A new study led by the NIH identified roles for over two dozen genes shared with humans, many linked to human eye disorders, in causing cavefish blindness. Epigenetic regulation mechanisms have been found to play a key role in this process.
A recent study by a multi-institutional team identifies new linkages between quorum sensing activity and sugar metabolism in the gut, using AI-2 as an autoinducer secreted by various species of bacteria.
A University of Maryland-led study has observed the electron heating process in Earth's bow shock, revealing a new mechanism for converting energy from the solar wind to heat. This breakthrough provides valuable new insights into Earth's magnetic field and its ability to protect the planet from harmful particles and radiation.
A new study analyzing data from Danish women found that taking antidepressants did not change significantly before or after an abortion, and actually decreased over time. The research supports recent reports concluding that abortion does not cause depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
A new study using satellite observations reveals that Earth's wet areas are getting wetter while dry areas are getting drier. Human water management practices, human-caused climate change, and natural climate cycles contribute to this pattern.
Scientists have observed turbulent magnetic reconnection at small scales in the magnetosheath just outside Earth's magnetic field. This phenomenon, involving only electrons, helps dissipate magnetic energy and may play a role in heating the solar corona.
Researchers have discovered that plant cells use glutamate receptor-like proteins to build complex communication networks, with cornichon proteins regulating calcium ion concentrations. This finding opens new avenues for understanding cell-to-cell communication in plants and animals.
A UMD researcher has discovered mechanisms dictating germline stem cell development and epigenetic markers associated with diseases such as cancers, viral infections, and male infertility. These findings provide insight into treatments for these conditions and unlock future animal and human health research.
Researchers have uncovered behavior in ultracold atoms that resembles the universe in microcosm, with potential implications for cosmology and the early universe's rapid expansion. The study reveals analogies to Hubble friction and provides new insights into energy conversion during inflation.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a water-based zinc battery with high energy density, rechargeability, and intrinsic safety. The new technology combines old battery chemistry with a novel aqueous electrolyte, overcoming limitations of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
A team of researchers from the University of Maryland has discovered a new type of superconductivity in the material YPtBi, which relies on highly unusual electron interactions. The discovery challenges conventional theory and opens up new possibilities for exotic materials.
A University of Maryland researcher has discovered a protein produced by the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, allowing it to evade the body's first immune response. This breakthrough understanding has significant implications for treating tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, which is increasingly chronic and prevalent.
Scientists at the University of Maryland have created nanoparticles composed of up to eight distinct elements, greatly expanding the landscape of nanomaterials. This breakthrough enables a wide range of applications in catalysis, energy storage, and bio/plasmonic imaging.
A new UMD study reveals the Sahara Desert has expanded by 10% since 1920, primarily driven by human-caused climate change. The research also suggests other deserts may be expanding, posing significant implications for global food security and ecosystems.
A study by UMD researchers found that individuals with higher locomotion traits performed better in a diabetes management app, exhibiting greater improvements in blood glucose levels. The study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to individual personality traits for effective mHealth treatments.
Scientists have captured compelling evidence for Majorana quasiparticles, which are predicted to form the backbone of a type of quantum computer. The latest experiment uses ultra-thin semiconductor and superconducting aluminum to unlock the particles' presence, with results confirming theoretical predictions and demonstrating robustness.
A 40-year study quantifies Bt corn's benefits for offsite crops like sweet corn, peppers, and green beans, showing 90% European corn borer population suppression. The adoption of Bt corn reduces spraying regimens and overall crop damage by up to 90%.
A new study from the University of Maryland School of Public Health found that kids who easily identified international food logos preferred them over local options. The research team gathered data from 2422 children in six countries, showing a strong association between logo recognition and junk food preferences.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a durable wood carbon sponge that can withstand repeated compression and extreme mechanical conditions. The sponge has potential applications in energy storage, pollutant treatment, and wearable electronics.
Researchers at the University of Maryland created a photonic chip that generates single photons and steers them around bends in the road. The device mitigates issues by rethinking crystal hole shapes and patterns, ensuring reliable transit for individual photons.
Cancer cells can lose multidrug resistance capabilities for days, creating a therapeutic window for chemotherapy. A breakthrough technique uses nanoparticles and near infrared laser treatment to cut off energy supply to efflux pumps, reducing resistance.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a new type of wood that is 10-12 times stronger than natural wood, making it a potential competitor to steel. The wood's mechanical properties are comparable to those of titanium alloys, but with improved toughness and reduced weight.
Researchers found that ultrafine aerosol particles can have a stronger impact on storm clouds and precipitation than previously thought. In the Amazon rainforest, these tiny particles can intensify storms and cause more rain due to their ability to form many small droplets that draw excess water vapor from the atmosphere.
A global study finds human alterations to natural habitats reduce mammal travel distances by at least half, with some species relying on humans for resources. This disruption can impact ecosystems and food webs.
A new University of Maryland-led study reveals that people with the flu can generate infectious aerosols even when not coughing, and especially during the first days of illness. This finding suggests that airborne transmission may be a significant route of flu spread.
Freshwater salinization syndrome caused by various salts is linked to increased alkalinization, posing risks to drinking water supplies and ecosystems. The study highlights the need for better regulation of these substances.
