Researchers found a population of tropical butterflies exhibiting diverging color patterns and reproductive preferences, suggesting the potential emergence of two distinct species. The study provides insights into the earliest stage of ecological speciation, where natural selection drives the divergence of populations into new species.
Dr. Jennifer Brodbelt receives $734,068 NIH grant to develop chip-based method for rapidly analyzing blood samples. The new approach could identify patterns correlated with aging and obesity.
Researchers found that observers can accurately judge some major personality traits from full-body photographs, especially with naturally expressive behavior. Altering one's appearance can influence how others perceive their personality, according to the study's findings.
Scientists will study switchgrass varieties under drought conditions to improve forecasts on productivity and identify genetic mechanisms of drought tolerance. The research aims to develop models predicting how climate change affects switchgrass production in North America.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and other institutions have made new ground measurements that suggest the West Antarctic ice sheet is losing ice slightly more slowly than estimated. The findings could improve estimates of ice mass loss and provide a clearer picture of Antarctica's contribution to rising sea levels.
Scientists have discovered the atomic structure of an enzyme responsible for DNA replication in human mitochondria, which can cause harmful drug side effects. By targeting a different region of the enzyme, researchers aim to design more selective and less toxic anti-HIV drugs.
A decade-long effort by international partners has resulted in the collection and freezing of thousands of seeds from nearly 25,000 native plant species. The Millennium Seed Bank project aims to conserve an additional 15% of world's plant species by 2020.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have conducted a basic chemistry experiment in a world's smallest test tube, measuring thousandth of human hair diameter. The nano-scale test tube was heated and observed to melt gold at its tip, demonstrating well-known phenomena like melting, capillarity and diffusion at nanoscale.
Researchers have successfully predicted a previously unknown cellular mechanism using mathematical modeling of DNA microarray data. This breakthrough brings biologists closer to understanding and controlling the inner workings of cells, similar to NASA's trajectory prediction capabilities.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin discovered that electric fish communicate by quickly plugging special channels into their cells to generate electrical impulses. The fish use a dimmer switch to save energy by turning their electrical signals up and down.
The researchers aim to discover new materials that can efficiently absorb sunlight and split water into clean hydrogen fuel, which could power cars and generate electricity. The project will focus on novel metal oxides as semiconductors, with the goal of creating cheap and abundant materials for sustainable energy production.
A team of Texas and Brazilian researchers confirms that the fungus-gardening ant Mycocepurus smithii reproduces without males, with no evidence of male production or sperm storage organs. This makes the species one of the rarest examples of complete asexuality in the animal kingdom.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method to produce lower-cost solar cells using nanoparticle inks that can be printed like newspaper or painted onto surfaces. The goal is to reduce production costs by one-tenth, making solar energy more competitive with fossil fuels.
Researchers from Texas are creating complex models to simulate the spread of diseases by studying human behavior. The group aims to design effective public health policies that not only utilize resources but also influence individual decision-making to prevent disease transmission.
Neuroscientists have pinpointed the brain's MT+ area as responsible for processing 3-D motion. The region encodes two types of cues from moving objects, including binocular disparity and retinal motion, to create a 3-D perception.
A new computing method called SATé can determine the relatedness of living things much faster and accurately analyze DNA sequences that are rapidly evolving. It creates detailed, accurate evolutionary trees that reveal the relationships among plants, animals, and other organisms.
A relocation experiment using Hurricane Katrina led researchers to conclude that moving away from a crime-producing environment reduces the likelihood of re-incarceration for parolees. The study found ex-prisoners who relocated were 15% less likely to be re-incarcerated within the first year.
Physicists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed the thinnest superconducting metal layer made from lead, measuring only two atoms thick. This achievement lays the groundwork for future innovations in superconductor technologies.
Researchers explore Arctic river deltas as a potential source of information about past and future climate change. The sediments deposited in these delta regions can record data on sea level, productivity, storminess, and human factors affecting sediment delivery, providing valuable insights into the global carbon cycle.
A team of biologists at the University of Texas at Austin has created a nearly complete collection of genes for a species of reef-building coral, revealing approximately 11,000 different genes. This genetic database will enable researchers to study natural variations in corals and their responses to stress, facilitating an explosion in...
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have successfully synthesized large-area graphene on copper foils, which may lead to the development of faster computers and electronic devices. The graphene's high electron- and hole-mobility enables extremely high switching speeds in nanoelectronic devices.
The University of Texas at Austin is receiving $30 million in funding from the US Department of Energy to develop innovative nanomaterials for solar energy and batteries, as well as study the movement of greenhouse gases in geological systems. This funding will support research into new paradigms for achieving U.S. energy security.
A new study reveals that droughts in West Africa can last for decades, with some droughts lasting up to four times longer than the current Sahel drought. The research suggests that changes in Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperatures play a key role in sustaining these long periods of drought.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a method to manipulate memories of fear by timing the extinction process. By targeting the labile state of fear memories after retrieval, they found that rats exhibited reduced fear responses and smaller chances of spontaneous memory resurfacing. This breakthrough could l...
Engineers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a method to disperse chemically modified graphene in a wide variety of organic solvents. This breakthrough enables the use of graphene in various materials and applications, including conductive films, polymer composites, and energy storage devices.
