The Children's Environmental Health Center will investigate the cumulative health impacts of early exposure to pollutants and non-chemical stressors among children in underserved communities. The center aims to reduce environmental health disparities and promote environmental justice for children.
A University of Oklahoma-led study highlights newly measured extremes in stratospheric water vapor recorded during the DCOTSS field project. High-level thunderstorms enhance water vapor in the stratosphere at levels higher than previously understood.
The University of Oklahoma's CHEPS project aims to co-develop socially just hydrogen energy technologies with local community representatives. The team will focus on clean and affordable hydrogen production, involving Tribal communities in their research and testing a co-creational approach to solving the country's energy challenges.
Researchers found that city-scale building energy use in US cities may increase by 13.8% for each degree of climate warming on average. The largest increase is expected in the South and Southwest regions, where electricity EUI will rise up to 7.2%.
The University of Oklahoma is part of a $104 million federal initiative to study antibiotic resistance, led by Harvard Medical School professor Johan Paulsson. The project aims to understand how antibiotic resistance arises and characterize rare cells that survive during antibiotic treatments.
A research team led by Yongjie Huang is exploring the complex interactions between convective clouds and their surrounding environments. They aim to understand how convection initiates and how convective cells interact with their environment, ultimately improving computer models for forecasting.
A University of Oklahoma professor is conducting an ethnographic study on end-of-life care in two public palliative care wards in Mexico City. The study aims to understand the cultural and bioethical dimensions of death and dying, with a focus on improving palliative care practices.
University of Oklahoma faculty members Vivek Bajpai, John R. Clegg, and Stefan Wilhelm have received NIH funding to study epigenetic mechanisms driving human pigmentation diversity and brain-resident immune cell phenotypes in brain damage associated with inflammatory disease.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are receiving US DOE funding to explore atmospheric processes that lead to extreme weather events. The project aims to better understand blocking patterns and their impact on climate change, ultimately informing local, state, and national leaders on how to prepare for these events.
A new study finds that warming temperatures may triple groundwater depletion rates in India under a business-as-usual scenario, with approximately 60% of the country's irrigated agriculture depending on the threatened groundwater. The study calls for policies to conserve groundwater and reduce energy subsidies.
Dong's research group develops unique nanocrystals that can emit light at room temperature with high efficiencies, targeting scalable quantum communication devices. By customizing the surface lattice of these nanocrystals, they aim to enhance single photon emission properties.
A study published in Science has identified 135 previously unknown genes associated with pigmentation, shedding light on the regulation of melanin production in humans. The research could help protect lighter-skinned individuals from skin cancer and develop new treatments for vitiligo and other pigmentation diseases.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma's Natural Products Discovery Group have identified a broad-spectrum antifungal molecule called Percephacin. This breakthrough treatment shows promise for treating fungal infections that are resistant to existing treatments.
Researchers led by Kash Barker examine indirect attacks targeting infrastructure systems via unwitting users, with a focus on social media platforms and critical infrastructure. The study aims to develop strategies for integrating research into education and outreach programs.
A team of researchers at the University of Oklahoma has made a groundbreaking discovery in overcoming antimicrobial resistance by developing a new class of molecules that inhibit efflux pumps. These inhibitors work as 'molecular wedges' targeting the area between bacterial cell membranes, increasing the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Bacteria can regulate nitrogen fixation through a protein called NifL, which changes shape in response to oxygen and energy levels. This discovery could lead to new ways to engineer bacteria and biofertilizers, improving crop yields in poor soils.
A team of researchers led by Laura-Isobel McCall and Zhibo Yang is using single-cell mass spectrometry to investigate the role of intracellular drug concentration in antimicrobial treatment failure.
Assistant Professor Daniel Becker of the University of Oklahoma has received a $10,000 grant to enhance his research on bat migration and its potential impact on human and wildlife health. The award supports his work on implanting microchips in Mexican free-tailed bats to monitor their migratory patterns.
A University of Oklahoma assistant professor will study how relationships among non-profits, community groups, and local government agencies can improve disaster resilience by enabling organizational interactions. The project aims to strengthen the knowledge network of resources available to a community during emergencies.
Researchers at OU are developing a scalable, integrated sensing platform to detect and monitor methane emissions in the Anadarko Basin. The system aims to help companies identify and mitigate accidental leaks, achieving detection at the meter scale.
Researchers found that boron species plays a key role in enhancing catalytic activity and selectivity in the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde over cobalt boride catalysts. The study uncovers a synergistic effect between boron species and water, leading to improved stability and selectivity of the catalysts.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma demonstrate a new method for secure information transfer using spatial correlations in quantum entangled beams of light. The study successfully encodes information into recognizable images, which can only be retrieved by joint measurements of the two entangled beams.
A new research effort aims to provide decision-makers with better information to understand supply chain risks, vulnerabilities, and resilience through visual analytics. The project will create a comprehensive computational and visual analytic environment to identify patterns and interdependencies in supply-demand systems.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma predict that global flash droughts will increase globally, with the largest increases projected across North America and Europe. The study finds that flash drought risk over cropland is expected to increase by 1.5 times in North America and 1.7 times in Europe by 2100.
A study published in Nature Microbiology highlights the need for better monitoring of bat coronaviruses globally. Researchers found substantial differences in coronavirus prevalence across studies, with gaps in South Asia, the Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa, and subfamilies of leaf-nosed bats.
