The Department of Environmental Quality has awarded a $1.6 million grant to continue the water cleanup project at the Tar Creek Superfund site, led by Professor Robert Nairn and his team. The project aims to restore balance to the communities and wildlife in northeast Oklahoma.
A researcher will investigate multifunctional and specialized spinal cord nerve cells that control leg movements. The goal is to understand the organization of normal spinal cord circuits for different types of limb movements.
The researcher aims to understand how electric fish manage energy for signal production, which could benefit human heart failure prevention. The project may also lead to broader impacts in education and research.
University of Oklahoma professor Chris Weaver is developing innovative visualization tools to interact with data in the digital humanities. The project aims to provide a general way to create, edit, search and query data inside visualizations, enabling users to express their observations directly.
A University of Oklahoma physicist has received a $1 million grant to develop a quantum enhanced plasmonic sensor that can detect diseases earlier, identify pathogens, and monitor atmospheric pollutants. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like chemistry, medicine, and atmospheric science.
The Digital Latin Library will provide access to Latin texts and resources for reading and analysis, while the Library of Digital Latin Texts will support new scholarship and educational materials. The project aims to enhance scholarly endeavors on an international scale and complement other digital initiatives.
A team of OU students created Storm Evader, an iPad app teaching elementary and middle school students about weather patterns by navigating a plane during severe weather events. The app encourages problem-solving and research-based decision-making, appealing to both kids and adults.
Paul Goode's research aims to understand how patriotism and nationalism impact regime legitimacy in Russia. He plans to conduct ethnographic observation, interviews, and focus groups with Russian citizens in Tyumen, Western Siberia.
The OU research team will investigate three specific antibiotic resistant pathogens, focusing on their structural components and physico-chemical properties. The goal is to develop a realistic predictive model that facilitates the design of effective antibiotics capable of penetrating the cell wall of these bacteria.
The OU History of Science Department has received a $350,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to build an innovative collaboration platform centered on the Isis Bibliography. The platform will make the entire bibliography available at no cost and provide users with digital tools for managing research and sharing work.
A recent University of Oklahoma study suggests that non-uniform climate warming affects global regions differently, impacting ecosystem functions such as food production and carbon sequestration. The effects of non-uniform warming on terrestrial ecosystems are a key challenge in carbon cycle research and future predictions.
Researchers discovered disease-causing bacteria in medieval dental plaque similar to those causing periodontal disease in humans today. The study sheds light on the long-term relationship between humans and their resident microbes.
Yiqi Luo, a University of Oklahoma professor, has been named an AAAS Fellow for his work on data assimilation and ecological forecasting. His research aims to predict ecosystem changes in response to environmental shifts, which could inform global responses to climate change.
The University of Oklahoma's new radar system, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Urban Demonstration Network, aims to improve severe weather warning operations. The network will use data from local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private sector sources, to provide real-time analysis and forecasts.
The University of Oklahoma and Albert Einstein College of Medicine will establish an Institute of Structural Biology to advance research on the impact of proteins. Researchers will target deadly diseases and search for new cures, gaining expertise in X-ray analysis and large-scale structural genomics.
Researchers discovered an additional active process producing nanodiamonds in sediments less than 3,000 years old, suggesting a possible extraterrestrial event. The study found no correlation between nanodiamond concentration and alternative processes, supporting the ET impact hypothesis.
Two University of Oklahoma professors, Paul L. DeAngelis and Jeffrey Harwell, have been named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors for their innovative inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life and economic development.
Ancel Keys, a prominent nutrition researcher, has had a significant impact on American eating habits. The new biography aims to explore his life and work in the context of the evolution of American food culture and its effects on health status.
The OU Natural Products Discovery Group has launched a crowdsourcing initiative to engage the public in finding new compounds with therapeutic relevance. The program has already led to the discovery of maximiscin, a unique bioactive compound obtained from a soil sample submitted by an Alaskan citizen.
A University of Oklahoma research team found that a commonly used aquatic crustacean, Hyalella azteca, can adapt to polluted conditions and become an unreliable source of information about ecosystem health. The species' genetic mutations allow it to survive at high doses of pyrethroid insecticides.
A multi-disciplinary research team at OU is developing a novel biomass conversion process to obtain a bio-oil compatible with refinery operations. The approach proposes significant improvement over existing commercial and previously proposed technologies.
The University of Oklahoma leads the Southern Plains Regional Transportation Center, a $2.6 million grant-funded project. The center aims to address regional transportation infrastructure challenges through education, research, and technology transfer.
The University of Oklahoma Center for Spatial Analysis developed a web-based tracking analysis application, TRACKS, to monitor and analyze Oklahoma offenders. The tool uses GPS location data to detect movement patterns and alert officers to potential behavior problems.
A University of Oklahoma biologist is studying how Daphnia, a small crustacean, adapts to changes in nutrient levels and water quality. The research aims to improve forecasting models of global environmental change and inform effective management of natural resources.
A University of Oklahoma-led research team has been awarded a $750,000 grant to develop a novel, self-sustaining energy storage system. The project aims to create nanobatteries that can be charged by photovoltaic systems, increasing capacity and reducing size for increased scientific payloads in satellites and rovers.
