The University of Houston has received funding to develop lithium and transition metal-free battery technologies with high-energy charging capabilities. Additionally, a gallium nitride-based miniaturized pulsed power system architecture is being developed for mission-critical applications, including healthcare tech.
A new study by University of Houston sociologist Kathryn Freeman Anderson reveals significant disparities in the initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout in five urban Texas counties. The research found that Black and Latino neighborhoods were less likely to receive vaccines due to existing healthcare resource shortages.
A University of Houston researcher has identified potential biomarkers for neuropsychiatric symptoms of lupus, which include CSF Lipocalin-2, M-CSF, IgM, and complement C3. Elevated levels of these proteins in cerebrospinal fluid may indicate a diagnosis of NPSLE.
The IEEE forum identified four major challenges to address during the pandemic: healthcare, screening, tracing, and treatment. The panel highlighted socioeconomic and education status as critical factors impacting mortality rates and hospital admission lengths.
A new study using advanced radar technology has recorded Antarctic glaciers losing ice at unprecedented rates, threatening global climate risks. The research team plans to expand its findings to giant and fragile West Antarctica neighbors, including the Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers.
University of Houston engineers Jiming Bao and Feng Lin create upward fountains in deep water by shining laser beams on the surface, attributing the phenomenon to the Marangoni effect. The discovery has potential applications in lithography, 3D printing, heat transfer, and microfluidics.
Researchers identified 40 peptide pairs with potential cross-reactivity between BCG vaccination and SARS-CoV-2, offering a new strategy to complement existing COVID-19 vaccines. These peptides can induce T cell responses and INF-γ production, providing long-lasting immunity against viral infections.
A study found that cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil increase the risk of overactive bladder in people with dementia. Galantamine and rivastigmine were not associated with this increased risk.
A new study published in Health Promotion Practice highlights the flaws in sexual education on TikTok, a video-based social media platform. The study found that many videos on the app provide unverified claims and misinformation, posing a risk to teenagers and young adults seeking sex education.
Researchers have identified IRE1 and XBP1 proteins as crucial for skeletal muscle regeneration after injury and in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The study's findings pave the way for drug development to treat genetic and acquired muscle disorders.
A new study by Nathan Grant Smith and colleagues found that straight men use anti-gay slurs not due to their sexual orientation but to protect traditional masculine norms. The study suggests that threatening straight men's status can trigger the use of such slurs, highlighting a significant problem in our culture.
A new study suggests that women and older adults with college degrees are more likely to report feeling socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research highlights the need for culturally sensitive initiatives to mitigate social isolation in vulnerable populations, including Hispanic and African American communities.
Researchers have pushed the limit of when water will freeze to -44 C by using soft interfaces like gels or lipids. This discovery has significant implications for climate prediction, cloud conditions, cryopreservation of organs, and technologies exposed to icing conditions.
A new fluid has been created that can be molded and patterned using light, with potential applications in adaptive optics, mass transport, and microfluidics manufacturing. The fluid's surface tension is dependent on temperature, making it susceptible to laser manipulation.
The RT-CIRAM system analyzes public-domain data to determine the best times to avoid crowds and minimize COVID-19 infection risk. The mobile phone app provides personalized recommendations based on user input and factors like vaccination rates and cultural norms.
A new study by the University of Houston researcher found that gender stereotypes in computer science and engineering begin at age six, leading to a lack of representation of girls and women in these fields. The study suggests that introducing high-quality STEM activities in elementary school can help close the gender gap.
Research highlights the intersection of poverty and racism in exacerbating US public health disparities. The US has a high rate of poverty despite collective wealth, disproportionately affecting communities of color. Beech emphasizes the need for policies to increase access to care and address institutionalized racism.
Researchers are developing a transformative technology called Multiscale Intelligent Convergence (MusIC) to map the complexity of T cells and identify attributes essential for patient benefit. The goal is to create more reliable biomanufacturing of T cell infusion products and engineering potent immune cells.
Researchers developed a graphene-based electrode, the sutrode, to modulate spleen function and immune response in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis. The device can control different terminal nerves, increasing precision in organ function regulation.
Researchers propose a new model that transfers power to patients to advocate for their own health, enabling them to design interventions with support from healthcare providers. The study finds that traditional expert models are inefficient in treating chronic diseases and socially determined health issues.
A new study found that changes in children's facial expressions of emotion after sleep restriction predict more social problems concurrently and over time. Emotional expression plays a crucial role in social communication, and poor sleep quality takes a toll on this aspect.
Researchers found that Disney films combine entertainment with life lessons about love, friendship, and social values. The study suggests using Disney movies as tools for parents to improve communication with children about difficult topics, such as death, loss, and acceptance of differences.
A new study investigates the experiences of Hispanic/Latinx youth during the pandemic, identifying seven themes related to racism, family support, and coping mechanisms. The research suggests that cultural factors may offer important protection against COVID-19-related stressors.
A new study by researchers at the University of Houston found that COVID-19-related parenting stress has a negative impact on children's eating habits, leading to maladaptive feeding behaviors. The study suggests that policy makers and nonprofit organizations should provide support systems to help parents manage their daily stressors.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new, label-free biosensing platform for detecting cancer biomarkers in exosomes. The technology uses gold nanodisks to capture and analyze surface proteins on exosomes with high sensitivity.
