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Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Katy Nelson, Research Reporter

Katy Nelson is a sophomore majoring in journalism and is currently working as a senior reporter writing science and research stories. She previously worked for the Texan in Spring 2021 and Fall 2021, and she has a lovely feral cat named Bluebell.

All content by Katy Nelson
Comet strikes on Jupiter’s moon Europa could receive ingredients for life, new study finds

Comet strikes on Jupiter’s moon Europa could receive ingredients for life, new study finds

Katy Nelson, News Desk Editor January 19, 2023

Comet strikes on Jupiter’s moon Europa could result in taking the potential for life to a hidden subsurface ocean, UT researchers found in a study published Nov. 28.  According to NASA, Europa is...

“People can do a little more good, a little more often”: Recent study finds that random acts of kindness significantly impact well-being

“People can do a little more good, a little more often”: Recent study finds that random acts of kindness significantly impact well-being

Katy Nelson, News Desk Editor August 30, 2022

Researchers found that random acts of kindness can affect people’s well-being significantly more than expected, according to a study published Aug. 19. Based on experiments ranging from giving someone...

Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies receives $2 million in grants

Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies receives $2 million in grants

Katy Nelson, News desk editor August 23, 2022

The United States Department of Education awarded UT’s Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies $2 million in Title VI grants on Aug. 3.   The Center for Russian, East European and...

Blanton Museum opens exhibition on Spanish American textiles

Blanton Museum opens exhibition on Spanish American textiles

Katy Nelson, News Desk Editor August 22, 2022

The Blanton Museum of Art opened its newest exhibition on Aug. 14, a display that focuses on the fashion and racial identities of colonial Latin America. The exhibition, entitled “Painted Cloth: Fashion...

Blanton Bake-Off starts accepting submissions

Blanton Bake-Off starts accepting submissions

Katy Nelson, Senior News Reporter May 5, 2022

The Blanton Museum started accepting submissions on April 20 for its third annual Bake-Off, which encourages children, adults and professional bakers to recreate pieces of artwork from the museum into...

UT partners with state to form semiconductor chip initiative, hosts roundtable with Cornyn, McCaul

UT partners with state to form semiconductor chip initiative, hosts roundtable with Cornyn, McCaul

Leena Alali and Katy Nelson May 1, 2022
Cornyn and McCaul engaged in a roundtable discussion with industry executives at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus to discuss the University’s public-private partnership with the Texas Institute for Electronics to advance semiconductor research within the United States.
Research projects announced for UT-Austin Frontera supercomputer

Research projects announced for UT-Austin Frontera supercomputer

Katy Nelson, News Reporter April 29, 2022

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the April 26, 2022 flipbook. The world’s most powerful academic supercomputer — UT Austin’s Frontera — received its next annual set of projects...

UT-Austin involved in creating world’s largest international dark sky reserve

UT-Austin involved in creating world’s largest international dark sky reserve

Katy Nelson, Senior News Reporter April 21, 2022

The world’s largest international dark sky reserve opened April 7 through a collaboration of entities that focus on environmental concerns and astronomy in West Texas, including UT’s McDonald Observatory. A...

UT family asthma study branches out to local school districts

UT family asthma study branches out to local school districts

Katy Nelson, News Reporter April 17, 2022

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the April 12, 2022 flipbook. A UT program centered on helping Latinx families learn and manage their children's asthma is expanding their recruitment to...

UT scientists' research leads to first-ever vaccine patch

UT scientists’ research leads to first-ever vaccine patch

​​Katy Nelson, News Reporter April 5, 2022

The first COVID-19 vaccine patch is expected to enter phase one of clinical trials later this year as a result of research from a team of UT scientists. Vaxxas, a company focused on commercializing...

UT researchers find potential solution for respiratory virus with structure-based vaccine

UT researchers find potential solution for respiratory virus with structure-based vaccine

Katy Nelson, News Reporter April 3, 2022

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the March 29, 2022 flipbook. Some of the UT researchers involved in creating the structure-based vaccines used against COVID-19 have potentially created...

