Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that certain organic molecules can conduct electricity as well as metal, providing a new strategy for designing electronic materials. The finding is based on the study of fullerenes, which can mimic the behavior of highly conductive atoms.
Researchers from Pitt and the University of Chicago discovered a previously unknown role of two enzymes in regulating heart muscle contractions. By controlling these enzymes, they found that heart muscle fibers become more sensitive to calcium, strengthening contraction without increasing energy consumption.
A new study suggests that urban areas and roadways could be major contributors to nitrate pollution, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and human health. The research found that stationary sources, such as power plants, are the primary source of nitrate in urban areas.
A team of researchers has created a method to assemble wire-like structures only a single molecule wide, paving the way for the development of smaller, faster electronic devices. The new template enables the creation of one-dimensional wires with minimal loss of electricity conductivity.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a fast and inexpensive method to detect palladium and platinum, reducing the time required for chemical analysis from days to just one hour. This breakthrough could streamline pharmaceutical production and mining processes, making these essential metals more accessible.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new approach to online communication called FaceAlive Icons, which uses personalized images to convey emotions. The program allows users to alter their facial expressions and improve personal communication in emails, text messages, and online forums.
Pitt and NIH researchers provide a circuit-level explanation for why our eyes appear to move smoothly despite making saccades. They found that a corollary discharge signal from the brainstem causes visual neurons to shift their receptive field, enabling visual stability.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a general model to study large-scale shape changes in responsive gels. Their gel lattice spring model captures two-dimensional deformations and chemical reactions within swollen networks of polymers, revealing dynamic patterns and oscillations in the gel's shape.
Johnson and Qian found that NR1/2D receptors respond to weak inputs, strengthening synapses and facilitating learning and memory. Their discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.
The NSF-funded scholarship program will support four cohorts of SIS graduate students in the SAIS track, aiming to address the growing need for IA professionals. Graduates will be qualified to manage large networks and infrastructures, with a focus on diversity and underrepresented groups.
The University of Pittsburgh is developing a multidisciplinary nanotechnology undergraduate course with a $200,000 NSF grant. The hands-on research-oriented course will introduce students to nanoscale devices and their applications, with a focus on publishing research in refereed journals.
University of Pittsburgh professor Goetz Veser has created a safer alternative to traditional reactors by designing microreactors that can handle explosive reactions without explosions. These reactors use platinum catalysts and silicon chips with tiny channels to control the reaction and minimize pollutants like nitrogen oxides.
Researchers have created tiny test tubes made of single-walled carbon nanotubes, which enables them to probe the role of extreme molecular confinement on chemical behavior. The nanotubes allow water molecules to bond together into rings and shield reactive molecules from reacting with other chemicals.
Larry J. Shuman, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering, has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). He was awarded this distinction after making outstanding contributions to engineering education and technology. Shuman's research focuses on improving the engineer...
The University of Pittsburgh will receive $2.4 million to develop accurate methods for extracting and tracking information from free text, with the goal of identifying potential threats. The research aims to create new computational technologies that contribute to securing the homeland.
The Gene Team program pairs high school students with experienced teachers to conduct cutting-edge genetics research, addressing teacher training gaps. The program provides novel research materials for Pitt labs and equips teachers with hands-on methods for science instruction.
A $2.8M NIH grant enables researchers to explore a harmless bacteriophage, nicknamed the 'Bronx Bomber,' that disrupts the biofilm coating of Mycobacterium smegmatis, potentially leading to more effective TB treatments.
Researchers developed a phage-genomics educational platform, attracting high school and undergraduate students to scientific discovery. The study found that simplicity, flexibility, and ownership are key attributes of an effective science program.
The University of Pittsburgh's Mascaro Sustainability Initiative has received a $506,000 grant to establish the Sustainable Engineering Fellowship Program. The program will engage diverse students in translating fundamental sustainability science into real products and processes.
Researchers found that using a high-dose nicotine patch significantly reduced relapse rates among smokers who experienced lapses. Participants who used the active patch after lapsing were up to 4-6 times less likely to 'cheat' again, making it more effective in preventing full relapse.
Karl Lewis, a renowned Pitt engineering professor, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the NSBE Pittsburgh convention. He is recognized for his extensive contributions to engineering and science, including education programs that have educated hundreds of successful Black engineers.
Pitt researchers identify critical brain area regulating dopamine function, which could explain disruptions in normal behaviors and psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and drug addiction. The discovery provides new insights into the brain's reward system and its role in modulating goal-directed behavior.
