A team of researchers, led by Northern Arizona University and Lowell Observatory, will investigate the behavior of chemical elements in Titan's lakes and seas. They aim to understand how molecules interact and change under extreme conditions, which could inform NASA's Dragonfly mission and our understanding of early Earth.
Northern Arizona University researcher Jeff Foster leads an international effort to study and track the spread of brucellosis, infecting an estimated 500,000 people annually. The team aims to understand how infected livestock transmit the disease to humans and develop effective control strategies.
A researcher at Northern Arizona University is developing AI-powered drones that can monitor themselves and each other in different scenarios. The project aims to enable autonomous drones to respond to environmental and behavioral factors, improving their performance in various applications such as traffic control and surveillance.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University have discovered activity on the Centaur 2014 OG392, a minor planet in the outer solar system. The discovery led to its reclassification as a comet, C/2014 OG392 (PANSTARRS), due to the presence of a coma and sublimation processes indicating the presence of carbon dioxide or ammonia.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University's Center for Health Equity Research are receiving funding from the NIH for four projects related to COVID-19, focusing on health inequities, resilience, telehealth regulations, and vaccine trials. The projects aim to address disparities in healthcare outcomes and promote community engagement.
A team of scientists from Northern Arizona University reviewed the Spitzer Space Telescope's legacy in Nature Astronomy, documenting its groundbreaking discoveries about comets, stars, exoplanets, and distant galaxies. The papers also suggest targets for the next-generation James Webb Space Telescope.
A large retrospective study suggests that the amount of carbon stored in soils is the biggest predictor of how much carbon will combust during a fire. The study found that soil moisture was also significant in predicting carbon release, and that vegetation patterns were complex and interacted with each other to predict combustion amounts.
The OSIRIS-REx mission has published findings on asteroid Bennu's surface, including widespread carbon-bearing materials, bright carbonate veins, weak boulders, and a heterogeneous mass distribution. These discoveries suggest that asteroids like Bennu may have brought organic molecules to Earth billions of years ago.
A new map provides detailed greenhouse gas emissions data across the US, enabling policymakers to identify problem areas and develop targeted policies. The Vulcan Project, developed by Northern Arizona University, offers a standardized system for quantifying and visualizing emissions down to individual power plants and neighborhoods.
Researchers collected responses from over 50 participants, revealing fears, concerns, and conspiracy theories about COVID-19. The study found that perceptions of the virus as a biological agent versus a malicious actor may influence responses to the pandemic.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that the Arctic tundra has become greener over the past few decades due to warmer air and soil temperatures, which have led to increased plant growth.
Greg Caporaso, director of the Center for Applied Microbiome Science, has been awarded a $3.75 million grant by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to build software capable of analyzing and archiving data focused on the interplay between the human microbiome and diverse types of cancer.
The study tracked strains of SARS-CoV-2 in Arizona, showing that the state remained COVID-free for weeks after the first reported case. The swift action by ASU and Maricopa County public health officials likely prevented an outbreak, allowing the state valuable time for preparedness efforts.
Northern Arizona University assistant professor Cristina Thomas has received NASA grants to study small Koronis asteroids and Trojan-like asteroids in the Main Asteroid Belt. Her research will help scientists better understand the origins of asteroids and provide insights into space weathering and material delivery to the belt.
A $1.3 million DOE grant is funding a five-year collaboration to examine the genetic and environmental factors affecting mycorrhizal symbioses in field conditions. Researchers will use shotgun sequencing, artificial intelligence, and microscopy to understand how plants control their associations with beneficial fungi.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that targeted efforts to increase water efficiency can save enough water annually to fill Lake Mead. The research found that some regions and industries have the greatest potential for water savings, with improved water productivity in corn, cotton, and alfalfa contrib...
NAU researchers will collaborate with ASU and regional partners on nanotechnology-based innovations, expanding educational opportunities for northern Arizona communities. The NAU site will provide capabilities in characterization and modeling of hard and soft materials.
Researchers are conducting a large-scale study to understand the biological factors driving tooth decay in preschool-aged children in Yuma, Ariz., and on the island of Hawai'i. The study aims to discover interventions to eliminate bacteria contributing to childhood tooth decay.
Amanda De La Torre is studying the genome of sugar pines to understand what makes some trees resistant to white pine blister rust. The research aims to find epigenomic changes that can help control external factors and produce resistant trees.
Only 6.5% of world's pristine tropical forests are formally protected, leaving rest at risk due to lack of focus on forest intactness and quality in global conservation strategies. New targets for protection, restoration, and reduction of human pressure are urgently needed to conserve these ecosystems.
An international team sequenced the complete genome of the tuatara, a lizard-like creature that lives on New Zealand's islands. The study reveals that tuataras have fewer DNA substitutions over time than other reptiles, making them unique in terms of molecular evolution.
NAU will contribute research, education, and workforce development through the CQN, focusing on quantum networks and materials. The center aims to lay foundations for a quantum internet, revolutionizing computing, communication, and sensing.
A researcher at Northern Arizona University is developing small, inexpensive drones that can observe, understand and adapt to changing environments on their own. The goal is to enable these drones to perform complex missions, such as surveying in disaster areas and coordinating with other autonomous vehicles.
Adult survivors of preterm birth may have impaired respiratory mechanics, making exercise and lung function more difficult. Researchers are studying the underlying causes to help clinicians accurately target treatment.
