Archive

High school science teacher Debbra Brewer won a "Partners in Science" grant from the Murdock Charitable Trust. She's spent the summer doing research at UAA.

Traditional finance theory: People always make rational decisions when it comes to money. Not, says UAA finance professor John Nofsinger. He's made an academic and professional writing career helping humans keep their emotions out of their finances.

Shannon Donovan won't claim a green thumb. But problem solving is a particular planning skill she's proud of, and happy to apply to Anchorage's community gardens where demand wildly exceeds supply. With an Innovate Award, she's working with the city to clarify demand and write a master plan for sustainable public-use gardens.

Spring is a time for fresh growth and renewal, both in the community and here at UAA, where students share their scholarly and artistic creations during the Student Showcase and Undergraduate Research & Discovery Symposium.

Three philosophy students talk about their undergraduate research and what earning that specific degree means to them. Sampler: How to cultivate an open mind, how to apply ethics to every day life, how to see the world in a new light.

Ocean mercury levels are rising, including near Alaska. Geochemist Birgit Hagedorn aims to find out if microbial action between rock and glacial ice may be influencing the release of methylmercury from Alaska glaciers, the most toxic form.

Ryan Harrod co-authored a new book that considers how ancient humans dealt with climate change. Despite the latest "Mad Max" movie, Harrod says plenty of evidence points to cooperative networking, shared resources and migration as survival strategies.

Two scientists, a microbiologist and a psychology professor, are collaborating on research to understand how Splenda leads to overeating and weight gain.

Yasuhiru Ozuru, a professor of cognitive psychology, grew curious about the difference between "I disagree" and "I don't understand." He found that humans have a tendency to disagree with statements they don't understand. This does not bode well for maintaining an open mind, and may have implications for teaching and learning.