UPR

Previously thought to be extinct, black-footed ferrets are one of the rarest mammals in the United States. Thanks to captive breeding programs, these ferrets are being bred and reintroduced to prairie habitats across the Western US, including Coyote Basin near Vernal.

Not long ago, Pelican Lake, roughly between Vernal and Deschene, was full of bluegill fish and bass.

On Wednesday, the Utah State University Honors Program held the 44th Annual Last Lecture – a tradition where a distinguished professor is nominated to give a talk as if it were their last presentation at USU.

The Navajo sandstone is one of Utah’s most iconic rock formations, with its massive white-pink cliffs strikingly visible in Zion and other national parks and monuments. Deposited during the Jurassic time period, these sandstones tell us the story of a major turning point in Earth’s history when fertile lands turned into an immense desert – in a process called desertification. 

Beginning August 28, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will be adding rotenone to several lakes and streams in the Eastern Uinta Mountains aimed at helping eliminate invasive species that threaten the populations of Colorado River Cutthroat trout. 

The Utah Rail Passengers Association announced this week that they disapprove of the current proposal for the Uinta Basin Railway presented by the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, a rail line intended to expand the economy of the Uinta Basin. 

As wildfires are becoming larger and more frequent across the nation, scientists are interested in the potential impacts smoke emissions may have on the atmosphere and air quality. 

Utah State University’s Synthetic Spider Silk Laboratory is using CRISPR technology to edit the DNA of silkworms in order to increase the strength and elasticity of their silk. Their DNA will contain strands from silk spiders, who are known for their incredibly strong silk. 

If you have ever traveled to southeastern Utah, you may have noticed a greenish-colored rock formation sandwiched between the monumental red rocks. This green mudstone is part of the Morrison Formation, a distinct rock layer spread across the western United States. 

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is warning Utahns not to transport firewood across state lines because the wood could be harboring invasive insects. 

Utah State University biology professors wants to engage the community with a unique citizen science project aiming to explore interactions between insects and alfalfa plants. 

The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge near Brigham City is applying for an Urban Night Sky Place designation through the International Dark Sky Association. The wildlife refuge hopes this designation will set an example for other places in Utah to minimize light pollution.

Local art studio Jump the Moon is hosting a series of monthly professional demonstration nights to help raise money for their unique nonprofit organization that aims to make art more accessible to those with mental and physical challenges. These monthly events will allow participants to learn new art skills from professional artists.

Last year, the Dollar Ridge Fire in Ashley National Forest burned over 100 square miles of land in Utah, including several state wildlife management areas, destroying several guzzlers that help supply water for wildlife during the dry season. 

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) recently released the Utah Water Supply Report for spring, revealing that reservoir levels across Utah are significantly above average this year and approaching capacity. This information is especially important for dam managers and water conservation districts who distribute water to their water users.

On Wednesday, due to a pump malfunctioned, too much chlorine was pumped into a public pool in Pleasant Grove, Utah causing dozens to be rushed to the hospital. 

New research has brought us closer to understanding the composition of the earth’s interior – and it is less uniform than previously thought.

Urban deer conflicts can be frustrating when deer eat garden vegetables and deadly when deer are involved in car accidents. Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources reccently made changes to eliminate the relocation aspect of the urban deer program.

Bacterial infections can cause a variety of symptoms from mild intestinal discomfort to death. Recent research could lead to a new form of antibiotics by shutting down bacteria’s injection system.

For wildfire firefighters, knowing exactly how long it takes for them to reach safety is critical, and new research provides more precise information about the time to cross different terrains and different slopes. 

A controlled detonation Sunday night in Juab County lit up the sky with a massive fireball. A Union Pacific freight train went off the tracks near Eureka in western Utah on Saturday derailing several railcars carrying dangerous materials, requiring a collaborative effort by state and federal agencies to contain railcars leaking propane and biodiesel.   

The warm temperatures of spring are heading our way and the intense heat of the summer is just around the corner. Now, there is new research investigating how we perceive extreme heat and how it can affect us. 

Like everything else, bridges are prone to wear and tear, often from environmental elements and constant use. New research out of Utah State University says the use of drones could help identify cracks, and ultimately extend the life of bridges.

The land of the western United States is shaped by wildfire and water availability. According to new research from Utah State University, increasing the number of smaller wildfires could increase water resources in the West.