A new study by University of Virginia and Harvard University found that working-class Americans are less likely to get married, stay married, and have children within marriage compared to those with college degrees. The researchers attribute this to the decline of stable, unionized full-time jobs with health insurance and pensions.
A new national study by University of Virginia researchers found that infants spending at least one night per week away from their mothers had more insecure attachments compared to those with fewer overnights or staying with fathers during the day. This raises concerns about the impact of parental separation on children's emotional con...
John Hawley and Steven Balbus were recognized for their discovery that magnetic fields make accretion disks unstable, solving a fundamental problem in astrophysics. Their work transformed the field of accretion disk theory and earned them the $1 million Shaw Prize award.
The new center is designed to improve how science is conducted and communicated, with tools to promote accurate and transparent findings. It also provides incentives for original research and replication of previous studies.
A new study assesses global land and water grabbing, revealing its impact on food security in impoverished countries and the environment. The phenomenon has intensified due to rising world food prices, with Africa and Asia accounting for most grabbed area.
Researchers at Northwestern University and UVA develop novel process to produce ethylene from methane using sulfur as a 'soft' oxidant. The conversion process uses sulfide catalysts to limit over-reaction of methane, producing hydrocarbon fragments that react to form ethylene.
Researchers discovered that fruit fly larvae with simple eyes can assemble complex images using rapid head scanning, challenging traditional views on vision. The study suggests the brain plays a crucial role in processing visual input, enabling organisms to recognize details and patterns despite limited visual acuity.
Researchers predict that salt marshes can absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, potentially slowing climate change. However, the ecosystems can only survive moderate rates of sea-level rise and may not be able to mitigate warming at high levels.
A new University of Virginia study found little to no correlation between pretend play and children's mental development. However, researchers did find evidence that it contributes to language, storytelling, social development, and self-regulation.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that melanin, a pigment found in cuttlefish and squid, remains intact in 160-million-year-old fossils. This finding suggests that the ink-screen escape mechanism of cephalopods has not evolved since the Jurassic period.
Researchers discover that a highly toxic beta-amyloid protein triggers Alzheimer's disease by converting abundant beta-amyloids into a more toxic form. This process involves the interaction of beta-amyloid with tau protein, leading to the formation of toxic tangles in the brain.
A study of forked fungus beetles reveals that their social positions are related to reproductive success, suggesting that natural selection drives the evolution of social behavior. The researchers found that individual behaviors can influence their position in society, leading to varying levels of mating and reproduction.
New research suggests that ozone gas emitted from fracturing rocks could indicate impending earthquakes. Different types of rocks produced varying amounts of ozone, with rhyolite producing the strongest emission.
A recent study suggests that increasing air pollution in the Indian sub-continent is intensifying tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea. The weakening of wind-shear patterns over the sea allows stronger storm development, resulting in more intense storms.
Researchers discovered a bacterium that targets and kills specific pathogens, making it a potential living antibiotic. This 'vampire' bacteria can survive only by drawing nutrients from prey bacteria, killing them in the process.
A University of Virginia study found that watching fast-paced TV shows like SpongeBob SquarePants can severely compromise a child's executive function, leading to difficulties in problem-solving, self-control, and behavioral moderation. In contrast, slower-paced shows like Caillou had little impact on test scores.
Algae-based fuel produces high energy output with minimal land use, but its production is associated with significant environmental costs. The research suggests that algae-based biofuels may not be a silver bullet for replacing petroleum as a transportation energy source.
A University of Virginia study found that intense light enhances fear or anxiety in mice, while dimmer light reduces it. The researchers discovered that the visual pathway responsible for this behavior is in the rods and cones, which can be used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
University of Virginia researchers have identified a new type of catalytic site for oxidation reactions, which could lead to the development of more efficient catalysts. The discovery was made using a combination of experimental and theoretical tools, including spectroscopy and computational chemistry.
Physicist Olivier Pfister and his team create 60 measurable Qmodes, a multilevel variant of entangled qubits, in a major step towards building a quantum computer. This achievement has significant implications for quantum computing, potentially revolutionizing fields such as data encryption and complex system simulations.
The Russian boreal forest, the world's largest continuous expanse of forest, is experiencing a rapid shift in vegetation types as temperatures rise. This leads to an increase in evergreen conifers and a decline in larch trees, resulting in a northward progression of evergreens and a retreat of larch forests.
A new free web-based tool calculates an individual's nitrogen footprint, measuring its impact on the environment and providing recommendations for reducing it. The tool aims to raise awareness about the nitrogen dilemma and encourage people to take action to mitigate its effects.
Kudzu's chemical reaction contributes to surface ozone pollution, causing 50% more unhealthy ozone days. The invasive vine's production of isoprene and nitric oxide exacerbates air quality issues.
A new study by University of Virginia psychologists suggests that well-adapted youth with positive friendships will use social media to further enhance their relationships. However, teens with behavioral problems and difficulty making friends may use social media in negative ways or not at all.
Researchers at the University of Virginia have identified a gene in cowpea that confers resistance to Striga, a parasitic flowering plant that attacks the roots of host plants. The discovery is significant as it could help develop strategies for improving resistance to Striga in other affected crops.
A new study suggests that early agricultural methods may have altered the global climate by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Researchers found that earlier societies used more land for farming due to smaller populations and less incentive to maximize yield, leading to a large-scale burning of forests.
