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.
The US lags behind other countries in nuclear fuel recycling due to unfounded concerns and myths. Reprocessing spent fuel can recover significant energy value and reduce high-level nuclear waste volume.
Physicist Raymond Orbach criticizes the Singapore Statement on Research Integrity for its 'top-down' approach, which could lead to personal rights and responsibilities being misinvaded. He argues that the scientific community can police itself and notes the importance of context in evaluating research.
A recent study from the University of Texas at Austin found that men are more than twice as likely to continue dating a girlfriend who has cheated on them with another woman. In contrast, women show the opposite pattern and are more likely to stay in relationships following a man's infidelity. The researchers suggest that this disparit...
Researchers found that coral larvae with redder fluorescence are less likely to settle into polyps, while greener larvae tend to disperse. This discovery could help monitor corals' adaptation to global warming.
Research from the University of Texas at Austin found that physical distance between people during negotiations can lead to better outcomes. Negotiators who were far apart scored higher on efficiency ratings than those who were nearby, but this advantage decreased when participants were focused on their high-level motives.
Research found that children from poorer families show almost no improvements in cognitive ability driven by their genes, while wealthier children have more opportunities to reach their potential. The study's findings suggest that environmental factors can help children begin to reach their genetic potentials at a younger age.
Research at the University of Texas at Austin shows that sleep-deprived honey bees experience communication problems, advertising food sites less precisely to their fellow bees. This impairment in precision could lead to a less competitive colony and reduced efficiency in locating food.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a long, non-coding RNA molecule, COLDAIR, that helps plants remember winter and bloom in spring. This process, known as vernalization, allows plants to recognize longer periods of cold and adjust their flowering schedules accordingly.
A decade-long decline in the nation's energy supply quality may be the root cause of the current economic recession. The Energy Intensity Ratio (EIR) measures how much profit consumers get from their energy, and its decline is correlated with economic downturns.
Researchers used phylogenetic analysis to pinpoint the source of HIV infections in two separate cases, revealing that defendants knowingly spread the virus to multiple partners. The study demonstrates the potential for evolutionary forensics to exonerate falsely accused and convict those responsible.
A new study found that obese individuals exhibit lower functional brain response in one region and impaired insulin sensitivity compared to normal-weight peers. This suggests a potential link between midlife obesity and cognitive decline later on.
Research finds that tsunamis can be triggered by moderate earthquakes on strike-slip faults, posing a significant threat to coastal cities. In Haiti's case, three-quarters of tsunamis are generated by submarine landslides, unlike the previously estimated 3% globally.
A new species of dinosaur, Sarahsaurus, discovered in Arizona suggests that dinosaurs did not spread globally by overpowering other species but instead took advantage of a natural catastrophe. The fossil, which lived around 190 million years ago, shows that sauropodomorphs started out small and later evolved to large size.
A study by University of Texas at Austin psychologists found that people match each other's language styles more during happier periods of their relationship. Style-matching scores were calculated between poetry written by two pairs of spouses, revealing changes in relationships over time.
A 36-million-year-old fossil reveals that ancient penguins had reddish-brown and grey feathers, distinct from the black tuxedoed look of living penguins. This discovery provides insights into the early evolution of penguin feathers, coloration, and flipper shapes.
A recent study found that opening a new line of communication about sex can have a positive effect on many women with low libidos. Fifty women were given a placebo instead of a drug treatment for low sexual arousal, and on average, one in three showed an overall improvement.
Chemists at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a new way to pass electrons between molecules, leading to the development of high-powered organic batteries. The system could be used to create artificial photosynthesis and store more energy than conventional batteries.
Dr. Chen and colleagues aim to understand fiber cell development and identify genes important for cotton fiber production, with potential applications to biofuels and sustainable textiles.
Researchers found that people retain memories more effectively when their brain activity is similar each time they study the same information. This challenges the long-held belief that variable contexts enhance memory retention. The findings provide new insights into effective studying and cognitive processing.
The University of Texas at Austin's Health Information Technology program has received $2.7 million in federal funding to support its launch. The program graduated its first class of 54 students this summer, and the university will establish four programs in health information technology with the new funding.
A new study by researchers David Kirk and Derek S. Hyra found that foreclosures do not independently lead to increased crime rates in communities. The study suggests that both foreclosures and crime are products of similar community-level factors, including poverty, segregation, and political clout.
A new psychology study found that individuals with strong ties to their groups are willing to sacrifice themselves to save fellow compatriots. The study, published in Psychological Science, showed that 75% of 'fused' respondents would jump to their deaths to save five group members.
