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Intellect

BYU seeks to develop students of faith, intellect, and character. In addition to teaching classes, most BYU professors also conduct research in their academic field. Students – even at the undergraduate level – participate in research and publish their work alongside a faculty mentor. Here are the stories of what they discover together.

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Three days, one song: BYU music students team up with Grammy winner Mark Lettieri to create new track

March 14, 2025
Imagine being tasked with writing a song in just three days, and then getting the chance to work alongside world-renowned guitarist Mark Lettieri. That was the incredible opportunity five BYU commercial music students.
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BYU’s world-class pipe organ is the ‘crown jewel’ of the new Concert Hall

March 06, 2025
If you haven’t experienced the pipe organ in the BYU Music Building yet, you’re in for a treat. With 4,613 pipes and 81 ranks (sets of pipes), it’s the third largest organ in Utah and the only one with two consoles. Organists can play from a console located in the center of the pipework facade or from a movable stage console.
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BYU study analyzes distant Kuiper Belt object with NASA's Hubble data

March 04, 2025
The researchers identify a possible rare triple system in the Kuiper Belt
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Forum: Why institutions matter

February 25, 2025
“The answer comes down to each of us — even to you, as students here in this university,” expressed Yuval Levin in his forum address at the BYU Marriott Center.
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Committed to community: BYU students unite with Food & Care Coalition to build hydroponics greenhouse

February 25, 2025
Thanks to a group of BYU students and their professor, this year marks a new era for the Food & Care Coalition’s fresh produce supply. Professor Matt Arrington and students recently designed and built a hydroponics greenhouse to provide nutritious produce during the cold months.
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BYU’s Marriott School earns high new global ranks for MBA program

February 18, 2025
The BYU Marriott School of Business MBA program comes in at No. 2 in the world for “Overall Satisfaction” according to newly released global MBA rankings from The Financial Times.
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Newly released Carnegie Classifications designate BYU as R1 institution

February 13, 2025
Brigham Young University is now a R1 research institution according to the newly updated Carnegie Classification research designations announced today.
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Air traffic control for drones: BYU engineers introduce low-cost UAV detection technology

February 10, 2025
With the exponential rise in drone activity, safely managing low-flying airspace has become a major issue. Using a network of small, low-cost radars, engineering professor Cammy Peterson and her colleagues have built an air traffic control system for drones that can effectively and accurately track anything in an identified low-altitude airspace.
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Risk it or kick it? BYU research analyzes NFL coaches’ risk tolerance on fourth down

February 06, 2025
BYU study reveals how NFL coaches, including Super Bowl contenders Andy Reid and Nick Sirianni, weigh risk on fourth down.
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Forum: “The Pursuit of happiness”

January 28, 2025
Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, spoke to BYU students and employees at the Marriott Center in this week’s forum address. He emphasized the importance of self-improvement through the pursuit of virtue.
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BYU engineers are accelerating the ‘helpful robot’ revolution

January 23, 2025
BYU robotics experts are building a humanoid robot that can impressively lift large and unwieldy objects such as ladders, kayaks, car tires, chairs, and heavy boxes. And it does so safely because its whole structure is flexible.
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Do parents really have a favorite child? Here’s what new research from BYU says

January 16, 2025
Parents tend to favor younger siblings, daughters, and the more agreeable—often without realizing it.
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Origami-inspired space tech: BYU mechanical engineers create deployable systems for NASA and U.S. Air Force

January 13, 2025
BYU’s Compliant Mechanisms Research lab, inspired by the ancient art of origami, is building a foldable, compact design that could help launch satellite systems to space in a rocket. After five years of research, a team led by professors Larry Howell and Spencer Magleby has succeeded in creating foldable antenna systems than can deploy off space rockets and permanently open to enhance satellite systems.
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Top Videos of 2024: Humanitarian service, animation excellence and world-class performance

January 07, 2025
From Cougarettes to award-winning student animation, rewatch the most viewed and most shared BYU videos of the 2024 year.
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Top 10 BYU stories of 2024: BYU's new school of medicine, impressive national rankings and LEGOs

January 02, 2025
A lot of news happens on BYU's campus in the course of a year. Some of that news will change the shape of BYU forever, such as the announcement of the new school of medicine, while some of that news connects research with current trends (AI anyone?). And some of that news simply brings joy, such as the library's record-smashing LEGO exhibit and an expanded Creamery on Ninth.
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Save your tears for another day — BYU researchers can use them to detect disease

December 05, 2024
It’s been said that angry tears are salty and happy tears are sweet. Whether or not that’s actually the case, it is true that not all tears are the same. Tears from chopping an onion are different from those shed from pain – like stepping on a Lego in the middle of the night — as are those special basal tears that keep eyes moist all day. Each type of tear carries unique proteins that reveal insights into health.
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BYU study shows that even one act of kindness per week improves wellbeing for individuals, communities

November 25, 2024
Have you felt uplifted through a simple smile, help with a task or a positive interchange with someone — even a stranger? Kindness works both ways. A new study conducted by BYU researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad finds that offering a single act of kindness each week reduced loneliness, social isolation and social anxiety, and promoted neighborhood relationships.
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From Tony Hawk Pro Skater to Minecraft, these humanities professors want students to study (and play) video games

November 21, 2024
Humanities professors Michael Call and Brian Croxall have introduced a new video gaming initiative to BYU’s campus. With the support of the College of Humanities, students gather each Monday at 4:00 p.m. in the Humanities Learning Commons for a short faculty lecture about the video game of the week. The game is then available to play throughout the week. Beginning with Stardew Valley and Minecraft, the highlighted games and analyses are continuing through the semester.
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