The Deep Impact spacecraft will fly past Earth for the fifth and last time on its EPOXI mission, changing its orbit to boost speed on its way to comet Hartley 2. The spacecraft's instruments will be used during an extended flyby in November to gather data on the comet.
Researchers from the University of Maryland have discovered that crayfish make surprisingly complex decisions by weighing risks against rewards. By studying the animals' neural activity, they hope to gain insights into human decision-making processes.
Researchers have simulated frustration in a smallest possible quantum system, revealing its relation to entanglement. The team created a fully controllable frustrated magnetic network with three spins, allowing them to manipulate interactions using laser beams.
A team of researchers, led by Dr. Peter Sunderland, has created a double-flame burner to improve our understanding of soot formation and oxidation. This innovation aims to design cleaner and more efficient engines that reduce pollution and harm lung diseases.
Researchers have developed a new, certifiably random number generator using fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. This method ensures private randomness, crucial for secure data encryption and communication, making it difficult to predict the sequence of numbers.
Researchers tracked salamander movements across all three life stages to understand population stability. The study found that overland movement increased the likelihood of population persistence under low to moderate extinction risk scenarios.
A new study by the University of Maryland and other institutions found that the racial gap in violent crime has narrowed, but still exists, particularly in communities with higher rates of divorce, unemployment, and drug use. The study analyzed data from 80 US cities between 1960 and 2000 and found that the gap most pronounced in these...
A report from the Association of University Research Parks recommends 10-point plan to streamline federal policies for tech commercialization, aiming to create jobs and businesses. The plan includes targeted investments, flexible grant policies, and connections with private sector.
Maryland adopts Genuine Progress Indicator to accurately measure standard of living, finding the traditional Gross State Product was 50% inflated by costs counted as benefits. The new index accounts for environmental and social costs, providing a more meaningful guide to policy.
A new study reveals that Egyptian fruit bats use an alternative strategy to detect and track targets. By alternating the direction of their sonar beam, they can pinpoint the location of a target but make it harder to detect in the first place. This approach optimizes pinpoint accuracy while sacrificing some detection ability.
Neurobiologists at the University of Maryland discovered that the brain's auditory cortex is more complex and chaotic than previously thought, with neighboring neurons creating different outputs. This disorder could indicate that the brain is far more adaptable than previously thought.
Research published in PLoS Biology discovered the adaptation of African cichlid fish visual sensitivity to ecological factors such as diet and water clarity. The study showed that both changes in gene expression and sequence contribute to organismal diversity, with complementary effects.
A new University of Maryland study reveals that upgrading to energy-efficient natural gas furnaces and water heaters can save homeowners hundreds of dollars on average annual heating bills. The research also predicts the creation of over 80,000 jobs and a nine percent reduction in residential carbon emissions if state incentives encour...
Researchers used laser light to create synthetic magnetism in neutral atoms, allowing for unprecedented control over quantum systems. This breakthrough enables the study of phenomena such as electrons in magnetic fields and has potential applications in quantum computing and information science.
Computer science researchers at University of Maryland create virtual worlds using advanced modeling and prediction techniques to analyze military and policy actions. These virtual worlds allow defense analysts to predict the most likely outcomes of different courses of action, enabling them to make informed decisions.
A new study found that cigarettes are contaminated with numerous human bacterial pathogens, including Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Clostridium, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These bacteria may contribute to both infectious and chronic illnesses in smokers and secondhand smoke exposed individuals.
A team of researchers proposes a novel approach to protect the Amazon rainforest by leaving oil reserves untouched and selling carbon credits. This initiative could fund rainforest protection and combat climate change, but skeptics raise questions about funding and environmental integrity.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a fruit fly model to study the genetics of human diabetes. The model uses genetic approaches to delete specific genes involved in insulin production, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels and symptoms similar to human Type 1 diabetes.
A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland and Purdue University found that most land-use changes contribute to warming, except for conversion to agricultural use, which results in relative cooling. The study used a novel analytical approach called OMR and confirmed its robustness.
Researchers mapped the sex chromosomes of cichlid fish from Lake Malawi and identified a mechanism for evolving new sex chromosomes. A genetic conflict over color patterns led to the emergence of new sex determining functions, resulting in distinct sex chromosomes among related species.
The Deep Impact spacecraft and Moon Mineralogy Mapper have found clear evidence of water on the lunar surface, which forms and dissipates each day. The data suggests that hydrogen ions from the sun interact with oxygen-rich minerals in lunar soil to produce water molecules.
The Richard E. Prange Prize, established by the University of Maryland's Department of Physics and Condensed Matter Theory Center, honors the late Professor Richard Prange's distinguished career. Philip W. Anderson, a pioneering theorist and Nobel laureate, is the inaugural recipient of the prize.
A laboratory study by University of Maryland researchers suggests the H1N1 pandemic variety prevails and out-compets other flu strains in a lab setting, reproducing twice as much on average. The findings support vaccinating against the pandemic flu virus this season due to its high communicability.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Schistosoma mansoni, a parasite that causes intestinal schistosomiasis, a devastating tropical disease affecting over 200 million people. The comprehensive genome sequence enables the discovery of potential drug targets and cost-effective ways to develop new therapies.
Researchers have developed a new technique to detect individual neutral atoms, which is more accurate and sensitive than previous methods. The system uses a novel means of altering laser light polarization to 'see' the scattered photons, allowing for real-time detection with a speed of less than one-millionth of a second.
