A new model by Carlos Botero suggests that animals with moderate behavioral flexibility can quickly adapt to environmental changes and evolve new forms, challenging the assumption that slow-evolving species are at higher risk from climate change. The model predicts that flexible lineages may fare better than previously thought.
Thorsten Becker, a professor at UT Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences, has been elected to the German Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina, one of the oldest and most prestigious academies in the world. He joins as only three geodynamicists ever elected, recognizing his outstanding contributions to solid Earth system science.
A team of paleontologists has uncovered fossilized remains of giant tortoises, armadillos, and other Ice Age animals in a Central Texas water cave. The discovery, published in Quaternary Research, provides new insights into the region's past environment and animal community.
A new species of baby dinosaur, Doolysaurus huhmini, has been discovered on Aphae Island in Korea, estimated to be around two years old. The fossil was analyzed using X-ray technology and revealed growth markers, gastroliths, and a possible fuzzy coat, providing insights into the dinosaur's diet and anatomy.
A new study found that climate action consistent with the two-degree-Celsius target would avoid more than 13.5 million premature deaths from air pollution between 2020 and 2050, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. However, the distribution of health gains depends on how the global mitigation burden is shared.
Researchers discover a potential chemotherapy agent that causes cancer cells to release signals similar to those released by infected cells, triggering an immune response. This finding could lead to a new approach in cancer treatment, using lower doses of chemotherapy drugs to recruit the immune system as an ally.
UT Austin researcher Arumugam Manthiram is working to advance lithium-ion battery technology by understanding the chemistry of oxide cathodes. His research aims to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly battery materials, addressing supply chain disruptions and high costs.
Researchers have successfully grown and harvested chickpeas using simulated moon dirt, demonstrating a key step towards establishing a sustainable food source on the lunar surface. The study found that mixtures of up to 75% moon dirt were suitable for producing harvestable chickpeas, with the addition of fungi enhancing plant health.
Astronomers have used Line Intensity Mapping to create the largest and most accurate 3D map of Lyman alpha emissions in the early universe, adding nuance to the formation of galaxies. The map reveals the location of fainter galaxies and gas, providing insight into the evolution of galaxies and the role of intergalactic gas.
Researchers find that personalized digital marketing can evoke a powerful emotional response, leading consumers to feel uncomfortable and less likely to make purchases. To mitigate this 'creepiness,' brands can focus on prevention by designing personalization practices that minimize ambiguity and avoid signals of intrusive surveillance.
Researchers observed a sequence of exotic magnetic phases in an ultrathin material, realizing a theoretical model of two-dimensional magnetism. The discovery may lead to new technologies by stabilizing magnetic vortices at nanoscale.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a high-resolution 3D map of the Andes virus, a crucial step towards developing vaccines and treatments against hantaviruses. The new structure allows for the design of effective vaccines and antibody therapies.
Researchers found that less transparency in bond markets can lead to better economic outcomes, as it imposes discipline on players and makes institutions more selective about bonds they buy. This is in contrast to the 2008 global financial crisis, which was triggered by too much public information and looser credit.
A new accounting technique can help close the gender pay gap by determining pay raises in terms of dollars rather than percentages. Research finds that this approach significantly reduces pay gaps, even when employees are doing different jobs.
Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin have solved the mystery of how complex life evolved. The discovery suggests that eukaryotes arose when an Asgard archaeon developed a symbiotic relationship with an alphaproteobacterium, which led to the evolution of mitochondria and oxygen-based energy metabolism.
Researchers propose a new explanation for wrinkly textures in rocks, suggesting that microbes lived in deepwater environments and used chemosynthetic energy. This finding could lead to a reevaluation of fossil records and the classification of ancient formations.
A new study assesses indoor heat vulnerability for each single-family home in Austin, finding that 85% of homes would pose significant risk to an elderly person during a power outage. The city can now take a methodical approach to mitigating risk through cooling centers and home weatherization programs.
Research from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that increased bank competition can result in higher interest rates for borrowers. With more banks competing for loans, each additional bank is associated with a 7 basis point increase in interest rates. This is due to the 'winner's curse' effect, where lenders become risk-averse ...
Researchers developed a new 3D printing method, CRAFT, that can create realistic models of body parts, including complex structures like bone and ligament. The method uses inexpensive commercial printers and widely available materials, enabling the creation of affordable and accurate replicas.
New research finds that antitrust enforcement against interlocking directorates has led to the departure of experienced directors, particularly at small companies. This loss of industry expertise may impair corporate governance and make it harder for firms to find qualified directors.
New research reveals that life rebounded astonishingly quickly after the asteroid impact, with new species of plankton emerging in fewer than 2,000 years. The study uses an isotope marker to determine the age of sediments and finds that complex life reestablished within a geologic heartbeat.
Researchers found that complexity, including ground truth, real-world complexity, and stakeholder involvement, are key factors in reducing AI biases. By accounting for these complexities, developers can create more fair AI models.
A new study warns that the U.S. government's fiscal capacity depends on the dominance of the U.S. dollar, and potential losses for bondholders could be significant if another currency replaces it. Historically, countries with a strong currency have experienced economic downturns when their dominance wanes.
Researchers have found that El Niño and La Niña are driving total water storage extremes globally, with a synchronizing effect on water storage across continents. The study uses gravity data from NASA's GRACE and GRACE Follow-On satellites to track water extremes and their connections.
The use of generative AI in software development can lead to increased productivity, but also creates technical debt and hasty coding if not managed properly. Companies must prioritize fixing technical debt, develop clear guidelines for AI-assisted coding, and train developers on the hazards of AI coding.
