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.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new chemical reaction that can create phenolic compounds from aromatic hydrocarbons quickly and cheaply. This process resolves a long-standing challenge in organic chemistry, enabling the mass production of essential compounds such as pharmaceuticals and agricultural ch...
Biologists discovered that female túngara frogs can be tricked into perceiving an unattractive call as attractive when a robotic frog adds a delayed visual cue. This study demonstrates how evolution may create complex traits by combining simpler ones, similar to how adding white noise improves human perception of sounds.
The program aims to study exotic invasive pests and develop sustainable approaches to counter problem organisms threatening biodiversity in central and southern Texas. Researchers will focus on native ant species, such as the fire ant, tawny crazy ant, and Cactoblastis moth, to improve competitiveness of native species.
A team of researchers found geologic evidence that challenges the conventional explanation for Antarctica's initial glaciation. Volcanic rocks in the Scotia Sea suggest an ancient volcanic arc may have blocked ocean currents, leading to a colder climate.
Researchers have used innovative radar analysis to accurately image the vast subglacial water system under Thwaites Glacier, a Florida-sized outlet glacier in Antarctica. The findings suggest that the dynamics of this water system may play a crucial role in predicting the fate of the glacier.
A new method for desalinating seawater has been developed by chemists at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Marburg. The process uses a small electrical field to remove salts from seawater, achieving 25% desalination rates.
Physicists at the University of Texas at Austin have built a tabletop particle accelerator capable of generating energies previously reached only by major facilities. The device accelerates electrons to 2 GeV over a distance of just 1 inch, marking a significant milestone in the development of X-ray laser technology.
The University of Texas at Austin's Nanoelectronics Center will receive a five-year, $7.8 million award from SRC and NIST to develop novel ultra-low-power transistor research. The goal is to create transistors that consume significantly less energy than current devices, with potential applications in mobile computing and manufacturing.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin found that lookdown fish can manipulate polarized light to create a more effective camouflage system, surpassing the traditional 'mirror' strategy. This discovery has implications for the development of new materials and technologies inspired by nature.
Invasive crazy ants are displacing fire ants across the southeastern US, eliminating native species and reducing biodiversity. Crazy ants outcompete fire ants for food sources and damage electrical equipment, making them a significant pest.
Scientists have identified a key gateway to the brain that is affected by alcohol, which could lead to the development of drugs that disrupt this interaction. The breakthrough was made using rare alpine bacteria, and the researchers plan to use mice to study the effects of altering this protein on behavior.
Researchers caged dead zebras to study anthrax spread and found that scavengers' role is less significant than previously believed. The study suggests re-evaluating practices aimed at keeping scavengers away from anthrax carcasses.
Researchers discovered that copepods switch to big power strokes in cold water, allowing them to overcome changing water temperature and viscosity. This adaptation helps copepods escape predators, but also makes them vulnerable to pollution-related changes in water viscosity.
A new psychology study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that public officials located out of state from their constituents are more likely to gain approval by framing their arguments around the abstract rather than specific incidents. This prompts people to consider the larger picture, according to researchers.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers reveals that Texas Longhorns are direct descendants of cattle brought over by Columbus in 1493, with an 85% taurine genome from the Middle East. The breed's genetic diversity is partially responsible for their resilience to harsh climatic conditions.
Scientists have developed a new approach to study the composition of Earth's deep interior by detecting long-range spin-spin interactions. The technique, which relies on a hypothetical fifth force, could provide new insights into the geophysics and geochemistry of the planet's interior.
A new psychology study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that friendships between straight women and gay men are rooted in the absence of deceptive mating motivations. Gay men may provide more trustworthy love advice to straight women because they don't have conflicts with them, unlike other women or straight men.
A new DNA study from the University of Texas at Austin provides genetic evidence for the impact of Aztec imperialism on Mesoamerican populations. Researchers found that the pre-conquest maternal aDNA did not match those of the post-conquest era in Xaltocan, suggesting significant genetic changes
C. Grant Willson and Jean M.J. Fréchet developed chemically amplified resists, enabling the mass production of microprocessors and memory chips. Their innovative process is used worldwide in various technologies, including mobile phones and medical equipment.
Socially isolated rats are more susceptible to addiction to amphetamine and alcohol due to enhanced reward sensitivity. They exhibit quicker preference formation for environmental cues associated with the rewarding substance, making extinction harder to achieve.
Researchers discovered that mutation of a critical folic acid enzyme causes neural tube defects in mice. Folic acid supplementation reduces neural tube defects, but the exact mechanism is still unclear.
