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Intellect

BYU seeks to develop students of faith, intellect, and character. In addition to teaching classes, most BYU professors also conduct research in their academic field. Students – even at the undergraduate level – participate in research and publish their work alongside a faculty mentor. Here are the stories of what they discover together.

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Save your tears for another day — BYU researchers can use them to detect disease

December 05, 2024
It’s been said that angry tears are salty and happy tears are sweet. Whether or not that’s actually the case, it is true that not all tears are the same. Tears from chopping an onion are different from those shed from pain – like stepping on a Lego in the middle of the night — as are those special basal tears that keep eyes moist all day. Each type of tear carries unique proteins that reveal insights into health.
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BYU study shows that even one act of kindness per week improves wellbeing for individuals, communities

November 25, 2024
Have you felt uplifted through a simple smile, help with a task or a positive interchange with someone — even a stranger? Kindness works both ways. A new study conducted by BYU researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad finds that offering a single act of kindness each week reduced loneliness, social isolation and social anxiety, and promoted neighborhood relationships.
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From Tony Hawk Pro Skater to Minecraft, these humanities professors want students to study (and play) video games

November 21, 2024
Humanities professors Michael Call and Brian Croxall have introduced a new video gaming initiative to BYU’s campus. With the support of the College of Humanities, students gather each Monday at 4:00 p.m. in the Humanities Learning Commons for a short faculty lecture about the video game of the week. The game is then available to play throughout the week. Beginning with Stardew Valley and Minecraft, the highlighted games and analyses are continuing through the semester.
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Forum: Making strong families a national priority

November 19, 2024
In her forum address at the Marriott Center, Kearney spoke on the importance of marriage and family, emphasizing the positive economic and personal impact it has.
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Sounding off: BYU researchers study the roar of SpaceX's Starship

November 18, 2024
BYU team measures the thunderous noise of the world’s most powerful rocket, exploring its impact on communities and the environment.
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BYU professor earns Legion of Merit for diplomacy; urges students to be peacemakers

November 11, 2024
BYU history professor and recently retired Army Col. Mark Choate says diplomatic missions are a lot like church missions: they carry a higher, broader purpose, run on small teams and accomplish a similar overarching goal of bringing peace to God’s children. Choate recently earned the prestigious Legion of Merit for his military service.
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BYU origami-inspired chair design featured on Mark Rober’s Top 10 list

November 07, 2024
A futuristic BYU-designed, origami-inspired Flex Chair, cut out of a single piece of flat material and folded into shape, has made YouTuber Mark Rober’s Top 10 list. In a Nov. 2 video post, Rober spotlights the chair at #7 on his list of Crunch Lab builds in the past year, and credits BYU compliant mechanisms researchers for the innovative design.
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BYU and the U: Rivals on the field, teammates in the lab

November 07, 2024
Over the past 10 years, BYU professors coauthored a staggering 1,388 publications with colleagues at the University of Utah. While athletic competitions between the two schools produce a lot of headlines, academic collaborations produce a lot of research.
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BYU engineers, Toyota partner to create ‘new standard in automotive manufacturing’

October 28, 2024
A new welding technique developed by BYU and Toyota for the Sienna’s sliding doors uses 40 times less energy, emits fewer emissions, and produces welds that are 10 times stronger. This new process, called refill friction stir spot welding, could prove critical as Toyota and other car manufacturers rely more and more on lighter aluminum parts.
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Pedal to the medal: BYU animated short film races to Student Academy Award

October 23, 2024
BYU animation students ranked third in the world with recent Student Academy Award.
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Beyond diet: New BYU study links diesel exhaust to obesity and diabetes

October 09, 2024
A study co-authored by eight BYU students and three BYU faculty finds that exposure to the exhaust gas produced by diesel engines is tied to increased fat mass, enlarged fat cells, insulin resistance and inflammation. These changes can cause metabolic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
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Forum: “Why America went crazy and how you can stay sane”

September 24, 2024
David French, columnist for The New York Times and bestselling author, spoke to BYU students and employees in this week’s forum address at the BYU Marriott Center. He invited the audience to build unity with people they disagree with through friendship, connection and love.
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BYU completes first-ever campus-wide sustainability assessment, earns distinction

September 24, 2024
BYU has been recognized as a STARS Gold Institution by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The sustainability report from AASHE considers BYU’s commitment to sustainability in academics, student and public engagement, operations, planning and administration, as well as its unique approach to earthly stewardship. BYU is one of only 140 institutions in the country to have been awarded a gold rating by AASHE.
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BYU journalism students highlight Olympic athletes, stories in Paris

September 11, 2024
Students got hands-on experience at the Paris Olympics, underscoring the university’s dedication to helping students reach their full potential through real-world learning.
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BYU earns trio of No. 1 rankings to start new school year

September 10, 2024
It’s the beginning of a new school year at Brigham Young University, and what better way to celebrate than with a trio of new No. 1 rankings from The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and The Princeton Review?
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BYU study examines effects of full-day kindergarten on maternal work-life balance and family time

September 03, 2024
The study suggests that full-day kindergarten can ease maternal responsibilities and provide more flexibility in family schedules, while still maintaining quality time with children.
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BYU alum’s project brings Native American traditions to the forefront

August 27, 2024
Fueled by a connection to his ancestors and culture, recent BYU grad Eugene Tapahe is on a mission to heal hearts through Native American dance.
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Q&A with President Reese on "reinforcing mission-aligned hiring"

August 22, 2024
In this Q&A series with President Reese, he shares more about those initiatives and how they apply to BYU employees and students.
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