News

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

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

Department of Molecular Biosciences

McLellan Named Recipient of the 2024 IVI-SK Bioscience Park MahnHoon Award

The International Vaccine Institutes Bioscience Park MahnHoon Award recognizes his role in the development of several vaccines.

Man in a white lab coat standing in front of scientific equipment

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.

UT News

The Sun’s Corona: A Boiling Pot On An Ice Cube

Jarrod Bianco and Maile Marriott, two graduate students working with physicist Anna Tenerani, talk heliophysics.

A dark line intersects with rings of color and blackness as a light emenates out.

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.

UT News

The Challenges, Possibilities and Ethics of AI-Enabled Robots

Experts weighed in at UT’s Hook ‘Em House at SXSW, including Peter Stone who has devoted his professional life to programming and developing robots.

A man on a panel gestures with his hands while his fellow panelists look on.

Podcast

A Once-in-Many-Centuries Event

In honor of the impending total solar eclipse on April 8th, we present this special eclipse podcast.

solar eclipse

UT News

Educators Named Recipients of President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Awards

Jonathan Partridge, an assistant professor  of instruction in the Biology Instruction Office, and Jennifer Austin, a mathematics associate professor of instruction, received awards.

Photo of UT Tower with flowers in foreground.

Wildflower Center

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Launches Live Owl Nest Cam

A much-loved great horned owl named ‘Athena’ is viewable at The University of Texas at Austin center and field station.

A great horned owl perches on a tree branch.