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.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a solar-powered moisture harvester that captures and cleans water from the air using hydrogels. The system can produce up to 50 liters of clean water per kilogram of hydrogel, making it a promising solution for disaster situations, water crises, or poverty-stricken areas.
A new study found that restrictive abortion laws led to delayed access to care and increased second-trimester abortions in Texas. Women facing barriers were more likely to have second-trimester abortions due to distance, clinic density, and wait times.
The discovery of fossilized monkey teeth in West Turkana, Kenya, fills a 6-million-year gap in Old World monkey evolution. The newly found teeth, belonging to the species Alophia metios, have primitive dentition, lacking 'lophs,' and are believed to be adapted to a diet of hard fruits, seeds, and nuts.
Researchers identified a brain circuit in singing mice that enables high-speed conversation-like exchanges, providing insights into the causes of speech disorders. The study uses Alston's singing mice as a novel mammalian model to examine brain mechanisms behind vocal turn-taking.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin found that medication abortion use increased to 33% after the FDA label change, despite ongoing restrictions. The study reveals that Texas providers can now offer medication abortion consistent with medical evidence, increasing options for women.
Researchers confirm existence of 'quantum critical point' at high temperatures, believed to be the moment when superconductivity occurs. The discovery is a significant step towards understanding and creating room-temperature superconductors.
Researchers found that older adults with diverse social connections were more physically active and had greater emotional well-being. They engaged in a variety of activities, such as leaving the house and talking to others, and reported fewer negative feelings.
Research led by UT Austin found that Ceres' crust keeps cryomagma liquid for up to 10 million years after impact, contradicting earlier estimates. The discovery helps scientists understand primary forces driving volcanic activity and could shed light on Europa's potential for life.
New research confirms that President Trump and leaders like him are part of a long-term trend towards intuitive thinking in politics. The study found that low analytic thinking and high clout are becoming more common globally, particularly in the US and Canada.
A new study found that LGBTQ youths are more likely to end up in foster care or unstable housing, suffering negative outcomes such as substance abuse and mental health issues. The research, published in Pediatrics, analyzed data from over 593,000 California youths and revealed that nearly 30% of those living in foster care identified a...
Researchers found a direct connection between river bend curvature and migration rate, with sharper bends causing higher erosion rates and faster migrations. The study used satellite data to track river migration in the Amazon Basin over 30 years.
Research suggests that coral species living alone may survive climate change better than those in reef communities. However, these isolated lifestyles could lead to bleak future ecosystems without reefs.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that exercising regularly is linked to better eating habits, with participants more likely to choose foods like lean meats and fruits and vegetables after exercise.
A new noninvasive technique has been developed to simulate repairs to the heart's mitral valve with high levels of accuracy. This will enable surgeons to provide patient-specific treatments, potentially reducing recurrence rates after surgery.
The study found that during the Pleistocene ice age, sediments in the Gulf of Mexico came primarily from the Mississippi River, which collected sediments from across North America. The research provides new insight into how climate change affects geological processes and their impact on environments.
Researchers at UT Austin develop a new method to build synthetic protein structures, allowing for the creation of nanomachines and other complex systems. The 'SUpercharged PRotein Assembly' (SuPrA) method mimics nature's way of forming molecular machines, enabling flexible and self-assembling structures.
Three new species of groundwater salamanders discovered in Central Texas, including one critically endangered, have been identified as highly vulnerable to extinction. The discovery highlights the need to protect these keystone species, which maintain aquifer ecosystem health.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a new computer modeling approach to investigate the connection between tiny tremors and devastating megathrust earthquakes. The study shows that changes in crustal stress state occur before major earthquakes, providing valuable insights into the forces driving these events.
Researchers found that a specific set of genes and brain activity changes occurred in all species undergoing evolutionary transitions to monogamy, suggesting a universal formula for complex social behaviors. The study covers 450 million years of evolution, spanning multiple species, including mammals, birds, frogs, and fish.
A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that openness-related traits like curiosity and confidence are linked to better performance in math and reading. Executive functioning was also strongly associated with academic skills, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Two UT Austin engineers, Hal Alper and Alex Huang, have been selected as fellows in the prestigious National Academy of Inventors. Their research has led to significant innovations in biochemical engineering and power semiconductor device technology, resulting in seven U.S.-issued patents and technologies licensed to several companies.
A new study reveals that the Indian Ocean played a far greater role in driving climate change during the last ice age and may disrupt climate again in the future. The research found that changes in ocean temperatures and winds drove radical climate shifts, challenging Pacific-centric theories.
A new study found that urban frogs have more conspicuous and complex vocal calls, making them more attractive to females. In contrast, the simpler calls of forest frogs are less appealing.
Ning Jiang, a UT Austin researcher, will investigate immune cell behavior in neurodegenerative diseases with a $2.5 million grant. This funding supports a collaborative project aiming to improve understanding of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
The Launch Years initiative, supported by a $6.68 million grant, seeks to address barriers in math progress between high school and college. It rethinks current structures and policies to create new pathways for more students, including first-generation college students and those from low-income families, to thrive in college.
