The NAU Review — From curse to cure

The NAU Review. The official news source for Northern Arizona University.

Oct. 22, 2026

We deliver top headlines to the Lumberjack community weekly during the summer months. For more, visit in.nau.edu/news.

Picture of a person inyecting a needle into a person's neck. The person is laying down with a white net in the hair.

How did a curse transform into a cure?

A toxin once known mainly for making people dangerously ill is now used to treat migraines, muscle disorders and even wrinkles. By studying more than 1,000 strains of the bacterium that produces it, NAU Regents’ professor Paul Keim is shedding new light on the science behind Botox.

A picture of Chedleo Webb and Louie the Lumberjack

Humans of NAU:
Chadleo Webb

In recognition of National Dental Hygiene Month, NAU’s new chair of dental hygiene shared how he came to NAU and what he’d say to other men who are thinking about working in dental hygiene.

Fêting Frank’s French fries

The “French Fries” statue on south campus was supposed to be a simple exhaust vent. Then-executive vice president Frank H. Besnette wouldn’t hear of it. He wanted it to be beautiful. Now that iconic public art is part of his legacy.

Picture of a woman holding a cell phone. The cell phone shows two older adults while on Facetime.

Picture of three people holding a check of the Regents' Cup

Applications for the 2027 Regents’ Cup are open

The tri-university speech and debate competition open to all majors and hosted by the Arizona Board of Regents is scheduled for April 10. The theme is America at 250: Democratic Institutions. The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.