A University of Oklahoma team has developed a mathematical framework for quantitatively assessing ecological diversity in dynamic communities. The framework, which considers both deterministic and stochastic forces, provides a robust tool for ecologists to evaluate the relative contribution of these forces.
Bin Wang, a University of Oklahoma assistant professor, has been awarded a five-year grant to develop an all-optical process for chemical transformation with high efficiency and selectivity. His research aims to control light-driven reactions at the molecular level using computational modeling.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has received a $18.7 million grant to expand biomedical research on complex diseases like cancer and diabetes. The grant aims to develop new medical devices and treatments while building a pipeline for the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.
A University of Oklahoma-led study has generated improved annual maps of tropical forest cover in the Brazilian Amazon from 2000-2017, revealing ~15% higher estimates than existing datasets. The study also shows a renewed increase in forest area loss after 2013, driven by land use change and strong El Nino.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are developing novel expandable and programmable polymers that activate at high temperatures to strengthen wellbores. These smart materials will help reduce non-drilling time and improve drilling efficiency in geothermal wells.
The OU Health Sciences Center has been awarded a $3.75 million federal grant to enhance dementia care in Oklahoma. The program aims to educate the workforce and create dementia-friendly health systems through partnerships with primary care clinics, nursing homes, and community organizations.
A new study shows that niraparib can extend life for women with ovarian cancer who have undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy. The study found that 27% of patients responded well to the drug and averaged 9.2 months until disease progression, offering hope for a meaningful treatment option.
A University of Oklahoma study examines the intersection of sexual and gender identity gaps with liberalism in the US. The research reveals nuanced patterns among pansexual, non-binary, queer, lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, shedding light on the complexity of LGBTQ political perspectives.
Researchers from OU physics group discover a novel Mott state in twisted graphene bilayers at the magic angle, characterized by ferromagnetic spin alignment. This phenomenon is unlike conventional Mott insulators and has potential implications for superconductivity.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine have identified ZIP4 as the trigger for muscle-wasting cachexia in pancreatic cancer. By inhibiting ZIP4, they hope to prevent cachexia and improve treatment outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.
A researcher is using a $2.3 million grant to study the mechanisms by which bacteria in the colon may trigger cancer development. The goal is to develop prevention strategies, such as probiotics, to stop the triggering of the immune response.
A University of Oklahoma-led study mapped the global diversity and biogeography of activated sludge microbiomes, identifying a core of about 28 bacterial strains. This comprehensive effort provides new insight into the fundamental structure and function of these microbial communities.
Dentist Sharukh S. Khajotia is investigating decay and tooth-colored filling materials to extend their lifespan, potentially saving patients' tooth structure and reducing healthcare costs.
A recent clinical trial at the Stephenson Cancer Center found that patients with stage two, three, or four ovarian cancer can expect about 75 months of survival when their tumors are completely removed. The treatment regimen that caused fewer difficult side effects was just as effective as those with more severe side effects.
A University of Oklahoma-led study found that explosive volcanic eruptions were more frequent during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age and helped keep large ice sheets stable by blocking sunlight. The research suggests that lessons from this period can inform strategies to mitigate climate change, including stratospheric aerosol geoengineering.
Researchers have found that water accelerates the conversion rate of furfural by a factor of two to three. The presence of water enables hydrogenation to occur in the liquid phase instead of on the catalyst surface.
A University of Oklahoma study found that climate warming significantly impacts microbial biodiversity in tallgrass prairies, with warmer temperatures increasing phylogenetic diversity over time. This could have significant implications for ecosystem management and conservation strategies.
Citizen scientists in Arizona mapped three intermittent rivers, collecting ecological and hydrological data on wet and dry trends. The datasets reveal significant decline in Cienega Creek and Agua Fria River water levels, while the San Pedro River showed minimal changes due to a groundwater management plan.
The OU-led SCIPP is a multi-institutional research team focused on helping south central US communities build resilience to weather and climate extremes. The project aims to improve adaptability, planning, and preparedness in the face of climate-related challenges.
A researcher has received a $960,000 grant to further study the 'scissor-like' protein GGT, which is overexpressed in several types of cancers. The goal is to develop a new drug that can block GGT's activity and provide insight into how to treat these diseases.
Ralf Janknecht's research on the molecule DNPH1, overproduced in breast cancer, suggests it could serve as a new drug target for reducing cancer metastasis. The removal of DNPH1 from mouse models resulted in fewer tumors and a tenfold reduction in metastasis.
A new smartphone-based tobacco cessation study aims to help smokers quit using a tailored messaging system that predicts when they are most likely to relapse. The app, called Smart-T, has shown promising results in previous studies, with 22% of participants quitting smoking compared to 15% in other groups.
A University of Oklahoma study found that insects not only crave salt but also search for it in their habitats. The researchers discovered that insects from 'bland to salty' grasslands were attracted to plots with simulated cow urine, indicating a preference for sodium.
A University of Oklahoma astrophysicist is using a new algorithm to model the early stages of planetary system formation and the impact of nearby stars on planets in binary systems. This research will be integrated into Oklahoma classrooms through the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.
Researchers are developing a novel detection method for autoantibodies in Lupus patients using top-down mass spectrometry. This may lead to novel biomarkers and early intervention strategies for the disease.
