If binging on Netflix sounds more appealing than going to the gym, consider this: scientists are finding that cardiovascular exercise is having positive effects on the human gut microbiome -- the community of trillions of tiny organisms that thrive inside the dark, wet, warm walls of our intestines. That is important because research is linking poor gut health to a whole host of ailments and conditions including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, asthma and autism. “Most of the microbes … [Read more...] about Science Offering Another Reason to Exercise
research
Research: Providing Answers to the Things That Frighten Us
As large bags of candy spill off shelves and children’s costumes fill store aisles, it is impossible to ignore the fact that Halloween is around the corner! In an increasingly complex world, however, it does not take a holiday to remind us of frightening things. There are diseases not yet cured, environmental and societal threats not yet identified and questions not yet answered. At NAU, the uncertainty is not a reason for fear; it is an inspiration and the foundation of our successful … [Read more...] about Research: Providing Answers to the Things That Frighten Us
Businesses Gaining from NAU Students’ Marketing Research
While the term “win-win” may seem a bit passé these days, here is a situation in which it applies perfectly. At Northern Arizona University, two classes are offered that help businesses with very effective marketing plans for free and help students take what they have learned from their marketing classes to apply in real business situations. Win-win. “There are two NAU classes that I teach. One is strategic marketing [and] the other is marketing research. Both lend themselves to … [Read more...] about Businesses Gaining from NAU Students’ Marketing Research
Same Kids, Different World
There’s this thing that I call the Gee-Whiz Syndrome. A possible corruption of the decidedly outdated, “geewhillikins,” or euphemism for “Jesus” expressed as an invective, “gee whiz” is often used nowadays as an adjective to describe the naïve wonder attached to something new or unheard of, like gee-whiz technology, to characterize the latest gadgetry. The syndrome, however, occurs in people who have newly discovered what has actually been around for a long time. It’s cute in the case of … [Read more...] about Same Kids, Different World
Lowell Observatory’s Expanding Universe
It's not only with the new Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) that operations are getting bigger at Lowell Observatory. They've also been hiring new staff, revamping the website and expanding outreach activities. A lot of the money to fund the upswing in research activity at the observatory has come through the hard work of its research astronomers, explains Development Manager Rusty Tweed. The funding that those astronomers bring in via research grants form a crucial part of the observatory’s … [Read more...] about Lowell Observatory’s Expanding Universe
Exploring Options for More Local Food Production
Despite living at 7,000 feet where Mother Nature follows her own rulebook, a group of people is working to increase options for locally grown food. Flagstaff-based Local Fare was started by some Northern Arizona University students and faculty members who saw both a need and an opportunity. One of the group’s members is Joanna Hale. While doing graduate work at Northern Arizona University, she saw significant food disparities: some community members were buying food at the Flagstaff Community … [Read more...] about Exploring Options for More Local Food Production
$1.5 Million Gift Endows Chair for NAU Program
A $1.5 million endowment gift from alumna Marcey Olajos has created the Charles Olajos and Ted Goslow Chair of Environmental Science and Policy for the Southwest at Northern Arizona University. The chair, to support interdisciplinary work linking scientific research and public policy, will be housed initially in NAU's College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences. Tom Sisk, professor of ecology and founder of the university's Lab of Landscape Ecology and Conservation Biology, is the … [Read more...] about $1.5 Million Gift Endows Chair for NAU Program
USGS Bringing Millions to Flagstaff Economy
The Flagstaff Science Campus (FSC) of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has played an integral part in scientific research as a training hub for moon-bound astronauts since its beginnings in the early 1960s. While the FSC has moved into more diversified fields of study, it remains a vital part of Flagstaff’s economy and of advanced natural science research on a local, regional and national level. “The FSC is comprised of five separate centers,” said Bob Hart, scientist in charge … [Read more...] about USGS Bringing Millions to Flagstaff Economy
