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No bosses, no problem! Pre-Hispanic farmers built giant water system bottom-up, archaeologists reveal

Researchers argue that policymakers in Colombia can adopt a similar cooperative strategy to solve the country's current water management crisis. The pre-Hispanic field systems of La Mojana cover an astonishing 500,000 hectares and were likely built by local communities in a short period of time through cooperation.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCommunications Sustainability·DateAug 11, 2026

Point-of-care hepatitis C testing in a tribal setting

A community-based point-of-care HCV RNA testing program was feasible and led to a high percentage of same-day treatment for American Indian and Alaska Native participants. The study supports expanding point-of-care HCV RNA testing and integrated treatment to advance HCV elimination.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 15, 2026

EU ambiguity on Western Sahara frozen conflict is a “glaring source” of vulnerability for Sahrawis, study shows

A new study by Dr Irene Fernández-Molina from the University of Exeter reveals that EU legal ambiguity on the Western Sahara conflict is a significant disadvantage for the Polisario Front and its Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The study highlights how lawfare has been successfully used to challenge these ambiguities, leading to accu...

‘You don’t just throw them in a box.’ Archaeologists, Indigenous scholars call on museums to better care for animal remains

A team of archaeologists and Indigenous scholars calls on museums to better care for animal remains, recognizing power imbalances and respecting Native American traditions. The approach emphasizes self-reflection, lifelong learning, and partnering with Indigenous groups to rethink catalogue, storage, and display methods.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalAdvances in Archaeological Practice·DateMar 10, 2025

Recognizing Indigenous rights in environmental data

A team of researchers recommends incorporating principles like collective benefit and ethical governance into ecological data practices to align with existing data infrastructures. They suggest establishing collaborative relationships with Indigenous rights holders and exploring how data can be aligned with Indigenous expertise and wor...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 5, 2025

$3.9 million grant seeks to expand primary care and rural tracks for medical student training in Arizona

The University of Arizona Health Sciences has been awarded a $3.9 million grant to address the shortage of primary care physicians in underserved communities in Arizona. The program aims to create more primary care and rural health admissions tracks and expand clinical experiences, ultimately increasing primary care residency matches.

Understanding food insecurity and its effects on gestational diabetes risk among American Indian and Alaska Native females can lead to better outcomes

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior examines the connection between food insecurity and gestational diabetes risk among young American Indian and Alaska Native females. The research highlights how targeted risk reduction methods could significantly improve diabetes health outcomes for this popula...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2024

Most US voters agree on basic human values – so is polarization exaggerated?

A recent study by the Universities of Bath and Essex reveals that a vast majority of American voters share fundamental values, with only 5% of extreme voters holding differing views. The researchers suggest that highlighting similarities between Republicans and Democrats can increase hope about the future and inspire trust.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·TypeSurvey·DateJul 29, 2024

Research showcases Indigenous stewardship’s role in forest ecosystem resilience

A new computer simulation model highlights the importance of cultural burning in maintaining forest ecosystem health. Researchers found that Indigenous fire stewardship was extensive across a landscape in northern California before European colonization, with an estimated 6,972 cultural ignitions occurring annually.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEcological Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 22, 2024

Counteracting political hostility with personal history

Researchers at Lehigh University found that reading a personal history of an opposing party member can significantly reduce animosity towards members of the opposing party. The study tested interventions with both Democrats and Republicans, finding that historicist narratives can lead to increased compassion and reduced moral emotions.

SourceLehigh University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2024

University of Minnesota Medical School assistant professor, research team awarded $1 million grant to improve access to legal advocacy for rural and Indigenous communities

A research team led by University of Minnesota Medical School assistant professor Michele Statz aims to improve access to civil justice for rural and Indigenous communities in Alaska. The project, funded with a $1 million grant, will develop a model to replicate in other communities across the country.

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s Department of Natural Resources Eric Quaempts selected as the 2023 ESA Regional Policy Award Winner

Eric Quaempts, Tribal member and Department of Natural Resources Director at Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has been recognized for his work on First Foods management approach. He received the 2023 ESA Regional Policy Award for integrating tribal ecological approaches into natural resource management.

Daughters breastfed longer, and women accumulated greater wealth in ancient California matriarchal society

In ancient California's San Francisco Bay Area, women played a crucial role in the economy, with mothers prioritizing their female offspring through extended breastfeeding. This practice may have led to female-biased wealth disparities, as older women were buried with greater wealth than men.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAmerican Journal of Biological Anthropology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2023

Tribal water rights underutilized in U.S. West

A new study reveals that Indigenous groups in the western US are struggling to turn their legal right to water into actual water use, despite having settled their water-rights claims. The findings show that tribes are likely using only a fraction of their entitled water rights, resulting in significant revenue losses.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 19, 2023

Rainbow trout subspecies newly named

A new subspecies of rainbow trout, O. mykiss calisulat, has been identified after genetic analysis revealed its distinctiveness. This discovery is significant as it marks the first newly identified Pacific trout subspecies since 2008 and the youngest rainbow trout subspecies by more than 100 years.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalZootaxa·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 29, 2023

Authors blame hyperpartisanship for death of political apology

Two researchers argue that hyperpartisanship has led to a decline in political apologies, making it difficult for politicians to acknowledge wrongdoing and seek redemption. This shift away from apology is attributed to the influence of social media and partisan echo chambers, which reward silence over accountability.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalPhilosophy and Rhetoric·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 29, 2022

Consensus approach proposed to protect human health from intentional and wild forest fires

Experts propose a consensus approach to address the impact of forest fires on human health. The method emphasizes controlled burns as a tool to reduce explosive wildfires and improve forest health. The approach also prioritizes inclusivity in decision-making, particularly for populations disproportionately affected by smoke exposure.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalCurrent Environmental Health Reports·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 2, 2022

American Indian communities are less likely to benefit from recent downward trends in air pollution exposures in the US

A new study reveals that American Indian communities are less likely to benefit from recent downward trends in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in the US. Average PM2.5 concentrations were higher in AI-populated counties compared to non-AI populated counties by 2018, contrary to previous declines.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMar 23, 2022