An update on fishhook chickadee beaks
September 25, 2026
Over 26 years ago, my friend Ned Rozell wrote about a startling new deformity seen in ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥'s black-capped chickadees: "In 1991, a man living in King Salmon noticed three black-capped chickadees with beaks curved like fishhooks," Rozell wrote. "Since then, hundreds of people from Southcentral ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ have seen chickadees with overlong beaks that make it difficult for the birds to feed. The drastic increase in sightings has biologists worried that something is very wrong in Southcentral." Since 1999, biologists with the U.S. Geological Survey's ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Science Center have cataloged over 3,000 reports across ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ of so-called avian keratin disorder in black-caps, which they cite as "the highest concentration of [visible] deformities ever recorded in a wild bird population."
Research finds past burns can limit ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ wildfire spread
September 24, 2026
UAF-led research found that previously burned areas can act as natural barriers to wildfire spread by reducing available fuels. The effect can persist for decades, although hot, dry and windy conditions make fires more likely to cross into younger burn scars.
Pulitzer-winning journalist to speak at UAF Oct. 8
September 24, 2026
Pulitzer Prize-winning Reuters reporter Nate Raymond returns to the ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Oct. 8 to share stories from two decades on the legal news beat.
Indigenous observations make Arctic Ocean models more accurate
September 18, 2026
Working with Indigenous observers on ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥'s northern coast, a research team has developed a way to improve the modeling of oceanic changes.
UAF drone program tests long-distance blood sample delivery
September 17, 2026
ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥'s drone research program successfully completed a 1,000-kilometer test flight carrying human blood samples for the International Testing Agency, which investigates doping by athletes at the Olympics and other major sporting events.
An update on fishhook chickadee beaks
September 25, 2026
Over 26 years ago, my friend Ned Rozell wrote about a startling new deformity seen in ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥'s black-capped chickadees: "In 1991, a man living in King Salmon noticed three black-capped chickadees with beaks curved like fishhooks," Rozell wrote. "Since then, hundreds of people from Southcentral ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ have seen chickadees with overlong beaks that make it difficult for the birds to feed. The drastic increase in sightings has biologists worried that something is very wrong in Southcentral." Since 1999, biologists with the U.S. Geological Survey's ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Science Center have cataloged over 3,000 reports across ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ of so-called avian keratin disorder in black-caps, which they cite as "the highest concentration of [visible] deformities ever recorded in a wild bird population."
Research finds past burns can limit ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ wildfire spread
September 24, 2026
UAF-led research found that previously burned areas can act as natural barriers to wildfire spread by reducing available fuels. The effect can persist for decades, although hot, dry and windy conditions make fires more likely to cross into younger burn scars.
Pulitzer-winning journalist to speak at UAF Oct. 8
September 24, 2026
Pulitzer Prize-winning Reuters reporter Nate Raymond returns to the ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Oct. 8 to share stories from two decades on the legal news beat.
Indigenous observations make Arctic Ocean models more accurate
September 18, 2026
Working with Indigenous observers on ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥'s northern coast, a research team has developed a way to improve the modeling of oceanic changes.
UAF drone program tests long-distance blood sample delivery
September 17, 2026
ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥'s drone research program successfully completed a 1,000-kilometer test flight carrying human blood samples for the International Testing Agency, which investigates doping by athletes at the Olympics and other major sporting events.
Mapping tsunamis, building trust
September 17, 2026
While taking a quick shower before her son's fourth birthday party on Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami scientist Elena Troshina heard the phone ring. Deciding it was worth jumping out, she picked it up -- with kids, you never know.
Planetarium introduces family matinees on Saturdays
September 11, 2026
The Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium at the University of ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Museum of the North will show family matinees on Saturday mornings in September.
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Nominations sought for UAF alumni awards
September 10, 2026
The ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ and the UAF ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Association are inviting nominations for the 2027 Distinguished Alumnus and William R. Cashen Service awards. As UAFAA prepares to kick off its centennial celebration in November, the association is expanding its recognition to highlight more members of the university community.
Getting to the bottom of copper's rise to the top
September 10, 2026
Kennecott has been spruced up quite a bit since my last visit there nearly 30 years ago.
September museum programs focus on baskets
September 10, 2026
The University of ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Museum of the North will focus on baskets during September.
$300,000 federal grant to support Bus 142 exhibits
September 09, 2026
A $300,000 grant to the University of ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Museum of the North will pay for exhibits centered on the abandoned bus made famous by the "Into the Wild" book and movie. The museum, part of the ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥, received the grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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UAF celebrates Oktoberfest with two-day event
September 08, 2026
UAF will celebrate Oktoberfest Sept. 24-25 with German history, culture, live music, Bavarian food and activities.
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 ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ 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 ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ 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
The ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ 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 ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Center for Energy and Power at the ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ 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.