Two recent papers by Pitt physicist demonstrate the existence of electrons stuck on metal surfaces under intense light, enabling total internal reflection. This phenomenon could lead to faster and smaller transistors and more efficient conversion of light into chemical energy.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $5 million gift from the John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen Foundation to support its Institute of NanoScience and Engineering. This funding will enable researchers to investigate complex scientific and engineering challenges, leading to potential breakthroughs in various fields.
Thomas C. Hales famously proved Johannes Kepler's 400-year-old conjecture on sphere-packing using a computer-assisted proof, which was initially met with skepticism by reviewers. Hales is now using his problem-solving skills to 'prove the proof' using a specially written computer language in the Flyspeck Project.
Three Pitt professors will receive CAREER awards to improve information security, solve subatomic mysteries, and develop new treatments for liver disease. Joshi's framework aims to protect complex systems like the Department of Defense's global information grid.
A Pitt professor proposes using an ecological management system to evaluate nature's economic value, bridging economics and ecology. The approach considers ecosystem services like storm damage reduction and wetland maintenance, highlighting the gap between market and social values.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a method using carbon nanotubes to detect single DNA base mutations. The technique produces sensor results comparable to state-of-the-art optical techniques and has several advantages over existing methods, including cost, time, and simplicity.
Researchers at Pitt University developed a new treatment for epilepsy using radio frequency technology, which has fewer side effects than traditional treatments. The RFNS device is implanted under the skin with one surgical incision, reducing infection risk.
Pitt researchers create tiny semiconductor islands that can confine individual electrons, a crucial step towards building a quantum computer. The achievement demonstrates the potential of nanotechnology in advancing quantum computing.
A global study reveals that plants in highly diverse ecosystems, such as South American and Southeast Asian jungles, suffer lower pollination rates and reduced reproductive success. This could push certain plant species towards extinction.
Researchers searched for dwarf galaxies in nearby galaxy cloud using Two Micron All Sky Survey and Very Large Telescope. However, no stars were detected, suggesting alternative explanations for the missing galaxies.
Christian Schafmeister and his student Christopher Levins have designed small molecules that can be linked together like Lego blocks to create complex nanoscale devices. The breakthroughs hold great promise as nanoscale parts for future atomically precise machines, including hinged molecular traps that can serve as chemical sensors.
Pitt researchers Yadin Y. Goldschmidt and Eduardo Cuansing used computer simulations to find direct evidence of new vortex patterns in superconductors. These findings show that the vortices can behave differently in the presence of columnar defects, leading to two-stage melting instead of one at higher temperatures.
Researchers will study chemical reactions and transformation of mercury in flue gases of coal-fired power plants. They aim to develop a mathematical model to predict mercury emissions and create more effective technologies for controlling mercury emissions.
Researchers found that Roundup(r) killed up to 71% of tadpoles and 86% of terrestrial frogs after exposure. The surfactant in the herbicide, not the active ingredient, is lethal to amphibians. The study highlights concerns about accidental spraying during lawn care.
The University of Pittsburgh will train students in sustainable engineering through an eight-month international research rotation in São Paulo, Brazil. The program aims to develop global sustainability expertise and increase Hispanic students in the field of engineering.
Researchers from Pitt and Carnegie Mellon demonstrate virtual hazardous environments for search-and-rescue robots. The simulation provides realistic graphics and accurate physics to duplicate the problems faced by operators of real search and rescue robots.
Researchers from Pitt's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering have developed a customized active RFID tag generation system with ADCUS. This system enables smaller companies to quickly produce executable code for various RFID standards, covering the complete RFID market.
Researchers from Pitt and Bell Labs have successfully created a two-dimensional semiconductor structure that allows excitons to exist longer and travel farther than previously recorded. This breakthrough could lead to the development of excitonic circuits for optical communication, enabling photons to be converted directly into excitons.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new microscopy technique that allows them to observe electrons moving through a nanostructured silver film. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient semiconductors and reduce heat dissipation, making electronic devices faster and more powerful.
Researchers at Pitt University have found a way to transport charge using 'wet' electrons on metal oxide surfaces. This technology has the potential to produce clean fuel by splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
A Pitt professor has been awarded a prestigious Sloan Research Fellowship to study brain communication and its impact on mental disorders like schizophrenia. The two-year, $45,000 fellowship will fund his research into how brain areas interact during normal behaviors and how this interaction breaks down in schizophrenia.
Materials with shape memory can absorb large amounts of energy, reducing earthquake and wind-induced vibrations. The research aims to understand how these materials 'remember' their shape and improve their applications in various fields.
Assistant Professor Brusilovsky aims to create more interactive and expressive systems for retrieving and filtering information. His research focuses on helping students find relevant resources in online tutorials, electronic textbooks, and digital libraries.