A veteran NAU planetary scientist collaborates with UAE and US teams to develop Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS), providing a unique view of Martian atmosphere. The Emirates Mars Mission 'Hope' orbiter arrives at Mars in February 2021, collecting images and data for two years.
A major new paleoclimatology study reveals that global warming has reversed 6,500 years of natural cooling, surpassing 1°C above the mid-19th century average temperature. The study, led by Northern Arizona University researchers, compiled previously published paleoclimate data and statistical analyses to show that the millennial-scale ...
A multidisciplinary team is investigating the effects of COVID-19 on caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in northern Arizona. The study aims to identify how healthcare resources have changed during the pandemic and support needs of caregivers.
Scientists warn that forests can be risky climate investments due to risks from climate change, including droughts, wildfires, and insect damage. This paper highlights the need for a better understanding of these risks to optimize forest investments and minimize carbon storage loss.
A team of researchers from Northern Arizona University is studying the unique needs of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias living in northern Arizona. The study aims to identify how health and caregiver support resources have changed during COVID-19 and develop programs that provide support to careg...
Two NAU research centers, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (PMI) and Center for Health Equity Research (CHER), received funding to support COVID-19 response efforts. PMI will test vaccine and treatment efficacy using its Biosafety Level 3 facilities, while CHER will model disease spread in rural areas.
Researchers have developed a conceptual model to identify and classify springs with potential to be refuges for plants and animals in drying climates. The study highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these ecosystems from climate change.
Scientists have captured new images of Phobos using NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter, providing insight into the moon's surface temperature variations and composition. The images suggest a relatively uniform surface made of fine-grained materials, mostly basaltic in origin.
The study found that NAU's Vulcan Project emissions estimate is the closest match to the new atmospheric-based approach, with an accuracy of 1.5%. The integrated approach combines multiple data sources, including local pollution reporting and fuel statistics, to provide a more detailed and accurate picture of US fossil fuel emissions.
A $260,000 award from the US Forest Service supports a two-year project led by NAU professor Han-Sup Han to develop wood products market, invest in rural economies, and increase forest restoration treatments. The goal is to create a center of expertise that can support sustainable forest land management and cluster development.
Scientists at Northern Arizona University are developing a new test technology using Single Molecule Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus. The method aims to overcome challenges of existing tests, including false negatives and high costs.
Researchers are creating computer modeling systems to predict the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus across four northern Arizona counties. The model can track hospital visits and stress on facilities, providing critical informatics support for strategic management of the current crisis.
Scientists at Northern Arizona University are studying the impact of microbial communities in soil on agricultural crops to increase yield and efficiency. The team found that traditional approaches to crop rotation may not be effective, but advances in microbiome science can help optimize agricultural systems.
Astronomer Mark Loeffler recreates interstellar space conditions to study homonuclear molecules in ice form. The James Webb Space Telescope will help detect these molecules, allowing scientists to better understand molecular cloud composition and its role in planetary system formation.
A new study suggests that rotational fallowing farmland can reduce water use in the western US, particularly in the Colorado River basin. The researchers estimate that two-thirds of cattle feed irrigated from western US rivers ends up as beef products.
Researchers created a new model to better predict karst-aquifer vulnerability in the Grand Canyon, providing more accurate information for land and water managers. The study found similar patterns of contamination risk between two aquifers, with some areas showing high vulnerability to contamination.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University are studying zebrafish with mutated BRAF genes to develop new melanoma treatments. They aim to predict optimal drug combinations using computational models and test them in humanized zebrafish, potentially leading to new therapies within the next year or two.
Researchers discovered that fungi associated with shallow-rooted tundra shrubs can access deep nitrogen stores from thawing permafrost, regardless of the plant's root system. This finding has implications for understanding the fate of nitrogen in a warming Arctic and potentially offsetting carbon losses.
Researchers at NAU are developing a polypropylene glycol-based biomaterial to treat cerebral aneurysms, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce recurrence rates. The material, PPODA-QT, is designed to fill the aneurysm space effectively, leaving a smooth surface for healing.
Plants can grow faster with higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels if they have enough nitrogen, according to a new study. Microbes, particularly fungi that partner with plants, are essential for this process.
A study by Northern Arizona University's Christina Schädel found that carbon dioxide is the largest contributor to permafrost thawing, with dry soils releasing more CO2 than wet ones. This discovery highlights the need to monitor changes in soil moisture conditions to better understand the impact of permafrost thawing on climate change.
A new tool has shown that evolutionary history plays a significant role in the activity of bacteria in soil communities. The study found that related bacteria exhibit similar growth rates and carbon use patterns, contradicting the idea of functional redundancy.
Researchers use stable hydrogen isotope signatures to determine the origin and time of arrival for invasive Japanese beetles. The technique helps answer questions about control efforts and informs management decisions.
Researchers David Trilling and Michael Mommert found asteroid 2011 MD to be 65% empty, consisting of a cloud of rocks or dust with a solid rock at its nucleus. This challenges long-held assumptions about the nature of small asteroids.
Research found that elevated CO2 levels accelerate plant growth, leading to more CO2 absorption through photosynthesis. This new understanding suggests that natural processes may not slow global warming as previously thought.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University found that drug trafficking is causing widespread deforestation in Central America, threatening conservation efforts and the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. The team hopes to influence drug policy with their message, emphasizing the importance of conservation in shaping future decisions.