Researchers found that animals' movement across their territories can lower the number of infected but increase disease persistence within populations. This finding challenges traditional views on disease transmission and highlights the importance of considering individual animals' movement in studies.
Researchers identified a gene responsible for eye loss in cavefish, revealing its connection to a human vascular disease. The gene, cystathionine beta-synthase 'a' (cbsa), prevents blood flow to developing eyes, leading to withered eyes in blind fish.
Researchers at UMD are using CRISPR technology to create microelectronic devices that can electronically turn genes on and off. This technique has the potential to bridge the gap between biology and electronics, enabling new wearable and smart devices.
A new study by UMD researchers highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in reducing global food waste due to date labeling. The study aims to clarify the science or lack thereof behind food date labels, with a focus on developing interventions to reduce behaviors that increase food waste.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that long legs evolved among the biggest dinosaurs to help them conserve energy and go the distance while searching for prey. The study found that larger dinosaur species with longer legs needed less energy to move, giving them an advantage in terms of efficiency.
Researchers cast doubt on the idea that the Justinianic Plague killed half of the Roman Empire's population. Using new mathematical models, they found it unlikely that any transmission route would have produced the described mortality rate and duration. The study highlights the importance of considering regional ecological and social p...
A new ultrafast high-temperature sintering method has been invented, promising applications in solid-state batteries, fuel cells and 3D printing technologies. The process requires less than 10 seconds of total processing time, compared to traditional furnace approaches that take hours.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a novel method to mix immiscible metals at the nanoscale, creating a range of bimetallic materials. This breakthrough enables the rapid synthesis of copper-based alloys with uniform structure and morphology.
The University of Maryland is funding joint research projects between UMB and UMD to address major healthcare challenges in chronic pain, mental health, aging, and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. The AIM-HI program aims to develop new technologies and approaches to relieve painful ailments.
A new theoretical framework for heredity proposes that information is stored outside the genome, in regulatory molecules that help cells function. This approach may provide new avenues for understanding hereditary diseases and evolution.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new electrolyte that forms a protective layer on silicon anodes, stabilizing their structure and preventing degradation. This breakthrough enables the use of micro-sized alloy anodes, significantly enhancing energy density and paving the way for high-energy batteries.
Researchers found that higher tariffs had a small correlation with decreased invasive pest findings, but this impact was not sensitive enough to be a good tactic. Revoking duty-free status on fruits and vegetables is the only way to achieve measurable impact in pest reduction through tariffs.
A University of Maryland and Hong Kong University study suggests that wearing surgical masks in public may reduce the spread of diseases including influenza, rhinoviruses, and coronaviruses. The study found that masks significantly reduced airborne viruses from infected patients in laboratory experiments.
A new CRISPR-Cas12b system enables efficient plant genome engineering with gene editing, activation and repression capabilities. The system outperforms existing CRISPR tools, offering improved efficiency and versatility for plant breeding and disease resistance.
Researchers analyzed Marsquakes from InSight mission, finding moderate seismic activity intermediate between Earth and the Moon. The data revealed geological layers within the planet and identified areas of high geological activity, guiding future missions searching for potential life.
Dr. Catherine Nakalembe from NASA Harvest is helping countries in Eastern Africa build systems to monitor crops using free satellite data, enabling life-saving decisions on food security. Combining satellite and ground data with weather forecasts allows for early warnings of crop failure due to drought, floods, disease, or pests.
A new study found that after a chytrid fungus outbreak in Panama, decimated frog populations, the number of snake species declined dramatically, causing the snake community to become more homogeneous. The loss of amphibians had a ripple effect on the ecosystem, leading to a drop in body condition and occurrence rates among snakes.
Researchers found that concentrating auctions to certain days of the week leads to a 7.3% increase in platform revenues. Shortening or lengthening auctions impacts the number of buyers bidding, with optimal listings influencing supply and demand
A University of Maryland-led study found that climate cycles and insect pests drive caribou migration timing. Caribou herds across North America synchronize their migrations at roughly the same time due to ocean-driven climate cycles, but arrival times depend on previous summer's weather conditions.
Researchers from University of Maryland provide rigorous mathematical explanation for Batchelor's law, a fundamental concept in fluid mechanics. The proof resolves the uncertainty surrounding the law's applicability and limitations, opening doors to better engineering designs and weather prediction models.
Scientists found that sight deprivation alters how groups of neurons work together, changing sensitivity to different frequencies. Adult mice's auditory cortex redistributes space to high, low, and mid-range frequencies after a week in the dark.
University of Maryland astronomers observe natural comet outburst, capturing start-to-finish sequence with NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) data. The team gained detailed observations of the explosive emission of dust, ice, and gases during the close approach to Earth.
A novel elastocaloric cooling material made from nickel-titanium alloy was developed using additive technology, showing high efficiency, ease of scaling-up, and minimal environmental impact. The material demonstrated robust mechanical integrity, withstanding one million cycles without degradation.
Researchers examined over 500 vaccine-related ads on Facebook and found that a small group of anti-vaccine ad buyers targeted specific audiences, while pro-vaccination ads were often rejected due to Facebook's policies. The study highlights the need for social media platforms to balance free speech with public health concerns.
Researchers developed a tool called Geneva that automatically learns to evade internet censorship by exploiting gaps in censors' logic. Tested in China, India and Kazakhstan, Geneva found dozens of ways to circumvent censorship, outperforming human attempts.
A new study reveals that genetic variations in a single species of bacteria can amplify infection, making it more dangerous than either strain alone. The researchers discovered that when the two strains work together, one produces a toxin that breaks down muscle tissue and enables the other to infect organs.
