Thinking objectively about romantic conflicts could lead to fewer future disagreements

Disputes are normal in romantic partnerships, but learning to see them from an outsider’s perspective, rather than your biased point of view, could be the key to cutting down on conflicts.

Lindsey Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Psychology, University of South Florida • conversation
Aug. 19, 2021 ~5 min

Fish fins are teaching us the secret to flexible robots and new shape-changing materials

Fish fins are extremely flexible yet also strong. A special segmented fin design is the key to this useful combination of properties and could inspire new morphing materials.

Francois Barthelat, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Aug. 18, 2021 ~6 min


How stigma, anxiety and other psychological factors can contribute to food insecurity

Detecting food insecurity requires more than assessing what’s in your refrigerator or measuring the distance between your home and the closest supermarket.

Cassandra M. Johnson, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Foods, Texas State University • conversation
Aug. 11, 2021 ~5 min

New technology can create treatment against drug-resistant bacteria in under a week and adapt to antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest public health threats in the world. New research, however, may have found a way to keep up with rapidly evolving bacteria.

Kristen Eller, PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Aug. 9, 2021 ~5 min

Machine learning plus insights from genetic research shows the workings of cells – and may help develop new drugs for COVID-19 and other diseases

Machine learning is great at finding patterns but doesn’t know what those patterns mean. Combine it with knowledge gained from genetic research and you have a powerful view into the workings of cells.

Jalees Rehman, Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago • conversation
Aug. 6, 2021 ~5 min

Lead exposure during childhood may influence adult personality, and not for the better

Early exposure to lead pollution may lead to less mature personality traits as an adult.

Ted Schwaba, Postdoctoral Researcher in Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts • conversation
July 29, 2021 ~5 min

AI spots shipwrecks from the ocean surface – and even from the air

It's difficult to tell a shipwreck from a natural feature on the ocean floor in a scan taken from a plane or ship. This project used deep learning to get it right 92% of the time.

Leila Character, Doctoral student in Geography, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts • conversation
July 22, 2021 ~4 min

25-year-long study of Black women links frequent use of lye-based hair relaxers to a higher risk of breast cancer

Researchers had suspected that chemical hair relaxers might be behind racial disparities in breast cancer diagnoses. A new study narrows in on lye as a possible cause for that link.

Kimberly Bertrand, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Boston University • conversation
July 13, 2021 ~5 min


Research that shines light on how cells recover from threats may lead to new insights into Alzheimer's and ALS

Insight on how a unique protein plays a role in cellular stress responses may provide more clues on how to treat diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's.

Brian Andrew Maxwell, Scientist in Cell Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences • conversation
June 24, 2021 ~5 min

The surface of Venus is cracked and moves like ice floating on the ocean – likely due to tectonic activity

Researchers used decades-old radar data and found that some low-lying areas of Venus' crust are moving and jostling. This evidence is some of the strongest yet of tectonic activity on Venus.

Paul K. Byrne, Associate Professor of Planetary Science, North Carolina State University • conversation
June 21, 2021 ~6 min

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