News

2024

Improved RNA editing expands gene therapy capabilities

July 15, 2024

RNA sequence

New research by Hao Yan and Weixin Tang at the University of Chicago explores the capabilities of an evolved bacterial adenosine deaminase, DECOR, to enhance RNA editing technology. This advancement will expand gene therapy efficiency by successfully targeting and editing disease-causing RNA sequences.


Sanctuary AI marks $140 million in funding for ‘humanlike’ robots

July 15, 2024

A robot shaking hands with a human

New investments in AI-powered robots are bound to significantly expand their role in everyday life and the workplace. Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Sarah Sebo, discusses how AI will enhance the reliability and skills of robots.


How a ‘once in a century’ broadband investment plan could go wrong

July 15, 2024

woman in a meeting with slow internet

To address inequitable internet access, California is preparing to fund an ambitious broadband project. However, advocates are concerned about the reliability of the maps that will determine the allocation of these funds. In Illinois, as similar initiatives are proposed, Alexis Schrubbe, Director of the Internet Equity Initiative, has helped develop an internet speed testing tool to assist residents' challenges to the state's broadband map.


First measurement of a nuclear recoil signal from solar neutrinos with XENONnT

July 10, 2024

Inside XENONnT’s time projection chamber

On Wednesday, July 10, at the IDM conference in L’Aquila, Italy, the XENONnT collaboration announced the first measurement of low-energy nuclear recoils from neutrinos produced by nuclear reactions inside the sun.


The University of Chicago, Chicago State University formalize partnership meant to grow collaborations, build inclusive pathways to emerging scientific fields

July 1, 2024

From left: Leslie Roundtree and Zaldwaynaka Scott (CSU); Paul Alivisatos and Christian Mitchell (UChicago)

The University of Chicago and Chicago State University deepened their partnership Monday when the universities’ respective presidents, Paul Alivisatos and Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott, signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement aims to strengthen mutually beneficial collaborations between the two institutions in the physical, social, biological, and data sciences with an emphasis on education, research, employment pathway programs, and civic engagement.


Unique data science partnership with City Colleges of Chicago offers rising professors, and their students, a more inclusive learning experience

July 1, 2024

Amanda Kube Jotte

The Preceptorship Program began in 2022 as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University and City Colleges. The partnership aims to strengthen STEM education and career opportunities and create a more diverse field of professionals entering the sciences.


Celebrating the legacy of Maria Goeppert Mayer

July 1, 2024

Maria Goeppert Mayer and colleagues

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Goeppert Mayer’s publication of the nuclear shell model. The 2024 Nuclear Structure Conference at Argonne will showcase recent experimental and theoretical advances and highlight Maria Goeppert Mayer's contribution to nuclear physics.


UChicago faculty members receive named, distinguished service professorships in 2024

July 1, 2024

Clockwise from top left: David Archer, Benson Farb, Yamuna Krishnan, Young-Kee Kim

Four Physical Sciences Division faculty members have received distinguished service professorships or named professorships. Congratulations, Profs. Archer, Farb, Kim, and Krishnan!


MIT ice flow study takes ‘big’ step towards understanding sea level rise, scientists say

June 27, 2024

ice flow on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica

Scientists have long known that melting glaciers contribute significantly to rising sea levels. However, the complex ways they move deep within are not fully understood, a process critical to understanding this melting. Two MIT researchers, including incoming GeoSci Asst. Prof. Meghana Ranganathan, have created the first usable model to analyze movements across the Antarctic Ice Sheet, looking at how ice flows in the glacier’s core.


Unlocking the future of AI: How CacheGen is revolutionizing large language models

June 26, 2024

CacheGen, developed by researchers from the University of Chicago, Stanford, and Microsoft, and led by UChicago computer scientist Junchen Jiang, promises to revolutionize LLM efficiency by addressing the critical challenge of processing long contexts.


UChicago scientists pioneer technique to visualize anti-ferroelectric materials

June 26, 2024

King and lab member Ruiyu Li adjust settings on instruments in the microscopy lab

University of Chicago chemists in Sarah King's lab have announced a new way to image antiferroelectric materials, which could one day lead to new types of technology. 


Aboard a drilling rig in the Mediterranean, scientists seek to understand Earth’s past climates

June 26, 2024

participants of an expedition to the Atlantic and Mediterranean in front of the ship, the JOIDES Resolution

UChicago geologist Clara Blättler spent two months at sea extracting rock cores to recreate the history of climate.


Revived technology used to count individual photons from distant galaxies

June 26, 2024

SOAR Telescope on Cerro Pachon in Chile

Enabled by a U.S. Department of Energy program, a collaboration of scientists from Fermilab, UChicago, NOIRLab, and other institutions demonstrated that skipper-CCD detectors can be utilized to improve cosmology research.


Experiment aims to help battle rising heat

June 25, 2024

Clara Blättler

A CBS Saturday Morning video discusses a farmer participating in an unusual experiment to help a farm thrive in rising temperatures. GeoSci Asst. Prof. Clara Blättler comments, starting at 2:25.


Upgraded synchrotron starts up at Argonne National Laboratory

June 25, 2024

Main control room operator Rebecca Weber (at left) turns the key that enables the shutter at the 27-ID beamline at the Advanced Photon Source, while floor coordinator Matt Spilker looks on.

Lab heralds ‘new era of scientific discovery’ for everything from batteries to biology at Advanced Photon Source.