News: Research
Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
Discovery about Brain Cells that Promote Healing from Strokes Offers Treatment Insights
A type of cell once thought to hinder recovery in stroke patients may actually promote the healing process.
![Blood vessels, shown in green, and astrocytes, shown in magenta, adjacent to a stroke.](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/b2ap3_thumbnail_astrocyte_20210507-162234_1.jpeg)
Department of Molecular Biosciences
Our Immune Systems Blanket the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein with Antibodies
Most antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 circulating in the blood target areas of the viral spike protein outside the receptor binding domain, or RBD
![A spike protein from the virus SARS-CoV-2 with antibodies attached](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/antibodies-and-spike-white1400.jpg)
Department of Molecular Biosciences
Hepatitis C Drugs Boost Remdesivir’s Antiviral Activity Against COVID-19
Four drugs used to treat hepatitis C render remdesivir 10 times better at inhibiting the coronavirus in cell cultures.
![A hand holds a pill against a backdrop of other medical interventions such as shots and IV bags](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/5_pills_1400x840.jpg)
UT News
Climate-friendly Microbes Chomp Dead Plants Without Releasing Heat-trapping Methane
Scientists have identified an entirely new group of microbes quietly living in hot springs, geothermal systems and hydrothermal sediments around the world.
![Hot springs](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/drty-hot-springs_by-jian-yu-jiao1400.png)
UT News
Exoplanet is Gobbling Up Gas and Dust as it Continues to Build Mass
The Hubble Space Telescope has allowed astronomers including Brendan Bowler from The University of Texas at Austin to get a rare look at a young...
![An artist's image suggests a planet is sucking a stream of orbiting light into its mass](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/exoplanetpds70b_illo2-copy-1200x800-c-default.jpeg)
UT Chemistry Researchers Encode Jane Austen Quote in a Polymer
The technique, which relies on short polymers called oligourethanes, encodes information with greater density than DNA-based approaches
![Illustration of a book showing how to translate chemical components of a polymer into English letters](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/molecules_in_a_book_2400x1600.jpg)
Cosmic Rumbles: New Faculty Probe Universe for Gravitational Waves
A couple who joined the Department of Physics in 2020, Pablo Laguna and Deirdre Shoemaker, study violent events in the universe, like when cosmic heavyweights...
![Portrait of a man and woman](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/laguna_shoemaker_2400x1350.jpg)
Department of Molecular Biosciences
Human Trials Begin for a Low-Cost COVID-19 Vaccine to Extend Global Access
A COVID-19 vaccine in human trials in Vietnam, Thailand and Brazil, holds promise for affordable vaccine manufacturing in countries currently dependent on imported vaccines.
![A masked person holds a glass vial of vaccine](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/gpo-75571_v2.jpg)
Two Postdocs Receive Fellowships to Study Extrasolar Planets
Brianna Lacy and Yifan Zhou have received a fellowship that will give them the support to conduct research on exoplanets.
![Portrait of two scientists](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/51-pegasi_fellowship_2400x1600.jpg)
UT News
Twin Study Shows Why Physical Punishment Leads to Child Behavior Problems
Harsh parenting practices, not genetics, are linked to higher levels of behavior problems in children, according to a new study.
![Photo of a shadow of an adult holding the hand of a child](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/shadows-of-humans-1200x800-c-default.jpeg)