
Ultimate vacuum chamber creates nothing
The concept of nothingness is the subject of everything from children’s books to philosophical debate. In the universe, however, is nothing ever possible? How have scientists, philosophers, and mathematicians thought about the concept of nothing throughout history and up to the present?

Researchers unravel more mysteries of metallic hydrogen
Liquid metallic hydrogen is not present naturally on Earth and has only been created in a handful of places, including the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics. LLE scientists are researching the properties of liquid metallic hyrdrogen to understand how planets both inside and outside our solar system form magnetic shields.

Measuring each point of a beam of light
A University of Rochester research team has devised a much simpler way to measure beams of light—even powerful, superfast pulsed laser beams that require very complicated devices to characterize their properties.

Strong sibling bond protects against negative effects of fighting parents
In a 3-year study, Rochester psychologists found children with strong sibling relationships experience less distress in response to future fighting between parents.

Laser bursts generate electricity faster than any other method
A University researcher who predicted that laser pulses could generate ultrafast electrical currents in theory now believes he can explain exactly how and why actual experiments to create these currents have succeeded.

Students share research experiences in Ghana
Hear from eight Rochester students spending this summer at a field school in Ghana. Led by Professors Renato Perucchio, Michael Jarvis, and Chris Muir, the students are studying the engineering, historical, and cultural aspects of the country’s historic coastal forts.

University again ranks among top 100 worldwide for US utility patents
Rochester jumped three spots to number 61 on this year’s top 100 rankings from the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association.

Uncertainty in a date dampens interest in a mate
A new study by psychologists in Rochester and Israel shows those who feel greater certainty that a prospective romantic partner shares their interest will put more effort into seeing that person again.

Alien apocalypse: Can any civilization make it through climate change?
Does the universe contain planets with truly sustainable civilizations? Or does every civilization that may have arisen in the cosmos last only a few centuries before it falls to the climate change it triggers? Rochester astrophysicist Adam Frank and his collaborators have developed a mathematical model to illustrate how a technologically advanced population and its planet might develop together, putting climate change in a cosmic context.

Using data science to tell which of these people is lying
University researchers are using data science to analyze more than 1 million facial expressions to more accurately detect deception based on a smile.