| UA News for November 6, 2023 |
| In today's news: researchers at the Alaska Center for Energy and Power are installing electric thermal storage heaters in Fairbanks homes that use wood and fuel as a test to see if they can help reduce PM2.5 levels; LG Electronics announced a partnership with UAA and UAF to create the Consortium for Advanced Heat-Pump Research to address challenges of using heat-pump technology in cold weather climates; two experimental rocket launches are planned at Poker Flat rocket range in the coming weeks; UAF beat UAA in the second game of the Governor's Cup hockey tournament; UAF volleyball fell to Western Oregon in the 4th set; the UA Scholars program awarded 113 local Fairbanks students with a $12,00 scholarship - the recognition ceremony was held Thursday; the UArctic Board met in Fairbanks last week; the UAA men's basketball team delivered a thrilling win over Cal Maritime in front of a packed audience; college student homelessness was a featured topic during the weeklong Housing Action Week summit in Anchorage; the first game of the Governor's Cup was won by UAF; the annual campus security and fire report provides data on crimes, fire incidents and more; researchers found indications that as pink salmon thrive in warming waters other parts of the ecosystem - from microscopic to mammals - are being outcompeted; and KPC will recognize UA Scholars recipients at a reception in Soldotna on Thursday.
Email mmusick@alaska.edu to suggest people to add to this daily news summary. |
| | | Using electric thermal storage heaters to displace wood burning for space heating | Published Nov 6, 2023 by Arctic Business Journal Researchers at the Alaska Center for Energy and Power are installing electric thermal storage heaters, or ETSHs, in the homes of Fairbanks North Star Borough study participants that are currently heated with both wood and heating fuel oil.
An ETSH is a supplementary heat source, consisting of electric resistance heating coils that heat high density ceramic bricks. The bricks are enclosed in an insulated box. As the bricks heat up, they store heat. Fans blow air across the hot bricks, and the heated air is then blown into the living space.
“The overarching goal of the study is to determine whether the use of ETSHs could help reduce PM2.5 levels enough to bring the borough into compliance with air quality standards while also reducing home heating costs,” explained Dominique Pride, who is leading the study.
ETSHs are currently used in several Western Alaska communities, including Kongiganak. When there is excess wind energy available, instead of curtailing their wind turbines and wasting the energy, the electric utility sends that electricity to ETSHs installed in homes and charges a reduced rate for the electricity. | | | Readership | 31,283 | Social Amplification | 0 |
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| | LG Electronics opens Alaskan lab to develop HVAC tech in extreme weather | Published Nov 6, 2023 by Moon Joon-hyun LG Electronics announced Monday that it has launched a research facility in Alaska to enhance the resilience of modern heating and cooling systems, collectively known as HVAC systems, in extremely cold conditions.
The LG Advanced Cold Climate Heat Pump Laboratory is part of a collaboration that includes the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The partnership, made official on Monday as the Consortium for Advanced Heat-pump Research, will tackle the challenge of heat pumps losing efficiency in cold weather -- a problem attributed to diminished refrigerant pressure and circulation that is particularly prevalent in frigid environments such as Alaska's.
Heat pumps, which are commonly used to heat and cool buildings, tend to be less effective in colder regions. To address this, LG's Alaskan lab will conduct real-life testing within simulated residential settings on university grounds, replicating a standard home equipped with LG’s HVAC technology.
The simulated environment is expected to yield precise evaluations of the heat pumps' performance across Alaska’s varied and harsh weather patterns, from blizzards to below-freezing temperatures.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy outlined by LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan in July to double LG's total sales in the global commercial and industrial HVAC market. Demand for highly efficient, sustainable heating and cooling solutions that operate reliably in any conditions has grown in North America and Europe, driven by the move away from fossil fuels and toward greener living.
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| | Two launches to mark start of Poker Flat rocket range season | Published Nov 5, 2023 by Alaska Native News Testing a theory about cleaning up after a nuclear detonation in space and learning more about winds at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere are the goals of two NASA sounding rocket launches this month at Poker Flat Research Range.
