A new study suggests that glacial sediments played a crucial role in the emergence and evolution of global plate tectonics. The research found two major periods of worldwide glaciation, each boosting the rate of plate tectonics, which resulted in massive deposits of glacier-scrubbed sediment.
The University of Maryland will lead a five-year research effort with NOAA, focusing on satellite services, Earth system observations and services, and Earth system research. CISESS aims to improve weather and climate forecasts, build resilience to extreme events, and provide capabilities for data access and management.
A transgenic fungus engineered to deliver a toxin to mosquitoes safely reduced mosquito populations by over 99% in a simulated village setting. The fungus is selective and won't harm beneficial species like honeybees, making it a promising new approach to controlling malaria.
Researchers at the University of Maryland introduced a new way of combining perception and motor commands using hyperdimensional computing theory, which can fundamentally alter AI tasks. This integration enables robots to fuse their perceptions with motor capabilities, creating a more efficient and faster way to complete tasks.
Researchers found that at least eight moonquakes were likely caused by tectonic activity along thrust faults, not asteroid impacts or internal moon movements. The team suggests the moon may be shrinking today and still experiencing quakes
Researchers discovered a previously unknown visual system allowing color vision in fish living beyond sunlight's reach. Fish such as the silver spinyfin possess multiple rod opsins, sensitive to different wavelengths, potentially used for detecting specific prey species through bioluminescent cues.
A new University of Maryland study reveals that acute exercise increases activation in the hippocampus and other key brain regions associated with memory. This finding suggests that single sessions of exercise can promote adaptations and improve network integrity, potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a self-cleaning solar evaporator made of wood that can efficiently produce clean drinking water from salty water. The device uses interfacial evaporation technology and minimizes maintenance needs, making it suitable for off-grid water generation in low-income countries.
Research reveals an unusual three-year spike in late-season surface melting on the Larsen C ice shelf, caused by foehn winds. This could lead to a denser and less stable ice shelf, potentially putting it at risk of similar fractures as nearby Larsen A and B shelves.
Researchers found four bat lineages that live at least four times longer than other mammals and identified life history features predicting extended life spans. Hibernating bat species in higher latitudes are found to live longer, possibly due to their ability to adjust body temperature.
A global-scale analysis reveals that chytrid fungus has caused dramatic population declines in over 500 amphibian species, including 90 extinctions, within the past 50 years. The study suggests that conservation efforts can help target future research to prevent extinctions.
Research from University of Maryland suggests climate change is driving an increase in seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, with areas experiencing earlier springs having a 14% higher prevalence of the condition. This is due to a longer season for tree pollen and simultaneous blooms of multiple tree species.
A new simulation system, AADS, combines photos, videos, and real-world trajectory data to create a more realistic autonomous driving environment. This allows for safer testing of self-driving vehicles in the lab before hitting the roads.
A team of researchers from the University of Maryland has developed a heat-to-electricity device using a piece of wood, which can potentially be used to generate energy from body heat. The device uses ions and unique properties of the wood's natural nanostructures to convert low-grade heat into electrical signal.
Physicists at UMD developed a new method to detect radioactive material remotely using an infrared laser beam. The technique induces an electron avalanche breakdown near the material, allowing detection from a distance. With further development, it could be used to scan trucks and shipping containers at ports of entry.
Researchers found alligators build neural maps of sound like birds do, indicating a common ancestor with dinosaurs shared this hearing strategy. The study suggests that the strategy may be more related to common ancestry than physical features such as skull size.
Researchers outline a targeted therapeutic strategy to treat triple-negative breast cancer using POLR2A gene targeting. The proposed approach utilizes nanotechnology-based precision-targeting to kill TNBC cells while sparing normal cells, offering hope for improved treatment options.
The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) has discovered over 1,100 supernovae, two black holes, and 50 near-Earth asteroids since its operations began in March 2018. The facility is also conducting a systematic study of transients in galaxy nuclei, aiming to catch stars being ripped apart by supermassive black holes.
Researchers created a fabric with conductive metal coating that can gate infrared radiation, allowing for instant cooling or insulation. The fabric's dynamic properties are ideal for regulating body temperature in various environments.
Researchers have revised the history of big, climate-altering volcanic eruptions using a new method that accurately identifies airborne particles in Antarctic ice cores. The study confirms many events and corrects misidentifications, revealing new information on large stratospheric eruptions over the past 2,600 years.
Researchers repurposed data from NASA's Curiosity rover to measure the gravitational tug of Martian rocks, finding that lower slopes of Mount Sharp have lower density rock layers than predicted. This challenges a competing theory suggesting Gale Crater was once completely filled with sediment and excavated by erosion.
Researchers at UMD create the smallest-known 3D microfluidic circuit element, overcoming cost and complexity barriers in personalized medicine and drug delivery. The new strategy allows for faster, cheaper, and more efficient 3D printing of complex fluidic systems.
Researchers challenge long-standing assumption about varroa mites' diet; find they feed on fat body tissue, essential to honey bees' survival. This discovery could lead to more effective mite treatments and improved bee nutrition.
Researchers used NASA's NICER payload to detect X-ray light from a small black hole (J1820) consuming material from a companion star. Light echoes revealed changes in the environment's size and shape, providing new insights into stellar-mass black holes' behavior.
The research team measured the Casimir torque's effect on liquid crystals, proving its significance in twisting them. The findings could lead to new nanoscale devices, such as actuators or motors, and help researchers understand nanoscale part motions powered by the Casimir effect.
