The NAU Review — New year, new telescope, elephant neighbors and mapping redwood genomes

❄️ Jan. 7, 2022 ❄️

Special New Year Edition

The NAU Review. The official news source for Northern Arizona University.

New year, new telescope

On Christmas Day, astronomers and planetary scientists around the world watched as a telescope 20 years in the making was launched into space. NASA called the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope one of the most exciting developments in astronomy in the 21st century. For the astronomers, planetary scientists and students at NAU, the launch of this massive observatory, and the information it will transmit back to Earth, is an important step in advancing our understanding of the solar system.

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Getting along with elephant neighbors

How do climate change and human-elephant conflict affect household food security in Africa? NAU wildlife conservationist Duan Biggs spent three years investigating the dynamics between wildlife, people and the environment on the African savanna.

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Mapping the redwood genome

What clues to their famous longevity live in the redwood’s DNA? Scientists, including forestry professor Amanda De La Torre, are examining the genomes of coast redwoods and giant sequoias to look for genetic clues that determine how long-generation conifers live and what they’ll need to survive in the face of climate change.

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Fit it in a Minute
with Tyler Robinson

To help combat the underrepresentation of minority groups in STEM fields, NAU joined the GEM Consortium. Robinson explains more about this national organization. Can he fit it in a minute?

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