Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new type of hot electron bolometer that can detect infrared light with high sensitivity and speed. The device uses bilayer graphene to absorb low-energy photons, making it promising for applications in security imaging technologies and studying dark energy.
A new study by UMD researchers provides a tool for tracing sulfur compounds through ocean organisms, atmosphere, and land, potentially proving or disproving the Gaia theory. The discovery reveals differences in sulfur compound metabolism that carry implications for tracking dimethylsulfide emissions and climate regulation.
Researchers found a correlation between bed shortages and higher readmission rates, suggesting patients were discharged too early. The study recommends better planning and logistical solutions to prevent these problems.
A cross-disciplinary team at the University of Maryland has designed molecular containers that can hold drug molecules and increase their solubility up to nearly 3000 times. The discovery opens possibilities for rehabilitating drug candidates and improving successful drugs with better solubility.
A University of Maryland-led team will investigate ways to understand, prevent and reverse the radicalization of young people in destabilized areas, using a $4.5 million DoD grant. The study's focus on preventative counterterrorism aims to identify tactics to inoculate young people against extremist recruiters.
A University of Maryland team discovered that early-formed mantle portions survived Earth's formation, including a collision that created the Moon. Volcanic rocks from Russia show distinct tungsten isotope signatures, indicating that some parts of the early Earth may have remained intact until 2.8 billion years ago.
A new UMD study projects that investing excess corporate cash reserves in capital projects could generate up to 2.4 million jobs over three years, reducing unemployment rates and increasing GDP. This investment is estimated to boost economic activity by spending a fraction of the $508 billion excess cash holdings among US corporations.
A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that people perceive good intentions as having a positive impact on their physical experience. The research demonstrated the power of benevolence in reducing pain, increasing pleasure, and making things taste better.
A University of Maryland study finds that smart growth tools in Maryland are too weak, frustrating developers and land-use advocates who want to build within existing urban areas. The researchers identified storm water regulations, citizen opposition, and inadequate public facility ordinances as major barriers to development.
A study by the University of Maryland found that social determinants like workplace policies and household size contributed to a higher risk of exposure to H1N1 among Hispanics during the 2009 pandemic. The researchers suggest creating federal sick leave mandates to address this health disparity.
A major national initiative aims to create scientific guidelines for safe farming, packing, and storing of fresh produce. The UMD-led project will analyze data from over 200,000 tests to measure pathogen presence in produce, irrigation waters, fertilizers, and transport facilities.
A new study led by University of Maryland researchers found that air pollution increases the intensity of severe storms in wet regions while reducing precipitation in dry regions. The study's findings have significant economic and water resource implications for regions across the US and globally.
A new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that focusing on someone's body can alter perceptions of agency and experience. Both men and women tend to see individuals as more sensitive but less competent when wearing revealing attire, which may have implications for work and academic settings.
The University of Maryland Center for Integrative Environmental Research finds that Maryland's Climate Action Plan improves electric reliability while having a negligible impact on manufacturers. The plan is expected to generate new business opportunities and jobs in the green sector, with potential growth in employment opportunities.
A study by the University of Maryland School of Public Health found that organic poultry farms have lower levels of drug-resistant enterococci bacteria compared to conventional farms. This suggests that removing antibiotics from large-scale U.S. poultry farms can lead to immediate and significant reductions in antibiotic resistance for...
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a non-invasive brain computer interface that allows users to control computers and robotic prosthetic limbs with their thoughts. The technology, known as UMD brain cap, uses EEG signals to translate brain waves into movement commands.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers found that combining two flu strains, H1N1 and H9N2, can create a new, potentially deadly virus. The study suggests that this 'viral sexual reproduction' process could lead to the emergence of a new influenza pandemic.
The Mid-Atlantic Dray Truck Replacement Program aims to double the impact of a federal cash-for-clunkers-style program by combining public and voluntary private contributions. The initiative will offer $15,000 to truckers for new vehicle down-payments and help arrange financing.
The University of Maryland and Maryland Municipal League team up to help communities plan and implement green practices, earning a 'certificate of sustainability' and potential state grants. Communities can navigate the process at their own pace, with no upfront costs.
The EPOXI mission confirms carbon dioxide as the volatile fuel for Comet Hartley 2's spectacular ice-spewing jets. The comet's unique rotation and surface features were also revealed, with blocky objects reaching 165 feet high and a 'snowstorm' created by water ice particles.
A $1.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will support a project led by University of Maryland researcher Vivian Hoffmann to shed light on women's menstrual practices, needs, and product demands in developing countries.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have identified a protein called HRG-3 that transports heme from the mother's intestine to her developing embryos in C. elegans. This finding could lead to new treatments for parasitic worm infections and iron deficiency, affecting over two billion people worldwide.
The study found that countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore and Pakistan are much tighter whereas countries such as the Ukraine, Israel, Brazil, and the U.S. are looser. Tight and loose societies vary in their institutions—with tight societies having more autocratic governments, media, and criminal justice systems.
A University of Maryland study suggests that engaging in environmental stewardship activities like tree planting can lead to increased civic engagement. The research found that volunteers involved in the MillionTreesNYC project were more likely to be civically active than their peers.
Researchers at UMD have discovered a way to control magnetic properties of graphene, which could lead to new applications in magnetic storage and spintronics. The team found that missing atoms in graphene act as tiny magnets, interacting strongly with electrons and giving rise to a significant extra electrical resistance.
