A new study by scientists at the University of Chicago found that commercially bred monarch butterflies do not fly southward even in offspring raised outdoors. This suggests that captive breeding disrupts the monarch's migratory behavior and genetic differences between captive and wild populations may be to blame.
Researchers used AI to train neural networks on complex behavioral tasks, revealing two distinct processes involved in short-term memory. These processes include a 'silent' process where the brain stores memories without ongoing neural activity, and a more active process where circuits of neurons fire continuously.
Two studies published in Nature Ecology & Evolution challenge long-standing sloth classification, revealing new relationships between ancient ground sloths and modern species. The findings use proteins in fossils to map an entire lineage for the first time, rewriting our understanding of sloth evolution.
Researchers discovered superconductivity in lanthanum superhydrides at temperatures of about -23°C, exceeding the previous record by 50 degrees. The material exhibited zero electrical resistance and could potentially be used in advanced technologies like efficient magnetic levitation trains.
A new study by UChicago scientists found significant river runoff persisted on Mars later into its history than previously thought. The intense runoff, which was wider than those on Earth today, occurred at hundreds of locations and suggests a complex climate with strong greenhouse effects.
A new method for making infrared cameras using quantum dots offers faster production and better performance. This technology could enable the use of infrared cameras in autonomous vehicles, smartphones, and other devices, improving their ability to detect heat signatures and see through smoke and fog.
Researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of Bath used acoustic levitation to study the shape of prototypical clusters that form when particles are added one by one. They found that with six particles or more, different shapes can assemble, including parallelogram, chevron, and triangle configurations.
Researchers discovered thousands of tiny 'ice quakes' on the McMurdo Ice Shelf that appear to be caused by pools of partially melted ice expanding and freezing at night. This phenomenon may help track glacier melting and explain the breakup of large ice shelves.
A new analysis of 65 million projects found that smaller teams are more likely to introduce new ideas to science and technology, while larger teams often develop and consolidate existing knowledge. This challenges recent trends in research policy and funding toward big teams.
Researchers with NASA and UChicago institutions developed a new approach to improve crop yield predictions by incorporating planting and harvesting data into models. This method shows improved accuracy in matching observed yields, enabling more robust simulations of droughts and heat waves' impacts on food supplies and prices.
A new quantum network is being developed in the Chicago area to test unhackable communications, using principles of quantum physics to send information. The project aims to create a secure network with wide-ranging impact on communications and national security.
A new study predicts that gravitational wave readings from neutron star collisions can accurately measure the Hubble constant, improving current disputed results. With 25 readings, accuracy will reach 3%, narrowing to 1% with 200 readings.
A new study challenges the idea that life requires an 'Earth clone' by finding that water worlds could be habitable for a significant percentage of simulated planets. Researchers used over 1,000 simulations to find that 10% of planets stay stable for more than a billion years without geochemical cycling.
Researchers at UChicago developed a new model of water behavior under extreme temperatures and pressures using quantum simulations. The model provides insight into the properties of water deep inside the Earth's mantle and has implications for understanding life on exoplanets.
Researchers found evidence that the Earth's continental crust could have formed hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought, suggesting a habitable environment for life. The study used unique instruments to count strontium atoms in ancient rocks and found silica presence, altering the classic view of early Earth.
Researchers have developed a new method to predict molecular conductivity by calculating interactions between pairs of electrons, resulting in improved accuracy and reduced computational costs. The approach has been shown to outperform traditional models by one-to-two orders of magnitude.
A new study from University of Chicago researchers finds that 'traffic jams' in the jet stream can cause abnormal weather patterns, such as blocking events. The research develops a mechanistic model to predict long-term weather patterns, including droughts and floods, by comparing the jet stream to highway traffic.
A new nationwide graduate student training program for quantum science and engineering has been launched, pairing students with industry partners to address pressing research questions. Funded by $1.6 million from the NSF, approximately 20 students will receive four years of funding to pursue leading-edge science and engineering.
Researchers at UChicago have developed a system of design principles for working with silicon to control biology using light. The team has demonstrated the ability to stimulate neurons, tissues, and limbs using this method, without the need for genetic modification or a power supply.
Researchers found a small but measurable difference in oxygen isotopes between lunar and terrestrial rocks, proposing that most of Earth's water was acquired during the main stage of its growth. This challenges the widely accepted theory that the Moon formed from debris left over after a giant impact.
Researchers at UChicago developed a new mathematical method to accurately predict the shape and melting effects of ponds on Arctic sea ice. This technique, known as the 'void' model, could help improve climate forecasts and understanding by addressing discrepancies in previous models.
Scientists create atomically-thin fabrics by stitching different crystals together in a single session, resulting in the most perfectly aligned materials ever grown. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for electronics, including flexible LEDs and strain-sensing fabrics.
Scientists have discovered intricate storm patterns at Jupiter's poles, with eight and five storms surrounding a central cyclone in each hemisphere. This unusual arrangement challenges our understanding of atmospheric dynamics, sparking hopes for new insights into planetary weather.
Researchers will co-design hardware and software to realize quantum computing's potential more rapidly, focusing on efficient algorithms and tools for programming and education. The collaboration aims to create a community of academic and industry partners to drive progress in the field.
A team of researchers has invented tiny, light-powered wires that can modulate brain electrical signals, promising a new approach to understanding and treating brain disorders like Parkinson's disease and psychiatric conditions. The nanowires use silicon and gold to trigger neurons to fire electrical signals.
