Antarctica

Acidity of Antarctic waters could double by century’s end, threatening biodiversity

Jan. 9, 2024

Without drastically reducing global emissions, the Antarctic Ocean could become too acidic for hundreds of species living there, many already endangered by rising temperatures and sea ice loss.

COP28

‘The end of an era of fossil fuel consumption’: A CU prof’s take on COP28

Dec. 19, 2023

Just back from the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, Environmental Studies Professor Max Boykoff reflects on the historic pledge countries made to cut planet-warming fossil fuels—and where the agreement falls short.

Man holding pole crouches in stream

How an overlooked study over a century ago helped fuel the Colorado River crisis

Dec. 14, 2023

At the start of World War I, a scientist named Eugene Clyde La Rue hiked the American West to estimate how much water flows down the Colorado River. His findings were ignored, but leaders today don't have to make the same mistake, says CU Boulder hydrologist Shemin Ge.

A collection of 10 CUBT research stories

From sun to garden to sea: 10 stories of discovery and exploration from 2023

Dec. 14, 2023

From investigating the chemistry behind fish spots and zebra stripes to developing a new tool that diagnoses illness via breath, CU Boulder researchers made a host of critical discoveries in 2023. Check out these 10 stories about how they made an impact and changed the way we see the world.

Baby

Breast milk shown to boost baby’s brain and gut health

Dec. 13, 2023

A new study of compounds found in baby poop suggests breast milk, including milk supplemented with formula, improves infant gut health in ways that benefit brain development and could impact test scores. The findings could also be used to improve formula.

Beaver

Study suggests boosting beaver populations could have toxic consequences

Dec. 12, 2023

Researchers caution, while they also come with benefits, large-scale beaver reintroduction efforts could inadvertently spread mercury-containing neurotoxins in the environment and food chains.

Artist's depiction of planet orbiting star

14-inch spacecraft delivers new details about ‘hot Jupiters’

Dec. 11, 2023

The Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE) spacecraft, led by a team of scientists from CU Boulder, is about the size of a cereal box. It has also recorded incredibly detailed measurements of the atmospheres of planets hundreds of light-years from Earth.

Brian Hynek holding a walking stick on the shore of a lagoon

Deep within an inhospitable desert, a window to first life on Earth

Dec. 6, 2023

In Argentina's Puna de Atacama, a parched plateau more than 12,000 feet above sea level, a series of lagoons are home to microbial communities that seem to resemble nothing else alive on Earth today. But time may be running out to study them.

Forest

Protecting trees to save people from climate disaster

Dec. 4, 2023

Professor Colleen Lyons shares her take on a loss and damage fund to support forest health around the world as a critical climate change mitigation strategy. She is presenting a related call to action at COP28.

Colorful microscopic image of a regularly repeating pattern

‘Doughnut’ beams help physicists see incredibly small objects

Dec. 4, 2023

A new laser-based technique can create images of structures too tiny to view with traditional microscopes, and without damaging them. The approach could help scientists inspect nanoelectronics, including the semiconductors in computer chips.

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