Researchers tracked bat species with unpredictable food sources using miniature sensors, finding that they foraged socially when food was scarce. In contrast, bats with predictable food sources foraged alone. The study suggests that social foraging may be a strategy to exploit ephemeral resources.
Researchers used mass spectrometry to analyze Zhu Ling's hair samples and establish a timeline of her thallium poisoning. The study found that Ling was exposed to multiple doses of thallium, with increasing frequency and concentration, over a period of four months.
A new analysis by University of Maryland professor Ben Shneiderman reveals that research papers with multiple coauthors receive significantly more citations. The study found that university-corporate collaborations produce breakthrough research with substantial impact. Researchers and universities recognize the power and benefits of pa...
A new machine learning algorithm assesses over 150,000 plant species worldwide, predicting more than 10% as highly likely to qualify for at-risk IUCN classification. The model flags regions with high native biodiversity and endemic species as areas of concern.
A new study by UMD researchers found that saltier waterways are creating 'chemical cocktails' that release toxic metals and pollutants from streambeds. These cocktails can have devastating effects on drinking water supplies and ecosystems, similar to the 2014 Flint water crisis.
Scientists have identified a 'bottleneck' in the brain's speech perception mechanism, revealing how it processes language in noisy environments. The study found that the brain recognizes phonetic sounds and transitions to linguistic information in under 10ms.
Research finds that dark aerosols from Middle Eastern deserts can darken Tibetan Plateau snow, accelerating melting and intensifying the Asian summer monsoon. This mechanism explains a century-old hypothesis linking springtime snow cover to monsoon intensity.
Research team observes pairs of supermassive black holes drawn together by merging galaxies, providing insights into the late stages of cosmic collisions. The study confirms that over 17% of nearby galaxies host a pair of black holes at their center.
Researchers developed a new approach to interpret machine learning algorithms, revealing how they can produce nonsensical answers even when given meaningful inputs. By reducing inputs to the bare minimum required for correct answers, the method provides insights into algorithmic limitations and potential solutions.
A $1.5 million FEMA award will fund a first-of-its-kind study on the health effects of wildland firefighter smoke exposure. The research aims to quantify pulmonary and cardiovascular health consequences for firefighters exposed to toxic hazards in wildland fires.
Researchers have identified a direct relative of the historic neutron star merger that produced the first simultaneous detection of light and gravitational waves. The newly described object, named GRB150101B, shares remarkable similarities with GW170817 and suggests that these events may be from the same family of objects.
Scientists have detected gamma rays coming from the outermost regions of SS 433, a black hole system in our galaxy. The High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Gamma-Ray Observatory (HAWC) has observed these high-energy signals, which suggest electron acceleration and collisions at the ends of microquasar jets produced them.
A study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that frog populations in El Copé developed the ability to tolerate chytrid fungus, enabling them to persist despite severe species losses. The findings, published in 2018, could mean good news for other hot spots of amphibian biodiversity hit hard by the chytrid fungus.
Researchers Colin Carlson and Christopher Trisos call for caution on climate engineering, citing the need for quantitative evidence and solid data. They hope to shed light on potential health consequences over the next two years, as climate change and geoengineering become increasingly intertwined.
A UMD team has received a $1 million grant to develop methods for generating single photons at room temperature in semiconducting carbon nanotubes. This project aims to create high-quality single-photon sources that can be integrated into solid-state devices, enabling new quantum research and technology.
A new method for compressing film plots into short, silent video clips has been developed using facial expression tracking. The research found that audiences prefer clips with a specific sequence of scenes, including a key scene placed towards the end, to increase happiness and watching intention.
A new study published in Science shows that large-scale solar and wind farms in the Sahara could more than double precipitation, increase vegetation cover by up to 20%, and lead to substantial improvements in rainfed agriculture. The findings have major implications for addressing sustainability challenges in the Energy-Water-Food nexus.
Scott Juntti, UMD professor, develops genomic tools for testing genes' impact on organism traits in cichlid fish. The goal is to predict an organism's phenotype by understanding the sets of rules that govern genetic variation.
The University of Maryland has contributed to the publication of two collaborative papers in Science that detail the full genome sequence of wheat. The research uses this genome sequence to examine gene expression related to heat, drought, and disease stressors, paving the way for more resilient and sustainable wheat varieties.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new type of battery that can store more energy in the same space, enabling longer-range driving. The breakthrough uses aggressive electrodes and a highly-fluorinated electrolyte to stabilize potentially dangerous materials.
An international collaboration sequenced and analyzed the genome of Chara braunii, a freshwater green alga closely related to land plants. The study identified key genes that originated in a common ancestor shared by Chara and land plants, revealing that some important plant functions evolved before land plants existed.
Researchers at UMD developed an alert system that enabled telescopes worldwide to pinpoint the source of high-energy cosmic neutrinos. The evidence points to a supermassive black hole, dubbed a blazar, as the most likely accelerator of these particles.
Researchers have demonstrated the first single-photon transistor using a semiconductor chip, paving the way for photon-based computing. The device can process 10 billion photonic qubits per second and is compact enough to fit inside a grain of salt.
A University of Maryland study found that people remember information better when presented in virtual reality compared to traditional desktop computers. The researchers used a memory palace method and found an 8.8% improvement in recall accuracy using VR headsets.
Decades of satellite monitoring reveal Antarctic ice loss, with glaciers and ice shelves thinning due to warm ocean water, leading to increased sea level rise. The continent's ice cover has been impacted by climate variability, atmospheric, and ocean circulation changes.