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University of Delaware


Coastal sea change

A new analysis published in Nature suggests that the coastal ocean now takes in more carbon dioxide than it releases, potentially impacting global predictions related to climate change. Researchers propose a mechanism for the shift, which could make the coastal ocean a more important carbon sink in the future.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature·DateDec 4, 2013

Cosmic finding ushers in 'new age of astronomy'

Researchers at the University of Delaware part of an international team that observed 28 high-energy particle events coming from cosmic accelerators, possibly exploding stars or accreting black holes. The discovery marks the first solid evidence of neutrinos originating from sources outside our solar system.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience·DateNov 21, 2013

Women, STEM and stereotypes

Researcher Chad Forbes aims to understand how stereotype threat impacts women in STEM fields, leading to job dissatisfaction and decreased performance. He's using a combination of neuroscience and social psychology to develop strategies to reverse this trend.

Hurricane research

Researchers at the University of Delaware are creating a fundamentally new approach to modeling hurricanes, integrating storm surge, wind speed, and flooding maps to inform evacuation decisions. The team hopes to reduce deaths and injuries by improving management of evacuation and shelter for hurricanes.

Researchers a step closer to finding cosmic ray origins

Researchers have used data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory to identify new information about the origin of cosmic rays. The study provides new constraints for models explaining the acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays, with potential implications for understanding their impact on human DNA and electronics in space.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPhysical Review D·DateAug 30, 2013

Morphing manganese

Researchers discover manganese(III) forms up to 90% of total manganese present in marine environments with gradation of oxygen concentrations. The finding sheds light on the complex connections between biology, geology and chemistry in ocean environments.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience·DateAug 22, 2013

A cheaper drive to 'cool' fuels

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed an inexpensive catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels for powering cars, homes, and businesses. The catalyst uses solar energy to convert CO2 into carbon monoxide, a valuable commodity chemical with many industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 20, 2013

Life underground

Researchers at University of Delaware and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found evidence of active bacteria, fungi and other microscopic organisms at depths deeper than a skyscraper is high. The microbes are reproducing, digesting food and moving around despite extreme conditions.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature·DateJun 12, 2013

Spintronics discovery

Researchers at University of Delaware confirm presence of magnetic field generated by electrons, expanding potential for harnessing spin properties. The finding is significant for developing next-generation spintronic devices and controlling magnetization.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 8, 2013

Measuring hidden HIV

Researchers developed a mathematical model to represent HIV-infected cell reproduction, revealing significant uncontrolled replication in sanctuary sites. The discovery implies current antiretroviral therapies may not be as complete in suppressing HIV as previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalInterface·DateMay 7, 2013

Artful science

University of Delaware professor John Jungck emphasizes the intersection of art and science, using natural patterns and visualization tools to reveal hidden information in fields like plant biology and biomedical imaging. His research and teaching emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and imagination.

Is there a Neanderthal in the house?

Researchers examine how our evolutionary history contributes to current health problems, such as obesity and childbirth complications. They suggest that understanding our past can help us better address these issues with alternative solutions like doula support during birth.

Study: Buying luxury -- hedonistic or just French?

A study published in Psychology & Marketing compared consumers' perceptions of luxury across nine countries. In the US, luxury goods are bought for self-fulfillment, while in France, they're valued for their exclusivity and high price. Other European countries like Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Slovakia prioritize quality over prestige.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPsychology and Marketing·DateFeb 6, 2013

'House hunters walrus'

A University of Delaware research team has developed a novel camera system to map the surface topography of Arctic sea ice, enabling accurate habitat classification for threatened walruses. The system uses areas of higher competence to interpolate lower-confidence areas, resulting in dense 3-D reconstructions with precision accuracy wi...

Stretchable electronics

Stretchable electronics are being developed to enhance device durability and functionality. Bingqing Wei's research group has made significant progress in creating scalable, stretchable power sources for flexible electronics using carbon nanotube macrofilms, polyurethane membranes and organic electrolytes.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNano Letters·DateDec 14, 2012

Drivers' ed for robots

A team led by University of Delaware researchers aims to create a robot that can drive vehicles, navigate environments, use tools, and manipulate equipment in disaster relief scenarios. The robot will focus on key tasks such as getting into and out of vehicles, driving factoring in difficult conditions.

Ghost busting

A study published in Science Communication found that media messages describing paranormal investigators as 'scientific' make people more likely to believe in ghosts and haunted houses. Researchers found that such descriptions increase credibility ratings and lead to increased belief in paranormal claims.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience Communication·DateOct 24, 2012

Horticultural hijacking

Researchers reveal that beneficial root bacteria, like Bacillus subtilis, suppress plant immunity to control the relationship, boosting growth through nitrogen conversion. This complex interaction raises questions about the benefits and drawbacks of these symbiotic relationships.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateSep 21, 2012

Surviving without ice

Researchers discovered Arctic crustaceans migrate below sea ice during winter nights, using deep-ocean currents to reach colder areas. This adaptation increases survival and enables them to remain in the Arctic Ocean, a key finding that challenges previous perceptions of ice fauna's vulnerability.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalBiology Letters·DateSep 13, 2012

Wind power's potential

Researchers calculated wind power potential worldwide, accounting for climate impacts and found it exceeds global energy demands. The maximum theoretical potential is over 250 terawatts globally and 80 TW over land and ocean areas.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 10, 2012

Solar storm protection

A new warning system can forecast radiation from solar storms nearly three hours in advance, allowing astronauts and air crews to take protective action. The system uses data from neutron monitors installed at the South Pole to estimate the intensity of high-energy particles that arrive on Earth first.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalSpace Weather·DateJul 12, 2012

She won a gold medal because she's pretty

Researchers found notable differences in how sports commentators talk about athletes depending on gender, nationality, and athletic performance. Female athletes are often attributed to luck rather than physical ability, while male athletes receive praise for skill and commitment.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media·DateJun 18, 2012

Cosmic calculations

A University of Delaware-led research team has developed more accurate calculations for the interactions between molecules of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, essential for spectroscopy in astrophysics. These advancements enable researchers to analyze molecular clouds where stars are born with greater precision.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience·DateMay 31, 2012

Sediment sleuthing

A University of Delaware oceanographer found trace amounts of radioactive iodine in the Delaware River, providing a new way to study substance travel through rivers to the ocean. The contaminant enters waterways via wastewater treatment systems and has a half-life of eight days.

Running robots

A team of engineers led by Ioannis Poulakakis aims to create robots that can run like animals, enabling them to access areas inaccessible to conventional vehicles. Using biomechanics research, they seek to develop a family of systematic control strategies that work with the robot's natural dynamics.

Baseball's winning formula

A University of Delaware professor found hitting accounts for more than 45% of teams' winning records, fielding for 25%, and pitching also for 25%. The impact of stolen bases is greatly overestimated in baseball winning percentages.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports·DateSep 29, 2011

Emergency workers will respond

Researchers found that role abandonment by first responders is unlikely if organizations are proactive in protecting their employees. The study suggests that employers should reach out to families and provide support and resources for spouses to alleviate role strain. Additionally, education on disaster threats and personal protective ...

As good as gold

Researchers have discovered that pyrite nanoparticles from hydrothermal vents are a significant source of iron for ocean life, with the ability to travel long distances and form a potentially important food source. These nanoparticles are dispersed into the ocean rather than falling to the bottom due to their small size.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 10, 2011

Prejudice and the President

A University of Delaware doctoral student conducted a study on how racial prejudice affects perceptions of President Barack Obama's 'Americanism' and performance. The results show that white Americans who hold prejudiced views against black people are more likely to rate Obama as performing poorly in office.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 28, 2011