News
Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
Starbird, Martines and Dillig Selected for Texas 10 Recognition
Three faculty members in the College of Natural Sciences were chosen for an honor given by The Alcalde.
![Theresa Martines, Işıl Dillig and Michael Starbird](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/top10-alcalde_thumbnail.png)
Chemical Cartography Reveals the Milky Way’s Spiral Arms
The method overcomes the challenges of dust that block the view of some of the Milky Way's stars.
![A spiral galaxy floats in the black background of space with red and blue dots sprinkled over one section](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/milky_way_hawkins-edits1200x800.jpg)
James Webb Telescope Catches Glimpse of Possible First-Ever ‘Dark Stars’
Stars powered with dark matter still need proving but could reveal clues about the nature of one of the universe’s great mysteries.
![Three blurry red dots stand out in the blackness of space](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/3x2-freese-dark-stars.jpg)
Plant Biologist Awarded Stephen Hales Prize
Keiko Torii received the prize in recognition of her outstanding contributions in the field.
![Profile Image of Keiko Torii](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/keiko-torii-thumbnail.png)
UT Austin Ranks among Top U.S. Universities in Nature Index
Among U.S. universities, UT ranks 17th in natural sciences, 8th in physical sciences and 7th in chemistry.
![UT is spelled in flowers south of the main mall with the UT Tower in the distance](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/3-2-tower-university-ave.-orange-flowers-ut-2022139208-copy-2400x1600-b6b12ebe-5022-4038-83d1-95b78c2b17dc.jpg)
Texas Memorial Museum is Now Texas Science and Natural History Museum
The museum will reopen in September 2023 with offerings for all ages.
![Photo of a limestone art deco building with three tall arched windows. Texas Memorial Museum. Texas Science and Natural History Museum.](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/tnshm-thumbnail.jpg)
Innovative Program Gives Students with Disabilities University Experience
An idea that started with a neuroscientist’s personal experience morphed into a lifelong continuing education program for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
![A student from the program partaking in hands on activities.](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/llwf-thumb.jpg)
Webb Telescope Detects Most Distant Active Supermassive Black Hole
At about 9 solar masses, this black hole is a real lightweight compared to previously seen ones in the early universe that are typically 1...
![A dense field of galaxies set against a black background of space](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/ceers-nircam-crop2400x1600.png)
New Technique Reveals Protein Production in Early Embryos
The earliest stages of developing life have been, in many ways, a black box for researchers before now.
![Microscope image of a blastoid, a model of an early embryo](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/blastoid2400x1600.jpg)
Scientists use Exotic Stars to Tune into Hum from Cosmic Symphony
A team of astrophysicists has found evidence for gravitational waves that oscillate with periods of years to decades.
![An illustration depicts colliding black holes causing waves in spacetime](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/nanograv_pta_gwb_15yr_wide2400x1600.jpg)