Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that low-purity iron ore from the state's Iron Range can be used to create semiconductor-quality pyrite, a process that could lead to cost-effective and sustainable applications in electronics, solar panels, batteries, and more.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed a new strategy to accelerate the breakdown of compostable PLA plastics under everyday composting conditions. The addition of a trace amount of 2-sulfobenzoic acid cyclic anhydride (SAn) dramatically enhances their hydrolytic degradation, making them more suitable for home composting.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed an AI system that tracks a diver's health in real-time using robotic vision and exhaled bubble analysis. The system can detect signs of stress, hyperventilation, or exhaustion, providing a non-contact approach to monitor divers' physiological stress underwater.
A nationwide study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that adhering to posted speed limits could save an average of $22 million and 6.7 million gallons of fuel daily. This could lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.
An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Minnesota analyzed 146 countries and found large potential gains in biodiversity, climate, and economic development from improved land use and management. The analysis showed that simultaneous gains in environment and economy are possible, with potential to increase climate miti...
PFAS contamination is linked to wastewater discharges and local industrial sources, but airborne transport may carry chemicals across long distances before returning to Earth. The research team identifies possible source regions and better understand how weather and atmospheric transport influence PFAS contamination.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota have discovered a powerful new method for controlling the electronic behavior of metals by adjusting film thickness at the nanometer scale, which can tune surface work function by over 1 eV.
A new AI model has been developed to predict floods with greater accuracy than traditional methods. The knowledge-guided approach combines elements of physics-based models with machine-learning techniques to automatically learn the state of a river's watershed, eliminating the need for manual recalibration.
A nearly complete skeleton of Alnashetri cerropoliciensis has been discovered in Argentina, providing the first evidence of this enigmatic group of dinosaur. The fossil's age and anatomy reveal that these tiny animals existed when the continents were still connected as Pangaea.
A University of Minnesota study investigated a 2023/2024 Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Grand Rapids, Minn. and found that introducing disinfection to untreated groundwater stopped the spread of the disease. The city implemented chloramine disinfection, which dropped Legionella levels so low they could no longer be detected, resulti...
Researchers discovered that highly 'stiff' red blood cells play a crucial role in sickle cell disease, causing blockages and pain. The study's findings could lead to more effective, personalized therapies and new testing for early warning of symptoms.
Researchers challenge a decades-old dark matter theory, suggesting it could have been 'incredibly hot' when first born. The study opens up new possibilities for dark matter and its interactions with other matter, providing clues about the origins of our Universe.
A new study at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities investigates how floodwaters transport and bury animal bones to understand fossil formation. The research provides clues for understanding animal extinction and environmental changes.
Researchers describe chemical journey of YCT-529, a non-hormonal male birth control pill, and its promising molecular science behind it. The compound effectively suppresses sperm counts, showing promise as a durable and reversible contraceptive option.
Research finds that carnivores aid in dispersing mycorrhizal fungi through secondary dispersal, facilitating the transfer of spores over long distances. This process plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem structure and function, particularly in forests facing environmental stress.
Researchers created a new method using 'aryne intermediates' to build complex molecules efficiently, eliminating additives and reducing waste. This breakthrough can be applied to small molecule drug discovery, antibody drug conjugates, and more, expanding the possibilities for pharmaceuticals and agrochemical development.
Materials scientists at the University of Minnesota have discovered a way to control tiny 'flaws' inside ultra-thin materials, giving them new properties. The study found that patterned regions can achieve up to 1,000 times higher density of extended defects than unpatterned areas.
A team of researchers has discovered the fraction of an electron that makes catalytic manufacturing possible, explaining the utility of precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum. The discovery provides insight for designing new breakthrough catalytic materials, enabling lower-cost manufacturing processes across industries.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new method for producing iron that eliminates CO2 emissions and can be performed at room temperature. The process uses hydrogen gas plasma to strip oxygen from iron ore, producing pure iron and water vapor.
A new method of 3D printing has been developed to mimic the complex strength and stretchiness found in real tissues like skin or other organs. This allows for more realistic training models for surgery, which could ultimately improve medical outcomes.
A new study reveals that shorter and warmer winters will lead to dramatic ecological shifts in high-latitude lakes, including changes in productivity and food web dynamics. Climate change is increasing the seasonal overlap of light and warmth, enhancing plant growth and animal activity.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed AI-guided aerial robots to detect, track and analyze wildfire smoke plumes. The technology provides high-resolution data collection across large areas at a lower cost than satellite-based tools, enabling more accurate computer models for air quality predictions.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a groundbreaking process to combine 3D printing, stem cell biology, and lab-grown tissues for spinal cord injury recovery. The method involves creating 3D-printed scaffolds with microscopic channels that promote the growth of new nerve fibers.
The University of Minnesota researchers discovered a new type of plasma wave in Jupiter's aurora, which helps understand the phenomenon and its potential applications for protecting Earth. The study reveals that Jupiter's magnetic field allows particles to flood into the polar cap, unlike on Earth.
