A UT professor's course, 'Red Dead America,' uses popular video games to teach US history, sparking a major feature in the American Historical Review. The course's success has been widely recognized, earning its creator a teaching award and inspiring a book based on the class.
Suzanne Lenhart, Chancellor's Professor in UT's Department of Mathematics, will deliver the American Mathematical Society's Gibbs Lecture at JMM2024, recognizing outstanding achievement in applied mathematics. Her lecture explores how mathematical modeling can represent natural system dynamics and guide ecological management strategies.
A UT research team, led by Ralph Lydic and Dmitry Bolmatov, has discovered an artificial cell membrane that exhibits long-term potentiation, a hallmark of biological learning and memory. This breakthrough could lead to the development of next-generation computing materials and architectures inspired by human cognition.
A new study suggests that heat waves can lead to avian population decline by altering gene activity in the testis and brain, affecting reproductive behavior and physiology. The research found that sub-lethal heat may change a bird's ability to reproduce via changes in motivational circuits for song production.
A new study reveals that early echinoderm body shape evolution outpaced ecological innovation, contradicting long-standing expectations. The researchers found that morphological diversification occurred at a rate of 71% faster than ecological evolution during the Cambrian and Ordovician periods.
Researchers have developed new peptide markers to identify African bovid species, enabling more accurate analysis of ancient animal remains. The discovery sheds light on subsistence strategies and paleoenvironments in Iron Age Zambia.
Recent research confirms Darwin's insights on human evolution, revealing shared characteristics with apes, talent for high-level cooperation, and expanded social learning capacity
A new project aims to rethink biodiversity protection approaches due to climate change by developing flexible and dynamic conservation methods. The Appalachian region will serve as a test-case landscape, with researchers using artificial intelligence and collaborative governance strategies.
A new study by an interdisciplinary team of scientists has discovered a vast microbial ecosystem living deep within the Earth's crust that traps massive amounts of carbon. The microbes, called chemolithoautotrophs, sequester carbon produced during subduction by using chemical energy to build their bodies.
Researchers found COVID-19 cases and deaths significantly affected by local culture and demographics in global scale studies. The model identified population size, density, public transportation use, African American percentage, and Democrat election vote share as predictive factors for US counties.
Climate change may cause geographical mismatches between crops and their pollinators, threatening crop yields. The study found potential declines in the distribution of some wild bees that pollinate tomatoes, particularly in the eastern United States.
A new study finds that current protected areas may not be enough to protect biodiversity in a changing climate. Countries have not fully harnessed the potential of protected areas to adapt to climate change, and instead need to identify lands with high levels of biodiversity in areas where climate is changing slowly.
Pregnant women who exercise more during the first trimester of pregnancy may have a lower risk of developing gestational diabetes. The analysis found that exercising at least 38 minutes per day lowers the risk of gestational diabetes by 2.1 cases per 100 women and abnormal blood sugar by 4.8 cases per 100 women.
Scientists have long wondered how tropical species diversity formed and is maintained. A new study provides conclusive evidence that tropical biodiversity hotspots are linked to moderate and stable climates. Researchers found that species-rich regions in the tropics contain diversity accumulated during a protracted evolutionary period.
Researchers at UT have successfully created a novel superconductor using tin on a silicon semiconductor platform, marking the first intentional creation of an atomically thin superconductor. This breakthrough may lead to unforeseen advancements in technology and opens up new possibilities for electronic devices.
A new study published in the Journal of Transport & Health found that a jughandle design can virtually eliminate single bicycle crashes at railway crossings. The design realigns the approach angle to about 60 degrees, reducing the risk of tire being caught in the gap between the rail and pavement.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville Herbarium is part of a $3.6 million National Science Foundation grant to image and digitize metadata for over 1.2 million lichen and bryophyte specimens. Researchers will access specimen metadata and photos to study cryptobiotic communities.
Researchers found high frequencies of theropod bite marks on large-bodied sauropods, armored Mymoorapelta, and other dinosaurs at the Mygatt-Moore Quarry site. The data suggests an ecosystem where dinosaur remains lay out for months, providing a food source for multiple predators and scavengers.
A new study reveals that exposure to young pups changes signaling within the auditory cortex of female mice with intact Mecp2 gene, allowing neurons to become more responsive. In contrast, female mice with impaired Mecp2 gene show a strong dampening effect, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for Rett syndrome treatment.
A University of Tennessee microbiologist is leading a three-year study to understand how global warming affects peatlands and their vast carbon stores. The research aims to predict the impacts of warming on the complex network of microorganisms that cycle carbon and nutrients in peatlands.
David Mandrus, a UT professor and Oak Ridge National Laboratory researcher, has received a five-year $1.7 million award to pursue research on quantum materials and their unique properties. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation acknowledges Mandrus's significant contributions to the field of materials science.
A mathematical model has been developed to predict how invasive species spread in rivers and how to control their movement using optimal water flow rates. The study, published in Mathematics, uses a partial differential equation model to illustrate how adjusting the water flow rate can prevent invasive populations from expanding upstream.
Survivors of sepsis need long-term advocacy and support after hospital discharge, a new study suggests. The research identified five major themes among participants, including the challenges of recovery and the importance of caregiver assistance.
Researchers found that participants who demonstrated a game face showed improved performance in cognitive tasks, such as completing a black-and-white mandala puzzle, with an average gain of 20 percent. Additionally, the study found that game face may aid in better recovery from stress after physical challenges.
