Engineers from the University of Utah and Minnesota have discovered that interfacing two oxide compounds makes them highly conductive, producing a hundred times more free electrons than semiconductors. This innovation could lead to smaller power supplies and devices with reduced energy consumption, such as laptops and home appliances.
Researchers aim to reduce errors in warning decisions by considering all three key aspects: who, what, and when. Effective warnings are crucial for mitigating casualties and increasing transparency.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that timely conservation action can slow extinction rates and save species. The research found similar patterns of species loss following habitat disruption across various taxonomic groups, including birds, mammals, plants, reptiles, and invertebrates.
Researchers are developing a crowdsourced system that allows users to contribute in helping detect and locate unauthorized radio frequency use. The system uses software-defined radio technology and smartphone apps to monitor for suspicious activity, potentially aiding authorities in combating wireless theft.
A University of Utah study found that traditional lawn watering recommendations are often inaccurate for urban conditions in Los Angeles. By measuring evapotranspiration in shaded areas, researchers developed a new approach to adjust watering rates and achieved higher accuracy than existing models.
Curza Global, a pharmaceutical startup company, has received a Phase I SBIR grant to develop new antibacterials against Gram-negative infections. The two-year project will focus on structure-based drug design and medicinal chemistry to create potent antimicrobials with high selectivity for bacterial ribosomes.
Researchers created a mathematical equation for an ideal dynamic climbing rope that would slow falling climbers like brakes on cars. The study suggests using shape memory materials, which can be deformed and return to their original shape, to achieve this effect.
Researchers discovered two groups of brown bears in Turkey, one migrating between feeding and breeding sites, while the other stayed in a city dump all year round. This study highlights the impact of human-caused habitat fragmentation on bear behavior and conservation strategies.
Researchers at the University of Utah have discovered that vocal cords can be stretched and stiffened to predict an animal's pitch range, revealing evolutionary roots of voice. The study suggests that singers can increase their ranges by stretching their vocal cords or engaging in exercises that affect fiber spacing and cord stiffness.
University of Utah researchers have developed a theory that adding light during the manufacturing process can reduce defects in semiconductors, leading to more efficient solar cells and brighter LED bulbs. This breakthrough could unlock the potential of materials previously deemed unusable, such as cadmium telluride and gallium nitride.
A new study suggests that socially enforced nepotism, a concept that expands the classic theory of kin selection, may explain why people are altruistic towards distant kin. The simulations show that helping distant relatives can increase one's reputation and lead to more help from others, improving social rules and enforcing them.
Scientists at the University of Utah found that delaying the budding of new HIV particles triggers protease to destroy the virus, rendering it non-infectious. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new AIDS treatments with fewer side effects in about a decade.
A new study from the University of Utah has dated the Sentinel rock avalanche to 4,800 years ago, estimating its size and dynamics. The landslide created a flat floor for 700 years, covering an area larger than New York City's Central Park with debris.
A University of Utah study suggests that spring snowpack in higher elevations will be more dependent on precipitation than temperature in a warming climate. By the end of the century, the threshold elevation for temperature-controlled snowpack is expected to rise by around 800 feet, affecting ski resorts and water resources.
A study from the University of Utah finds that older Americans with hearing loss have more trouble understanding British accents when there is background noise. The study also explores how transgender women can adopt a clearer speaking style to sound more feminine and how fast-talking affects speech intelligibility.
The primary threat to vultures is the presence of toxins in carrion they consume, leading to declines or extinctions of most vulture species worldwide. In their absence, other scavengers proliferate, causing a cascading effect on food webs and human populations.
A team of researchers led by Chris Pantelides developed a new process to repair earthquake-damaged bridge columns in just a few days. The process uses concrete donuts lined with composite fiber material and can be used on not only bridges but also damaged columns around buildings.
Scientists have successfully converted spin current into electric current in several organic semiconductors, including carbon-60 buckyballs. The 'inverse spin Hall effect' method has potential for use in future electronic devices like batteries and solar cells.
Researchers found three tree physiological traits significantly predict drought mortality, related to hydraulics. Trees with lower hydraulic conductivity and safety margins are more susceptible to embolism and death. This study can help forecast tree deaths in drought and inform climate change mitigation strategies.
Human ancestors adapted to fire-prone environments by exploiting its foraging benefits, improving search and handling efficiency. This scenario provides a solution to the mismatch between fossil and archaeological records.
A new study simulates climate change effects on Rocky Mountain stream systems, finding that warmer temperatures have a greater impact on streamflow than changes in precipitation type. This can lead to reduced streamflow and altered groundwater recharge patterns.
Scientists studying ancient mammal relatives known as therapsids found that they had shorter life expectancies and bred at younger ages to survive the drastic climate change. This adaptation allowed them to thrive in the aftermath of the Permo-Triassic Mass Extinction, which pushed billions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere.
University of Utah engineers developed a handheld scanner that can detect small traces of alkane fuel vapor, crucial for preventing oil pipeline leaks and detecting explosives. The portable device will be used to locate leaks in pipelines, airplane fuel tanks, and security threats, providing real-time warnings.
Researchers discovered two genes, Pitx1 and Tbx5, responsible for developing feathered feet in pigeons. The study suggests that these genes may have played a role in the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs and early birds. The findings provide insight into how skin regions can be controlled to produce scales or feathers.
