University of Arizona in the News

Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano in the world, began erupting on Sunday. At present, no major population centers are threatened and no evacuation orders have been issued, but the situation is rapidly evolving. Now that a particularly destructive scenario does not yet appear to be unfolding, allowing researchers to breathe a tentative sigh of relief. "Nobody is happy this happened, but it's almost like watching a horror movie after the jump scare has happened," says Brett Carr, a volcanologist at the University of Arizona.

The James Webb Space Telescope got the best look yet at WASP-39b, a Saturn-sized planet that orbits closer to its star than Mercury does to our sun. The Near-Infrared Camera – designed by a team led by University of Arizona Regents Professor of Astronomy Marcia Rieke – revealed a previously unidentified molecule in the exoplanet's atmosphere to be sulfur dioxide. Megan Mansfield, a NASA Sagan Fellow at Steward Observatory, called it an exciting find.

When the renovated and expanded "Old Chem" building at the University of Arizona complex opens to students and faculty next semester, it will have nine new classroom spaces, replete with the latest technology designed to promote active learning. Additionally, it will house new research spaces, faculty and administrative offices, three learning studios where faculty can hold online and hybrid lectures, and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance facility.

An experimental influenza vaccine developed using messenger RNA technology appears capable of inducing what should be a protective immune response against all known subtypes of flu, at least in animals. If the work is translated into humans it could turn out to be a version of a long-sought universal vaccine. This would not be a vaccine that would block all flu infections, nor would it replace the need for an annual flu shot. Instead, it would prime the immune system to better respond to new flu viruses, lowering the risk of hospitalization, death and social disruption.

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for those grieving loved ones. Someone new carving the Thanksgiving turkey or one less Christmas stocking to hang can accentuate a loss and re-intensify grief. "Grief is the natural response to being aware of a loss and, during the holidays, you are going to be more aware because we carry out all the rituals we've always done with the people we're close to," said Mary-Frances O'Connor, associate professor at the University of Arizona and author of "The Grieving Brain."

The hosts take a a tour of the University of Arizona Mirror Lab to see the giant, spinning oven used to turn glass molten and create the primary mirrors for observatories such as the Giant Magellan Telescope.

The Colorado River Compact turns 100 years old this November. The agreement among seven states to manage the river's waters was groundbreaking for its time. But the anniversary of its signing, on Nov. 24 1922, comes as the river is facing arguably its most pressing crisis. Water supplies are shrinking due to climate change-induced warming. Demands for water have yet to shrink to match the drier conditions. The river's largest reservoirs are declining to record lows, and forecast to drop further.

Finding a planet out in deep space humans could potentially live on has been a science fiction trope for decades. An index of planetary habitability first published in The Astrophysical Journal in 2015 scores exoplanets on a number of factors, including their orbit. However observations from such great distances provide only bare-bones data to make those estimates and the index doesn't consider characteristics, such as a strong magnetic field or a moon, that may make a planet a much better home.

To address the growing need for a continually diversified and modern workforce, the New Economy Initiative will direct nearly $150 million in funding to the state’s public universities for Fiscal Year 2023. The University of Arizona will allocate a significant portion of its NEI funds to the space and defense sector.

University of Arizona associate professor of psychology Mary Frances O'Connor discusses how Artificial Intelligence can be used to help people through periods of grief.