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University of Arizona


UA researcher explores male perceptions about HPV

A University of Arizona researcher is investigating how men perceive their role in preventing the spread of human papillomavirus (HPV). Her study found that most college-age males had heard of HPV but lacked knowledge about a vaccine that could prevent related cancers for both males and females. The researcher emphasizes the importance...

Modern hunter-gatherers show value of exercise

The Hadza people, an indigenous ethnic group in Tanzania, engage in significantly more physical activity than recommended by US government standards. Their lifestyle, characterized by regular hunting and gathering, is associated with extremely low risk of cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateNov 28, 2016

Pluto follows its cold, cold heart

Research suggests Pluto's subsurface ocean could be responsible for its current location. The 'heart' region, Sputnik Planitia, may have accumulated ice that made the planet roll over, creating cracks and tensions in the crust. This process, called true polar wander, allows planets to reorient without changing their spin axis.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·DateNov 16, 2016

Study links athletic performance to mortality

Researchers found that basketball players scored more points after being presented with death-related prompts, boosting their self-esteem and performance. Participants who thought about death performed 40% better in a second game and attempted more shots, suggesting a subconscious effort to regain a protective sense of self-esteem.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Sport and Exercise Psychology·DateOct 31, 2016

How AIDS conquered North America

Researchers reconstructed the origins of the AIDS pandemic in unprecedented detail by recovering genetic material from 40-year-old serum samples. The study suggests that HIV emerged in New York City around 1970 and spread rapidly across North America, with the city serving as a critical hub for the epidemic.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·DateOct 26, 2016

Ancient burials suggestive of blood feuds

Researchers found atypical burials with signs of violence, challenging traditional theories of witchcraft and blood feuds. The study suggests that violence was used to signal power and prestige, potentially leading to further conflict and biological fitness benefits.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateOct 24, 2016

UA uses big data to solve bus woes in Brazil

The University of Arizona's INSITE Center helps Fortaleza city planners use big data to understand bus delays and overcrowding. The team developed an online dashboard with real-time data on bus movements, passenger numbers, and weather conditions to inform decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·DateOct 13, 2016

How children inherit discrimination's effects

A new study led by University of Arizona researcher Katharine Zeiders found that families experiencing ethnic discrimination and acculturation stress have a negative impact on children's behavior and academics. Children exhibited more behavioral problems and worse academic performance by age 5, according to the research.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateOct 10, 2016

UA psychologist creates tool for measuring memory

A UA psychologist has developed a tabletop version of an interactive game that tests memory, which was later translated into an Android touchscreen-based battery of tests. The tool aims to measure memory in younger children and those with intellectual disabilities, addressing the lack of standardized tests in these populations.

Lake Tanganyika fisheries declining from global warming

A new report by an international team led by a University of Arizona geoscientist shows that Lake Tanganyika's fishery productivity has been declining since the 19th century due to global warming. The lake's algae, which serves as a food source for fish, has also decreased in abundance.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 8, 2016

'Noah's Ark' ex silico

An international team of researchers is using big-data approach to plan effective conservation by modeling climate-change response of over 100,000 species. The project aims to identify regions and ecosystems that preserve biodiversity and critical ecosystems, reducing extinctions due to climate change.

Newly discovered planet has 3 suns

Astronomers have discovered a planet in a unique position between three stars, experiencing constant daylight or triple sunrises and sunsets. The planet, HD 131399Ab, is one of the youngest exoplanets discovered to date and has a wide orbit within a multi-star system.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience·DateJul 7, 2016

Watching a forest breathe

Researchers obtained detailed measurements of carbon exchange in a temperate deciduous forest, revealing that trees exhale less CO2 during the day than previously thought. The study confirmed that forest photosynthesis doesn't decline over the course of summer, contrary to conventional wisdom used in climate models.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·DateJun 29, 2016

Colorado River flows reduced by warmer spring temperatures

A new study reveals that warmer spring temperatures have a significant impact on upper Colorado River flows, reducing them more than previously recognized. This finding has implications for drought management and climate modeling, which suggests that warming temperatures will exacerbate drought conditions in the Western US.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 9, 2016

How parents, romantic partners influence student spending

A new study by University of Arizona researchers found that romantic partners play a crucial role in shaping college students' financial behaviors. The study suggests that students model their financial habits after both their parents and romantic partners, with romantic partners having a stronger influence on attitudes towards finances.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalFamily Relations·DateMar 2, 2016

Unexpected wood source for Chaco Canyon great houses

Researchers discovered that ancient Puebloans used trees from the Zuni and Chuska Mountains to build massive structures in Chaco Canyon. The switch to Chuska Mountain trees coincides with significant cultural developments in Chacoan culture, including changes in masonry style and construction volume.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2015

Ancient brains turn paleontology on its head

Scientists have found definitive evidence that ancient brain tissue can fossilize. A team of researchers has discovered seven fossils of the extinct arthropod species Fuxianhuia protensa, which contain preserved brains. The brains were preserved as flattened carbon films and demonstrate a density similar to modern crustacean brains.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateNov 8, 2015

Racial bias in crosswalks? Study says yes

Researchers have found that drivers tend to discriminate based on race when stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks, with African-Americans experiencing a 32% longer wait time before yielding. The study, which controlled for age, clothing, and socioeconomic factors, suggests that implicit racial bias plays a role in driver behavior.

Sierra Nevada snowpack lowest in five centuries

A new report led by University of Arizona researchers reveals the Sierra Nevada snowpack was at its lowest level in 500 years in 2015, exacerbating California's ongoing drought. The study uses tree-ring data to compare snowpack levels with temperatures, finding a strong correlation between warmer winters and lower snowpack.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 14, 2015