The two-week launch window for the flights opens Sunday.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute owns Poker Flat, located at Mile 30 Steese Highway, and operates it under a contract with NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, which is part of the Goddard Space Flight Center.
Poker Flat Research Range staff are working on providing a live feed either with video and audio or audio only. Visit the PFRR Facebook page for more information. | | | Readership | 12,671 | Social Amplification | 0 |
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| Fairbanks Daily News-Miner | |
| Nanooks take down Seawolves once again, hold off comeback bid to win 5-4 | Published Nov 5, 2023 by Caleb Jones After a drubbing of Alaska Anchorage in the first matchup this season, the Nanooks were looking for an encore performance on Saturday. Two straight wins over the Seawolves would have UAF in control of Governor’s Cup play as they attempt to bring home the trophy for the 13th straight year. Meanwhile, Anchorage were hoping to win their first game against Fairbanks since 2019. UAF continued their run of dominance as they held off a late charge to secure a 5-4 win.
The Nanooks won both games against UAA on Friday and Saturday, sweeping the opening games of the series.
“It means a lot, not only to this community and campus, but also for recruiting and things like that as well,” Nanooks head coach Erik Largen said on continued success against Anchorage. “It’s an important piece, but at the end of the day it still only counts as one win. To be able to give our fans a game where we came out on top, and they’re able to cheer, that's something that I'm proud of and the team is proud of.”
Another road trip awaits the Nanooks as their next six games are away from home. Their next series is in Massachusetts as they’ll play twice against Stonehill College on Nov. 10 and 11. UAF’s next home game will be on Dec. 15 against Augustana University. | | | Readership | 64,871 | Social Amplification | 0 |
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| Fairbanks Daily News-Miner | |
| UAF volleyball falls to Western Oregon in home finale | Published Nov 5, 2023 by Caleb Jones The UAF volleyball team (13-15, 6-8) hosted the Western Oregon University Wolves (8-13, 2-11) for the final home game of the season on Saturday. Alaska Fairbanks honored three graduate transfers – Grace Steurer, Lily Stewart and Reese Rossnagel – for their final time playing at the Patty Center. The team fell in four sets (26-24, 16-25, 21-25, 21-25).
“For three people to all come in as graduate students and to think about the impact that they’ve made on our program in such a short period of time, it’s pretty impressive,” head coach Brian Scott said of the seniors. “They’ve all left some sort of a stamp on this program in some way.”
A strong team effort propelled the ‘Nooks to a tightly contested first-set victory. Ella Bines led the way with five kills, following her were Lily Stewart, Karli Nielson and Josie Jansen with three each. UAF rallied after being down 22-19, a 7-3 run saw the Nanooks claim the set by a score of 26-24 after an attack error by WOU’s Emily Olson gave the ‘Nooks the set-clinching point.
The Nanooks hoped to fend off defeat entering the fourth set. Unfortunately for them, they trailed from the start and eventually fell 25-21 for the loss. Stewart made her presence felt in her final game on the home court. She finished with five kills in the final set and 14 in total, which led the team.
A three-game road trip remains for UAF before they close out their 2023 campaign. Their next contest is against Central Washington University on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.
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| Fairbanks Daily News-Miner | |
| 113 local students receive scholarships to UA | Published Nov 5, 2023 by Staff report The University of Alaska Scholars program has given 113 local students $12,000 scholarships to attend UA system schools.
The awardees were high school seniors whose GPA’s place them in the top 10% of their class, according to a UA Scholars press release.
The students were honored at a ceremony at the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Nov. 2.
This is the 25th class of UA Scholars, according to the release. The program has awarded around $76 million in scholarships since it began and has led to over 7,600 students receiving degrees from UA.
| | | Readership | 64,871 | Social Amplification | 15 |
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| | UArctic Board met in Fairbanks, Alaska | Published Nov 5, 2023 The Board autumn meeting was held in Fairbanks, Alaska from 31 October to 1 November 2023. After the meeting, the Board members visited UArctic members in Anchorage and Nome, Alaska. The meeting was hosted by the University of Alaska.
