University of Arizona in the News

KJZZ July 28, 2020
Arizona pandemic response could mean 'dire' homelessness surge, report says

Homelessness in Arizona could increase by 16 to 29% in the wake of COVID-19, predicts a new report by researchers in the University of Arizona's Southwest Institute for Research on Women.
Nature July 27, 2020
How space missions snatch pieces of other worlds and bring them back to Earth

As NASA prepares to launch the first spacecraft that will collect samples from Mars, an article looks at back at missions that have grabbed extraterrestrial material. Sample-return missions allow researchers to know the exact geological area their rock comes from. That is "priceless context," said Jessica Barnes, a planetary scientist at the University of Arizona.
World Economic Forum July 27, 2020
Do you have 'pandemic fatigue'? How COVID-19 is sparking a mental health crisis

If you're feeling anxious, depressed or exhausted in the wake of COVID-19, you're not alone, says University of Arizona psychologist David Sbarra. 
Phoenix Business Journal July 27, 2020
UArizona, ASU researchers awarded $9.5M to create rapid testing devices for future medical crises

Scientists at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix are leading an effort to develop a device that could easily, quickly and accurately detect pathogens and biological threats.
SFGate July 27, 2020
The easy way to make an effective polypropylene filter for your face mask

Amanda Wilson is the lead author on a recent study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection that assessed the ability of a variety of nontraditional mask materials to protect a person from infection after 30 seconds and after 20 minutes of exposure in a highly contaminated environment.
Arizona Daily Star July 25, 2020
Multiple data points suggest slowing coronavirus spread in Arizona

"The evidence now is compelling that we've seen a reversal in trends and things are definitely improving in Arizona," said Joe Gerald.
WBUR's "Here and Now" July 24, 2020
Renters at risk: Federal eviction moratorium set to expire

The federal evictions moratorium was set to expire Saturday. This, coupled with the potential end of the $600 weekly benefit, leaves millions of renters at risk of eviction and housing insecurity. Stacy Butler, director of the Innovation for Justice Program at the University of Arizona's James E. Rogers College of Law, is interviewed.
The Wall Street Journal July 24, 2020
Vertical farms fill a tall order

Creating and maintaining that environment takes big startup costs for technology and ongoing costs for energy. But the efficiency of such farms allows nearly 95% of indoor seedlings to be grown to maturity and harvested, according to Gene Giacomelli, professor of biosystems engineering at the University of Arizona.
Arizona Public Media July 24, 2020
COVID-19 may distance voters from partisan behavior

University of Arizona political scientist Samara Klar discusses the relationship between COVID-19 and partisanship, the impact of the virus on the upcoming election and why the country might not be as divided as it seems.
Nature July 23, 2020
Smallpox and other viruses plagued humans much earlier than suspected

Humans as far back as ad 600 carried variola, an international research team reported this week after years of fishing for viral DNA in ancient human remains. "This new paper is showing that there were lineages that we were completely ignorant about," said Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona.