A University of Oklahoma astrophysics team discovered that the growth of Mars was halted by an orbital instability among the outer solar system's giant planets. The study used computer simulations to show how this instability, linked to the Nice Model, prevented Mars from becoming a larger, habitable planet like Earth.
The OU mathematics department will use a $3 million NSF grant to study active learning methods for improving STEM student success. The project aims to develop models that work at any institution, with a focus on helping underrepresented minority students succeed in introductory math courses.
The University of Oklahoma Advanced Radar Research Center is developing new antenna and related technologies for the US Navy's next-generation radar systems. The team aims to improve agility and multi-functionality, enabling future implementation on various surfaces and platforms.
Devin W. Laurence, a University of Oklahoma Mechanical Engineering Senior, won the Grand Prize at the 2018 Research Day at the Capitol with his research on atrioventricular heart valves. The $500 award includes a $4,000 summer research internship and recognizes cutting-edge research in cardiovascular heart valve biomechanics.
Seven OU graduate students earned one-year fellowships to conduct research in aeroecology and environmental sustainability. The program aims to train interdisciplinary STEM leaders with effective research skills.
OU Professor Cameron Homeyer received a NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science grant to study the effects of storms on atmospheric composition. He aims to link ground-based radar observations with satellite data to better understand storm characteristics.
A University of Oklahoma study analyzes 370,000 Landsat images to reveal divergent trends in US surface water bodies from 1984 to 2016. Climate was the primary driver behind decreasing trends in southwest and northwest states and increasing trends in southeast and northern Great Plains states.
Jizhong Zhou, a renowned researcher at OU, has made significant contributions to understanding the role of microbes in environment, climate change. He is recognized by the ESA Fellowship, reflecting the quality of OU's faculty, students, and staff.
Researchers detected objects in extragalactic galaxies with masses ranging from the Moon to Jupiter using microlensing. The discovery marks the first time planets have been found outside the Milky Way galaxy.
Researchers have isolated novel microorganisms from extreme environments with unique methane consumption capabilities. The study aims to develop these microbes for industrial applications such as biodegradable plastics and electricity production.
Andrea Deaton, University of Oklahoma administrator, has been designated as a Society of Research Administrators International Distinguished Faculty. She is recognized for her exemplary teaching, scholarship, and practice in research management and administration.
A University of Oklahoma research team led by Elinor Martin will apply statistical and artificial intelligence methods to predict heavy rainfall events. The team aims to improve forecasting and increase communication between researchers, forecasters, and stakeholders to enhance societal resilience to extended periods of heavy rainfall.
The OU Innovation Hub and OCAST have launched a statewide initiative to increase Oklahoma's participation in the Small Business Innovation Research program. The effort will implement 10 new programs across the state, including workshops, mentorship programs, and commercialization resources.
The OU research group, led by Ann West, has received a five-year, $10.5 million NIH COBRE grant to support structural biology research and build on Phase I successes with 57 research publications and over $7 million in new grants awarded.
Researchers have discovered two detached, eclipsing double white dwarf binaries with orbital periods under an hour, producing significant gravitational waves. One binary is believed to be a new verification source for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, a gravitational wave satellite.
A University of Oklahoma biology professor has been awarded a $1.2 million National Science Foundation grant to investigate the impact of climate on terrestrial arthropod communities. The project aims to generate standardized field data on ground-dwelling arthropods, which are abundant and diverse animal groups.
The University of Oklahoma offers an NSF Undergraduate Research Program in Structural Biology, providing students with a nine-week research experience. The program helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through presentations and poster sessions.
A University of Oklahoma professor finds that well-designed visual aids are beneficial for diverse people facing complex decisions, including physicians and patients. The study shows that visual aids increase the likelihood of deliberation and lead to more enduring changes in attitudes and behavioral intentions.
A University of Oklahoma study reveals the complex relationship between wastewater injection and seismicity in Oklahoma. The research found that foreshocks correlated with wastewater injection rates and stress interactions between earthquakes, ultimately leading to the September 3, 2016, 5.8 magnitude earthquake near Pawnee, Oklahoma.
The University of Oklahoma has secured an $161 million NASA contract for a groundbreaking Earth science mission. The Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory (GeoCarb) will monitor plant health and vegetation stress across the Americas, as well as probe carbon dioxide and methane exchange processes in the atmosphere.
Susan E. Walden, a University of Oklahoma research associate professor and director, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education. She is recognized for her contributions to diversity and inclusion in engineering education, particularly through the P-16 initiative.
Researchers have developed new breast cancer risk prediction models to identify patients at higher risk of developing occult cancers not visible on mammography. The clinical trial, funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, aims to significantly increase cancer detection rates through MRI screenings.
A University of Oklahoma researcher has identified the possible compositions of seven planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system, finding six to be Earth-like. The exception, TRAPPIST-1f, has a high water content, suggesting TRAPPIST-1e as a potential candidate for habitability studies.
A study suggests that exposure to trace metals from potatoes grown in soil irrigated with waters from the Potosi mining region in Bolivia may pose a potential health risk. The study found high hazard quotients for arsenic and cadmium, indicating a significant risk of non-cancer health illnesses, particularly among children.
Researchers developed a polarimetric radar time-series simulator to study tornadic debris, improving tornado warning accuracy and damage estimation. The simulator explains the relationship between debris characteristics and tornado dynamics.