UT researchers examine potential changes in El Niño from climate change

UT researchers examine potential changes in El Niño from climate change

Katy Nelson, Senior News Reporter March 31, 2022

University researchers drilled for ancient corals off the South Pacific Ocean to find out how the climate pattern of El Niño might change as a result of climate change. Although they received inconclusive...

IC^2 Institute and Texas libraries collaborate to improve digital literacy

IC^2 Institute and Texas libraries collaborate to improve digital literacy

Katy Nelson, News Reporter March 25, 2022

Editor's Note: This article was first appeared in the March 22, 2022 flipbook. UT plans to collect data to identify areas where libraries need support in order to help Texas libraries better understand...

UT researchers discover method for safer gene editing with CRISPR tool

UT researchers discover method for safer gene editing with CRISPR tool

Katy Nelson, News Reporter March 25, 2022

University researchers potentially improved a key component of the gene-editing tool CRISPR, ensuring more efficiency and safety during alteration.  CRISPR is a tool used to alter genes by editing...

UT receives extended funding for supercomputer, continues assisting scientists in research

UT receives extended funding for supercomputer, continues assisting scientists in research

Katy Nelson, Senior News Reporter March 10, 2022

Stampede2, one of the supercomputers available to University researchers, received a funding extension Feb. 21 to continue supporting scientists with research. The funding will last until June 2023, but...

UT researchers create nanocrystal gel with potential in heating and cooling technology

UT researchers create nanocrystal gel with potential in heating and cooling technology

Katy Nelson, News Reporter March 3, 2022
The team wants to eventually turn the gel into films that could be applied to windows to reflect light when it is hot and to allow light in when it is cold. 
Student Parent Organization creates scholarship, petition to help student parents

Student Parent Organization creates scholarship, petition to help student parents

Katy Nelson, News Reporter February 22, 2022
The organization also released a petition on Feb. 9, advocating for affordable daycare at UT and more welcoming spaces for students with children on campus.
Presenter Alice Kurima Newberry interacts with the atendees at an Underpaid Town Hall meeting to map effective strategies to reach their goal.

Underpaid@UT holds first town hall of semester

Katy Nelson, News Reporter February 21, 2022

Underpaid@UT, a graduate student organization advocating for fair wages and working conditions, held a recruitment meeting in which current members talked about the organization’s history and goals for...

UT-Austin researchers create technology to control robots through human brain

UT-Austin researchers create technology to control robots through human brain

Katy Nelson, Senior News Reporter February 17, 2022

UT researchers collaborated with a university in Switzerland to develop a brain-computer interface that allows people with disabilities to control robots that aid them with physical tasks through brain...

UT-Austin graduates sell website created to help people find essentials during COVID-19

UT-Austin graduates sell website created to help people find essentials during COVID-19

Katy Nelson, Senior News Reporter February 17, 2022

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the correct timeline and spelling of InStok.org, Bryan Leach and Darshan Bhatta. The Texan regrets these errors. Three UT students created the website...

UT fossil study challenges theory about ‘The Great Dying’

UT fossil study challenges theory about ‘The Great Dying’

Katy Nelson, News Reporter February 15, 2022

This article first appeared in the Feb. 11, 2022 flipbook. A study by UT researchers challenges a traditional theory that an ocean acidification event known as “The Great Dying” killed most animals...

UT researchers develop soft sensor to maintain sensitivity under pressure

UT researchers develop soft sensor to maintain sensitivity under pressure

Katy Nelson, Senior News Reporter February 10, 2022

UT researchers developed a new soft pressure sensor for wearable technology that medical professionals could use in health monitoring devices and robotics to improve functionality.  The Lu Research...

UT researchers collaborate to understand exposure to oil, gas pollution in communities

UT researchers collaborate to understand exposure to oil, gas pollution in communities

Katy Nelson, News Reporter February 2, 2022

A nonprofit organization enlisted University researchers last month to assess air pollutant exposure from oil and gas developments in Texas and Colorado.  HEI Energy, an affiliate of the Health Effects...

UT professor receives Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research

UT professor receives Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research

Katy Nelson, Senior News Reporter February 1, 2022

UT professor Guihua Yu said he first developed his love for science and technology as a small child when his father worked in a sugar-making factory. Now, he is the recipient of a chemical research award...