A large-scale study from the University of Michigan and University of Minnesota found no association between musical training and enhanced neural processing of sounds at early stages of auditory processing. Musicians demonstrated no greater ability to process speech in background sounds or changes in pitch than non-musicians.
A recent University of Minnesota study found that large surface waves produced by powerboats can have a significant impact on delicate lakebed ecosystems. Researchers recommend operating boats in deep water to minimize these impacts and avoid shallow spots, giving space between boats and shorelines.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a way to manipulate charge flow in ultrathin metallic films using light. This breakthrough could lead to energy-efficient optical sensors, detectors, and quantum information devices.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new material called Ni₄W that can generate spin currents to control magnetization in electronic devices. This material has the potential to significantly reduce power usage in devices like smartphones and data centers.
A recent study published in the Association for Computing Machinery Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency found that AI chatbots are not safe replacements for therapists. The researchers evaluated these chatbots against clinical standards for therapists and concluded that they don
The use of medical AI systems is compromised by inconsistent and inaccurate race and ethnicity data in electronic health records. Experts call for standardization of methods for collecting this data and warrantying its quality in AI systems.
A new Sea Grant publication provides clarity to Great Lakes fish farmers navigating permits, policies, and regulations hindering their operations. The comprehensive report breaks down complex legal frameworks, offering practical insights for understanding state and regional requirements.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered a new method to selectively burn one molecule in a mixture of hydrocarbons using a bismuth oxide catalyst. This process, called chemical looping combustion, could help remove pollutants and improve industrial processes with high energy efficiency.
The first-ever Portable MRI Research ELSI Checklist offers operational guidance for neuroscientists conducting research in community settings. The checklist provides practical tools to address issues such as participant safety, incidental findings, informed consent, and data privacy.
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that the benefits of corn-soybean crop rotation are extremely sensitive to climate change. The study suggests that increasing crop rotation can improve overall yields and highlight its potential as a climate adaptation strategy in the US Midwest.
A first-of-its-kind study from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities utilizes remote sensing technology to monitor plastic debris in freshwater environments like the Mississippi River. The research helps increase understanding of plastic debris behavior in these systems, shedding light on a growing environmental issue.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found high concentrations of neonicotinoids in some ground and surface water sources, including natural springs. This contamination can affect drinking water quality and organisms in streams fed by those springs.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a new, transparent conducting oxide material with increased band gap, enabling faster and more efficient devices. This breakthrough supports the development of high-performance electronics for computers, smartphones, and potentially quantum computing.
Emerging technology allows long-term storage of human organs, addressing severe time constraints that limit organ viability. New governance and legal rules are needed to guide this application, including oversight from the FDA and ethics guidance on organ storage.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed a new technique to visualize 2D radio images in 3D, revealing distinct shapes and structures of galaxies and massive black holes. The technique uses Faraday rotation to estimate distances and analyze material interactions, potentially altering previous models.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered how next-generation electronics, including memory components in computers, break down over time. By studying spintronic magnetic tunnel junctions, they found that continuous current causes layers to pinch, leading to device malfunction and degradation.
A new study by the University of Minnesota found that developers of portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems failed to address ethical, legal and social issues as they designed and deployed the technology. The authors recommend that researchers, engineers and companies work with ethics and legal experts to formulate guidelines.
Researchers found a half-century gap between successful broods of the bigmouth buffalo, with only one successful spawn after 1971. The study highlights the importance of implementing fisheries management principles to protect this long-lived and vulnerable species.
A first-of-its-kind adaptive 3D printing system developed by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers can identify organism positions and safely move them to specific locations for assembly. This technology saves time and money in bioimaging, cybernetics, and cryopreservation.
Researchers developed a new visual diagnostic technique called Cap-QuIC that can distinguish infected samples with the naked eye, enabling faster and more accurate disease detection. The method builds upon previous groundbreaking diagnostic techniques and leverages simple action to detect misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins.
A new device called computational random-access memory (CRAM) reduces energy consumption for artificial intelligence applications. CRAM enables true computation in and by memory, breaking down the bottleneck in traditional computing architecture.
A national working group has released a landmark report providing urgently needed guidance on ethical, legal, and policy concerns raised by the rapidly emerging use of portable MRI scanners in brain research. The report, developed with interdisciplinary expertise, offers 15 recommendations to address challenges posed by this technology.
Chemists at the University of Minnesota have created a highly reactive chemical compound that has eluded scientists for over 120 years. The discovery could lead to new drug treatments and safer agricultural products.
The new software can detect gravitational wave signals from neutron star collisions more accurately, allowing for faster alerts and enabling further research. This improvement will help scientists better understand heavy element production, including gold and uranium, and the behavior of neutron stars.
Researchers developed a robot that uses machine learning to automate microinjection in genetic research, enabling large-scale experiments. The technology has the potential to expand genetic research capabilities while reducing costs.
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota reveals that non-invasive brain stimulation can change a specific brain mechanism related to human behavior. The technique, called transcranial alternating current stimulation, modulates brain activity by shifting when brain cells are active.