News: Point of Discovery
Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
Of Fruit Flies, Nobel Prizes and Genetic Discoveries that Change the World
Last year, University of Texas at Austin alumnus Michael Young won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering the molecular mechanism behind circadian rhythms.
![Portrait of a man in a suit](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/young_michael2400x1350.jpg)
Can We Build Machines that are Less Biased Than We Are?
Think about some of the most important decisions people make – who to hire for a job, which kind of treatment to give a cancer...
![A woman representing the concept of justice by wearing a blindfold and holding a scale](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/ai_and_bias_2400x1350.jpg)
Which Mental Superpower Would You Choose?
In this episode of Point of Discovery, we talk to neuroscientist Laura Colgin about the potential, and possible pitfalls, of new technologies that connect the human brain...
![Illustration of a brain connected to a computer](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/neurons_illustration_2400x1350.jpg)
James Allison Eases Off the Brakes
In today's episode of Point of Discovery, UT Austin alum James Allison talks about the uphill climb to make cancer immunotherapy a reality.
![Portrait of a man in glasses and a white lab coat](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/allison_james2400x1350.jpg)
When Science Communication Doesn’t Get Through
Climate change, vaccinations, evolution. Scientists sometimes struggle to get their message across to non-scientists.
![A person holds their hands over their ears as a graph showing global warming moves by like an audio wave](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/cant-hear-you2400x350.jpg)
A Score to Settle with Cancer
Jonathan Sessler knows the odds of bringing effective new cancer treatments to market are stacked against him, yet he tirelessly pushes ahead.
![Two men sit at a desk with microphones, a banner behind them reads "Sci-Mic Stage"](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/sessler-interview2-aaas2018_2400x1350.jpg)
Tackling Science and Engineering’s Diversity Problem
Three leaders in science and engineering discuss the obstacles for women and racial minorities to enter or stay in STEM.
![Four women sit conversing in a seimcircle in an audio studio](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/stem-deans2400x1350.jpg)
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](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/hdfs_illustration_2400x1350.jpg)
Eyewitness to a Cosmic Car Wreck
What is the sound of two neutron stars colliding over 1 billion light years away?
![Illustration of large explosion in space](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/neutron-star-collision2400x1350.png)
Scientists: New Device Accurately Identifies Cancer in Seconds
A team of scientists and engineers at The University of Texas at Austin has invented the MasSpec Pen, helping improve treatment and reduce the chances...
![Scientist in white labcoat and blue gloves touches a pen-like device to a red tissue sample](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/masspec-pen2400x1350.jpg)