A new material developed at the University of Virginia can visualize even minute levels of oxygen in tumors, which are associated with increased cancer aggressiveness. This technology has great promise for being able to perform measurements of tumor hypoxia cost-effectively and could lead to more effective treatments.
A new study reveals that 70% of participants harbor implicit stereotypes associating science with males, leading to boys performing better in eighth-grade science and math. The study highlights the powerful effect of these unconscious biases on gender equity in science engagement and performance.
A team of psychologists used videoconferencing technology to study how people adapt their head movements and facial expressions when conversing with someone of the opposite sex. They found that gender is not a determining factor in nonverbal communication, as people tend to mirror each other's movements regardless of the perceived gender.
A study by University of Virginia professor Robert Tai and Harvard University researcher Philip Sadler found that high school students with weak math backgrounds who engage in self-structured learning practices may perform poorly in college science. In contrast, those with stronger math skills who receive more guidance in their high sc...
A new study by University of Virginia professor Timothy Salthouse suggests that some cognitive skills start to decline at around age 22 and accelerate after age 27. Average memory declines can be detected by age 37, but accumulated knowledge skills may increase until age 60.
A recent study by Robert Tai at the University of Virginia found that students who focus on mastering a single topic in-depth tend to outperform those who cover more topics superficially. The research suggests that teaching fewer topics with greater depth is a more effective way to prepare students for success in college science classes.
A new study reveals that molecular motors in cells operate in a highly coordinated manner to move internal cargo and transport organelles. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms that instruct motor movement, potentially leading to therapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS and Usher syndrome.
The University of Virginia is conducting a new project, APOGEE, as part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III to study the chemical and dynamical fingerprints of Milky Way red giant stars. The team aims to understand the assembly of the Milky Way galaxy and its evolution.
Researchers at U.Va.'s Center for Biomechanics are developing a highly detailed computer model of the human thorax and upper extremities, as well as other body parts, to create a virtual crash test dummy. The virtual dummy will allow for more realistic testing of auto safety systems before they are physically built.
A recent study suggests that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may be linked to a genetic mutation in the eye's melanopsin gene. Individuals with this mutation are five times more likely to experience SAD symptoms, highlighting a potential genetic predisposition to the condition.
The University of Virginia lab has created a hand-held device that can conduct DNA tests from a pin-prick-size droplet of blood in under an hour, reducing wait times and costs. This technology has far-reaching implications for personalized medicine, crime scene investigation, and agricultural biotechnology.
Biologists at the University of Virginia discovered a switching mechanism in the eye that regulates sleep/wake cycles in mammals. The finding demonstrates that light receptor cells play a key role in setting the brain's primary timekeeper, leading to potential new treatments for sleep disorders and visual impairments.
Researchers found that when attention to detail is required, sad children perform better than their happy peers. This finding contradicts the idea that happiness always leads to optimal outcomes. The study suggests that a positive mood can have hidden costs for certain tasks.
Two new papers by leading environmental scientists highlight the 'nitrogen cascade,' where a single atom of reactive nitrogen can cause harm to ecosystems and human health. The researchers suggest minimizing nitrogen use through optimizing plant uptake, recovering nitrogen from manure, and decreasing emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
A new method for handling rape kit evidence developed by Jessica Voorhees Norris reduces DNA analysis time and improves sperm cell recovery rate by 100 percent. This could potentially reduce the nationwide backlog of unanalyzed samples in US forensic laboratories.
A University of Virginia study finds that air pollution destroys flower scents by up to 90 percent, impairing pollinators' ability to locate flowers. This decline in fragility contributes to the declining populations of bees and butterflies, which are essential for food production.
Adolescent girls with ADHD are more likely to develop body-image dissatisfaction and binge-eating behaviors, according to a new study. The study found that these girls may be at risk for eating disorders, depression, and anxiety due to impulsive behaviors.
Researchers found that adults and young children can rapidly identify snakes among harmless images, but struggle with detecting them in cluttered environments. This innate ability may be linked to our ancestors' survival and reproductive success.
Researchers at UVA discovered that applying a moderate static magnetic field after an inflammatory injury can significantly reduce swelling. The study suggests that magnets could be used as an alternative to ice packs and compression for everyday sprains and bruises, with potential benefits for worker productivity and quality of life.
A University of Virginia study shows that plant offspring from maternal plants in the same environment outperform those raised differently, indicating a temporary mechanism of adaptation to local conditions. The findings highlight the significance of maternal effects in plant biology.
Scientists at the University of Virginia have developed a new class of hydrogen storage materials that can absorb up to 14% of hydrogen by weight at room temperature, twice as much as current materials. These novel materials could make the dream of a hydrogen economy a reality with their higher efficiency and lower production costs.
A new study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that teens who have sex at an early age are less likely to exhibit delinquent behavior in early adulthood. The researchers analyzed data from 534 same-sex twin pairs and discovered a link between early sex and better relationships later on.
A multi-cultural study found that European-Americans are more easily made less happy by negative events and recover at a slower rate than their Asian counterparts. On the other hand, Koreans, Japanese, and Asian-Americans are less happy in general but recover their emotional equilibrium more readily after a setback.
Professor Glenn Gaesser analyzes peer-reviewed research, debunking the notion that high-carb diets lead to weight gain. He finds that people consuming high-carb diets tend to be slimmer and healthier than those on low-carb diets. Gaesser attributes this to a higher quality of diet, including more fiber-rich foods.