A team of researchers, led by Julia Wellner and Karsten Gohl, will drill into the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to study its history and potential impact on sea level rise. The expedition aims to understand the past interplay between seawater and air temperature, which could provide insights into possible future behavior.
Researchers have discovered a new class of half-Heusler thermoelectric compounds with a record high figure of merit, converting heat to electricity efficiently. The compound composed of tantalum, iron, and antimony demonstrated promising thermoelectric performance without using expensive elements.
Researchers have created a new material capable of repelling ice from any surface using elastic energy localization. Testing shows it is mechanically durable, unaffected by ultraviolet rays and requires minimal force to cause cracks that slough off the ice. The coating can last for over 10 years without needing reapplication.
Researchers found that children's health is less negatively affected when parents have control over their work lives. Autonomous parents are better able to regulate themselves and their parenting, leading to healthier outcomes for their children. This suggests that workplaces can play a role in promoting job autonomy to support families.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a high-energy magnesium battery with up to 243 watt hours per kilogram, outperforming earlier models. The new design uses a chloride-free electrolyte and organic cathode, enabling stable performance and high energy storage capacity.
Jakoah Brgoch aims to improve energy efficiency in LED lighting by developing new materials and algorithms. He will use machine learning to identify new phosphors and predict material behavior under temperature changes.
Ruiwen Zhang, a University of Houston College of Pharmacy scientist, has been recognized as a leader in cancer prevention and treatment drug discovery and development. He has made major contributions to the discovery of cancer pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomic syndrome and developed novel gene silencing technologies.
A new study by University of Houston professor Clayton Neighbors examines the unexpected link between physical activity and drinking among college students, finding that exercising more is associated with higher drinking rates. The research aims to identify the underlying psychological factors driving this association.
Researchers have created a new drug that targets the colon and limits its exposure, offering hope for treating Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and preventing colon cancer. The treatment could be effective in reducing life expectancy by nearly 50% for children with FAP.
Researchers identified eight departments that regularly produce authoritative and relevant research in family medicine, citing leadership commitment, team-based approach, convergence of researchers and clinicians, and departmental culture as crucial factors. The findings suggest collaborations between the College of Medicine and other ...
The University of Houston will train 240 new STEM teachers over five years through the teachHOUSTON program, aiming to address the shortage of educators in the Houston area. The program, funded by a $1.7 million grant from the Department of Education, targets current computer science majors and underrepresented groups.
A team of researchers, led by UH professor Kirill Larin, is investigating the relationship between mechanical factors and genetic pathways in embryonic heart development. Understanding this connection can help prevent congenital heart defects, which claim one out of every 100 baby lives in the US.
Physicist Zhifeng Ren, director of the Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston, has received a research award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to collaborate with German researchers. He will focus on new fabrication techniques and thermoelectric materials to improve clean energy conversion.
Navin Varadarajan is modifying T cells to recognize and kill glypican-3, a molecule found in liver cancer cells. The goal is to develop an effective treatment for high-risk pediatric liver cancer with poor survival rates.
A University of Houston graduate student has received a NASA fellowship to incorporate predictions of biogenic volatile organic compounds from vegetation into a climate model. The project aims to better understand the impact of extreme drought on emissions and atmospheric composition.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new environment for repairing eyes using hyaluronic acid. By creating an ideal substrate layer with high concentrations of hyaluronic acid, they aim to improve the treatment of patients with limbal stem cell deficiency, which can lead to opaque corneas.
The partnership aims to find new cancer drugs and attract diverse researchers to focus on cancers with increased risk of incidence and mortality among African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. The program will also enhance current researchers' awareness and knowledge of cancer health disparities.
Researchers developed a machine learning algorithm to predict properties of compounds for efficient phosphors in LEDs. The algorithm reduced the search time from weeks to just 30 seconds, identifying sodium-barium-borate as a promising material with 95% efficiency and outstanding thermal stability.
Researchers from the University of Houston and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are investigating what causes nuclear waste glass to dissolve over time. They found that zeolite crystals facilitate faster dissolution, and are exploring ways to slow or impede their formation.
University of Houston biologist Michihisa Umetani has discovered a protein partnership that protects blood vessels from danger. His work aims to target the Liver X Receptor (LXR) for new medicines to prevent atherosclerosis, offering a potential solution to severe side effects associated with current treatments.
A smart robotic system is being developed to help stroke patients recover from injuries, using brain-computer interfaces and algorithms to decode movement intent. The system, backed by a $750,000 grant, aims to be approved for use in clinics and patient homes, promoting plasticity in the brain and restoration of motor function.
A study by Cameron Buckner using deep neural networks suggests that human knowledge stems from sensory experience, a school of thought known as empiricism. The networks demonstrate how abstract knowledge is acquired and can be used to understand complex tasks in neuroscience and psychology.
A UH biologist is using a new grant to study how defects in cellular cross-talk lead to Crohn's disease. By examining stem cells isolated from patients, she hopes to find new targets for drug development and reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
A study by Mohammad Asghar seeks to understand age-related kidney function impairment and identify targets for drug interventions. The researcher believes that mitochondrial respiration plays a critical role in maintaining normal kidney function.
