A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that US residents requesting online abortion medications cited difficulty accessing clinical care and personal preferences as reasons for their requests. The demand was highest in states with restrictive abortion policies, with Mississippi leading the way.
Research reveals Deaf infants exposed to American Sign Language exhibit advanced eye-gaze behavior, including 'checking-back' cues. This finding suggests social-cognitive development can be shaped by early-life experiences and visual learning ecologies.
The ancient Maya created massive agricultural features in wetlands to respond to population and environmental pressures. This study reveals that the Maya had earlier, more intensive and more wide-ranging anthropogenic impacts on globally important tropical forests than previously known.
Researchers developed a new metabolic thyroid test that is faster and more accurate than current diagnostic tests. The test uses mass spectrometry imaging to identify diagnostic fingerprints produced by cancerous cells, preventing thousands of unnecessary surgeries each year.
A new algorithm, DJ-MC, uses sequence modeling and Monte Carlo search to create personalized music playlists that change according to each individual's shifts in emotion. The program adapts to the listener's mood, considering not only which songs they will enjoy but also the order in which they are played.
Researchers at UT Austin have developed multifunctional nanogels that can deliver drugs to treat cancer in a precise manner. The nanogels can be chemically modified with bioactive molecules, allowing them to target malignant cells and degrade into nontoxic components.
Researchers analyzed six different bird species and found no uric acid in their excretions. Instead, they identified ammonium urate, struvite, and two unknown compounds, suggesting that bacteria break down uric acid before excretion.
The University of Texas Marine Science Institute has received $11.7 million in funding from NOAA to complete repairs and renovations after Hurricane Harvey caused significant damage. The institute will use the funds to rebuild its research pier, visitor center, and other facilities, allowing it to resume full operations.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin discovered that Komodo dragon armor is designed to protect against other dragons, not predators. The unique bone structure, featuring four distinct shapes, provides extensive coverage and suggests that young Komodo dragons do not have armor until adulthood.
Scientists confirm scenario that dinosaurs died due to global cooling after asteroid impact, with rocks recording wildfires and sulfur absence within 24 hours. The research provides the most detailed look yet into the aftermath of the catastrophe.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin are developing noninvasive computational modeling technology to assess heart attack risk. The project uses computer simulation technology to analyze individual patients' vulnerability to plaque rupture, which can trigger a heart attack.
A new study found that police officers become less proactive when they perceive negative public scrutiny, even if they are motivated to help people. The researchers surveyed 183 police officers and 238 firefighters across the southern US, finding a significant link between perceived public understanding and officer proactivity.
Researchers found that testosterone supplements made people more sensitive to moral norms, contradicting earlier studies that linked high levels of testosterone to immoral behavior. The study suggests that testosterone's influence on behavior is more complex than thought.
A recent study found that more than half of the 504 primate species were left out of the research literature, with only 13% focused on chimpanzees. The study highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect endangered primate species and their habitats.
Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that intensive blood pressure control is associated with fewer white matter lesions and a slightly greater decrease in brain volume than standard blood pressure control. This could lead to lower risks of dementia and cognitive impairment.
Researchers found that a short online growth mindset intervention improved key predictors of high school graduation and college success, especially when supported by a school culture. Lower-achieving students earned higher grade points in core academic subjects and were more likely to take harder classes.
A new vaccine candidate, DS-Cav1, has shown promising results in a Phase 1 human clinical trial, eliciting large increases in RSV-neutralizing antibodies that were sustained for several months. The vaccine's structure-based design approach aims to overcome the challenges of traditional methods in creating an RSV vaccine.
A recent study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that a priority rule for organ donors could lead to a decline in the quality of donated organs. The researchers propose a solution of a 'freeze period' to ensure a higher organ supply without compromising quality.
Researchers at UT Austin aim to develop a lithium-ion battery that requires no cobalt while maintaining high energy density. A $3 million collaborative project funded by the US Department of Energy seeks to demonstrate low-cobalt battery technology in large cells and create a cobalt-free battery.
A study from the University of Texas at Austin found a strong correlation between marital infidelity and professional misconduct. Researchers analyzed data from police officers, financial advisers, and CEOs to discover that individuals who cheated on their spouses were more likely to engage in corporate misconduct.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin develops a predictive model for sorting delinquent credit card users into categories based on their likelihood of paying back overdue debt. The model can help banks determine when to chase debts and when to let them go, reducing financial risks and uncertainty.
A comprehensive map of over 250 faults has identified the Fort Worth Basin as highly susceptible to seismic activity, with many small faults potentially capable of triggering earthquakes. The study recommends increased regulation and monitoring of wastewater injection to minimize the risk of induced seismicity.
A study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews found that bathing 1-2 hours before bedtime in water of 104-109 degrees Fahrenheit can significantly improve sleep quality. This is due to the cooling effect on the body, which regulates the circadian cycle and helps with rapid sleep onset.
A team of UT Austin chemists has received a $1 million grant to develop an innovative new coating for silicon-based solar cells that could increase their efficiency by up to 20%. The coating uses organic dyes to convert more sunlight into electricity, reducing heat losses and energy inefficiencies.
Rowan Martindale received a $570,000 NSF CAREER Grant to study ancient ocean ecosystems' responses to rapid global change. Her research focuses on the Early Jurassic's Moroccan High Atlas Mountains ecosystem collapse, which parallels modern climate change impacts.
