All articles


  • Science & Tech

    Seeing things in a different light

    Harvard researchers are using a chemical process known as triplet fusion upconversion to transform near-infrared photons into high-energy photons. The high-energy photons could be used in a huge range of applications, including a new type of precisely targeted chemotherapy, in which low-energy infrared lasers that penetrate deep into the body could be used to transform…

  • Science & Tech

    Making sense of how the blind ‘see’ color

    A new Harvard study suggests that although the congenitally blind experience abstract visual phenomena such as rainbows and color differently, they still share with the sighted a common understanding of them.

    Conceptual illustration of MRI scans.
  • Campus & Community

    After 38 years, the building doctor steps aside

    Michael Lichten will retire as associate dean for physical planning and resources this week, after 38 years, countless improvements, and walks through and around all of Harvard’s 267 buildings.

    Michael Lichten, Associate Dean for Physical Resources
  • Campus & Community

    Big Fish in a web pond

    John Fish ’21 started his YouTube channel as part of a technology communications class during his senior year of high school in Waterloo, Ontario. Coincidentally, it was up and running…

    John Fish records video.
  • Health

    Overlapping surgeries mostly safe

    Overlapping surgeries, in which more than one doctor performs sequential surgeries in different operating rooms, have raised concerns about potential adverse outcomes — but a new analysis shows they carry no greater risk for low-risk, noncardiac patients.

    Surgeons
  • Health

    Quitting smoking may reduce risk of rheumatoid arthritis

    Analysis of data from the Nurses’ Health studies shows quitting smoking may reduce the risk of the severest form of rheumatoid arthritis.

    Arthritic hands typing on a keyboard.
  • Arts & Culture

    Song of the sea

    The A.R.T.’s “Endlings” features characters whose lives are completely foreign from, yet connected to, playwright Celine Song.

    Jo Yang in rehearsal, diving underwater.
  • Arts & Culture

    In Allston, the ArtLab rises

    The innovation center called the ArtLab, a 9,000-square-foot multiuse space designed to host collaborations, gatherings, film screenings, dance rehearsals, and more, will formally open next fall in Allston, but will be active before then.

    ArtLab.
  • Arts & Culture

    Writing about what scares you

    Propelled by her viral short story, Harvard alumna Kristen Roupenian publishes her first collection, visits Cambridge.

    Kristen Roupenian
  • Science & Tech

    Brainy birds

    A new study shows that African grey parrots can perform some cognitive tasks at levels beyond those of 5-year-old humans. The results not only suggest that humans aren’t the only species capable of making complex inferences, but also point to flaws in a widely used test of animal intelligence.

    Scientist Irene Pepperberg with African grey parrot, Griffin.
  • Campus & Community

    A rise through the ranks

    At Harvard Medical School, Calixto Sáenz worked his way up to become director of the microfluidics core facility.

    Calixto Saenz on the steps of Harvard Medical School
  • Campus & Community

    The ‘spiritual leader’ of WHRB

    After 58 years of helping Harvard student radio station WHRB build toward excellence, David Elliott steps back to undergo ALS treatment.

    Aaron Fogelson, '19, on left, HRB president., and David Elliott
  • Arts & Culture

    Picturing Harvard — and America

    The first exhibit of the Arts Wing in the Smith Campus Center conveys what Harvard and the larger American community is and can be in terms of its makeup.

    Portraits at the exhibit.
  • Health

    Gene therapy was a ‘last shot’

    Three years after undergoing gene therapy at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center to treat a life-threatening immune disorder, an Ohio college student is no longer thinking about his own “last shot” for health, but rather about medical school and “giving back.”

    Brenden Whittaker and David Williams
  • Campus & Community

    Stephen Jay Gould, 60

    At a Meeting of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on Feb. 5, 2019, the following tribute to the life and service of the late Stephen Jay Gould was placed upon the permanent records of the Faculty.

