A green sponge discovered in 2005 in Southeast Alaska waters has unique properties that could be used to treat certain types of cancer. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hosted a news conference Wednesday morning.
Science & Tech
Climate scientist says he was demoted for speaking out on climate change
Joel Clement, who was director of the Interior Department’s Office of Policy Analysis during the Obama administration, says in a newspaper op-ed that he was reassigned to an “accounting office.”
Ecosystem study unlocks the mystery of black cod survival
Over the past couple of decades black cod — or sablefish — has become one of Southeast Alaska’s most commercially important species. Longliners target them in deep waters off the continental shelf, during the same season as halibut. Although stocks are strong, biologists don’t fully grasp black cod population ecology. A research partnership in Sitka hopes to change that.
Ravens surprise scientists by showing they can plan
As recently as 10 years ago, humans were thought to be the only species with the ability to plan. Turns out ravens can too, on a par with great apes.
Newly found disease could threaten Southeast Alaska spruce
A fungus that’s damaged trees in Southcentral and Interior Alaska has been discovered in Southeast. But there’s a chance its spread could be stopped.
Bethel native works to program a ‘Yup’ik Siri’
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities are keeping Yup’ik alive through immersion schools, bilingual media, teacher training programs and speaking the language at home. Bethel native Christopher Liu is doing his part to bring his language into the 21st century.