Researchers at UT Austin have discovered a method to extract natural gas from methane hydrate deposits while capturing CO2, a greenhouse gas. This process involves injecting air and CO2 into the deposits, which helps to stabilize the environment and increase energy efficiency.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a scheduling algorithm that enables patients to see multiple clinicians in one visit, improving coordinated care and reducing wait times. The integrated practice unit model streamlines appointments and minimizes redundancy.
A new wearable technology made from stretchy material can accurately monitor heart health for days, surpassing existing electrocardiograph machines. The device measures cardiac health in two ways, taking electrocardiograph and seismocardiograph readings simultaneously.
Researchers found that free product consumers are more likely to give word-of-mouth boosts than paid product buyers. This is because they feel a sense of reciprocity and obligation to producers and other consumers.
Researchers analyzed over 400,000 sets of questions and answers on Stack Exchange to discover a 'politeness bias' where users prefer respectful responses, even when content isn't the most useful. The study's findings suggest that Q&A platforms should display more votes and consider renaming the 'best answer' feature to reduce bias.
A new device for collecting and purifying water, developed at the University of Texas at Austin, uses a rose-inspired design to improve upon current methods. The device can produce more than half a gallon of water per hour per square meter and removes contamination from heavy metals and bacteria.
Newly discovered layers of ice on Mars reveal a record of past climate and could hold the key to understanding if the planet was ever habitable. The ice reserves are estimated to be as much as 90% water, equivalent to a global layer 1.5 meters deep.
Immunologists from The University of Texas at Austin captured a first-ever video of T-cells undergoing assassin-training in the body's safety test. The new imaging technique holds promise for improving human health by better understanding T-cell development and function in autoimmune disorders like Type 1 diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed an AI agent that can gather visual information and reconstruct a full 360-degree image of its surroundings. The agent uses deep learning to choose the most informative shots, similar to how humans would take pictures in different directions based on prior experience.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Johns Hopkins University have identified 25 US counties at high risk for measles outbreaks. The analysis considered international travel and vaccination rates, predicting over 1,000 cases in the US this year.
Researchers found that heated political discourse over proposed laws involving marginalized groups, such as LGBT people, contributes to an increase in bullying linked to students' identity in schools. Campuses with Gay Straight Alliance clubs experienced lower rates of homophobic bullying.
Researchers found that Texas' major rivers produce enough water to store almost two-thirds of the state's flow capacity. Capturing this water could partially mitigate floods and droughts. The study's discovery fills a niche in understanding the potential for aquifer storage projects across the state.
The World Economic Forum has announced a new Space Sustainability Rating system to address growing space traffic and debris in Earth's orbit. The rating will assess satellite operators' environmental impact, with the goal of reducing congestion and promoting sustainability.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin examines the role of geologic conditions in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The research, published in Scientific Reports, reveals a significant drop in pore pressure near the bottom of the well, leading to a controversial cement decision that contributed to the blowout.
A new $1.8 million grant will aid in developing personalized treatments for Crohn's disease through the use of a gut-on-a-chip system, which mimics human gut structure and function. The goal is to uncover triggers and develop more effective therapies, ultimately improving health outcomes.
The GRACE twin satellite system has contributed nearly two decades of crucial data to our understanding of global climate patterns. The mission has recorded three times the mass of ice lost in polar and mountainous regions, and enabled a measure of heat added to oceans.
Population health departments within US medical centers are rapidly evolving to address clinical and social determinants of health. The study highlights five primary opportunities for US medical schools to advance population health, including promoting a holistic view of health, engaging community residents and leaders, supporting heal...
A collection of 4,000 fossils from the Texas Gulf Coast 11-12 million years ago reveals a diverse ecosystem with species like elephants, rhinos, and alligators. The fossils also include horse breeds, camels, and several carnivores.
A new method for measuring semiconductor material quality has been developed, enabling the characterization of materials at scales much smaller than current technologies. This will accelerate the discovery and investigation of 2D, micro- and nanoscale materials.
A new study finds that evolution is the key to understanding the 'speed limit' of recovery after mass extinctions, with a minimum time of 10 million years for species diversity to return. This finding has implications for ongoing extinction events driven by climate change.
Neuroscientists identify 'extinction neurons' in the hippocampus that suppress fearful memories, but can also lead to relapse when activated. This discovery may help explain why exposure therapy sometimes stops working and could lead to new treatment options.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that incentivizing workers to produce a large number of ideas, even mediocre ones, leads to increased creative output. After an incubation period, participants who were rewarded for quantity produced more and better ideas than th...
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe found that antibodies from previous exposures to flu viruses can enhance the immune system's response to new strains, potentially reducing the need for annual vaccinations. The researchers discovered that more than 70% of persistent antibodies targeted invariant parts of the virus.
A study published in Journal of Neuroscience found that replacing expected aversive events with neutral tones can improve PTSD treatment outcomes. By changing how the brain learns to respond to fearful conditions, researchers hope to develop a new approach to exposure therapy.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin studied how parent-child collaboration influences children's learning behavior, particularly in a real-world setting. Parents who encouraged their children to explain or explore showed unique effects on child behaviors, with those who explored building more complex gear machines.