University of Utah researchers discovered how certain brain cells compute sound length and detect short sounds. The study found that for a frog brain cell to recognize a short sound, it is inhibited from firing while the sound occurs, then excited into firing when the sound ends.
Researchers at University of Utah have discovered a new kind of 2D semiconducting material that could lead to much speedier computers and smartphones. The material, made of tin and oxygen, allows electrical charges to move through it faster than conventional materials.
Researchers have created a new method to create flat optical lenses that can bend light to a single point, correcting a widespread misconception. The new lens is up to 10 times thinner than current camera lenses and could be used in medical devices, drones, and future smartphones with high-powered cameras.
A study by University of Utah researcher Elisabeth Conradt found that a mother's sensitivity can buffer her infant from the negative impacts of maternal depression. Infants whose mothers were sensitive had lower cortisol levels and less DNA methylation, indicating reduced exposure to maternal stress hormones.
Researchers found that moths with transplanted antennae responded to novel pheromone blends not seen in nature. The moths' brains integrated signals from the antennal lobe to create a sense of reality, even when the sensory input was altered.
A recent study by University of Utah professor Reid Ewing found that urban sprawl significantly reduces upward mobility, particularly for children born into low-income families. The study showed that compact areas tend to have higher rates of social mobility compared to sprawling areas.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures reduce desert woodrats' ability to eat their normal diet of toxic creosote bushes. This could lead to animals changing their diets, relocating to cooler habitats or going extinct in local areas.
A new study shows that parasitic flies may drive Darwin's finch populations to extinction in several decades. However, a modest reduction in fly prevalence through human intervention could alleviate the risk. Researchers propose various methods for controlling the fly population, including introducing wasps and using insecticides.
A University of Utah-led study identified a long-sought 'hybrid inviability gene' responsible for dead or infertile offspring when two fruit fly species mate. The discovery sheds light on the genetic and molecular process leading to formation of new species, and may provide clues to how cancer develops.
A recent study found that widespread tree mortality from mountain pine beetles can reduce water availability due to increased evaporation, rather than increasing streamflow. This challenges previous assumptions and offers new insights for managing healthier forests that are more resistant to drought.
Scientists have reevaluated the emergence of early dinosaur relatives and their connection to the first dinosaurs. The new findings suggest a shorter time gap between the two, dating back around 234-236 million years, contradicting previous estimates.
Researchers have developed a new way to detect chemical damage to DNA that can lead to genetic mutations and diseases. The method combines existing techniques to mark and copy DNA damage sites, preserving information on the location and type of damage.
University of Utah engineers develop a new color filter that lets in three times more light than conventional filters, resulting in cleaner and more accurate pictures taken in lowlight. The filter can be used for smartphone cameras and industrial applications.
Two infants buried in Alaska, 11,500 years ago, share genetic material with Native Americans in North and South America. The study supports the Beringian standstill model, suggesting that Native Americans descended from Asian migrants who spent time in Beringia before moving to the Americas.
Researchers at the University of Utah have developed software to create detailed 3-D models of animal brains, allowing for a more complete understanding of brain connectivity. This new tool can aid in studying mental and neurological conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and autism.
A study found that male howler monkeys with larger hyoid bones produce deeper calls but have smaller testicles, while those with smaller hyoids have larger testes. This tradeoff is thought to increase mating success by allowing males to either sire more offspring or attract females.
Researchers used cadaver arms in experiments supporting the idea that human hands evolved for both manual dexterity and fistfighting. They found humans can safely strike with 55% more force with a fully buttressed fist than with an unbuttressed fist.
Researchers found that voice-command technology is highly distracting, causing drivers to lose focus for extended periods. The studies also revealed that older drivers are more distracted than younger ones when using voice commands.
A team of scientists has unearthed a 2-foot-long, 76-million-year-old fossil of an extinct turtle species with a unique pig-like snout, providing valuable insights into the evolution of turtles. The discovery sheds light on the impact of climate change and rising sea levels on ancient ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of Utah have successfully created LEDs from food and beverage waste, reducing toxic waste and offering a cost-effective alternative. The development utilizes carbon dots made from discarded pieces of tortilla and soft drinks, eliminating concerns over toxic elements.
A new study using competing mice reveals genetic mutations can impair reproduction and territory control, contrary to previous assumptions of redundant gene functions. The mouse barn test provides a sensitive tool for assessing fitness consequences of gene changes in natural environments.
A new University of Utah study found that climate change negatively impacts birth weight, particularly in African countries. Exposure to reduced precipitation and increased hot days results in lower birth weights, with effects seen as early as the first trimester.
A recent study suggests that grandmothering played a crucial role in the development of human pair bonds, which distinguish us from other primates. With increasing human longevity, grandmothers helped feed their weaned children, allowing their daughters to have more kids and passing on genes.
A team of computer scientists from University of Utah discovered a way to find bias in algorithms used for hiring decisions and loan approvals. They developed a technique to determine if such software programs discriminate unintentionally, revealing potential issues with disparate impact. The researchers also found a method to fix thes...
A study found that most major mammal groups in Africa tried grazing on grass around 2 million years ago, but some animals switched to browsing trees and shrubs or became extinct. The bovids, including cattle and antelopes, are the only group still mostly grazing on grass today.
Forest trees take an average of two to four years to recover from droughts, with growth rates slower than expected during the recovery period. The study suggests that Earth's forests can store less carbon than previously calculated, which could lead to a speed-up in climate change.