In their meeting, the Board discussed about fundraising, finances and UArctic engagements in the US. The Board heard presentations regarding to the strategic initiatives in fundraising, and approved the new Philanthropy Program Plan for years 2024-2026. They also met with the Board members of the University of the Arctic Foundation (US), and the nominee for US Arctic Ambassador Mike Sfraga from Wilson Center. The Board also approved the UArctic Operating Budget 2024, discussed about national funding elements towards UArctic activities, and UArctic’s external evaluation.
The Board approved the establishment of UArctic Emeritus Chairs and appointed Arja Rautio (University of Oulu) as the first Emerita Chair, and Melody Brown Burkins (Dartmouth College), Hanne H. Christiansen (University Centre of Svalbard) and Bing Chen (Memorial University of Newfoundland) as members of Mimir – UArctic Academic Advisory Board. Board also approved new policy documents and welcomed two new members to UArctic senior leadership: Nadia Joe of Yukon University as the Vice-President Indigenous and Rickard Danell of Umeå University as the Associate Vice-President Research Analytics.
The Board discussed with researchers and educators of University of Alaska Fairbanks and heard presentations on their educational programs, research activities and community engagement. The UArctic Board members and the University of the Arctic Foundation’s Board members also had a tour in the Museum of the North.
| | | Readership | 8,935 | Social Amplification | 0 |
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| | UAA men’s basketball delivers on promise in season-opening win over Cal Maritime | Published Nov 5, 2023 by Josh Reed Heading into its two-game series with visiting Cal Maritime Academy to officially open the 2023-24 season, the University of Alaska Anchorage men’s basketball team vowed to “put on a show” for the more than 2,600 Anchorage School District fifth graders who would be in attendance.
In the inaugural Slam Dunk for Education event Friday afternoon, the Seawolves delivered on that promise with a commanding 86-69 victory over the Keelhaulers in front of a rowdy crowd filled with young Alaskans.
“The energy was great and it was electric,” UAA junior guard Jaron Williams said. “We knew that there would be a whole bunch of kids on sugar just ready to see basketball and ready to see us win the game, and it was awesome.”
According to UAA Athletics, a total of 3,200 people attended the game, marking the second-largest crowd for a men’s basketball game or event in the 10-year history of the Alaska Airlines Center. The energy the crowd provided was palpable as it invigorated players on both teams — but especially the Seawolves. | | | Readership | 834,739 | Social Amplification | 23 |
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| | College student homelessness discussed at Housing Action Summit | Published Nov 4, 2023 by Steve Kirch Anchorage college students housing and food insecurity struggles were a key focus of a Housing Action Summit, as Assembly Members and community stakeholders wrapped up what municipality leaders have called a ‘focal point’ of weeklong event called Housing Action Week.
Detailing a recent survey, University of Alaska Anchorage staff showed how students dealt with homelessness while attending school.
“It’s stressful. Everyday, you try to focus on schoolwork, but then also focus on, you know, what am I going to eat today? Where am I gonna sleep today?,” said former UAA student Jennifer Spencer.
Spencer is now a UAA college advisor. But when she was a student, she said the cost of housing led her to become homeless.
UAA College of Health Assistant Dean Travis Hedwig said according to a 2019 survey: 36% of students reported dealing with food insecurity, 37% housing insecurity, and 10% homelessness.“Living in a place that’s unfit for human habitation. It might include living in a car. It might include staying in a parking lot here on campus,” Hedwig said.
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| Fairbanks Daily News-Miner | |
| UAF routs UAA in first Governor’s Cup meeting of season | Published Nov 4, 2023 by Gavin Struve The Nanooks took the lead in the quest for the Governor’s Cup with a resonant victory over rival Alaska Anchorage on Friday.
Playing in front of its home crowd in the teams’ first meeting of the season, Alaska Fairbanks erupted for three goals in the back half of the first period and tacked on two more in the middle period en route to a 6-1 victory.
The win moved the ‘Nooks (3-3-1) to .500 while dropping the Seawolves (4-5-0) a game below it.
UAF hasn’t lost to the Seawolves since 2019 and hasn’t lost the series since 2008-09. The Nanooks were 6-0 against the Seawolves last season and will look to carry that success over to the 2023-24 campaign.
