University of Arizona in the News

WIRED Nov. 5, 2023
The JWST has spotted giant black holes all over the early universe

The James Webb Space Telescope this summer discovered evidence that a surprising number early galaxies, which to observers appear as red specks in the darkness, possessed supermassive black holes similar to the one at the heart of the Milky Way. That finding is both expected – Webb was designed to find such ancient objects – and perplexing, because few astronomers expected to find so many of them forming so soon after the Big Bang. "Everybody is talking about these little red dots," said University of Arizona professor of astronomy Xiaohui Fan.
GIzmodo Nov. 4, 2023
Bennu asteroid samples expected to 'fundamentally' shift our perspective on cosmic life

"For the first time we will be able to measure the abundances of all 20 protein-forming amino acids from an asteroid sample untouched by life on Earth," said Sawsan Wehbi, an astrobiologist at the University of Arizona. "My goal is to compare the amino acids we find on Bennu to Earth's early life. I'm hoping to answer this question: 'Did early life use the building blocks that were delivered from outer space?'"
Arizona Daily Star Nov. 3, 2023
University of Arizona announces $2 billion raised toward $3 billion goal

The University of Arizona announced the public phase of its $3 billion fundraising campaign, Fuel Wonder. The launch, coinciding with Homecoming celebrations, included the announcement of $118.65 million in gifts that will ignite the aspirations and goals of students, faculty and staff. Collectively, these gifts bring the overall total raised so far to more than $2 billion.
The New York Times Nov. 2, 2023
NASA spacecraft Lucy says hello to 'Dinky' asteroid on far-flying mission

NASA's Lucy mission on Wednesday revealed the asteroid Dinkinesh, first identified by University of Arizona researchers in 2010, has its own "moon" – a smaller space rock in orbit around it.
KQED Nov. 2, 2023
2023 California 'genius' grantees on art, community and place

University of Arizona professor of English Manuel Muñoz, who last month earned a prestigious MacArthur Fellowships for his stories centering on the lives of Mexican-American communities in California's Central Valley, discusses how his experiences growing up in that region influence his work.
The New York Times Nov. 2, 2023
A tangle of rules to protect America's water is falling short

A new analysis finds the United States' stewardship of groundwater relies on a patchwork of state and local rules so lax and outdated that in many places, oversight is all but nonexistent with the majority of states having little to no idea how many wells they have. Some also divide oversight among several agencies, making it difficult to glean comprehensive information about groundwater use. "There are layers and layers of rules and regulations," said Sharon Megdal, director of the Water Resources Research Center at the University of Arizona. She added that only 13 states have statutes setting up formal communication among agencies.
WIRED Nov. 1, 2023
Scientists have finally found the origins of a mysterious asteroid

In 2021, a team of University of Arizona astronomers suggested that a recently discovered near-Earth asteroid, Kamo'oalewa, could be a chunk of the moon. Two years after the striking discovery, another research group at the university has found that a rare pathway could have enabled this to happen.
Mining.com Nov. 1, 2023
University of Arizona’s new school addresses critical need for minerals and mining talent

Mark Barton, director of the University of Arizona Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources; Misael Cabrera, director of the School of Mining and Mineral Resources; Carmie Garzione, dean of the College of Science; David Hahn, dean of the College of Engineering; and Kray Luxbacher, department head for Mining and Geological Engineering, write that in just the first 12 months of its existence, the university's School of Mining and Mineral Resources is proving itself to be a high-value, long-term benefit to the mining industry and has engaged more than 50 faculty, researchers, students and staff on more than 25 research projects across 25 departments.
BizTucson Oct. 31, 2023
Forging the future: Dr. Robert C. Robbins

University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins discusses economic trends in Southern Arizona and the ways in which the university contributes to the area's economic development.
The Arizona Republic Oct. 31, 2023
University of Arizona president becomes the voice of moral clarity on Israel

Arizona Republic columnist Phil Boas writes that after Hamas attacked Israel, University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins "became the voice that higher education needed."