Research news
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 ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ 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.
ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ kelp farms have varied effects on marine CO2 levels
June 15, 2026
ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ
June 10, 2026
ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Gov. Mike Dunleavy has designated the week of June 14-20, 2026, as ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Invasive Species Awareness Week, which highlights the work of groups such as the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Invasive Species Partnership to manage invasive species in ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ.
Salmon tagging data could help trawlers reduce bycatch
June 08, 2026
A University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Fairbanks research team has translated a trove of data from a Chinook salmon tagging program into a predictive model that could help reduce bycatch by fishing trawlers. Chinook salmon range from the ocean's surface to depths where trawl nets target groundfish species. The researchers' model uses more than 700,000 data points between Southeast ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ and the Bering Sea to predict how Chinook will be distributed across the water column. With that information, trawlers can potentially adjust their operations to reduce inadvertent salmon catches.
June 08, 2026
The University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Fairbanks' Large Animal Research Station is open for the 2026 summer season. Public tours are available every day at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Tour guests will see and learn about muskox, reindeer and wood bison.
Deep-sea expedition uncovers dozens of new species
June 05, 2026
An international team of experts discovered over two dozen new marine species on a recent expedition off the coast of Brazil in the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. The science team, which included University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Fairbanks researcher Russ Hopcroft, used advanced technologies to explore the ocean's midwater, the zone between the sunlit layer and the seafloor. It can take scientists decades to identify and describe new species, but the combination of technology and expertise enabled the team to confirm 31 new species within a matter of days.
June 04, 2026
UTQIAÄ VIK, ALASKA -- Colorful sticky notes and creased agendas fluttered to the floor as 40 or so people grabbed phones and rushed to the long series of windows. A polar bear had been spotted checking out a series of empty sled dog cages nearby.
Arctic river deltas store 5% of world's frozen carbon
June 04, 2026
An international team of scientists has, for the first time, quantified the total carbon stored in permafrost at the mouth of rivers flowing into the Arctic Ocean.
Frozen Arctic lakes becoming less capable of supporting cargo aircraft
June 04, 2026
The ability to land a military cargo plane on a frozen Arctic lake is becoming less likely as a warming environment reduces the number of subfreezing days. That puts ice thickness below the minimum needed to support heavy aircraft.
Research team seeks answers from a changing river
May 29, 2026
Dan Gillikin surveyed the view from his front window and didn't like what he saw.
LARS to host Birthday Bash June 6
May 27, 2026
The University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Fairbanks' Large Animal Research Station will host its annual Birthday Bash on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event is open to everyone and will include animal viewing and family-friendly activities. LARS staff will be on site to educate guests about the animals and answer questions.
Geophysical Institute, Poker Flat Research Range announce summer tours
May 26, 2026
The University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Fairbanks Geophysical Institute is offering free public tours this summer to showcase some of its science facilities. Two different guided tours are available. One consists of a visit to four sites in the Geophysical Institute home base in the Elvey Building on UAF's Troth Yeddha' Campus. The other is an outdoor walking tour at Poker Flat Research Range, located at Mile 30 Steese Highway.
ACEP student awarded $7,000 renewable energy scholarship
May 26, 2026
Matteo Kuizenga, a junior mechanical engineering student at UAF and student assistant with ACEP, was awarded the Larry Bekkedahl Scholarship from the Renewable Energy Scholarship Foundation. Kuizenga was selected from a competitive pool of 90 applicants and is one of four recipients of the foundation’s highest annual award.
ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ shorebird suffering from troubled Asia winter grounds
May 22, 2026
The population of a plump northern ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ shorebird weighing just over 2 ounces has been declining for decades. Reversing that decline will require additional conservation efforts at some of the birds' East Asia wintering grounds, according to new research.
Mind-bending science for this science layman
May 22, 2026
In my daily "science class," I am always the student hoping for a passing grade from the scientist whose work I'm writing about.
2026 crop science conference set at UAF in June
May 21, 2026
The 2026 Western Society of Crop Science annual conference will be held in Fairbanks on June 23-24. The conference will take place at the University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Fairbanks. It will bring together plant science students, faculty and researchers from public and private institutions across a broad geographic region of North America.
UAF Toolik Field Station open for Visitor's Day
May 19, 2026
Toolik Field Station will host a Visitor's Day on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
