A University of Arizona-led study finds that PFAS contamination in drinking water costs the US at least $8 billion annually in social costs, with negative impacts on infant health and long-term economic benefits from cleanup and regulation.
Recent observations of TRAPPIST-1e, an Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone, reveal hints of methane but raise questions about its atmosphere's existence. Researchers caution that more rigorous studies are needed to determine if the methane is a sign of an atmosphere or stellar contamination.
Astronomers have discovered a stellar companion near a star with hot dust, offering a complex laboratory to understand the origin and composition of this phenomenon. This breakthrough builds on decades of technological leadership in interferometry, enabling scientists to study the interaction between the companion and the dust.
An international team led by University of Arizona archaeologists has discovered a large ritual construction, Aguada Fénix, dating back to 1,000 B.C. The monument measures nearly a mile long and features a cross-shaped pit with ceremonial artifacts, including jade axes and pigments associated with cardinal directions.
A recent study found that extinction rates in plants and animals peaked around 100 years ago and have declined since then. The researchers argue that past extinctions are not reliable predictors of current and future threats due to changing drivers such as habitat loss and climate change.
A study published in Water Resources Research reveals that human groundwater pumping has depleted Tucson-area aquifers more than natural climate variation over the past few decades. The research team reconstructed groundwater ages, recharge rates, and water table depths using chemical and isotopic markers.
A new study of the South Pole-Aitken basin reveals clues about the moon's interior structure, crust composition, and evolutionary history. The research suggests that the moon's near side was heated by radioactive elements from a magma ocean, leading to intense volcanism.
Researchers at the University of Arizona are developing a new optical technology that can image deep into biological tissues without invasive procedures. This approach aims to overcome current challenges in skin cancer imaging, allowing for earlier detection, precise evaluation, and real-time monitoring of treatment response.
The team developed a new method to produce ultrafast squeezed light, which can fluctuate between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the position of fused silica relative to the split beam. This breakthrough could lead to more secure communication and advance fields like quantum sensing, chemistry, and biology.
A study by University of Arizona researchers found that selecting the right data for flood insurance can significantly improve accuracy, speed, and predictability. The type of data used affects not only payout timing but also confidence in anticipating future payouts, influencing program costs.
A new study warns that field-evolved resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis and RNA interference is undermining the effectiveness of corn targeting rootworms with these biotech controls. The researchers advise using integrated pest management strategies, including crop rotation and planting conventional corn refuges.
A tiny fossil of a sea creature from over half a billion years ago sheds light on the evolution of arthropods, revealing a brain similar to that of living crustaceans. The discovery suggests that the split between the two largest groups of arthropods was more nuanced and complicated than previously thought.
Astronomers have detected a growing planet outside our solar system in a cleared gap of a multi-ringed disk of dust and gas. The discovery provides the first direct evidence that protoplanets can create these gaps, resolving a long-standing debate in the scientific community.
Research suggests that black-tailed prairie dogs can reduce wildfire behavior by altering landscape features and promoting the growth of fire-resistant vegetation. By incorporating prairie dog activity into fire behavior models, land managers could develop more effective strategies for prevention and mitigation.
The OSIRIS-REx sample return mission revealed asteroid Bennu's composition, history, and unique materials. Researchers found stardust from other stars and organic material formed in interstellar space, shedding light on the early solar system's formation.
Researchers analyzed 20,000 tree-ring records to find that tropical trees grow 2.5% less during droughts, but recover almost completely the following year. Drier regions show greater reductions in growth and increased tree mortality.
A new analysis of a 500 million-year-old fossil suggests that arachnids, including spiders and scorpions, evolved in the ocean before adapting to land. The discovery was made by studying the brain and nervous system of an ancient marine arthropod called Mollisonia symmetrica.
An international team of researchers proposes that a meteorite impact just west of Winslow, Arizona, created Meteor Crater and triggered a massive landslide in the Grand Canyon. The study found evidence of a paleolake forming at the same time, with driftwood dating back to around 55,000 years.
Researchers have developed an open-access catalog of animal traditions to explore the role of social learning in shaping animal behavior. The Animal Culture Database features vocal communications, mating displays, play, and other social behaviors observed in dozens of species from around the world.
Researchers confirm human presence in the Americas between 23,000 and 21,000 years ago with a new study that uses ancient mud to date footprints. The findings contradict previous understanding of the peopling of North America and have sparked a reevaluation of archaeological theories.
Researchers surveyed luminous infrared galaxies to gain insight into galaxy formation in the early universe and possibly the Milky Way. They discovered massive clumps of newborn stars, unlike anything seen in the Milky Way.
A new study published in Biological Conservation shows that protocols such as quarantining, masking, and more can help prevent outbreaks like the one at Ngogo. Researchers observed a clear decrease in viral shedding and fewer instances of persistent coughs after stricter protocols were implemented.
Researchers at U of A create a transistor that operates at speeds over 1,000 times faster than modern computer chips. The breakthrough uses quantum effects to manipulate electrons in graphene, enabling ultrafast processing for applications in space research, chemistry, and healthcare.
A new precision treatment approach for depression gives patients personalized recommendations based on multiple characteristics such as age and gender. The study, published in PLOS One, examined the outcomes of clinical trials involving over 10,000 patients to develop a clinical decision support tool.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new treatment approach for primary progressive aphasia (PPA) that combines traditional speech therapy with noninvasive brain stimulation. The technique, called transcranial direct current stimulation, was found to be more effective in managing PPA compared to speech therapy alone.
