News: Research

2024

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.


Light from darkness: Using photonic crystal cavities to build superconductors

June 24, 2024

quantum computer

Researchers at UChicago Pritzker Molecular Engineering and UChicago Physics plan to use a $1.5 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to develop an entirely new method of engineering superconductors for quantum computers and other high-tech applications.


The University of Chicago’s new climate initiative

June 20, 2024

April 8 2024 solar eclipse

Brave research program or potentially dangerous foray into solar geoengineering? UChicago President Alivisatos and numerous PSD professors discuss the topic in this Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists article.


Giant Magellan Telescope enclosure ready for construction

June 13, 2024

The Giant Magellan Telescope and architecture and engineering firm IDOM announced that the telescope’s enclosure, set to be one of the world’s largest astronomical facilities, passed its final design review and is now ready for construction in Chile. The review marks a major milestone for the telescope, which is now 40% under construction and on track to be operational by the early 2030s.


UC Santa Barbara leads $9.5 million research project on ocean cycles

June 12, 2024

world map over ocean ripples

Multinational research team, including GeoSci Associate Prof. Pedram Hassanzadeh, will investigate the ocean’s carbon, oxygen, and heat cycles.


Researchers draw inspiration from ancient Alexandria to optimize quantum simulations

June 6, 2024

marble columns in Athens

A new algorithm developed at UChicago, drawing inspiration from a famous experiment involving shadows in ancient Alexandria, could help quantum computers more efficiently simulate molecular systems with high accuracy.


UChicago to partner on $12 million NSF project to ‘decarbonize’ computing

June 6, 2024

Computer chip

Led by UMass Amherst, goal is to explore grid decarbonization and reduce carbon in computing.


Voltage-sensing protein moves in unexpected ways in Anton simulations

June 5, 2024

In a computer-generated image, lipids are shown as grey spirals; their headgroups are shown as brightly colored oblong structures. These are sandwiched between layers of water molecules shown as blue dots. Amongst the water is a smattering of ions, which

Malfunction of the proteins that sense voltage changes in our nerve cells underlies a number of human diseases throughout the body. A University of Chicago team used an Anton 2 supercomputer developed by D. E. Shaw Research and hosted at PSC to simulate a voltage-sensing protein from a primitive animal to learn how the sensor part of the protein behaves.


PELICAN takes flight

June 5, 2024

The ATLAS detector at CERN

A novel algorithm that harnesses math and physics principles offers enhanced pattern recognition capabilities.


UChicago scientists invent “living bioelectronics” that can sense and heal skin

June 4, 2024

Jiuyun Shi holds a small device that integrates living cells, gel, and sensors

A flexible, adaptable, storable patch combines bacteria and sensors to interface with the body.


Atop a Chilean mountain, undergraduate students make cutting-edge astronomical observations

May 29, 2024

class at sunset

UChicago students conduct research at Magellan telescopes as part of new field course. This story is part of a series called UChicago Class Visits, spotlighting transformative classroom experiences and unique learning opportunities offered at UChicago.


Unveiling attention receipts: tangible reflections on digital consumption

May 29, 2024

Attention receipt box

PhD student Anup Sathya and Assistant Professor Ken Nakagaki introduce Attention Receipts, a tangible solution aimed at increasing awareness of digital consumption habits and navigating the complexities of technology's impact on human agency. Through this innovation, they seek to foster a culture of introspection in the digital age.


Scientists may have found the spot where our supermassive black hole “vents”

May 29, 2024

illustration of a cylindrical satellite in space with solar panel wings extending out to either side, with earth in the background

Chandra X-ray telescope reveals hot gas traveling along a “chimney” as it’s ejected.


Dickinson Lab maps RNA molecules with novel proximity labeling method

May 29, 2024

Shubhasree Pani

The Dickinson Lab introduced a proximity labeling method to map RNA molecules within cells. This technique, developed by graduate student Shubhasree Pani and Dr. Tian Qiu, enhances the understanding of RNA functions and cellular organization.


Drug targeting RNA modifications shows promise for treating neuroblastoma

May 15, 2024

Neuroblastoma cells

Researchers from the University of Chicago, including chemist Chuan He, show that a drug molecule targeting RNA modifications in neuroblastoma cells suppresses tumor growth in mice.