A new study by North Carolina State University suggests that digitalization has not lowered carbon dioxide emissions in G20 economies, but rather increased them. The researchers found a direct and positive association between digitalization and CO2 emissions, with only a small share of the relationship attributed to indirect effects.
The study found that coastal bears have reduced genetic diversity and elevated inbreeding, while mountain bears have two distinct, genetically healthy groups. The researchers hope that the genomic data will aid wildlife managers in sustaining a healthy bear population and improving population resilience.
Researchers found that applying biomechanical tension to heart valves every time they beat helps protect collagen from breaking down, explaining why leaflets remain sturdy for decades. Increasing strain while preserving the natural strain ratio prevents collagen degradation, highlighting a biomechanical defense mechanism.
The feather star robot uses only two actuators to achieve three-dimensional movement, powered by a design inspired by mechanical intelligence. By rapidly activating and deactivating the actuators, the robot can flap its wings to rise or descend, and rotate on its axis to steer.
A new study reveals that North Carolina's coastal forests have lost over 20% of their landmass between 1985 and 2021, with the rate of loss accelerating after 2010. Sea level rise and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and droughts, have contributed to the widespread conversion of forests to ghost forests, shrubs, and marshes.
A new study models C. diff transmission in oncology units, revealing that asymptomatic colonized patients are the primary source of new infections. The model provides a clearer picture of C. diff transmission events and could help inform protocols to prevent future disease transmission.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated a technique to produce a plasma beam antenna capable of transmitting radio waves using a laser. The antenna is tunable and can be controlled to sweep a range of frequencies, making it a valuable tool for applications such as space exploration and satellite technologies.
Researchers have developed a technique to produce high-quality magnesium alloys using eggshells as a low-cost, environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional calcium materials. The process, called friction stir extrusion, converts eggshell calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and produces a high-strength alloy.
A proof-of-concept study tested three techniques for alerting users to hallucinated statements from embodied AI agents in VR systems. The findings suggest that embodied cues improve immersion, text cues offer clear interpretability, and icon cues strike a middle ground.
A new textile fabric, Plant Armor, has been developed to cover strawberry plants, increasing yields by up to 3.56 times without negatively impacting plant health. The fabric provides a consistent warming effect, enhances growing degree-days, and reduces insect feeding, leading to significant increases in fruit production.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have identified two neuroproteins, BDNF and S100B, as potential biomarkers for diagnosing Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome (NMS) in foals. The study found that levels of these proteins and neurosteroids in blood serum were associated with NMS, suggesting a link to the disease's pathophysiol...
A new study finds that exposure to birdsong soundscapes or forest landscapes reduces physiological stress, with independent physical health benefits. Spending time in the forest landscape reduces heart rate, while listening to birdsong increases heart rate variability, indicating reduced stress.
An interdisciplinary team created Who Eats Whom, a website drawing on iNaturalist data to explore trophic interactions globally. The platform has logged 17,000 observations of 5,700 species, showcasing the public's interest in smaller trophic relationships.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict areas with high rescue needs, prioritizing search efforts and expediting recovery operations. The tool uses socio-demographic data and machine learning to identify areas at risk of flooding and population vulnerability.
Researchers have engineered a new material with exceptional stiffness and low thermal conductivity, outperforming any material found in nature. The material can be printed as a thin film at large scales, making it suitable for various applications such as cookware, electronic devices, and space travel.
Researchers found that AI-generated images can improve species identification and biodiversity monitoring when real images are limited. However, the synthetic images were less effective than real images overall, highlighting the importance of community science and real-world observations.
The grant will support research on AI tools that can generate interactive narratives effective at engaging K-12 students and improving learning. Researchers will develop self-improving systems, emerging narrative generation technologies, and agency-centered learning approaches.
Researchers have developed a method for extrapolating sea surface temperatures from sparse data, significantly outperforming other methods and reducing training time. The Sparse Discrete Empirical Interpolation Method (S-DEIM) uses historical data to estimate a kernel vector, improving accuracy and reducing computational requirements.
Researchers found that composite metal foam (CMF) can absorb more energy during high-velocity impacts, reducing crash severity and improving driver and passenger safety. CMF outperformed conventional front rail designs, increasing safety limits by up to 40% and reducing maximum deceleration by 38%.
The robots use torsion to store elastic energy and release it all at once, causing them to jump and repeat the process as long as they are exposed to infrared light. Design changes can control the movement, such as jumping forward or leaping vertically.
