Andrew T. Hattersley, a renowned diabetes researcher, has been awarded the 2021 Harold Hamm International Prize for Biomedical Research in Diabetes. The prize recognizes his lifelong contributions to the field of diabetes research and his singular advances that promote curative potential.
A new study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an automated, smartphone-based approach to incentivizing smoking cessation among low-income adults in Oklahoma. The 5-year project will enroll 532 participants and assess the impact of monetary incentives on smoking abstinence.
An international team of researchers led by Xiangming Xiao used satellite data to track changes in the Brazilian Amazon from 2010 to 2019, finding that forest degradation resulted in greater carbon loss than deforestation. This study has significant implications for forest policies and conservation efforts in the region.
Mehrnaz Afkhami, a University of Oklahoma doctoral biology student, received the graduate student poster award for her research on female behavioral response to male novel traits in fruit flies. Her study focuses on genetics and neurobiology aspects of this behavior.
A recent study published in Gastroenterology reveals that overexpression of the ZIP4 protein in patients with pancreatic cancer enables tumor cells to transform into a shape-shifting form, evading detection and metastasizing to other organs. Understanding this process is crucial for developing targeted therapies to stop metastasis.
A University of Oklahoma-led team identified limits in the major greenhouse emission database EDGAR, which underestimates paddy rice methane emissions. The researchers developed annual paddy rice maps to quantify spatial-temporal changes and improve simulations of models estimating methane emission.
Climate change affects soil microbial community diversity, structure, and activities. A new study found that warming enhances microbial network complexity and stability, supporting the central ecological belief that complexity begets stability.
The study explores how independent transitions of marine fish species into different water column habitats result in the recurrent evolution of similar body shapes. This suggests that limited sets of high-fitness solutions exist due to environmental constraints.
A University of Oklahoma-led study found that lower nitrogen levels in soil stimulate the release of carbon dioxide from soils under high atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, contributing to climate change. Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in this process.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is developing a comprehensive approach to managing chronic pain in older adults by reducing opioid use and promoting non-opioid alternatives. The grant aims to establish standards for pain management that prioritize non-opioid medications, treatments, and physical therapy options.
Researchers are developing a novel 'food as medicine' intervention to address high rates of food insecurity and insulin resistance in Oklahoma's HIV community. The five-year project will test the impact of diet on insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, with a focus on identifying community-based solutions.
The University of Oklahoma faculty member will explore innovative ways to break down various types of plastic, including multi-layered packaging, to increase recyclability. The research aims to design catalysts that target impurities, producing a pure stream of higher value material.
A research team is working on developing new tools to guide the discovery and optimization of new antibacterial agents, addressing the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance.
The OU College of Medicine has partnered with the US Department of Defense to develop training materials and resources to address problematic sexual behavior in youth within the military. Effective treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and family engagement, have shown recidivism rates less than 2%.
A researcher at the University of Oklahoma is conducting a study to investigate the role of menthol flavoring in smoking habits among young adults. The study aims to inform the FDA's decision on whether to ban menthol flavoring in cigarettes, which could reduce smoking rates among at-risk populations.
The OU College of Medicine is launching a mobile classroom to promote diversity in health professions, aiming to recruit and retain students from rural and underserved areas. The grant-funded initiative will provide hands-on experience for young people across Oklahoma, particularly in smaller communities with limited resources.
A OU-led study integrates omics data into ecosystem models to better predict soil carbon loss due to warming-induced adaptation in microbial communities. The findings suggest a more nuanced understanding of the ecological consequences of climate warming.
A study by OU researchers reveals that climate warming increases homogeneous selection in soil bacterial community assembly, which is linked to changes in drought and plant productivity. The findings have important implications for predicting and mitigating ecological consequences of climate change.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma and others report the first occurrence of the extinct giant short-faced bear, Arctodus simus, on the California Channel Islands. The toe bone was found to be from a bear dating back approximately 17,000 years, with chemical fingerprints matching the spectacled bear from South America.
A research team led by the University of Oklahoma aims to identify general ecological rules governing microbiome dynamics using anaerobic digesters as model systems. The study will provide fundamental knowledge critical to predicting microbiome behaviors and enable science-informed policies for ecosystem management.
Children born to obese mothers face higher risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease due to microbiome disruption, which can be influenced by maternal diet during pregnancy. The study aims to investigate the role of pyrroloquinoline quinone in improving the microbiome and lowering the risk for NAFLD.
The University of Oklahoma is leading a $100 million NSF AI Institute to advance trustworthy AI in weather, climate, and coastal oceanography. Researchers will develop accurate predictions and improve societal resilience to climate change.
Researchers will use advanced technology to create fractures and monitor wells for improved flow rates, with the goal of reducing costs and increasing power production from geothermal wells.
The OU Health Sciences Center will expand a national program dedicated to suicide prevention with a $38 million five-year grant. The program aims to address workforce development, education, evidence-based prevention strategies, and public awareness to help people at risk of suicide. Key findings include increased focus on culturally r...
A researcher at the University of Oklahoma has received a $1.6 million grant to develop a biomarker for early osteoarthritis diagnosis and predict disease progression. The study aims to identify epigenetic patterns that can help determine whether a patient's condition will worsen quickly or slowly.
A researcher at the University of Oklahoma is using a $1.3 million grant to study why women with irritable bowel syndrome experience more severe abdominal pain than men under stress. Her goal is to identify epigenetic changes in specific brain nuclei that make females more vulnerable to abdominal pain.
