Nitric acid is less reactive when exposed to air on water's surface, unlike its strong acidic behavior in bulk solutions. This finding has implications for understanding the role of nitric acid in the atmosphere and environment.
Researchers used state-of-the-art techniques to recreate an ancient human protein, tracing its evolution and discovering how it acquired a crucial new function. By analyzing the protein's atomic structure, scientists identified seven key historical mutations that recaptured the protein's present-day response to cortisol.
A University of Oregon research team has found that barn owls' exceptional spatial hearing abilities can help pinpoint problems in the human brain, including those related to hearing and behavior. The study used infrared monitoring to track changes in pupil dilation responses influenced by sound sources around an owl.
A team of UO researchers found that human memory has a four-item limit, varying from person to person, with high IQ individuals able to think about more things at once. The study contradicts the assumption that those who can remember more items have clearer memories.
Researchers found that 90% of monitored newscasts included at least one instance of stealth advertising, with an average of 2.5 individual slots per newscast. The study aimed to gauge the extent of material with commercializing effects on newscasts and viewers.
Researchers at the University of Oregon discovered a fundamental genetic mechanism in a marine worm that determines cell diversity and plays a role in cancer. The beta-catenin signaling pathway was found to be highly conserved throughout the animal kingdom.
Researchers found that two evolutionarily ancient brain regions fired when subjects saw their money go to charity, even in situations without free choice. This neural activity is associated with the pleasure center of the brain, indicating a genuine sense of satisfaction and altruism.
A recent study found that pesticides block a key receptor in soil bacteria, disrupting natural nitrogen-fixing communications. This results in lower crop yields or significantly delayed growth. The research highlights the importance of preserving natural symbiotic relationships between crops and soil bacteria.
Researchers propose a comet impacted the Laurentide Ice Sheet, causing a 1,000-year-long cold spell and fragmenting human populations. The theory suggests that this event led to the extinction of numerous animal genera and ecological shifts.
Research suggests that older adults excel in situations where they rely on emotions and past experiences, but struggle when faced with unfamiliar information. The study highlights the importance of tailoring advice to the individual's cognitive abilities.
Researchers have produced the first chromosomal map that shows regions of chromosomes that activate – and are apparently evolving – in animals in response to climate change. The map allows for identification of specific genes controlling seasonal development, which will help predict animal survival and disease-carrying vector movement.
A new grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities will support the development of an interactive Web site and a published Cultural Atlas of the Ancient Mongolian Altai. The project aims to document the region's archaeology, geospatial data, and cultural significance in the face of threats from mining, tourism, and climate change.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered the structural basis for photoswitching in fluorescent proteins, allowing for control over light emission. The study revealed that inserting a single oxygen atom can delay the switch-on time from five minutes to 65 hours, enabling more precise studies within cells.
Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are found above volcanoes where upwelling of the mantle and spreading of the plates are aligned, allowing magma to breach the crust. In contrast, non-aligned zones lack hot smokers due to cooling and volatiles loss as magma moves laterally.
A University of Oregon study found that Pell grants help improve access for low-income students, but also lead to higher tuition at private and out-of-state public institutions. Wealthier students face significant increases in tuition, while lower-income students receive a net decline in tuition paid.
A transportation study published by researchers at the University of Oregon has found that pedestrians typically walk half a mile to access light rail stations, contradicting common assumptions. The study highlights the importance of proximity to destinations and lack of major walking barriers over pedestrian-friendly environments.
A leading U.S. innovator in nanofabrication and assembly processes, James E. Hutchison, emphasizes the need for designing materials and processes that minimize hazard and waste in the production phase of nanotechnology. Green chemistry can sharply reduce toxic solvents and produce safer products with reduced unintended consequences.
A national survey found that most Americans acknowledge global warming's reality but rank it as a moderate risk. They generally support climate change policies, yet resist carbon taxes on energy sources. The study also identified distinct groups of 'alarmists' and 'naysayers' with differing views on the issue.
A study by Ellen Peters found that numeracy significantly impacts how people process information, influencing decisions on medical options, stock investments, and risk assessment. The research highlights the importance of presentation in helping individuals better understand numbers and make informed choices.
A University of Oregon psychologist argues that genocide prevention efforts fail due to a lack of emotional response to increasing numbers of victims. Research suggests that people's capacity for empathy decreases with larger groups, making it difficult to reach critical mass for decision-making.
A University of Oregon study found that young men with no trauma history are the least likely population to believe a person's recounting of child sexual abuse. The study also found that males with high sexism beliefs tend to deny harm in such incidents, contributing to a culture of disbelief.
Research reveals that Mexican-Americans perceive more and tougher barriers to higher education due to internal and relational factors. The study aims to understand how societal context influences student perceptions of roadblocks to achieving their goals.
Researchers found that motor areas of the brain are activated in a fashion similar to actual movement when watching someone else perform a task with the intention of later replicating it. This discovery may prove important in improving rehabilitation for individuals suffering from brain or bodily injury.
Researchers found that an enzyme called aurora-A is required to coordinate protein position within neural stem cells, and its absence leads to overproduction of new neuroblasts and tumors. In humans, this enzyme may prevent abnormal tumor growth by maintaining a steady population of stem cells.
