News archive

Browse the full collection of SLAC press releases and news features and stay up to date on the latest scientific advancements at the laboratory.

For the first time, scientists have revealed the steps needed to turn on a receptor that helps regulate neuron firing. The findings might help researchers understand and someday treat addiction, psychosis and other neuropsychological diseases.

yellow and blue protein structures.

It could offer insights into the evolution of planetary systems and guide scientists hoping to harness nuclear fusion as a new source of energy.

Scattered photons

Researchers expect the new method to answer fundamental questions in biology and materials science. First up: Images showing molecules that help guide cell division in bacteria.

cryo-EM image of Caulobacter bacterium

In experiments at the National Ignition Facility, a SLAC-led team found new details about how supernovas boost charged particles to nearly the speed of light.

A computer simulation of the turbulent magnetic fields in two plasma shock waves, which were created in the lab to mimic astrophysical shocks.

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, which will map millions of galaxies in 3D from a mountaintop in Arizona, has reached its final milestone toward its startup.

Mayall Telescope Star Trails

Blandford’s major contributions range from energetic jets ripping forth from colossal black holes to cosmic “magnifying” glasses to gravitational waves.

Roger Blandford

Physicists at SLAC and Stanford propose that the influence of cosmic rays on early life may explain nature’s preference for a uniform “handedness” among biology’s critical molecules.

Chirality graphic

Revealing both sides of the story in a single experiment has been a grand scientific challenge.

nuclear and electronic

Understanding nature’s process could inform the next generation of artificial photosynthetic systems that produce clean and renewable energy from sunlight and water.

How electrons flow in the oxygen-evolving complex of Photosystem II.

Learning how liquid silicates behave at these extreme temperatures and pressures has been a longstanding challenge in the geosciences.

atomic arrangements of liquid silicates at the extreme conditions found in the core-mantle boundary.

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