A team of computer scientists found that mass extinctions can speed up evolution in robots, leading to more efficient and creative problem-solving. The study, published in PLOS ONE, used simulations to demonstrate how extinction events promote the emergence of novel features and abilities.
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin pioneered a new technique to track subglacial discharge in tidewater glaciers. This method is essential for understanding how glaciers are melting and changing due to climate shifts.
A recent study found that sex differences in mate preferences are much larger than previously appreciated and stable across cultures. Men generally favor younger, physically attractive mates, while women seek older, financially secure partners. These findings highlight the significant role of gender in shaping human mating behavior.
Researchers found that children adapt their behavior to different goals, showcasing flexible social learning skills. The study suggests that humans are well-equipped to acquire and adapt cultural norms from previous generations.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed smart window materials that can control light and energy efficiency, allowing for precise indoor climate control. The new materials enable 90% NIR and 80% visible light blocking, reducing energy costs for cooling buildings and homes.
Researchers found evidence of six large earthquakes in western Solomon Islands over the past 3,000 years, including five that were as large or larger than a devastating 2007 earthquake. The study used corals to analyze seismic events and provide insight into the relationship between earthquakes and long-term geological processes.
Scientists discover corals are already adapting to global warming through genetic variants that allow them to tolerate warmer waters. By exchanging coral immigrants, humans can help spread these heat-tolerant genes and boost reef survival.
A new laser-based technique called multi-exposure speckle imaging (MESI) aims to provide accurate blood flow measurements during neurosurgery. The technology has the potential to transform images and enable surgeons to distinguish healthy arteries from blocked ones, allowing for better assessment of problem areas.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin used an FDA-approved antihypertensive drug to erase memories associated with cocaine and alcohol addiction in rats. The treatment reversed rewired brain circuits involved in reward learning, suggesting a potential breakthrough in preventing relapses.
Researchers found that women with below-average heart rate variability were more likely to experience difficulties with sexual arousal, highlighting the link between physiological and psychological factors in female sexuality. The study's findings could lead to the development of new treatments for female sexual dysfunction.
Scientists identified a microscopic structure in worms called C. elegans as the first sensor of the Earth's magnetic field. This discovery sheds light on how animals like geese and sea turtles navigate using the magnetic field, which varies from spot to spot on Earth.
A team of researchers found that improving air quality worldwide could reduce pollution-related deaths by millions of people each year. Meeting the World Health Organization's particulate air quality guidelines could prevent up to 2.1 million deaths annually.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a groundbreaking new energy-absorbing structure called negative stiffness (NS) honeycombs. These structures can provide repeated protection from multiple impacts, offering more durability than existing honeycomb technology.
A NASA spacecraft will use radar equipment developed in Antarctica to scan Europa for potential water plumes and habitable conditions, driven by evidence of an ocean beneath the thick ice cover.
A new study has successfully detected epigenetic marks in 29 out of 30 ancient human remains from five North American archaeological sites, spanning over 4,500 years. The findings could provide insights into how past environments affected the physical traits and health of ancient populations.
Researchers discovered hundreds of genes from an ancestor shared by humans and yeast that remain unchanged over time. The study enables the use of humanized yeast to better understand genetic disorders and test new therapies.
A study by University of Texas at Austin economists found that banning cellphones in schools increases student test scores, with a 6.41% improvement in overall performance. Low-achieving and special education needs students saw the greatest gains, with test score improvements of 14.23% and 10-12%, respectively.
Researchers discovered that certain bacteria can block their own growth and that of resistant mutants, providing a potential new strategy to combat antibiotic resistance. This finding could lead to improved treatments for infections caused by resistant bacteria.
Researchers developed a centimeter-accurate GPS-based positioning system that could revolutionize virtual reality and mobile devices. The system, called GRID, can extract precise measurements from low-cost antennas, making it economically feasible for mobile devices.
A detailed genetic road map of Upland cotton has been created to improve crop yields, reduce water usage, and minimize pesticide applications. The new sequence will enable researchers to better understand the interactions between genes that determine fiber production and oil content in seeds.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin found that Typhoon Haiyan's storm surge contaminated two aquifers on the island of Samar, with one taking up to 10 years to recover. The study highlights the need for strategies to mitigate groundwater contamination in coastal areas affected by climate change.
A team of scientists plans to take core samples from the Chicxulub impact crater, 65.5 million years old and associated with the mass extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs. The expedition will aim to uncover details about the impact and shed light on the mechanisms of large impacts on Earth and other rocky planets.
The University of Texas at Austin researcher is working on developing small-molecule inhibitors that counter antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. The goal is to create a suite of drugs for treating bacterial infections resistant to most antibiotics.
Researchers developed a new yeast strain that can produce lipids at a higher rate, making it a viable platform for turning sugar into biofuels. The strain can also be used to produce oleochemicals, chemicals traditionally derived from plant and animal fats and petroleum.
A study found that men are attracted to women with a specific angle of lumbar curvature, which would have supported pregnant women during childbirth. This preference has evolutionary roots and is not related to buttock size.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method to test the most common cause of life-threatening infection in people with cystic fibrosis. The approach allows scientists to identify several genes necessary for Pseudomonas aeruginosa survival, improving efforts to study and combat the illness.