Both teams were coming off a road victory — UAA topping No. 15 Penn State and UAF beating St. Cloud State — in their most recent outing as they each split their previous series. And both Frontier teams received votes in the latest USCHO Poll. Despite Friday night’s result, UAA is still off to a solid start in its quest for its first 10-win season since 2013-14 and will have five more cracks at the Nanooks.
| | | Readership | 64,871 | Social Amplification | 58 |
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| | Security report shows increase in sex assaults and decrease in alcohol incidents at UAF | Published Nov 3, 2023 by Adrian Peterson Adrian Peterson The University of Alaska released it’s annual security and fire report, revealing the changes in crime since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While college campuses are generally considered safe places, there’s certainly no absence of crime. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, on-campus crime decreased by 22 percent during the pandemic, but the decrease has not been maintained post-pandemic.
Each year UAF releases a security and fire report along with a report for the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. These reports include statistics for violent crime, drug related crimes, fire incidents and more.
The most concerning numbers in the latest report comes from violent crimes, specifically rape. “The numbers did go up in the last year. This is the number of things that’s been reported, so it’s hard for us to interpret whether that means. It’s happening more or if people feel more comfortable coming forward,” said Graeme Abraham, the assoc. director of institutional compliance at UAF. In 2022, there were eight rapes reported on campus and one off-campus, all which occurred in student housing. During the pandemic, those numbers were down to five and six in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
“We have a lot of programmatic efforts in trying to get students aware of the issue and who they can report to,” Abraham said. | | | Readership | 25,027 | Social Amplification | 0 |
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| | Pink salmon are thriving in warmer waters, affecting other species, scientists say | Published Nov 3, 2023 A new scientific paper published this fall shows that the pink salmon population is booming in the North Pacific Ocean — and global warming is helping it happen. The new evidence suggests that pinks are not just outcompeting other salmon species but they’re affecting the whole ecosystem — from the microscopic to large marine whales.
“Pink salmon are one of the winners in terms of climate change,” said Greg Ruggerone, a salmon researcher and lead author of the new 40-page paper published Sept. 21 in the scientific journal, Marine Ecology Progress Series.
But for every winner, there is a loser — or in this case, several. The new research shows that the spike in pink salmon in recent decades is affecting the ocean’s fragile food chain. Pink salmon run on an every-other-year cycle. The population in the odd number years is 25% greater than even number years. And when pink numbers are up, other species are down.
“From phytoplankton, zooplankton, forage fishes, all five species of Pacific salmon, and so forth and marine birds. It all points to pink salmon,” Ruggerone said.
Scientists don’t know all the reasons that pink salmon are doing better in warmer waters. But they do know that pinks are better than other salmon species at finding prey and growing from their nutrients. In fact, they’re the fastest-growing salmon, ready to spawn in just two years, three times faster than kings. | | | Readership | 446,468 | Social Amplification | 1 |
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| | Kenai Peninsula College Celebrates Local UA Scholars | Published Nov 3, 2023 Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) is pleased to announce the upcoming UA Scholars Celebration on Thursday, November 9th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Walter E. Ward Building on the Kenai River Campus in Soldotna. KPC will honor and recognize the exceptional achievements of the Kenai Peninsula’s top-performing high school students. According to Ruby Glaser, the Communications Specialist at Kenai Peninsula College, this event is very special, as it awards a substantial scholarship for students who are determined to pursue their college career in the near future. “The UA Scholars Program recognizes students who have achieved the top 10% of their class by the end of their junior year, and they receive a $12,000 scholarship to be used at any University of Alaska campus. And so we are doing a local celebration here at Kenai Peninsula College to celebrate our top students on the Peninsula.” As Glaser said, this scholarship is for any Alaska school. if the student would like to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks, or University of Alaska Southeast, this scholarship would go directly towards their education. And as for the event, it’s a way for attendees to have the opportunity to connect with University of Alaska representatives to learn about the all of the educational opportunities that are offered in Alaska.
| | | Readership | 10,878 | Social Amplification | 0 |
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