News: Research

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

Research

Texas Astronomers Revive Idea for ‘Ultimately Large Telescope’ on the Moon

A group of astronomers from The University of Texas at Austin has found that a telescope idea shelved by NASA a decade ago can solve...

A cylinder-shaped telescope on the surface of the moon

UT News

COVID-19 Pandemic is Having Little to No Effect on Intimate Relationships

People’s overall satisfaction levels with their relationships changed little during the pandemic, even amid significant stressors, from job losses to health concerns.

Artist rendering showing couples and families in soap bubbles

Research

Coronavirus Mutation May Have Made It More Contagious

The virus that causes COVID-19 is accumulating genetic mutations, one of which may have made it more contagious.

Map of Houston representing COVID-19 trends in each zip code

Research

Curbing COVID-19 Hospitalizations Requires Attention to Construction Workers

A new study shows how much more likely construction workers are to get diagnosed with COVID-19 compared to non-construction workers

Construction workers at a plant

UT News

Invasive Cactus Moth Likely to Spread and Destroy Native Prickly Pear

A tiny invasive insect has the potential to cause huge ecological and agricultural damage in Texas and beyond.

Photo shows a closeup of a brown and grey moth on a prickly pear pad

UT News

Two Pesticides Approved for Use in U.S. Found to Harm Bees

Pesticides were found to kill some bees and damage the health of others.

Photo shows a close up of a honey bee with it's head stuck into a honeycomb

Research

3D Printing with Visible Light Gets a Speed Boost

A team of University of Texas at Austin researchers led by chemistry assistant professor Zachariah Page demonstrated a fast and precise way to 3D print...

3D printed objects made (from left) with blue, green and red light. Photo courtesy Lynn Stevens.

UT News

Why Some Cancers May Respond Poorly to Key Drugs Discovered

Scientists have identified a driver of drug resistance that can make a life or death difference for patients with some cancers.

Artist composite image of a medical patient with an intravenous line in the hand and an IV drip

UT News

Planet Hugging a White Dwarf May Be a Survivor of Star’s Death Throes

A team using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and retired Spitzer Space Telescope has discovered what may be the first intact planet found closely...

An artist's rendition of a gassy planet much larger than the small star it orbits

UT News

New Dashboards Launched to Track COVID-19 Across Texas Communities

Sites use hospitalization data and more to predict how the pandemic is progressing in 22 different areas across Texas.

Photo shows an elderly man in a hospital bed with a breathing apparatus while two doctors in surgical gowns, masks and goggles care for him