Researchers developed tools to compare tumor microenvironments and predict treatment response by analyzing spatial transcriptomic data. The new tools provide a detailed map of tumor cell organization, enabling clinicians to quickly analyze and compare tumor 'floor plans' and determine the best course of treatment.
The NSF has renewed the Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Quantum Sensing for Biophysics and Bioengineering with a $37.5 million investment to advance quantum sensing technologies. This will enable the development of robust tools for investigating biological systems.
A new computational tool called DANDELION has identified 21 genes related to asthma, most of which haven't been discovered by other methods. The tool focuses on trans-gene regulation and successfully validated the impact of these genes on asthma phenotypes in cell models and human data.
Researchers developed an end-to-end machine-learning guided workflow to create high-performing materials for separating methane from nitrogen. The new zinc-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provide state-of-the-art gas adsorption and separation while reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Researchers developed a new technique to study coupled multi-ion and electron transport in solids, revealing traditional diffusion models are insufficient. The tracer exchange method showed complexities such as nanoscale confinement and one-dimensional channels forcing ions to move in single file.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a quantum phenomenon in a two-dimensional magnet that could be relevant for memory storage. The team found that one such material, Fe5GeTe2, exhibits a charge-ordered state where electrons move collectively and unusually slowly.
A new survey finds that parents and educators believe schools should integrate data literacy across the K-12 curriculum to prepare students for an AI-driven world. The survey, conducted by Data Science 4 Everyone and Mathematica, reveals that 88% of respondents believe all students should be data literate before graduating high school.
Researchers discovered that moth flies use a different genetic pathway than fruit flies to establish the head-to-tail axis. The odd-paired gene ensures correct body segment formation, but its expression is earlier and localized to the egg's prospective head region in moth flies.
The University of Chicago Data Science Institute and Financial Mathematics Program launch a new industry-aligned certificate in quantitative development, combining training in advanced software engineering with financial expertise. Students will gain experience building real-world systems and preparing them to succeed in leading firms.
A research team studied ion-exchange membranes to understand their structure and ability, finding that flexible backbones achieve higher ion conductivity with less water uptake. This discovery offers molecular-level design guidelines for next-generation energy devices.
Researchers found that geography and community affiliation explain more variation in gut microbiome composition than urban lifestyle. Urbanization consistently influences the gut microbiome, but the magnitude and nature of changes differ among communities, reflecting differences in local diets, environments, and cultural practices.
Researchers discovered that blending a common plastic softener into light-emitting polymer films makes them brighter and more stretchable. The additive, dioctyl phthalate, improves efficiency by up to 100% and stretchability by over 110%.
Scientists have developed a new approach to purify rare earth elements using atomic channels, separating them from each other without the need for toxic chemicals. The method has been shown to be competitive with existing separation methods and can differentiate similar pairs of rare earth elements.
Scientists harness non-Abelian anyons to perform any operation a quantum computer needs, eliminating the need for expensive magic state distillation. The approach enables fault-tolerant computations and has potential applications in quantum error correction and basic physics research.
Scientists from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have made significant strides in extracting lithium using an unconventional method. By applying electrochemical intercalation to a solution containing lithium and sodium ions, they were able to isolate 99% pure lithium with a high level of selectivity. T...
A 300 million-year-old fish fossil has preserved its brain, providing a rare opportunity to study the brain evolution of early ray-finned fishes. The well-preserved brain offers distinct characteristics that suggest a deep-time relationship to modern sturgeons and paddlefish.
A UChicago research team developed a nanoplasmonic 'leaf' that harvests light energy to stimulate nerves and pace heartbeats in an animal model. The material was shown to have high performance levels and could potentially be used for new forms of therapy and human-computer interfaces.
A new study published in Science found that trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) in breast milk promotes the development of a broader and more effective immune cell population in mice. TVA exposure during breastfeeding also reprograms immune cells to improve responses to pathogens, leading to faster recovery times from infections.
A new study from researchers at the University of Chicago and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health shows that mass public school closures in Chicago led to increases in gun violence in surrounding neighborhoods. Neighborhoods near closed schools saw a 9.9% increase in shootings, compared to similar areas without school c...
UChicago researchers design a setup to produce a variety of quantum states useful for ultraprecise sensing and exotic quantum materials. By breaking symmetry, they can tune the system to generate a range of different entangled states, all without changing physical components.
A team from UChicago PME used AI to generate entire chemical formulations for battery electrolytes, balancing complicated tradeoffs and interactions. The research was published in JACS Au and explores a vast chemical space, generating novel candidates satisfying desired properties simultaneously.
Scientists at Penn State and UChicago uncover the physical principles of superconductivity in diamond, enabling multiple functions on one quantum chip. The discovery offers a potential roadmap for improving the performance and temperature range of future quantum devices.
A new skin-like computing patch can analyze health data using artificial intelligence in mere milliseconds, directly on the body. It overcomes limitations of wearable devices by running AI computations within the body, improving response time for critical medical applications.
Gagliardi's work on multireference electronic-structure theory has led to breakthroughs in catalysis, carbon capture, and water harvesting. Her development of MC-PDFT and LAS methods has facilitated the design of materials that function as molecular sponges.
The University of Chicago's Data Science Institute is developing AI-based forecasting technology to support farmers and citizens worldwide. The project aims to deliver forecasts that inform decision-making on agriculture, public health, and extreme heat avoidance.