Researchers estimate that newly infected individuals with HIV are less likely to spread the virus to others during the acute phase of infection, which may improve strategies to control HIV's spread. This finding bolsters the approach of treating patients with antiretroviral drugs before the onset of AIDS to prevent transmission.
Researchers discovered two seafloor gateways that allow warm ocean water to reach the base of Totten Glacier in East Antarctica. This finding explains the glacier's rapid thinning and raises concerns about sea level rise. The study highlights the importance of understanding the role of oceanic gateways in glacier melting.
A new study suggests that CO2 increases could intensify extreme droughts in tropical and subtropical regions, such as Australia and the Amazon. The Hadley Circulation is expected to continue expanding and strengthening due to warming climate conditions.
Scientists have discovered a new way to manipulate how cells function, improving the efficiency of DNA vaccines and gene therapy. The new method boosts protein production by up to 20 times, potentially leading to stronger immune responses and reduced side effects.
Nearly 3 in 5 pregnant teens report using substances in the previous 12 months, with alcohol and cannabis being the most commonly used. Engaged parents and academically involved teens show lower rates of substance use during pregnancy.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin developed the first silicene transistors, made of one-atom-thick silicon material. The breakthrough paves the way for faster and energy-efficient computer chips.
Researchers analyzed sediments from Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana, to reconstruct precipitation patterns in West Africa over the past 20,000 years. The study suggests that the African monsoon's response to climate forcing is more complex than previously understood, with a gradual decrease and southward migration over several thousand years.
A new network of underground sensors in the Texas Hill Country is connected to NASA's SMAP satellite, providing vital information for determining drought and dangerous floods. The Texas Soil Observation Network will help answer questions about how much rainfall gets soaked up by the soil and how much fills reservoirs.
Researchers discovered that EBV microRNAs block a key component of the human immune system called interferon response. This finding explains why some cancer therapies fail in certain cases and may lead to new treatments for viral cancers.
A new computational technique developed at UT Austin has enabled the construction of an avian tree of life that sheds light on bird evolution, including a 'big bang' in timing and rearranged evolutionary relationships. The study analyzed entire bird genomes, providing new insights into song pattern recognition and other traits.
Researchers found that a small group of pneumatic devices and wells with frequent liquid unloadings are responsible for the vast majority of methane emissions from natural gas production sites. The study confirms regional differences in methane emission levels, with highest emissions in the Gulf Coast and lowest in the Rocky Mountains.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified a network of genes associated with alcohol dependence. The researchers found that certain sets of genes were co-expressed together in individuals who consumed the most alcohol, but not in non-alcoholics. This discovery could lead to better screenings and treatments for alcoholism.
A study found that women in positions of power exhibit more symptoms of depression, while men with similar authority levels have fewer symptoms. The researchers suggest that women face chronic stress due to negative stereotypes and resistance from colleagues and superiors.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a radically smaller, more efficient radio wave circulator that could double useful bandwidth in wireless communications. The new circulator enables full-duplex functionality, allowing devices to transmit and receive signals on the same frequency band simultaneously.
Researchers found that humans have less diverse gut microbiomes than African apes, with a possible link to modern diets and lifestyle changes. The rate of change in microbial diversity accelerated in humans from some parts of the world, potentially leading to negative health effects.
A non-injectable vaccine has been shown to provide long-term protection for non-human primates against the Ebola virus. The breathable vaccine overcomes logistical obstacles of storing and administering injectable vaccines in affected areas.
A new analysis suggests a massive tectonic shift may have led to the sudden appearance of almost all modern animal groups, contradicting Charles Darwin's hypothesis of gradual evolution. Fossil records from the Cambrian explosion document rapid evolution of life on Earth.
Researchers documented the rapid evolution of native Florida lizards, shifting their perching habits and adapting their feet to better grip thinner branches. Within 15 years and 20 generations, their toe pads became larger with more sticky scales, allowing them to outcompete the invasive species.
A research team led by UT Austin is studying frozen methane under the Gulf of Mexico, a substance with huge potential to increase the world's energy supply. The four-year project will acquire intact samples to better understand how to produce these deposits and unlock their enormous energy resources.
A study found that brain mechanisms engaged during mental rest and reflection can strengthen memories of events and retention of information, leading to better future learning. Researchers used brain scans to show that participants who reflected on earlier learning tasks performed better on later tests.
Researchers directly observed multiple parts of Greenland's subglacial plumbing system and found that it adapts to increased meltwater over the course of the summer season. The findings suggest that a component of the system is changing in response to climate change, potentially slowing down the ice sheet's movement towards the sea.
Research finds increasing variability in coastal upwelling currents linked to short-term declines in fish growth and seabird reproduction. Tree ring data reveals 4 out of 10 most extreme poor upwelling years occurred since 1950, highlighting the importance of upwelling for ecosystem conservation.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin finds that adolescent girls from economically disadvantaged families are more likely to become overweight or obese in adulthood. The research highlights the long-lasting consequences of economic hardship in childhood for obesity risk and social disadvantage in adulthood.
Researchers found that African Americans and Caribbean blacks who experience discrimination are at higher risk for anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. The type and frequency of discrimination matter, with hostile and character-based discrimination placing adults at considerable risk for mental health problems.