News: Human Ecology

Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin

Podcast

The Language Brokers

Researchers like Su Yeong Kim are debating whether being a language broker is good for children, or not.

Illustration of two people speaking with word bubbles over their heads

UT News

Victimization of Transgender Youths Linked to Suicidal Thoughts, Substance Abuse

Researchers led by Stephen Russell of the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences have found transgender adolescents are at greater risk for substance abuse...

A young person in the shadows of a school hallway at the lockers

UT News

Couples Weather Bickering With a Little Help from Their Friends

Research led by Lisa Neff finds close social ties help alleviate stress linked to marital conflicts.

A friend puts her arm around a pal as they look out on a street

Announcements

UT Austin Offers Its First Online Master’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences

The program is designed to provide a rigorous education to working professionals in nutrition or health education as they seek to advance in careers in...

Two grocery shoppers compare nutritional values on products with a graphic of molecules

Podcast

The Science of Relationships

What are the health benefits of romantic relationships? How can newlyweds avoid communication breakdowns that result from external stress? Do optimists make better partners?

Older couple, the woman's hand rests on the cheek of the man, both look content

Research

UT Austin Part of New Partnership for Innovations in Fibers, Fabrics

UT Austin is now a participant of a high-tech partnership called Advanced Functional Fibers of America.

A pair of hands hold a swath of fabric

Accolades

Textiles and Apparel Students Win Prestigious National Awards

Avani Patel and Seihak Long have both won major awards for their innovative ideas.

UT textiles and apparel faculty members Nancy Prideaux and Sara Stevens accompanied the scholarship winners to the YMA awards dinner in New York. Left to right: Nancy Prideaux, Debby Garcia, Avani Patel, Clare Moore, Tami Gumilar, Daeci Dinh, Sara Northcutt, and Sara Stevens.

UT News

Mixing Ages in Head Start Stunts Academic Progress

Four-year-olds in the nation’s largest preschool program fare worse with 3-year-olds in their classrooms, according to new research led by Elizabeth Gershoff that shows a...

Different Ages, Different Learning: An infographic explains that separating children who are 3 from those who are 4 in Head Start may improve academic progress. Children play with blocks and the infographic summarizes differences in vocabulary, socialization, color recognition, etc. summarized in the article.

Podcast

The Case of the Missing Folate

Richard Finnell studies the genetic underpinnings of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Spinach leaves in a bowl, sitting on a wooden table