The latest headlines garnered by CLAS faculty and students in the national media.
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Mark Brenner: PBS
"Quest for the Lost Maya" special
March 28
Geological Sciences Professor Mark Brenner appeared on PBS's National Geographic special, "Quest for the Lost Maya." Archaeologists found evidence of previously unknown early Maya occupation hidden under an ancient pyramid in the Yucatan jungle. Structures included a huge palace complex. This ancient Maya community lacked nearby surface water sources and relied on rainwater stored in cisterns especially in the protracted dry season. The classic Maya abandoned the area around 900 AD without an obvious reason.
Studying sediment cores taken from a lake 50 miles away, Brenner and colleagues Senior Associate in Geology Jason Curtis and former Geological Sciences Professor David Hodell (now at University of Cambridge) discovered there had been a series of severe droughts, probably lasting from three to 20 years, including one that occurred coincident with the Maya departure from the area. Because the cisterns could store a limited water supply, it is believed drought forced the residents to leave. Political instability probably prevented their return. The special can be seen at http://www.pbs.org/programs/quest-lost-maya/.
Geological Sciences PhD graduate, faculty, and graduate students: Smithsonian Channel
"Titanoboa: Monster Snake" special
April 1, 2012
Information on research about the discovery of the world's largest snake will be presented on "Titanoboa: Monster Snake" on the Smithsonian Channel premiering April 1 at 8 pm. A team co-organized by Florida Museum of Natural History Associate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and Associate Professor of Geological Sciences, Anthropology, and Zoology Jonathan Bloch and UF Geological Sciences PhD graduate and Smithsonian staff scientist Carlos Jaramillo found fossils of 28 snakes in a Colombian coal mine, but researchers did not realize they were snakes until 2007 because they were so large. The 48-feet long, 2,500 pound Titanoboa lived 58 million years ago.
Other UF team members include Geological Sciences and Florida Museum of Natural History PhD candidates Alex Hastings and Aldo Rincon, and Biology PhD candidate (and Geological Sciences masters graduate) Fabiany Herrera. All appear on the show. The full broadcast schedule and more information about the show are available at http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/show.do?show=140671#main. The show can be seen in Gainesville on April 7 on WGFL CBS4 at 12:30 pm and on WMYG MY11 at 8:00 pm and on April 8 at 1:00 pm on WNBW NBC9.
Michael Perfit: WCJB-TV and Gainesville.com
Collectors' Day at Florida Museum of Natural History
January 22, 2012
Geological Sciences UF Research Foundation Professor and Chair Michael Perfit was interviewed on WCJB-TV talking about his volcano souvenir collection during its display at the Florida Museum of Natural History's annual Collectors' Day. A photo of Perfit explaining the geology of volcanos to museum visitors at the event appeared on Gainesville.com.
James E.T. Channell: The New York Times, Voice of America, Wall Street Journal and BBC News
Next ice age will be postponed
January 8, 2012
Geological Sciences Distinguished Professor James E.T. Channell was quoted by the New York Times and the Voice of America suggesting, by analogy with previous ice ages, that the next ice age will be postponed indefinitely because of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Research by Channell and co-authors in the United Kingdom and Norway just published in Nature Geoscience explains that the high current levels of carbon dioxide will prevent the natural cycle of cooling that would, in the absence of high carbon dioxide levels, cause the onset of the next ice age within 1500 years. The delayed cooling will result in melting of continental ice sheets and sea level rise. Comments on the study were also published by the Wall Street Journal, which interviewed Channell, and BBC News.
Michelle C. Mack and Edward A. G. Schuur: The New York Times
As Permafrost Thaws, Scientists Study the Risks
December 16, 2011
The Biology Department's Michelle C. Mack and Edward A. G. Schuur were quoted in a New York Times story about the thawing of permafrost and the resulting increase in the release of carbon due to fires. Scientists have calculated that a fire in 2007 and its aftermath sent a huge pulse of carbon into the air – as much as would be emitted in two years by a city the size of Miami. Scientists say the fire thawed the upper layer of permafrost and set off what they fear will be permanent shifts in the landscape.
Joseph Meert: The Florida Times-Union
Shifts in Earth's magnetic field affect Jacksonville International Airport
runways
December 16, 2011
Geological Sciences Department Associate Professor Joseph Meert was quoted in a Florida Times-Union story about the recent repainting of airport runway numbers at Jacksonville International Airport due to Earth's shifting magnetic field. The FAA requires runway numbers to match their magnetic compass headings, but those headings change due to magnetic north's constant shift. This happens because the planet's outer, liquid core is always moving around its inner, solid core, he explained. Other airports are also affected by this phenomenon.
Andrea Dutton: WCJB-TV20
National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System
Preparatory Project
October 28, 2011
Geological Sciences Assistant Professor Andrea Dutton was interviewed by WCJB-TV20 on October 28 about the satellite launched by NASA that morning. The National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP) is a mission to collect and distribute remotely-sensed land, ocean, and atmospheric data to the meteorological and global climate change communities. She explained the types of data the satellite will collect, why it is important, and what it can tell us about ongoing climate change. See video of the interview.
Alex Hastings: Gainesville Sun, MSNBC and more
Giant extinct crocodile discovered
September 15, 2011
Information on Geological Sciences and Florida Museum of Natural History Ph.D. candidate Alex Hastings' research about the discovery of an extinct crocodile, originally published in the September 15 issue of Palaeontology, has been widely disseminated. Hastings was the lead researcher who found fossilized remains of the 20-foot-long crocodile in the same Colombian coal mine where Titanoba, the world's largest snake, was known to live. Reports on the research were published by the Gainesville Sun and online by MSNBC, Smithsonian Science, BBC News, Fox News, International Business Times, National Geographic Daily News, Discovery.com, Wired.com, History.com, Futurity.org and numerous others.