The University of Houston is part of a $50 million NIH-funded consortium to increase AI diversity and address health inequities. The AIM-AHEAD program will bring together experts in AI, data science, and health equity research to develop more inclusive AI tools.
A team of researchers, led by University of Houston associate professor Ryan Kennedy, has received a $750,000 NSF grant to create an algorithm-accountability benchmark. The project aims to establish general ways of analyzing algorithms and studying their impact on public policy decisions.
Researchers have developed a new interface technology that can provide natural sensory feedback from robotic prosthetics to amputees, reducing abnormal sensations and cognitive burden. The innovation uses ultra-small recording sites and molecular guidance cues to stimulate sensory axons selectively, improving control of robotic limbs.
A significant disparity was discovered in the quality and safety of romaine lettuce purchased in low- versus high-income communities. Samples from low-income areas showed high levels of contamination with disease-causing microorganisms, while those from high-income areas were clean.
A new intranasal subunit vaccine has been developed to provide durable local immunity against inhaled pathogens, addressing a significant limitation of existing vaccines. The vaccine elicits comprehensive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 within seven days and is stable for over 11 months, making it suitable for global distribution.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed an electrochemical actuator that utilizes organic semiconductor nanotubes, exhibiting high performance and tunable dynamics in liquid and gel-polymer electrolytes. The device demonstrates excellent stability, low power consumption, and fast response time.
Researchers create strengths-based intervention to enhance daily interactions between caregivers and children exposed to IPV. The Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC) project aims to reduce long-lasting effects of trauma on families.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a smartwatch technology that can monitor and help lower stress levels by detecting changes in skin conductance response. The device sends reminders to listen to relaxing music when stress is detected, forming a closed-loop system.
A new study by University of Houston researchers suggests that maximizing sleep can offer psychological benefit to adolescents in this at-risk group. The study found that experiences of neglect in childhood were associated with mental health symptoms, but this relation was weakened in the presence of high sleep duration.
A University of Houston researcher is using cutting-edge techniques to study how testosterone affects the brain and social behavior. Using genetically modified African cichlid fish, Beau Alward aims to identify the specific genes and neurons involved in these processes.
A University of Houston study found that assertiveness is linked to initiating negotiations, while politeness and compassion are not. Women's tendency to avoid negotiating with male bosses may be due to gender norms being perceived as violated by female leaders.
A study by Adam Fetterman found that nostalgia for Obama predicts negative attitudes towards Trump, stronger political engagement intentions, and actual voting behavior. The research also suggests that nostalgic appeals to Obama may have been effective in swing voters during the 2020 campaign.
Researchers identified effective strategies for improving referral systems and accessing pediatric mental health care for low-income families. A key finding is that a warm handoff between primary care physicians and mental health providers can build trust and lead to successful outcomes.
A new test with 'unprecedented early detection power' is being developed by a University of Houston researcher to detect cancer biomarkers in blood. The liquid biopsy method uses exosomes, small vesicles containing surface proteins and genetic materials, to improve the accuracy of measuring minimal residual disease (MRD) in cancer tumors.
Nearly 54% of US-born minor migrants in Mexico are underinsured, with limited access to quality care and financial protection. The study calls for transborder policies to address place-based inequities and recommends solutions such as reintegration policies and expedited dual-citizenship application processes
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a small, flexible, and cost-effective acrylonitrile modular reactor that can produce feedstock near geographically distributed carbon fiber plants. This technology aims to improve access to affordable feedstock for carbon fiber producers by reducing energy costs.
Researchers demonstrate superconductivity in iron selenide crystals without applied pressure using a new pressure-quench technique. The method retains the high-temperature superconductive phase even after removing the applied pressure, bringing scientists closer to realizing room-temperature superconductivity at ambient pressure.
A new grant is expanding a Texas tobacco program to target substance use patients in rural communities. The program aims to reduce smoking rates among individuals with psychiatric disorders and substance dependencies.
A University of Houston study found that diverse recruitment committees can significantly increase the number of women and underrepresented minority applicants. Women-led search committees resulted in 23% more women applying, while URM-led committees attracted over 100% more URM applicants.
A University of Houston study finds that plastic drapes can lower hypothermia rates in premature babies during PICC placement. This innovative nursing intervention shows promise in improving thermoregulation for VLBW neonates.
A survey of 217 participants found that most people were unprepared to handle the COVID-19 pandemic, with 62% having no plan at all. The study suggests that building basic health literacy skills can help individuals make informed decisions about their health and safety.
Researchers have discovered several stool proteins that can detect colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, potentially replacing invasive endoscopy. These novel biomarkers were identified using aptamer-based screening and showed promise in early diagnosis and predicting disease progression.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a camera with a curvy, adaptable imaging sensor that can improve image quality in various applications. The new imager retains high pixel density and performs well even after stretching up to 30%, making it suitable for endoscopes, night-vision goggles, and fish-eye cameras.
The University of Houston's Air Quality Forecasting and Modeling Lab has developed an artificial intelligence system that can accurately predict ozone levels up to two weeks in advance. This breakthrough could lead to improved ways to control high ozone problems and contribute to solutions for climate change issues.
A University of Houston researcher found significant discrepancies between teenagers' dream careers and job availability in the US labor market. Most adolescents aspired to low-automation careers, but these jobs account for only 8% of available positions.