Scientists aim to develop computer models that can forecast earthquake chances and impact, like weather forecasting. The project will also train students and researchers from diverse backgrounds to work on computational geoscience.
Researchers discovered a rare bird fossil with nearly complete skull, allowing them to compare ancient bird brains to living birds. The study suggests that complex brain structure may have played a key role in the survival of bird ancestors during the mass extinction event.
A study by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin found that older adults' living spaces reflect their personality traits and mood. When a space matches an individual's personality, they report better well-being and a better mood.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new method to improve oxygen reduction in fuel cells using iron-based single-atom catalysts. This breakthrough could unlock a level of efficiency never before realized, enabling large-scale deployment of fuel cells and their nearly limitless potential applications.
Scientists have found a low-cost way to split off oxygen molecules from water using sunlight, paving the way for more efficient production of clean hydrogen. The breakthrough uses a technique that creates electrically conductive paths through a silicon dioxide layer, allowing for stable and efficient water splitting.
A new method for producing urea, a critical fertilizer element, has been developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin. The process uses electrocatalysis and reduces energy consumption compared to traditional methods.
A new study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin aims to find a balance between protecting society from flooding and preserving environmental and cultural viability in urban river deltas. The tool uses a cost-benefit model to examine how to balance natural function with societal desire for landscape stability.
A team of UT Austin statisticians have developed a new method to model how the brain learns language over time, with potential applications in clinical practice and other areas of neuroscience research. They found that good learners process audio information faster than bad learners when deciding on tonal differences.
A new study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that childhood lead exposure may lead to less mature and less healthy personalities in adulthood. Adults who grew up in areas with higher levels of atmospheric lead had lower levels of conscientiousness and agreeableness, and higher levels of neuroticism.
The MasSpec Pen technology has been shown to accurately identify healthy and cancerous tissue in pancreatic cancer surgeries, giving patients the greatest chance of survival. The device is over 100 times faster than current gold standard diagnostic methods.
The Gulf Coast region is well-positioned to develop a carbon storage economy, thanks to its unique geology and high concentration of industry. The study highlights the region's potential for capturing and storing CO2, which can help reduce emissions in the near term.
A conclusive narrative review found physical punishment of children is not effective in preventing child behavior problems, but instead predicts increases in behavior problems over time. The study's authors recommend countries end the use of all types of physical punishment on children to protect their development and well-being.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new version of optical tweezer technology that fixes the problem of overheating, making it easier to study biomolecules and diseases. The breakthrough uses cooled materials and thermophoresis to attract particles, protecting them from damage.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that plant species vulnerable to climate change may lead to bigger problems than previously thought. The research, led by Amelia Wolf and Erika Zavaleta, suggests that losing biodiversity can have significant impacts on ecosystems, particularly during droughts.
Researchers found that when couples blamed the pandemic for their stress, they were happier in their relationships. This phenomenon helped reduce the negative effects of stress spillover, allowing partners to work together and tackle challenges as a team.
A staged alert system guided COVID-19 policies in Austin, Texas, preventing hospital surges and limiting lockdowns. The system, which tracks new daily COVID-19 hospital admissions, achieved a 95% guarantee that hospitals would not be overrun.
A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has applied a machine learning algorithm to analyze Synthetic Aperture Radar images and create detailed maps of land types. This new approach can help predict storm surge risk and inform mitigation strategies, such as building 'green walls' to protect inland areas.
A new study shows Puerto Rico's capacity to produce record-breaking floods and landslides, highlighting the need for adaptation in planning tools. The island's limited water storage capacity is exacerbated by sediment infilling reservoirs, leading to water scarcity.
Researchers studied rats in mazes to observe brain cell activation during correct and incorrect memory recall. They found similar patterns of cell activation, but with different timing and energy levels, suggesting a link between memory disorders like Alzheimer's and faulty retrieval.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed chemical probes to detect an enzyme that breaks down antibiotics, making bacteria resistant to treatment. The probes can also be used to study nutritional immunity and may help find alternative treatments for resistant bacteria.
Researchers used seismic CT scans and supercomputers to study slow slip earthquakes in New Zealand's Hikurangi subduction zone. The study found that tectonic forces build up before releasing through slow motion tremors, revealing key processes involved in modulating slow slip.
Researchers have developed a new, pixel-sized light detector that can accurately amplify weak signals in real-time, giving autonomous vehicles a fuller picture of their surroundings. This breakthrough increases sensitivity and consistency, making it ideal for lidar receivers and applications in robotics, surveillance, and terrain mapping.
A new study developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin provides a method for public health planning authorities to calculate the number of COVID-19 isolation beds needed for people experiencing homelessness. The study helps cities ensure they have sufficient resources to protect populations in future disease outbreaks.
An international team of researchers has developed a way to replicate a natural process that moves water between cells, mimicking the functions of aquaporins in our bodies. The new channels can carry water faster than current membranes while excluding protons and unwanted molecules.
Researchers have created nanoparticles that can effectively deliver and protect siRNA, a promising class of therapeutics targeting harmful genes. This breakthrough aims to improve the treatment of diseases by fine-tuning mRNA production, offering a new approach to managing irregular protein expression.
A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has discovered that most SARS-CoV-2 antibodies target areas outside the receptor-binding domain, neutralizing the virus in cell cultures. This finding provides a promising lead for designing next-generation vaccines against variants and future coronaviruses.
