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University of Delaware


Model perfect

Researchers developed a framework to address uncertainty in mathematical models by considering the effects of correlated parameters. This approach improves model predictability and reliability, with applications in fields such as catalysis, combustion, environmental sciences, and biology.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Chemistry·DateFeb 22, 2016

Online shopping might not be as green as we thought

A multi-year regional study at the University of Delaware suggests that home shopping has a greater impact on transportation sector than previously believed. The study found that online shopping leads to increased wear and tear on pavements and higher environmental pollution due to more delivery trucks on the roads.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalInternational Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology·DateFeb 5, 2016

Safeguarding sturgeon

Researchers at the University of Delaware used satellite measurements to predict Atlantic sturgeon locations. They identified six seascapes that sturgeon prefer and combined them with ocean color and temperature data to create a map that can help fishermen avoid catching the vulnerable species.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateFeb 3, 2016

Fuel cell advance

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a low-cost nickel-based catalyst that can power fuel cells with unprecedented efficiency. This breakthrough could make hydrogen fuel cell cars truly affordable, potentially priced around $23,000 for a Toyota Mirai.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 14, 2016

Kids' robotic rehab

A team of researchers is exploring the use of the NAO robot in a new approach to pediatric rehabilitation based on social interaction between robots and humans. The robot can read moods, recognize family members, and learn preferences, providing personalized interventions for children with motor disabilities.

Penguins, food and robots

Researchers used tagged penguins and an autonomous underwater vehicle to study competition between Adélie and gentoo penguins for the same food resources. The study found that gentoo penguins shifted behavior to deeper depths when competing with Adélie penguins, suggesting a strategy to limit competition.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 7, 2016

Coral, seaweed and fishy appetites

A study found that butterflyfishes overwhelmingly avoid corals with seaweed contact, suggesting chemical cues produced by seaweed alter coral palatability. This shift in behavior could have ripple effects on the entire ecosystem, impacting food supply and tourism opportunities.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 5, 2016

Critical clues on cartilage

A team of researchers has shed new light on the relationships between cartilage structure and function, revealing microdomains that behave differently from surrounding tissue. This discovery paves the way for more effective treatments of meniscus tears and osteoarthritis.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 4, 2016

Fighting rice fungus

A study published by University of Delaware plant scientists has identified a stress hormone that appears to increase the virulence of the rice blast fungus. The research may lead to new control methods for the devastating disease.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateDec 22, 2015

Evergreens at risk

Research predicts 72% of Northwest Evergreen Trees will die by 2050, with nearly 100% mortality by 2100 under projected global warming scenarios. Climate models suggest a negative feedback loop could accelerate climate change.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Climate Change·DateDec 21, 2015

Closing the loop on an HIV escape mechanism

A research team found that HIV's infectivity is regulated by protein motions, which can be manipulated to inhibit viral replication. By examining the interactions between HIV and host-cell protein cyclophilin A, the team identified a key mechanism for developing new therapeutic interventions.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2015

Capacitor breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Delaware have successfully developed a new method to increase the energy storage ability of dielectric capacitors using nanotechnology. The innovation achieves an energy density of about two watt hours per kilogram, significantly higher than existing structures.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2015

Changing the color of light

The University of Delaware research team aims to improve solar cells and medical imaging by changing the color of low-energy light into higher-energy colors. Their novel approach could lead to a significant boost in solar energy harvesting, with predicted efficiencies of up to 30%.

Preventing knee pain in at-risk adults with diabetes

A University of Delaware-led study found that an intensive regimen of regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the short-term onset of knee pain for overweight adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Arthritis Care and Research, shows a 15% decrease in knee pain development among those who underwent the intensive pro...

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateJul 23, 2015

Cataract culprits

University of Delaware researchers have identified two genes linked to cataract formation. Deficiency in these genes leads to lens clouding and cataract development without aging or radiation exposure required. The study could contribute to interventions that delay or prevent cataract formation.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalHuman Genetics·DateJun 18, 2015

Hitchhiking to Caribbean coral

A recent PNAS study reports that the stress-tolerant alga Symbiodinium trenchii is not native to the Caribbean but was introduced from the Pacific Ocean. This finding raises concerns about the long-term damage it could cause on coral reefs, which cover only a small percentage of the world's oceans.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 1, 2015

Corporate greed

Research by University of Delaware professor Katalin Takacs Haynes and colleagues links excessive CEO compensation to negative company outcomes. The studies examine the impact of greed, hubris, and risk-taking on business performance.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Management·DateMay 15, 2015

Soil security

The world's soil resources are under threat from erosion, nutrient exhaustion, urbanization, and climate change, which could lead to disruptions in food production and geopolitical conflicts. Experts call for better management of Earth's soils to address this issue.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience·DateMay 7, 2015

Salt affects organs

Excess dietary sodium can adversely affect target organs even in absence of blood pressure increase, including reduced function of endothelium, increased arterial stiffness, and kidney damage. Reducing sodium intake can help mitigate these effects.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 10, 2015

Emissions-free cars get closer

Researchers have discovered that hydrogen binding energy is the most important factor predicting the rate of the fuel-cell reaction, enabling the design of new catalyst materials. Alkaline polymers are being explored as a potential solution to create less expensive electrocatalysts that work well in an alkaline environment.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2015

University of Delaware study connects penguin chick weights to local weather conditions

A recent University of Delaware study has found that Adélie penguin chick weights are most closely linked to local weather conditions, including high winds and precipitation. The researchers discovered a significant impact on chick weight variations over time, with even small changes in weather causing notable differences in chick mass.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateOct 27, 2014

Crohn's disease research

Researchers at the University of Delaware have identified a protein called HSP70 that helps stabilize NOD2, a key protein involved in Crohn's disease. This finding provides a possible pathway for developing an effective therapy for the inflammatory bowel disease.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 17, 2014

Greedy CEOs bad for business

Research by University of Delaware professor Katalin Takacs Haynes finds that extreme greed among top managers leads to lower performance and loss of shareholder value. However, a powerful board or long CEO tenure can mitigate this effect.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Management·DateJun 20, 2014

Blunting rice disease

Researchers at the University of Delaware have discovered a naturally occurring microbe that inhibits the devastating fungus known as rice blast, inducing a defense response in rice plants. The beneficial soil microbe, Pseudomonas chlororaphis EA105, reduces fungal growth by 76% and lesion size.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalBMC Plant Biology·DateJun 2, 2014

Diesel bus alternative

Researchers analyzed the cost-effectiveness of electric school buses that discharge their batteries into the electrical grid when not in use. Over 14 years, a V2G-capable electric bus fleet could save an estimated $38 million compared to diesel buses.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalApplied Energy·DateMay 28, 2014

Nano shake-up

University of Delaware researchers show that routine procedures in handling and processing nanocarrier solutions can alter their size and shape, affecting targeted drug delivery to cancer cells. The study's findings have significant implications for the production, storage, and use of nano-based drug delivery systems.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 14, 2014

Taming hurricanes

Research by the University of Delaware and Stanford University shows that offshore wind turbines can buffer damage to coastal cities during hurricanes. The study found that large wind farms with tens of thousands of turbines can slow down hurricane winds, reduce wave heights, and decrease storm surge.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 26, 2014

Food & moods

Researchers found that individuals in positive moods prefer healthy foods for long-term health benefits, while those in negative moods opt for indulgent foods for immediate mood management. The studies suggest that perspective on time plays a crucial role in food choice, with people in positive moods considering future health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateFeb 18, 2014