Arizona Science

Researchers say people perceive sound based on where they are when they hear it.

Economists often describe how consumer confidence drives spending decisions, but scientific researchers are asking if it's the other way around.

The best way to observe the universe is with a telescope above the Earth’s atmosphere, and the least expensive way to get there is using a stratospheric balloon. University of Arizona astronomy professor Chris Walker explains how he and his team are mapping the Milky Way with a balloon-mounted telescope above Antarctica.

Researchers are looking at chemistry in sea water that affects coral reefs. University of Arizona Geosciences professor Diane Thompson talks about how events recorded in corals can help investigate climate change.

Researchers studying prostate cancer have found introducing the disease in mice does not always produce accurate results.

Researchers are investigating ways to use waste from fossil fuels to create a new class of advanced plastics. University of Arizona chemistry professor Jeff Pyun talks about how scientists are changing the way companies are thinking about plastic production. He will be the final speaker for the College of Science free lecture series next Wednesday.

Each ring on a tree stump can mark a complete cycle of the seasons, dating back thousands of years. University of Arizona researcher Charlotte Pearson talks about how trees have recorded events through time, from floods to solar storms. She will give a talk on the subject next Wednesday at the College of Science free lecture series.

Scientists began developing theories about black holes more than a hundred years ago. University of Arizona professor Sam Gralla explains why the existence of black holes continues to raise questions about the basic concepts of physics. He will be the leadoff speaker for this year’s College of Science lecture series next week.

Animals are filling a growing need in the field of therapy and service work. University of Arizona veterinary medicine researcher Maggie O'Haire notes it isn't always dogs who are best suited to help people with physical disabilities and mental stress.

Treatments for COVID-19 are effective, but it’s better if you can avoid getting the coronavirus in the first place. University of Arizona epidemiologist Kacey Ernst discusses the challenge of keeping people aware of vaccinations against COVID and other infectious diseases.

University of Arizona forestry expert Don Falk talks about how woodlands might adapt to changes in climate.

REPEAT. Cochlear implants can open a world of possibilities by restoring a sense of sound and speech. Retired University of Arizona honors professor Ted Glattke is taking the latest research in auditory science to small towns in Mexico, helping children overcome hearing issues.

The key to better cybersecurity might be found in a beehive. University of Arizona Ecology and Evolutionary Biologist Anna Dornhaus talks about the strategies bees and ants use to direct collective behavior, and applying those methods to computer software to create better cybersecurity.

Archeologists don't always focus on stone statues and drawings on walls. University of Arizona anthropologist Ed Jolie explains why items like clothing, baskets, nets or string made from organic material can also tell us a lot about ancient civilizations.

Some experts think putting more effort into making artificial intelligence more intelligent is better than worrying about it making mistakes. University of Arizona computer scientist Mihai Surdeanu talks about how keeping A. I. systems in check is creating new opportunities for people inside and outside the technology sector.

The University of Arizona built Giant Magellan Telescope is expected to start scanning the heavens within the next decade. U of A astronomer Buell Januzzi reveals how the telescope’s size and scale will put it above other Earth-bound telescopes in its ability to find hidden details between the stars.

A team of University of Arizona faculty and undergraduate students are working together finding facts about exploding stars. UA Astronomy professor Brenda Frye describes what makes supernovae special and what they can tell us about our own Sun.

A devastating earthquake that struck what’s now the northwestern corner of the United States 1,100 years ago is still part of native American legend in the region. University of Arizona tree ring researcher Bryan Black is leading a team discovering more about the event, and reveals how linked fault lines beneath the Earth’s crust might pose a further threat to the region in the present day.

Researchers continue to explore ways Arizona and the Southwest can draw water from unique sources. University of Arizona environmental engineering professor Kerri Hickenbottom discusses how what was formerly called treated wastewater plays a role in providing water for both irrigation and human consumption.

Cochlear implants can open a world of possibilities by restoring a sense of sound and speech. Retired University of Arizona honors professor Ted Glattke is taking the latest research in auditory science to small towns in Mexico, helping children overcome hearing issues.