Arizona Science

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Astronomers are focusing on the smallest and most distant galaxies in the universe. University of Arizona researcher David Sand describes how he locates dwarf galaxies through digital sky surveys and gathers information about them using ground-based telescopes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Now that people are driving electric cars and buses, researchers are working on the feasibility of all-electric airplanes.

Visitors imagine Biosphere 2 as a place for large scale research on plant life and ocean biology.

Arizona's ties to copper go back to the territorial era, but the mineral also plays a big part in human health.

Plants and their pollinators work together to promote successful natural growth.

People coping with clinical amnesia provide a window to the importance of memory.

Exchanging messages with aliens is the source material for science fiction stories, but scientists have been trying to communicate with outer space intelligence for decades.

Scientists are say the ability to recognize emotion is essential for advanced human-computer communication.

Diverse languages and cultures interact every day in Southern Arizona. University of Arizona Speech and Cognitive Science professor Genesis Arizmendi discusses how being bilingual shapes how we communicate and connect within our communities.

Scientists have long known Mars has annual seasons just like Earth. University of Arizona planetary scientist Shane Byrne describes how 20 years of observations by the U-of-A built HiRISE orbiting camera have given researchers new insight into what happens on the surface during the 687 Earth-day Martian year.

Advances in 3-D modelling are leading to new ways of visualizing the surface of the Moon, Mars and other objects in the solar system.

Medical researchers are shifting their attention to bird flu this season. University of Arizona professor Mohaned Al-Obaidi discusses how the H5N1 strain has created a challenge for scientists fighting the spread of the emerging virus.

Scientists studying eating disorders are focusing on a part of the brain that governs food consumption and emotions. University of Arizona neuroscientist Haijiang Cai discusses how understanding the two functions could help people coping with anorexia.