The KBH Energy Center will host its 11th annual symposium on September 12, bringing together experts and business leaders to discuss the future of US energy. The event will cover topics such as AI's impact on energy, nuclear power's future, and emerging trends in energy news coverage.
A new AI model called RiboNN predicts translation efficiency of mRNA sequences, accelerating the development of mRNA therapeutics. The tool helps predict how much protein cells will produce, minimizing trial-and-error experimentation.
Researchers found that different species of dinosaurs had distinct preferences for plant parts, including leaves, buds, and woody tissues. This discovery helps explain how so many large herbivores coexisted in the same ecosystem without competing for resources.
A study found that declining aerosols are up to 2.5 times more influential than greenhouse gases in driving changes in heatwave occurrence in populated areas. Higher levels of aerosols suppressed heatwave exposure by reflecting the sun's rays, but this trend is now reversing due to clean air policies.
A recent study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that climate change may be disrupting the natural Pacific Decadal Oscillation cycle, which brings needed rain to the region. This could lead to prolonged droughts in the southwest U.S., affecting water resources like the Colorado River.
Researchers developed a non-invasive, wearable sensor that measures hydration levels continuously using bioimpedance. The device has potential applications in healthcare, sports, and workplace settings, providing a simple and effective way to monitor hydration levels and prevent dehydration-related issues.
New research suggests that driving assistance systems can backfire by making drivers less attentive and increasing hazardous behaviors. The study analyzed data from over 195,000 vehicles and found that different types of warning signals trigger opposite effects on driving behavior.
Researchers developed AI-created thermal meta-emitters that can selectively emit heat at various levels, making them ideal for energy efficiency. These materials were found to be up to 20 degrees Celsius cooler than commercial paints in a four-hour exposure to direct sunlight.
A new study by Ramesh Rao and colleagues found that subjective financial knowledge (SFK) has a significant impact on retirement readiness. People with higher levels of SFK are more likely to feel confident about their retirement savings.
Researchers found that higher VIX levels are associated with more robust returns, suggesting that investors should hold onto stocks during times of high volatility. In contrast, a proposed strategy to reduce equity exposure during high VIX periods underperformed the market, according to the study.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a fast and precise 3D printing method that seamlessly merges soft and hard properties into a single object using different colors of light. This approach could pave the way for next-generation prosthetics, flexible medical devices, and stretchable electronics.
Researchers detected a slow slip earthquake in Japan's Nankai Fault, behaving like a tectonic shock absorber. The event revealed fluids are a key ingredient for slow earthquakes and confirmed that the fault releases pent-up energy harmlessly.
Research by Ramkumar Ranganathan explores how tech companies influence emerging standards through cooperation and competition. Companies that form strategic partnerships and offer benefits to other players in an ecosystem are more likely to shape standards in their favor, according to the study.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin reveals that car dealers provide implicit subsidies to subprime borrowers. The dealers incur a loss of an average of $301 when arranging loans for these buyers.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin discovered a novel way to accelerate brain-computer interface (BCI) learning: gentle electrical nudge to the spine. This stimulation helps focus the brain on the task, significantly speeding up the learning curve.
Researchers developed an algorithm that achieves high levels of both accuracy and fairness in detecting toxic speech on social media. The approach uses a fairness measurement called Group Accuracy Parity (GAP) to find desirable combinations of accuracy and fairness for specific situations.
Coral reefs are found to be more productive ecosystems than previously thought, with 80% occurring in nutrient-rich conditions. The study challenges the 'Darwin's Paradox' narrative and highlights the importance of understanding linkages between reef animals and their surroundings.
A nearly complete fossil of Westlothiana lizziae, a four-legged creature, has been dated to 346 million years ago, shedding new light on the evolution of amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals. This age places the specimens in Romer's Gap, a pivotal time period where water-dwelling fish transitioned to land animals.
A multi-university team is using AI to design radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), reducing development time and cost. The project aims to lower the barrier to entry for researchers and companies, making RFICs more accessible to solve problems and advance technological innovation.
The AI system uses evolutionary computing to find optimal policy solutions that balance trade-offs between carbon storage, economic disruptions, and environmental benefits. It recommends nuanced approaches to land-use strategies, such as replacing crop land with forest, rather than simply converting all land into forests.
Researchers Mohammad Afzal Shadab and Eric Hiatt developed a computer model that calculates the time it took for water on early Mars to percolate from the surface down to the aquifer, finding a 50-200 year timeframe. This process could have covered Mars with at least 300 feet of water.
Researchers found microplastics in Texas bay sediments, but most have been swept out to sea, not settling at the bottom. The study suggests microplastics can absorb chemicals and build up in marine life, eventually affecting humans.
A University of Texas-led team has discovered a shortcut to design leak-proof magnetic confinement systems in stellarator reactors, addressing a 70-year-old challenge. This breakthrough enables engineers to simulate the system more efficiently without sacrificing accuracy, paving the way for the development of reliable fusion energy.
Researchers found that quasi-insider shareholder activism is surprisingly common and effective, targeting smaller companies with significant stock ownership. Former CEOs and founders with large stakes can wield considerable influence, but their motivations often appear more personal than ideological.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed an artificial membrane channel that can selectively transport middle rare earth elements, such as europium and terbium, while excluding other ions. This breakthrough could increase domestic supply and decrease reliance on costly imports.
