Two university-led projects receive $2.96 million to develop next-generation instruments for mid-sized ground-based optical and near-infrared telescopes. The grants aim to improve sensitivity and expand access to key wavelengths, enabling observations of extremely faint astronomical objects.
The Kavli Prize in Neuroscience 2026 honors scientists Christine Holt, Kelsey Martin, Erin Schuman, and Oswald Steward for their discovery of local protein translation in neurons. This breakthrough fundamentally rewires our understanding of brain development and plasticity.
The Kavli Prize in Nanoscience 2026 is awarded to Eva Y. Andrei, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero and Allan H. MacDonald for their foundational work in Twistronics. This new paradigm in nanoscience enables the exploration of interaction-driven quantum materials.
The Kavli Prize in Astrophysics 2026 is awarded to Vasily Belokurov, Amina Helmi, and Rodrigo Ibata for their discovery of past mergers that prove the Milky Way galaxy was built through hierarchical accretion. This breakthrough reveals how our universe is formed and challenges assumptions on galaxy formation.
Two new research projects will bring advanced tools to Lick and McDonald Observatories, studying planet and star formation. The programs aim to extend the scientific reach of mid-sized telescopes, delivering new insights and demonstrating technologies for larger observatories.
The Kavli Foundation and NSF have announced new grants to explore how nervous systems respond, resist, or recover from the challenges of a changing world. This research aims to uncover fundamental principles of neurobiology and reveal how animals adapt cognitively and behaviorally to a changing world.
Researchers investigate how pollutants affect pollinators' ability to recognize flower scents and how neural circuits adapt to temperature fluctuations in organisms like the roundworm. The study focuses on understanding resilience mechanisms that enable animals to cope with environmental changes.
The 2024 Kavli Prize Laureates have made significant contributions to our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres, nanoscale materials for biomedical applications, and the localization of brain areas specialized for face recognition. Their work has broadened our knowledge of planetary life beyond Earth.
The NSF and Kavli Foundation launched a joint grant program to explore the impact of environmental changes on neural systems. Researchers will investigate novel mechanisms underlying adaptation and resilience in animals, aiming to advance our understanding of basic biology.
A new cosmic picture of the universe's history shows a close agreement with previous findings, leaving little room for new physics that could reveal dark matter and dark energy. The results support the standard model of Big Bang cosmology, but scientists remain hopeful that new observations will offer clues about what lies beyond.
Researchers suggest dense star clusters as source of gravitational waves, with black holes colliding to produce these waves. Computer simulations and observations point to globular clusters as ideal environments for black hole collisions.
The discovery of over 60 extremely distant quasars nearly doubles the known number, offering a unique window into the early universe. Studying these 'lighthouses' of the cosmos will help understand how galaxies developed and interacted with supermassive black holes.
The winners of the 2016 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics reveal their 40-year journey to detect gravitational waves. They share their insights on the challenges and breakthroughs in eavesdropping on space-time ripples, which have captured the world's imagination.
Researchers are using DNA origami to create large, two-dimensional honeycombs and tubes with precise structures. They aim to develop new medicines by exposing the immune system to DNA origami scaffolds holding virus pieces, and explore protein arrangements for sophisticated medicines and electronic devices.
Researchers have discovered that cosmic heavy metals, such as gold and platinum, can be used to trace the history of galaxies. The study, published in Nature, suggests that the collision of dense stars in the universe can forge these heavy elements and provide insights into galaxy formation.
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) has detected ripples in space-time, also known as gravitational waves, for the first time on Earth. This breakthrough opens a new window into the universe and revolutionizes our understanding of violent cosmic events.
Researchers have discovered young populations of stars within globular clusters that originated from external gas and dust, rather than internal processes. This study suggests that globular clusters can form new stars by 'adopting' stray cosmic gases, turning a complex picture into a more nuanced one.
Online citizen science project Space Warps has made significant contributions to astrophysics, discovering 29 new gravitational lenses and a novel lensing scenario. The involvement of thousands of volunteer scientists has demonstrated the value of human pattern recognition in analyzing vast datasets.
Astronomers have witnessed a cosmic explosion about 200 times more powerful than a typical supernova, shedding light on the mysterious 'superluminous' explosions. The record-breaking blast, ASASSN-15lh, shone with 570 billion times the brightness of the Sun and is thought to be an outstanding example of a rare stellar scenario.
The Unified Microbiome Initiative aims to study the planet's least understood ecosystems, with potential breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture and environmental science. New genomic tools have linked microbes to various health issues, including obesity and brain development.
The discovery of GJ 1132b, an Earth-size exoplanet located just 39 light-years away from our Solar System, is a significant milestone in the search for alien life. The planet's proximity to its star and size make it an ideal laboratory for studying small, potentially livable worlds.
