Professor Kevin Gurney of NAU’s School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems is building a detailed three-dimensional map of the urban Washington, D.C. area that will reveal every source of greenhouse gas being emitted into the atmosphere down to individual buildings, like the Pentagon, and roads such as Pennsylvania Ave. Gurney, an atmospheric scientist, says this will be an important tool for the city to use to reduce carbon emissions, assess progress and improve air quality. The … [Read more...] about Greenhouse Gas Detection to Help Improve Air Quality
Local News
Making Memories with Mahomes, Momoa and Murray
The much-anticipated Super Bowl LIV did not disappoint, as more than 100 million viewers watched two American favorites compete. We’re talking, of course, about rapper Lil Nas and actor Sam Elliot staging a dance off in the Old West for all the chips, the Doritos chips. So, was it a surprise that Lil Nas won? Probably not. But it was a surprise that Billy Ray Cyrus witnessed the contest as the guitar-strumming cowboy minding his own business at the Cool Ranch. And that’s why we watch, says … [Read more...] about Making Memories with Mahomes, Momoa and Murray
New Highway Signs Promote Arizona Snow, Mountains, Pines
Blue sky. Green pines. Snow-capped mountains. The signature beauty of Flagstaff will now be on display for travelers to enjoy, residents and visitors alike. Gov. Doug Ducey announced in December the rolling out of new “Welcome to Arizona” signs that will be placed on highways throughout the state. In total, there are six designs, and 29 total signs will be placed by the Arizona Department of Transportation at points in and out of the state. The new designs, … [Read more...] about New Highway Signs Promote Arizona Snow, Mountains, Pines
Harnessing the Wind
Arizona’s largest wind energy project, the Chevelon Butte Wind Farm, is expected to have turbine blades spinning in a remote area south of Winslow by the end of 2021, and power the region with an estimated $8 million in indirect economic benefits during the construction phase. sPower, a Salt Lake City-based renewable energy developer, received unanimous approval to move forward on the project from both Coconino and Navajo counties and the Arizona Corporation Commission, which company … [Read more...] about Harnessing the Wind
CCC C-LAB Opens for Students to Gain Hands-On Skills
Coconino Community College alumnus William Gonzales stood in the space with a smile on his face. He ran his hand along the workstation, felt the sawdust. The smell of newness filled the shop. Metal surfaces, once dull, gleamed. Tools, ready for use, lined walls. “This is just so amazing,” Gonzales said, glancing around. “I wish it looked like this when I started taking classes.” The Coconino Community College C-LAB for Construction Technology Management students has officially opened … [Read more...] about CCC C-LAB Opens for Students to Gain Hands-On Skills
Incomplete Minimum Wage Study Dies
The firm hired by the City of Flagstaff to conduct a study on the effect of minimum wage increases in Flagstaff has pulled out of the process, leaving the study incomplete. The move comes after a number of city councilmembers expressed concern that the firm, which has relationship with a conservative public policy think tank, could possibly bias the results. Initially, the city hired Rounds Consulting Group, Inc., after sending out a request for proposals to study the effects of the … [Read more...] about Incomplete Minimum Wage Study Dies
Fighting Melanoma with Zebrafish
Melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer and is unusually common in Arizona, where residents are exposed to higher-than-average amounts of ultraviolet radiation. However, Northern Arizona University scientists believe the formula for a combination of melanoma-fighting drugs is within reach. Matthew Salanga, an assistant professor in NAU’s Department of Biological Sciences, is leading an 18-month project funded through a Flinn Foundation grant of $100,000. His team, which includes … [Read more...] about Fighting Melanoma with Zebrafish
Solar Systems Inspire Composer
Fascinated by solar scenes he had experienced while visiting Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff and the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) campus in Prescott, Curtis Peacock composed “Starkeeper Sonata” last summer. Peacock, who teaches humanities at ERAU and is the band director at BASIS School in Prescott, explained that he and his wife, Lyndi, and his parents had been attending astronomy programs in both Flagstaff and Prescott. “My parents, … [Read more...] about Solar Systems Inspire Composer
Cobras, Vipers, Spiders and Stingrays Move into the Desert
Touted as “the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions,” the celebrity-studded Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event offered a week of stunning rides, from vintage Corvettes to Retro-Mods to first production 2021 series, like the Lexus LC 500 Convertible fresh off the assembly line. The massive annual January car show also offered northlanders an almost blinding glitzy break from winter during its week-long run in the desert. Nine collections – the most ever offered by Barrett-Jackson – … [Read more...] about Cobras, Vipers, Spiders and Stingrays Move into the Desert
NAU Foresters Search for Resilient Trees to Restore Panama’s Tropical Dry Forest
Smoke rises from picturesque rolling hills on Panama’s Azuero Peninsula. Cows, goats, chickens and horses move about cleared pastures. From a Los Santos mountain vista, Ruth Metzel of Pro Eco Azuero points out different land uses – a teak plantation, large burns and pastures, and pockets of dry tropical forest. “This is the area we hope to reforest and connect in the upcoming years.” Intense pressure to create open pastures for agriculture and cattle ranching is contributing to deforestation. … [Read more...] about NAU Foresters Search for Resilient Trees to Restore Panama’s Tropical Dry Forest