  • Campus & Community

    Barbara Kiefer Lewalski, 87

    At a Meeting of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on Feb. 5, 2019, the following tribute to the life and service of the late Barbara Kiefer Lewalski was placed upon the permanent records of the Faculty.

  • Campus & Community

    Francisco Márquez Villanueva, 82

    At a Meeting of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on February 5, 2019, the following tribute to the life and service of the late Francisco Márquez Villanueva was placed upon the permanent records of the Faculty.

  • Campus & Community

    Transgender rights advocate honored by Harvard Foundation

    Transgender activist Janet Mock, the writer, producer, advocate and director behind ‘Redefining Realness’ and ‘POSE,’ has been named the 2019 Harvard University Artist of the Year. She will be honored at the Cultural Rhythms festival in March.

    Portrait of Janet Mock.
  • Health

    Exercise, fasting help cells shed defective proteins

    A new study from the Blavatnik Institute finds that intense exercise and fasting activate hormones that boost cells’ capacity to dispose of defective proteins, which clog up the cell, interfere with its functions, and, over time, precipitate diseases including neurodegenerative conditions such as ALS and Alzheimer’s.

    cells fasting
  • Campus & Community

    43,330 apply to College Class of ’23

    Harvard College saw a 1.4 percent increase in its application pool, with 43,330 students applying to the Class of 2023. The Class of 2022 had received 42,749 applicants.

    Students outside Widener Library.
  • Science & Tech

    Focusing on the fovea

    Researchers have created the first cellular atlas of the primate retina and discovered that, while the fovea and peripheral retina share most of the same cell types, the cells are in different proportions, and show different gene expression patterns.

    detail of an eye
  • Science & Tech

    Facing crocodiles head-on

    Despite often being portrayed as living fossils that have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years, a new Harvard study shows crocodiles have repeatedly altered their developmental patterns, leading to much of the diversity found in modern, living crocodiles.

    CT scans of crocodile skulls.
  • Campus & Community

    Coed Hasty Pudding makes its debut

    This year marked the first in the group’s 171-year history that women took the stage as part of the Hasty Pudding cast. Six men and six women make up this year’s onstage talent in the original student musical “France France Revolution!”

    Hasty Pudding Theatricals performs “France France Revolution!”
  • Science & Tech

    The impact of ocean acidification

    In a first-of-its-kind study, findings suggest that continued ocean warming and acidification could impact everything from how fish move to how they eat.

    Valentina Di Santo
  • Nation & World

    It’s spy vs. spy vs. spy

    Newly named general editor of a book project documenting espionage and intelligence throughout human history, Harvard Kennedy School senior fellow Calder Walton discusses the context of the FBI’s investigation into President Trump’s connections to Russia and how spies and spying have evolved over centuries.

  • Work & Economy

    How Lehman became Lehman

    Harvard Business School’s Baker Library holds one of the most extensive collections of business and economic history

    Harvard Business School Baker Library Exhibit
  • Arts & Culture

    Design course opens students’ eyes to ‘plant blindness’

    A course at the Graduate School of Design takes students from the classroom into Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum, where plants come to life for these landscape architects.

    Still from "Larix Decidua."
  • Science & Tech

    And now, land may be sinking

    A new study, which used everything from tide gauges to GPS data to paint the most accurate picture ever of sea-level rise along the East Coast of the U.S., is suggesting that in addition to rising seas, communities along the coast may also have to contend with the land sinking.

    Heavy seas come ashore in Massachusetts.
  • Science & Tech

    Solving colibactin’s code

    In an effort to understand how colibactin, a compound produced by certain strains of E. coli, may be connected to the development of colorectal cancer, Harvard researchers are exploring how the compound damages DNA to produce DNA adducts.

    Emily Balskus.
  • Health

    A program to give workforce well-being a boost

    Harvard Chan School of Public Health researchers are engaging with some of the world’s most recognizable brands to improve working conditions and workplace well-being around the world.

    Eileen McNeely.