University of Arizona in the News

MIT Technology Review July 8, 2021
Bats' brains predict their next move during flight

New research suggests bats maintain awareness of their past, present, and future positions to find their way around. "The bat must plan both locally in time, and into the future, to be successful in its hunting behaviors," said Melville Wohlgemuth, a researcher at the University of Arizona's Batlab. "These are brain processes that are relevant to our lives, as well."
The Washington Post July 8, 2021
New study on delta variant reveals importance of receiving both vaccine shots, highlights challenges posed by mutations

New laboratory research on the swiftly spreading delta variant of the coronavirus is highlighting the threats posed by viral mutations, adding urgency to calls to accelerate vaccination efforts across the planet. "We may never see the end of new variants. The virus is likely to become a fixture of human infectious disease, just like influenza viruses," said Michael Worobey, head of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona.
Los Angeles Times July 8, 2021
Coronavirus cases in California rise for first time in months as Delta variant spreads

After months of steady declines, coronavirus infections are once again on the rise in California as the state struggles with slowing daily vaccination rates and the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant. "Please, no more cries of wolf on variants/vaccine efficacy," tweeted Deepta Bhattacharya, an associate professor of immunology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. "The vaccines still work fine in the real world."
CNN July 7, 2021
Coronavirus almost certainly came from an animal, not a lab leak, top scientists argue

The coronavirus pandemic almost certainly originated from an animal, probably at a wildlife market in China, and not from a laboratory leak, a group of virus experts said Wednesday. The experts lay out the published evidence in a pre-print review posted online. It is signed by some of the leading experts in coronaviruses and the genetics of viruses, including evolutionary biologist Michael Worobey of the University of Arizona.
The Week July 7, 2021
Scientists find new signs of possible microbial life on Saturn moon

An unknown methane-producing process is likely at work in the hidden ocean beneath the icy shell of Saturn's moon Enceladus, suggests a new study published in Nature Astronomy by scientists at the University of Arizona and Paris Sciences & Lettres University.
USA Today July 6, 2021
Why you should pucker up: Four health benefits to kissing your loved one

According to a 2013 report on philematology, Dr. Joseph S. Alpert, a professor of medicine and medical director of cardiac rehabilitation at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, writes that a simple kiss can burn 2 to 3 calories per minute, whereas passionate kisses can burn up to 5 to 26 calories per minute.
BBC July 6, 2021
Animal astronauts: Why other lifeforms will be crucial to humans living off Earth

University of Arizona researcher Jekan Thanga is taking scientific inspiration from an unlikely source: the biblical tale of Noah's Ark. Rather than two of every animal, however, his solar-powered ark on the moon would store cryogenically frozen seed, spore, sperm and egg samples from 6.7 million Earth species.
The Thomson Reuters Foundation July 5, 2021
OPINION: Cities must plan for heat resilience now

Ladd Keith, an assistant professor in the University of Arizona College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, writes that cities must begin planning for heat resilience to increasing heat risk.
The Washington Post July 2, 2021
Extreme heat is killing people in Arizona's mobile homes

Experts say residents of older, substandard mobile homes are at higher risk of death in summer’s blazing temperatures. "We are beginning to see this to be a real health concern, certainly a moral one," said Margaret Wilder, an associate professor in the School of Geography, Development and the Environment at the University of Arizona. "It should be of concern to any policymaker." "We are all exposed to global warming; the temperatures outside are up for all of us, but not all of us are equally vulnerable," said Mark Kear, an assistant professor in the School of Geography, Development and the Environment at the University of Arizona.
Fox News July 2, 2021
COVID-19 vaccines reduce viral load, severity in breakthrough cases, studies find

Data from the AZ HEROES study show COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections, and when breakthrough infections do occur, the level of infection and impact of the disease are significantly reduced.