A new study finds that increased rainfall extremes could drive tree growth reductions across the southwest US. Tree-ring records analyzed by researchers reveal that major species such as ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and piñon pine are particularly affected.
A new study from the University of Arizona has identified a link between smartphone dependency and symptoms of depression and loneliness. Smartphone dependency predicts higher reports of depressive symptoms and loneliness, rather than the other way around.
A study published in Neuron found that brain areas and patterns of interaction are similar regardless of navigation method, suggesting that sufficient information can be obtained from visual cues alone. The research suggests that even basic virtual reality systems may be useful in instructional applications.
Researchers dispute the long-held belief that heterochromatin is a reliable guardian of the human genome. A study by University of Arizona researcher Keith Maggert reveals that heterochromatin can flicker on and off, allowing transposons to cause mutations and damage. This instability has significant implications for our understanding ...
Scientists analyzed nearly five decades of data on over 5,800 saguaros to predict how the desert species will fare in hotter climates. They found that small variations in topography can buffer saguaro populations from harsh conditions.
A study led by the University of Arizona found that city design factors such as housing density, lot size, and vegetated land cover significantly impact residential water use. Researchers estimated models for annual and summer water use in four cities, including Austin, Phoenix, Portland, and Salt Lake City.
Researchers found that temperature influences functional traits between plants and microbes, leading to changes in nutrient cycling and carbon processing. As temperatures varied from tropical to boreal forests, the team observed shifts in bacterial genes tied to these processes.
Researchers found agrivoltaics significantly impacted air temperatures, direct sunlight and atmospheric demand for water, leading to improved crop growth and reduced water loss. The system also increased energy production efficiency by cooling solar panels with crops underneath.
The University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW) has launched the Lighthouse Project, a five-year initiative providing trauma-informed services to unstably housed LGBTQ young adults in Tucson. The project aims to target 300 homeless individuals and offers a range of services, including mental health support, ...
A $4.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation will provide scholarships and support services for Pima Community College students transferring to the University of Arizona to pursue STEM degrees. The grant aims to diversify talent pathways in Arizona and create a culture of belonging for underrepresented students.
A study published in Evolution Letters reveals that many carnivorous species share a common ancestor dating back 800 million years, while herbivory is more recent. The research suggests that animals tend to adopt the same dietary category as their closely related species, implying that switching diets may not be easy.
Researchers found conventional oil and gas production activities inject more water underground than fracking, leading to a net gain of saline water. This can increase the likelihood of contaminated water reaching freshwater aquifers in water-stressed regions.
University of Arizona researchers are using the Catalina Sky Survey's near-Earth object telescopes to find optical counterparts to gravitational waves triggered by massive mergers. The team found several supernovae and a near-Earth object during their ongoing campaign, which began in April.
A University of Arizona researcher studied motivations behind sexting and found that young women send explicit images to feel empowered or disempowered. The study highlights the complexities of sexual double standards and their impact on women's sexuality.
A University of Arizona-led team used supercomputer simulations to generate millions of virtual universes, challenging fundamental ideas about galaxy formation and the role of dark matter. The findings suggest galaxies formed stars more efficiently in the early universe than previously thought.
A University of Arizona research team discovered complex biochemical circuits in cells that follow control theory principles, controlling growth in response to nutrient availability. The study found that the TOR and PKA pathways work together like a thermostat, with one pathway speeding up response and the other maintaining stability.
University of Arizona researchers have developed a new lens technology that can collect more light and search for signs of life on 1,000 exoplanets. The Nautilus telescope array will be powerful enough to characterize planets from 1,000 light years away, providing valuable insights into the complexity of exo-earths.
A new study uses ancient plankton fossils to infer temperature data from the Pliocene era, a geological epoch with CO2 levels similar to today's. The findings resolve discrepancies between climate models and other proxy temperature measurements, showing that the Pliocene is a good analog for future climate predictions.
A new study from University of Arizona researchers finds that walkability and traffic safety are crucial factors in determining how often people visit community greenspaces. Residents who live in areas with high levels of perceived traffic safety and surveillance are more likely to visit parks frequently, while those who travel by walk...
A study found that fourth-year college students with good financial habits were more likely to see themselves as adults five years after graduating. Financial behaviors during this period continued to have a positive impact on emerging adults' adult identity formation, including lower symptoms of depression and higher relationship sati...
A new study by University of Arizona researchers suggests that ALS patients may benefit from more glucose, as it can help increase energy production and improve cellular function. The findings, published in eLife, reveal that when ALS-affected neurons are given more glucose, they are able to survive longer and function better.
University of Arizona researchers have identified a network of neurons within the amygdala that coordinate with other brain regions to regulate eating behaviors. The findings could help alleviate disease-induced appetite loss or over-eating, which can negatively impact quality of life and treatment success.
A new study finds that groundwater pumping has contributed significantly to US stream flow declines, affecting regions like the Colorado and Mississippi River basins. The research suggests that sustainable water management is crucial to mitigate these impacts and ensure long-term water security.
Researchers propose a personalized model to study age-related cognitive decline, considering individual risk factors, genetic variants and lifestyle. The goal is to maintain brain health throughout the entire adult lifespan.
A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that a bad night's sleep can lead to a spike in blood pressure, even on the following day. Researchers wore portable blood pressure cuffs and actigraphy monitors on participants to measure the impact of sleep efficiency on cardiovascular health.
