A team of scientists has uncovered a previously unknown sub-glacial basin beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, suggesting this region is at higher risk of collapse. The basin's unique shape and smooth bed could trigger positive feedback mechanisms leading to ice sheet retreat.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that maternally inherited small interfering RNAs control seed development, leading to smaller seeds. This discovery has significant implications for agriculture and understanding plant evolution.
A new study reveals that West Antarctica's floating ice shelves are fracturing and retreating inland, potentially accelerating ice loss to the sea. The research found that the margins of these ice shelves are heavily rifted, resembling a cracked mirror in satellite imagery.
Scientists analyze the first iridescent fossil of a four-winged dinosaur, suggesting feathers evolved for display in early bird evolution. The study provides new insights into the role of feathers in attracting mates and challenges existing theories on the aerodynamics of feather structures.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, origami-inspired paper sensor that can test for diseases like malaria and HIV. The sensor is easy to produce, assemble, and use, making it suitable for point-of-care testing in resource-constrained areas.
Four UT Engineering faculty members received CAREER awards totaling nearly $1.4 million from the National Science Foundation to support their innovative research projects. The awards aim to foster outstanding research, education, and collaboration among junior faculty.
Researchers from UT Austin are part of a $3 million NSF Delta research collaboration to build comprehensive computer models for predicting river delta evolution. The project aims to understand how deltas respond to human activities and learn to direct delta evolution.
Computer scientist Peter Stone is developing a system that enables autonomous cars to coordinate their movements at intersections, reducing stopped traffic. The virtual intersection manager uses AI driver agents to 'call ahead' and reserve space and time, improving safety and efficiency.
Researchers have developed a new and effective way to regrow blood vessels, potentially bypassing surgery and repairing damaged vessels through injection of a lipid-incased substance. This method has shown promise in treating chronic myocardial ischemia disease, affecting up to 27 million patients in the US.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a molecule that can bind to DNA for up to 16 days, making it a promising step towards creating drugs that can target rogue DNA. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for genetic diseases, cancer, and retroviruses like HIV.
A team of UT researchers has developed a novel physical form of proteins that can improve treatments for cancer and other diseases by overcoming the major challenge of drug delivery. The new approach enables safe, easy, and effective delivery of drugs to patients, revolutionizing treatment of cancer, arthritis, and infectious disease.
Computer scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have created a detailed analysis of application power, performance, and energy on various hardware. The results show that different software types have varying levels of power usage, making optimization for energy efficiency crucial. This study has significant implications for co...
A new study by Leticia Marteleto found that the educational gap between black and white Brazilians remains significant, with whites completing nearly a year more education. The study suggests that large gains in family resources among black adolescents and shifts in racial labeling have contributed to the closing of the gap.
Researchers at the University of Texas created a new graphene form that is 60% more effective at managing and transferring heat than normal graphene. This breakthrough could lead to smaller, faster, and more powerful electronic devices with improved performance.
A University of Texas at Austin chemist has received a $1.6 million grant to develop a simple, paper-based test for detecting drug-resistant tuberculosis. The goal is to create a real-time test that can be used in resource-poor communities without refrigeration.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a way to capture hot electrons, increasing the efficiency of solar cells to 44 percent. By exploiting a 'dark state' in organic plastic semiconductor materials, they found that two electrons can be generated from one photon of sunlight.
Bob Metcalfe has been recognized with the C&C Prize for his development of Ethernet, a widely used LAN standard that has had immense impact on information technology. The award is a testament to his pioneering contributions to the field of computer networking.
Researchers have found a body of liquid water on Europa, similar to the North American Great Lakes, which could support life. The newly discovered lake is covered by floating ice shelves that facilitate nutrient and energy transfer between the surface and a vast ocean below.
Dopamine-deficient C. elegans worms offer a promising new approach to identifying potential treatments for Parkinson's disease, with researchers able to test over 1,000 drugs per year. The 'motor switching' problem faced by people with Parkinson's can be replicated in the worms, allowing scientists to quickly identify effective therapies.
A study published in PNAS found a strong association between high levels of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and an increased risk of spina bifida and anencephaly in newborns. The researchers collected placentas from 80 fetuses with birth defects and found high concentrations of endosulfan, lindane, and PAHs.
Researchers at UT Austin develop automated system to test millions of drugs on C. elegans worm, which develops Alzheimer's disease similar to humans. The goal is to speed up drug discovery and development for neurodegenerative diseases.
Epidemiological maps suggest South Texas is an area of high risk for Chagas infection, with potentially hundreds of undiagnosed cases. The disease can be hard to detect and may be misinterpreted as a flu-like illness, leading to delayed diagnosis.
Researchers will investigate the Hanna Shoal ecosystem in the Chukchi Sea to understand its high productivity and potential impact from climate change. The study aims to inform offshore oil drilling operations and protect the Arctic ecosystem, with data integration for future environmental assessments.
University of Texas at Austin researchers have discovered an optimal algorithm to extract information from individual images to determine focus error. This breakthrough could improve auto-focusing in digital cameras and deepen understanding of human depth perception.
The University of Texas at Austin researchers have been awarded NIH grants to create novel therapeutics for treating heart disease. They will also develop technology to significantly reduce the time and costs required to test drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin are developing means to efficiently breed saltwater fish and invertebrates in captivity. Successful breeding has been achieved for seven species, including clownfish, gobies, and coral, reducing reliance on destructive wild-caught methods.
