Researchers discovered how bacteria convert methylmercury into a less-toxic form, a trait that lets them survive in mercury-rich environments. Understanding this mechanism may be a viable way to combat methylmercury pollution.
Scientists have found evidence of water on the moon's surface using a NASA instrument, which detects wavelengths of light reflecting off the lunar soil. The discovery suggests that water may originate from an astronomical phenomenon called the solar wind, forming trace amounts in the lunar soil.
A team of Tennessee foresters, led by Stacy Clark, is working to reintroduce the American chestnut to eastern US forests. The goal is to create a blight-resistant tree that can thrive in its natural habitat, offering benefits for humans and wildlife.
Scientists at the University of Tennessee have found that a single mutation in the Bub1 gene can lead to an increased risk of pregnancy loss and disorders such as Down Syndrome. The study suggests that the mutation affects fertility and increases with maternal age, highlighting a potential genetic link to these conditions.
A UT Knoxville-led research project is exploring the East Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ) to better understand seismic activity and its impact on future earthquakes. The study aims to provide new information on past quakes and inform the planning of new large engineered structures.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has won two $3 million National Science Foundation grants to create graduate research programs focusing on computational biology and sustainable energy. The programs, STAIR and SCALE-IT, will support up to 15 graduate students each with significant stipends and tuition waivers.
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has been awarded a $16 million NSF grant to create the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, or NIMBioS. Researchers from around the world will collaborate on finding creative solutions to pressing problems in fields like animal disease control and wildfire management.
The study found that as a child receives more resources from their father, the expression of imprinted genes is triggered, reversing the symptoms of Prader-Willi Syndrome. This discovery may help understand how social structure influences disease development.
A University of Tennessee at Knoxville researcher has found that the ability of flowering plants to quickly and efficiently move sperm through a part of the plant was the key to their evolutionary diversity. This ancient trait allowed plants to grow longer pollen tubes, enabling them to develop more complex flowers and larger seeds.
Researchers at UT Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered new superconducting materials with higher temperatures than conventional ones. The study found that these materials share a common trait with other high-temperature superconductors, shedding light on the tie between magnetism and superconductivity.
The University of Tennessee has received a $26 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop biomass conversion technology. The grant will support research on converting biomass crops into fuels and other products, with the goal of creating a thriving, sustainable biobased economy in the state.
Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate the lengths of genetic pulses in HIV, favoring latency over replication. This finding offers promise for developing new treatments, as the 'switch' is a key factor in determining whether the virus becomes active.
A new study by 31 scientists shows that streams play a critical role in filtering out excess nitrogen that feeds algae blooms. The research found that streams are most effective at removing nitrogen when they are not overloaded with fertilizers and other human activities.
Researchers from UT Knoxville have made a groundbreaking discovery about memory B cells, which are crucial for fighting off influenza infections. By analyzing where these cells reside after an infection, scientists can develop more effective vaccines that target specific strains and subtypes of the flu virus.
New research by UT Knoxville professor Michael R. Nash aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical practice in psychotherapy. By tracking patients' symptoms before and during treatment, psychologists can conduct sound scientifically grounded case studies out of their office.
Researchers at UT-ORNL have made progress toward understanding high-temperature superconductivity by studying the behavior of electrons in materials like PLCCO. They found evidence suggesting that magnetism plays a role in creating pairs of electrons, which are crucial for this phenomenon.
A UT research team aims to develop cost-effective methods for analyzing and cleaning up contaminated sites with dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), which pose a major problem at many DOD facilities. The project could lead to significant cost savings, potentially running into the billions of dollars.
Researchers reveal driving force behind protein folding involving water interactions and hydrophobic areas of peptides. This insight builds on previous theories, allowing for the determination of a peptide's structure from its amino acid sequence.
A recent study by a UT researcher found that hybrid salamanders are thriving in California water bodies, contradicting the general understanding of hybridization in animals. The hybrids, created by mating between two different species, show surprising vigor and may even enhance the chances for survival of the native species.
The BioWeb is an Internet library of peer-reviewed papers and information related to bioenergy and bioproducts, providing valuable resources for scientists, students, and researchers. The project aims to strengthen American agriculture and develop environmentally friendly manufacturing products and technologies.
A new grant will enable researchers to test a diagnostic technique that determines the environmental source of Buruli ulcer. The disease, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, can lead to severe infections and is difficult to cure without removing infected tissue.
Researchers discovered a link between consuming foie gras and the formation of amyloid fibrils, which can accelerate AA amyloidosis in susceptible mice. The study suggests that people with a family history of diseases like Alzheimer's and rheumatoid arthritis may want to avoid consuming foie gras.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in controlling the physical properties of materials at a small scale, paving the way for more efficient hydrogen fuel cells. By adding bismuth to lead atoms, Professor Hanno Weitering fine-tuned the stability and superconductivity of the resulting quantum alloy.
A University of Tennessee researcher has been awarded a $296,000 Komen grant to conduct a groundbreaking study on treating depression in breast cancer patients using behavior therapy. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of two treatments: problem-solving therapy and brief behavior activation therapy.