University of Arizona in the News

A citizen science project launched by the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory hopes to enlist people to serve as spotters of the more than one million potential asteroid detections made by Catalina Sky Survey telescopes, particularly those which could pose a risk to Earth.

From soaking in the sink, to dousing with vinegar and baking soda, many social media influencers dole out bad advice on how to lengthen the lifespan of fruits and vegetables. University of Arizona professor of environmental science Charles Gerba cautions against soaking produce in a sink full of water and vinegar immediately, instead he recommends washing just before eating. "There’s more E. coli in a kitchen sink than in a toilet after you flush it," he said. "The sink is a great place for E. coli to live and grow since it's wet and moist.

A recently-released survey from the Sleep Foundation finds shorter naps, 20 to 30 minutes in duration, provide people with more benefits than longer periods of rest. According to University of Arizona associate professor of psychiatry Michael Grandner, director of the university's Sleep and Health Research Program, even if the sleeper just barely dozes, it's still enough time for the brain to work at improving cognitive functions such as memory, the ability to complete complex tasks, and logical reasoning.

Almost 175 years after the Gold Rush began, scientists estimate some 13 million pounds of mercury used in the extraction process continues to contaminate California's streams, lakes and reservoirs where it can be absorbed by fish and enter the food chain. University of Arizona associate professor of environmental science Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta explained the risks of consuming tainted fish depend on multiple factors beyond the concentration of contaminants, including the method, length and frequency of exposure, as well as individual traits like weight, age and sex.

Continuing coverage: University of Arizona astronomers took part in an international effort to study the aftermath of the brightest gamma ray burst ever observed. "By studying the properties of gamma-ray bursts, we can learn about the formation and evolution of galaxies, the origins of heavy elements and the behavior of matter under extreme conditions," said Kate Alexander, an astronomer from the University of Arizona.

University of Arizona professor of natural resources and the environment Laura López-Hoffman writes about the many connections between ecological conservation efforts and equity for vulnerable populations.

Fire is a fundamental natural process across the Western U.S., one that serves an important ecological purpose. But climate change has significantly altered the wildfire season, experts say, and is leading to larger and more frequent fires. "If you're concerned about wildfires then you need to be concerned about climate change and take it seriously," said Don Falk, a professor in the University of Arizona School of Natural Resources and the Environment. He researches fire history, fire ecology and ecological restoration and resilience in a changing world.

A group of University of Arizona engineering students are helping modify a single-engine kit airplane to be flown by pilots without arms, such as Jessica Cox, a University of Arizona alumna who is the first armless licensed pilot in history.

Adults who have obstructive sleep apnea have up to an 75% increased risk, on average, of developing long COVID after a SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with people without sleep apnea, according to a new analysis of electronic health data on nearly 1.8 million people. "Research needs to be done in a prospective study to verify this association, and if found to be true these findings have implications for treatment of long COVID," said University of Arizona professor of medicine Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy, who was not involved in the study.

A simulated off-world mission wrapped up last week at the University of Arizona Biosphere 2. Three women and one man crewed the six-day test inside the Space Analog for the Moon and Mars module, which was designed to be as close to a sealed extraterrestrial habitat as we can manage on Earth. The crew lived in reduced air pressure as they might on the Moon or Mars.