MAVEN artist rendering

NASA’s MAVEN mission scientists identify links in chain leading to Mars atmospheric loss

Dec. 15, 2014

Early discoveries by NASA’s newest Mars orbiter are starting to reveal key features about the loss of the planet’s atmosphere to space over time. The findings are among the first returns from NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission, which achieved orbit Sept. 21 and entered its science phase on Nov. 16. The observations reveal a new process by which the solar wind -- an intense stream of hot, high-energy particles blowing off the sun at more than 1 million mph -- can penetrate deep into a planetary atmosphere.

Annual Geminid meteor shower could be a good one in 2014, weather permitting

Dec. 11, 2014

The annual Geminid meteor shower could be a fun show this weekend for Coloradans weather permitting, according to a University of Colorado Boulder astronomer.

High-tech hardware to support experiments launching to space station Dec. 19

Dec. 11, 2014

The University of Colorado Boulder will fly state-of-the-art hardware on the commercial SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launching to the International Space Station (ISS) Dec. 19 to support experiments designed to better understand why the virulence of some pathogens increases in the low gravity of space.

Saint Josephs artist rendering

Using prefabrication in construction of new Denver hospital saved $4.3M, say CU-Boulder engineers

Dec. 9, 2014

Using prefabricated elements in the construction of the new Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver — scheduled to open Dec. 13 — cut 72 workdays off the construction schedule and resulted in $4.3 million in savings, according to a study by University of Colorado Boulder engineers. The study, by Matthew Morris and doctoral student Eric Antillon, both of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, is one of the first to try and quantify the full costs and benefits of using prefabricated elements in a large-scale construction project.

CU-Boulder instrument on New Horizons readies for encounter with Pluto, Kuiper Belt

Dec. 3, 2014

When NASA’s napping New Horizon’s spacecraft awakens later this week in preparation for its July 2015 encounter with Pluto, a University of Colorado Boulder student instrument onboard already will have been up for years.

Statement from Chancellor Philip DiStefano on the death of alumnus Air Force Capt. William H. Dubois

Dec. 2, 2014

" Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Capt. William Dubois,” said CU-Boulder Chancellor Philip. P. DiStefano. “Capt. Dubois served in the United States Air Force and represented our nation, the state of Colorado, and this university with honor and distinction. His sacrifice, and the sacrifices of the other CU men and women in uniform, are honored by our entire campus community."

Star Trek-like invisible shield found thousands of miles above Earth

Nov. 26, 2014

A team led by the University of Colorado Boulder has discovered an invisible shield some 7,200 miles above Earth that blocks so-called “killer electrons,” which whip around the planet at near-light speed and have been known to threaten astronauts, fry satellites and degrade space systems during intense solar storms.

Mere expectation of treatment can improve brain activity in Parkinson’s patients

Nov. 25, 2014

Learning-related brain activity in Parkinson’s patients improves as much in response to a placebo treatment as to real medication, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder and Columbia University.

Powdered measles vaccine found safe in early clinical trials

Nov. 24, 2014

A measles vaccine made of fine dry powder and delivered with a puff of air triggered no adverse side effects in early human testing and it is likely effective, according to a paper to be published November 28 in the journal Vaccine. The paper is now available online .

Richard Wobbekind

Economic Outlook Forum to be presented Dec. 8 by CU-Boulder’s Leeds School of Business

Nov. 21, 2014

The Leeds School of Business will present its 50th annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum on Monday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Denver.The event is free and open to the public but reservations are required for those planning to attend. The comprehensive state economic outlook for 2015 will feature forecasts and trends for 13 business sectors prepared by more than 100 key business, government and industry professionals.

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