Researchers found that spinal cord injuries disrupt circadian rhythms of hormones, body temperature and movement, resulting in widespread disruption throughout the body. This could lead to new recovery efforts targeting daily schedules, sleep, physical rehabilitation and bright light.
A recent study from the University of Texas at Austin found that two-thirds of low-income women in Texas did not receive their preferred form of contraception at their six-week postpartum visit. Women who wanted IUDs or implants faced significant difficulties accessing these highly effective methods, with only ten percent receiving the...
A new study by University of Texas at Austin researchers reveals that the primary driver of solutal convection in porous media is not density, but mechanical dispersion. The findings contradict decades of scientific consensus and have significant implications for CO2 sequestration and other applications.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered nearly two dozen new types of microbes that use hydrocarbons as energy sources. These microbes may be helping to limit greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and could potentially clean up oil spills.
New research found that overflowing crater lakes on Mars carved canyons rapidly, possibly in weeks, using high-resolution satellite images. This process likely played a major role in shaping Mars' surface without plate tectonics.
A new study by University of Texas at Austin researchers links sediment movement to continental drift speed, suggesting a key role for feedback mechanisms. The findings challenge existing ideas on plate interaction and may explain variations in plate speeds, such as India's rapid northward acceleration.
Researchers found spotted seatrout continued spawning in late August 2017 during Hurricane Harvey, with the storm only briefly disrupting their pattern. This finding suggests these fish are well-suited to handle changing conditions and may be key indicators of climate resilience.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin found that where produced water is stored underground increases earthquake risk. The research identified factors that can help reduce seismicity, including managing injection rates and regional volumes.
Research led by the University of Texas at Austin found that giant flightless birds had tiny brains processing vision, indicating a nocturnal lifestyle. The findings also revealed differences in olfactory bulbs between species, suggesting distinct habitats.
The University of Texas at Austin will be a key player in LaserNetUS, a new national network of institutions operating high-intensity lasers. UT Austin's Texas Petawatt Laser will collaborate with leading optical and plasma physics scientists from around the US to advance research.
Researchers used human organ-on-a-chip technology to investigate the mechanism of disease development and found that probiotics can cause more harm than good when the gut barrier is compromised. The study confirms that intestinal barrier disruption is the onset initiator of gut inflammation, a key factor in many diseases.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a near-infrared laser that can change the size and shape of a block of gel-like material while human or bacterial cells grow on it. This tool holds promise for biomedical researchers seeking to shed light on how to grow replacement tissues and organs.
A new protein sequencing method has been developed, enabling the identification of individual protein molecules with high sensitivity and throughput. This advance has the potential to reveal new biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and enhance understanding of healthy cell function.
Research from the LBJ School of Public Affairs found that Northern Ireland's strict abortion laws have negative consequences for women's physical and mental well-being. Women often face barriers to accessing care, including fear of prosecution, lack of clarity on healthcare provider duties, and challenges in arranging travel or childcare.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin found that proposed Title X guidelines restricting abortion counseling and referrals may adversely impact pregnant women's health care. The study, published in Contraception, compares pregnancy options counseling and referral practices at state-funded and federal organizations.
A new anatomical description of the car-sized sauropod relative Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis has shed light on its evolutionary changes and potential clues to why some dinosaurs got so big. The fossils, discovered in Arizona, provide a rare glimpse into the anatomy of these massive creatures.
Livia Schiavinato Eberlin has developed the MasSpec Pen, a tool that enables surgeons to rapidly differentiate cancerous tissue from healthy tissue in patients. Her research aims to improve cancer diagnoses and treatment options using mass spectrometry imaging.
Researchers at UT Austin successfully demonstrated a novel approach to human-like balance in a biped robot, allowing it to dynamically balance without ankle control. The technique uses whole-body controllers and inverse kinematics to mimic human movement, with implications for robots in emergency response, defense, and entertainment.
Researchers analyzed 214 studies on 91,338 adolescents to find that racial and ethnic discrimination influences all aspects of daily life and well-being. Discrimination is linked to poorer mental health, lower academic achievement, and more negative behaviors.
The Center for Materials for Water and Energy Systems (M-WET) will develop next-generation polymer membrane-based water purification technologies to tackle complex waters in energy production, reuse, and industrial applications. Researchers aim to address fundamental science knowledge gaps and overcome fouling challenges.
Researchers discover birds evolved a new vocal organ, syrinx, instead of modifying an existing one. The syrinx raises questions about changes in bird vocalization over time and sheds light on mechanisms driving new structure development.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that exposure to glyphosate, a common weed killer, reduces healthy gut microbiota in honey bees and makes them more vulnerable to infection. This compromise can lead to bee deaths, particularly when exposed to opportunistic pathogens.
Researchers found that combining electronic health records with traditional surveillance data improves flu season forecasting accuracy. The most predictive data sets came from the CDC's ILINet and clinical lab data, which were combined with athenahealth's data for improved results.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a novel technique to switch the mechanical motion of nanomotors using visible light, opening doors to autonomous and intelligent machines. The method enables tunable speed and efficient control of nanomotors for various applications.