Researchers developed an engineered antibody that outsmarts cytomegalovirus by avoiding its immune evasion strategies and activating immune cells to attack infected cells. This breakthrough could lead to safer and more effective treatments for vulnerable populations.
New research from the University of Texas at Austin finds that knowledge scouts who work across multiple divisions are less effective in launching successful projects. The study highlights the challenges of managing knowledge scouts and recommends companies be more strategic in rotating them across projects and time.
Researchers used AI to identify a new viral surface protein that triggers the production of neutralizing antibodies, offering a breakthrough for developing effective vaccines and antibody therapies. The discovery could also provide insights into treating smallpox, a related virus posing a bioterrorism risk.
A study by Francisco Polidoro Jr. found that NASA's space shuttle design process used a meandering knowledge-building approach, combining oscillation and accumulation to create breakthroughs. This process can be applied to other fields, such as pharmaceuticals, where temporary setbacks can lead to new discoveries.
Researchers found that complexity can lead to bias in AI models, highlighting the need for better modeling of real-world complexities, input from diverse groups, and ground truths. By addressing these factors, developers can create more accurate and fair AI systems.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have mapped Mars' large river drainage systems, outlining 16 areas where life could have existed. These systems are crucial for understanding Martian habitability and potential past life.
A UT Austin study found that switching from whole-food beef to a plant-based meat substitute altered the types of fats in breast milk within six days. The study tested nutritionally balanced meals with identical macronutrients except for the protein source.
Researchers at UT Austin discovered that destroying ant nest structure prevents disease transmission, allowing natural pathogens to collapse infestations. The study's findings provide a reliable way to introduce biocontrol agents into uninfected colonies, making it easier to control the invasive species.
A new study reveals that many 401(k) plans include mutual funds with higher fees and lower performance due to revenue-sharing deals with plan administrators. Employees may unknowingly invest in these funds, leading to lost returns over time.
A new study from researchers at Dell Medical School found that AI-powered tools can improve patient decision-making and outcomes for knee replacement surgery. Patients who used the digital twin tool reported higher decision quality, less regret, and better knee function compared to those who received educational materials alone.
Researchers identified three types of online brand defenders: promoters (emotionally attached), justice promoters (fairness driven), and self-promoters (ego-driven). Companies can encourage promoters by acknowledging them, while justice promoters require a sense of fairness. Self-promoters are motivated by attention and rewards.
Research analyzed over 70,000 quarterly earnings announcements from US public companies between 2003 and 2021. It found investors do factor in costs like stock-based compensation when making informed decisions. The study suggests the current accounting rules are working as intended.
A new study by Yifan Yu offers guidance on how to deploy emotion AI in various scenarios, emphasizing the importance of balancing human involvement with AI's emotional detection capabilities. The analysis showed that emotion AI works best when integrated with human employees, and some scenarios are better handled by humans alone.
A new approach, epimodulation, has been developed to improve epidemiological forecasting models by incorporating critical pieces of understanding into the models. This approach increased model accuracy by up to 55% during epidemic peaks for hospital admission forecasts without reducing accuracy at non-peak times.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a novel gene-editing method that can correct multiple disease-causing mutations simultaneously. This approach uses bacterial retrons to protect the microbes from viral infection and has shown promising results in correcting scoliosis-causing mutations in zebrafish embryos.
Researchers used airborne radar to map an unexplored region in East Antarctica, discovering a subglacial sedimentary basin. The basal unit, a layer of ice, carried small amounts of material from a mountain range and left behind sediment, forming a novel kind of basin.
Researchers at UT Austin have developed a new cancer treatment that uses LED light and SnOx nanoflakes to precisely target cancer cells without harming healthy ones. The treatment achieved remarkable effectiveness in neutralizing colorectal and skin cancer cells, with up to 92% kill rate in just 30 minutes of exposure.
New supercomputer simulations from the Texas Advanced Computing Center have found improved estimates of ice mass Enceladus is losing to space. The findings help with understanding and future robotic exploration of what's below the surface of the icy moon, which might harbor life.
A recently discovered chain of events in a Chilean earthquake was found to have supercharged its strength, breaching temperatures above 650 degrees Celsius and leading to increased shaking. The study's findings have implications for future earthquake hazard assessments and could support emergency response and long-term planning.
The University of Texas at Austin has launched a new research consortium, COMPASS, to inform industry partners on options for more sustainable growth of the data center industry. The consortium aims to tackle obstacles and streamline responsible deployment of data centers across Texas.
Research from Texas McCombs reveals that trust-based messages delivered by credible sources increase the likelihood of women seeking life-saving exams. Peer-empowering messages led to the largest increase in adoption, challenging traditional strategies of relying on infographics or factual information.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a unique hybrid bird that combines characteristics of green and blue jays, sparking insights into the impact of climate change on biodiversity. The finding sheds light on how changes in weather patterns can lead to unexpected species interactions.
A new study highlights why kids' brain tumors need therapies designed for their unique biology, pointing to engineered immune cells and cancer vaccines as promising approaches. The review emphasizes the need for targeted treatments that recognize and fight childhood brain tumor differences.
A new study suggests that volcanic activity on early Mars emitted sulfur gases, creating a greenhouse effect and making the planet's climate more hospitable to life. The research found high concentrations of chemically reduced forms of sulfur, which are highly reactive and could have induced a hazy environment.
The new textbook bridges the gap between traditional divisions in teaching and practicing tectonics, seismology, geodesy, and geodynamics. It provides a basis to explore fundamental connections between the planet's deep interior and surface.