A University of Oklahoma research team has received a $236,000 grant to develop and commercialize IV-VI semiconductor mid-infrared detectors. The OU detector outperforms commercially available products and could gain significant market share, creating local high-tech businesses and jobs.
University of Oklahoma Norman campus researchers received $135,000 OCAST grants for three-year health research projects. The recipients will study advanced treatments for bone defects, viral RNA structure to develop new drugs, and the control of mosquito-transmitted diseases.
OU researchers will collaborate on a $20 million NSF EPSCoR grant to advance understanding of socio-ecological systems in Oklahoma. The project aims to develop a statewide socio-ecological observatory network, a forecasting system, and a decision-support system to address climate change and variability.
Kimball Milton, a University of Oklahoma physics professor, has been awarded a grant from the Simons Foundation Fellows Program in Theoretical Physics. He will explore the physics and applications of the quantum vacuum, including the Casimir effect and its potential for practical uses in nanoscale machines.
A new 'tree of life' for fishes has been recharted with the help of genetic and physical information, revealing significant changes to existing ideas on fish relationships. The research improves scientists' ability to predict how closely related species might react to environmental factors like climate change.
Scientists at OU, Japan, Germany, US, Canada, and Great Britain collaborate to sequence the sea lamprey genome, providing insights into vertebrate evolution and character traits. The study reveals two whole-genome duplication rounds in vertebrates, shedding light on the origins of myelin and paired appendages.
A recent study examined the effect of entrepreneurial rhetoric on microlending investment and found that successful entrepreneurs use language to shape investors' perceptions. By avoiding accomplishments-based rhetoric, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of securing funding by eliciting a 'warm-glow' response from lenders.
A University of Oklahoma study analyzed ancient DNA from human fecal samples to understand changes in the human gut microbiome. The results suggest that the last 100 years have seen a major shift in the human gut microbiome, with broader implications for modern health.
The University of Oklahoma has received nearly $2 million in National Science Foundation grants to enhance its research capabilities in meteorology, high energy physics, and bioengineering. The grants will enable OU faculty and students to conduct cutting-edge research with state-of-the-art equipment.
The OU research team is combining robotics, machine learning, and brain imaging to assist infants with cerebral palsy in mastering crawling behavior. The project aims to develop new robot platforms that can enhance infant mobility and delay cognitive development delays.
OU Outreach has received $20 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education to establish two comprehensive centers supporting education reform in seven states. The centers will provide technical assistance and training to state departments of education, aiming to increase student achievement goals.
The South Central Climate Science Center has received funding for seven projects, including studies on terrestrial connectivity, marsh types, and submersed aquatic vegetation in the Gulf of Mexico. These projects aim to improve management decisions for wildlife populations and coastal ecosystems.
The University of Oklahoma has received an award to develop a research ethics program for international students collaborating with US universities. The program aims to enhance students' awareness of cultural expectations and research policies in global research contexts.
A University of Oklahoma research team has been awarded a $9.7 million NIH grant to study human diseases associated with aging, osteoporosis and diabetes. The grant will provide significant resources for investigators to pursue structure-based biomedical studies.
University of Oklahoma physicists collaborated with 1,700 U.S. scientists on the Higgs boson search project. The international effort resulted in the discovery of a new particle consistent with the Higgs boson.
The University of Oklahoma led a US-based team in sequencing the tomato genome, revealing new insights into fruit characteristics. The achievement has significant implications for developing more desirable strains with higher yields, increased disease resistance, and improved flavor.
A study by OU researcher Paul Branscum found that high-calorie snacks are the most accessible choice for kids, with females consuming more than males. The study also revealed that African-American children consumed fewer high-calorie snacks compared to Hispanic, Caucasian, and Asian children.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma investigate the green pigment in nitrite-cured bacon, discovering its chemical composition and potential health effects. Further research is needed to determine if 'nitrite burn' poses a risk to human health.
Astronomers have identified two 11- to 12-billion-year-old white dwarf stars, the oldest and closest known to Earth. Located 100 light years away, these stars are believed to be among the first formed in the Universe soon after the Big Bang.
A University of Oklahoma graduate student has been awarded a national physics award for his groundbreaking research on dark matter. His thesis explores the mixture of two particles, axion and lightest supersymmetric (LSP) theory, providing a more intricate picture of dark matter.
The OU research team has made significant discoveries on gas and liquids transport in shale gas reservoirs, developing a quad porosity model that accurately predicts phase behavior and permeability. The model's predictions show improved well performance and prolific production of rich gas-condensate fluids.
A University of Oklahoma team has been awarded a $10.7 million contract to develop an educational video game that trains intelligence analysts to recognize and mitigate cognitive biases. The game, called MACBETH, aims to improve the accuracy of credibility assessments and reduce cognitive biases in future intelligence analysts.
Researchers are exploring why warm places have more species by studying brown food webs and their impact on biodiversity. The four-year project will test mathematical models on trees, small animals, and microbes to predict the effects of global climate change.
The University of Oklahoma will host a regional climate science center, providing expertise and strength to address climate variability and change. The center will link weather and climate projections with operational decisions made by land managers, supporting natural resource management.
Carla Atkinson, a University of Oklahoma graduate student, received the EPA's STAR Fellowship to study freshwater mussels in North America. Her research will explore the role of mussels in altering riverine ecosystems and their impact on human well-being.