The VERITAS array has confirmed the detection of high-energy gamma rays from a supermassive black hole located in a distant galaxy, TXS 0506+056. This detection is significant as it provides evidence that nearby and faraway galaxies with supermassive blackholes at their centers are actively creating high-energy cosmic rays.
University of Utah engineers uncover the reasons behind vertigo caused by specific sounds, linking it to a thinning of the bone enclosing the inner ear. The study reveals pathological fluid mechanical waves in the semicircular canals as the culprit, causing incorrect signals sent to the brain.
Researchers at the University of Utah and University of California, San Diego discovered how antifreeze proteins function, providing a direction for future research. The study found that AFPs prevent water from freezing by surrounding and binding to small ice crystals, preventing their spread.
Researchers discover that magnetic fields break apart Cooper pairs, leading to damping force from unpaired electrons, causing nanowires to lose superconductivity. The findings confirm critical theory predictions made a decade ago, providing new insights into quantum phase transitions.
Researchers found that lawns in Salt Lake Valley up to 100 years old show no signs of being saturated with fertilizer nutrient nitrogen, contradicting previous studies. The study suggests that natural processes may account for the unusual pattern, including storage in the soil and losses through groundwater leaching.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a grant to the Natural History Museum of Utah and the College of Education at the University of Utah to develop an online learning environment for student learning in the biosciences. The project, EPIC Bioscience, will use digitized museum collections to provide middle school students with en...
A new study by University of Utah professor Jacqueline M. Chen found that observers categorize black-white multiracial individuals as non-white, influenced by a powerful minority bias. This phenomenon has significant implications for multiracial individuals' social experiences and race relations in the US.
Researchers have found that certain colloids can stick to sediment grains due to decorative nanoscience, allowing for predictable attachment and removal of contaminants. This discovery could help improve prediction of contaminant transport distances and protect water resources.
The TRAX project is the only known transit-based mobile air quality network in North America. It has mapped out where and when different pollutants are present along its route, providing valuable insights into air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The University of Utah's Masood Parvania is developing microgrid controllers that can distribute electrical power more efficiently and securely in case of a power outage. His team will test these technologies on a new laboratory setup, also aiming to educate the next generation of power engineers.
Research by Ingo Titze and Anil Palaparthi found that animals' high radiation efficiency is due to wide mouths, high frequencies, and body acoustical reflecting chambers. Humans lack these traits, limiting our ability to make long-range calls like animals do. The study aims to improve human call efficiency for emergency situations.
A team led by the University of Utah has observed lightning-triggered gamma-rays in more detail than ever before, detecting 10 bursts of downward terrestrial gamma ray flashes between 2014 and 2016. The study provides a major advance in understanding the production mechanism of these rare and high-energy radiation events.
The University of Utah Seed Fund will allocate up to $1 million to support early stage technology development and commercialization. The first recipient is Djordje Atanackovic, who received funding for a groundbreaking CAR-T therapeutic treatment for multiple myeloma.
Researchers tracked Egyptian vultures along the Red Sea Flyway, revealing key migratory bird corridors and bottlenecks. The study highlights a major research gap in conservation efforts for this endangered species.
A study finds that interrupting radiologists does not reduce diagnostic accuracy but changes their focus and increases time spent on cases, with more time spent on dictation screens.
Researchers have found evidence of early human trading, color pigments, and sophisticated tools in eastern Africa, approximately 320,000 years ago. These discoveries suggest that humans adapted to an unpredictable environment through innovation and social exchange networks.
Scientists have successfully converted quantum waves into electrical current using an organic-based magnet, paving the way for faster and more efficient electronics. The breakthrough, achieved by researchers at the University of Utah, could lead to new generations of electronic systems that use magnons instead of electrons.
A recent study published in Biological Conservation shows that eBird citizen science data accurately tracks trends in government bird surveys, filling data gaps in developing nations. The analysis, led by University of Utah researcher Joshua Horns, reveals significant declines for 48% of North American bird species over the past 20 years.
The U CO2 sensor network, the only multisite urban CO2 network worldwide with over a decade of continuous measurements, shows that suburban sprawl significantly impacts metro area CO2 emissions. The network reveals that suburban expansion increases CO2 emissions more than similar population growth in urban areas.
Researchers have identified a unique packaging method of genes in early embryos that helps regulate their expression. This study provides insights into the mechanisms controlling embryonic development, which may impact gene expression and inheritance, including predisposition to diseases like cancer.
A new study maps active hate groups across US counties, revealing regional variations in drivers of hate. The research finds that less education, poverty, and ethnic diversity correlate with more hate groups, with regional differences shaped by diverse ethnic and cultural histories.
A study found that nursery stock availability and homeowner preferences significantly influence the diversity of tree species in the Salt Lake Valley. The researchers collected data from over 15,000 trees in six neighborhoods with different median home ages and household incomes.
Huntsman Cancer Institute has been selected as a NCI Center for patient-derived model development, utilizing cutting-edge research to test new drugs and drug combinations for breast cancer. The goal is to provide data to prioritize clinical trials and help determine why certain drugs work for some people and others do not.
A new study from the University of Utah suggests that repeated stress from everyday activities like walking can cause microdamage to bones in older adults, leading to a higher risk of breakage. This theory, known as 'cyclic loading,' challenges the common-held belief that bone breaks are caused by single impacts or forces.
Researchers found that changes in humidity determine how much snowpack contributes to streams, lakes, and groundwater as the climate warms. Cloudy, humid winter days cause snowpack to warm faster, increasing melt during winter months. In contrast, clear skies and low humidity preserve the snowpack until spring. The study highlights the...