A joint program between Shell and the University of Texas at Austin aims to address challenges in the unconventional oil and gas industry through research and collaboration, focusing on developing safe and responsible methods for harnessing shale gas resources.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory detected radioactive materials from Fukushima in the US, providing insight into the disaster's magnitude. The findings demonstrate huge advancements in nuclear monitoring technology.
Researchers found the Appalachian tiger swallowtail butterfly evolved from mixing between Eastern and Canadian tiger swallowtails, inheriting genes associated with cold habitats and mimicry. The butterfly has become significantly distinct from its parental species, with unique characteristics and genetic makeup.
The Marine Science Institute has received a $7 million grant to study the impact of the Deepwater Horizon spill on the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. The research will focus on understanding how oil disperses in the Gulf and its effects on marine life.
Biologists studied neotropical túngara frogs, finding that females' brains process certain information differently than others. This limitation prevents males from evolving increasingly elaborate calls to attract females, due to a perceptual constraint.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin are developing a novel 3D surface imaging technology to help cancer patients and children make informed decisions about reconstructive surgeries. The technology uses algorithms to analyze patient data and provide personalized simulations, aiming to improve cosmetic outcomes.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that current and proposed border fences pose significant threats to wildlife populations along the US-Mexico border. The study identifies four species listed as threatened globally or by both the US and Mexico, and another 23 with small range sizes.
Professor Ali Khademhosseini, a leading expert in biomedical microdevices and biomaterials, will join the University of Texas at Austin's Department of Biomedical Engineering as a Donald D. Harrington Fellow. He aims to develop tissue-engineered organs and control cell behavior using novel, modular approaches.
A thick plateau of hard, compacted sediments helped spread the rupture from tens of kilometers below to just a few kilometers below, unleashing larger tsunami waves. The study suggests locations with large thicknesses of sediments may promote more significant tsunamis during great earthquakes.
Scientists have created the first high-resolution topographic map of the Aurora Subglacial Basin, revealing vast channels cut through mountain ranges by ancient glaciers. The data will help improve computer simulations of past and future Antarctic ice sheet behavior.
Researchers discovered that early mammals developed larger-than-expected brains to enhance their sense of smell. The study used CT technology to reconstruct the brains of two ancient species and found that they had more developed olfactory centers than expected.
Sodium channels are a key component of animal nervous systems but evolved prior to their development, according to new research published in PNAS. The discovery suggests that complex traits like the nervous system can evolve gradually from pre-existing genes.
A previously unknown fossil primate, Mescalerolemur horneri, has been discovered in West Texas, dating back to the Eocene Epoch. The species is closely related to Eurasian and African adapiforms, challenging current understanding of North American primates.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a new porous, three-dimensional carbon that can be used as a greatly enhanced supercapacitor. This discovery offers promise for energy storage in various fields, including energy grids and electric cars.
A team of researchers used a virtual computer model, called DISCERN, to simulate excessive dopamine release in the brain, revealing distinctly schizophrenic-like memory recall. The study supports the hyperlearning hypothesis and provides insights into how neural networks can help understand human schizophrenia.
A new low-cost test for acute pancreatitis has been developed by University of Texas at Austin scientists, offering faster results than existing tests. The sensor, built with simple materials like gelatin, milk protein, and aluminum foil, can diagnose the disease in under an hour.
A study by ecologists at the University of Texas at Austin found that a lawn of regionally native grasses requires less maintenance than traditional turfgrass, providing a lush carpet while outperforming it in weed resistance. The new approach could have a significant impact on pocketbooks and the environment.
A new study by neurobiologist Hitoshi Morikawa found that repeated ethanol exposure enhances synaptic plasticity in a key area of the brain. This increased capacity for learning, or 'conditionability,' may help explain why alcoholics become more receptive to forming habits and memories related to food, music, and social situations.
Research from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that high school students who feel they don't fit in are less likely to attend college. Girls who are gay or obese face significant barriers, with girls who are obese 78% less likely to attend college than their non-obese peers.
Researchers found that suppressing emotions while watching disturbing movie scenes led to aggressive behavior in later computerized competitions, contradicting previous studies on fatigue and aggression. The study suggests that controlling oneself can increase aggression.
Biologists from University of Texas at Austin suggest focusing on interactions between climate change and human activities like air pollution, invasive species, and habitat fragmentation. Local factors like host plant competition and water pollution are critical in understanding species decline.
A team of University of Texas at Austin engineers is working on novel algorithms to enhance the efficiency of mobile video streaming, reducing the demand on wireless networks. The goal is to deliver high-quality videos with fewer bits, while improving network capacity and reducing interference from base stations.
A recent study found that metal and concrete tile roofs produce the highest quality rainwater for indoor domestic use, while asphalt and green roofs contain high levels of dissolved organic carbon. The research highlights the importance of considering roofing material when harvesting rainwater for potable use.
Researchers found that Texas leafcutter ants can maintain winter gardens thanks to cold-tolerant fungus crops, but the fungus limits their ability to spread farther north. The ant's symbiotic relationship with the fungus constrains their ecological niches.