Research

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Reporter writing in notebook and carrying camera

KU researcher leading project to gauge effectiveness of journalism ethics disclosures

A microscopic view of saliva collection from a noninfectious female mosquito.

Study of mosquito spit could lead to therapies for viruses like West Nile and yellow fever

A KU energy and environmental law expert has published an article outlining how open definitions of "energy communities" can help the transition to renewable sources of energy.

Keeping variation in definition of 'energy communities' can help transition to renewable energy, law expert writes

A KU energy and environmental law professor has published a new study arguing that keeping an open definition of energy communities, or those traditionally dependent on fossil fuel energies, can help ease the transition to renewables. The paper is part of ongoing work in energy justice and transition.

Science and Technology

Study of mosquito spit could lead to therapies for viruses like West Nile and yellow fever

With a new two-year grant of $250,000 per year from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, Anita Saraf currently is analyzing samples of noninfectious mosquito saliva in the fight against “arboviruses” — viruses spread by arthropods like mosquitoes.

New book ‘Macroevolutionaries’ explores intersection of evolution, art and popular culture

University of Kansas paleontologist Bruce Lieberman co-wrote “Macroevolutionaries,” a collection of natural history essays, with fellow paleontologist Niles Eldredge in the tradition of their late Harvard mentor and famed science popularizer, Stephen Jay Gould.
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Photograph of the new Limnonectes cassiopeia species on white background

Species of giant fanged frog went unrecognized in Philippines because it was nearly identical to even larger species

Researchers from the University of Kansas have published findings in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology describing a new species of fanged frog, named Limnonectes cassiopeia, from the Philippine island of Luzon.
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Health and Well-Being

Study: Individuals with pre-existing disabilities had long COVID at much higher rates than peers

An analysis of a national health survey showed individuals with pre-existing disabilities who contracted COVID suffered long COVID at much higher rates than their nondisabled peers. This exacerbates existing barriers to health care access and inequities in health, requiring an adjustment of health policy, researchers say.

Researchers leverage AI to help business provide nutritious choices in American food deserts

KU's Tera Fazzino, along with a multidisciplinary group of researchers across several institutions, will help create an artificial-intelligence-powered digital tool, called the NOURISH platform, to help businesses and startups operating in food deserts give more nutritious choices to an estimated 24 million Americans.
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Medical personnel exchanging surgical tools in OR.

Study links operating room environment to shorter surgery

A study from a University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design researcher shows a better-designed operating room shaves time off of orthopedic surgery, implying better outcomes and reduced costs.
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Teaching, Learning and Behavior

ATLAS fellow maps student understanding with novel approach

Hyunjoo Kim, the 2024 ATLAS fellow, will research the use of graph theory to create a more detailed map of student understanding.

Center for Educational Opportunity Programs secures $21.8 million in federal grants to support middle and high school students

The Center for Educational Opportunity Programs at the University of Kansas is the recipient of two federal grants totaling $21.8 million over seven years. These grants will provide critical support to middle and high school students in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and Kansas City Public Schools in Missouri.
More Teaching, Learning and Behavior
A group of students debating a topic.

Study finds encouraging empathy makes students better at argumentation

Teaching argumentation is a key part of the common core standards in education. But a new study finds that encouraging empathy, instead of the traditional approach of winning, produces more well-rounded argumentation and writing in students.
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Arts, Architecture and Humanities

KU English professors awarded NEH grant for 2025 AI, digital literacy institute

KU researchers received an NEH Institutes for Advanced Topics in the Digital Humanities grant to fund their project, AI & Digital Literacy: Toward an Inclusive and Empowering Teaching Practice, an in-person institute administered in partnership with the National Humanities Center, in June 2025.

Re-creations of 1870s railway photos reveal profound change to Kansas, Colorado plains

A fascinating new book chronicling transformation on the plains of Kansas and western Colorado uses repeat photography — contemporary re-creations of 1870s photos — to reveal startling changes to the landscape.
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Murphy Hall exterior

Graphic guide makes music therapy accessible

A new book from a University of Kansas associate professor of music serves as an illustrated introduction to the field of music therapy for beginners, covering definitions, methods and theories.
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Business, Economics and Innovation

Human values and expertise improve AI reliability, study finds

In a new paper, Michael Lash, assistant professor of business at the University of Kansas, proposes a novel approach for incorporating human experts in machine learning models. This increases reliance, trusting and sense-making of the explanations returned by artificial intelligence.

Online sports betting drains household finances more than other gambling options, research shows

In a new working paper, Kevin Pisciotta, assistant professor of finance at KU, finds that not only does online sports betting lead to increased betting activity, it also leads to higher credit card balances, less available credit and a reduction in net investments.
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Sorghum field in Kansas, farm in distance

58th edition of the Kansas Statistical Abstract now available

The Kansas Statistical Abstract 2023 is now available online. This data compendium is published annually by the Institute for Policy & Social Research at KU. It includes information on a wide range of topics about Kansas, with information in downloadable tables, maps and graphs.
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Law, Politics and Society

Study details 'eco-necrotourism' and how public land managers can address psychological aspects of disappearing wonders

Last chance tourism, or visiting natural sites before they disappear or are altered permanently by climate change, is a growing phenomenon. In a new law review article, a KU scholar examines the literature of tourism, psychology, law and policy to recommend what park managers can do to prepare for and manage the grief and growing visits that come with "eco-necrotourism."

One year after newspaper raid, KU journalism professor can discuss chilling effect, influence on rural journalists

Stephen Wolgast can discuss the one-year anniversary of the Marion County Record raid by police. He has been following the aftermath of the case and conducted a study on the effects the raid had on other rural Kansas journalists.
More Law, Politics and Society
A KU energy and environmental law expert has published an article outlining how open definitions of "energy communities" can help the transition to renewable sources of energy.

Keeping variation in definition of 'energy communities' can help transition to renewable energy, law expert writes

A KU energy and environmental law professor has published a new study arguing that keeping an open definition of energy communities, or those traditionally dependent on fossil fuel energies, can help ease the transition to renewables. The paper is part of ongoing work in energy justice and transition.
More Law, Politics and Society