Researchers found that hands-on experience with giving can contribute to children's financial literacy and long-term well-being. Teaching kids to give can also promote a sense of generosity and improve relationships.
A team of planetary scientists found that processes on Mars differ significantly from those on Earth, with large-scale features and differences in landform surface temperature playing key roles. The study reveals that active sand dunes are concentrated in three distinct regions, including Syrtis Major and North Polar Erg.
Scientists have discovered that patients with a rare form of dementia called Primary Progressive Aphasia show abnormalities in brain function despite structurally normal MRI scans. Functional defects were found in regions not yet showing structural damage on MRI, suggesting an early-detection method for neurodegeneration.
The Excellence in Prehospital Injury Care Project has doubled the survival rate of severe traumatic brain injury victims and tripled the survival rate among those who were intubated. First responders are now taught to treat and prevent the
A team of researchers discovered a grain of dust forged in a stellar explosion, challenging current theories about how stars seed the universe. The grain, LAP-149, is highly enriched in carbon-13, providing evidence that novae contributed to the building blocks of our solar system.
A new study using the PlanetNet algorithm provides unprecedented precision in analyzing Saturn's storm clouds, revealing features previously undetected. The analysis of Cassini data reveals atmospheric processes driving the storms, including dark cloud material swept up from lower atmosphere.
A team of researchers led by Caitlin Griffith discovered a mysterious linear ice corridor on Titan's surface, which suggests the presence of past volcanic activity. The find sheds new light on Titan's unique atmospheric chemistry and potential for life
About 7-6 million years ago, the Hadley circulation intensified, leading to drier climate, expanding subtropical grasslands and increasing mammal species that eat grasses. The research provides a new understanding of late Miocene ecosystems and their evolution.
A UA team shows that evolution is driven by dependency on other species within ecological communities, testing a long-held idea of the UA's late, great George Gaylord Simpson. This research confirms the prediction and reveals mechanisms for understanding how species gain and lose reliance on others in their communities.
Recent studies suggest that high-energy particles from TRAPPIST-1's star could break apart complex molecules needed for life, while tidal forces may raise temperatures and drive volcanic activity on planets. This challenges the habitability of TRAPPIST-1 exoplanets.
A study by University of Arizona researcher Vicky Lai found that the brain's sensory-motor region is activated within 200 milliseconds of hearing an action-based metaphor. This suggests that this region plays a crucial role in comprehension, supporting previous findings from fMRI studies.
University of Arizona immunobiologist Michael Johnson is using a $1.9 million grant to explore copper's potential as an antibiotic. He hopes to create therapeutics that target the copper-sensing protein CopY, which helps bacteria fight off copper stress.
Ecologists at the University of Arizona identified a tradeoff between water use and reproduction that allows winter desert plants to survive. The study found that plants conserving water and growing slowly, or spending water by tracking rainfall, are best balanced along this tradeoff.
Scientists investigate how humans make mistakes and find that pupil dilation is linked to the brain's level of norepinephrine. Four sources of suboptimal decision-making are identified, including unequal weighing of evidence and noise in the brain.
A new study finds that California's wildfire season is no longer influenced by winter precipitation, but rather by decades of fire suppression and rising temperatures due to climate change. The research team used tree rings and historical records to reconstruct fire and moisture patterns over the past 400 years.
Researcher Maggie Pitts explores how people savor different types of communication, identifying seven categories including aesthetic, presence, nonverbal, recognition, relational, extraordinary, and implicitly shared communication. She finds that savoring can boost mood and quality of life.
In a study published in Communications Biology, viceroy butterflies living in northern Florida have evolved to produce a foul-tasting chemical, making them unpalatable to predators. This discovery challenges traditional mimicry theories and suggests a continuum between Batesian and Mullerian mimicry.
A growing body of research suggests that smartphones can negatively impact face-to-face social interactions, leading to feelings of ignored, annoyed, or pushed away. The constant access to text messaging and social media makes it easier for people to disclose personal information and respond to others in their large social networks.
A new study led by the University of Arizona found that larger-brained dogs outperform smaller dogs in measures of executive functions. The research, which used data from over 7,000 purebred domestic dogs, showed that bigger breeds have better short-term memory and self-control.
The study found that the largest sustained ice loss in Greenland came from summertime melting of the southwest region, which has few glaciers. The researchers linked this to a climate cycle called the North Atlantic Oscillation. As global warming continues, the southwest region will become a major contributor to sea level rise.
A new study found that prolonged spaceflights can impair natural killer cell function in astronauts, increasing the risk of cancer and viral reactivation. The effects are more pronounced in first-time astronauts, suggesting stress or age may play a role.
A new study published in Psychophysiology found that thinking about one's romantic partner can lower blood pressure during stressful situations, just as effectively as having the partner physically present. The study suggests that high-quality romantic relationships may support people's health by enabling better stress coping mechanisms.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that trees are becoming more water-limited as the climate warms, with changes most evident in northern climates and high altitudes. The research found that tree growth has shifted from being temperature-limited to being water-limited over large areas.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered a protein in mosquitoes that prevents them from hatching. By blocking this protein, females can no longer produce viable eggs, leading to the death of embryos. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs as birth control for mosquito populations.
Researchers found that average forest trees growing in conditions similar to those of their peers will experience a 75% reduction in growth. The new study is based on a database of unanalyzed tree cores from the US Forest Service and provides a more accurate estimate than previous studies.