Research Magazine

This scanning electron microscope image shows the common mold Neurospora crassa. The image is part of a collection created by ASU cell biologist Robert Roberson. The collection has appeared in multiple galleries throughout the Phoenix area.

NJ Tao and colleagues have developed two different chemical sensors based on the tiny quartz tuning forks used in wristwatches. --by Linley Erin Hall

Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity continue to make new discoveries--like a deposit of silica--more than three years after landing. Meanwhile, NASA is planning where to send its next-generation rover, the Mars Science Laboratory. A promising site is Melas Chasma, a dried-up ancient lake that could hold evidence of microbial life.--by Robert Burnham

What is the best way to manage critical resources during a terrorist attack or an epidemic? ASU business researchers realize that the public health system is a very large and complex supply chain. They are applying business principles to help public health organizations better prepare for an emergency.--by Carrie Barnett

More than 15 million Americans care for a family member with a disability or illness, such as Alzheimer's disease. Caregiving exacts a heavy toll. Researchers have found that caregivers are at greater risk for depression, anxiety and physical ailments. The REACH II program is offering some hope for those caring for loved ones with dementia. --by Adelheid Fischer

Clear communication is the key to intercultural understanding. Poor translation can result in embarrassment or bigger problems. ASU sociology professor Victor Agadjanian studies HIV/AIDS in Africa. He also speaks 8 languages. --by Sheilah Britton

Imagine that an antenna has a kind of eyesight. Engineers and scientists are trying to better focus that eyesight in certain directions. They want to extend its reach over various distances without disturbance or interference from things they don't want the antenna to "see."--by Joe Kullman

This image of the fungus Allomyces macrogynus glows with the colors of fluorescent dyes used to stain tissue samples for easier viewing. The image is part of a collection created by ASU cell biologist Robert Roberson. The collection has appeared in multiple galleries throughout the Phoenix area.

Advances in microscopy and bioimaging have paved the way for advances in everything from medicine to computers. But the images seen through a microscope's lens are more than just useful. Often, they are quite beautiful. These days, they are also advancing art.--by Diane Boudreau

The aye-aye is a rare and bizarre-looking primate, native to Madagascar. Its large eyes are a puzzle to biologists. Why does a nocturnal creature have the ability to see colors? Researchers at ASU are studying this endangered species in the hopes of learning more about the evolution of color vision. --by Joe Caspermeyer