DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Plant science researchers at the University of North Texas have found potential new pathways for the creation of plant-based bioproducts. The research is outlined in a new article in the journal Nature Plants.

The UNT research team was working as part of the US Department of Energy's BioEnergy Science Center coordinated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The team looked into the roles of enzymes that convert amino acids into lignin in Brachypodium, a fast-...

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The University of North Texas' Science Education Research Lab is seeing measurable results from environmental education efforts the lab has conducted in Dallas schools for a decade.

As a result, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has named the lab a winner of the 2016 Texas Environmental Excellence Award. The TCEQ will recognize UNT and eight other winners May 4 during the Environmental Trade Fair and Conference at the Austin...

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Post oak and blackjack oak trees in full foliage may provide more benefits for humans than blocking winds and casting shade to cool the ground on hot days. The trees may also improve air quality when air pollutants fall onto their branches and leaves and are eventually washed to the ground by rain or fall to the ground with the leaves, according to Alexandra Ponette-González, University of North Texas assistant professor of geography.

Ponette-González recently received a $475,167...

DENTON, Texas (UNT) - On May 9 (Monday), the closest planet to the sun, Mercury, will pass across the face of the sun like a little black dot. You can safely witness the moment through UNT's high-powered telescopes – and even take a photo. The University of North Texas will host a free public event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the transit of Mercury. The viewing will take place at the southwest corner of the Environmental Education, Science & Technology Building, 1704 W. Mulberry St., Denton. The next opportunity to see this will be more than a decade from now.

Participants will...

With funding from the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, three University of North Texas biologists are investigating the effects of oil on water and fish species in the Gulf of Mexico.

UNT Associate Professor of Biology Dane Crossley, Associate Professor of Biology Aaron Roberts and Professor of Biology Warren Burggren received $2.7 million in 2015 to begin the three-year project.

Crossley is evaluating how oil impacts the ability juvenile fish to swim, eat and reproduce and is evaluating their capacity to recover from oil exposure. Burggren is evaluating the cardiovascular...

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Top industry leaders and nationally recognized scholars are set to consult with faculty researchers in the Institutes of Research Excellence at the University of North Texas to provide critical insight on market-centric research, national funding opportunities and industry partnerships.

The individuals will make up the membership for each institute's Board of Advisors and will help identify opportunities for faculty to expand their solutions-based research in meaningful ways to have greater impacts in the market and on society. There will be five advisors on...

Pi, the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, is celebrated globally every year on March 14.

University of North Texas Professor of Mathematics John Quintanilla is available to discuss the history of Pi and its resurgence in pop culture. Quintanilla can be reached at John.Quintanilla@unt.edu or at 940-565-4043.

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The University of North Texas Society of Women Engineers will co-host the 2016 Design Your World conference for girls in grades 6 through 12, parents and educators. Parents and educators will learn how to encourage girls to become involved in STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – fields.

The conference will take place April 2 (Saturday) at UNT's Discovery Park campus. Parents...

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- University of North Texas Associate Professor of biology Pamela Padilla has been elected to the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science Board of Directors.

The society is dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists – from college students to professionals – to attain advanced degrees, careers and positions of leadership in the science,...

DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The University of North Texas is ranked among the nation's 115 top-tier research universities, according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education™ released Monday (Feb. 1).

This achievement is commonly considered the most significant step in the evolution of a research university and marks a key milestone in UNT's commitment toward national prominence.

"We moved up in the Carnegie classifications by staying true to our roots as an institution focused on creativity as expressed through our research, scholarship and educational...