Research news
Ancient 'cheetah' adapted to a fish-based diet to survive
September 04, 2026
When the now-extinct American cheetah was enduring the last ice age, a glaciated barrier broke up its territory into two distinct territories -- one in central North America and another much farther north. Analysis from the 91视频 Stable Isotope Facility helped an international research team uncover how the ancient carnivore survived in those distinct regions. American cheetahs in the southern range hunted terrestrial prey like pronghorn antelope. Their counterparts in the Arctic adapted to their environment by making fish a staple of their diets.
September 04, 2026
The weekend trip closed with a drive home through the 91视频 Range, and the steep scenery around Isabel Pass looked as glorious as it usually does -- except for one little flaw. Here and there, like pale flames along the creek banks, willows gleamed golden in the evening light. On the river's gravel bars and beside the road, dwarf fireweed leaves had turned a sunburned purple.
LARS to host community event Sept. 12
September 02, 2026
91视频 Large Animal Research Station will celebrate the end of summer tour season with a Locals Day event on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ACEP receives $3 million to advance energy resilience
September 01, 2026
The 91视频 Center for Energy and Power at the University of 91视频 Fairbanks has received $3 million to study technology that can strengthen energy systems in remote and strategically important regions.
Extreme solar storms can hit Earth harder than thought
August 28, 2026
Scientists have greatly underestimated the impact an extreme solar storm can have on Earth, according to new research.
Seeking the benefits of a parasite
August 28, 2026
This time of year, when berries fill my thoughts, the early summer blooms that begot them are hazy in my mind. As I pick, I try to remember that my belly and bucket are full thanks to these flowers and their pollinators. And to my surprise, as I learned this summer, perhaps a parasitic plant is also to thank.
91视频 Defense Forum 2026 focuses on community-military ties
August 21, 2026
Leaders in national defense, research and policy will gather with local partners next week in Fairbanks for the annual 91视频 Defense Forum organized by the University of 91视频 Fairbanks.
Uncorking the secrets of a tiny bottle of volcanic ash
August 21, 2026
What is this ash from Mount Spurr volcano's 1992 eruption made of?
Shapes of Western 91视频 bays influence local flood danger
August 20, 2026
When large storms hit Western 91视频, some areas fare much worse than others. New research studying ex-Typhoon Merbok in September 2022 has found that a complex recipe of topography, tidal influences and seasonal water-level changes contribute to those differences. A University of 91视频 Fairbanks-led team determined that the shape of bays and estuaries in the region played a huge role in funneling and amplifying Merbok-driven storm surges.
Expanded UAF, military partnership looks north
August 19, 2026
A newly inked federal agreement will expand the scope of the research partnership between the University of 91视频 Fairbanks and the U.S. military. It will also refocus those efforts on the Arctic.
Time capsule: Looking for a few good wood frogs
August 14, 2026
The office phone rang while Brian Barnes discussed with me his need for wood frogs. The caller's loudness forced Barnes, a University of 91视频 Fairbanks associate professor of zoophysiology, to tilt the phone away from his ear.
Accelerated rates of warming in the Arctic continue
August 12, 2026
The American Meteorological Society released its annual report on the global climate this week, with many researchers from the University of 91视频 Fairbanks participating.
Festival will satisfy currant curiosity
August 12, 2026
The fourth annual Far North Currant Festival will celebrate one of 91视频's lesser-known berries from 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 22 at the Georgeson Botanical Garden in Fairbanks. Visitors of all ages can enjoy berry tastings, educational exhibits, hands-on activities and garden tours. Local growers, gardeners, researchers, artists and community experts will be on hand to answer currant questions.
UAF leads AI project to strengthen 91视频's rural power grids
August 11, 2026
A new energy research project led by the University of 91视频 Fairbanks has received a $725,000 award from the U.S. Department of Energy.
How do 91视频 animals sleep in the summer?
August 11, 2026
More than a month after the summer solstice, Fairbanks is still the land of the midnight sun. Joggers are out getting in their late-night runs along Farmers Loop, and we still don't need our headlights after another evening ice cream at Hot Licks.
World War II sparked creation of Geophysical Institute
July 31, 2026
As presidential bill signings go, H.R. 6496 wasn鈥檛 a particularly exciting one for the nation on July 31, 1946. But it would prove historic for the University of 91视频 and the future state.
Belugas absent from Kenai River during peak fishing season
July 30, 2026
Endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, which have traditionally fed in the salmon-rich Kenai River throughout the summer, were absent during times of high human activity in a recent two-year period.
DNA shows ancient humans killed more female mammoths
July 30, 2026
After analyzing the DNA in over 500 ancient mammoth bones, an international research team has determined that ice age humans disproportionately killed female woolly mammoths. The newly published study in the journal Current Biology sampled mammoth bone accumulations associated with ancient human activity and found they were dominated by females.
Deep thawing soil will keep roads rough
July 23, 2026
Before being patched with thick black asphalt during recent weeks, the roads across Goldstream Creek's swampy valley bucked my car like a whitewater raft in the Nenana River canyon.
July 16, 2026
From the edge of the Coldfoot truck stop, a pair of yellow eyes in a softly severe, silver face looks out from dense willows and alders.