A new mathematical tool, based on Bayes' Theorem, was developed to validate and improve methods for interpreting clinical genetic test results. The tool assessed the rigor of widely-used approaches and found that a system of 18 rules is statistically sound and objectively strong.
A study led by University of Utah researcher Lee Raby found that children who experience abuse and neglect early in life are more likely to struggle with social relationships and underachieve academically as adults. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that maltreatment's effects can persist from childhood through adoles...
A University of Utah study finds Arctic clouds highly sensitive to air pollution, with particulate matter spurring cloud formation and amplifying the warming effect. The research suggests controlling airborne pollutants could ease Arctic cloud cover and slow down warming.
Scientists have found that water droplets in clouds can turn to ice more rapidly than previously predicted, with a disordered ice structure forming under certain cloud conditions. This discovery reconciles theoretical models of clouds with observations of freezing rates, helping cloud modelers understand better their observational data.
University of Utah researchers create a new component for ultra-high-speed communications and computing using perovskite, a mineral discovered in Russia. The technology uses the terahertz spectrum to transmit data a thousand times faster than current systems.
Researchers applied an ecological model to explain historical settlement patterns in Utah, finding that agricultural suitability drove colonization. The study's results illustrate why populations are distributed across the state and provide insights into the impact of early settlers' decisions on modern-day Utah.
Women who experienced painful father-child relationships perceive greater mating intent in men and exhibit increased sexual arousal when viewing male faces. This study highlights the potential for early childhood experiences to shape adult mating behavior and increase the likelihood of engaging in unrestricted or risky sexual activity.
University of Utah researchers found that metacognition training improved general chemistry exam scores for lower-performing students. On average, these students raised their final exam scores by 4%, with the strongest improvement seen in the bottom quartile, who scored a full letter grade better.
A nearly complete skeleton of a 76-million-year-old tyrannosaur was discovered in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The fossil is believed to be an individual of the species Teratophoneus curriei, with a relatively short head and estimated length of 17-20 feet.
Scientists have discovered that waves in lakes can generate microseismic signals that can reveal subsurface geology and track ice cover duration. By analyzing these signals, researchers can create a seismic 'CT scan' of the Earth, providing valuable insights into geological structures.
Researchers explored racial microaggressions in STEM fields, finding they negatively impact underrepresented scientists. In another study, a 'dynamical shake-up' model explains why Mars is so small and there are no planets in the asteroid belt.
Researchers used dense seismograph network to map near-surface geology around Old Faithful, discovering a reservoir of heated water that fuels the geyser. The study also reveals how ground shaking behaves between eruptions and finds an underground feature affecting seismic waves in a specific area.
A new study by University of Utah researchers found that drivers using infotainment systems are taking their hands, eyes, and mind off the road for over 24 seconds to complete tasks. The study, led by Professor David L. Strayer, identified programming navigation as the most distracting task.
A University of Utah study found that summary displays and ensemble displays can be misinterpreted by novice viewers, leading to inaccurate risk assessments. The researchers suggest that media reports should provide more context to help the public understand hurricane forecast visualization methods.
Researchers developed a mapping tool to help fire crews make crucial safety decisions with an eagle's eye view. The study used LiDAR technology to analyze terrain slope, ground surface roughness and vegetation density, revealing the impact on travel rates and escape route efficiency.
A new study by the University of Utah and CDC estimates that employer-sponsored health plans spent $6 billion on premature infants in 2013. Infants born prematurely are at increased risk for developing lifelong physical, cognitive, and social challenges, with birth defects accounting for a substantial portion of expenses.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that inmates who viewed nature videos committed 26 percent fewer violent infractions than their peers. The study showed that exposure to nature, even through images, can have a positive impact on prisoners' behavior.
A new study used speed dating data to test if machine learning could predict unique romantic desire. The researchers found that while they could predict overall tendencies for someone to like and be liked by others, they couldn't anticipate which two people were a match.
Researchers have developed a rapid portable test for liver cancer that can detect the disease in two minutes and can be administered wherever the patient is. The test uses gold nanoparticles to trap biomarkers from biological fluids, making it a potential game-changer in combating this deadly disease.
A University of Utah-led study finds that targeted forest regeneration can increase the survival time of bird communities up to 56-fold in two biodiversity hotspots. The cost of regeneration is estimated between $21 and $49 million dollars, offering a high return on investment for biodiversity conservation.
A recent study challenged the conventional view of coevolution between plants and herbivores, suggesting that plants' defensive traits, rather than their genetic relationships, are key factors in determining which species herbivores target. This new paradigm proposes that herbivores may 'chase' or switch hosts based on the plant's defe...
A new study investigates the decision-making process in relationships, revealing common pros and cons of staying versus leaving. Participants weighed reasons such as emotional intimacy, investment, and personality traits, with married individuals citing more constraint-based reasons for staying.
A study found that drought recovery depends on post-drought weather conditions and location. In general, most areas recover in under six months, while high-latitude regions need up to two years. Climate models predict more frequent droughts, which could lead to a double whammy effect if ecosystems are hit before they recover.
A University of Utah-led team analyzed archaic DNA to reconstruct the early history of humans, revealing an evolutionary story that challenges traditional views. The study found that Neanderthals and Denisovans nearly went extinct after separating from modern humans, but later diverged and grew into tens of thousands of individuals.
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is launching efforts to train ecologists in effective public engagement. The annual meeting will feature workshops, sessions, and a social event to promote knowledge sharing and networking among scientists who prioritize public engagement.