A CU Boulder study found that bipartisanship can help create working climate mitigation strategies in state-level contexts. Bipartisan or Republican-led bills favored financial incentives for renewable energy and expanded consumer choices, while Democrat-led bills restricted choice with mandatory renewable energy standards.
Scientists have developed a novel approach to targeting transcription factors, which could lead to new therapies for cancer and other diseases. A peptide designed to target the Mediator complex has been shown to selectively inhibit p53, a critical gene in human development and stress response.
The partnership between pharma companies and patient influencers has raised concerns about the potential risks and benefits. While some see it as a way to improve disease awareness and treatment options, others worry about misinformation and advertising blurring the lines between opinion and ad content.
A University of Colorado Boulder study shows that win-wins in environmental management are rare due to real-world complexity. The research highlights the importance of compromise and effective communication between scientists, stakeholders, and policymakers.
Researchers have developed a new forecasting approach using machine learning and anonymized datasets from Facebook that significantly outperforms conventional models for projecting COVID trends at the county level. The model captures shifting trends in numbers reflecting lockdowns, waning immunity, or masking policies.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder finds that customized training and technical assistance can help Brazilian cattle ranchers sustainably increase their production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program resulted in a significant impact on carbon sequestration and emissions, equivalent to reducing CO2 emis...
Recent wildfires have led to a palpable change in fire dynamics, with large fires becoming more common and spreading into new areas. The study found that fire frequency doubled in the West and quadrupled in the Great Plains since 2000.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new tool for capturing heat-trapping gases and converting them into beneficial substances. The method predicts the strength of chemical bonds between carbon dioxide and potential binders, enabling researchers to identify suitable candidates for carbon capture.
Researchers found that faster-moving ants in a raft lead to expansions and protrusions, potentially used for sensing environments. The team's findings can inform the development of intelligent swarm responses for robotics and next-generation materials.
Research from the University of Colorado Boulder found that people exposed to more green space reported less depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also found that spending time in green spaces had a protective effect on mental health, even in times of extraordinary stressors.
A new study found that hot, dry nights have increased by 45% in the US West over the past four decades, leading to more intense and frequent wildfires. The warmer nighttime conditions make it harder for firefighters to slow down or extinguish fires, which are becoming 28% more intense.
A new CU Boulder analysis found that a subset of climate scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) project between 3.6 and 5.4 degrees F of warming by 2100, with a median of 3.96 F. This is cautiously optimistic good news compared to worst-case scenarios that projected as much as 7.2 or 9 F of warming.
A CU Boulder-led study reveals that immersive undergraduate research experiences like RECCS can fundamentally shift students' reading patterns when tackling scientific material. Students who participated in the 9-week program demonstrated expert-like behavior when analyzing graphs and academic papers.
Research found that preschoolers' melatonin levels are suppressed by even dim light before bedtime, with suppression rates ranging from 70% to 99%.
A global study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that people are more likely to support COVID-19 policies when presented as backed by nonpartisan scientific experts rather than politicians. This suggests that trusted experts may have the power to unify public opinion and depolarize it.
A new study published in Royal Society Open Science found that amputee sprinters using prostheses have no clear competitive advantage at the 400-meter distance compared to non-amputees. In fact, they appear to have a significant disadvantage at the start, with athletes using prosthetic legs being 40% slower out of the starting blocks a...
A new CU Boulder study reveals that iodine from desert dust can decrease ozone air pollution but prolong greenhouse gas lifetimes. The finding has significant implications for air quality and climate, forcing researchers to re-evaluate how particles from land impact the atmosphere's chemistry.
Researchers discovered that mechanical forces guide cell development, influencing gene expression and potentially leading to pathologies like heart disease. The findings could inspire advances in engineering authentic artificial tissue for medical applications.
Researchers at CU Boulder found that lunar pits and caves showcase remarkably stable conditions, making them attractive options for establishing a long-term human presence on the moon. The environments can help astronauts weather some of the moon's worst extremes but may not be ideal spots to find water.
Researchers are using a multi-disciplinary approach to study the habitability of exoplanets, with Mars serving as a key example. The team is analyzing the atmospheres of different planets and how they might retain them under various conditions.
Researchers have identified the source of mysterious STEVE light emissions as a narrow region in the magnetosphere, driven by strong waves and particle acceleration. The findings suggest that the ionosphere and magnetosphere may be coupled at lower latitudes, transporting vast quantities of energy and momentum.
Astronomers observed a young, sun-like star ejecting a massive burst of energy and charged particles, potentially bad news for satellites and power grids. The study suggests that similar events could have shaped planets like Earth and Mars over billions of years.
Researchers found that three recognized Redpoll species are genetically identical, differing only by a 'supergene' controlling plumage color and morphology. This finding builds on previous research suggesting this might be the case, using greater genetic technological capability to examine the full genome of the birds.
A study found that Republicans who consumed and trusted Fox News less had more faith in the electoral process, while Democrats grew more confident as evidence of Biden's win accumulated. Cognitive dissonance theory explains how Fox News rationalized the outcome for Republicans, leading to decreased confidence in vote legitimacy.
A team of scientists used satellite images to track ammonia concentrations in the air above Los Angeles before and during the pandemic lockdown. They discovered that cars may produce up to 95% of this harmful pollutant throughout the city, significantly higher than previous estimates.
