The TX Invasives app allows users to identify 56 invasive plants, 25 insect species, 19 animals, and four pathogens. Citizen scientists have reported over 17,000 invasive species observations since 2005, aiding in management decisions and responding to new threats.
Research reveals that female rats exposed to a common fungicide through their ancestral line are more prone to stress and anxiety. The study suggests that environmental toxins can affect gene expression, leading to adverse effects on offspring.
Researchers found that NSAID use reduces ERα positive breast cancer recurrence by 50% and extends patients' disease-free period by more than two years. The study suggests a new possibility for reducing breast cancer recurrence among overweight and obese postmenopausal women.
Researchers have created a synthetic ion transporter that can cause cancer cells to self-destruct by disrupting the delicate balance of ions within their cell membranes. The molecule, which was discovered after two decades of research, confirms a hypothesis that could lead to new anticancer drugs and benefit patients with cystic fibrosis.
Research by scientists at the University of Texas at Austin found that diet impacts male and female gut microbiomes differently. In some cases, different bacterial species dominate in one sex versus the other. This difference highlights the need for therapies to be tailored for each sex when it comes to nutrition-based treatments.
A new study by Liza Shapiro at the University of Texas at Austin contradicts earlier claims that quadrupedal humans are a product of backward evolution. The research, published in PLOS One, shows that people with Uner Tan Syndrome (UTS) walk on all fours but use lateral sequences, not diagonal patterns characteristic of nonhuman primates.
Researchers have successfully created mutant worms that cannot get intoxicated by alcohol, opening up new possibilities for treating alcohol withdrawal. The modified human alcohol target used in the study only affects its response to alcohol, leaving other functions intact.
Researchers at UT Austin have created a nonlinear metasurface that can reflect radiation at twice the input light frequency, producing approximately 1 million times larger frequency-doubled output. The new metamaterial has potential applications in advanced laser systems for chemical sensing and biomedical research.
A new method for enriching stable isotopes, called MAGIS, has the potential to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than existing methods. This could ensure a continued supply of critical isotopes for medical imaging and nuclear power, while also opening up opportunities for new medical therapies and fundamental scientific rese...
Thwaites Glacier is melting at a rate accelerated by geothermal heat from beneath the ice sheet. The researchers used radar techniques to map water flow under the glacier and identified significant sources of geothermal heat over a wider area than previously assumed.
Researchers found that fish with a diverse diet had less bacterial diversity in their guts than those with a specialized diet. This discovery could impact the use of probiotics and diet in treating diseases associated with gut bacteria.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a reliable, ultra-high-speed nanomotor that can convert electrical energy into mechanical motion. The nanomotor can rapidly mix and pump biochemicals and move through liquids, which is important for future applications in drug delivery and cancer treatment.
A genetic study has linked the earliest Americans to modern Native-Americans, providing new insights into the origins of the Western Hemisphere's first people. The study analyzed DNA from a 12,000-year-old tooth found in Mexico and confirmed that ancient individuals belonged to a genetic lineage shared only by Native Americans.
A new method reveals that nearly every drop of water in the Mississippi River network passes through a chemical filter, but this process is operating at max capacity due to high nitrate levels. The river's natural ability to filter out nitrates is being overwhelmed, resulting in an increased risk of dead zones and aquatic life decline.
Neuroscientists at the University of Texas at Austin found that neurons in the brain tune into different frequencies of gamma waves for various spatial memory tasks. The research suggests that fast gamma waves promote encoding of recent experiences, while slow gamma waves support memory retrieval.
The proportion of shade grown coffee in global production has decreased by nearly 20% since 1996, with traditional methods being replaced by more intensive styles. This shift is linked to lower land and labor costs, but also poses risks to the environment, communities, and individual farmers.
Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered that the influenza A virus uses a protein called NS1 to outwit the body's natural defense mechanism DDX21, which blocks viral replication. By targeting NS1, researchers may be able to develop new antiviral drugs to combat the flu.
Researchers discovered that new crib mattresses release four times more VOCs than old ones, with body heat increasing emissions. The study highlights the importance of understanding infant sleep environments to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants.
African American men who endured greater childhood adversity are likely to experience disadvantages in health and relationships over time. Childhood adversity triggers an enduring pattern of psychological and physiological vulnerability to stress that undermines relationships in adulthood.
A University of Texas at Austin study reveals that crazy ants can neutralize fire ant venom, making them nearly invincible in battles over food resources. This detoxification process allows crazy ants to dominate and displace fire ants in the southeastern US ecosystem.
A study revising rules for deciphering dinosaur color suggests a link between color, physiology, and the origin of flight. Researchers found diverse melanosome shapes and sizes in feathered dinosaurs, paravians, and living mammals and birds.
A recent brain scan study suggests that individuals engage in risky behaviors due to inadequate self-control, rather than excessive desire. The research used a video game to simulate risk-taking and found that the software accurately predicted choices 71% of the time.
Researchers at UT Austin develop a compact device that breaks symmetry in sound wave transmission, allowing for one-way communication. The team's design may lead to advances in noise control, sonar equipment and wireless devices.
Researchers found that bats detect water ripples created by male túngara frogs' calls, which aids in hunting. The discovery sheds light on an evolutionary arms race between frogs and bats.