A study by University of Arizona researchers found that nearly half of the time American children spend with their grandparents involves interacting with or watching media on a screen. Grandparents may want to watch along with their grandchildren or just want to understand what the children are watching.
Researchers discovered a Bt protein that kills pests via two different pathways, making it harder for resistance to evolve. This
A recent study suggests that Saturn's moon Titan could support simple, microscopic life forms due to its abundant organic content. However, the amount of biomass that can exist in this environment is likely to be extremely limited, possibly only a few pounds.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new 3D imaging technique, deflectometry, paired with advanced computation to improve eye-tracking accuracy. The method can capture gaze direction information from more than 40,000 surface points, theoretically millions, increasing accuracy by a factor of over 3,000 compared to c...
Researchers develop a new approach combining Phase Measuring Deflectometry and Shape from Polarization to accurately image specular surfaces without prior knowledge or assumptions. The single-shot method enables motion-robust measurements, pushing the limits for next-generation 3D sensors.
Researchers discovered that as birds age, their song gene networks change dramatically, with hub genes driving activity of other genes. This finding could lead to earlier diagnoses and better treatments for Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Astronomers observed a bright and chemically complex galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0, when the universe was just 2% of its current age. The discovery reveals significant amounts of oxygen, suggesting the galaxy had formed stars for potentially 100 million years before observation.
A new study suggests that extreme weather events are crucial to understanding phenological responses in plants and insects. The research found that disruptions to the delicate relationships between certain species, such as the yucca plant and yucca moth, can have significant consequences for survival.
The Magellan Adaptive Optics Xtreme (MagAO-X) instrument observed two young planets orbiting PDS 70, revealing compact rings of dust and startling changes in brightness. The team believes these features are telltale signs of the planet's turbulent youth.
The discovery of a long-lived planet-forming disk around the star WISE J0446B reveals that disks can persist for three times longer than expected. The study provides new insights into planetary formation and the habitability of planets outside our solar system, particularly for low-mass stars.
A study published in Nature Communications shows that widespread wildfires were frequent about every 10-20 years in many areas, but severe fires have increased due to natural fire cycles being disrupted. The data suggests that the prevalence of non-fire years has led to denser forests and hotter, more destructive wildfires.
Researchers found women tend to speak more words per day than men between ages 25 and 65. This disparity is likely due to women taking on primary caregiving roles during child-rearing years. Meanwhile, overall conversations are becoming less talkative, possibly linked to digital communication.
Researchers use Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer to observe active galactic nucleus, revealing dusty outflowing wind and radio jet feedback. The study provides new insights into AGN's interaction with host galaxies.
A team of astronomers has obtained detailed images of a small galaxy and its surroundings, revealing features typically associated with larger galaxies. The study found that the mechanisms fueling galaxy growth may be more universal than previously thought, suggesting that even dwarf galaxies can build stellar halos through accretion.
The completion of NASA's Pandora spacecraft bus brings the exoplanet mission one step closer to launch, set to study at least 20 planets' atmospheres for hazes, clouds, and water. The mission will utilize a novel telescope design to capture stellar surfaces and cleanly separate star and planetary signals.
Astronomers discovered three ultra-faint dwarf galaxies in an isolated region of space, containing only very old stars. The findings support the theory that events in the early universe cut off star formation in small galaxies.
A new study by University of Arizona researchers reveals a 'kiss and capture' mechanism for the formation of Pluto and its largest moon Charon. The discovery challenges decades of scientific assumptions about how planetary bodies form and evolve.
Researchers observed a galaxy nearly 6.5 billion light-years away, revealing a large number of individual stars made visible through gravitational lensing. The discovery provides new insights into the universe's greatest mysteries, including dark matter and stellar populations.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have made groundbreaking discoveries about levodopa-induced dyskinesia, a common complication in Parkinson's disease patients. The study found that the motor cortex becomes disconnected during dyskinetic episodes, leading to indirect causation rather than direct involvement.
A recent study revises our understanding of the universal genetic code's evolution, suggesting that early life preferred smaller amino acids over larger ones. The researchers found that amino acids with aromatic ring structures were incorporated into the code later than previously thought, offering clues about other extinct genetic codes.
A new study led by University of Arizona researcher François Lanoë reveals that Indigenous people in the Americas interacted with early dogs and wolves as far back as 12,000 years ago. The discovery sheds light on how long humans have had relationships with the ancestors of today's dogs.
Researchers at University of Arizona discovered a spike in carbon-14 dating to 664 B.C., pinpointing the last known extreme solar storm event. The study provides crucial data for scientists studying sun's activity and offers insights into massive storms' effects on Earth's atmosphere.
A recent study found that color vision evolved in animals over 100 million years ago, with a dramatic increase in colorful signals, including warning and sexual signals. The study suggests that warning signals are more widespread among animals than sexual signals.
A new study found that the genetic basis of resistance to transgenic Bt crops in the corn earworm is not associated with previously identified genes. Instead, a cluster of duplicated genes is linked to resistance, highlighting the complexity of pest adaptation.
A team of astronomers discovered new insights into the forces that shape protoplanetary disks using the James Webb Space Telescope. They traced disk winds in unprecedented detail, revealing an intricate structure and a pronounced central hole inside each cone-shaped envelope of winds.