A University of Houston study found that arthropods in coastal salt marshes affected by the 2010 BP oil spill experienced reduced populations due to oil exposure, but recovered within a year if host plants remained healthy.
Researchers found that novice surgeons attempt to perform tasks at the same speed as experienced surgeons, despite being less skilled. High stress levels were linked to fast behavior, which can lead to more errors due to lack of experience.
The Texas Obesity Research Center (TORC) has developed a research group to examine three childhood obesity programs, including MEND and CATCH. TORC is also partnering with the community to improve health and end obesity through community-based participatory research methods.
The University of Houston assistant professors received NSF CAREER awards for their innovative work on graphene's optical properties, polymer-based cells, and environmental impact. Bao aims to confirm graphene's ability to act as an optical waveguide, while Moeller researches fundamental materials structure-property relationships.
A University of Houston vision scientist is developing new imaging techniques using the AOSLO device to better understand early changes in glaucoma. The research aims to enhance clinicians' understanding of glaucoma development and progression, leading to earlier recognition of structural damage and improved diagnostics.
The University of Houston has opened a new sleep and anxiety center for kids, offering empirically-based evaluation and treatment services. The center provides top-of-the-line treatment at no cost to participating families, including polysomnography and actigraphy assessments.
Researchers will use satellite data to survey the vast Congo River Basin, answering questions about water sources and greenhouse gas emissions. The project aims to provide a new method for studying inaccessible areas of the planet.
The ASME Petroleum Division has donated $1.25 million to the University of Houston to establish an endowed chair in subsea engineering and support a petroleum technology program. The endowment will help recruit world-class leaders, advance research, and increase community outreach efforts.
Monica Perales' book 'Smeltertown' is an extraordinary study of industrial might, labor exploitation, and human resilience on the US-Mexico border. The award recognizes her gift for oral history and its exploration of the intersection of work, city, and community building.
A University of Houston physicist is part of a multi-institution team that has received an $18.5 million grant to develop new solar power technologies. The center aims to accelerate the US's commercialization of solar energy through cutting-edge research and partnerships with industry.
A new University of Houston study aims to reduce excessive alcohol use among college students by changing perceptions of peer drinking behavior. The five-year, $2.8 million NIH-funded research study will collect campus-wide norms and provide personalized normative feedback to help students understand their own drinking habits.
The University of Houston will receive funding to purchase and install an advanced imaging system for in-depth monitoring of tumor growth and cancer progression. This will enable researchers to study the interactions of tumors in local tissue environments, leading to a better understanding of cancer cell progression.
The UH Mars Rover Model Celebration and Exhibition will receive a $414,000 grant from NASA to develop a stronger event, expand beyond Texas, and provide hands-on science projects for elementary and middle school students. The program aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Scientists at UH outline a new strategy for developing drugs to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular diseases. They identify estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) as a potential target for these treatments.
Researchers create entirely new platform for developing antimalarial drugs, focusing on quirk in plasmodium infection process. The goal is to design 'tailored inhibitors' that block crystal surface growth and prevent malaria spread.
A public-private research team led by the University of Houston will develop an efficient and low-cost high-temperature superconducting wire for use in future advanced wind turbine generators. The goal is to make superconducting wind generators more practical for widespread use.
Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered that estradiol, a naturally occurring estrogen hormone, plays a prominent role in regulating body functions in both females and males. The study found that an imbalance of estradiol levels can result in metabolic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at the University of Houston have found a connection between borderline personality disorder and hypermentalizing in adolescents, which can lead to emotional regulation challenges. The study's findings suggest that early intervention and treatment can improve strategies for managing BPD symptoms.
The University of Houston is testing Metro's hybrid and regular buses for fuel efficiency, measuring emissions under controlled conditions. Researchers will track fuel economy and emissions using the university's chassis dynamometer test cell.
The University of Houston is developing new oil dispersants as part of a major multi-institution project. The goal is to create biocompatible dispersants that are less toxic, allowing for reduced use and improved environmental impact.
A team of researchers from University of Houston and St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital are working to develop improved screening methods for detecting drug-resistant superbugs, specifically carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). The bacteria can cause deadly infections in people with weakened immune systems.
The University of Houston will provide 12 high school science teachers with research experience in nanotechnology through a three-summer grant program. The program aims to attract students to engineering and increase the country's STEM talent pool.
Researchers at the University of Houston discovered the potential for estrogen hormone compounds to prevent colon cancer by activating estrogen receptors. They also identified a key gene involved in breast cancer tumor cell growth, opening new opportunities for targeted therapeutics.
At the University of Houston, 54 undergraduates are devoting their summers to serious research under faculty mentorship. They aim to find solutions for maladies including Alzheimer's, high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, alcoholism and anxiety. Through projects like studying oxidative stress and its relation to disorders, as wel...
A pilot project assesses the feasibility of virtual reality to treat alcohol abuse in veterans, targeting those with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress syndrome. The eight-week study uses augmented relapse prevention therapy sessions, where participants practice coping skills in simulated bar settings or home environments.
Researchers have discovered a unique 'slingshot' motion used by bacteria to move across surfaces and form biofilms. This motion could allow bacteria to travel faster and more efficiently, using less energy, through a sticky substance that shields them.