Researchers developed a new source of renewable energy by genetically engineering yeast cells to produce lipids that can be used in place of petroleum-derived products. The platform produces the highest concentration of oils and fats reported through fermentation, enabling up to 90% of cell mass to become lipids.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that parents who give their children similar-sounding names are more likely to mistakenly call them by another family member's or pet's name. The researchers discovered that physical and personality similarities between siblings also contribute to these errors.
Symbiotic fungi in plant roots store and release carbon, with certain types leading to 70% more carbon storage. This discovery challenges current understanding of soil carbon pools and their impact on climate predictions.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that shifting from coal to natural gas for electricity generation saves significantly more water than the additional consumption required for hydraulic fracturing. Water savings can be up to 25-50 times greater, making Texas less vulnerable to drought.
Researchers at UT Austin propose a battery-powered active cloak that draws energy from a battery, allowing objects to become undetectable to radio sensors over a greater range of frequencies. This technology has applications in improving cellular and radio communications, biomedical sensing, and near-field imaging.
Scientists found that Hurricane Sandy did not significantly damage the offshore barrier system controlling erosion on Long Island. However, the storm churned up new pollutants in the waters off the island, which could exacerbate long-term problems if continued sea-level rise occurs.
A study published in Depression and Anxiety found that exercise can improve orgasm function and overall sexual functioning in women taking antidepressants. Regular exercise, especially immediately before sex, was shown to boost libido and alleviate side effects of antidepressant medications.
Researchers found that warm ocean currents near Europa's equator and subsiding currents at the poles could create chaos terrains on the surface. This process may help initiate upwelling ice pulses, which form features like these terrains.
Seahorses use their specially shaped heads to capture prey, including copepods, which are notoriously difficult to catch due to their speed. In calm conditions, seahorses achieve a 90% success rate in catching their intended prey.
Researchers found a stark contrast in sexual regret between men and women, with women more likely to regret casual sex due to potential reproductive costs. The study suggests that regret can play a functional role in guiding adaptive sexual decisions.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a simple scaling theory to predict gas production in Barnett Shale wells. They found that most horizontal wells underperform their theoretical limits, and improving hydrofracture connections could increase gas extraction.
Researchers at UT Austin have grown centimeter-size single graphene crystals on copper using surface oxygen, increasing crystal size by 10,000 times. The crystals exhibit exceptional electrical properties, including high carrier mobility, which is crucial for electronic devices.
A new study found that underground gas injection was correlated with small earthquakes near Snyder, Texas, between 2006 and 2011. The researchers suggest that geological faults may be responsible for the triggering of these quakes in some areas but not others.
Researchers found that the grasshopper mouse's sodium channel 1.8 has an amino acid substitution that blocks the activation of channel 1.8 and inhibits the pain response to scorpion venom, making them numb to its sting.
A new study suggests the southern portion of the Amazon rainforest is at a much higher risk of dieback due to stronger seasonal drying, which could lead to large volumes of carbon dioxide release and disrupt biodiversity. The researchers found that global warming is the most likely explanation for the lengthening dry season.
A team led by Chris Sullivan found that RNA interference does not play a role as an antiviral in most body cells in mammals. Researchers suggest that RNAi may have evolved to regulate the protein-based immune response instead.
Scientists create tiny houses for bacteria using a novel 3D printing technology, enabling precise control over bacterial interactions and growth. The method reveals that certain bacterial communities become more resistant to antibiotics when contained together, providing new insights into infection mechanisms.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have found that a specific diet immediately before spawning significantly impacts the fatty acid content of red drum eggs. This discovery could lead to improved survival rates and reduced resource usage in fish farming, benefiting both the environment and the state of Texas.
A recent study suggests that men's stronger sexual impulses are a key factor in their higher rates of infidelity. Men experienced stronger impulses to pursue attractive partners, regardless of whether it was considered 'good' or 'bad', whereas women were more likely to exert self-control and resist these temptations.
Computer scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have created a new method for summarizing hours of wearable camera footage into short, meaningful stories. The 'story-driven' video summarization technique uses machine learning to analyze recorded videos and assemble a better summary than existing methods.
A new study reconstructs climate in the South Pacific over the past 446 years, revealing more dramatic rainfall variability before the start of the 20th century. The researchers found a roughly 50-year cycle of rainfall in Vanuatu, with significant differences between wet and dry periods.
Researchers found that considering the larger picture helps diffuse negative emotions and provides a sense of direction for action. Participants who perceived the event as farther away in time were more confident in their understanding about why it happened.
Researchers from UT Austin conducted field research in Christchurch, New Zealand to develop new ground improvement methods for inhibiting liquefaction triggering. The study's goal is to determine the most cost-effective methods for improving residential structures' resiliency.
Researchers from UT Austin successfully spoofed an $80 million yacht at sea using a custom-made GPS device. The team demonstrated that spoofing attacks can be carried out covertly and with significant difficulty in detecting, posing a serious threat to marine vessels and other forms of transportation.
Researchers confirm that Oreopithecus had anatomical features incompatible with habitual bipedal walking. The study refutes a long-standing debate about the ape's locomotor behavior, providing new insight into its unique characteristics.
Researchers documented an acceleration in coastal Antarctic permafrost melt rates, rising to 10 times the historical average. The change is attributed to increased sunlight due to changes in weather patterns, leading to 'retrogressive thaw slumps' and potential dramatic increases in melting if Antarctica warms as predicted.