Researchers aim to understand how neurons receive signals for taste and touch sensations, exploring potential emotional correlations. The study will investigate the organization of brain circuits supporting these intersections, with implications for health and disease.
A team of researchers from the University of Oklahoma and Yale University has developed a super-resolution imaging platform technology to visualize nanoparticles within cells. The technique, called expansion microscopy, enables 3-D imaging with resolutions as low as 10 nanometers, allowing for safer and more efficient nanomedicines.
Soil archaea in a warming climate become less diverse and more predictable, according to a long-term experiment led by Jizhong Zhou. The study found that experimental warming altered the community structure of soil archaea, reducing their taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity.
Scientists are developing a high-resolution landslides susceptibility map to forecast future landslides in eastern Oklahoma. The project uses remote sensing data, machine learning, and LiDAR topographic data to understand the causes, mechanics, and associated hazards of landslides.
The study of nematodes' body size can inform scientists' understanding of cellular growth, with the goal of discovering novel genes that control cell size and potential targets for cancer treatment. Nematodes are a model species for biological studies due to their quick growth rate and ability to produce hundreds of eggs.
An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Oklahoma advocates for integrating biogeography and behavioral ecology to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how to leverage existing biodiversity knowledge into predictive frameworks for addressing biodiversity loss. The authors argue that combining these two fie...
A recent study published in Science reveals that domestic horses transformed human life in North America following their reintroduction. The research used archaeological materials, historical sources, and Indigenous knowledge to understand when, why, and how horses were integrated into Native Nations' lifeways.
A new rehabilitation strategy for brain injuries is being developed by OU researcher Yuan Yang, who will use multi-modal MRI scans and electrical neural activity scans to assess changes in motor control. The goal is to reduce recovery time and healthcare costs for stroke survivors.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are designing a model home to address health challenges associated with living at high altitudes. The project combines local materials, state-of-the-art technology, and traditional Indigenous knowledge to create sustainable and accessible housing.
Researcher Jie Cai aims to understand the interplay between financial and environmental goals in shaping energy use behaviors. He will develop a statistical behavioral model to analyze user interactions with smart thermostats and identify correlations with socio-demographic variables.
Tiantian Yang aims to develop an integrated solution addressing precipitation variability and uncertainty with a novel AI and data mining tool. His research will be tested in collaboration with U.S. agencies, aiming to better inform water management decisions.
The University of Oklahoma engineer is developing a novel endoscopic optical imaging technique to provide real-time visualizations for needle-based medical interventions. This technology aims to improve the precision of needle placement, reducing complications and improving treatment efficacy.
Researchers at University of Oklahoma sequenced the genomes of decades-old Daphnia resting eggs from a polluted lake, revealing natural selection signs and genetic changes underlying rapid evolution. This study provides molecular evidence for adaptation to salinization in a keystone aquatic species.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are designing a customized device to better treat unique brain aneurysms. The device uses advanced biomedical 3-D printing to tailor the treatment to the specific shape, size, and location of each aneurysm.
A study analyzing local government spending on water infrastructure between 1980-2015 found associations with decreased poverty, increased per capita income, and unemployment. However, communities with higher Latino or Indigenous populations showed no significant effects, while Black American counties experienced stronger correlations.
A new genome-based taxonomy has been developed to characterize ecological niches of Microcystis, including nutrient requirements and seasonality. This will aid in the control of harmful Microcystis blooms and reduce health risks associated with water quality management.
Jay W. McDaniel, assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, receives a CAREER Award to develop a custom UAV-based radar suite for measuring snow depth and distribution. The project aims to improve understanding of snow characteristics and their impact on thermal balance between terrain and atmosphere.
A recent study published in Nature Sustainability reveals that Indigenous territories and protected areas play a vital role in forest conservation in the Brazilian Amazon. The study found that these areas accounted for approximately 52% of forests in the region, leading to only 5% of net forest loss and 12% of gross forest loss.
The University of Oklahoma is part of a national consortium for inclusive learning, which aims to support and incentivize teaching practices that increase student success outcomes in STEM fields. The OU project team will develop and disseminate tools and resources to support introductory STEM classroom practices.
A study using DNA analysis of a sacrificial spider monkey at Teotihuacàn, Mexico, reveals the earliest evidence of primate captivity and translocation in the Americas. The research provides insight into ancient trade networks and suggests that the spider monkey was a diplomatic gift between Teotihuacàn and the Maya civilization.
A University of Oklahoma study aims to develop practical approaches to pinpoint hidden wireless devices, using a single smartphone and no professional equipment. The project focuses on safeguarding user privacy against unauthorized video or voice recordings from IoT devices.
A new technological advancement at the University of Oklahoma will enable scientists to study whole macromolecular structures without deconstructing them. This breakthrough, supported by a $50,000 NIH grant, aims to analyze proteins as intact molecules, improving our understanding of their modifications and interactions.
A study led by J. Tom Mueller examines the impact of Medicaid expansion across rural and urban communities and ethnic or racial groups. The research aims to determine whether reduced mortality rates are observed in all populations.
A team of researchers is developing a new method to evaluate the viability of donor kidneys using optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning technology. OCT scans provide a more complete view of the organ's overall functional capacity, allowing for better matching with transplant patients. The goal is to increase kidney availability a...
Researchers aim to improve grid flexibility by reducing motor aging and increasing renewable energy utilization. They develop a numerical model to predict electric motor aging under different control conditions, promoting widespread adoption in electricity markets.