Researchers from Dell Medical School propose using blockchain to manage identities of people experiencing homelessness, providing secure access to critical services. The technology has shown promise in establishing an identity system for those in need, improving their ability to navigate complex bureaucracies.
Researchers found that four hepatitis C drugs boost remdesivir's efficacy by up to tenfold in cell cultures. This combination therapy may provide an immediate treatment for unvaccinated individuals or those with waning immunity. The study aimed to develop an oral drug that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 like remdesivir.
A team of scientists identified a new group of microbes, Brockarchaeota, that help break down decaying plants without producing methane. This discovery has significant implications for understanding climate change and the global carbon cycle, as these microbes recycle carbon without emitting greenhouse gases.
Researchers used engineering tools to investigate the pelvic floor hypothesis, which states that trade-offs exist between supporting childbirth and protecting organs. A larger pelvic floor would facilitate easier childbirth but risk deforming under weight, causing organs to fall downward.
A new study found that rock weathering and water storage follow similar patterns across hill slopes, improving wildfire and landslide risk predictions. The findings also suggest that computer models can use this scaling trend to model weathering in undulating terrain.
Scientists are searching for sunken treasure that holds key to protecting Texas' Gulf shoreline from storms and rising seas. They will create a high-resolution seismic map of ancient river valleys to estimate volume and quality of sand.
A highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variant was unknowingly spreading in the US by October 2020, with evidence suggesting it had arrived in at least 15 countries by mid-November. Researchers estimate that travelers from the UK introduced the variant to these countries between Sept. 22 and Dec. 7, 2020.
Researchers found that counter-point bars can form in meandering rivers due to short, high curvature bends. These bends often occur when the river's course is abruptly changed, such as through the formation of an oxbow lake or reconnecting with a downstream portion.
Researchers used NASA satellite images to map changes in northwestern Belize's landscape over four decades, finding significant losses of forest and wetlands. Conservation efforts in protected areas helped maintain forests, which house native flora and fauna and Maya structures.
Researchers have found asteroid dust inside a Chicxulub impact crater, confirming the link between asteroid impacts and dinosaur extinction. The discovery seals the deal, with elevated levels of iridium and other asteroid elements matching those in geologic layers worldwide.
A new model by UT Austin researchers suggests that regular, rotating COVID-19 testing can minimize costs and loss of life. The optimal testing schedule varies depending on the region's transmission rate, but generally recommends weekly testing for high-transmission areas.
Researchers found that school gardens and nutrition classes led to an average increase of half a serving in daily vegetable consumption among participating students. The study, which involved over 3,000 students, also showed no significant changes in weight, BMI, or blood pressure.
A study analyzing Reddit posts found that users' language changed three months before a breakup, becoming more personal and informal. This change persisted for six months after the split, while some users lingered in online communities, rehashing their breakup story.
Researchers at UT Austin identified the critical mechanism by which remdesivir inhibits coronavirus replication, paving the way for more potent drugs. The study's findings could lead to faster relief and reduced side effects for patients.
A new study by University of Texas at Austin researchers has found that trauma-focused psychotherapy reduces brain communication between emotion and logic regions, promoting symptom recovery. The study's findings suggest this restructuring of brain connections may be a key signature of PTSD recovery.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have identified three distinct populations of switchgrass with unique adaptations to climate, paving the way for breeding high-yielding varieties matched to specific climates. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable biofuel production.
Researchers at UT Austin will develop methods to validate the cost and scalability of autonomous cargo operations, leveraging machine learning and computational engineering. The team aims to address public concerns about noise pollution, safety, and emissions through mathematical models and terrain-based surface design.
The Gulf of Mexico holds vast untapped offshore oil deposits, thanks to a remarkable geologic past that began 200 million years ago. A unique combination of fine- and coarse-grained sediments, salt layers, and seals has made the basin a formidable petroleum resource.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Penn State have developed a new understanding of desalination membranes, which can clean more water while using significantly less energy. The breakthrough could lead to increased access to clean water and lower water bills for individual homes and large users alike.
Research reveals Greenland outlet glaciers are halted by knickpoints, stabilizing areas that prevent coastal thinning from reaching inland. However, vulnerable northwest Greenland glaciers could contribute to sea level rise in the next 100 years due to flat bedrock.
The project, funded by NASA's University Leadership Initiative, will create a new paradigm in sensing for hypersonic vehicles. Researchers will use scientific machine learning methods to analyze aerodynamic changes during flight tests and infer where force is being applied.
A study led by the University of Texas at Austin found that bedrock fractures can produce up to 29% of daily average CO2 emitted by land, depending on the season. This source challenges climate change models and sheds light on a previously inaccessible part of the landscape.
Researchers conducted the first-ever census of creosotes in a 135-square-mile conservation site in Nevada's Mojave Desert, counting over 23 million plants. The study discovered trends about how landscape features influence plant growth, including the impact of slope direction and soil age on creosote volume.
Researchers found that men who expected to work in jobs without a college degree but faced declines in the job market were nearly three times as likely to suffer early deaths by suicide and drug poisoning. The study suggests closed pathways to sustaining working-class jobs contribute to increased rates of suicide and drug-poisoning mor...