
A new way to determine the age of stars?
Rochester researchers have developed a new conceptual framework for understanding how stars similar to our Sun evolve. Their framework helps explain how the rotation of stars, their emission of x-rays, and the intensity of their stellar winds vary with time. According to Eric Blackman, professor of physics and astronomy, the work could also “ultimately help to determine the age of stars more precisely than is currently possible.”

Q&A: Biologist earns raves for work with yeast
LISTEN: David Goldfarb, professor of biology, researches yeast as a model organism for understanding the aging process in humans. Why does this essential ingredient in bread and beer make a good research specimen?

Rochester scientist discovers new comet
David Cameron, a visiting scientist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has discovered a new comet – the first to be discovered by an astronomer associated with the University or with the Rochester area in over a century, his colleagues believe.

Artist Nate Hodge Receives Lillian Fairchild Award
“The most inspiring thing about public art is its ability to reach a wide spectrum of people,” says Nate Hodge, local mural artist and this year’s recipient of the English department’s award.

Taking a ‘look’ at historical hoaxes
During the mid-19th century, a series of grand hoaxes captured the American imagination: the Great Moon Hoax, the Cardiff Giant, and the fantastical creatures of P. T. Barnum. Joan Saab, an associate professor of art history and visual and cultural studies, examines the relationship between seeing and believing.

From Uncle Tom to Aunt Phillis: Professor sheds new light on race, slavery in American literature
Ezra Tawil has edited a new collection of essays that show how the complex legacies of race and slavery have been addressed in American culture from the 18th century to the present day.

Teens are more caring when they feel support from others
A new study shows that values of social responsibility and caring for others decrease between the ages of 10 to 16. These decreases, however, are in concert with feelings of decreasing support from their parents, schools, and friends.

Pulitzer Prize winner to speak on Black Lives Matter, persistence of prejudice
Journalist and professor Pamela Newkirk will deliver two lectures in February, discussing the case of Ota Benga and the media’s coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Institute for Popular Music pays tribute to progressive rock
The 2015-2016 “In Performance” concert series continues on Saturday, Feb. 6, with a concert celebrating a genre that Institute for Popular Music director John Covach describes as “often overlooked by rock ‘n’ roll establishments like the Hall of Fame.”

Digital media team reaches round of 32 in Student Startup Madness tournament
A company run by four seniors has reached the final 32 of Student Startup Madness, a national collegiate competition for digital media startups. More than 100 teams applied.
The company is called “thinc.” and features a website that displays the front pages of college newspapers across the country.