Research

In a South Carolina swamp, researchers uncover secrets of firefly synchrony

emad5542 — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:12:29 +0000

In a South Carolina swamp, researchers uncover secrets of firefly synchrony emad5542 Mon, 03/16/2026 - 11:12

In a new study, computer scientists from CU ��ý�� have uncovered the mathematical rules fireflies follow to sync up their flashes. The team’s findings could one day lead to new designs for robots that move in swarms and could help scientists better understand other examples of synchrony in biology.

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Scientists develop hydrogel platform that mimics human tissue

Susan Glairon — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:49:46 +0000

Scientists develop hydrogel platform that mimics human tissue Susan Glairon Fri, 03/13/2026 - 08:49

Susan Glairon

A new light-controlled hydrogel developed at CU ��ý�� mimics the movement and flexibility of real tissue, giving scientists a more realistic way to study cells and disease.

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Scientists harness AI to reveal forces behind glacier surges

Charles Ferrer — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:27:27 +0000

Scientists harness AI to reveal forces behind glacier surges Charles Ferrer Thu, 03/05/2026 - 08:27

Glaciers are constantly changing and reshaping the Earth’s surface. CU ��ý�� researchers have developed a new machine learning tool to better understand how Arctic glaciers suddenly accelerate or “surge”.

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Why do we get a skip in our step when we’re happy? Thank dopamine

alse6588 — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:21:34 +0000

Why do we get a skip in our step when we’re happy? Thank dopamine alse6588 Fri, 02/27/2026 - 13:21

Professor Alaa Ahmed is leading a study that highlights the central role that dopamine, a brain chemical associated with reward, seems to play in making people move faster when they want something. The findings could one day help scientists understand and even diagnose a range of human medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and depression.

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Researchers build ultra-efficient optical sensors shrinking light to a chip

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:36:56 +0000

Researchers build ultra-efficient optical sensors shrinking light to a chip Charles Ferrer Mon, 02/23/2026 - 08:36

CU ��ý�� researchers have built high performing optical microresonators opening the door for new sensor technologies. In the future, the microresonators could be used for compact microlasers, advanced chemical and biological sensors and even tools for quantum metrology and networking.

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Professor featured in Colorado Environmental Film Festival documentary

Susan Glairon — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:39:07 +0000

Professor featured in Colorado Environmental Film Festival documentary Susan Glairon Fri, 02/13/2026 - 16:39

Susan Glairon

“Women of Carbon,” featuring Associate Professor Mija Hubler, opens the Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Golden on Feb. 20. The documentary highlights women reshaping construction through sustainable innovation and decarbonization.

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Global collaboration to limit air pollution flowing across borders could save millions of lives

alse6588 — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:04:48 +0000

Global collaboration to limit air pollution flowing across borders could save millions of lives alse6588 Fri, 02/13/2026 - 11:04

A first-of-its-kind study, led by Professor Daven Henze and collaborators at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, assesses how health benefits of aggressive climate policy travel across international borders. The researchers say that ambitious climate action to improve global air quality could save up to 1.32 million lives per year by 2040.

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PhD student Erin Dunphy honored with Ludo Frevel Scholarship

Susan Glairon — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:13:48 +0000

PhD student Erin Dunphy honored with Ludo Frevel Scholarship Susan Glairon Fri, 02/13/2026 - 08:13

Susan Glairon

Dunphy's research involves studying interactions at the atomic level to design more efficient catalysts for polymer upcycling, an innovative approach for converting plastic wastes into valuable products, such as jet fuels.

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3 with ties to CU Engineering elected to National Academy of Engineering

emad5542 — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:19:25 +0000

3 with ties to CU Engineering elected to National Academy of Engineering emad5542 Thu, 02/12/2026 - 10:19

Dana Anderson, Iain Boyd and Bob Erickson are among the 130 scientists and engineers from around the country who will be inducted as members of the NAE at a meeting this fall.

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'Hiding in plain sight': Scientists reflect on years studying life in Antarctic desert

Susan Glairon — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:06:05 +0000

'Hiding in plain sight': Scientists reflect on years studying life in Antarctic desert Susan Glairon Wed, 02/11/2026 - 10:06

Researchers at the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-Term Ecological Research Program have spent more than three decades studying ecosystems in one of the world’s most hostile environments.

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