The University of Chicago has partnered with AI Research Commons and Microsoft to support high-potential AI startups emerging from the Third Coast Foundry universities. Selected companies will receive technical and go-to-market support, up to $350K in startup credits, and connections to the Bay Area AI investor network.
The University of Chicago Data Science Institute has welcomed Millennium as a new Industry Affiliate Partner, aiming to advance curriculum and drive innovation. This partnership will support the design of a new quantitative developer certificate program for students.
A new system combines AI and EMS to physically guide users through unfamiliar tasks, marking a leap toward general-purpose, context-aware embodied assistance. Users are guided by dynamically generated muscle cues, adapting to mistakes and re-prompting the system for corrections.
A new study from the University of Chicago suggests that smoking may be linked to dementia through a previously unmapped route between the lungs and brain, involving pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and exosomes that disrupt iron balance in neurons.
Researchers have developed a new system to map gene expression across whole mouse bodies, providing a toolkit for studying molecular and cellular processes. The technique allows for the analysis of inflammation in every cell type and organ tissue, paving the way for a 'virtual mouse' model that could be used for research.
The University of Chicago and IDefine are partnering to develop a potential therapeutic strategy for Kleefstra syndrome, a rare disorder caused by EHMT1 gene haploinsufficiency. The project aims to restore essential protein levels in the brain using programmable RNA therapy.
Michael Franklin, former Liew Family Chair of Computer Science, has been appointed Deputy Dean for Computational and Mathematical Sciences. He will lead strategic planning to advance these disciplines and foster collaborations across campus.
Researchers tested robots with factual and fictional dialogue on SEL lessons, finding that the factual robots encouraged deeper engagement and improved mastery. The study challenges conventional wisdom on robot design for education, suggesting that robots can be powerful supplements to human teaching.
The new law, House Bill 1266, guides curriculum and teacher training to prepare students for a data-rich world. By integrating data science across K–12 subjects, Indiana aims to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills for future success.
A team of researchers at the University of Chicago has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of nanocrystals, shedding new light on cation exchange reactions. By applying a cellular automaton model, they were able to demonstrate that a single atom can be replaced with another in a tiny crystal, even as all the atoms remain in or...
A team of researchers has developed a practical and powerful all-solid-state battery using lithium-sulfur conversion chemistry. By optimizing particle size and material arrangement, they achieved a discharge capacity of 1500 milliampere-hours per gram of sulfur, bringing the technology closer to realizing its theoretical capacity.
Researchers discovered that imaging both lithium and sodium battery materials with an electron microscope causes worse damage than previously thought. A new inert gas transfer method and data reporting recommendations promise better standards for studying battery samples safely and efficiently.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have created Prussian blue analogs that can achieve 99.9% lithium purification, opening up new opportunities for separating industrial waste ions from environmental streams. The unique structure of Prussian blue analogs allows for selective filtering and purification.
A study found that 13.4% of young adults with complex medical conditions were disenrolled from Medicaid at age 19, compared to 35.6% without such conditions. The study highlights the significant impact of coverage disruptions on health outcomes for medically complex patients.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a new dry-processed electrode architecture that improves battery performance, reduces cost, and has environmental benefits. The dry process eliminates toxic solvents and creates a more robust battery with better conductivity.
Researchers identified surface noise mechanisms that degrade NV center coherence in diamond, which limits sensor performance. The study provides physics-based guidelines for engineering diamond surfaces to preserve quantum coherence.
By adjusting the ratio of two elements, researchers can switch exotic quantum states on and off in materials highly desired for quantum computing. The team found that changing the correlations between electrons in the material allows for sensitive control over exotic quantum phases.
Scientists have developed a new technique using failed battery components to intentionally degrade water pollutants known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The method, published in Nature Chemistry, achieves remarkable results in breaking down long-chain PFAS molecules into mineralized fluorine.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered a light-sensitive signaling cascade in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that suppresses biofilm formation and virulence. The study, published in Nature Communications, identifies a small protein called DimA as the key trigger for this process.
A new study reveals that crystal dislocations can serve as powerful building blocks for quantum interconnects, enabling the creation of stable and coherent qubits. The researchers showed that nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond can be attracted to dislocations and retain their quantum properties when positioned near these line defects.
Researchers found that bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, use a 'run-and-tumble' movement pattern to move through different environments, despite the complexity of their surroundings. This behavior is similar to walking through mud, where the underlying movement pattern remains the same, but with changes in speed and efficiency.
AI tools enable scientists to publish more papers, receive citations, and become leaders earlier, but also narrow the scope of science by concentrating attention on data-rich domains. This 'lonely crowds' phenomenon reduces interaction among researchers, leading to overlapping research and a contraction in knowledge extent.
A new study from the University of Chicago finds that every 1% increase in eviction rate is associated with 2.66 more shootings in Chicago neighborhoods. Eviction rates disrupt collective efficacy, a neighborhood's shared belief in working together to prevent gun violence.
Researchers discovered a new method for excluding water in covalent organic frameworks, leading to more efficient solutions for air pollution. The approach reveals that mismatches between simulations and experiments can be powerful clues for material design.
A novel approach has been proposed to facilitate collaboration between human researchers and AI in self-driving labs. The AI advisor model enables humans to make real-time decisions while leveraging AI's data-processing prowess.