Researchers at UT Austin developed an ancient enzyme that detects full range of RNAs with high accuracy, improving cancer diagnosis. The enzyme, TGIRTs, can be used to monitor disease progression and response to treatment.
Scientists improve drought prediction for La Niña events with two new studies, predicting a second year of drought due to the current La Niña. The research found that La Niña's impact on atmospheric circulation and southern U.S. drought becomes stronger in the second year.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin discovered that tiny bees, no bigger than a grain of rice, promote long-distance pairings between trees. These small pollinators aid in preventing inbreeding among closely related plants, ensuring a thriving new generation of offspring.
Research led by the University of Texas at Austin found that strong winds over the Southern Ocean bring warm water to East Antarctica's Totten Glacier, causing it to melt from below. The glacier's contribution to global sea level rise will likely increase as winds intensify.
Scientists discovered a small genetic mutation in poison frogs that prevents the toxin epibatidine from binding to their own receptors, rendering them resistant to its lethal effects. This finding has potential consequences for designing better pain relievers and fighting nicotine addiction, as the same receptor is also involved in the...
A new study found that nearly half of women requesting early medication abortion cited access barriers due to long waiting times, distance, or work commitments. Thirty percent related to privacy concerns, including lack of confidentiality and stigma, with eighteen percent involving controlling circumstances like partner violence.
Research found that transgender adolescents are up to four times more likely to engage in substance use and nearly double the risk of suicidal thoughts compared to non-transgender peers. School-based victimization and depression were significant factors contributing to these disparities.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that spouses with a satisfying social network experience lower levels of physiological stress during marital conflicts. Having even a few close friends or family members to talk to outside of their marriage alleviates tension.
Scientists have documented a clear-cut instance of a massive earthquake triggering slow slip events in New Zealand, some occurring as far away as 300 miles from the epicenter. This study provides new insights into the relationships between slow slip events and earthquakes.
Researchers found that big data analytics can amplify existing policing practices, leading to more marginalization and distrust. The influx of personal data enables law enforcement to surveil communities more easily, but also raises concerns about the use of objective crime data and predictive algorithms.
Researchers at UT Austin found that fossilized hair is extremely rare, unlike feathers, due to its composition and preservation conditions. The team analyzed a massive database of fossilized body coverings to determine the frequency of different types of body coverings in exceptional sites.
Researchers found that reusing produced water from hydraulic fracturing sites can reduce water management issues and potentially induced seismicity. The study analyzed 10 years of water data, revealing a significant difference in water use between conventional and unconventional wells.
A team of scientists at UT Austin has developed a handheld instrument that rapidly and accurately diagnoses cancerous tissue during surgery. The MasSpec Pen is over 96% accurate and can detect cancer in marginal regions, potentially improving treatment and reducing recurrence rates.
Ecologists have developed a new framework for understanding relationships among animals, plants, and their environments, enabling predictions about species' reactions to changing climates. The periodic table of ecological niches, built from decades of fieldwork data, reveals convergent evolution in lizards across continents.
Research has found that ancient coral reefs were bolstered by their bond with red algae, which also strengthens them today. The study suggests that understanding this relationship is crucial for preserving coral reefs in the face of climate change.
Researchers used Stampede2 supercomputer to forecast solar eclipse corona, shedding light on sun's structure and space weather. The simulations, completed with NASA's Pleiades and other computers, provided highly detailed models of the sun's surface and predicted the solar corona's appearance during the Aug. 21 eclipse.
Researchers have discovered a potent pain reliever, UKH-1114, that targets the sigma 2 receptor to alleviate neuropathic pain. The compound is as effective as gabapentin but works at a lower dose and longer duration, offering a potential alternative to opioids.
Researchers found that stress levels and time since an adverse event can lead to the misidentification of harmless cues as threats, exacerbating anxiety disorders. The study provides new insights into how the human mind generalizes fear and could inform better treatments for PTSD.
A study found that oil impairs coral reef fish ability to find homes and evade predators, affecting their behavior and growth. The impact of oil on coral reefs could be catastrophic, with many people relying on these ecosystems for food and income.
A recent fossil site discovery reveals that low oxygen levels during the Early Jurassic led to a stressed marine ecosystem, with only a few species surviving. The study tracks how this event impacted local communities, including a collapse of fish populations and changes in species composition.
New research on Titan's lakes reveals that most waves reach only about 1 centimeter high, making it a serene environment suitable for safe landing of future probes. The study suggests that the winds are likely low, with patches of smooth and rough surfaces detected.
A species of millipede called Pneumodesmus newmani was once believed to be the world's oldest known air-breathing land creature, but a new study reveals it is actually around 14 million years younger and cannot be considered as such.
A new study reveals that a mass extinction 66 million years ago sparked an explosion of new frog species on different continents. The research, compiled by scientists from the University of Texas at Austin and other institutions, provides the most accurate frog family tree to date.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a technique that can spot editing mistakes made by CRISPR, allowing for more precise gene therapies. The method involves rapidly testing a CRISPR molecule across a person's entire genome to foresee potential interactions.
New research highlights the economic impact of bullying on schools, with 10.4% of students missing school due to feeling unsafe and up to $276 million in lost revenue each year in California public schools. Schools can take steps to create a safe environment through professional anti-bullying training and decreasing racism.