Michelle Mack: Nature
Carbon loss from an unprecedented Arctic tundra wildfire
July 28, 2011
Michelle Mack and colleagues report measurements of carbon loss from an Alaskan Arctic wildfire
in 2007, which burned an area equal to the total that had been burned since 1950. The authors find
that about 2.1 teragrams of carbon was released to the atmosphere - an amount similar to the net
amount of carbon absorbed each year by the entire Arctic tundra biome. The results show how a
single fire can rapidly change the net carbon balance of the tundra, and provide a mechanism
for amplification of climate warming.
Audio article and blog with photos
Joseph Meert: Earth
Creationism Creeps into Mainstream Geology
June 10, 2011
Associate professor of Geological Sciences Joseph Meert's confrontation with a creationist during the October 2010 Geological Society of America meeting was mentioned in an article in the July 2011 issue of Earth. The article is entitled Creationism Creeps into Mainstream Geology. At the meeting Meert took issue with the creationist’s view that the Earth is only 6,000 years old.
Peter Adams: WUFT-FM
Mississippi River Flooding
May 25, 2011
Assistant professor of Geological Sciences Peter Adams was interviewed by WUFT-FM on May 25 about this year’s historic Mississippi River flooding. He said the increased flows of water and sediment could change both the above ground and underwater landscapes of the area. Flooding can cause avulsion, a process in which the river’s route and course are altered, he explained. Manmade control structures increase the risk of an abrupt change with the potential for coastal erosion, impacts on water resources, habitat alterations, and other consequences downstream.
Andrew Rinzler: MSN
Gather Around the Nanotubes of the Future
April 28, 2011
Physics professor Andrew Rinzler was interviewed in an April 28 MSN news story on his research paper in Science on carbon nanotubes and their potential for use in next-generation television screens and computer monitors using organic light-emitting diodes.
Lisa E. Hasel: Philadelphia Inquirer
How
useful are police composite sketches?
April 25, 2011
Assistant professor of criminology Lisa E. Hasel was quoted in an April 25 Philadelphia Inquirer story on the effectiveness of the composite sketch in police investigations.
Vasudha Narayanan: Huffington Post
The
Many Flavors of the Hindu New Year
April 14, 2011
In an op-ed to the Huffington Post, Religion chair Vasudha Narayanan looks at the multiple days and ways in which Hindus around the world celebrate the new year.
Joseph Murphy: St. Petersburg Times
After the Tsunami, Reflecting on the Japanese Sense of Home
April 3, 2011
Languages, Literatures, and Cultures professor Joseph Murphy discusses the tsunami and the relationship of Japanese philosophy and natural disasters in a special op-ed to the St. Petersburg Times.
Mark Panning: Gainesville Sun
8.9 Quake is 5th Largest Big Ones not More Frequent, UF Expert Says
March 11, 2011
Geological Sciences Department assistant professor and seismologist Mark Panning was quoted in the Gainesville Sun on March 11 regarding the 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan. He explained that while this was the 5th strongest earthquake since 1900, there has not been a greater frequency of strong earthquakes in the past five years. Panning was also interviewed about the Japanese earthquake by WUFT-FM, GTN, WCJB-TV20, and the Florida News Network.
Dan Smith: Palm Beach Post
Florida Might Disrupt Presidential Primary Schedule
March 9, 2011
Political Science professor Daniel Smith was quoted in a March 9 Palm Beach Post story about the possible consequences of Florida planning an early presidential primary.
Lance Gravlee: Chicago Tribune
Northwestern to Investigate Controversial Sex Demonstration
March 3, 2011
Lance Gravlee, an associate professor of anthropology, was quoted in a March 3 Chicago Tribune story about a Northwestern University human sexuality professor who allowed students to watch a demonstration of a sex toy in his class.
Matthew Jacobs: Ocala Star-Banner
Events
Could Transform Mideast, UF Professor Says
February 22, 2011
Assitant professor of history Matthew Jacobs was the subject of a February 22 Ocala Star-Banner article that looked at Jacob's class, current events in the Middle East, and Jacobs upcoming book, Imagining the Middle East: Making an American Foreign Policy, 1918-1967.
Monika Ardelt: Orlando Sentinel
Compassion for Vets
January 24, 2011
Sociologist Monika Ardelt was quoted in a January 14 Orlando Sentinel column about the care of war veterans when they return to the United States.
Daniel Smith: Florida Times-Union
Tough Times? Not for these Lawmakers with Net Worths of Six Figures
January 18, 2011
Political Science professor Daniel Smith was quoted in a Jan. 9 Florida Times-Union story about how wealthy northeast Florida lawmakers may be out of touch with the people they represent.
Eric Ford: Wired
New
Study Finds No Sign of ‘First Habitable Exoplanet’
January 18, 2011
Astronomy professor Eric Ford was quoted in a January 18 Wired article on Gliese 581g, reported in September of 2010 as the first planet found orbiting in the habitable zone of another star.
Richard Scher: St. Petersburg Times
Cabinet
to Rick Scott: No, You Can't Veto our Regulations
January 14, 2011
Political Science assistant professor Richard Scher was quoted in a January 14 St. Petersburg Times story on Governor Scott's executive order requiring approval for any new state rules in departments under his office.
Augusto Oyuela-Caycedo: NPR
Amazon Digs Indicate Advanced Indian Civilizations
January 12, 2011
Anthropology assistant professor Augusto Oyuela-Caycedo was featured in a January 12 NPR story on the discovery of the evidence of advanced civilizations in the Amazon river basin.
