Darwin’s finches may face extinction

December 17, 2015

Mathematical simulations at the University of Utah show parasitic flies may spell extinction for Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos Islands, but that pest-control efforts might save the birds that helped inspire the theory of evolution. The new study “shows that the fly has the potential to drive populations of the most common species of Darwin’s […]



A gene for new species is discovered

December 17, 2015

  Dec. 17, 2015 – A University of Utah-led study identified a long-sought “hybrid inviability gene” responsible for dead or infertile offspring when two species of fruit flies mate with each other. The discovery sheds light on the genetic and molecular process leading to formation of new species, and may provide clues to how cancer […]



Dinosaur relatives and first dinosaurs more closely connected than previously thought

December 7, 2015

A new study by a team of scientists from Argentina, Brazil, California and the Natural History Museum of Utah at the University of Utah has determined that the time elapsed between the emergence of early dinosaur relatives and the origin of the first dinosaurs is much shorter than previously believed. The discovery not only places […]



Mineral discovered by former U employee named Mineral of the Year

December 1, 2015

A mineral discovered by retired University of Utah medical technologist Joe Marty recently received the inaugural Mineral of the Year award for 2014 by the International Mineral Association. Marty discovered the winning mineral, ophirite, roughly 25 years ago at the Ophir Hill Consolidated mine of Utah. The mine, located in the Ophir district in the Oquirrh […]



U Hosts Engineering Day

November 11, 2015

The University of Utah College of Engineering will be hosting its annual Engineering Day, a day full of fun demonstrations and presentations for high school students learning about the concepts of engineering and technology. This year’s event, which is being sponsored by Rio Tinto Kennecott, will be held Saturday, Nov. 14, starting at 9 a.m. […]



New way to find DNA damage

November 6, 2015

University of Utah chemists devised a new way to detect chemical damage to DNA that sometimes leads to genetic mutations responsible for many diseases, including various cancers and neurological disorders. “We are one step closer to understanding the underlying chemistry that leads to genetic diseases,” says Cynthia Burrows, distinguished professor and chair of chemistry at […]



On Golden’s ice pond

November 5, 2015

From the National Science Foundation Oceanographers, marine biologists and geologists are the scientists most commonly associated with studying changes in sea ice. But these days, it just might be a mathematician drilling ice cores in the Antarctic. With 17 trips to the Arctic and Antarctic under his belt, Ken Golden of the University of Utah […]



Science Day at the U

November 3, 2015

Hundreds of high school students from Utah and nearby states will get an introduction to education and research opportunities at the University of Utah during the 27th annual Science Day at the U on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is hosted by the university’s College of Science and College […]



Bright idea for lowlight photography

October 27, 2015

Anyone who’s taken a picture of birthday candles being blown out or a selfie during a romantic candlelit dinner knows how disappointing it is when the photo comes out dark and grainy. But University of Utah Electrical and Computer Engineering professor Rajesh Menon has developed a new camera color filter that lets in three times […]



Ancient babies boost Bering land bridge layover

October 26, 2015

University of Utah scientists deciphered maternal genetic material from two babies buried together at an Alaskan campsite 11,500 years ago. They found the infants had different mothers and were the northernmost known kin to two lineages of Native Americans found farther south throughout North and South America. By showing that both genetic lineages lived so […]