Researchers use artificial intelligence, machine learning technology to predict coastal flooding

Katy Nelson, News Reporter January 28, 2022

Editor's note: This article first appeared in the Jan. 25, 2022 flipbook. A UT researcher, in collaboration with other schools and the Department of Energy, is using artificial intelligence to develop...

Researchers use artificial intelligence, machine learning technology to predict coastal flooding

Researchers use artificial intelligence, machine learning technology to predict coastal flooding

Katy Nelson, News Reporter January 28, 2022

Editor's note: This article was originally published in the Jan. 25, 2022 flipbook. A UT researcher, in collaboration with other schools and the Department of Energy, is using artificial intelligence...

UT researchers use COVID-19 vaccine technology to tackle high-fatality virus

UT researchers use COVID-19 vaccine technology to tackle high-fatality virus

Katy Nelson, News reporter December 19, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the December 2 broadsheet.  Researchers at UT created the first ever treatment for a fatal virus by utilizing a similar antibody technology that was used...

UT-Austin and UT-San Antonio granted $1.5 million to research hypersonics, the future of high-speed travel

UT-Austin and UT-San Antonio granted $1.5 million to research hypersonics, the future of high-speed travel

Katy Nelson, News reporter December 18, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the November 5 flipbook.  UT-Austin researchers are working to speed up flight transportation so travelers can fly to anywhere in the continental United...

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Conservationist organization petitions to list American bumblebee as endangered

Katy Nelson, News reporter December 17, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the October 26 flipbook. The American bumblebee may be listed as an endangered species after a study found their population declined by about 90%.  The...

UT nurdle patrol program expands into Mexico, saves wildlife

UT nurdle patrol program expands into Mexico, saves wildlife

Katy Nelson, News reporter December 17, 2021

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the October 19 flipbook. The Nurdle Patrol program, a UT citizen science effort, began expanding into Mexico on Sept. 1.  The program, which started...

UT researchers lead project using world’s most powerful telescope

UT researchers lead project using world’s most powerful telescope

Katy Nelson, News Reporter December 15, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared as part of the November 30 flipbook.  UT researchers will lead a project using the world’s most powerful telescope to see images and data of galaxies closer...

UT researcher studies the intersectionality of feminism, environmentalism practiced in communities

UT researcher studies the intersectionality of feminism, environmentalism practiced in communities

Katy Nelson, News Reporter December 15, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared as part of the November 19 flipbook.  A UT researcher examined how two communities incorporate feminism and environmental ideas in their everyday lives to...

UT associate professor Moriba Jah named chief advisor of Apple co-founder’s space preservation company

UT associate professor Moriba Jah named chief advisor of Apple co-founder’s space preservation company

Katy Nelson, News Reporter December 15, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared as part of the November 9 flipbook. A UT professor aims to achieve a safer, environmentally-conscious space after being appointed as chief scientific advisor...

UT study shows how Mars’ surface was formed

UT study shows how Mars’ surface was formed

Katy Nelson, News reporter December 14, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared as part of the October 12 flipbook. UT researchers recently discovered that, over the span of weeks, massive Mars flooding carved out canyons hundreds of meters...

Jack Brooks Foundation collaborates with Briscoe Center to provide online access to congressional papers

Jack Brooks Foundation collaborates with Briscoe Center to provide online access to congressional papers

Katy Nelson November 30, 2021

A public service organization focused on voting is collaborating with the Briscoe Center to digitize documents, images, audio and video files from Jack Brooks, UT alumnus and former U.S. representative...

Researchers receive $1.2 million grant for telescope instrument, opens possibilities for exploring planetary conditions

Researchers receive $1.2 million grant for telescope instrument, opens possibilities for exploring planetary conditions

Katy Nelson, News Reporter November 12, 2021

To better understand the conditions and potential for hosting life on other planets, a collaboration of researchers, including some from UT, received a nearly $1.2 million grant in early October for key...