A team of scientists discovered that the Great Oxygenation Event coincided with the first widespread ice age on Earth. The oxygenation of the atmosphere led to a decrease in greenhouse gases, resulting in a significant drop in surface temperatures.
Researchers found that after reassortment with a human influenza virus, an avian flu virus requires relatively few mutations to spread rapidly between mammals by respiratory droplets. This process is similar to the formation of the current swine flu outbreak, suggesting a potential link between avian and human influenza viruses.
Researchers at the University of Maryland are working on a project to analyze vast amounts of DNA sequencing data using remote computer clusters, also known as Cloud Computing. The goal is to determine whether this approach can be more cost-effective and efficient than traditional local clusters.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered an enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is essential for its survival, paving the way for new TB drugs. The study identified NAD+ synthetase as a key target for developing structure-based inhibitors to combat latent and active TB infections.
A new decade-long database of aerosol measurements over land has been compiled, revealing a global decline in clear sky visibility from 1973 to 2007. This trend is indicative of increases in airborne pollution and its impact on climate change research.
The state of Maryland is uniquely positioned to support the nation's foreign language needs by tapping into its abundant pool of well-educated, bilingual speakers. The task force recommends harnessing the skills of first, second, and third-generation Americans to recruit teachers and translators.
Researchers at the University of Maryland and the University of Michigan have teleported quantum information directly from one atom to another over a substantial distance. They achieved this feat by entangling the quantum states of two individual ytterbium ions, allowing for the transfer of information without physical medium.
Two rare meteorites from Antarctica reveal the presence of an ancient asteroid with a crust similar to Earth's continents. The discovery provides new insights into the formation of andesite crust in our Solar System, challenging traditional plate tectonics theories.
Researchers found that unmarried fathers involved during pregnancy are more likely to remain involved in raising their child at age three. The pre-natal months are critical for building a stable family life, according to the study.
Since 1970, India has faced over 4,100 terrorist attacks, resulting in 12,539 fatalities. The Global Terrorism Database reports that these incidents peaked in 1991 and 1992, with a total of 360 fatalities per year.
Researchers found that single mothers provide 83-90% of child-rearing time as married counterparts, but with quality time compromised due to limited resources. The study suggests public policy should focus on resources and educational opportunities for mothers, regardless of marital status.
The Milagro collaboration has discovered two nearby regions with an unexpected excess of cosmic rays, suggesting the presence of high-energy particle acceleration near Earth. This finding is the second recent study indicating a source of galactic cosmic rays relatively close to our planet.
A new study by University of Maryland sociologists finds that unhappy people watch significantly more TV than very happy individuals, who prefer reading and socializing. The study analyzed 30 years of national data and found that TV viewing can provide short-term pleasure but has less positive effects in the long run.
A comprehensive study reveals that Chinese Americans face a 'glass ceiling', with lower occupational stature and success compared to their efforts. Despite high education levels, they earn less than White counterparts in certain fields, highlighting the need for tailored support.
A University of Maryland researcher warns that voter mistakes can affect election outcomes, with even simple errors leading to three percent of incorrect votes. Experts recommend taking precautions like bringing marked-up sample ballots and carefully reviewing the review screen to minimize errors.
A new study from the University of Maryland suggests that investing a greater share of RGGI auction revenues in energy efficiency programs can produce significantly greater benefits for Maryland. This could lead to modest savings for consumers and a positive overall economic impact while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers uncover clay bundle filled with metal objects, believed to be one of the earliest examples of African spirit practices in North America. The bundle, dated to around 1700, shows unique design and construction unlike other African-American spiritual practices.
Climate change is expected to cause significant economic impacts on US states, with total costs running into billions of dollars for North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The studies also highlight the need for quick action to mitigate these effects, as delayed action will only worsen the situation.
The University of Maryland's START research center will extend its study on radicalization, terrorist operations, and community resilience with a new $12 million DHS grant. Researchers aim to understand the dynamics of radicalization and develop effective counter-terror strategies.
A new series of reports from the University of Maryland's Center for Integrative Environmental Research projects long-term economic impacts of climate change on eight US states, with estimated costs ranging from $1 billion to billions. The studies highlight the need for state and local policy-makers to plan for additional changes ahead.
Scientists propose that sunlight increases or decreases the spin rate of asteroids, leading to moon formation through material slung off at the equator. This process exposes fresh material at the poles and coalesces into a satellite orbiting its parent.
Researchers have developed a mathematical model that predicts optimal timing for a cancer vaccine in CML patients based on their immune response, which may lead to a cure. The model suggests boosting the immune system at a specific time when it starts weakening can provide a strong stimulation to combat leukemia cells.
A small red dwarf star called EV Lacertae unleashed an unprecedented stellar flare, detected by NASA's Swift satellite. The star's fast rotation and magnetic fields generated the powerful flare, releasing energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Researchers used a neutral model to predict fish diversity in the Mississippi-Missouri River System, demonstrating its potential for analyzing complex systems. The approach, which assumes functional equivalence among species, provides new insights into biodiversity patterns and their relationship with environmental change.
The University of Maryland researchers have developed tiny sensors that use living olfactory cells on microchips to detect explosive materials, biological pathogens, and other substances. These cell-based sensors show promise in improving detection speed and accuracy.