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University of Maryland


Wind bursts strongly affect El Niño severity

A new study finds that wind bursts in the western Pacific can significantly impact El Niño events and their severity. The research identifies three distinct varieties of El Niño and explains how westerly wind bursts determine which flavor will occur. This finding could help improve future predictions of these global-scale climate events.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 15, 2015

A new view of the moon's formation

Researchers at University of Maryland generate new isotopic fingerprint of the moon, reconciling accepted model with surprisingly similar Earth and moon fingerprints. The findings suggest a thorough mixing of debris before forming the moon, supporting an explosive and interconnected past.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateApr 8, 2015

New mechanism of inheritance could advance study of evolution, disease treatment

Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered a new mechanism of inheritance in roundworms that could revolutionize our understanding of evolution and disease treatment. The team found that genes can be silenced through a process called RNA interference, and this silencing can persist for multiple generations.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015

'Green Revolution' changes breathing of the biosphere

A new model developed by University of Maryland researchers links intensive agriculture to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, revealing a strong correlation between the Green Revolution and Earth's metabolism. The study found that crop production tripled while land planted with major crops grew by 20 percent, leading to incre...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateNov 19, 2014

A billion holes can make a battery

Researchers at the University of Maryland have invented a single structure that combines all components of a battery, enabling miniaturization of energy storage. The tiny battery can be fully charged in 12 minutes and recharged thousands of times, making it a promising innovation for future devices.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 10, 2014

Creating optical cables out of thin air

Scientists at the University of Maryland have successfully created air waveguides that can guide light beams over long distances without loss of power. This breakthrough has significant implications for various applications, including long-range laser communications, pollution detection, and topographic mapping.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2014

Racing the clock to help young patients with old hearts

A study by University of Maryland researchers has identified a toxic protein that damages muscle cells inside the arteries of children with progeria, a rare genetic disorder. The discovery may help explain how cardiovascular disease develops in people aging normally and could lead to new treatments for the condition.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 19, 2014

Meteorites yield clues to red planet's early atmosphere

Researchers analyzed 40 Martian meteorites to understand the evolution of Mars' atmosphere, shedding light on whether life existed or could have existed on the red planet. The study found that the atmospheres of Mars and Earth diverged early in the solar system's history, with sulfur playing a key role in shaping the Martian environment.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateApr 16, 2014

New model shows moderate resource use & reduced economic inequality keys to sustainability

A new analytical tool, HANDY, incorporates two new variables into the well-known predator-prey model, reflecting the accumulation of wealth and economic stratification between rich and poor. The model suggests that human societies can reach a sustainable steady state when they do not over-deplete natural resources and avoid extreme eco...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalEcological Economics·DateApr 2, 2014