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Letters and Science

portrait of two scientists, one sitting, one standing
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
Danyi Zhang, left, and Tamas Vami

Physicists extend the search for quantum black holes at the LHC

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a closeup of a centimeter-long crustacean on beach sand
Photo Credit
Courtesy Image
Megalorchestia corniculata, one of six major species of sand hoppers in California

Tiny beach-dwelling crustaceans are big-time sand movers, shaping the California coast
color photograph of professors Miguel Eckstein and Arpit Gupta
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courtesy
UC Santa Barbara vision scientist Miguel Eckstein (left) and computer scientist Arpit Gupta will discuss AI as a research tool

UCSB researchers discuss AI role in computing and cognition
photo of a man delivering a food to a woman at her home
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iStock

AI-enabled tools may help disabled workers close the wage gap
Mother and child in her lap
Photo Credit
Michel Chaplin
A mother and child in Bangladesh, where UCSB anthropologist Kathrine Starkweather conducted field research.

For working mothers, flexibility may not be enough
a hand cradles a lit lightbulb against a sunset sky
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iStock

Six UCSB junior faculty members selected for 2026 NSF CAREER awards
A truck unloads waste on a landfill as a landfill compactor moves material nearby.
Photo Credit
Djedzura via iStock
Despite the known problems with plastic, society produces more of it every year. Scientists hope that mandatory measurement and reporting can help us address the issue.

Want a solution to plastic pollution? Scientists urge UN to require global reporting
Iris Holzer
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
Iris Holzer's expertise in enhanced rock weathering and soil carbon storage makes her a shoe-in to help lead the IPCC methodology report.

UCSB professor to lead IPCC methodology report on carbon capture, storage and utilization
A researcher in protective gear works near a tall, cylindrical scientific instrument with visible wiring. The walls surrounding it are reflective Teflon.
Photo Credit
Matthew Kapust/Sanford Underground Research Facility
The LUX-ZEPLIN main detector in a surface lab before installation underground.

LZ sees surprising result in search for dark matter
A young scientist holds a pipette over a flask with orange liquid as another looks on.
Photo Credit
Matt Perko
Undergraduate Collin Vergel de Dios inoculates a culture to purify optogenetic proteins under the guidance of graduate student Alex Maynard.

UCSB professor lands DARPA award to develop mini DNA factories
collage of stone sculpture of David with colored organs
Photo Credit
Photo illustration by Matt Perko

How the heart, lungs and brain work together to shape experience
Three pumpjacks silhouetted by the setting sun.
Photo Credit
TebNad via iStock
The conflict with Iran provides the perfect circumstance to usher out the era of oil and gasoline now that renewable energy is cheap and ubiquitous.

The war in Iran is the perfect opportunity to kick fossil fuels, and we’re missing it
Dolly Parton the icon with platinum blond hair helmet, blue eye shadow and yellow chiffon dress
Photo Credit
Harry Langdon; Copyright Rock Negatives / MediaPunch 2026
Dolly Parton in 1977

We’ll always love Dolly Parton, Dollyologist explains
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