News: Research

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

Research

Idea of Coral Reefs as Oases in Marine Deserts May Be Mistaken

New research from Simon Brandl at UT’s Marine Science Institute challenges a long-held belief about coral reefs.

Dozens of fish swim near a coral reef in the Maldives.

Research

With Evolutionary AI, Scientists Find Hidden Keys for Better Land Use

Researchers say the AI system can lead to better decision-making around a wide range of complex policy choices.

Aerial image showing different types of land use, including farming, forest and housing.

Research

Unlock Your Computer with a Password-encoded Molecule

University of Texas at Austin researchers have developed a new method to encode information in synthetic molecules.

A multilayered rendering of atoms and molecules of varying colors suggests a complex structure at work.

Research

UT Scientists Spied a Skyrmion. What is That?

This, and six other questions about a recent first in physics, answered.

A 3D vector field plot illustrating the direction and magnitude of vectors in a plane. Arrows are color-coded: blue arrows point towards a spot below the left side, red arrows point towards a point above the right side, and green arrows indicate intermediate directions and magnitudes.

Research

Physicists Reveal Muscles’ Molecular Secret to Balancing Strength and Stamina

The findings could have implications for robotics, prosthetics and energy efficient machines.

John McGrath at a lab bench with machinery

Research

University of Texas-led Team Solves a Big Problem for Fusion Energy

Their method to speed up the design of “magnetic bottles” offers an answer to a complex 70-year-old challenge.

An abstract, colorful pattern resembling topographic maps. The design features concentric, oval-shaped rings in vibrant shades of blue, green, red and orange. The background is filled with intricate textures and speckles in lighter blue tones.

Jackson School of Geosciences

New Study Shows How ‘Marine Revolution’ Shaped Ocean Life

As an undergraduate, Katherine Faulkner (B.S., Environmental Science, ’23) led a study that was just published.

A close-up of hundreds of tiny shells made possible by a light microscope study of calcareous foraminifera from from the South Atlantic Ocean.

McDonald Observatory

Vast Molecular Cloud Discovered Near Our Solar System

One of the largest single structures in the sky, the cloud is about 40 moons across, but not visible to the unaided eye.

A city skyline at night is illuminated by countless lights reflecting off the water in the foreground. Above the city, a full moon glows brightly against a star-studded sky. Dominating the night sky is a large, ethereal purple cloud, adding a surreal and cosmic element to the urban landscape.

Research

Nearly Half of Latin American Frogs and Toads Are at Risk

A new study shows that nearly half of frog and toad species in Latin America may lose their habitat range by 2050.

A tropical frog ventures out on a stem.

Research

New Sequencing Method Brings New Possibilities in Protein Research

UT researchers have developed the first viable alternative to a 75-year-old method for sequencing proteins.

Blue and green spirals of amino acids against a dark blue background