Researchers have created a low-cost smartphone system using nano-colorimetry and dark-field microscopy to detect lead in tap water. The system can identify concentrations as low as 5 parts per billion, posing a significant risk to health, especially for young children.
NCALM has made significant contributions to the field of Earth science, using lidar technology to map terrain and create detailed topographical maps. The center's work has also had practical significance, including assessing earthquake and landslide risks.
A University of Houston researcher is studying 1,000 community college students taking developmental math coursework to understand the causes of math struggles. The four-year study aims to identify factors contributing to math learning disabilities and develop strategies for early intervention.
Researchers at University of Houston develop synthetic compound that inhibits two major pathways of pancreatic cancer. The drug, MA242, targets NFAT1 and MDM2, reducing tumor growth and progression.
Katsuya Shimizu received the prize for his discovery of superconductivity in non-superconducting elements under high pressures with a Tc up to 29K. The Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston sponsors the award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field.
A new NSF-funded project will investigate how climate change impacts plant growth and health in relation to soil microbes. The study aims to understand the effects of changing moisture levels on plant survival and how plants influence microbial communities.
Researchers aim to explore treatment for birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly by studying how the neural tube closes, with $3.2 million from the NIH. A hybrid microscope combining Brillouin spectroscopy and OCT will help understand mechanical properties controlling neural tube closure in developing embryos.
A University of Houston engineer is leading a $800,000 project to improve the safety of storage containers for nuclear waste. The team will explore ways to reduce or avoid the degeneration of glass containers used to store radioactive waste.
Researchers at UH University have won a $3.5M grant to develop technology suggesting the best combinations of antibiotics to kill certain resistant bacteria. The project aims to combat antibiotic resistance, a major public health threat.
Researchers have identified 50 stool proteins that are consistently elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. These biomarkers could help diagnose the condition earlier and more accurately, allowing for quicker treatment. The findings also suggest a potential self-care kit for monitoring the disease.
Researchers found that personality traits such as conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability tend to become more stable and mature with age. While individual differences in change exist, the study suggests a general malleability of personality across the lifespan.
Researchers report cross-disciplinary work as key factor in HGP's success, leading to more successful careers and impactful publications. The consortium model, which incorporated collaboration between biologists, computer scientists, and other disciplines, changed science's cultural norms.
Researchers are creating self-guided packages made of biodegradable materials to map coastlines and sea bottoms. These devices aim to dissolve upon reaching shore, providing up-to-date information on potentially hostile regions. Additionally, a swarm of drones will be developed using cameras, sonar, and sensors to evade tracking, with ...
The program will fund 80 two-year scholarships over five years for low-income students in the Cullen College of Engineering and NSM. The research aims to show that increasing access to social capital and engagement will help students be more successful.
University of Houston researcher Chandra Mohan receives $2 million grant to examine the connection between lupus and female sex hormones, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment of the autoimmune disease.
Researchers from the University of Houston have reported a new understanding of deep earthquakes, finding they are hosted in anisotropic rocks. This discovery explains why deep earthquakes radiate seismic energy differently than shallow ones, offering insights into the causes of these events.
Researchers at UH College of Pharmacy discovered that Angiotensin 1-7, a peptide found in humans, can relieve oxidative stress and reduce blood pressure. This finding offers a potential alternative to current medication with fewer side effects.
Engineers at the University of Houston are developing nanoparticles loaded with antibiotics to reduce dosages and prevent microbiome damage. The study, supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, aims to find alternative methods to combat antibiotic resistance.
A UH-led team has reported synthesizing a crystal grown from boron and arsenic elements with far higher thermal conductivity than any other semiconductors and metals. The discovery could address technological challenges in cooling electronic devices, which is crucial for high power density electronics.
A new hybrid catalyst made of iron and dinickel phosphides on commercially available nickel foam can produce both hydrogen and oxygen from water, reducing energy requirements and costs. This breakthrough could lead to a significant increase in the production of clean energy from hydrogen.
Researchers studied Bacillus bacteria that produce highly resistant spores and found unique genes contributing to their resistance. The discovery sheds light on the challenges of eliminating microbes in clean rooms and spacecraft.
A University of Houston researcher is targeting adults with anxiety and depression who struggle to quit smoking by providing individualized, online feedback. The goal is to increase motivation, confidence, and intention to quit while reducing perceived barriers to quitting. The study aims to improve distress tolerance skills to help pa...
Researchers found that binding to MUNC 13-1 reduces tolerance to alcohol, making it harder to become addicted. By inhibiting this protein, a pill could be developed to reduce the formation of tolerance and alleviate alcoholism.
Sheereen Majd aims to improve nanoparticle drug delivery by targeting diseased cells and minimizing off-targeting. Her research combines existing technologies to create a precise and stable carrier system, promising efficient delivery of bioactive molecules to specific sites in the body.
Researchers can track brain states using wrist-worn wearables, predicting mental-stress-related diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome. This technology improves diagnosis and treatment by providing real-time data on skin conductance and cortisol levels.
A University of Houston researcher has activated a kidney cell that could prevent damage from inflammation caused by obesity. The targeted cells express the angiotensin type 2 receptor, which shows anti-inflammatory and reno-protective actions.