A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences sheds light on how a 252-66 million-year-old 'marine revolution' influenced foraminifera diversity and survival. The study found that calcareous forams flourished after the MMR, becoming dominant types living today.
A new non-invasive brain stimulation technique using sound waves shows significant relief from depression, anxiety and trauma-related disorders. Participants experienced clinically significant improvements in negative affect and symptoms after just three weeks of daily treatments.
Higher wealth taxes significantly reduce charitable donations in Norway, according to new research from the University of Texas at Austin. The study finds that allowing larger income tax deductions can increase giving by 4.4%. This suggests a possible solution to soften the impact of wealth taxes on philanthropy.
A new study found that some bird species with large geographic ranges and big brains are actually more susceptible to climate change than previously thought. Researchers analyzed data from citizen scientists and found that birds adapted to narrow climate niches, such as the Arctic, are at higher risk from climate change.
A plume of hot rocks from the Earth's mantle created a conveyor belt for heat to rise, leading to the gradual uplift of the Arabian Peninsula and the creation of a land bridge between Asia and Africa. This event enabled the early ancestors of elephants, giraffes, and humans to roam between the two continents.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin suggests that sales quota periods should be tailored to individual preferences. Low performers are more motivated by constant motivation, while high performers respond better to longer quota cycles. This implies that one-size-fits-all approach to sales compensation may not be effective.
A new study from the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics suggests that Mars' molten core could explain its unusual magnetic field. Researchers used computer simulations to model a fully liquid core and found that it could produce a one-sided magnetic field, matching the imprint seen today.
A new phenomenon in modern batteries has been discovered by Texas Engineers, which could improve their life cycles. Researchers found a temporary version of the film that forms on the metal anode during discharge speeds and dissolves back into the battery when finished.
A recent study analyzed user reviews of popular apps and found that when developers imitate competing apps' features, customers are often right. However, when it comes to innovative features, developers should follow their own instincts unless they can fully understand user suggestions. The researchers used AI to sift through 7 million...
A study found that a hydrothermal system created by an asteroid impact helped marine life flourish in the Gulf of Mexico for at least 700,000 years. The system generated and circulated nutrients, supporting high-nutrient environments that favored certain types of plankton.
A 131-million-year-old pregnant ichthyosaur named Fiona has been studied for her well-preserved skeleton, which provides details about the anatomy of these marine predators. The researchers also found evidence of her final meal and a healed injury in her fin bones.
Scientists have discovered that osteocytes undergo structural and functional changes with age, impairing their ability to maintain bone strength. This discovery could lead to new treatments for osteoporosis and age-related bone loss by targeting senescent cells.
A new study from UT Austin has identified powerful antibodies that neutralize pertussis toxin, a key weakness in the disease. The researchers' findings could improve vaccine effectiveness and longevity of protection.
Researchers used NSF-funded Frontera supercomputer to model microtubule tips, revealing new behavior and key differences in structures depending on GTP or GDP binding. This basic research could aid in understanding neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's as well as design cancer drugs.
Researchers have discovered that the underside of the North American continent is experiencing 'cratonic thinning', a phenomenon where the continent is slowly losing its stability and rock layers. This process, driven by the subduction of the Farallon Plate, may eventually stop as the plate sinks deeper into the mantle.
A settlement has been reached in an antitrust lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors, potentially leading to lower real estate commissions. The agreement prohibits sellers from listing buyers' agent commissions on MLS databases, which could give consumers relief and promote competition among agents.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and collaborators in Arizona and Colorado found notable groundwater gains in Central Arizona despite long-term water stress. The policies have helped bank over 25 cubic kilometers of groundwater from 1989-2019, but the Colorado River faces uncertain future due to climate change.
A team of researchers from JPMorganChase, Quantinuum, and the University of Texas at Austin have successfully demonstrated certified randomness using a 56-qubit quantum computer. This achievement has significant implications for cryptography, fairness, and privacy, as it enables the generation of truly random numbers that cannot be man...
A new brief warns that assistive AI may worsen challenges related to error prevention and physician burnout. The researchers predict that medical liability will depend on who is considered at fault when the technology fails, subjecting physicians to unrealistic expectations.
Researchers have developed a method for nonprofits to use community-clustered profiles to identify potential donors based on publicly available data. The study found that using these profiles can help increase donor response rates without requiring expensive behavioral data.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Argonne National Laboratory have developed a comprehensive analysis of thermal stability in high-nickel cathode materials. The team discovered that each material has a critical state of charge defining its safe operating limit, which influences metal-oxygen bonds and surface reactivity.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed sapphire-based nanostructures with self-cleaning capabilities, repelling fog, dust, and glare. These nanostructures maintain a high level of durability and performance while being mechanically robust and multifunctional.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin estimates that by 2050, new hydrogen production facilities in Texas could account for 2-6.8% of water demand in the state, disproportionately affecting water-stressed regions like the Gulf Coast.
Scientists have discovered that channels carved by rivers have distinct curves compared to those cut by lava or ice. The research could be used as a diagnostic tool for sinuous channels on other worlds with unknown fluid origins.
Researchers developed an AI model that predicts ICU length of stay with high accuracy, while providing comprehensive explanations for patient outcomes. The model's predictions were found to be just as accurate as other XAI models, but its explanations were more detailed and useful for hospital staff.