News
Study: ‘Classic example’ of sexual dimorphism in fossil record actually shows nuance between males and females
A new study from the University of Kansas appearing in the open-access, peer-reviewed journal PLOS One shows the differences between male and female uintatheres might not be as vast as paleontologists have long believed.
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Fri, 10/02/2026
Research finds sibling aggression to be common, though often dismissed as ‘normal’
Although sibling aggression is widespread and can shape people for years, it hasn’t been studied well by psychological researchers. In a new study, KU researchers have found roughly 1 in 6 children reported using or threatening physical force to dominate a sibling, while about 1 in 8 said they had threatened or bullied a sibling to get something.
Tue, 09/08/2026
Study finds common vaping additives disrupt lung-surfactant film in lab model
A new study from the University of Kansas shows that additives common to commercially available vaping devices, vitamin E and CBD, soften a vital lung surfactant at high enough concentrations, at least in a simplified lab model.
Wed, 08/26/2026
Using FDA addiction science, researcher asks: Do salty, high-fat foods act like drugs?
University of Kansas researcher Tera Fazzino is investigating whether “hyperpalatable” foods marketed to Americans — foods formulated with artificially high amounts of fat, salt and carbohydrates — have traits commonly associated with addictive substances. She recently earned a $2.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to test the idea using experimental practices standard in the field of regulatory research.
Tue, 07/28/2026
Research shows people aren’t lonelier — they’re changing how they spend their time
University of Kansas researcher Jeffrey Hall and American Friendship Project colleagues have conducted studies on how and why people spend time with their friends. As National Friendship Day approaches, the researchers can discuss why people are spending less time in person with friends.
Wed, 07/22/2026
W.M. Keck Foundation awards $1.2 million to KU team pursuing new theory of Alzheimer’s disease
Michael Wolfe, interim department chair and Mathias P. Mertes Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, will lead a project exploring stalled enzymes in Alzheimer's disease.
Tue, 07/21/2026
Researchers develop velocity-based training guidelines for football, tailored for specific positions
Researchers at KU’s Jayhawk Athletic Performance Lab have published guidelines for using velocity-based training in college football. The approach measures the speed of a barbell during weightlifting and can be used to develop different types of strength and power. The guidelines help develop training regimens for specific athletes and by position group, based on the unique needs of each.
Tue, 06/23/2026
Study finds estrogen-based hormone therapies could protect brain health in older women
Researchers from the University of Kansas discovered older women who had used hormonal birth control in young adulthood were more likely to have larger volumes in brain regions vital to memory, cognition and information processing.
Tue, 06/16/2026
Researchers unveil method for safeguarding privacy of electrocardiograms
Researchers from the University of Kansas have developed a privacy-preserving AI model called (PP-VAE) to protect personally sensitive data about a patient’s sex, age, race and even exact identity derived from electrocardiogram signals.
Wed, 06/03/2026
US tobacco firms used cigarette-selling tactics to globally market ultraprocessed foods
A new study from the University of Kansas details how U.S. tobacco corporations expanded into global food markets from the mid-1980s to the mid-2000s, using strategies honed through cigarette sales to market ultraprocessed foods, which are industrially processed and contain ingredients and additives that maximize their appeal.
Mon, 05/11/2026
Study reveals common mutation linked to autoimmune diseases may protect people from viral infections
New research from the University of Kansas shows a “risk gene” linked to higher odds of developing autoimmune diseases such as diabetes or lupus may also provide a survival advantage fighting viral infections like coronavirus.
Mon, 05/04/2026
Research aims to identify underlying causes for linked mental health issues
A researcher from the University of Kansas has led a large-scale study of veterans to better understand how psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders are connected.
Thu, 04/16/2026
KU researchers enhance training for the Kansas health care workforce to prevent substance use disorders
Researchers in the KU School of Social Welfare have updated training materials that prepare health care providers to prevent, identify and treat substance use disorders across Kansas. SBIRT — Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment — is an evidence-based approach to talking with people about their substance use.
Tue, 04/14/2026
Study reveals how dreams affect emotions in day-to-day life
A KU clinical psychology scholar sought to test whether emotions experienced within dreams — like fear and joy — change feelings the following morning. Garrett Baber and colleagues published the findings in the peer-reviewed journal Sleep.
Mon, 04/13/2026
Study shows cigarette smoking almost twice as likely for people living with chronic pain
Researchers have analyzed responses from more than 195,600 Americans surveyed over 10 years. The key finding: Chronic pain is tied to smoking and vaping at higher rates.