Dr. Dan Bolnick and Dr. John Wallingford, two UT Austin biologists, join the HHMI Early Career Scientist program to explore innovative ideas in evolution and development. They will receive a six-year appointment with a $1.5 million research budget to investigate species coevolution and tissue morphogenesis.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin reveals that Amazonian amphibian diversity originated from ancestral frogs leaping into the region from the Andes Mountains, with at least 14 dispersals occurring between 23 and 1 million years ago.
Dr. Sara Sawyer will use a $120,000 grant to study how HIV and its host cells have evolved together over time. By analyzing the genomes of primates, she aims to identify critical genes and proteins that could lead to new antiviral drug targets.
Eight UT Austin engineering professors win prestigious NSF CAREER awards, with funding of over $3.2 million to support cutting-edge research in fields like nanotechnology, energy systems, and biomedical engineering.
New research suggests that material items can provide longer-lasting happiness than negative experiences. The study found that bad experiences lead to more lasting unhappiness than bad material purchases.
A researcher at the University of Texas at Austin has identified a statistical method to select people for secondary security screenings more efficiently and fairly. Square root bias sampling can reduce resource waste by screening individuals from higher-risk groups less frequently while still prioritizing them.
Physicists at the University of Texas at Austin have designed a system that uses fusion to eliminate most of the transuranic waste produced by nuclear power plants. This invention could help combat global warming by making nuclear power a more viable replacement for carbon-heavy energy sources.
The University of Texas at Austin and its collaborators have been awarded a $6.8 million grant to develop two wireless monitoring systems for highway bridges. The system will continuously monitor cracks or defects in key structural components, enabling real-time assessment of bridge safety.
A survey by the University of Texas at Austin found that bicyclists in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio are more concerned with vehicle crashes than others. The study also revealed that 70% of respondents consider biking to be very or somewhat dangerous due to traffic accidents, while only 21% fear crime-related incidents.
Hybrid plants exhibit increased growth and biomass due to the increased expression of genes involved in photosynthesis and starch metabolism during the day. This connection between circadian clock regulators and growth vigor could lead to new methods for increasing biomass crops for biofuels and improving food yields.
Scientists discovered giant deep-sea single-celled organisms leaving complex tracks on the ocean floor near the Bahamas. The finding questions the fossil record and suggests that single-celled protists may have been the precursors to bilateral symmetry in animals.
Researchers using ground-penetrating radar on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have discovered vast Martian glaciers of water ice under protective blankets of rocky debris. The concealed glaciers extend for tens of miles and are up to one-half mile thick, making them the largest reservoir of water ice on Mars outside the polar caps.
Engineers at the University of Texas at Austin have received a $511,000 grant to research better methods for monitoring and detecting covert nuclear tests. They aim to improve the international community's ability to determine if a nuclear test has occurred by analyzing atmospheric xenon levels.
Researchers found Hurricane Ike significantly reshaped the seafloor, erasing shell-gravel ridges and creating 'erosional pits' up to five feet deep. The storm also mobilized sediments over large regions, with most movement associated with the back surge.
An international team is exploring two uncharted regions of Antarctica to study the impact of climate change on global sea levels. The research aims to understand how Earth's climate changed in the past and how future climate change will affect global sea level.
A new study by Eric Stice found obese people exhibit blunted reward responses in the brain's striatum, leading to increased unhealthy weight gain. The research suggests that a genetic variation affecting dopamine D2 receptors may trigger overeating in obese individuals.
A new genus and species of primate, Diablomomys dalquesti, has been discovered in Texas dating back to 44-43 million years ago. The finding provides evidence that primates lingered in Texas longer than previously thought due to the warm climate during the late middle Eocene.
Researchers have developed a novel delivery system that significantly enhances vaccine effectiveness while tailoring it based on the desired type of immune response. Using RNA molecules, their system achieved immune responses five to 50 times stronger than traditional vaccines in mice studies.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that most elementary school children are aware of racial and gender biases in the US presidency. Children attribute the lack of diversity to discrimination, with some believing it's due to prejudice or skills gaps.
The University of Texas at Austin's Center for Electrochemistry has received a $5 million grant to develop new photovoltaic materials, improve battery storage, and enhance electrocatalysts. The initiative aims to promote advances in renewable energy technologies and create next-generation energy solutions.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a new graphene-based material that helps solve the structure of graphite oxide. The material, made by replacing normal carbon atoms with magnetically active carbon-13, will enable scientists to create different types of graphene and study its chemical structure.
The University of Texas at Austin has received a $12.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a model for preparing high school engineering educators in Texas. The UTeachEngineering program will target future and current teachers, providing multiple avenues to prepare them to teach high school engineering.
The University of Texas at Austin has been awarded a three-year grant of $750,000 to establish an outreach program for historically black colleges and universities. The program aims to introduce students and faculty to nuclear science and engineering, addressing a discipline that lags in attracting minorities.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new carbon-based material called graphene that can store electrical charge in ultracapacitor devices, potentially doubling their capacity. The breakthrough could enable the massive installation of renewable energies like wind and solar power.
Scientists recreated materials at extreme pressures and temperatures, revealing rare atomic properties that may affect heat transfer, superplume formation, and seismic wave speed. This discovery requires reinterpreting seismic images of the lowermost mantle.