It’s February 24.

Spring break is eight days away.

Here’s what else is in focus.

Focal point: Neutrinos a.k.a. ‘ghost particles’

Imagine the universe is a city, and one of the biggest segments of its population is introverts. Those more-reserved inhabitants are neutrinos, and because they rarely interact with atoms, they’re referred to as “ghost particles.” They also have no electrical charge and almost no mass, making them even harder to detect.

So, why bother with them?

Their abundance is hard to ignore as it can help scientists conduct research to answer fundamental questions about the universe. But even when they’re the focus of study, neutrinos find a way to cede the spotlight.

While studying neutrinos as part of MINERvA—the Main Injector Neutrino ExpeRiment to study ν-A interactions—a Rochester-led international collaborative found a way to investigate the structure of protons by using a beam of neutrinos.

To get a sense of the method, imagine throwing marbles at an object you cannot see. Based on how the marbles bounce off the object, you could begin to surmise its size and shape.

“This is a very indirect way of measuring something,” says Kevin McFarland, the Dr. Steven Chu Professor in Physics at Rochester. “But it allows us to relate the structure of an object—in this case, a proton—to how many deflections we see in different angles.”

What can neutrino beams tell us? Check out the full story to learn more.

Zooming in

Giving you a closer look at some news that might be of interest.

On life on Earth. Where did we come from? The “simple” answer is microbes, about four billion years ago. But why? How? Dustin Trail, an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences at Rochester, recently cowrote a paper that further unearths the answers to those questions. Using experiments and zircon chemistry, Trail and his coauthor built computer models that simulate metals that may have been present in Earth’s earliest days. Knowing what metals contributed to the evolution of life—and how—has important implications for how we search for life on other planets.

On relationships. Every year, February 14 has many people thinking about the romantic relationship they’re in or their lack of one. Psychologist Harry Reis, the Dean’s Professor in Arts, Sciences & Engineering at Rochester, thinks about these relationships all time. Based on nearly five decades of study, including the paper “Love: What is it, why does it matter, and how does it operate,” he has some advice for the singles out there: don’t be afraid of online dating. And for those who already have a romantic partner, he has some research-backed advice for you too: empathy before infidelity.

News Flash

It’s common for our faculty members to have their perspectives or work published in national media. Here’s an example:

As part of the Ukraine series on the Rachman Review podcast, Hein Goemans, a professor of political science and the director of the Peter D. Watson Center for Conflict and Cooperation, discussed how long the war will last. (Financial Times)

In the Spotlight

Our faculty members are regularly recognized for their professional contributions to research, scholarship, education, and community engagement. We’re recognizing that recognition here.

Jennifer Grotz, a professor of English, received an honorable mention for the Lois Roth Award from the Modern Language Association.

Learn how she earned it.

Peter Christensen, a professor of art and art history, Yukun Liu, an assistant professor of finance, and Joyce McDonough, a professor of linguistics, were appointed to named professorships.

Get the details on their appointments.

Quick View

Here’s a glance at some other noteworthy School of Arts & Sciences stories you might have missed.

Politics. New research on US state spending from the 1920s to the early 1960s shows bias against immigrant and nonwhite communities.

Theatre. By partnering with Black actors and artists, the International Theatre Program is changing the narrative about Blackness on stage.

Resistance. A Rochester scholar explains how law-defying activists on the Christian right are being influenced by a 16th-century tradition.

Quantum. Scientists pave the way for efficient quantum computers by developing a new method to control electron spin.

On the Horizon

Looking for something to do? Consider attending one of the upcoming events below. For all other School of Arts & Sciences events, check the University Calendar.

2/27…Chemistry—Seminar: Andrew Musser

3/2…Biology—Seminar: Ning Wang

3/4…International Theatre Program—The African Company: Richard III

3/15…SBAI—Kafka Prize Reading with Rebecca Sacks

3/18…Modern Languages and Cultures—Narrating the Immigrant Experience

3/22…English—Plutzik Series: Rick Barot

3/23…Religion and Classics —Printing and Jewish Culture in the 16th century

3/23…Art and Art History—Art New York Info Session

3/23…History—Mary Young Lecture: Decolonization Dreams

4/3…Humanities Center—Anti-Globalization Movements

4/7…GIDS—Voices of XR: QuHarrison Terry