Researchers have developed 61 new strains of genetically engineered bacteria that can boost the immune response to vaccines. The bacteria are designed to express endotoxin molecules in different configurations, creating a range of potential adjuvants for vaccine design.
Researchers have observed the detailed changes in a virus's structure as it infects an E. coli bacterium, providing new insights into the viral infection process. The study reveals that the virus extends its ultra-thin fibers to find an optimal site for infection and ejects its genetic material through the host cell membrane.
A rapid response science team from the University of Texas at Austin will map the impact of Hurricane Sandy on Long Island's offshore barrier system. The study aims to restore sand and protect coastal residences, estuaries, and ecosystems affected by the storm.
Research suggests that reducing pavement and increasing natural habitat can improve nesting opportunities for wild bees. Bees will also forage further away from their home nest if the surrounding landscape is less heterogeneous, seeking out species-rich patches.
Physicists at the University of Texas at Austin have designed a simulation that emulates key properties of electronic topological insulators. The simulation, called SPINDOMs, allows researchers to control the spin of photons in a way that emulates what can be done with electrons.
Researchers at UT Austin create a novel process to grow ceramic thin films onto plastic substrates using microwaves, reducing growth temperature from over 450°C to under 150°C. The method enables controlled film growth in a single step, with potential applications in developing thin-film batteries and solar cells.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin synthesize stable anti-aromatic compound and intermediate state, enabling comparison between aromatic and anti-aromatic properties. The discovery has potential implications for industry, medicine, and information storage.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that most employees who work remotely add 5-7 hours to their workweek compared to those who work exclusively in the office. This increased work time often occurs after a standard 40-hour workday.
Astronomers used the Hobby-Eberly Telescope to measure a massive black hole in galaxy NGC 1277 with a mass 17 billion Suns, rewriting theories on black hole formation. This unusual finding comes from a survey of the most massive galaxies in the universe.
A UT-Austin study reveals that punitive school policies pose significant barriers to educational attainment for students with criminal records. Compared to non-arrested peers, arrested teens dropped out of high school at a rate 22 percentage points higher and were less likely to enroll in four-year colleges.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a technique to increase storage density in hard disk drives by using self-organizing substances known as block copolymers. The team has made significant progress, shrinking dots small enough to double storage density and achieving processing times under 30 seconds.
A UT research team will investigate the effects of education on lifelong health, employment, and mortality outcomes in a three-year study of over 14,800 individuals born between 1964-65. The grant aims to provide insights into public policy areas like healthcare, economics, and education reform.
A UT Austin study aims to quantify methane emission rates from natural gas production sites using direct measurement techniques. The study brings together industry stakeholders and researchers to better understand and manage emissions from well sites.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that individuals who have their first sexual experience later than average may have more satisfying romantic relationships in adulthood. These participants were also less likely to be married and had fewer romantic partners.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found significant negative consequences of rape and attempted sexual assault in 13 domains of psychological and social functioning. Victims often suffer debilitating effects on self-esteem, social reputation, sexual desire, and self-perceived mate value.
Artificially intelligent game bots created by the University of Texas at Austin have won the BotPrize competition, scoring a humanness rating of 52% compared to humans' average of 40%. The winning bots use a two-pronged approach to mimic human behavior, combining direct modeling with neuroevolution.
Researchers aims to develop parallel strategies for protein identification in complex mixtures with potential applications in cancer diagnosis and biomarker discovery. The project builds on existing networks that analyze genetic data and identify potential relationships among genes and proteins.
Researchers used a combination of traditional and innovative model-building techniques to create a lifelike reconstruction of an ancient mollusk. The model revealed key characteristics of the creature, including its dense spines and shells, which had splayed out and decayed prior to fossilization.
Francois Baccelli, renowned French mathematician and engineer, joins The University of Texas at Austin as the first Simons Chair in Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering. He brings a $1.5 million grant to establish a new Center in Information and Network Science.
Molecular biologists at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered that DEAD-box proteins, ancient enzymes found in all forms of life, function as recycling 'nanopistons' to unwind RNA. This mechanism has implications for treating cancer and viruses in humans.
A new psychology study from the University of Texas at Austin found that reliance on supernatural explanations for major life events increases with age. People of all ages tend to endorse biological explanations for certain events but also frequently support supernatural explanations, especially among children and adults.
Astronomers have discovered the first multi-planet system orbiting a binary star, characterized by the University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory. The system, Kepler-47, features an outer planet within the habitable zone, where liquid water could exist.