Researchers at UT Austin discovered systematic laws for perception in natural scenes, predicting object detection based on background properties. This finding has potential applications in radiology, security imaging, and camouflage design.
A new study warns that hundreds of built and proposed hydroelectric dams in the Amazon basin will harm life and ecosystems. The dams, which are expected to provide renewable energy, will trap sediment and alter river dynamics, putting thousands of species at risk.
A team of marine scientists developed an inexpensive yet accurate method to estimate the number of fish in a spawning aggregation based on their mating calls. This technology can help fisheries managers design effective management practices and monitor the ongoing health of a fishery, protecting endangered species from overfishing.
Effective SEL programs focus on improving emotional environments, values, and mindsets rather than just teaching skills, according to UT Austin psychology assistant professor David Yeager. These approaches help teens find purpose in learning and communities, leading to improved academic performance and social-emotional well-being.
A new technique uses magnetic nanoparticles to separate oil from water through electrostatic force and a magnet, showing promise for improving water treatment in oil and gas production. The researchers believe their method could also be used to treat millions of gallons of fresh water and clean drinking water.
A devastating combination of El Niño and global warming led to extreme temperatures in April 2016 in Southeast Asia, breaking all previous records. Long-term warming has played an increasing role in rising April temperatures, exacerbating energy consumption, crop production disruptions, and human discomfort.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin identified several plant-based compounds that can prevent or slow down prostate cancer growth. The study found that combining these compounds, such as ursolic acid and curcumin, with glutamine can block the nutrient uptake needed by prostate cancer cells.
Researchers create most detailed and extensive local map of air pollution ever produced for an urban area, mapping air quality on a block-by-block basis. The study reveals air pollution can vary dramatically even within a single city block.
Researchers found that immigrants to a new environment can survive and even reproduce better than the local population when they are rare. This is due to their unique immune system, which allows them to avoid competition for food and evade parasites. The study has implications for species restoration and conservation efforts.
Researchers have identified key genes that control epigenetic modifications in wild and domesticated cotton, opening the door to new breeding techniques. By targeting these genes, breeders may be able to create crops with improved traits such as increased fiber yield and drought resistance.
Researchers used Pan-STARRS telescope data to search for stars crashing into hard surfaces around supermassive black holes. No such transients were detected, supporting the existence of event horizons. The team plans to improve the test with a larger telescope.
Researchers found that soil microbes respond differently to shifts in moisture, with those from wetter areas respiring twice as much carbon to the atmosphere. This discovery suggests historical rainfall levels can impact climate modeling, improving predictions of local or regional differences in soil respiration and climate history.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have made a breakthrough in understanding how bacterial biofilms form, suggesting a new approach to preventing these deadly infections. By developing coatings for medical devices that block the trigger mechanism, biofilm-related hospital-borne infections could be sharply reduced.
A new study published in The BMJ found that medication abortion self-sourced and self-managed outside the formal healthcare setting was successful in 95% of cases. Women were able to recognize symptoms of complications and seek medical attention when needed, with only three percent requiring antibiotics.
A decision aid and support strategy increased screening completion among patients with historically lower screening rates, with 68% screened for colorectal cancer within six months. The intervention provided clear information about screening options and personalized support, facilitating shared decision-making with physicians.
Researchers examined rock samples from the Earth's mantle and found that water penetrated deep into the crust and upper mantle, cooling almost instantly. The discovery supports one side of a long-standing debate on crust formation and could have implications for fighting climate change.
High testosterone levels are associated with competitive, status-seeking social behaviors, while low testosterone is linked to cooperative behaviors. Researchers found that mixed populations with a balance of high and low-testosterone individuals are more likely to form effective social hierarchies.
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin identified four glaciers in West Greenland most susceptible to thinning due to their unique shapes. These glaciers, including Jakobshavn Isbræ and Rink Isbræ, are at risk of significant ice mass loss and contribute to future sea-level rise.
Researchers at UT Austin have developed a material that can detect a wide range of chemicals quickly and cheaply, leading to major public health gains. The innovation enables rapid on-site detection of chemicals, reducing costs associated with cleaning up spills, remediating sites, and operating medical imaging devices.
A new study at the University of Texas at Austin reveals that humans have an adaptive coordinate system that rescales its internal map according to the environment's size. This flexibility allows humans to navigate diverse places with ease. The research provides valuable insights into the human memory and spatial navigation, shedding l...
A new method, referred to as quantitative criticism, is used to analyze relationships among ancient Latin and Greek texts, mapping the cultural evolution of literature. The study provides new evidence for the impact of writers such as Caesar and Livy on Roman prose literature.
A new study from UT Austin found that impostor feelings worsen the effects of perceived discrimination on depression and anxiety among ethnic minority college students, especially African Americans. Researchers recommend including impostorism in mental health assessments to help overcome discriminatory experiences.
Researchers discovered five species of bacteria that have been passed down from generation to generation in social bees for 80 million years. These symbiotic bacteria are a key part of the biology of social bees and can cause health problems if disrupted.
A study published in the Journal of Human Evolution confirms that human skull evolution is linked to two-legged walking. Researchers found a forward-shifted foramen magnum in 77 mammal species, including humans, kangaroos, and springhares, indicating a common trait among bipedal mammals.
The study found two distinct extinction events linked to climate change, which slowed the world's recovery after the 'Great Dying'. The evidence suggests that modern ocean life evolved during this recovery period, and may respond similarly to current climate change.