Wed, 04/08/2026
Researcher offers communication tips for combating military mental health stigma
KU professor Rikki Roscoe has contributed to the new book “Mental Health Communication for Underserved Populations,” detailing ways to reduce stigma and secrecy among soldiers and veterans who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues.
Mon, 03/23/2026
KU study tracks 43 years of intellectual and developmental disability funding trends
The latest available data shows a vital shift toward community-based care for nearly 1 million Americans, but University of Kansas researchers warn that Medicaid uncertainty could force a return to institutions.
Thu, 02/26/2026
Study shows social capital improves public health, but not equally for all communities
A study from the University of Kansas has found that high levels of social capital, such as civic participation, leads to better public health. However, the improvement was not equal among white and Black populations in the same communities with high levels of social capital, meaning more work is necessary to improve health outcomes for all, according to the authors.
Fri, 02/20/2026
Startup from School of Pharmacy seeks to redefine oral testosterone replacement therapy
SteroCore, a startup emerging from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, is developing a novel oral testosterone therapy designed to work with, rather than bypass, the liver’s natural physiology. The company’s approach aims to address longstanding challenges in testosterone replacement therapy.
Mon, 02/09/2026
New research supports ‘trauma-informed lens’ for entrepreneurship community
Past research has found that some subpopulations — including immigrants and veterans — who experience disproportionate exposure to trauma are more likely to become entrepreneurs. New work from a KU School of Business researcher introduces a trauma-informed approach as an evidence-based tool to mitigate trauma's effects on functioning and entrepreneurial success.
Mon, 02/02/2026
From Kansas to the world: KU’s WHO collaboration works to promote global health
By delivering a digital “toolbox” to 300 countries, researchers at the Center for Community Health and Development are bringing life-saving lessons back home to Kansas.
Mon, 01/26/2026
Study shows athletes with better jumping ability generate faster golf club head speed
Researchers from the University of Kansas partnered with Oklahoma State University's golf program to measure jumping ability and its correlation with golf club head speed, finding athletes with better jumping ability were able to generate more speed on their swings.
Wed, 01/14/2026
Fractured family relationships increase susceptibility for polydrug use, study finds
In a new study, Jarron Saint Onge, professor of sociology at the University of Kansas, examines the relationship between using multiple types of drugs and social inequality among low-income Mexican American women.
Wed, 12/17/2025
Grant to expand community-based research project focused on people with mobility disabilities
With new federal funding, a University of Kansas project is expanding access to exercise for people with disabilities. Life Span Institute researcher Lyndsie Koon says the community-based functional fitness program has shown strong results.
Mon, 12/01/2025
NIH grant supports KU study of DNA-protein cross-links
Identifying toxic DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs) and the cellular pathways to repair them are the goals of research underway by University of Kansas researcher Luke Erber, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry, and his lab team. The research is being funded by a $1.8 million grant recently announced by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, a unit of the National Institutes of Health.
Mon, 12/01/2025
School of Pharmacy researcher publishes work on social isolation, drug abuse
School of Pharmacy researcher and associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology Zijun Wang was recently published in Nature Communications. Her research delves into social isolation and how it impacts mental health and substance abuse disorders and potentially discovering drug therapies to intervene.
Fri, 11/21/2025
New KU initiative uses cutting-edge sports technology to help Kansas high school athletes train smarter
A new initiative led by the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory helps Kansas high school athletes train smarter, stay healthier and sets the stage for groundbreaking sports science research.
Mon, 11/17/2025
Parents of autistic children find training, support through online OASIS program
OASIS at the University of Kansas helps caregivers of autistic children learn evidence-based strategies founded on behavioral science, serving as a critical bridge between diagnosis and intervention.
Fri, 10/24/2025
Research reveals people desire social distance from spouses of those with mental illness
In a new book chapter, Elizabeth Felix, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Kansas, employs a vignette survey experiment to investigate the extent to which the public wants social distance from people with certain mental illnesses, as well as their romantic partners.
Mon, 10/20/2025
Study uses GPS technology to find football practices can be up to 40% more demanding than games
Quincy Johnson, a researcher at the University of Kansas, led a study that used GPS technology to track how far and fast football players run and which positions had the most high-intensity work. They compared the workloads of practices to games, and the findings can help coaches, trainers and athletes find the best balance to properly prepare for a demanding game.
Thu, 10/16/2025
KU Positive Psychotherapy Clinic doubles number of clinicians, provides service across Kansas
The Positive Psychotherapy Clinic in the University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences has served Kansans from 48 counties, with plans to continue growing services. Clinicians report seeing improvements in clients as early as the first session.