Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a synthetic material that can rebuild itself through chemical communication and interaction with light. The material, known as Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) gel, exhibits autochemotaxis, allowing it to move in response to chemical signals and follow given actions or commands.
A University of Pittsburgh study published in Child Development found that African American adolescents with a sense of racial pride tend to have more success in school and are less vulnerable to the effects of racial discrimination. The study suggests that racially conscious parenting strategies can be a key factor in student success.
A new study published by the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Virginia found that school principals' level of enthusiasm and support plays a critical role in teachers' ability to successfully implement school programs. Without principal support, teachers view administrators as a hindrance to program success, while enthusi...
A study by Pitt researcher Samuel King found that students relying on calculators to solve mathematical problems often lack a deeper understanding of the underlying concepts. The research suggests that using calculators as a substitute for mathematical thinking can lead to surface-level learning, rather than true comprehension.
The Climate and Urban Systems Partnership aims to educate Pittsburghers, New Yorkers, and other urbanites about how climate change will affect them. The partnership is developing city-specific educational programs about climate change in urban environments, including hands-on activities that connect with local organizations.
A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that increasing Omega-3 fatty acid intake improves working memory performance in healthy young adults aged 18-25. The participants showed enhanced cognitive abilities despite already being at their peak cognitive function. The study suggests a potential mechanism for brain en...
Pitt researchers find neurons wire and fire together in clusters to dominate brain activity, with weak stimuli triggering imbalance. The model shows how clustered connections influence stochastic brain dynamics, shedding light on the brain's default spontaneous state.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have designed a new CO2 thickener that can increase the viscosity of pure CO2 by 100 times, allowing for more efficient oil extraction. This affordable technology has the potential to transform enhanced oil recovery methods, eliminating water injection and increasing oil production.
Researchers aim to improve laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique for detecting trace amounts of substances of interest to Homeland Security. The project seeks to develop a more sensitive emission process, enabling analysis at a distance with greater accuracy.
Researchers found that auditory cues had the greatest influence on human gait, while visual cues had no significant effect. The study suggests that auditory cues could be particularly helpful for patients with Parkinson's Disease in their rehabilitation.
Researchers will use wild strawberry plants to identify the role of genetic diversity in polyploids, which make up 30-80% of all living plants. The project aims to predict ecological responses to environmental change and ensure sustainability of crops like strawberries, cherries, and apples.
A study at the University of Pittsburgh has identified a brain area responsible for using past decisions and outcomes to guide future behavior, suggesting that living in the moment is impossible due to the need for continuity of thought. The frontal eye field and supplementary eye field were found to play key roles in metacognition.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University created self-regulating microscopic materials that can continuously sense and regulate temperature. The new material, called SMARTS, offers a customizable way to trigger chemical reactions on cue and reproduce stable feedback loops found in biological systems.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered an unexpected complexity in the patterns of drought during the Middle Ages. The study uses tree rings and oxygen isotopes to reveal that winters were wetter-than-expected during the Medieval Climate Anomaly, contradicting previous tree ring data.
Pitt researchers suggest a vacuum-based approach to overcome the limits of conventional silicon-based semiconductor electronics. They found that electrons trapped in a semiconductor can be extracted into air, enabling low-power and high-speed transistors.
Researchers at Pitt's Swanson School of Engineering and School of Medicine have developed a cell-free, biodegradable artery graft that regenerates an artery in situ within 90 days. The graft's porosity allows for immediate cell infiltration, leading to strong and compliant new arteries.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and LTER Network sites reveal that historic human activity has a profound impact on today's ecosystem. The study highlights how legacy effects from human actions continue to reverberate throughout present-day ecosystems, influencing environmental policies and land management.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that engineering students who used design tools such as SMART boards were more successful in meeting project goals. The researchers discovered that these tools promoted better working memory and flexible thinking among students, leading to improved performance.
Researchers analyzed sedimentary and geochemical records from Rantin Lake to reconstruct past water-level changes and understand the timing and magnitude of prehistoric climate events. The study found that rapid climate change events occurred during the Holocene, with a notable 'megadrought' in the early period.
A Pitt engineering research team is developing quantum-computing algorithms to model turbulent combustion, a challenge in aerospace. The US Air Force has awarded a five-year grant for this project.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found that fluctuations in brain activity impact cognitive tasks, leading to errors in short-term memory. By understanding how neural variability relates to cognitive functions, the team aims to provide important clues about the neural mechanisms that support cognition.
A new study has found that sublethal concentrations of Roundup can alter the morphology of amphibian tadpoles, causing them to change shape in ways that mimic predator-induced changes. This is the first study to show a pesticide inducing morphological changes in a vertebrate animal.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and MIT demonstrated that a nonoscillating gel can be resuscitated by mechanical pressure, paving the way for robots to 'feel' like humans do. This discovery could lead to the development of artificial skin with sensory capabilities.
The Pitt team has generated a frequency comb with over 100 terahertz bandwidth, enabling the processing of communications data at a remarkably rapid speed. This breakthrough could increase information carried by more than 1,000 times compared to current technologies.