Researchers from OU and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History are addressing the challenges of curating ancient biomolecules. The team is working toward the development and dissemination of best practices for museums in this field.
Daniel Nelson, a University of Oklahoma postdoctoral researcher, has won the Hynes Award for his groundbreaking work on the effects of climate change on freshwater ecosystems. His research, published in Global Change Biology, showed that warming may reassemble invertebrate communities and lower total invertebrate density but have a neu...
Cameron R. Homeyer, a University of Oklahoma meteorologist, will lead a $30 million NASA-funded project to investigate the impact of summer storms on the stratosphere's chemistry. The five-year project aims to understand how these storms affect ozone depletion and the potential for increased water in the stratosphere.
A new study by University of Oklahoma sociologist Meredith Worthen reveals clear 'sexuality gap' between exclusive heterosexuals and others, as well as gender gaps among mostly heterosexual and lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. The research suggests that liberal attitudes are more common among LGB individuals, particularly women.
A global research team led by OU professors Karl D. Hambright and Lee R. Krumholz is investigating the complex interactions between cyanobacteria and associated bacteria in freshwater blooms. The team aims to discover new avenues for bloom mitigation through a deeper understanding of microbial co-evolution.
A University of Oklahoma meteorologist predicts severe droughts and intense rainfall events will become more frequent and long-lasting worldwide. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, uses standardized rainfall indices to compare event characteristics between regions and seasons.
A new study by Meredith G. F. Worthen explores the relationship between social contact, social distancing, and attitudes towards lesbian, gay, and transgender individuals globally. The research reveals that simple measures of knowing LGT people no longer correlate with supportive attitudes in liberal cultural climates.
Researchers have developed a novel method to determine the cause of catalytic activity in complex catalysts, enabling better control over metal support interactions. The approach utilizes vertically grown carbon nanotubes as 'hydrogen highways' to separate active sites and optimize catalyst performance.
The University of Oklahoma is developing the fastest and most advanced radar in the nation with a $3.4 million grant. The HORUS radar can scan the atmosphere in 30 seconds or less and distinguish between snowflakes, raindrops, hail stones or other targets within a storm, critical for forecasting and prediction.
The University of Oklahoma Advanced Radar Research Center is developing a mobile radar testbed to address operational missions and increase public safety outcomes. The all-digital polarimetric phased array system will provide multiple radar modes, including weather monitoring and air traffic surveillance and control.
The University of Oklahoma team has received a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation grant to develop the OU and Regional Research Store, a massive tape archive serving as a national model. The project will provide affordable storage for over 85 research teams across 27 institutions in 17 states.
Jizhong Zhou receives the 2019 American Society for Microbiology Award for Environmental Research for groundbreaking discoveries in microbial ecology and environmental genomics. His work has transformed our understanding of microbial biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
The University of Oklahoma research group, led by Mark Nanny, will utilize the new ICP-MS instrument to study interactions between nanomaterials and drugs, population dynamics, and organism-metal interactions. The grant also aims to engage rural high school teachers and address water quality issues in Oklahoma's Tribal Nations.
Researchers will combine novel tracking devices with weather radar data to gain insights into migratory birds' atmospheric habitats. The project aims to understand the impact of climate change on bird migration patterns and develop strategies for local adaptation.
A University of Oklahoma professor will lead a coordinated research project studying the ecology of US streams that dry, with funding from the National Science Foundation. The study aims to understand how stream drying affects aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity across different climates.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has renewed a $20 million federal grant to further research and patient care in Oklahoma. The program, Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources, aims to improve health outcomes by conducting clinical and translational research with patients, particularly in rural areas.
A new OU study shows that climate warming accelerates temporal turnover rates of soil bacterial and fungal communities, affecting ecosystem predictability. The research finds divergent succession of microbial communities under climate warming, with reduced stochasticity and dynamic drivers.
A research coordination network is being developed to improve understanding of intermittent rivers' ecology and hydrology. The network, led by OU biologist Daniel Allen, will synthesize existing data on US intermittent rivers to study their structure and function.
The OU research team developed high-resolution markers to differentiate between individual birds breeding in different Oklahoma populations and across the United States. This genetic analysis can help conservation efforts by identifying declining Painted Bunting populations and informing management strategies for the species.
The University of Oklahoma Institute for Human Flourishing will conduct approximately 10 new research projects, producing edited volumes and community outreach activities. The Civic Virtues Project will integrate civic virtues education in local schools.
A University of Oklahoma physics professor is using a National Science Foundation grant to explore the potential of spatial degree of freedom in long-distance quantum communications and imaging. The research could bring about a revolution in quantum information science by enabling large-scale quantum information transmission.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are investigating tropopause polar vortices, which limit predictability in the Arctic. The team aims to develop new models and strategies to better understand TPVs and their impact on weather events.
Professor Atiquzzaman, an international expert in satellite communications, receives the prestigious award for his research achievements in next-generation computer networks and wireless mobile networks.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are developing quantum-enhanced plasmonic sensors that can detect biosamples, monitor atmospheric conditions, and analyze chemicals with enhanced sensitivity. The new technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like metrology and chemical detection.
A University of Oklahoma led research team is working on a $5.7 million NIH grant to develop more effective approaches against Gram-negative bacteria resistant to conventional treatment. The team aims to overcome the challenge of developing antibiotics that can penetrate through multi-drug efflux pumps and low-permeability membranes.