Science and Technology

UA Astronomer Attends Vatican Conference on Extraterrestrials

jeffh — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:51:27 -0700

Steward Observatory's Chris Impey was among the scientists who attended a conference held in Rome. The participants discussed the possibility of extraterrestrial life and its possible implications on the Catholic Church.

Scientists at UA, Collaborating Institutions Decode Maize Genome

Lori Stiles — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Scientists led by Arizona Genomics Institute director Rod Wing and colleagues at collaborating institutions have deciphered the genetic code of maize.

Inaugural 'My Arizona' Lecture Focuses on Buffelgrass Invasion in the Sonoran Desert

Jeff Harrison — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The first "My Arizona" lecture will feature paleoecologist Julio Betancourt discussing the impact of invasive grasses from Europe and Africa on the Sonoran Desert Landscape.

Higher Temperatures May Be Behind Pine Growth

cruzj — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:14:16 -0700

Bristlecone pines have been growing at unusually fast rates for the past half century.

A Fix for Down Syndrome Brains?

jeffh — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:46:48 -0700

A new study shows boosting levels of a neurotransmitter in the brain may reverse some of the cognitive abnormalities that characterize Down syndrome. Lynn Nadel, a Regents' Professor studying Down syndrome and cognition, said the research may one day lead to early life interventions in humans.

Could Jupiter Moon Harbor Fish-Size Life?

lstiles — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:27:50 -0700

Jupiter's moon Europa has a global ocean with enough oxygen to support organisms more complex than microbes, says Richard Greenberg of the UA Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Greenberg reported his research last month at the American Astronomical Society's Divison for Planetary Sciences.

A Solar Technology Seeks Its Day in the Sun

cruzj — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:46:47 -0700

Famed UA astronomer Roger Angel is setting his sight on low-cost methods of generating solar energy.

How Much Water is on the Moon?

cruzj — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:39:00 -0700

Research by the UA's Richard Greenberg is contributing to the growing understanding of the processes that may bring life-supporting oxygen to the moon.

Shelton Joins House Speaker, Scientists to Launch 'ScienceWorksForUS'

Jeff Harrison — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The new initiative highlights the role of ARRA-funded research at the UA and other universities in America's recovery and revitalization.

Bristlecone's Growth May Reflect Global Warming

cruzj — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:39:19 -0700

The finding is another piece of evidence linking the unusual phenomena occurring in high-elevation ecosystems during the latter part of the 20th century with warming temperatures.

Ancient High-Altitude Trees Grow Faster as Temperatures Rise

Mari N. Jensen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Increasing temperatures at high altitudes are fueling the post-1950 growth spurt seen in bristlecone pines, according to new research from a team led by UA scientists.

New Publication Examines Water Availability for Agriculture

Jeff Harrison — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Sharon Megdal of the UA Water Resources Research Center chairs a task force charged with addressing key issues facing agriculture over the growing demand for water.

Regulation of Early Endosperm Development in Maize

Johnny Cruz — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The National Science Foundation has granted $4.93 million for a project to identify the gene networks that control endosperm development and function right after pollination.

Industry and Reseach Collaborate to Improve Solar Cell Efficiency

Rebecca Ruiz-McGill — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Industry meets research as UA professor Ray Kostuk and two Tucson companies collaborate to make solar energy economical.

Hunt is On For Scattered Blueprints of Powerful Saturn Moon Rocket

lstiles — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:50:32 -0700

Reconstructing the Saturn 5 launchers that took astronauts to the moon 40 years ago is daunting because blueprints for the rocket boosters have been lost. The Saturn 5 moon rocket was a better bargain than the space shuttle, says UA planetary scientist John Lewis.

The Dirt on Dust

cruzj — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:56:35 -0700

Paloma Beamer, an assistant professor of public health at the UA, is conducting research that calculates how much dust comes from indoor sources, comparaed to that of outdoor sources. Her findings were recently published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

Vatican Looks to Sky for Signs of Alien Life

cruzj — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:10:03 -0700

Chris Impey, an astronomy professor at the UA, was one of the scientists that participated in a conference held in Rome. The participants discussed the possibility of extraterrestrial life and its possible implications on the Catholic Church.

Study Analyzes Food Waste in Britain

cruzj — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:28:40 -0700

A study conducted at the UA in 2004 found that nearly half of the food in the U.S. is wasted. Recently, researchers in Britain came to similar conclusions about food waste in their country.

Engineers Will Create Planetary Rover From Retinal Implant Test Robot

Jeff Harrison — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The research, led by Wolfgang Fink, will aid both people with visual impairments and scientists involved in planetary exploration.

UA School Promotes Interdisciplinary Teaching in Computation

La Monica Everett-Haynes — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Faculty and administrators within the UA’s interdisciplinary School of Information Sciences, Technologies and Arts are planning workshops to determine areas of focus in developing a new undergraduate curriculum.

Wild Solar System Spotted Around Distant Star

cruzj — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:34:17 -0700

The Spitzer Space Telescope has located a young planetary system that bears similarity to the early years of our solar system. The Spitzer team is led by a UA researcher.

Researchers Complete Draft Genome Sequence for Cassava

Johnny Cruz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

A $1.3 Million grant from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will fund the next phase of research that is critical to global food security.

Why Nice Guys Usually Get the Girls

Mari N. Jensen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

For the insects called water striders, the pushiest guys don't always get the girls, according to a research team led by a UA scientist. The finding contradicts previous laboratory experiments that suggested that the most aggressive males are the most successful at reproducing.

UA Camera Spots Phoenix Mars Lander Amid Frost

cruzj — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:13:52 -0700

Despite very low light, HiRISE has taken images of the Phoenix Mars Lander blanketed by carbon dioxide ice.

SEDS Students Host SpaceVision 2009 Conference at UA

Lori Stiles — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0700

UA students have organized what looks to be one of the year's premier space conferences and are holding it at the Lunar and Planetary Lab.