The NAU Review — Reading the tea leaves on climate change + the critical shortage facing the Rio Grande basin

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

🍂 Nov. 25, 2025 🍂

We deliver top headlines to the Lumberjack community every Tuesday and Thursday during the academic year. For more, visit news.nau.edu.

Scientists take temperature of rainforest leaves

Predicting the fate of tropical forests via (rainforest) tea leaves

Researchers at Northern Arizona University and the Smithsonian went to the top of a Panamanian rainforest to simulate heat death in leaves and measure the effects on surrounding leaves. The results were encouraging: Tropical forests may be less sensitive to climate change than originally feared.

Aerial shot of the Rio Grande going through Albuquerque

Rio Grande basin at serious risk from overuse of water

A study, powered by NAU’s FEWSION Project, shows that farmers, communities and ecosystems in the Rio Grande basin are facing a severe water shortage after decades of overconsumption and drought. Without quick, decisive action, the region is facing an emergency.

Calling all future planetary scientists

Can you teach kids the fundamentals of planetary science? Absolutely, say science educators at NAU! A new project called PLANETS has developed free learning units for elementary and middle school educators, giving children engaging, hands-on lessons in remote sensing, space hazards and water on other planets.