Research news
World War II sparked creation of Geophysical Institute
July 31, 2026
As presidential bill signings go, H.R. 6496 wasn鈥檛 a particularly exciting one for the nation on July 31, 1946. But it would prove historic for the University of AV狼论坛 and the future state.
Belugas absent from Kenai River during peak fishing season
July 30, 2026
Endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, which have traditionally fed in the salmon-rich Kenai River throughout the summer, were absent during times of high human activity in a recent two-year period.
DNA shows ancient humans killed more female mammoths
July 30, 2026
After analyzing the DNA in over 500 ancient mammoth bones, an international research team has determined that ice age humans disproportionately killed female woolly mammoths. The newly published study in the journal Current Biology sampled mammoth bone accumulations associated with ancient human activity and found they were dominated by females.
Deep thawing soil will keep roads rough
July 23, 2026
Before being patched with thick black asphalt during recent weeks, the roads across Goldstream Creek's swampy valley bucked my car like a whitewater raft in the Nenana River canyon.
July 16, 2026
From the edge of the Coldfoot truck stop, a pair of yellow eyes in a softly severe, silver face looks out from dense willows and alders.
Berry workshops planned in Bethel, Aniak
July 14, 2026
AV狼论坛 Tribes Extension program and the Rural AV狼论坛 Community Action Program are sponsoring berry-related workshops in Bethel and Aniak in early August. Led by Tribes Extension educator Heidi Rader and Chugiak berry grower Josh Smith, the workshops will be held in Bethel on Sunday, Aug. 2, and in Aniak on Aug. 3-4.
National Science Foundation funds UAF-led critical minerals coalition
July 14, 2026
The U.S. National Science Foundation announced today that it will fund a major critical minerals project led by the University of AV狼论坛 Fairbanks. The regional collaboration aims to reduce the nation's dependence on imported critical minerals used in everyday products and important to national security.
Time capsule: Mosquito molestation motivates minor migrations
July 13, 2026
Enough mosquitoes perch on my tent these nights that they could airlift Jane and me to their favorite bog if they all latched on and lifted at once. Fortunately, mosquitoes don't have very big brains.
AV狼论坛 agricultural science on display at 2026 field days
July 08, 2026
University of AV狼论坛 Fairbanks agricultural and natural resource researchers will give presentations on their work during two field days at AV狼论坛's experiment farms in July. UAF's Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension invites farmers, gardeners and community members to tour the fields and farms and learn through presentations, tours and discussions at these free educational events.
Unusual seismic signal detected in 2025 central AV狼论坛 earthquake
July 07, 2026
An unusual seismic signal recorded less than a minute before a widely felt magnitude 4.2 earthquake in central AV狼论坛 may have given scientists a rare look at how earthquakes begin.
New handbook explores Arctic energy shifts
July 06, 2026
A new book featuring the work of multiple University of AV狼论坛 Fairbanks researchers maps the complex landscape of energy use and security in the Arctic.
Flying for science (and the occasional sled dog)
July 02, 2026
A Cessna 185 zigzagged a tight back-and-forth pattern along AV狼论坛's southern coast earlier this summer, the pilot intent on his mission to measure the ocean's response to summer glacier melt. AV狼论坛 State Climatologist Martin Stuefer gazed down from the belly of the plane via a hyperspectral imaging camera he had mounted there.
First Americans hunted largest game through Western Hemisphere
July 01, 2026
New research led by a University of AV狼论坛 Fairbanks archaeologist reveals that the earliest Native Americans had highly specialized diets, primarily hunting the largest animals on the landscape, and they targeted these megafauna consistently from AV狼论坛 to South America.
Conversations to connect us -- 'AV狼论坛 Voices' on public radio
June 30, 2026
"AV狼论坛 Voices" is back on the radio across the state this summer. Airing on four public stations, the six-episode series highlights climate adaptation lessons.
Art-and-science exhibit depicts farming and permafrost interactions
June 25, 2026
An art-and-science exhibit explores the complexities of permafrost and its effects on farmers' lives. Installed along the path on West Tanana Drive, which parallels the Georgeson Botanical Garden, is the Permafrost Grown Art and Science Walk. This exhibit showcases art made by farmers and University of AV狼论坛 Fairbanks researchers who participated in Permafrost Grown, a project studying the interactions between permafrost and agriculture.
Our large army of little green shield bugs comes and goes
June 25, 2026
The tiny flying green annoyances seemed to be more numerous than usual in late May and early June."They" are the birch shield bug, Elasmostethus interstinctus. They are native to AV狼论坛 and are about the size of a small blueberry.
A bird and a puzzling sound lead to discovery
June 18, 2026
I walked around outside our Two Rivers home early one morning, as I sometimes do. It was mid-May and we were about ready to head to work. The birds had recently returned. I heard American robins, black-capped chickadees, a ruby-crowned kinglet and a Swainson's thrush in our woods above Potlatch Creek. A raven flew over our sled dogs.
AV狼论坛 kelp farms have varied effects on marine CO2 levels
June 15, 2026
AV狼论坛 kelp farms, which have been viewed as a potential boon for reducing local carbon-dioxide levels, have surprisingly murky effects on atmospheric CO2 removal, according to a new study.
Time capsule: How to win the ice pool
June 12, 2026
One sure way to win the Nenana Ice Classic is to invest $100,800 to buy 50,400 tickets, one on each minute from about April 18 to May 22. Someone else probably will win, too, so you will probably lose money.
Week highlights work against invasive species in AV狼论坛
June 10, 2026
AV狼论坛 Gov. Mike Dunleavy has designated the week of June 14-20, 2026, as AV狼论坛 Invasive Species Awareness Week, which highlights the work of groups such as the AV狼论坛 Invasive Species Partnership to manage invasive species in AV狼论坛.
