Researchers developed a methodology to forecast outbreaks of pathogens such as coronavirus and monkeypox, identifying host species at risk of infection. The machine-learning approach analyzes variables like location and climate to predict community hot spots at risk.
University of South Florida researchers found that mangroves have overtaken 83% of oyster reefs in Tampa Bay, leading to a decline in ecosystem function and habitat for threatened species. Climate-driven changes are altering subtropical ecosystems, threatening the very foundations of coastal biodiversity.
A new global dashboard tracks invasive mosquitoes carrying deadly diseases, combining data from three partner apps and utilizing AI-powered image recognition software. The platform has the potential to provide real-time data on disease vectors, enabling early detection and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases worldwide.
A study led by the University of South Florida reveals a previously unknown 20 centimeter sea-level rise that occurred nearly 3,200 years ago when ice caps melted naturally. The team found exceptionally stable preindustrial sea levels until 1900, implying that global temperatures continuing to rise could lead to higher sea levels.
A new study reveals that overly enthusiastic product pitches can make investors suspect ulterior motives, while a more balanced approach may increase chances of securing funding. Entrepreneurs should aim for tempered passion rather than extreme energy when pitching to investors.
A study by the University of South Florida found that nursing home chains can achieve improved financial performance by standardizing staff ratios while having a similar percentage of Medicaid patients among residents. Customizing services tailored to local demand and competition leads to increased resident welfare, but may compromise ...
An international study found that caffeine impacts what shoppers buy and how much they spend when shopping. Caffeinated individuals purchased more non-essential items and spent more money compared to those who drank decaf or water.
A team of Chinese and U.S. scientists created the first global map of chronic oil slicks in oceans and found that more than 90 percent come from human sources. Most slicks occur near coastlines, with significant reductions in pollution around regulated offshore areas.
A new study found that 68% of COVID-19 deaths were adults in low socioeconomic positions working in labor, service, and retail jobs. The study confirms associations between mortality rates and socioeconomic position, gender, ethnicity, and race.
Researchers at the University of South Florida conducted a comprehensive review of data on 25,000 Canadians and found that long-term well-being is a realistic goal for some patients with mental illnesses. The study revealed that symptoms only correlate modestly with well-being, and that earlier treatment may improve outcomes.
Research suggests top reviews are a key factor in consumer purchasing decisions when comparing products. The study found that concrete details in reviews can sway consumers, and businesses should focus on responding to negative reviews rather than gaming the rating system.
The Florida horse conch population is shrinking due to unregulated commercial harvesting and recreational live collection. With an average lifespan of 8-10 years, the species can only reproduce at age six, resulting in limited offspring production.
Researchers found that 42% of community group respondents and 11% of vetted panel recruiter responses were fake or deceitful. This highlights the impact of fraudulent data on study results. Verification of respondents after compensation is suggested to ensure accurate results.
USF researchers analyzed 5,017 suicide victims' cases from 2019, finding that 69% of violent deaths in Florida were caused by suicide. The study highlights the critical need to study suicides among underrepresented youth, especially younger Black males.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that combining aspects of poor sleep health increases the risk of heart disease. Researchers analyzed data from 6,820 U.S. adults and found a strong association between sleep health problems and heart disease risk, with Black participants showing higher rates of both.
Researchers developed an algorithm that prioritizes reliable news sources based on audience diversity, reducing the spread of misinformation. The new strategy incorporates data on web traffic and self-reported partisanship to promote diverse news sources.
A study by USF Genomics program found that prenatal exposure to the Rwandan genocide was associated with epigenetic modifications in genes linked to mental disorders. These 'chemical' changes can have a rapid response to trauma across generations, suggesting a possible link between historical trauma and modern-day mental health issues.
Researchers at the University of South Florida have invented a new technology that enables the rapid printing of wearable and electronic sensors without the need for polymer binders. This breakthrough can significantly reduce production time, making it suitable for applications such as health monitoring, prosthetics, and robotics.
Researchers developed a technology to rapidly disinfect and recharge N95 respirators, restoring their filtration efficiency. The non-thermal method reduces plastic pollution and conserves electricity, limiting mask consumption to dozens per year.
A new study published in the Journal of Gerontology finds that engaging in diverse daily activities is associated with a diverse set of emotions. Individuals who regularly participated in a broad range of activities experienced more diverse positive emotions, particularly those between ages 33-44.
Researchers at the University of South Florida discovered that glassy polymers, or plastics, have a soft, rubbery layer on their surface that can be controlled. This breakthrough could lead to improved properties such as adhesion and scratch resistance in materials like automobile paint and cellphone screens.
Research from the University of South Florida found that individuals who wrote about their relationship troubles from a neutral observer's point of view had less conflict and aggression with their partner. The study surveyed 716 American adults and asked them to fill out a baseline assessment and then complete a brief writing exercise.
A new study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that just three nights of sleep loss can cause significant deterioration in mental and physical health. After a day or two, symptoms peak, and the body becomes relatively adapted to repeated sleep loss, but this changes on the sixth night when physical symptoms reach their wo...
Researchers developed a novel approach to mitigate electromigration in nanoscale electronic interconnects by coating copper metal interconnects with hexagonal boron nitride. This innovation enables further scaling of device density and progression of Moore's Law, leading to improved device efficiency and decreased energy consumption.
