News

2026

The evolving quest to build life in a lab

October 6, 2026

Gloved hand pipetting.

Scientists want to create cells from scratch, to unveil life’s origins or provide specialized functions. Are they close?


A $20 bracelet jams nearby smart speakers using ultrasonic static

October 6, 2026

Worn mechanical bracelet.

UChicago researchers built a $20 wrist cuff that jams nearby microphones within three feet using ultrasonic signals.


Vera Rubin Observatory detects one of the smallest and faintest satellite galaxies ever seen — before the telescope’s mission even began

October 6, 2026

The infamous Helix Nebula, imaged here by NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer spacecraft, is located deep in the constellation Aquarius. Even farther — beyond the edge of the Milky Way — astronomers using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have discovered wha

Astronomers looking at Vera C. Rubin Observatory test data have discovered 'Aquarius IV', believed to be a brand new satellite galaxy of the Milky Way located 350,000 light-years away.


Doomsday Clock expert worried about ‘an extremely pressing threat’

October 6, 2026

Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon join forces at Washington, D.C.

When an employee of a major artificial intelligence company recently estimated there is a 10% chance the technology could wipe out humanity within the next decade, Daniel Holz wasn’t surprised.


Skeletal-editing ‘dream’ realized

October 6, 2026

Chemical reaction.

Second-generation C-to-N swap turns the first generation’s failure into a feature.


University of Chicago to launch its first degree program dedicated solely to AI

October 6, 2026

Photo of the University of Chicago.

UChicago launches its Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence program. (Audio)


Chicago AI experts say concerns about humanity’s demise are overblown, but caution is warranted

October 6, 2026

University of Chicago and Northwestern AI experts say concerns about humanity's demise are overblown, but caution is warranted.

Some AI leaders warn current pace of progress could have serious consequences, other academics disagree with those assessments. CS Prof. Hank Hoffmann weighs in. (Video)


Polar potential

October 2, 2026

Zoe Yan's molecular array experiment

UChicago physicist Zoe Yan proposes a novel method to produce near-perfect quantum building blocks.
 


Benoît Roux receives Klaus Schulten and Zaida Luthey-Schulten Award in Computational Biophysics

October 1, 2026

Benoît Roux

Congratulations to Benoît Roux, who has been selected to receive the 2027 Klaus Schulten and Zaida Luthey-Schulten Award in Computational Biophysics from the Biophysical Society.


Mark Levin receives 2026 Kyoto University Lectureship Award

September 29, 2026

Mark Levin

Congratulations to Mark Levin, who has been selected to receive the 2026 Kyoto University Lectureship Award in Chemistry.


UChicago physicist Vincenzo Vitelli named 2026 MacArthur Fellow

September 29, 2026

Vincenzo Vitelli

Vitelli honored for his innovative research reimagining possibilities of unconventional materials.


Field medalist Yu Deng jokes about quitting math for fiction as 25 winners warn AI is damaging the field

September 28, 2026

Chinese mathematician Yu Deng, a 2026 Fields Medalist.

Deng said the line was a joke, and he does not believe AI will reach the point of solving every mathematical problem, at least not the ones he had in mind.


AI governance experts react to existential warnings, calls for regulation

September 28, 2026

Photo of Ben Zhao.

Calls for increased safety regulations on artificial intelligence have reached a boiling point following a post on X from former OpenAI and Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon that warned of a potential doomsday scenario.


Professor Ngo Bao Chau shares his methods for identifying and nurturing gifted students

September 28, 2026

Professor Ngo Bao Chau.

Professor Ngo Bao Chau shared insights and experiences on identifying and nurturing the talents of gifted students.


How Argonne is supercharging scientific discovery

September 28, 2026

Evan Jenkins

Argonne’s Ian Foster explains how AI will be used to accelerate research.