Arizona Science

Motor vehicle crashes are preventable but accidents are still ranked as the top cause of death for Americans under the age of 40. University of Arizona civil engineering professor Alyssa Ryan studies transportation crash data. She's looking deeper into why certain populations experience higher traffic mortality rates than others.

Astronauts left the last seismometers on the moon's surface during the Apollo program 50 years ago.

Scientists studying the world's oceans are finding proof that the Earth is responding to efforts by populations fighting climate change.

The pace of local extinctions is on the rise in the sky islands of the Sonoran Desert. University of Arizona evolutionary biologist John Wiens is tracking lizard populations in mountainous regions of southern Arizona and western Mexico and found some species are struggling with the changing climate.

REPEAT. Researchers studying prostate cancer have found introducing the disease in mice does not always produce accurate results.

Tree ring researchers are exploring the lives of sea creatures that document climate change just like trees do. The University of Arizona's Bryan Black reveals studies of underwater life like corals and rockfish which match a climate history also revealed in tree rings on land.

Elderly dogs can suffer from cognitive dysfunction, similar to dementia in humans. Evan MacLean with the Arizona Canine Cognition Center in Tucson explains how games and puzzles that provide mental stimulation for dogs helps researchers understand how human brains respond at an advanced age.

The saguaro cactus has been a source of study for southern Arizonans for decades. Saguaro National Park wildlife biologist Don Swann is among the scientists asking why saguaros are biologically fit to survive the ongoing drought, and looking deeper into its role in the desert ecosystem.

Our cognitive abilities change as we grow older.

Artificial intelligence is being put to work solving the challenge of feeding the planet. University of Arizona professor Murat Kucira talks about how advanced computing can help deal with issues like farming efficiency and the impact of climate change due to global warming.

Studies found that traditional farmers did not suffer from lung diseases usually caused by dust in the fields where they worked.

Researchers say people perceive sound based on where they are when they hear it.

Economists often describe how consumer confidence drives spending decisions, but scientific researchers are asking if it's the other way around.

The best way to observe the universe is with a telescope above the Earth's atmosphere, and the least expensive way to get there is using a stratospheric balloon. University of Arizona astronomy professor Chris Walker explains how he and his team are mapping the Milky Way with a balloon-mounted telescope above Antarctica.

Researchers are looking at chemistry in sea water that affects coral reefs. University of Arizona Geosciences professor Diane Thompson talks about how events recorded in corals can help investigate climate change.

Researchers studying prostate cancer have found introducing the disease in mice does not always produce accurate results.

Researchers are investigating ways to use waste from fossil fuels to create a new class of advanced plastics. University of Arizona chemistry professor Jeff Pyun talks about how scientists are changing the way companies are thinking about plastic production. He will be the final speaker for the College of Science free lecture series next Wednesday.

The University of Arizona-backed James Webb Space Telescope has opened new insight about planets outside our solar system. UA planetary scientist Sara Moran reveals the latest knowledge about exoplanets and the bizarre materials that make up their atmospheres. Dr. Moran is one of the featured presenters in the 2024 College of Science lecture series.

Each ring on a tree stump can mark a complete cycle of the seasons, dating back thousands of years. University of Arizona researcher Charlotte Pearson talks about how trees have recorded events through time, from floods to solar storms. She will give a talk on the subject next Wednesday at the College of Science free lecture series.

Scientists began developing theories about black holes more than a hundred years ago. University of Arizona professor Sam Gralla explains why the existence of black holes continues to raise questions about the basic concepts of physics. He will be the leadoff speaker for this year's College of Science lecture series next week.

Animals are filling a growing need in the field of therapy and service work. University of Arizona veterinary medicine researcher Maggie O'Haire notes it isn't always dogs who are best suited to help people with physical disabilities and mental stress.

Treatments for COVID-19 are effective, but it's better if you can avoid getting the coronavirus in the first place. University of Arizona epidemiologist Kacey Ernst discusses the challenge of keeping people aware of vaccinations against COVID and other infectious diseases.

University of Arizona forestry expert Don Falk talks about how woodlands might adapt to changes in climate.

REPEAT. Cochlear implants can open a world of possibilities by restoring a sense of sound and speech. Retired University of Arizona honors professor Ted Glattke is taking the latest research in auditory science to small towns in Mexico, helping children overcome hearing issues.

REPEAT. Studies into Alzheimer's disease have found men's and women's brains age differently, except when men develop prostate cancer. University of Arizona neurology professor Roberta Brinton discusses research on who is more likely to develop Alzheimer's and describes how menopausal hormone therapy might provide a key for treatment.