A research team at the University of Pittsburgh used the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to determine that the merger of double white dwarfs is a plausible explanation for Type Ia supernovae. The study found that one double white dwarf merger event occurs in the Milky Way about once a century, remarkably close to the rate of observed Type Ia ...
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a self-assembly method to grow gold nanowires, which can be used to detect poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulfide in natural gas. The gold nanowires are highly conductive and can detect gas levels comparable to existing sensing techniques.
University of Pittsburgh researcher Sandra Mitchell emphasizes the need for adaptive policy in GMO regulation due to local variations and diverse host plants. Her proposal includes scenario analyses and mediation to address conflicting values among stakeholders.
Researchers found increased brain cell activity in adolescent rats in an unusual area called the dorsal striatum, associated with habit formation and decision-making. This suggests that adolescents may be more susceptible to developing disorders like addiction and depression due to their unique brain response to reward.
Researchers used mathematics and engineering to study 19 species of Conus sea snails, generating a model that estimates ancestral shell pigmentation patterns and identifies rapidly evolving parameters. The study provides an indirect way to study the evolution of simple nervous systems.
A team of researchers from Pitt and UMass proposes a 'repair-and-go' approach to fix malfunctions caused by small-surface cracks on any digital device. This method uses nanoparticles and droplets of oil to repair defects on-site, potentially extending the device's lifetime.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a new class of highly porous materials that can efficiently store large amounts of drug molecules or gas molecules, such as carbon dioxide or methane. This breakthrough has significant implications for alternative energy and the pharmaceutical industry.
University of Pittsburgh researchers propose a new model to design better flu shots, balancing composition and timing decisions. The model considers multiple strains, production methods, and policy questions, aiming to increase the societal benefit of the flu shot.
Researchers have developed a method using quantum computing to measure magnetic fields accurately, enabling the creation of nanoscale MRI instruments. This breakthrough could lead to non-invasive studies of molecules and living cells without destroying them.
Two University of Pittsburgh professors, Anthony Grace and Christian Schunn, have been recognized as AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking work in cognition and STEM fields. Their research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of schizophrenia and bridging cognitive science research on reasoning and learning in STEM.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have invented a new type of electronic switch that performs logic functions within a single molecule. The discovery could enable smaller, faster and more energy-efficient electronics.
Pitt researchers are working on a new method to produce solar cells with higher energy efficiency rates using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy. The goal is to create plastic solar cells that can be used to charge devices simply by stepping into sunlight, reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainable energy.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a surprising topological semimetal through simple system studies. This new quantum state shares properties with a quantum Hall state but is driven by interaction rather than an applied magnetic field.
Pitt mathematicians collaborate with neurobiology researchers to study the transfer of signals between brain regions and develop less invasive treatments. Their study may guide the creation of more effective deep brain stimulation procedures.
A team of Pitt researchers has successfully developed a new memory technology that combines fast retrieval with large storage space, drastically reducing power consumption. The innovation leads to an eight-fold reduction in power cost, making it possible for data centers to store massive amounts of data while minimizing energy usage.
The University of Pittsburgh's Department of Computer Science has been awarded a CUDA Teaching Center by NVIDIA. The award includes $25,000 worth of graphics processing units, a teaching assistant, textbooks, software licenses, and remote testing access.
A team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and international partners analyzed raw sewage for novel viruses using metagenomics, a new computational tool. They found 234 known viruses from 26 families, with most being previously undiscovered.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $1.8 million grant to create a new kind of computer using a tiny 'toy' with big potential. The project aims to develop a scalable sensing, storage, and computation platform, enabling the creation of high-tech industries and jobs in the United States.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $3.54 million grant to fund translational bioengineering research that employs engineering techniques to develop healthcare improvements. The award will support research partnerships between clinicians and engineers, with the ultimate goal of accelerating new technologies into patient care.
A supercomputer simulation by University of Pittsburgh researcher Christopher W. Purcell suggests that the Milky Way's spiral arms were triggered by a collision with the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy. The impact stripped off 80-90% of the dark matter halo, producing instabilities that eventually formed the spiral arms and ring structures.
Ralph Roskies, PSC's scientific co-director, has been appointed to the National Library of Medicine's Board of Regents for a four-year term. He brings expertise in bioinformatics and high-performance computing to the role.
Scientists have developed a method to deliver growth factor to regrow blood vessels, which could lead to revolutionary heart disease treatment. The research, published in PNAS, uses a novel delivery system that increases the activity and stability of growth factor.
The project aims to organize and share celestial observations, linking them to experiments and models. AstroShelf will facilitate real-time reporting and interactive analysis of images from various telescopes.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and UW-Madison traced how a specific gene became activated in optical neurons of a fruit fly species over four mutations. They found that small alterations in transcriptional enhancers caused 'leaky' gene activity, leading to the development of a new trait.
A team at the University of Pittsburgh has created living models of brain cells that can transmit electrical impulses and remain active for extended periods, providing a new view on memory formation. This work reveals the intricate connections between neurons and offers insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying memory creation.
A 2,300-year climate record reveals sharp drops in tropical monsoon rainfall since 1900, leading to severe droughts and water shortages. The study suggests that rising Northern Hemisphere temperatures are drawing the Intertropical Convergence Zone north, reducing rainfall on which tropical areas rely.