A new paper cautions that slow economic growth may bring challenges, particularly in multicultural democracies like the US, affecting social solidarity, opportunity, inequality, and trust in government. The authors propose a 'guided civic revival' to address these challenges by strengthening democratic institutions, increasing social i...
A new CIRES-led study reveals that ocean temperatures, not ice sheets, are responsible for the dramatic shift in atmospheric circulation and precipitation patterns on the West Coast. The research uses a climate model to evaluate the impact of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets on West Coast dynamics during the Last Glacial Maximum.
A new study found that female bushbabies experience sharper increases in glucocorticoid hormones than males, indicating they may be under more stress and have less wiggle room to survive in a changing environment.
A new study suggests that a gravitational 'kick' from colliding supermassive black holes could be responsible for the strange shape of stars at the center of the Andromeda Galaxy. The team used computer simulations to track the consequences of such a merger, finding that it could knock millions of stars into wonky orbits.
A new study estimates that banning abortion would result in a 21% increase in pregnancy-related deaths overall and a 33% increase among Black women. The study suggests that staying pregnant is more dangerous to a woman than having an abortion, with carrying a pregnancy to term being 33 times riskier than having an abortion.
Rapid warming in High Mountain Asia is causing more glacier melt, permafrost thaw, and annual rainfall, leading to increased river runoff and sediment flux. This could harm hydropower projects, irrigation capacity, and water quality, affecting millions of people.
Research by University of Colorado Boulder found that women's representation in national legislatures drives spending on education and healthcare. Spending increases sharply when women occupy 15-35% of seats, but levels off beyond 40%. The study suggests critical mass theory is not dead.
A specific wavelength of Far ultraviolet-C light has been discovered that is both safe for humans and highly effective in killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This breakthrough could lead to affordable systems for reducing viral spread in crowded public spaces, complementing ventilation, mask wearing, and vaccination.
A new study shows that a four-week psychological treatment called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) can provide potent and durable relief for chronic back pain in two-thirds of patients. The treatment alters brain networks associated with pain processing, reducing symptoms that last for up to one year.
Researchers at CU Boulder have discovered a way to cool down ultra-small heat sources by packing them closer together, using computational simulations to track the passage of heat. The findings highlight the challenges of designing efficient electronic devices and could lead to faster cooling in future tech.
A new study suggests that prebiotics can help realign sleep-wake cycles and core body temperature after chronic disruption of rhythms, hosting health-promoting microbes and a different metabolome. Researchers hope to develop customized prebiotic mixtures for individuals with frequent circadian disruptions.
A study of nearly 12,000 kids found that screen time is only slightly linked to attention disorders, disturbed sleep, and lower grades. However, excessive screen time may have social benefits, with kids who spent more time with screens having more close friends.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that washing and drying reusable cloth masks doesn't compromise their ability to filter out viral particles. The research confirms that layering a cotton mask on top of a surgical mask provides more protection than cloth alone, with filtration efficiency reaching up to 40%.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers finds that rare earth elements are contaminating Western streams, driven by climate change. The elements can leach into the water from rocks and soil disturbed by historic mines, posing a risk to fish and other aquatic life.
A team of archaeologists led by Paola Villa has uncovered an unprecedented array of bone tools crafted from elephant bones at the Castel di Guido site in Italy, dating back to around 400,000 years ago. The discovery reveals a high level of cognitive intellect and technological sophistication among early humans during this period.
Researchers found that masks, social distancing, and ventilation significantly reduce the risk of musical COVID-19 transmission. Simple safety measures, such as wearing masks, limiting performance time to under 30 minutes, and maintaining distance between players, can mitigate this risk.
Researchers developed a precise stopwatch to count single photons, enhancing imaging technologies like forest mapping and disease diagnosis. The new time lens technology improves photon timing resolution by orders of magnitude.
A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder has shed new light on the Great Unconformity, a mysterious gap in the Grand Canyon's rock record that covers hundreds of millions of years. The research suggests that a series of small faulting events may have caused rocks and sediment to wash away, creating the missing window of time.
Three new fossil mammal species, including Beornus honeyi, Miniconus jeanninae, and Conacodon hettingeri, have been discovered at an ancient riverbed site in southern Wyoming. The species lived after a mass extinction event and were ancestors of today's hoofed animals.
A recent study found that print media have achieved a 90% accuracy rate in covering climate change over the past 15 years, with most outlets presenting factually accurate information. However, conservative media outlets were found to be less accurate in their coverage, highlighting ongoing biases in the industry.
A team of engineers discovered that the unique design of fish fins, with layered structures made up of stiff and soft materials, enables them to achieve remarkable dexterity and flexibility. This finding could lead to new materials and technologies for robotic applications and aircraft design.
A new platform can quickly identify common mutations on the SARS-CoV-2 virus, allowing for the development of stronger COVID-19 boosters and universal vaccines. The tool uses genetically modified baker's yeast to map resulting mutations that form and escape neutralizing antibodies.
A new study suggests that small single-celled organisms may have formed larger multicellular life forms to better navigate icy waters. This shift in size allowed for increased propulsion and access to a wider range of food sources, giving early organisms an ecological advantage.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder have developed a blood test that can assess the timing of an individual's internal circadian clock, potentially leading to personalized medicine breakthroughs. The study found that analyzing a combination of molecules in a single blood draw can determine the timing of a person's biological ...
Research found that tree mortality in subalpine Colorado forests more than tripled since the 1980s due to warmer and drier summer conditions. Climate change is expected to increase this trend, making it difficult for new trees to take root.