Karen Lloyd's research focuses on the effects of thawing permafrost on the environment, examining microbial processes that break down soil organic carbon and release greenhouse gases. By understanding these processes, future predictions can be made about the impact of microbial communities' activities on changes in released gases.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in plant thriving by providing up to 80% of the nutrients and water plants need to grow. The study analyzed over 17,000 trait observations from nearly 3,000 woody plant species and found that these fu...
Researchers analyzed ancient crocodiles' shapes, modern diets, and fossil records to reconstruct their diets. Slender-snouted groups eat various prey, while broader-snouted groups consume larger prey up to their size.
A recent study published in Economics and Human Biology suggests that the current obesity epidemic in adults may have been caused by excessive sugar consumption in childhood. The researchers modeled the increase in US adult obesity rates since the 1990s as a legacy of increased excess sugar consumption measured among children in the 19...
A study found that many Tennesseans are misinformed about tornado protection, with misconceptions common across the state. Researchers recommend taking tornado warnings seriously and seeking shelter in sturdy buildings or mobile homes immediately upon receiving an alert.
Happy couples tend to take a solution-oriented approach to conflict, focusing on solvable issues like household labor and leisure time. They avoid discussing sensitive topics like health and intimacy, which can be challenging to resolve without risking vulnerability or embarrassment.
A new study is testing a text-delivered counseling program for young adults with cannabis use disorder. The program, called PNC-txt, aims to reduce heavy cannabis use and improve relationship and memory problems among participants.
Researchers analyzed commuting patterns in San Juan, Recife, and Jakarta to model different scenarios, informing mosquito control strategies. The study found that investment in control measures affects disease risks, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Researchers discovered microbes thriving on centuries-old organic matter in sediments, using peptidases to degrade low-quality food. This finding has implications for biomedical applications and understanding of subsurface microbial communities.
Research suggests that mothers are uniquely susceptible to social media marketing tactics, leading them to share their children's personally identifiable information online. The study highlights the need for enhanced government guidance and parental education on the consequences of sharing personal info about their kids.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville developed a gamelike intervention that reduces hallway disruptions by up to 74 percent. The intervention rewards classes for quick transitions, leading to improved behavior and faster class changes.
A recent study found that American nursing programs provide inadequate instruction on handling catastrophic situations like nuclear events, pandemics, and water contamination crises. The study's results showed most students felt underprepared for emergency response, while professors believed they needed more training to teach care duri...
A study of college students in Southern Appalachia found that food insecurity prevalence is significantly higher than the national average, with 30.5% of students experiencing it, compared to 12% nationally.
Research found that pregnant women with high glucose blood levels are at increased risk of their children developing obesity in childhood. The study followed over 40,000 pregnancies and found a 13% higher risk of obesity if blood glucose levels were elevated on the screening test.
A researcher examines the case of people living in Jordan's Zaatari camp to understand how digital technology influences their physical space. She suggests a new design approach that prioritizes interior space, incorporating insertable walls and dividers to allow residents spatial authorship.
A study published in Nature Communications found that cooperation among competing fisheries can lead to improvements in both the quality and quantity of fish in local reefs. Fishers who communicated with their competitors about fishing gear and rules reported higher fish stocks.
A team of UT researchers will monitor and analyze Russian information warfare tactics, measuring their effectiveness in shaping public opinion in Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The project aims to model relationships between propaganda and opinion, assessing the impact of disinformation campaigns on democratic institutions.
Researchers found that microbes consume and trap carbon sinking into the trench off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, potentially influencing geological processes on similar scales as volcanoes. This discovery has important implications for understanding carbon movement from Earth's surface into its interior over geological timescales.
Psychologists have found that facial expressions can influence emotional feelings, with smiling making people feel happier and scowling making them feel angrier. The study combined data from nearly 50 years of research involving over 11,000 participants.
Cherokee inscriptions found in Manitou Cave reveal evidence of secluded ceremonial activities, including stickball and ritual events. The inscriptions provide a direct link to how some Native Americans viewed caves as sacred places.
A global team of scientists has identified possible causes of diversity among modern bird species, focusing on perching birds. The study found that changes in geology and climate played a role in the evolution of these birds, with evidence suggesting that glaciations and warming periods impacted their development.
Researchers found that populations with high HIV/AIDS prevalence are more susceptible to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections due to frequent antibiotic use. This increases the risk of drug-resistant diseases, posing a serious public health threat worldwide.
Researchers used Thoreau's observations to study the effects of climate change on tree leaf-out and wildflower emergence. The study found that wildflowers are now leafing out earlier, while trees are leafing out later, potentially hindering wildflower abundance.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that IQ is a better indicator of adult wealth than math skills for very preterm and very low-weight babies. The research followed over 400 children born in Bavaria, Germany, from birth to adulthood and found that IQ was a stronger predictor of life course economic success.
Physicists have solved a 50-year-old mystery in beta decay, a process that drives stellar explosions and synthesizes elements. Using advanced computing power, researchers found that the beta decay rate for an atomic nucleus is more complicated than initially thought.
A new study explores how climate-driven evolution in tree populations changes their interaction with the soil environment, leading to reduced genetic variation and altered soil microbiome. Warmer temperatures result in earlier bud break and leaf-out, reducing genetic variation and affecting soil microbial communities.