Science

Construction for the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research at the University of Arkansas, or I3R, is nearly complete. By spring 2025, students will fill the halls of the almost 150,000-square-foot facility, which has been almost three years in the making.

A UofA graduate student recently received a prestigious Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science Technology, or FINESST, fellowship. Troy Williams, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate at the Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, will use the award to further his studies on Saturn’s moon, Titan. Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis invited Williams to the Carver Center for Public Radio to learn more about his research and the planetary body it orbits.

Cases of tick-borne illness are increasing across the U.S. at an alarming rate - and in Arkansas Alpha-gal, specifically, is becoming more common.

A new report shows that Springdale-based Tyson Foods dumped several millions of pounds of toxic chemicals into waterways across the U.S. Dr. Stacy Woods and Dr. Omanjana Goswami were the lead researchers on the study titled "Waste Deep" and spoke with Ozarks at Large's Daniel Caruth ahead of publishing their findings.

While many of us acquire pollen involuntarily in our noses, throats, and eyes, some devices and people collect pollen on purpose. Last week, three of these scientists—Britteny Booth, John Shadwick, and Lora Shadwick—came to the Carver Center for Public Radio to speak with Ozarks at Large's Kyle Kellams about their pollen collection methods and the data those collections reveal.

As development progresses throughout Fort Smith, the Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center seems to have been left behind. The Game and Fish Commission-run center has been untouched since its grand opening. Now, state officials and community leaders are raising funds for a renovation. Ozarks at Large’s Jack Travis visited the Nature Center to learn more about the space and how an update will better serve the community.

The Jones Center in Springdale will host its final Fam Jam day of the season on May 11. There will be designated times for ice skating, swimming, and two shows with Doktor Kaboom and his Wheel of Science at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. This week, Doktor Kaboom, also known as David Epley, explained why he tours the world, bringing three-dimensional science to families.

On today's show, Jewel puts together a museum experience. Plus, a look into Drug Take Back Day 2024. We also learn more about the Old Friends Farm near Prairie Grove.

What’s left to know about the solar eclipse? Ozarks at Large's Kyle Kellams checks with Amber Straughn. She earned her BA in physics at the University of Arkansas in 2002 and her MS and PhD in physics at Arizona State University. Now, she’s an astrophysicist for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Next Monday a total solar eclipse will cover much of the state of Arkansas for 4 minutes and 27 seconds at it’s longest period. We hear how the natural state is preparing for the once-in-a-lifetime event.