Work in the Chilean desert by Arizona State University scientists has reopened debate regarding the biological origins of Martian silica fragments found in 2007 — and strengthened the case for life on Mars billions of years ago.
NASA’s Spirit rover churned up the opaline silica deposits as it explored the Columbia Hills area of Mars’s Gusev Crater.
Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Silica Nodules In Chile Argue For Ancient Life On Mars
For 11 years, volunteer citizen scientists have gathered near Seligman, Arizona, to help spot, capture and release endangered black-footed ferrets. The outing is part of a program to monitor captive-bred ferrets that wildlife specialists began reintroducing to Aubrey Valley 20 years ago.
This year, I joined them.
Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Citizen Scientists Make Arizona Game And Fish Black-Footed Ferrets Project Possible
The risk of a severe, multi-decade drought hitting the Southwest United States by the end of the century could reach as high as 99 percent if greenhouse gas emissions continue along current lines, says a paper by a team of scientists from Cornell University, Columbia University and NASA.
Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Worst Case: Megadrought Risk Near 99 Percent Under Current Greenhouse Emissions
Human-induced climate change has doubled forest fire damage in the West over the past 30 years, says a study published online early by the journal PNAS. But human effects on fire extend far beyond climate.
Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
As Western US Forest Fires Expand, Plenty Of Blame To Go Around
Nature resists simple summaries, as Arizona’s patchwork precipitation proved once again this monsoon season.
Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
2016 Monsoon Brought Patchwork Precipitation To Arizona