Ana Luisa Laws, a University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work student, is one of five students in Texas to receive the Hogg Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship program aims to attract students to mental health careers and support their advanced studies and professional practice.
Mamie Moy, a 56-year University of Houston professor, received the American Chemical Society's Award for Encouraging Women into Careers in the Chemical Sciences. The award recognizes her dedication to promoting diversity and encouraging girls and women to pursue careers in chemical sciences.
The University of Houston is transforming the Third Ward into a cultural center with a $100,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant. The project will feature public art installations, new media initiatives, and community engagement to enhance quality of life in the area.
A multi-institutional study published in Nature reveals the genetic overview of ovarian cancer, showing mutations in one gene and frequent structural changes that contribute to its development. The findings could lead to better treatments for this aggressive form of cancer.
Professor Martin Melosi's research focuses on the historical management of water supply and sanitation systems in American cities. He argues that cities should be viewed as ecosystems with a physical, biological, and social structure, and explores the role of government in managing water resources.
ConocoPhillips is donating $1 million to the University of Houston's Energy Research Park, a comprehensive research facility for the energy industry. The gift will support the university's vision for a world-class petroleum engineering department.
Earl Smith, University of Houston's Dean of Optometry, has developed a treatment strategy to slow the progression of myopia in children. His team is partnering with researchers in Australia to develop new contact lenses that can be used to implement these strategies.
William R. Baldwin, O.D., was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame for his contributions to the field of optometry. He led the University of Houston's College of Optometry and took steps towards becoming a recognized vision research center.
The University of Houston's Center for Life Sciences Technology has received a $300,000 state grant to continue and expand its research-based education programs in biotechnology. The grant will support the center's mission to provide innovative interdisciplinary training to aspiring professionals and industry workers.
Rigoberto Advincula has developed two materials effective against E. coli: a graphene material with antimicrobial properties and a conducting polymer that can repel bacteria. His work, published in high-impact journals, is part of his prolific record as a leading polymer researcher.
Hanadi Rifai will test parts of Galveston Bay for dioxins and PCBs to identify the source of pollutants and determine concentrations in marine life. Her findings will help state officials develop effective management strategies, including bioremediation and commercial fishing bans.
A University of Houston biologist discovered that beneficial gene mutations can interfere with each other, leading to a decline in population fitness. This finding has implications for predicting the progression of chronic diseases and could lead to new treatments.
The new method, developed by Qingkai Yu and Steven Pei, enables the growth of ordered arrays of thousands or millions of single crystals of graphene. This advance opens the possibility of replacing silicon with graphene in high-speed transistors and integrated circuits.
A 3-year longitudinal study involving 200 middle school teachers and 20 H.I.S.D. schools investigates the impact of teacher stress on student behavior and achievement. The research team combines innovative multi-method approaches to assess stress and teacher effectiveness, using ecological momentary assessment, physiological measuremen...
Five University of Houston graduates have received National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships to pursue advanced degrees in physics, geology, psychology, and the life sciences. The recipients will cover tuition and receive annual stipends, with plans to conduct research and teach at top universities.
ExxonMobil has donated $586,766 to the University of Houston through its educational matching gift program, primarily funding scholarships and programs in engineering, natural sciences, and business. This donation brings the total amount given by ExxonMobil to UH over $10 million since 1962.
Yuribia Munoz, a senior in the department of Earth and atmospheric sciences at UH, recently earned fellowships through the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Merage Foundation for the American Dream. The $110,000 awards will support her graduate research in geology over the next three years.
Three University of Houston students will lead health-related service initiatives for underserved individuals and communities through the Houston-Galveston Schweitzer Fellows Program. The program aims to address social determinants of health, partnering with community-based organizations.
Lubchenko investigates phase-change materials for ultra-fast computer memory and protein aggregation, potentially treating diseases like Alzheimer's. His work earns him prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship.
University of Houston students Nicholas Eastham and Thomas Markovich have been named Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, while Mason Biamonte and Abdulrahman Ibrahim received honorable mentions for their outstanding research work. The scholarships recognize academic merit and provide funding for further research and education.
Ronald S. Harwerth, a world-class glaucoma researcher, has received the 2011 Esther Farfel Award for his outstanding contributions to visual sciences. His work on diagnosing initial stages of glaucoma and binocular vision has earned him recognition as one of the premier visual scientists.
Three UH computer science teams won top honors in the National Microsoft Competition with projects addressing environmental sustainability issues. Team Big Impact Bear's 'Forest Gun' prevented and reversed deforestation, while Team AAMP's 'Operation Clean Sweep' raised awareness of water pollution.
A University of Houston researcher is developing new class of contrasting agents by using iron nanostructures to provide color to MRI images. This will enable easier interpretation and identification of internal tissues. The technology also has potential applications in tracking stem cells and targeting cancer cells.
Dr. Jan-Åke Gustafsson leads a team to develop new methods for treating severe prostate cancer using plant-derived and synthetic chemicals. The team aims to create drugs that target new areas of the androgen signaling system, offering innovative approaches to slowing cancer growth.