UT research could lead to more solar energy in Austin

UT research could lead to more solar energy in Austin

Katy Nelson, News Reporter November 3, 2021

Research from an environmental sustainability organization and a group at UT could lead to an expansion of solar energy in the Austin area.  The environmental advocacy group, The Ray, first collaborated...

Texas Senate approves $112 million for UT renovations

Texas Senate approves $112 million for UT renovations

Katy Nelson, News Reporter November 1, 2021
Senate Bill 52, approved Oct. 15, provided the University with $56 million to renovate the Microelectronics Research Center at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus and $56 million to renovate the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building. 
UT announces extended merchandise agreement with Fanatics, HanesBrands

UT announces extended merchandise agreement with Fanatics, HanesBrands

Katy Nelson, News Reporter October 21, 2021

UT will sell new Longhorn apparel and open a flagship retail store on campus through a partnership with major retailers. On Oct. 7 UT announced the extension of their partnership with clothing company...

UT research shows efficiency of social distancing policies during COVID-19 pandemic

UT research shows efficiency of social distancing policies during COVID-19 pandemic

Katy Nelson, News Reporter October 18, 2021

A UT researcher found the U.S. did not maintain strong enough social distancing policies in 2020 to prevent long-term COVID-19 spread due to disagreements between states on virus precautions in a collaborative...

Researchers aid first responders by creating app to manage floods

Researchers aid first responders by creating app to manage floods

Katy Nelson October 6, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared as part of the September 27 flipbook. Former firefighter Harry Evans said first responders often do not fully understand the depth and scope of flooding events...

Study reveals negative impacts of tourism on Jeju island

Study reveals negative impacts of tourism on Jeju island

Katy Nelson, News Reporter October 6, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared as part of the September 21 flipbook.  A decade ago, the shoreline of Jeju Island, Korea, lay empty. But after visitors came across a local fishing village...

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Professor and UT-Austin file separate summary judgments over sex discrimination and equal pay violations lawsuit

Katy Nelson, News Reporter October 5, 2021
In December 2019, Mullenix filed a lawsuit in federal court which claimed that UT pays Mullenix less than her male colleagues.
Researchers work toward creating computer chips that operate like human brain

Researchers work toward creating computer chips that operate like human brain

Katy Nelson October 3, 2021

Some UT researchers started creating a new computer chip that could be implemented within the next 10 years in computers and phones to improve their performance. The neuromorphic computer chips mimic...

Students protest UT COVID-19 policies at Hartzell’s inauguration ceremony

Students protest UT COVID-19 policies at Hartzell’s inauguration ceremony

Katy Nelson, News Reporter September 24, 2021
Dozens of students from campus organizations such as Underpaid@UT, Young Democratic Socialists of America, Cops Off Campus, the Black Graduate Student Association at UT Austin and the Texas State Employees Union, lined up outside the steps of the Tower, saying Hartzell has not played a leadership role in ensuring students’ and workers’ safety or listened to student leaders’ requests.  
New robotics program focuses on ethics of artificial intelligence

New robotics program focuses on ethics of artificial intelligence

Katy Nelson September 20, 2021

Through a new program starting next fall, UT students will create the next generation of accessible robots designed for the average person.   The new robotics program, called the Convergent, Responsible,...

Texas Rocket Engineering Lab working to be first college team to launch liquid-propelled rocket into space

Texas Rocket Engineering Lab working to be first college team to launch liquid-propelled rocket into space

Katy Nelson, News Reporter September 19, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared as part of the September 14 flipbook. UT engineering students could become the first collegiate team in the nation to launch a liquid-propelled rocket into...

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UT researchers discover method to convert untapped oil into clean hydrogen energy source

Katy Nelson, News Reporter September 14, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared as part of the September 10 flipbook.  UT researchers discovered a way to convert untapped oil into clean hydrogen energy, which could change how cars are...

Texas NAACP, UT students file federal civil rights complaint over ‘The Eyes of Texas’

Texas NAACP, UT students file federal civil rights complaint over ‘The Eyes of Texas’

Katy Nelson, News Reporter September 8, 2021

The Texas NAACP, the NAACP UT chapter and a group of anonymous students filed a complaint against UT with the U.S. Department of Education for the continued use of “The Eyes of Texas” in University...

