News | Research

INSTAAR research is featured in thousands of news stories and more than 10,000 social media posts per year. Outlets include the New York Times, Washington Post, PBS NewsHour, National Public Radio, and as well as more regional news outlets like High Country News, 9News, and the Denver Post. Selected highlights are listed below. Additional stories are noted .

Polar researchers cluster in groups around a series of science posters at the 52nd Arctic Workshop, discussing methods and results.

52nd International Arctic Workshop meets at University of Massachusetts Amherst

March 17, 2024

The 52nd International Arctic Workshop was a success! ~100 polar scientists gathered on 13-16 March 2024 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to share their latest environmental research on paleoenvironments, climate, oceans, and much more.

Alli Cook, with campus partners, samples water from a campus storm sewer.

Aiken Fellowship report – Allison Cook

March 7, 2024

Allison Cook, a master’s degree student in the Environmental Engineering program, is passionate about tracing and control of pathogens in the urban environment for stronger public health. With her fellowship, she is investigating E. coli concentrations in storm sewers near Boulder Creek. Her research will help identify the source of the E. coli, which will help mitigation efforts.

Bowden combusts urban materials in the lab under controlled conditions.

Aiken Fellowship report – Mackenzie Bowden

March 6, 2024

Mackenzie Bowden, a PhD student in the Environmental Engineering program, is investigating contaminants from fires at the wildland-urban interface that work their way into streams and present risks to downstream communities and ecosystems.

Spencer on the summit of Cerro El Plomo (17,795') in Central Chile.

Aiken Fellowship report – Millie Spencer

March 6, 2024

Millie Spencer, a PhD student in Geography, is part of a team of Mapuche, Chilean, and U.S. scientists that has received consent from several Mapuche-Pehuenche communities outside Temuco, Chile, to share scientific perspectives and community knowledge about glaciers and water supply. Her fellowship has provided funds for travel and lodging while conducting her work in Chile.

A brown lizard's head sticks up above branches and leaves

8 in 10 North American lizards could be at risk due to deforestation (CU Boulder Today)

March 6, 2024

In a study published March 5 in the journal Nature Climate Change, scientists from CU Boulder and Tel Aviv University in Israel revealed that deforestation combined with climate change could negatively impact 84% of North America’s lizards by the end of the century. Nearly one in five could face population decline. Keith Musselman is one of the three authors.

On a calm sunny day, a large polar bear jumps from one sea ice floe to another

The Arctic could become ‘ice-free’ within a decade (CU Boulder Today)

March 5, 2024

The Arctic could see summer days with practically no sea ice as early as the next couple of years, according to a new study led by Alexandra Jahn. The findings suggest that the first ice-free day in the Arctic could occur over 10 years earlier than previous projections.

A researcher's hand gently clasps a mountain chickadee fledgling by its feet.

Â鶹ÒùÔº may learn ecology (and much else) in the wild (Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine)

Feb. 29, 2024

CU Boulder’s Mountain Research Station is offering six field courses this summer, giving students the opportunity to study a wide range of disciplines in nature

On a fall day, Lauren Magliozzi, in knit hat and overalls, holds up large drawings of common diatoms of Coal Creek in Colorado

New research on wildfire contaminants in water (CBC's Daybreak South with Chris Walker)

Feb. 20, 2024

In a podcast with CBC/Radio-Canada, grad student Lauren Magliozzi (CEAE/INSTAAR) speaks with host Chris Walker about her new paper on fires in the wildland-urban interface and how they jeopardize aquatic ecosystems and water resources. Listen to their 9-minute segment.

Climbers in a dense line walk up a slope on Mt Everest. Up to 60,000 tourists visit the National Park each year.

Mount Everest is turning into the world's highest garbage dump (Daily Mail)

Feb. 19, 2024

Alton Byers is quoted in this article on the problem of waste left behind on Mount Everest and the surrounding Sagamartha National Park in Nepal.

An iceberg in the Southern Ocean. Photo by Cara Nissen.

Colorado Matters: Feb. 7, 2024: Climate change and ocean acidity (CPR)

Feb. 13, 2024

Research by Cara Nissen and Nikki Lovenduski, on how climate change is changing the acidity of the Antarctic Ocean, is part of the Colorado Matters podcast.

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