News

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

McDonald Observatory

UT Astronomy Graduate Student Receives Fellowship to Study Exoplanets

The Heising-Simons Foundation has awarded Quang Tran, Ph.D. candidate in The University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Astronomy, one of its eight prestigious 51...

A young scientist stands in a portico of an academic building

Features

Top Prize Image in Visualizing Science Contest Captures Research Tied to the Sun

Ph.D. student Maile Marriott’s submission illustrates the complexities of the “space weather” generated by our sun.

Top Prize Editor’s Choice

Research

UT Researcher Leading Project for New NASA Space Telescope

UT’s new Cosmic Frontier Center and McDonald Observatory will play key roles in aiding research into chemically young galaxies.

This image shows the heart of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1097, as seen by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

UT News

Semiconductor Master’s Program Will Offer Hands-on Experience in Rapidly Growing Industry

The new program will help fill the demand for semiconductor scientists and engineers and give students a chance to lead in a booming industry.

A gloved hand uses a tool resembling tweezers to manipulate a tiny item in a well equipped lab.

Features

Undergraduate Researchers Help Unlock Lessons of Machine Learning and AI

From large language models to brain-machine interfaces, students work with faculty on cutting-edge research.

Four students post on a staircase near a limestone building at UT.

UT News

Surviving a Volcanic Supereruption May Have Facilitated Human Dispersal Out of Africa

A new study co-authored by graduate students Jessica Valdes and Keenan Riordan says humans may have dispersed during arid times along “blue highways” created by...

Map of northeastern Africa indicating location of an archaeological site

McDonald Observatory

April 8 Eclipse Update from McDonald Observatory

On Monday, April 8, parts of North America will experience a total solar eclipse and the UT observatory offers tips.

A woman dawns protective eclipse glasses and looks at the sun on a cloudless day

Features

One Year After Chat GPT-4, Researcher Reflects on What to Know about Generative AI

Insights from Risto Miikkulainen, a UT Austin professor of computer science and VP of AI Research at Cognizant Advanced AI Labs.

An aerial view of the University of Texas at Austin campus and Tower is overlain with bits and burnt orange from the Year of AI theme.

Research

Alzheimer’s Drug Fermented With Help From AI and Bacteria Moves Closer to Reality

An innovative approach uses artificial intelligence and biosensors to pave the way for faster drug development.

Image of bacteria and biosensors

Research

First Recognition of Self in the Mirror Is Spurred by Touch

New evidence reveals that young children learn self-awareness through experiences of touch.

A toddler gazes at herself in the mirror and smiles.