Researchers used a new technique to measure the precise size of WASP-10b, a planet thought to have an unusually large diameter. The team's use of the OPTIC camera resulted in a finding that the planet is one of the densest known, rather than bloated.
A statewide survey of snail and slug invasions in Hawai'i has found 29 alien species, including five previously unreported, with most introduced to Oahu before spreading to other islands. The study highlights the need for greater awareness among nurseries and quarantine officials to prevent further environmental impacts.
A team of researchers has discovered a slow earthquake triggered by the 2007 dike intrusion at Kilauea Volcano, demonstrating the connection between magmatism and earthquake faulting. The study used satellite and GPS data to track the movement of magma and show how it triggered the slow earthquake on Kilauea's south flank.
Researchers have identified a specific type of dinoflagellate that renders corals more susceptible to disease. The study found that this particular symbiont produces less food for the coral, leading to starvation and increased disease risk.
Researchers have determined the masses of the coldest class of brown dwarfs for the first time outside the solar system. The team used ultrasharp images from the Keck Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope to measure the sizes and durations of binary systems, revealing two new brown dwarf binaries with masses as low as 6% of the sun's mass.
Researchers have found extraterrestrial noble gasses encapsulated within fullerene molecules, providing a new tool for tracing extraterrestrial events. The discovery supports the theory that atmospheric gases and organic compounds were delivered to planets via asteroid and comet strikes.
Researchers found that tiny mussels on whale bones and wood fragments are closely related to giant vent mussels, suggesting they could be evolutionary intermediates. The study suggests rotting whales may provide a missing link between vent and shallow-water mussel species.
The NASA space shuttle Endeavour will gather information key to the University of Hawaii's research on the aftermath of volcanic eruptions. The mission aims to provide more extensive topographic data on volcanoes, including Mount Pinatubo, using advanced radar interferometry.
A University of Hawaii research team has discovered a new class of myoglobin-like proteins in ancient microorganisms, which may be the evolutionary ancestors of proteins involved in oxygen sensing and transport. These proteins help sense oxygen, allowing the organism to find a more favorable oxygen environment.
Researchers have found evidence of bacterial life in the Antarctic ice core, suggesting that microbes can thrive in extreme environments. The discovery provides insight into potential extraterrestrial habitats and could aid in designing samplers for future missions to Europa.
Researchers confirm presence of fullerenes in Allende meteorite, which could have played a role in early Earth's history and origin of life. The discovery provides insights into the formation of the solar nebula and presolar dust.
A team of young researchers, mentored by Associate Professor Max Vercruyssen, are developing a computerized driving simulator to evaluate astronaut fitness for space travel. The simulator aims to determine alertness, judgment, and motor skills related to operating an automobile, similar to assessing fitness-for-duty in the space shuttle.
University of Hawaii scientists have made a breakthrough in cloning technology by creating the first male mouse clone, dubbed Fibro. The achievement uses somatic cells from adult male tails to produce a live offspring, showcasing that animals of either sex can be cloned and non-reproductive cells can be used.
University of Hawaii scientists have developed a new method for producing transgenic mammals by injecting DNA into eggs using mouse sperm. The technique, called Honolulu transgenesis, has shown success in producing green mice with a jellyfish 'green gene'.
Scientists at the University of Hawaii have discovered a unique feature in the nervous system of plankton - myelin - which coats nerve cells and enables faster response times to stimuli. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of evolution, ocean biology, and the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates.
A team of researchers will conduct an exhaustive analysis of rock samples, magnetic characteristics, and isotopic compositions from a depth of 15,000 feet in the Mauna Kea volcano. The project aims to learn more about mantle plumes and their role in producing volcanic eruptions.
Professor W. Wesley Peterson will receive the Japan Prize for his pioneering work in algebraic coding theory, a fundamental theory for error-correcting codes used in reliable digital communication systems. The prize recognizes Peterson's influential book, Error-Correcting Codes, published in 1961.
The University of Hawaii has launched the Marine Bioproducts Engineering Center (MarBEC) with a $12.4 million NSF grant, aiming to develop 21st-century marine biotechnology businesses. MarBEC will draw on Hawaii's expertise and natural advantages in collecting and analyzing marine products and organisms to lay the groundwork for future...
A team of astronomers detected a population of distant, dusty galaxies forming stars at rates 10-100 times higher than most optical sources. The discovery suggests that much of the star formation in the distant Universe may be hidden to visual observations, requiring a combination of both optical and submillimeter observations.
A team of Japanese and American physicists have found evidence of mass and oscillations in neutrinos, elementary particles with the smallest mass yet. The discovery comes from Super-Kamiokande experiment and confirms an anomaly uncovered in 1985, resolving a long-standing mystery in particle physics.