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LED bulb exchange program brings sustainability to west side communities

For low-income families, paying the energy bill every month can be challenging, as energy bills can account for up to twice the percentage of income as for families with median income. Further, converting to an energy-efficient lifestyle can come with a steep up-front cost, adding another financial barrier to saving energy. But a recent pilot […]


University of Utah launches first-ever Journal of Dark Sky Studies

Despite growing evidence that artificial light at night severely impacts wildlife, human health, wasteful spending and a disconnect to our cultural past, there are no formal academic educational programs strictly for dark sky study and protection. The University of Utah is changing that. This week, the U launched the first issue of The Journal of […]


University of Utah at the 68th Annual U.N. Civil Society Conference

Thousands of people from around the world will convene at the Salt Palace Convention Center (100 South and West Temple) in Salt Lake City from Aug. 26-28, for the United Nations Civil Society Conference to discuss creating inclusive and sustainable cities and communities. Below are summaries of workshops led in part by University of Utah-affiliated […]


New rider data shows how public transit reduces greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions

Public transit has long been an answer for people looking to leave their car at home and reduce their air pollution emissions. But now, with better rider tracking tools, the University of Utah and the Utah Transit Authority can better answer the question: How much does public transit reduce pollution emissions? In a paper published […]


Utah’s red rock metronome

At about the same rate that your heart beats, a Utah rock formation called Castleton Tower gently vibrates, keeping time and keeping watch over the sandstone desert. Swaying like a skyscraper, the red rock tower taps into the deep vibrations in the earth—wind, waves and far-off earthquakes. New research from University of Utah geologists details […]


U establishes philosophy of science major

The University of Utah’s Department of Philosophy has established a new interdisciplinary philosophy of science major, which launched Fall Semester 2019. The undergraduate major provides students with a technical grounding in a scientific discipline of their choice, core knowledge in ethical, analytical and logical reasoning and highly developed verbal and writing skills. The major is […]


What we don’t know about prenatal opioid exposure

Aug. 28, 2019— Pregnancy can be a time of anxious uncertainty, particularly if there are any risks of complications. The question always arises, from parents, grandparents, friends and others: “Will the baby be OK?” In cases where the baby has been exposed to opioids in the womb, the answer is unclear. As part of a […]


Changes Associated with Autism Risk May Be Detected as Early as the Second Trimester

Researchers at University of Utah Health have identified a link between autism and steroid hormone changes detected in the mother’s blood. These changes, which suggest increased estrogen activity, can be seen early in the second trimester. The pilot study, published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, opens a new direction in autism research. […]


Up to half of patients withhold life-threatening issues from doctors

Facing the threat of domestic violence, being a survivor of sexual assault, struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide are four topics that are difficult to broach with anyone. Including those who can help you. A new study reveals up to 47.5% of patients who feel they face one or more of these four threats […]


Foraging for Information: Machine Learning Decodes Genetic Influence Over Behavior

Mice scurry around while foraging for food, but genetics may be the unseen hand controlling these meandering movements. Researchers at University of Utah Health are using machine learning to draw links between genetic controls that shape incremental steps of instinctive and learned behaviors. The results are available online in Cell Reports on August 13. “Patterns […]