A consortium of scientists proposes a major research project to understand and harness microbiomes, aiming to improve human health, agriculture, bioenergy, and the environment. The Unified Microbiome Initiative calls for investments in new tools and cross-disciplinary collaborations to predict and manage microbial behavior.
Researchers have created artificial plants that can produce methane and butanol using semiconducting nanowires and bacteria. This technology has the potential to replace fossil fuels with a sustainable and efficient alternative.
The causes of stellar explosions known as Type Ia supernovae have been debated for decades. Recent studies suggest that either one or two white dwarfs can trigger these events, shedding light on the evolution of galaxies and dark energy. Understanding this phenomenon will inform our study of the universe's expansion.
Astronomers have discovered a young, Jupiter-like exoplanet that provides insights into planetary origins. The Gemini Planet Imager revealed 51 Eridani b, which is still warm and luminous from its formation, with conditions that depend on whether it formed slowly or suddenly.
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will survey the entire Southern Hemisphere's sky, collecting 30 terabytes of data nightly. The telescope aims to map 20 billion galaxies and observe supernovae, offering stringent tests on dark matter and dark energy.
The discovery of enormous radiation bubbles in the Milky Way's center may hold clues to understanding the galaxy's past and potentially revealing dark matter. Studies of these Fermi bubbles could offer insight into the history of our galaxy, including the activity of its black hole.
Researchers found that stars in large middle-aged clusters are of similar age, suggesting a complex formation process. The discovery challenges current understanding of stellar evolution and may require re-evaluation of models.
Several countries have launched brain research projects with big budgets and ambitious goals, aiming to make groundbreaking discoveries and develop new treatments for diseases. The initiatives are expected to drive rapid progress in the field of neuroscience, with a focus on global collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches.
Astronomers have discovered a pulsar that emits an incredible amount of energy, shining brighter than previously thought possible. This find challenges the previous assumption that ultra-luminous X-ray sources are likely black holes.
The XMASS collaboration has found no significant excess above background noise for bosonic super-WIMPs, ruling out their role as all dark matter. This result constrains light super-WIMP models and suggests alternative explanations for the nature of dark matter.
A team of researchers will study the complex connections between brain cells that allow us to make and retrieve lasting memories. The project aims to build a complete computational model of a neural network in vertebrates using experimental data, with potential transformative insights into mammalian brain abilities.
Researchers found a star with extremely low iron content, which could be evidence of the universe's first supernovae. The star's unusual chemical composition supports the theory that massive stars formed in the early universe and exploded as supernovae.
Researchers have made significant advancements in sensitivity and believe a dark matter particle interacts with ordinary matter rarely, according to conference discussions. The hunt for dark matter continues, with the LHC yet to find evidence of supersymmetry, but potential discovery could reveal dominant form of universe-seeding matter.
Researchers have discovered vigorous starbursts in young galaxies, indicating the universe produced stars much earlier than thought. The findings reveal a rate of star formation 1,000 times greater than today's Milky Way and provide new insights into the history of the universe.
A recent study proposes that up to 100,000 nomad planets might exist in the Milky Way Galaxy for every star, with an estimated quadrillion number of total nomads. If confirmed, this could mean nomad planets play a significant role in the universe.
Experts discuss how advances in neuroscience affect the judicial system, from challenging legal policies to aiding in diagnoses of psychological conditions. Brain maturity is a critical issue in assessing teenage crimes, while addiction affects sentencing decisions.
Researchers confirm detection of antimatter positron excess with assistance from Earth's magnetic field, casting doubt on dark matter explanation. The Fermi Gamma-ray Telescope's unique approach utilizes the Earth's magnetic field to separate charged particles, providing valuable insight into the universe.
Researchers find that magnetic atoms are necessary for low-temperature superconductivity in heavy fermion compounds. This discovery sheds light on the delicate balance between magnetism and superconductivity, potentially leading to breakthroughs in high-temperature superconductors.
The Kavli Prize Science Forum brings together influential science policy figures to discuss the role of international cooperation in addressing global challenges. The event aims to facilitate high-level discussion on major topics in science and science policy, with a focus on balancing cooperation and competition.
Eight scientists recognized with Kavli Prizes for discoveries transforming our knowledge of matter, nanotechnology, brain signals, telescopes, and physiological functions. The awards promote public understanding of science and encourage international cooperation.
The massive planet WASP-12b is being torn apart by the gravitational forces of its host star, resulting in a 'death march' that explains its unusually large size. The research also suggests the presence of a super-Earth in the disk around the star.
Seven pioneering scientists recognized for transforming human knowledge in nanoscience, neuroscience and astrophysics. The Kavli prizes have been awarded to seven scientists who have advanced our understanding of ultra-small matter properties, brain circuitry and quasars.