Texas Memorial Museum risks closing due to budget cuts, understaffing

Texas Memorial Museum risks closing due to budget cuts, understaffing

Katy Nelson, News Reporter September 5, 2021

Editor's Note: This article first appeared as part of the August 31 flipbook. The Texas Memorial Museum is facing financial strain after budget cuts and a lack of support from UT. Without more financial...

UT community cares for campus cat Domino after landscaping

UT community cares for campus cat Domino after landscaping

Katy Nelson, News Reporter August 31, 2021
Last week, Landscape Services removed the bushes Domino lives in because they died in Februrary’s winter storm.
A UT professor traces origins of cattle ranching back to Spanish colonial slave trade

A UT professor traces origins of cattle ranching back to Spanish colonial slave trade

Katy Nelson August 29, 2021

A UT professor created a theory highlighting the exact home of Bevo’s ancestors. He traced the similarities between where cattle originated to the area in Texas the animals ended up, as part of his research...

Space environmentalism project collaborating with new environmental sustainability

Space environmentalism project collaborating with new environmental sustainability

Katy Nelson, Senior News Reporter August 29, 2021

With nearly half a million pieces of trash floating in space, space environmentalism is an issue a UT aerospace engineering associate professor Moriba Jah says needs to be addressed now.  Jah launched...

UT researchers create new technology to study tumor evolution

UT researchers create new technology to study tumor evolution

Katy Nelson August 26, 2021

UT researchers have helped to better understand how tumor cells evolve to resist cancer treatments by developing ClonMapper, a new technology that tags the cells’ nucleic acid with a type of barcode. By...

UT Consortium study shows mask and mitigation effectiveness

UT Consortium study shows mask and mitigation effectiveness

Katy Nelson, News Reporter August 23, 2021

UT researchers found in an Aug. 6 report that if schools open without COVID-19 mitigation efforts and the community does not strengthen compliance with cautionary measures such as masking and social distancing,...

UT-Austin researchers find new potential to repair blood vessels after stroke

UT-Austin researchers find new potential to repair blood vessels after stroke

Katy Nelson May 6, 2021
Certain common nervous system cells can change their function to facilitate blood vessel repair and recovery after a stroke, potentially paving the way for new brain injury treatments, according to an April 27 study by UT researchers.
How rocks store moisture could determine which areas are at higher risk of wildfires, UT-Austin scientists say

How rocks store moisture could determine which areas are at higher risk of wildfires, UT-Austin scientists say

Katy Nelson April 27, 2021

UT scientists analyzed how rock weathering and water storage patterns across landscapes can help predict wildfires, landslides and droughts, according to a study published in late March. The team of...

UT-Austin think tank helps offer courses for small business owners in the Permian Basin

UT-Austin think tank helps offer courses for small business owners in the Permian Basin

Katy Nelson April 12, 2021
The IC2 Institute, a UT-Austin think tank, and the University of Texas-Permian Basin are collaborating to aid local entrepreneurs and small business owners who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
UT-Austin think tank helps offer courses for small business owners in the Permian Basin

UT-Austin think tank helps offer courses for small business owners in the Permian Basin

Katy Nelson April 9, 2021

The IC2 Institute, a UT-Austin think tank, and the University of Texas-Permian Basin are collaborating to aid local entrepreneurs and small business owners who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The...

Two UT-Austin teams advance to next phase of NASA competition

Two UT-Austin teams advance to next phase of NASA competition

Katy Nelson April 7, 2021
Two teams from UT advanced to the next phase of a NASA competition in which teams present their work on expanding human space exploration.
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Bees practice social distancing in time of illness too, researchers led by UT alum discovered early this month

Katy Nelson March 25, 2021

Bees social distance during times of illness too, a group of researchers led by a UT alum discovered early this month. Focusing on nonhuman animals, bats and insects, recent graduate student Sebastian...

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New apartment complexes set to open this fall in West Campus

Katy Nelson March 3, 2021

Several new West Campus apartment buildings will open to students for the fall semester.  While apartment complexes are reaching out to students with special deals and lease agreements for the...

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