Researchers discovered that mutations in the 'Fritz' gene can cause cell movement problems and cilia malfunctions, leading to conditions such as mental retardation, obesity, and blindness. The findings shed light on mechanisms regulating cellular machinery during embryonic development and its link to human disease.
Geologists found a lower density fault zone in the 2004 Sumatra earthquake, allowing it to slip over a longer segment and reach closer to the seafloor, generating larger tsunami waves. The study's findings could help improve hazard assessment and mitigation for this region.
New research reveals that women's libido increases as they age due to declining fertility, leading to more adventurous sexual behavior. Women aged 27-45 experience a heightened sex drive and are more willing to engage in casual sex.
The University of Texas at Austin will design and oversee a monitoring plan for a carbon capture and storage demonstration project in southeast Texas. The project aims to reduce emissions of CO2 from a coal-fired power plant and demonstrate advanced technology for enhanced oil recovery.
Scientists have discovered a method to capture higher energy sunlight lost as heat in conventional solar cells, potentially increasing efficiency to over 66%. Quantum dots made of lead selenide have been found to transfer hot electrons to an electron conductor, enabling the capture of this energy.
New research from a University of Texas at Austin psychologist identifies biological motivations behind adolescent risk-taking behavior. The study found that teenagers' brains are overactive in the mesolimbic dopamine system, driving them to seek rewards and engage in risky behaviors.
Researchers have reconstructed the formation of two curious features in Mars' northern ice cap, including Chasma Boreale and spiral troughs, revealing that wind shapes polar ice caps over millions of years. The study provides new evidence of climate change on Mars and vindicates an early explanation for the spiral troughs.
Researchers have directly observed the instantaneous velocity of tiny Brownian particles, contradicting Einstein's long-held prediction. This breakthrough uses optical tweezers to trap and measure glass beads suspended in air, validating the equipartition theorem.
A new study will examine speech and language development in bilingual children to identify patterns of language use in those with and without delays. The researchers aim to develop more accurate measurements of language ability, leading to improved interventions for children with language impairment.
Researchers found that US women living along the US-Mexico border prefer buying over-the-counter oral contraceptives from Mexican pharmacies due to their convenience and affordability. The study also showed that older women and those born in Mexico were more likely to take advantage of this option.
Sahotra Sarkar, a philosopher at the University of Texas at Austin, is working with Conservation International and energy companies to develop environmentally conscious development plans. His approach prioritizes local values and biodiversity protection, rejecting the 'fortress model' of preservation.
Researchers found genes in yeast that help form veins and arteries in humans, while also fixing cell walls in response to stress. They identified eight genes that contribute to blood vessel formation in animals and several of these genes are also linked to human breast cancer.
John Tate has made significant contributions to the field of algebraic number theory and arithmetic geometry. His work has resulted in the creation of fundamental concepts and the development of lasting impact on modern mathematics.
The asteroid impact hypothesis has gained overwhelming acceptance within the scientific community, and new evidence from ocean drilling and continental sites confirms its validity. The Chicxulub impact in Mexico is believed to have caused an abrupt and major decrease in productivity and species diversity at the K-Pg boundary.
The discovery of Asilisaurus kongwe, a dinosaur-like animal, pushes back the age of known dinosaurs by 10 million years. Fossil evidence suggests that silesaurs, close relatives of dinosaurs, may have diverged from common ancestors by 240 million years ago.
A newly analyzed 47-million-year-old Darwinius fossil was found to not be a human ancestor, contrary to previous claims. The fossil is now believed to be a forebearer of modern-day lemurs and lorises, according to two papers published in the Journal of Human Evolution.
Scientists are conducting three expeditions to Haiti to assess the potential threat of more large earthquakes and understand which segments of the fault ruptured during the Jan. 12 quake. The expeditions aim to collect valuable geologic evidence and provide insights to prepare communities for future hazards.
Scientists have documented unprecedented biodiversity in Yasuní National Park, including 596 bird species, 150 amphibian species, and over 1,100 tree species. The park's extraordinary diversity is threatened by proposed oil development projects.
The discovery of Tawa, a new meat-eating dinosaur, has resolved a long-standing debate about the evolutionary relationships between dinosaurs. The fossil remains reveal that Tawa shares characteristics with both theropod and non-theropod dinosaurs, confirming Herrerasaurus as a member of the theropod lineage.
Research from University of Texas at Austin psychologist Sam Gosling finds that Facebook profiles accurately reflect users' actual personality characteristics, rather than idealized versions. This discovery challenges the assumption that people present a curated version of themselves online.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that moderate sleep deprivation can lead to a decline in information-integration thought processes, critical for quick decisions. This affects individuals who shift from an automatic process to a more controlled approach, leading to negative effects on performance.