Researchers have developed a method to synthesize and trap trions that remain stable at room temperature, enabling manipulation and study of their fundamental properties. The work has implications for technologies such as bioimaging, chemical sensing, energy harvesting, solid-state computing and quantum computing.
The University of Maryland Prevention Research Center is receiving funding from the CDC to focus on LGBTQ+ mental health and healthcare. The center aims to increase the availability of affirming and supportive mental health care for the community, addressing stigma, discrimination, and violence.
Researchers at UMD have identified a new pathway by which liver macrophages capture fungi in the bloodstream, preventing their spread and potentially treating various types of fungal infections. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, which kill 1.5 million people worldwide each year.
Researchers have developed a novel statistical analysis to determine the global picture of how the ocean helps predict the low-level atmosphere and vice versa. The study reveals that the ocean influences the atmosphere almost everywhere in the extratropics, shedding light on regional climate prediction.
Researchers discovered re-entrant superconductivity in uranium ditelluride, a phenomenon where a superconducting state arises, breaks down, and then re-emerges. High magnetic fields induced the rare 'Lazarus' behavior, which has implications for quantum computing.
The article discusses how the rise of AI will shift jobs towards feeling tasks, making emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills vital for success. Research by the University of Maryland suggests that companies and individuals must adapt to this new economy, where firms need to recruit people who excel in feeling tasks.
Researchers found that soil fungus types determine tree survival rates in forests, with some trees thriving in dense groups due to protective fungal networks. The study reveals a complex interplay between beneficial and pathogenic fungi, shedding light on rare-species advantage's underlying mechanisms.
The UMD CONSERVE Center develops safe, alternative irrigation strategies to sustain food production in a changing climate. Non-traditional water sources like reclaimed water, brackish water, and return flows hold promise, but require additional treatments to reduce microbial and chemical contaminants.
A team of astronomers observed six LINER galaxies transforming into quasars in a matter of months, discovering an entirely new type of black hole activity. The sudden transitions challenge our current understanding of galactic evolution and suggest that the theory is all wrong.
Scientists have developed a new metabolic engineering technique that enables cells within microbial consortia to regulate their own composition through autonomous cell-to-cell communication. The approach utilizes the universal QS signal AI-2, allowing for tunable growth rates and improved coordination among subpopulations.
Researchers found functional mosaicism, where individual cells use different protein molecules to carry out the same function, which could explain antibiotic resistance and cancer relapse. This discovery suggests that therapeutic treatments may not be effective against all cells of the same type.
Researchers discovered that telomerase, which promotes unlimited cell division in cancer cells, also prevents tumors and slows a key stage in normal cell death. In healthy adult cells, telomerase activates just before cell death, buffering cells from aging stresses and reducing DNA damage.
Researchers have found evidence of a kilonova that produced large quantities of heavy metals, including gold and platinum, after a neutron star merger. The discovery was made by re-examining data from a 2016 gamma-ray burst, which matched the signature of a kilonova observed in 2017.
Researchers from the University of Maryland developed a novel approach to generate questions that challenge AI language models. By collaborating with humans and computers, they created a dataset of over 1,200 computer-stumping questions that revealed six different language phenomena consistently stumping computers. This work provides i...
Astronomers observe WASP-121b, a scorching hot exoplanet losing its atmosphere and emitting heavy metals like iron and magnesium. The planet's extreme conditions make it an ideal target for studying the physics of ultra-hot Jupiters.
A new reconstruction of global average surface temperature change over the past 2,000 years identified the main causes for decade-scale climate changes. The researchers found that airborne particles from volcanic eruptions were primarily responsible for several brief episodes of global cooling prior to the Industrial Revolution.
Researchers at the University of Maryland and National Cancer Institute identified 12 distinct gene-pair relationships in tumor cells that could be targeted for cancer therapy. These relationships were associated with varying levels of expression in the two genes and correlated with cancer patient survival.
A study by researchers at the University of Maryland found that white officers were not more likely to shoot minority civilians than black or Hispanic officers. Violent crime rates where the shooting took place were the strongest factor in predicting the race of a person fatally shot by police.
The University of Maryland's Yiping Qi reviews the current state and future of CRISPR technology in crops, suggesting applications beyond traditional gene editing. He aims to enhance traditional breeding techniques with CRISPR to ensure global food and nutritional security.
The University of Maryland-led project aims to upgrade lunar retroreflectors with next-generation versions, improving accuracy and coverage. This upgrade will enhance scientific research, test fundamental physics, and improve navigation on the lunar surface.
A new study reveals that the global area cultivated in crops requiring pollination has expanded by 137%, while crop diversity has increased by just 20.5%. This imbalance poses a threat to food security and economic stability, particularly in countries with limited crop diversity.
Scientists have discovered a newly found function of the US11 protein that impairs antibody immunity, allowing human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to evade white blood cells and potentially leading to birth defects and immune system dysfunction. This breakthrough has significant therapeutic prospects for treating autoimmune diseases like lupus.
A new study co-led by University of Maryland astronomer Matthew Knight suggests that the first known interstellar object, 'Oumuamua, has a purely natural origin. The research team analyzed existing data and found that 'Oumuamua's characteristics are more consistent with a comet or asteroid than an alien spacecraft.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have captured evidence of Klein tunneling in a superconductor-superfluid junction, allowing particles to tunnel through barriers. This phenomenon enables engineers to design more uniform components for future quantum computers and devices.