Published Mar 21, 2023 by Margaret Davis

The warming of the air in the spring signals the end of hibernation. Bears in the south emerge earlier than bears in the north because the weather warms up first.

Øivind Tøien, a research assistant professor at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology, said that the timing of emergence is dependent on the location.

For instance, bears in inland Alaska are known to emerge later compared to coastal bears, while black bears in the south US may only have a brief time of denning. More so, lactating sows with cubs born during hibernation might trigger them to emerge later or remain in their dens for a longer period.

It is natural to assume that bears are more dangerous at this time of the year as they emerge hungry after months of hibernation. But Tøien said that bears are not in a fully recovered non-hibernating state when they emerge from their dens so they would rather spend a lot of time resting in the early phase.



Published Mar 21, 2023 by SnD_admin

NASA has announced the recipients of its annual Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grants, providing a total of more than $10.8 million across 15 institutions over three years to support scientific and technical research. This research aligns with agency’ priorities, including understanding our changing environment and advancing long-term exploration on the Moon through Artemis.

The program, based at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, focuses on 25 states and three territories (Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico).

NASA selected the projects based on their merit and alignment with NASA missions. Each grantee will focus on a range of high-priority research needs, including deep space exploration, sustainable manufacturing in space, and advancements in technology and science that will also benefit humanity here on Earth.

• University of Alaska, Fairbanks – $750,000

Universities and schools from across the country submitted proposals for the EPSCoR grants, with each jurisdiction eligible to submit one proposal per year. The three-year period of performance for each project will be accompanied by a requirement to share 50% of the cost.

These grants not only support research and development in areas critical to NASA’s mission, but also contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science, and technology capabilities of higher education and economic development in the jurisdictions receiving funding.

Published Mar 21, 2023

Charles teaches at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He also runs the Alaska Native Language Center. He says that what LKSD is doing is significant. Bethel has become a model of how Yugtun and other Native languages should be taught.

“They don't learn about things like skyscrapers, or escalators, or elevators,” Charles said.

Charles said that the district’s new direction speaks to the heart of language. They’re not just translating English, it’s drawing out the Yup’ik way of thinking. When Charles teaches Yugtun at the university, he finds that the younger generation often have not had much exposure to Native languages.

“I begin the semester by saying, 'Welcome, welcome to Yugtun one-on-one.'” said Charles. “An emotionally charged language. Meaning, as we learn our heart language there's going to be opportunities or times of which we’ll feel elated, humbled, excited. Shame, remorse, guilt, and at the end too, you know, this feeling of finally gaining access to that language that wants to come out from the soul.”

Charles said that he sees his students have epiphany moments when the language and culture click and they understand something they couldn’t see in English.

“They go, 'Ah, now, I now know why.' Or 'wow, I didn't know that. So that's why my grandmother would, holy.' And then there'll be, yes, there's tears. It's like, wow. Now I know,” Charles said.