Seagrasses can recover from extensive losses without human intervention, according to a 20-year study. The study found that remnants of seagrass and multiple species present increased the likelihood for recovery.
The 2021 class includes notable inventors like Dean Kamen and Mark Dean, whose work on the Segway and original IBM PC revolutionized technology. The inductees collectively hold over 675 U.S. patents, addressing pressing issues like healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that seeing food before smelling it can improve its taste. Researchers tested various experiments with cookies, fruit snacks, and lemonade, discovering that visual cues before scent enhance flavor perception.
A study by University of South Florida researchers found nearly 100% of red snappers sampled showed evidence of liver damage, indicating early warning signs of a compromised ecosystem. Chronic oil exposure has been linked to cancer and death in fish.
A study by University of South Florida researcher Yasin Elshorbany found that dramatic decreases in traffic caused by COVID-19 shutdowns improved air quality in some states, such as New York and Florida. However, additional forms of pollution in other parts of the country were not offset by these reductions.
A study by a USF professor found that individual females lay numerous clutches of eggs miles apart from each other. This strategy helps reduce the risk of complete reproductive failure and increases the survival rate of hatchlings.
Researchers used phreatic overgrowths on speleothems in Mallorca caves to determine past sea levels, providing a way to precisely measure sea levels. The study's results show that sea level dropped significantly after the Pliocene period and fluctuated during warm periods.
A team led by University of South Florida biologist Mark Margres has sequenced the genome of the Tiger Rattlesnake to understand its deadly venom. The research reveals a complex process behind the venom's toxicity, with only 15 genes actively producing toxic proteins.
Scientists have created a new numerical model to estimate the dimensions of umbrella clouds contributing to volcanic ash deposits. This tool helps understand past large explosive eruptions and improve forecast of future events. The research was applied to the 2,500-year-old eruption of Pululagua volcano in Ecuador.
A new study published in Ecology has discovered that monitor lizards are ecosystem engineers, creating complex burrow systems used by various animal communities. These systems provide critical shelter and resources, but their destruction due to invasive species like the cane toad threatens ecosystem balance.
A team of researchers at the University of South Florida has discovered that Sesn2 protein, which protects the heart from stress, diminishes in levels over time, weakening the heart and increasing the risk of heart attack. This finding holds promise for developing new therapeutic treatments to maintain healthy cardiac function.
Researchers found evidence of five drought events impacting Ancestral Puebloan society from centuries-old charcoal and ash deposits in a lava tube. The discovery sheds light on human-environment interactions during climate change, highlighting the ingenuity of Ancestral Puebloans in accessing water resources.
A new study has uncovered DNA evidence of Bartonella quintana, the bacteria responsible for trench fever, in civilian remains dating back thousands of years. The discovery sheds light on the complex history of trench fever and provides insight into the lives of Christian citizens in Roman Syracuse.
Researchers at University of South Florida have discovered a key molecule involved in regulating flexibility in animal stress responses. The study provides a novel perspective on how vertebrates cope with environmental stressors and highlights the importance of understanding stress response flexibility for both human and animal health.
Research published in Sleep Health found that extra 29 minutes of sleep per night can improve mindfulness, reducing daytime sleepiness. Better sleep leads to greater mindful attention, essential for healthcare workers providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new study found Hurricane Irma resulted in 433 additional deaths among nursing home residents in Florida within 90 days, exceeding national averages by double
A new study is analyzing how SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly in Asia before slowing down, with insights potentially informing secondary outbreak predictions and intervention strategies. By studying travel restrictions and quarantines, researchers are identifying factors that facilitated transmission and slowed it down.
A new study provides substantial evidence that a Jurassic fossil feather belongs to the iconic Archaeopteryx, a bird-like dinosaur. The research found that the feather matches a type of wing feather called a primary covert, identical in size and shape to those on an Archaeopteryx wing.
A USF study found that COVID-19 causes an average of nearly 10 years of life loss per person who dies after contracting the virus. The researchers used a tool called 'years of life lost' to account for age, sex and pre-existing conditions, revealing significant disparities in mortality effects across different age groups and regions.
A study examines evacuation behaviors during a global pandemic, revealing that people impacted by mandatory hurricane evacuations are choosing to shelter in place due to health concerns. The research aims to inform public health messaging and identify safety education strategies to increase household preparedness.
A new study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine suggests that people with familial hypercholesterolemia should eliminate carbs and focus on a heart-healthy diet low in sugar. The research finds no evidence to support the long-held recommendation to minimize saturated fat intake.
A nationwide study by University of South Florida professors reveals that blacks are five times more likely and Latinos four times more likely to fear police brutality than whites. This disparity affects the emotional toll on minorities, leading to psychological and physical health consequences.
Researchers from USF have advanced a novel technology to rapidly sterilize and electrostatically recharge N95 masks using corona discharge, which can kill 10,000 E. coli bacteria in under a minute.
Researchers found that surface runoff alters microbial communities in cave pools, with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria replaced by human contaminants during heavy rains. The study highlights the impact of surface pollution on groundwater sources and cave ecosystems.
A new study estimates that for every child requiring intensive care for COVID-19, there are 2,381 children infected with the virus. The US CDC and state health departments should begin reporting confirmed cases by age group to understand the true extent of the outbreak.
Researchers created a well-defined supramolecular structure that pushes the 20-nanometer scale, overcoming a major obstacle in supramolecular chemistry. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials with unique functions and properties.