Scientists at the University of Oregon developed a new insulation material with an ultra-low thermal conductivity, which could lead to improved energy efficiency in various applications. The material's unique structure allows it to be both dense and effective as a thermal insulator.
A new approach to locating and removing water contaminants such as perchlorate and nitrates has been discovered. Researchers found that anion-pi interaction, a type of molecular binding, occurs off-center in solid-state structures, which could lead to the development of sensors for anion detection.
University of Oregon researchers identified protein interactions that regulate cell response to steroid hormones, targeting heat shock proteins for drug design. The discovery could lead to more effective treatments with reduced side effects.
A study of healthy women has found that stress-related cortisol administration can reduce fatigue and increase vigor. The research may help fine-tune treatments for illnesses linked to low cortisol levels, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Researchers discovered a critical regulatory link between hypoxia and heat shock responses, with HIF-1 at the center. The gene's activity was found to be crucial in both normal and pathological changes, making it a promising target for health promotion and cancer treatments.
Researchers have found that a neurotransmitter pathway in the skin, involving substance P and its related receptor, may play a key role in temperature regulation. By blocking this pathway, they found reduced blood flow to the skin, suggesting more than one mechanism is involved in regulating body temperature.
A new study reveals the San Jacinto fault is no older than 1.1-1.3 million years, with its slip rate likely faster than previously thought. The fault's long-term motion may be as high as 20 millimeters per year, making it a significant contributor to seismic hazards in southern California.
Researchers found that histamine receptor overactivation may cause low blood pressure during exercise recovery, leading to fainting. Antihistamine use before exercise significantly reduced post-exercise hypotension in a study.
Rapid crystallization of magma near the surface causes it to heat up, potentially triggering volcanic eruptions. The study's findings have important implications for models of magma ascent beneath volcanoes.
New research led by University of Oregon's Douglas Kennett sheds light on Rapa, a French Polynesian Island, revealing a late pulse of colonization around A.D. 1200. The settlement date matches Easter Island's and provides insights into population dispersal mechanisms, highlighting the challenges of environmental degradation.
Researchers discovered that younger people struggle to ignore secondary targets due to an undeveloped frontal cortex, leading to rapid eye movements and multiple saccades. This study may hold clues for understanding developmental delays in cerebral palsy patients.
Scientists studying the brains of flies, moths, and cuttlefish have made discoveries about the mechanics of how the brain regulates behavior. Researchers have identified specific brain chemicals and regions that allow for rapid color changes in cuttlefish, similar to the human motor cortex.
Researchers have confirmed that infants can detect arithmetic errors, challenging the idea that executive attention systems develop later in childhood. The study used brain-monitoring technology to analyze infant responses to math problems, finding that they looked longer at screens with incorrect solutions.
A newly devised nozzle allows researchers to distribute helium atoms with X-ray-like waves on randomly shaped surfaces. The technique could power a non-invasive, high-resolution approach to studying materials at the nanoscale.
Oregon researchers used germ-free zebrafish to study how gut bacteria influence development. They found that specific bacterial components can restore normal enzyme levels and regulate sugar expression on intestinal cells. These findings could lead to better treatments for diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
Research by University of Oregon scientists reveals that rapid climate change is leading to heritable genetic changes in animal populations. This includes changes in timing of seasonal events, such as earlier reproduction and migration, rather than adaptations to temperature increases.
Geri Richmond, founder of COACh, will receive the Council for Chemical Research Diversity Award for her leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion in chemistry. The award recognizes her impact on advancing research careers for underrepresented groups.
Scientists at the University of Oregon discovered that complexity evolved piecemeal through Molecular Exploitation. They found that old genes were recruited to participate in new interactions and functions, consistent with Darwinian evolution.
Researchers suggest that productive kelp forests in the Pacific Rim may have facilitated human coastal migrations around 35,000 to 15,000 years ago. This theory is supported by findings of kelp forests near earliest coastal archaeological sites in the Americas.
Researchers analyzed bone fragments at the Donner Family campsite in California's Tahoe National Forest, finding no conclusive evidence of cannibalism. The team discovered domestic and wild animals were consumed, but human bone was not identified.
Scientists have successfully produced giant superstructures of unnatural carbon, exceeding twice the size of previously developed fragments. These supersized molecules exhibit high density of pi-electrons useful for electronics and optics, with potential applications in optical electronics and switches used in telecommunications.
Researchers find that people with high visual working memory capacity excel at dismissing irrelevant information, while those with low capacity hold all items in mind. This discovery challenges the popular concept of memory capacity being solely dependent on storage space.
A worldwide compilation of exceptionally preserved fossil assemblages suggests that prehistoric global warming may have led to the formation of these fossils. The widespread death and burial of animals and their carbon created fossil bonanzas, potentially saving Earth from a heat sterilization event like Venus.
COACh workshops help women chemists break through the 'polycarbonate ceiling' in careers by developing new negotiation and communication skills. The programs have reported significant improvements in reduced workplace stress for participating women scientists.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered a new method to determine the orientation of surfactant molecules on water, providing insight into their role in environmental challenges. The study, led by Geri Richmond, has broad implications for understanding how these molecules function in practical applications.
University of Oregon chemist Jim Hutchison has developed a method to rapidly generate diverse libraries of functionalized gold particles with cores of 11 gold atoms. The new synthesis technique offers great promise for research and development at the nanoscale.