News

2024

New method better describes the “in-between” stages of chemical reactions

March 27, 2024

Researchers from the Chemistry Department in the Physical Sciences Division have developed a computational approach to accurately describe transient states for many chemical reactions.


The science of computer security

March 26, 2024

Grant Ho in Switzerland

An interview with Grant Ho, Assistant Professor in Computer Science

In July 2023, Grant Ho joined the University of Chicago as an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science. Grant, who grew up in South Florida, received a bachelor’s in computer science from Stanford University and a PhD in computer science from UC Berkeley. Before joining UChicago, he was a CSE Postdoctoral Fellow in the Sysnet group at UC San Diego and a visiting researcher at Corelight Labs. We interviewed Grant about his interests and experiences.
 


RNA deserves its own massive counterpart to the human genome project, researchers argue

March 22, 2024

Chuan He

Science.org article describes how a U.S. report lays out an ambitious plan to harness the “RNome” for medicine and more—but funding is uncertain. For a given RNA molecule, researchers will have to document “not only the sequence, but also the type and location of the modification[s],” says UChicago chemist Chuan He.


NASA announces selection of 10 CubeSat missions for International Space Station deployment

March 21, 2024

Cubesat device

University of Chicago's PULSE-A (Polarization modUlated Laser Satellite Experiment) project among those selected.


Walter Massey, a physicist with a higher calling

March 21, 2024

Walter Massey

NYT Profiles in Science: He broke barriers as the first Black physicist in nearly every role. But his identity made him reach for dreams beyond his career as a scientist.


A holistic look at Earth’s chemical cycling sheds light on how the planet stays habitable

March 21, 2024

Earth's atmosphere shell

University of Chicago-led study considers biogeochemical cycles from a bird’s-eye view.


Research suggests how turbulence can be used to generate patterns

March 21, 2024

wisps of steam

Physicists show how patterns can emerge from chaos in turbulent fluids.


Scientists find one of the most ancient stars that formed in another galaxy

March 21, 2024

Large Magellanic Cloud in infrared light

Stars from the Large Magellanic Cloud reveal new hints about how the universe got its elements.


Can AI solve the Latke-Hamantash Debate?

March 15, 2024

Prof. Harold Pollock at 67th Latke Hamantash Debate

Trio of UChicago scientists, including Borja Sotomayor, senior instructional professor of computer science, will participate in the 77th annual event on March 24.


VR headsets can be hacked with an Inception-style attack

March 15, 2024

Heather Zheng

For an MIT Technology Review article, CS Prof. Heather Zheng discusses her recent research on the vulnerability of VR sets to "inception attacks."


Forests might serve as enormous neutrino detectors

March 15, 2024

foggy forest

In a Science News article, Astro Research Asst. Prof. Eric Oberla says, “It’s unclear if supplanting manufactured antennas with trees will solve more problems than it might create, and these detector-design challenges would need to be further addressed.”


How did life on Earth begin? Here are 3 popular theories.

March 15, 2024

Jack Szostak in a blue sweater, grey blazer, standing in a lab

For National Geographic, Chemistry Prof. Jack Szostak discusses the theory that the early bombardment of Earth by comets and meteorites may have increased the availability of amino acids on the planet.


Good news and bad news for astronomers’ biggest dream

March 8, 2024

The closed, silver dome of an astronomical observatory is visible against a backdrop of lower-elevation clouds and mountain peaks.

For a New York Times article, Prof. Wendy Freeman and Emeritus Prof. Michael S. Turner comment on the National Science Board's recommendation that the United States should commit $1.6 billion to build an “extremely large telescope.” 


Submit your images from UChicago research to 2024 Science as Art contest

March 7, 2024

a section of a fossil bone, sliced thin and placed on a gypsum plate under polarized light in a petrographic microscope

In the course of scientific research, beautiful images can appear in simulations, under microscopes or in photography. They can offer a window into the process of scientific research to the public, as well as inspiring a moment to step back and consider the beauty of the world.

University Communications invites all members of the UChicago community to submit images from their scientific research for the third year of the Science as Art contest. 


Learn about telescopes and instruments at the Compton Lecture series March 23 to May 11

March 7, 2024

South Pole Telescope at sunrise

The free public science series invites the community to find out how scientists use telescopes to see the universe.