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University of Miami


African dust storms in our air

Researchers found that African dust particles more than doubled during a major Saharan dust intrusion in Houston, Texas, raising concerns about health risks for vulnerable populations. The study provides new insights into the impact of Saharan air outbreaks on climate and human health, including potential effects on hurricane activity.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateSep 18, 2013

Robots take over

Researchers at the University of Miami discovered a global ecology of interacting robots that trade on global markets at speeds too fast for humans. These ultrafast algorithms create extreme events, such as crashes and spikes, in financial markets.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 11, 2013

Researchers' tweets move science forward

Scientists like David Shiffman and Emily Darling document how tweeting supports scientific communication and outreach. They argue that a little effort on Twitter can provide enormous value for connecting with a diverse audience and sparking interdisciplinary collaborations.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalIdeas in Ecology and Evolution·DateSep 10, 2013

What do liberals and conservatives look for in a date?

A recent study by University of Miami political scientist Casey Klofstad found that liberals and conservatives are looking for partners who share their characteristics, regardless of ideology. The research team analyzed data from a popular online dating site and discovered that both groups prioritize similar traits in a potential partner.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalPolitical Behavior·DateSep 10, 2013

Looking at sachet water consumption in Ghana

A new study by University of Miami researcher Justin Stoler examines the demographics of sachet water usage in Ghana's capital Accra, revealing how poverty and environmental concerns impact urban water security. The research highlights the unintended social and environmental consequences of widespread sachet water use.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 19, 2013

Great white sharks

A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals unique social interactions among great white sharks while scavenging on dead whales in South Africa. The team observed 40 different sharks feeding on a carcass over a single day, suggesting that shark populations may rely on scavenging to supplement their regular feeding activities.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 10, 2013

When negative political ads work

A new study by Juliana Fernandes found that negative political ads work best when presented in moderation, allowing voters to process information carefully. The study revealed that larger time intervals between ad repetitions disfavor the target candidate, making it harder for them to be seen as unfavorable.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalMass Communication & Society·DateOct 24, 2012

Baby communication gives clues to autism

University of Miami researchers identified a link between early non-verbal communication skills and the risk of developing autism. The study found that babies as young as eight months old who showed lower levels of referential communication were more likely to exhibit severe autism symptoms by age three.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalInfancy·DateOct 1, 2012

Evaluate children's stress after natural disasters

A University of Miami study reveals that children experiencing both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are more likely to face longer-term adverse reactions after a disaster. Helping children cope with stressors after the event can improve their psychological functioning.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateAug 28, 2012

Helping superconductors turn up the heat

Researchers at the University of Miami introduced a breakthrough theory that explains high-temperature superconductivity. The team found that specific quantum effects can generate superpositions of individual states, providing an effective glue to repair the system and allow superconducting behavior to emerge.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateJun 18, 2012

Don't assume the sand is safe

Scientists developed reference guide for potentially harmful germs in sand to inform beach management decisions, with a focus on minimizing risk for children. The study found low levels of harmful microbes at one beach site, indicating the sand was safe for beachgoers.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 11, 2012

You can't do the math without the words

A recent study published in Cognitive Science shows that a few languages, like the Piraha, lack number words, making it difficult for speakers to perform common quantitative tasks. The study highlights the importance of language in acquiring knowledge, perception, and reasoning.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalCognitive Science·DateFeb 20, 2012

How advertising shapes the image of gayness in America

A University of Miami study reveals that images of gays in ads now shape mainstream perceptions, with consumers interpreting messages to reflect their own identities and gain social inclusion. The research highlights the role of advertising in shaping personal identities and its broader cultural impacts on minority communities.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Advertising·DateDec 5, 2011

Researchers create umpire schedule for MLB

Researchers created a novel solution to generate high-quality schedules for MLB umpires, minimizing travel time and adhering to league rules. The method, developed in collaboration with experts from Carnegie Mellon University and Michigan State University, reduced the creation time from weeks to just a few days.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalInterfaces·DateAug 3, 2011

Using math to fight cancer

Scientists from the University of Miami and Germany have created a model to predict cancer tumor growth and progression, which could lead to highly individualized treatment strategies. The model analyzes images of tumor sections and predicts the most likely course of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 1, 2011

Improving LED lighting

Researchers have created a smaller, flexible LED light with improved thermal management and increased life-span. The device uses novel manufacturing techniques to reduce temperature and increase efficiency, making it suitable for various applications such as deformable display monitors and biomedical devices.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 20, 2011

To bluff, or not to bluff? That is the question

A University of Miami economist applied modern-day game theory techniques to examine famous military bluffs and find that bluffing was the optimal strategy in each situation. The study used signaling games to model the legends of Li Guang and Zhuge Liang, finding that uncertainty was key to avoiding confrontation.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Peace Research·DateMay 23, 2011

Validating preschool programs for children with autism

Researchers from the University of Miami developed assessment measures to evaluate the fidelity of teaching models for autistic preschool children. The findings suggest that these tools can accurately discriminate between diverse teaching approaches and provide an evaluation method for intervention programs.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders·DateMay 19, 2011

Here's looking at you!

Infants exhibit stable patterns of attention during interaction, with gaze duration influenced by previous gazes. This finding suggests a building block of intentional action and may help understand human social interactions.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalInfancy·DateApr 6, 2011