University of Arizona in the News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Research led by University of Arizona professor of psychology John Ruiz finds the so-called "Hispanic paradox" – the tendency of Hispanic people in the U.S. to have equal or even better outcomes across numerous health measures than other ethnic groups, even when accounting for socio-economic status – is "actually growing stronger." Ruiz believes sociocultural resilience plays a part. "(Cultural) values may drive Hispanics into tighter social connections which have a myriad of health benefits, ranging from prevention to stress buffering to caregiving," he said.

Artificial intelligence is speeding up discoveries about the universe and helping to hone the search for life within it. Many astronomers spend a large amount of their time combing through data collected by telescopes. AI and machine learning can be used to quickly pick out intriguing parts of a dataset, making it less likely that astronomers will miss something important.