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Two U scientists honored as 2019 AAAS Fellows

University of Utah professors John S. Parkinson of the School of Biological Sciences and Marc D. Porter of the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering are among the 443 newly elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Election as a fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their […]


A fragile crust protects from dust

The flat dry lakebed (also called a playa) surrounding Utah’s Great Salt Lake is more than 750 square miles—an area bigger than Houston. The wide-open landscape is surprisingly varied and is the realm of coyotes, bison, and a few hardy plants. It’s probably safe to say that no one knows the Great Salt Lake playa […]


Scientists Rank World’s Most Important, Most Threatened Mountain Water Towers

Scientists from around the world have assessed the planet’s 78 mountain glacier–based water systems and, for the first time, ranked them in order of their importance to adjacent lowland communities, as well as their vulnerability to future environmental and socioeconomic changes. These systems, known as mountain water towers, store and transport water via glaciers, snow […]


Spin on perovskite research advances potential for quantum computing

The next generation of information technology could take advantage of spintronics—electronics that use the minuscule magnetic fields emanating from spinning electrons as well as the electric charges of the electrons themselves—for faster, smaller electronic devices that use less energy. Newly published work by scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the University of Utah […]


“Seeing others suffer is too stressful”: Why people buy, trade, donate medications on the black market

Altruism and a lack of access and affordability are three reasons why people with chronic illnesses turn to the “black market” for medicines and supplies, new research shows. Scientists at University of Utah Health and University of Colorado ran surveys to understand why individuals look beyond pharmacies and medical equipment companies to meet essential needs. […]


U chemist and pediatrician named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors

University of Utah distinguished professor of chemistry Peter Stang and professor of pediatrics Anne Blaschke were two of 168 academic inventors named as Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors for 2019. Stang opened pathways in organic chemistry reactions and now explores ways to form molecules into self-assembled geometric shapes. Blaschke played key roles in […]


Building a sense of belonging in Utah schools

Three members of the U’s University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) team recently returned from Washington, D.C., where they presented their work for the Flamboyan Foundation’s National Family Engagement Fellowship. Jennifer Mayer-Glenn, director of UNP and special assistant to the president for campus-community partnerships, and Paul Kuttner, associate director of UNP, have been members of the four-person […]


Launch of Primary Children’s Center for Personalized Medicine

Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, University of Utah Health and Intermountain Precision Genomics are launching an exciting new program to improve health care for children throughout the Intermountain West—a Center for Personalized Medicine that will bring next-generation care to children today, using advanced technologies to understand a child’s unique genetic makeup and offer tailored treatments. The […]


University of Utah receives grant from Office on Violence Against Women to facilitate partnership with Utah Domestic Violence Coalition and other community entities

The University of Utah, Utah Domestic Violence Coalition and more than 10 campus and community partners have received a $300,000 grant to develop better coordination of services and comprehensive prevention strategies aimed at reducing violent crimes against women and promoting victim safety. The grant is from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against […]


Forests face climate change tug of war

In a world of rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, plants should be happy, right? Experiments have shown that, yes, increased carbon dioxide does allow plants to photosynthesize more and use less water. But the other side of the coin is that warmer temperatures drive plants to use more water and photosynthesize less. So, which […]