breathalyzer using artificial intelligence can detect COVID-19 in real-time with excellent accuracy. The technology, powered by frequency comb spectroscopy and machine learning, analyzes the unique chemical fingerprint of each breath sample to identify specific health conditions.
A team of 995 undergraduate and graduate students analyzed 600 real solar flares, casting doubt on the theory that nanoflares heat up the sun's corona. The students' work provided a unique opportunity for early-career scientists to learn about collaborative research.
A new study found that cannabis use by cancer patients leads to reduced pain levels, improved sleep quality, and enhanced cognitive function. After two weeks of sustained use, patients reported better thinking clarity and objective measures of cognition also showed improvements.
Researchers used machine learning to identify bacterial environmental pH preferences from genomic data, enabling quicker growth of finicky bacteria in labs. This technique may also improve agricultural practices by ensuring inoculants are adapted to local pH levels, supporting native prairie restoration and plant growth.
A recent study analyzing 46 million births across nearly three decades reveals a concerning pattern of maltreatment of non-white pregnant women, including disregarding their birthing wishes. The research suggests that medical induction of labor nearly tripled between 1990 and 2017 in the U.S., with no clear association with increased r...
The study highlights the importance of language documentation and revitalization to preserve human communication, culture, and cognition. Grambank reveals that language loss is occurring unevenly across major linguistic regions, with indigenous languages in northeast South America, Alaska, and northern Australia at highest risk.
Researchers from University of Colorado Boulder identified a fossil chili pepper that may rewrite the geography and evolutionary timeline of the tomato plant family. The team's findings suggest that chili peppers were present in North America at least 50 million years ago.
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team has discovered a protein crucial for repairing DNA in cancer cells, which they found can be selectively targeted to kill cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
Alaskan rivers are experiencing increased streamflow during spring and fall seasons, driven by rising temperatures. This shift affects the formation and safety of river ice in winter, posing dangers for transportation and fishing, while also impacting traditional hunting routes.
A team of international researchers has uncovered a more complex history of early horses in North America, suggesting they may have spread faster and earlier than previously thought. The study, published in Science, used archaeozoology, DNA sequencing, and Indigenous oral traditions to find that Native American communities were likely ...
Researchers develop new way to generate squeezing that overcomes fundamental quantum imprecision, enabling more precise atomic clocks and improved quantum sensors. The new approach leverages bosonic pair creation and enables entangled states with minimal fuss, reducing experimental challenges.
Scientists discover human-associated microbes in soil samples from Mount Everest's South Col, highlighting the impact of tourism on high-altitude environments. The findings also shed light on the potential for life beyond Earth, particularly on Mars and other cold moons.
Scientists analyzed the lysine riboswitch in Bacillus subtilis to understand its dynamics with secondary ligands like potassium, cesium, and sodium. They found that these ligands can interact cooperatively with lysine, suggesting a more complex regulatory mechanism than previously thought.
A new study explores the growing trend of patient influencers promoting prescription drugs on social media, often with close ties to pharmaceutical companies. Despite some good intentions, researchers raise concerns about the lack of medical training and potential for misinformation, highlighting the need for greater regulation.