Justin Metcalf, OU assistant professor, received a Young Faculty Award from DARPA to explore how the electromagnetic spectrum has become critically congested. His research aims to develop techniques for radar and communications systems to share frequency bands, enabling defense and commercial users to dynamically share unlicensed bands.
Bayram Saparov, a University of Oklahoma assistant professor, has been awarded a five-year Department of Energy Early Career Research Award to develop more efficient solar panels and LEDs. The award aims to bolster the nation's scientific workforce and support exceptional researchers in their early career years.
The OU College of Medicine has been awarded a $11 million federal grant to create the Oklahoma Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunity. The center will focus on researching various types of infections, including fungal, bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, and how the immune system recognizes and destroys them.
Researchers use nearly 20,000 atoms in extremely low temperatures to study quantum entanglement and its implications for quantum-enhanced sensing applications. The study aims to develop gravitational sensors that can detect gravity and acceleration without GPS.
A new study by Meredith G. F. Worthen and Trenton M. Haltom investigates the relationship between leather identity and attitudes toward women, revealing a robust connection among hetero-leathermen. The findings highlight the importance of considering how leather identity shapes misogyny among men.
A study led by Dr. Karl Hansen aims to investigate the health risks associated with two types of frozen embryo transfers used in IVF, one with a natural cycle and the other with artificially stimulated cycles. The research hopes to identify which protocol carries a lower risk of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia.
Researchers have developed an innovative approach to enhance the performance of solar cells, which could lead to a significant increase in efficiency and revolutionize photovoltaics. The new method, published in Nature Energy, demonstrates potential for ultra-high-efficiency single-junction semiconductor devices.
A team of OU researchers is studying how Americans perceive COVID-19 and how false information on social media influences their behavior. The project aims to understand the spread of misinformation in a crisis and evaluate efforts to combat it.
Researchers discovered hundreds of fossilized rodent pellets at La Brea Tar Pits, dating back ~50,000 years. The find provides a unique glimpse into the past climate and ecosystems of Ice Age Los Angeles.
A University of Oklahoma-led study reveals a decline in grasshopper numbers over the past two decades in a Kansas grassland preserve. The research identifies nutrient dilution as a key driver, caused by increased atmospheric CO2 levels, leading to declining plant quality and reduced sustenance for herbivores.
A $20 million cooperative agreement renewal will focus on developing tools and best practices to aid local governments in disaster preparedness. The project, led by OU engineers, aims to provide practical application of modeling results to community stakeholders.
A team of OU researchers has been awarded a $730,000 grant from NASA to study emerging infectious disease threats, including the 2019 novel coronavirus, in Central Asia. The research aims to predict the economic, public health, and environmental risks of large-scale development initiatives.
Researchers used radar technology to quantify mayfly swarms in the Upper Mississippi River and Western Lake Erie Basin, estimating up to 88 billion mayflies can swarm annually. A 50% decline in population was observed between 2012 and 2019, raising questions about causes of such reductions in mass emergence.
A University of Oklahoma-led study has found a strong correlation between paddy rice area and atmospheric methane concentration in monsoon Asia. The research used satellite data to create annual maps of paddy rice, showing that the spatial-temporal dynamics of methane concentration are closely linked to rice growth.
Liangzhong Xiang's team at OU aims to create a 3D scanner using X-ray-induced Acoustic Computed Tomography (XACT) for real-time radiation dose delivery. The technology may decrease treatment toxicity and improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.
Researchers from OU and international partners analyzed ancient dust in rocks to understand the role of atmospheric dust on marine ecosystems 300 million years ago. They found that this ancient dust was much dustier than today, with twice as much bioavailable iron, leading to a massive surge in marine photosynthesizers.
The University of Oklahoma received a $4.5 million grant to apply cutting-edge science and tools for climate adaptation in the south-central United States. Researchers will focus on decision-making support for Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
The University of Oklahoma is leading a $2.5 million research project to investigate avian influenza virus diversity and transmission. The project aims to improve surveillance and pandemic preparedness by training researchers and engaging the public in disease ecology and evolution.
A researcher at Stephenson Cancer Center is investigating how tumor cells evade detection in lung cancer patients on immunotherapy medication. He believes that PD-L1-coated exosomes are neutralizing the antibody, allowing tumors to continue growing.
A team of researchers created a model to predict induced earthquake activity from wastewater injection, accounting for various variables such as subsurface hydrology parameters and regional stress on faults. The model can help oil operators restrict injection control and prevent large earthquakes in Oklahoma.
A University of Oklahoma-led study found a significant increase in photosynthesis in the Amazon rainforest during the dry season, as measured by satellite-based solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. The study provides new insights into the dynamics of Amazonian photosynthesis and its impact on global atmospheric carbon concentrations.
A researcher at OU Medicine is studying ways to predict who will get diabetes, so that physicians can intervene earlier. She aims to understand how a person's genetic makeup interacts with lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of exercise to lead to diabetes.
A researcher at the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center has been awarded a five-year grant to study the long-term effects of vaping on human health. The study aims to examine the effects of vaping on respiratory function and determine if users become susceptible to other tobacco products.
Javier Jo's research aims to detect oral cancer at an early stage using a hand-held endoscope that can recognize patterns and signatures of precancerous and cancerous lesions. The technology has the potential to increase the number of patients diagnosed with oral cancer at an earlier stage, improving survival rates and quality of life.