University of Oklahoma College of Law student Aaron Fournier has been selected for the Udall Foundation's Native American Congressional Internship, focused on tribal sovereignty and public policy. He will work with federal employees in Washington, D.C., to promote increased tribal sovereignty after completing his studies.
The OU professor's research will integrate with educational and outreach programs for American Indian students, emphasizing the importance of sustainable energy. The study aims to quantify the role of catalytically active sites in biomass conversion processes.
A University of Oklahoma study clarifies the risk factor for delayed medical attention during a heart attack. Low patient numeracy is associated with longer decision delay, increasing the risk of complications and mortality.
Robert W. Nairn, OU professor and pioneer in wetland technologies, receives the prestigious William T. Plass Award for his work in rehabilitating contaminated water at the Tar Creek Superfund site.
The University of Oklahoma has received a four-year grant to increase cultural diversity and grow the representation of Native Americans in curatorial and academic positions. The program will include paid internships, pre-doctoral fellowships, and a teaching assistantship for graduate students.
Researchers from OU, BU, and Smithsonian found that Arctic ground squirrels arrived on Chirikof Island at least 2,000 years ago, contradicting previous assumptions. The study's results have implications for conservation efforts in the region, highlighting the need for long-term data to determine native and indigenous species.
The University of Oklahoma will monitor plant health and vegetation stress throughout the Americas using a commercial communications satellite. The mission aims to examine natural sources and processes that control carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane in the atmosphere.
A mobile app developed by researchers at the University of Oklahoma uses real-time risk estimation to predict tobacco cessation lapses, achieving an 80% accuracy rate. The app combines six questions to identify lapse-risk factors and delivers tailored messages to help smokers overcome triggers.
Kaspari's research explores the role of sodium in accelerating animal activity and abundance across different ecosystems. He has discovered how chemical elements like phosphorus and nitrogen shape ecological phenomena, from bison herds to termite damage.
CIMMS and NOAA announce a five-year, $95.3 million collaboration to support Weather Ready Nation and Climate Adaptation and Mitigation initiatives. The university will provide expertise in long-term planning, stormscale meteorological phenomena research, and forecast improvements.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have identified four new chemicals that disrupt bacterial proteins called efflux pumps, a major cause of antibiotic resistance. These molecules could drastically reduce the time needed to move from experimental phase to clinical trials.
A OU researcher received a 5-year $3 million grant to study the impact of e-cigarettes on smoking rates. The study will assess how effective different types of e-cigarettes are in helping smokers switch from cigarettes, and what impact switching has on cancer risk.
A rare triple-star system has been discovered by a University of Oklahoma-led research team using ALMA observations, providing insights into the formation of young binary and multiple star systems. The team found that the disk surrounding the tri-star system appeared susceptible to fragmentation, leading to the creation of newborn stars.
A team of OU researchers collaborated with citizen scientists to discover a rare circumstellar disk, the oldest of its kind, around a red dwarf star. The discovery provides insights into why M dwarf disks appear so rare and may hold clues about the possibility of extrasolar planets.
University of Oklahoma researchers have designed a novel photothermal therapy that eliminates tumors without affecting healthy cells. The therapy uses single-walled carbon nanotubes to target specific cancer cells in breast, bladder, esophageal, and melanoma cancers.
Researchers found that distance to active lek sites was the best predictor of female space use in prairie chickens, suggesting habitat management strategies can ensure long-term stability. The study published in Ecosphere provides valuable insights into female grouse behavior and lek mating system.
A University of Oklahoma study reveals that widespread collective entrepreneurial optimism predicts new venture startups and small business growth. The research found that media coverage plays a key role in spreading optimistic attitudes, and this effect is more pronounced in turbulent economic environments.
A University of Oklahoma study demonstrates that birds migrate in time with warming temperatures in spring and seasonal changes in the land's surface. The researchers found temperature to be a useful cue for migrants, but disputed the use of vegetation greenness as a cue for migration timing.
The University of Oklahoma and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have been selected to lead the FAA's new Air Transportation Center of Excellence. The center will focus on researching innovative training methods, including part-task training, modeling, and adaptive learning technologies.
David A. Sabatini, OU professor, receives the Steven K. Dentel Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Award for Global Outreach for his outstanding contributions to environmental engineering and science outreach activities globally. The award acknowledges his work as director of the OU Water Technologies for Em...
Researchers at OU are developing novel technologies for next-generation solar cells with potential to increase global energy capacity and reduce fossil fuel dependence. They aim to control thermal losses and harness more of the sun's energy using 'hot' carrier solar cells.
Professor Yiqi Luo of the University of Oklahoma has been elected as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union for his pioneering work on data assimilation and ecological forecasting. His research focuses on predicting ecosystem responses to global change, enabling ecologists to forecast future changes in ecosystem services.
A study published in PNAS found that high-altitude Himalayan populations have a remarkably stable genetic make-up despite cultural transitions and outside population exposure. The analysis suggests that these populations originated from East Asia, with genetic stability maintaining across millennia.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have developed a new mass spectrometry technique that can quantify anti-cancer drugs in individual cancer cells. This breakthrough technology aims to improve treatment efficacy and reduce toxicities for cancer patients.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center are working to develop a vaccine for the Zika virus, using their experience with West Nile virus. They aim to identify specific parts of the virus that can be targeted by the immune system, and have received $230,000 in NIH funding for their research.