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University of Oregon


Decoding short-term memory with fMRI

Researchers at the University of Oregon and UC-San Diego used fMRI to identify specific information people store in short-term memory. They found that brain activity patterns can predict what someone is remembering based on visual details.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 20, 2009

People, not just a building, make for 'place'

A University of Oregon expert argues that buildings are not just structures but places shaped by human interaction with the natural and built environment. The expert's approach to architecture, known as situated regionalism, prioritizes current needs and environmental responses over historical references.

Black and white is not always a clear distinction

A new study by University of Oregon sociologists found that Americans who are unemployed, incarcerated, or impoverished are more likely to be classified as black, regardless of their past self-identification. The research suggests that race is closely tied to social status and can be altered by changes in economic position.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2008

Why do women get more cavities than men?

A University of Oregon anthropologist found that women experience poorer dental health than men due to dramatic changes in female-specific hormones, reduced saliva production, and increased food cravings during pregnancy. The study suggests that these factors contribute to a higher risk of cavities in women as they age.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateOct 14, 2008

A new hand -- and signs of sensory recovery

A new hand transplant has shown emerging sense of touch in a 54-year-old man's former 'hand area' of the brain 35 years after amputation. The brain's map of the individual fingers is still evolving with increasing sensation, but researchers are optimistic about the potential for future recovery.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 9, 2008

Fuzziness on the road to physics' grand unification theory

Theoretical physicists led by the University of Oregon's Stephen Hsu have found indications that grand unified theories may be merging into a single unified field. However, their research also suggests that this process could be slowed down or blocked by quantum fluctuations in space-time, making it more challenging to detect.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 6, 2008

Climate change, human activity and wildfires

A new study by the University of Oregon suggests that climate change has been the main driver of global biomass burning for the past two millennia. Human activities such as land clearance and fire suppression during the industrial era also contributed to a significant decline in wildfires worldwide between 1870 and 1970.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 21, 2008

Bone parts don't add up to conclusion of Palauan dwarfs

A team of researchers from the University of Oregon refutes claims of Hobbit-like little people living in Palau, citing evidence of normal-sized hunters and gatherers. The study analyzed skeletal remains and cultural data dating back to around 3,500 years ago, finding no evidence of insular dwarfism or reduced stature population.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 26, 2008

New devices to boost nematode research on neurons and drugs

Researchers have developed two nanotech-driven tools using soft lithography to study brain-behavior connections and screen new pharmaceuticals for parasitic infections in humans. The devices provide a near-natural environment for nematode movement, enabling the monitoring of individual fluorescent-injected neurons in real-time.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalJournal of Neurophysiology·DateFeb 5, 2008

Zebrafish study shows key enzyme in gut is a peacemaker

Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered that an enzyme called intestinal alkaline phosphatase plays a crucial role in maintaining balance between gut bacteria and cells, preventing excessive inflammation. This finding has implications for understanding and treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and...

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateDec 12, 2007

Zebrafish to shed light on human mitochondrial diseases

Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered zebrafish as an ideal model for studying COX deficiencies, which can lead to fatal metabolic disorders. The use of zebrafish allows scientists to visualize early stages of mitochondrial impairments and identify specific targets for potential drug therapies.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 13, 2007