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University of Connecticut


As forests burn

The new website provides a resource for understanding why, where, and how tropical reforestation is occurring. It highlights eight key messages on livelihoods, local decision-making, planting trees, natural regeneration, and climate change, among others.

Breaking up is hard to do

Researchers discovered that electrons in copper oxide superconductors continue to pair up even above the critical temperature, reducing the energy gap. This finding constrains theories about high-temperature superconductivity and opens avenues for designing more precise materials.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature·DateAug 21, 2019

Tweeting while watching TV diminishes enjoyment

A new study from the University of Connecticut found that tweeting while watching TV decreases viewers' ability to become immersed in the narrative. College students who engaged in media multitasking reported lower levels of transportation into the content and intensified emotions compared to those consuming only one medium.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media·DateJul 2, 2019

Food insecurity leading to type 2 diabetes

A collaborative study by Connecticut researchers shows that food insecurity is linked to insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes in Latinos. The study found that households with food-insecure individuals had higher levels of inflammation, stress hormones, and insulin resistance compared to those who were food secure.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateJun 26, 2019

Tapping into the way cells communicate

Researchers have developed a platform to record cell messages in depth, uncovering the precise ways cells communicate. This breakthrough enables the creation of 'cell-less' therapies that aid in repairing cardiac tissue without stem cell transplantation.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2019

Food for thought: Why did we ever start farming?

A recent study by Elic Weitzel found that humans transitioned from hunting and gathering to agriculture in response to changes in their environment, including declining food sources and shifting climates. The research analyzed animal bones and pollen data from Eastern United States sites, revealing a link between population growth and ...

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalAmerican Antiquity·DateApr 2, 2019

Mosses -- Dynamic and built to last

A groundbreaking study using DNA sequencing technology reconstructs the moss family tree, revealing a highly dynamic evolutionary history and significant morphological innovations. The research also sheds light on the rate of evolutionary changes and the diversification of moss structures.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 2, 2019

A better way to make acrylics

A team of researchers at UConn and ExxonMobil have discovered a new, more energy-efficient method for producing acrylics. The technique uses a porous catalyst made of manganese and oxygen to facilitate chemical reactions, resulting in reduced energy consumption and fewer unwanted byproducts.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 2019

Artificial skin could give superhuman perception

Researchers at the University of Connecticut created a sensor using iron oxide nanoparticles in silicone that can detect pressure, temperature, and vibration, as well as magnetic fields and sound waves. The sensor could potentially help burn victims feel again and serve as an early warning for workers exposed to high magnetic fields.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 28, 2019

A little squid sheds light on evolution with bacteria

A recent study sequenced the genome of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, revealing unique evolutionary footprints in symbiotic organs that house beneficial bacteria. The research provides clues about how these partnerships are maintained and lays the groundwork for furthering knowledge of human microbiome relationships.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019

Moving the motivation meter

Two novel drugs have been found to restore normal behavior in rats lacking motivation by stimulating a build-up of dopamine in the synapses. This discovery holds promise for treating apathy and fatigue in humans, particularly those suffering from depression or caused by chronic diseases.

Infants are more likely to learn when with a peer

A new study found that infants who viewed instruction with a peer showed better neural response and improved phonemic learning compared to those who watched alone. The researchers suggest that social interaction increases arousal, which in turn boosts learning, and provide motivation for acquiring new skills.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 16, 2018

Antibiotic resistance in a leech's gut

Research by UConn microbiologists found that tiny amounts of antibiotics in chicken blood can encourage bacterial resistance. The study used leeches as a perfect test case and discovered that low levels of ciprofloxacin in poultry blood were selecting for antibiotic-resistant Aeromonas bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalmBio·DateJul 24, 2018