A study found that worms that can self-fertilize have lost approximately one-fourth of their genes, including those giving male sperm competitive edge. This shift may be driven by reduced competition among male worms, allowing populations to grow faster.
New research by professors Sunil Mithas and Michael Kimbrough at the University of Maryland shows that IT investments also matter to bond markets. Bond investors favor IT investments in industries where automation and richer information flows are key, but view them as riskier in transform industries.
A new algorithm, developed by a team at the University of Maryland, uses artificial neural networks to address multiple flaws in a single image. The algorithm can be trained on high-quality images and then applied to any image with imperfections.
Scientists have developed quantum simulators that can control over 50 interacting atomic qubits, mimicking magnetic quantum matter. The new record surpasses previous demonstrations and enables simulations of complex quantum matter, previously unreachable by modern supercomputers.
A new study using the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory found that two rapidly spinning stars are unlikely to be the source of excess anti-matter particles near Earth. The observations rule out a simple explanation involving nearby collapsed stars, leaving dark matter as a possible culprit.
The Zwicky Transient Facility's (ZTF) new survey camera captures hundreds of thousands of stars and galaxies in a single shot, taking its first image of the sky, dubbed 'first light.' ZTF aims to discover objects and events varying in brightness over time, including explosive supernovae, hungry black holes, and asteroids/comets.
A University of Maryland-led study reveals that China has significantly reduced its sulfur dioxide emissions, while India's have increased, putting the latter on track to become the world's top emitter. The findings suggest that China's efforts to control pollution are paying off, but air quality remains a concern.
A new study led by University of Maryland neuroscientists found that subplate neurons, thought to have no role in transmitting sensory information, may conduct such signals after all. This discovery could enable early diagnosis of autism and other cognitive deficits.
A University of Maryland-led study developed a vaccine candidate that stimulates an immune response against the protective sugars of multiple HIV strains. The molecule mimics a protein-sugar part of the shield and spurs rabbits to produce antibodies, but does not prevent live HIV from infecting cells.
Researchers observe historic detection of neutron star merger in both gravitational waves and the entire spectrum of light, offering insights into a cosmic event. The merger, named GW170817, revealed properties of the dense neutron stars and their collision, providing new opportunities for gravitational testing.
Scientists evaluated metagenomics software using international competition benchmarks to assemble, classify, and analyze complex pools of bacterial DNA. The results showed that different algorithms perform better in various contexts, highlighting the need for researchers to choose software based on specific questions.
Researchers are developing next-generation computational and bioinformatics tools to quickly assess the risk of synthesized DNA strands posing a threat. Mihai Pop and Todd Treangen are working with Fraunhofer and Signature Science to create a bioinformatics analysis pipeline for identifying potential biological threats.
Researchers found that Type I galaxies have more efficient supermassive black holes, emitting energy faster compared to Type II galaxies
Researchers at the University of Maryland discovered two group A Streptococcus genes, scfA and scfB, involved in invasive skin infections. These genes may serve as promising clinical targets for therapeutics.
A team of seven University of Maryland undergraduates developed a portable electroencephalogram (EEG) device that uses audio tones to detect Alzheimer's disease before symptoms appear. The device exploits changes in brainwaves, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment, potentially saving billions in healthcare costs.
The ISS-CREAM experiment aims to study the origin and diversity of cosmic rays, potentially revealing new details about dark matter. By detecting primary particles, ISS-CREAM will extend measurements to the highest energies possible and increase exposure by an order of magnitude.
A University of Maryland study found that individuals who regularly consumed highly caffeinated energy drinks over five years were more likely to use cocaine and non-medically use prescription stimulants. The research suggests a potential link between energy drink consumption and increased risk for substance use among young adults.
Researchers have found compelling evidence for a stratosphere on the enormous planet WASP-121b, hot enough to boil iron. The discovery was made using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and indicates a strong stratosphere on this gas giant exoplanet.
A team led by University of Maryland astronomers has constructed one of the most detailed descriptions of a gamma-ray burst to date, shedding light on the initial 'prompt' phase and the evolution of large jets of matter and energy. The data suggest that both magnetic fields and matter play key roles in shaping the jets.
A team of astronomers found that there are about seven times more long-period comets measuring at least 1 kilometer across than previously predicted. Long-period comets are nearly twice as large as Jupiter family comets, suggesting an evolutionary difference between the two types of comets.
A new study reveals glutamate receptor-like proteins in plants control sperm navigation and fertilization, highlighting potential conserved functions between plant and human systems. The research suggests that these proteins may regulate cell-to-cell communication in sexual reproduction.
Researchers at UMD developed a new battery type that produces ionic electrical energy used by humans, powering brain functions and muscle movements. The battery uses grass to store energy and can be run at any voltage, making it suitable for medical devices and potential applications in neuroscience.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers finds that increased global profits come from revenue-boosting IT strategies rather than cost-cutting. The findings suggest that firms can use IT to enhance competitive agility and sense unique customer preferences, leading to higher foreign revenues and profits.
Researchers have developed a genetically engineered mosquito-killing fungus that can target disease-carrying mosquitoes with high efficiency, while being safe for humans and other insects. The fungus uses spider and scorpion toxins to block calcium and potassium channels in the mosquito's nervous system.