Astrophysicists at UChicago used laser experiments to verify the turbulent dynamo theory, explaining the generation of cosmic magnetic fields. The study confirmed that turbulent plasma can amplify a weak magnetic field to strengths observed in stars and galaxies.
Scientists at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory have improved computer models for understanding electron affinity in water. The new estimates may help create better ways to split water for hydrogen fuel and other chemical processes.
Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered a topological wave in a randomly arranged material, defying traditional expectations. The finding offers new insights into collective motion and could have implications for electronics and optics.
A study by University of Chicago scientists found that mass extinctions removed species but retained ecological variety, whereas environmental changes lead to significant losses in functional diversity. The researchers analyzed two major mass extinctions and discovered a pattern of survival among functional groups.
Researchers suggest that our solar system formed in a wind-blown bubble structure around a Wolf-Rayet star, which produces elements like aluminium-26 but not iron-60. This theory aims to explain the unusual abundance of these elements in our solar system compared to the rest of the galaxy.
A new study by University of Chicago researchers found that nearly 60% of Americans are connected to Medicaid, making it an important part of the middle-class social safety net. These constituents are more likely to view Medicaid as important and support increases in spending than those with no connection.
Researchers successfully created a molecular chain composed of freely rotating loops, a significant breakthrough after decades of failure. The new technique could lead to the development of materials and machines with unique properties, such as improved flexibility and tunability.
A newly discovered fossil, Jablonskipora kidwellae, fills the missing evolutionary link in the history of bryozoans. The tiny marine creature lived 105 million years ago and evolved a unique structure to tap into flowing water, giving it a competitive advantage over other species.
Researchers have decoded the molecular process of HIV's cell spreading mechanism, a crucial step in understanding how the virus replicates itself. The findings offer new avenues for developing drugs to combat the virus.
Researchers studied bosons in a Bose-Einstein condensate and observed bright jets of atoms shooting out of the condensate, unlike expected random ejections, when applying a magnetic field. This unexpected behavior may be useful for amplifying small signals in quantum technology applications.
Scientists directly observed two neutron stars for the first time, detecting gravitational waves and a burst of gamma rays. The event allowed researchers to calculate the expansion rate of the universe and verify Einstein's prediction that gravitational waves travel at the speed of light.
Researchers found that proteins remain fully or partially unfolded for parts of their lives, contradicting the long-held belief they must fold into complicated shapes to fulfill functions. The study suggests these unfolded proteins may reduce unwanted interactions by being expanded, potentially preventing dysfunction and disease.
A decade-long study by the Pierre Auger Collaboration has found six percent greater rate of extragalactic cosmic rays from one side of sky than other, suggesting acceleration sites are outside Milky Way. The observatory's detection provides compelling evidence for extragalactic origin of ultra-high energy cosmic particles.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a method to make stacks of semiconductors just a few atoms thick, offering a simple and cost-effective way to produce thin, uniform layers. This breakthrough could enable the creation of smaller, faster electronics with unique properties.
A study by the University of Chicago finds that air pollution in Northern China reduces life expectancy by 3.1 years, with every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase reducing it by 0.6 years.
A new study published in Medical Education found that both cognitive and affective empathy of medical students improve over the course of their training, challenging the common perception that empathy declines during medical school. The study used a variety of measures to assess empathy and found that improvements in perspective-taking...
A team of UChicago scientists have detected X-ray photons from a type Ia supernova for the first time, indicating dense circumstellar material. The finding challenges current understanding of these explosions and raises questions about their formation.
Research by UChicago psychologists found that using a foreign language decreases emotional aversion, leading people to be less averse to breaking taboos and more willing to make utilitarian choices. The study suggests that the decision-making process is affected by the emotional distance provided by speaking a non-native language.
University of Chicago physicists create thin-core vortices and measure total helicity for the first time, showing it maintains a constant value during viscous fluid flow. The study overcomes experimental challenges by precisely positioning dye using a Sharpie marker, advancing understanding of vortex behavior.
The COHERENT Collaboration, led by UChicago physicists, detects elusive neutrino-nucleus scattering using a compact detector. This finding confirms the theory predicted four decades ago and has implications for understanding neutrino properties and the search for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have discovered a new way to precisely pattern nanomaterials, enabling the creation of complex structures and paving the way for next-generation electronics. The DOLFIN technology makes it possible to mass-produce nanomaterials directly into usable devices.
Researchers discovered that a specific neural signal in the brain regulates young animals' ability to learn behavioral patterns from adults, particularly in zebra finches. The findings suggest that disruptions in this protein complex may be involved in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to manipulate a weird quantum interface between light and matter in silicon carbide, advancing the possibility of applying quantum mechanical principles to existing optical fiber networks. They achieved a record-breaking 10,000 photons before destroying the spin state, paving the way for secur...
A team of astronomers advocates for a statistical comparative approach to find habitable planets and life beyond the solar system. By studying large numbers of exoplanets with less detailed measurements, they can estimate the frequency of habitable environments and life on those planets.
Research from the University of Chicago reveals that loneliness increases self-centeredness, which in turn contributes to further loneliness. This creates a negative feedback loop that can worsen social isolation. The study suggests targeting self-centeredness as part of an intervention to reduce loneliness may help break this cycle.