News
Philanthropic Gift Establishes Historic UT Commitment to Monitoring Texas’ Natural Resources
A transformative donation allows for the expansion of a Texas Field Station Network to study biodiversity and sustainability.
![A young man in a hat holding equipment leads a group of students down a creek at a Hill Country-based field station](https://cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/3x2-cns-field-station-network_3.jpg)
Female Butterflies See UV Light Thanks to a Gene Hiding in an Unusual Place
In some species, female and male butterflies apparently perceive colors differently.
![A butterfly with black and white striped wings](https://cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/heliconius-1200x800.jpg)
Some Frogs Use Toxins to Deter Predators, but Evolution Doesn’t Supply Free Lunch
Poison frogs are able to withstand a toxin which they use to deter predators, but not without a cost.
![Anthony’s poison frog (Epipedobates anthonyi). CREDIT: David Cannatella](https://cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/poison_frog_teaser_image.jpeg)
UT Austin Ranks among Top U.S. Universities in Nature Index
Among U.S. universities, UT ranks 17th in natural sciences, 8th in physical sciences and 7th in chemistry.
![UT is spelled in flowers south of the main mall with the UT Tower in the distance](https://cns.utexas.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/3-2-tower-university-ave.-orange-flowers-ut-2022139208-copy-2400x1600-b6b12ebe-5022-4038-83d1-95b78c2b17dc.jpg)