Arizona Science

From astronomy to cancer research and beyond, explore the latest scientific and technological innovations taking place in Arizona.

Turning to wildlife to stop the spread of wildfires

Firefighters have found extensive underground burrows dug by prairie dogs helped them halt the advance of wildfires in some Western states. University of Arizona researcher Courtney Duchardt discusses data suggesting prairie dog colonies can alter landscapes and reduce wildfire spread and intensity. Courney Duchardt spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.

10-02
05:26

Feeding plants and animals using solar energy

Tens of billions of pounds of wasted food ends up in landfills in the United States each year. University of Arizona professor Goggy Davidowitz is leading a team developing a system that collects food waste and dries it in a vertical greenhouse, so it can be used to fertilize fields and feed livestock. Goggy Davidowitz spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.

09-25
05:26

Investigating dark matter in the universe

Researchers know dark matter exists in the universe, but the evidence is hard to find. University of Arizona astronomy professor Dennis Zaritsky explains how scientists are exploring the space between galaxies to resolve this decades-old mystery. Dennis Zaritsky spoke to Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of planetary science at the University of Arizona.

09-18
05:26

Coping with federal funding cutbacks for research grants

An organization that helps researchers win grants for their work on the University of Arizona campus nearly shut down because of the Trump administration's funding freeze earlier this year. BRISA Center for the Environment director Paloma Beamer discusses how it is continuing its mission despite losing support from the federal government. Paloma Beamer spoke with Leslie Tolbert, Ph. D Regent's professor emerita in Neuroscience at the University of Arizona.

09-12
05:26

Scanning the skies for a new ninth planet | EXTENDED

It's been almost 20 years since Pluto lost its status as the ninth planet in our solar system. Now astronomers think they have identified a candidate to take its place. Katherine Volk with the Tucson-based Planetary Science Institute discusses a rare object that is orbiting the sun in step with the eighth planet, Neptune. In this extended episode, Katherine Volk spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus in Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.

09-05
08:47

An operations update on the new Vera Rubin Observatory

Astronomers released the first photographs from the Vera Rubin Observatory two months ago. Operations director Robert Blum describes how the University of Arizona-backed instrument is creating anticipation among scientists for new discoveries about the universe.

09-04
05:26

Scanning the skies for a new ninth planet

It's been almost 20 years since Pluto lost its status as the ninth planet in our solar system. Now astronomers think they have identified a candidate to take its place. Katherine Volk with the Tucson-based Planetary Science Institute discusses a rare object that is orbiting the sun in step with the eighth planet, Neptune. Katherine Volk spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus in Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.

08-28
05:26

Using dryland farming techniques to grow crops in the Southwest

Dryland farming has been a staple for indigenous desert communities for centuries. University of Arizona professor Michael Kotutwa Johnson discusses how modern solutions to growing crops during the drought can be developed through traditional farming methods practiced on tribal lands. Michael Kotutwa Johnson spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.

08-20
05:26

Tracking the first human footprints in the Southwest

Some of the earliest known evidence of humans living in and around southern Arizona and New Mexico has been traced to around 23,000 years ago. University of Arizona archeologist Vance Holliday discusses his finds near White Sands Missile Range and how they add to the book of human history in the region. Vance Holliday spoke with Leslie Tolbert, Ph.D. regent's professor emerita in Neuroscience at the University of Arizona.

08-14
05:26

Updating strategies for planetary defense

Asteroid trackers are scanning the Earth's neighborhood to find any objects that pose a threat to our planet. University of Arizona planetary scientist Vishnu Reddy discusses a network designed to coordinate efforts worldwide to respond to potential life-threatening asteroid impacts. Vishnu Reddy spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus in Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.

08-07
05:26

The impact of childhood trauma on adult behavior

Researchers have found stress and trauma experienced during childhood leads to emotional and cognitive disorders later in life. University of Arizona behavioral neuroscientist Lindsay Halliday discusses how brain development is affected by our early environment. Lindsay Halliday spoke with Leslie Tolbert Ph. D. Regent's professor emerita in Neuroscience at the University of Arizona.

08-01
05:26

How southern Arizona could hold clues to Mars' past

The Sonoran Desert region called Pinacate is often compared to other worlds in our Solar System. David Crown with the Tucson-based Planetary Science Institute explains how researchers are comparing Pinacate's ancient lava flows to photographs taken of Mars by robotic explorers. David Crown spoke with Tim Swindle, professor emeritus of Planetary Science at the University of Arizona.

07-25
05:26

How magic tricks can help us understand how our brains work

Magicians have fascinated audiences for centuries. University of Arizona psychologist Eve Isham describes how magicians and illusionists use science to develop their effects and the connection with the inner workings of the mind. Eve Isham spoke with Leslie Tolbert Ph.D Regent's professor emerita in Neuroscience at the University of Arizona.

07-18
05:26

Seeing the tiniest objects in the human body

Nanotechnology is allowing scientists to go beyond the microscope to see the smallest structures. University of Arizona optical scientist Euan McLeod describes high tech tools that let us observe and analyze objects at the molecular level. Euan McLeod spoke with Leslie Tolbert, Ph. D. Regent's professor emerita in Neuroscience at the University of Arizona.

06-27
05:26

Exploring the lives of the earliest humans

Neanderthals existed at the same time as Homo sapiens hundreds of thousands of years ago.

06-20
05:26

Building the next generation of 3-dimensional imaging

Scientists are finding ways to improve pictures to better align with the way our eyes see them.

06-13
05:26

Tracking solar storms through tree ring research

Some of the most traumatic highlights in Earth's history can be found in ancient tree rings.

06-06
05:26

Exploring the mystery of dark energy

Dark energy can't be seen but space scientists say it can be measured through the outward movement of supernovae and galaxies.

05-29
05:26

Tracking advances in endoscopic technology

Researchers are revolutionizing medical imaging by creating extremely small devices that can see inside the human body.

05-15
05:26

Studying the natural partnerships occurring among and between plant and animal species

Scientists are studying the biological connections within and between species that benefit both. University of Arizona evolutionary biologist Judith Bronstein identifies examples of mutualism, ranging from bacterial organisms to plant pollinators.

05-09
05:30

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