Researchers at University of Maryland developed a genetic 'fingerprinting' tool to track down microbial suspects. By analyzing DNA sequences and identifying unique mutations, they helped the FBI link anthrax-laden letters to a specific test tube at Fort Detrick.
A University of Maryland-led team has developed a transgenic fungal approach that targets malaria-causing sporozoites, reducing disease transmission by at least five-fold. The method uses a fungus naturally attacking mosquitoes and inserts genes for human anti-malarial antibodies or scorpion toxins.
Recent analysis by University of Maryland astronomer Stacy McGaugh confirms MOND's prediction for gas-rich galaxies, performing better than dark matter models. This finding raises new questions about the accuracy of the reigning cosmological model and the nature of gravity on small scales.
A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland and Harvard University suggests that people who highlight past suffering are held less responsible for transgressions. In contrast, heroes receive more blame than villains, regardless of their previous good deeds.
University of Maryland researchers introduce a technique called RAPID lithography that uses visible light to create tiny integrated circuits comparable to shorter wavelength radiation. This breakthrough could lead to substantial savings in cost and ease of production for companies like Intel.
Scientists discovered that bacteria acquire genes to expand protein families, largely through horizontal gene transfer. This process is key to their adaptability and ability to evolve antibiotic resistance.
Researchers warn of potential health dangers from mixing energy drinks with alcohol, citing concerns over caffeine intake and increased risk of alcohol-related consequences. Experts advocate for regulatory changes, education, and manufacturer warnings to mitigate these risks.
The University of Maryland is leading a multidisciplinary project to investigate the complex dynamics between water and the built urban environment in the Chesapeake Bay region. The research aims to simulate land conversion patterns and predict future land development under various policy scenarios.
A new study by the University of Maryland suggests that rewarding eco-friendly farmers with financial incentives can help reduce fertilizer run-off and capture carbon dioxide, both contributing to combating climate change. By setting up a 'nutrient trading market,' farmers can earn credits for using best practices, which can then be so...
The Deep Impact spacecraft flew through a 'snowstorm' of fluffy particles on its encounter with comet Hartley 2, providing new insights into the nature and composition of comets. The spacecraft's High Resolution Imager captured images of clouds of large ice particles surrounding the nucleus, revealing a unique process driven by CO2 jets.
The NSF-funded ADVANCE Program aims to increase women's representation in STEM at the University of Maryland. The program will implement interconnected strategies to transform academic environments and promote the professional growth of all women faculty members.
Scientists from the University of Maryland's EPOXI mission have discovered that dry ice is the 'jet' fuel for comets, including Hartley 2. The discovery reveals that solar heating of subsurface frozen carbon dioxide is powering the comet's jets, which are rich in CO2 gas and particles of dust and ice.
Edo Waks and Ian Spielman, JQI fellows, receive PECASE awards for innovative research in nanophotonics and quantum simulation. The prestigious award recognizes their commitment to scientific leadership and community outreach.
The UMD-led EPOXI spacecraft flew by comet Hartley 2 at a distance of 435 miles, collecting never-before-seen images that will help scientists understand the composition and diversity of comets. The mission aims to learn more about the origin and history of our solar system by studying the material from comets.
The University of Maryland is leading a $5 million NSF-funded research partnership to develop drought-tolerant canola crops. The project will analyze guard cells in the canola plant to understand how plants respond to drought and improve water use efficiency.
A University of Maryland study assesses the feasibility of developing and operating wind farms in Maryland's Atlantic coastal waters. The study finds that offshore wind holds potential to help meet State Energy Targets, but addresses serious institutional impediments such as radar interference and transmission facility inadequacies.
A computational model of a swimming fish has been developed to simulate the interaction of both internal and external forces on locomotion. The study reveals that body stiffness is crucial in determining how well a fish swims, with stiffer bodies accelerating faster but expending more energy.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered how Mexican blind cavefish evolved adaptations to compensate for their loss of vision, including an enhanced vibration attraction behavior to detect food sources. This study provides new insights into the link between behavior, genetics, and evolution in these unique organisms.
The University of Maryland has received a $1.9 million grant to acquire an 800 MHz NMR spectrometer, enabling researchers to investigate biomolecular structure and interactions with high resolution and sensitivity. This technology will advance research on RNAs, critical biological molecules involved in various diseases.
The University of Maryland will be the only academic institution in the US to possess a 950 MHz NMR spectrometer, enabling researchers to study large proteins and interactions with unprecedented resolution. The instrument will facilitate studies of protein assemblies, ubiquitin marking, and cellular function.
The University of Maryland's new bio-filtration system improves phosphorus and nitrogen removal from urban runoff, reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. The system combines bioretention projects with advanced technologies to conserve rainwater and reduce environmental impact.
A recent study using DNA barcoding has discovered five previously unknown frog species among 30 that were wiped out by a fungal epidemic in Panama. The research also highlights the urgent need to address the biodiversity crisis, with many species disappearing before they can be documented.
Researchers at University of Maryland provide new insight into the initiation phase of bacterial gene transcription, showing a three-step process involving RNA polymerase and DNA bending. The study confirms experimental observations and establishes an active role for RNA polymerase in the process.
Researchers demonstrate first full quantum control of qubit spin in tiny colloidal nanostructures, advancing quantum computing and energy generation technologies. The discovery enables precise control over light-matter interactions, paving the way for more efficient photovoltaic cells and potential breakthroughs in climate change.
A comprehensive study reveals that prison-based de-radicalization programs can be effective in reducing terrorism, particularly when individual approaches are taken. The report highlights the importance of promoting positive influences inside prisons and investing in staff training to combat radicalization.