UAF in the news: Week of April 3, 2006

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
04/07/06

Arctic water flow speeding up
Nature
One of Siberia’s largest rivers is dumping about 10% more fresh water into the Arctic today than it was some 60 years ago, thanks to the complex effects of increased snowfall, melting permafrost and changing weather. Read more ...

Alaska on the lookout for first sign of bird flu
NPR Morning Edition
In the next few weeks, millions of songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl will begin arriving in Alaska to breed. These migratory birds -- some of which wintered in Southeast Asia -- could bring with them the deadly strain of bird flu known as avian influenza A, or H5N1. Read more ...

Beetles aid in global warming research
Associated Press--more than 75 hits in U.S. and international papers
FAIRBANKS, Alaska--Beneath the lids of large coolers, thousands of tiny bugs devour the desiccated flesh of mammal carcasses destined for the vast specimens collection at the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North. Read more ...

Peak oil pundit visits Alaska
SITNews
"Thirty years from now, oil will be little used as a source of energy," Kenneth Deffeyes told a crowd at the University of Alaska Fairbanks recently. "Our grandchildren will say, ’you burned it? All those beautiful molecules? You burned it?’" Read more ...

Scientists, teachers to prepare for Mars mission in Fairbanks
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Scientists and a select group of teachers are coming to Fairbanks this summer to prepare for a mission to Mars. Read more ...

Alaska stands on shaky ground
Juneau Empire
ANCHORAGE - The perky "cock-a-doodle-doo" of a rooster sounds in Roger Smith’s office every time an earthquake rumbles beneath Alaska. Read more ...

Global warming hard to avoid, scientists say
Arizona Star
WASHINGTON--Ten leading climate scientists interviewed by The Associated Press agree that the effects of global warming may be difficult to avoid. Read more ...

Alaska seal diet may hold key to decline of population
Newswise
Female harbor seal pups whose blubber falls below average levels may be at higher risk of delayed sexual maturation or death, even if they get enough fat in their diets later on, according to a new study sponsored by The American Physiological Society and presented at Experimental Biology 2006. Read more ...

Fairbanks an emerging destination
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
What makes a visitor destination? The answer is as varied as the destinations themselves. In a flourishing destination, there are museums, historical sites, recreation, tours, events, shopping, dining, ample lodging and good transportation access. Read more ...

Equipment adds to volcano knowledge
Homer News
After six weeks of sitting on the bottom of Cook Inlet, five ocean-bottom seismometers have been successfully retrieved from their stations around Augustine Volcano by scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution of Woods Hole, Mass., and the Alaska Volcano Observatory, with the help of Maritime Helicopters of Homer. Read more ...

First Friday roundup
Juneau Empire
Solo shows for Fairbanks painter James M. Orvik and Anchorage mixed-media artist Wanda Seamster open Friday, April 7, at the Alaska State Museum, 395 Whittier St., and run through May 6. Read more ...