Researchers developed packing models that incorporate item priority, location, and weight distribution to optimize spatial usage and improve efficiencies in logistics and storage. The models provide fast and high-quality solutions to packing challenges in military and real-world applications.
A new tool called Socratic Challenger uses AI to help undergraduate students cultivate critical thinking skills in research question development. The framework, consisting of eight steps, including AI-enabled tasks, enables students to think critically about research and develop meaningful research questions.
A new study by North Carolina State University finds that foreign tariffs made US whiskey cheaper in most states, with prices decreasing by an average of 10.3% nationwide. However, in Kentucky and Tennessee, where local whiskey production is concentrated, prices actually rose due to strong consumer demand for locally-made products.
North Carolina State University has been chosen to lead a 10-year Department of War initiative to modernize US textile manufacturing for the defense industry. The initiative aims to increase U.S. competitiveness by adopting advanced technologies and techniques.
A study found that a set of corn root bacteria exhibited significantly different behavior when grown on the plant compared to laboratory conditions. The researchers identified thousands of proteins changing when placed in their natural habitat, highlighting the importance of studying microbes in their natural setting.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that an AI-enabled digital stethoscope struggled to detect cardiac murmurs and arrhythmias in cats, while performing moderately well in dogs. The researchers emphasize the need for veterinarians to rely on human expertise when using AI-assisted technology.
An international study of 974 participants aged 50-94 found a strong correlation between ageist attitudes and self-reported memory failures. The results indicate that individuals with more restrictive views on older adult behavior experienced greater memory problems, regardless of their country of origin.
Researchers discovered that newborn German cockroaches use pheromones in feces to recognize their own colony and form a kind of social bond. This behavior was found to be mediated by both innate attraction to conspecific fecal odor and learned preferences for specific odorants encountered during coprophagy soon after they hatch.
Researchers found that natural sounds, specifically biophonic ones, are associated with the highest levels of place attachment. Biophonic sounds were also perceived as more pleasant and linked to a strong sense of place attachment. The study highlights the importance of managing soundscapes near residential areas.
Scientists at North Carolina State University have created a highly-porous, superadhesive mesh that can capture both large and small microplastic particles, including those as small as tens of nanometers. The mesh is made from sustainable biopolymers and can clean microplastics from both saltwater and freshwater.
The researchers successfully switched the chirality of phonons within a ferroelectric crystal using an electric field, enabling active control of spin. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of faster and more energy-efficient spintronic devices.
A team from North Carolina State University developed techniques that can enhance day-ahead solar forecasts, outperforming individual models in some cases. The approach emphasizes regional variables and combined forecasts from multiple models for improved accuracy.
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University has created a novel approach to optimize vaccine distribution by combining machine learning with column generation. This method accelerates run-time for the optimization model by 79.1% while maintaining high-quality solutions.
NC State is leading three Genesis Mission projects using AI to accelerate discovery in high-performance computing, cybersecurity, and astrophysics. The projects focus on developing AI-powered tools for scientific research, defending agentic AI against adversarial attacks, and embedding AI techniques in large-scale simulations of neutro...
A study by North Carolina State University researchers found that an AVP stimulation test can reliably diagnose endocrine dysfunction in sick foals. The test, which involves administering arginine vasopressin to stimulate the release of hormones, showed promising results in detecting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland axis (HPAA) dys...
Researchers created a wearable patch that can detect hazardous substances and alert wearers through vibrations. The device also extends its functionality to robotic devices, allowing them to avoid hazards in their environment.
A new study in The Lancet Planetary Health shows that when communities designed their own health and livelihood programs with local NGOs, they were more resilient to economic hardships caused by COVID-19. As a result, forest loss declined significantly, with rates 52% lower in supported communities compared to unaffiliated ones.
A study by North Carolina State University found that nature sounds and sights significantly improve mental health compared to urban environments. Participants who heard birdsong while walking in a forest reported lower stress levels, higher positive emotions, and increased feelings of restorativeness.
Mosquitoes in Wake County developed and maintained mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance, with 84% of residential blocks showing resistance by 2023. Wealthier households may be driving this trend through private mosquito control services or chemical insecticide treatments.
Researchers have demonstrated a technique to fabricate large-area oxide twistronic materials with controlled twist angles and strong chemical bonding between layers. This allows for the creation of high-crystallinity oxide moiré superlattices, which could enable new functionalities in devices.
A novel AI model called BINND has been developed to predict which DNA molecules bind to each other. The model achieved an accuracy of 83.5% in predicting DNA pairs that would bind, surpassing the state-of-the-art model by at least 10%. This improvement has significant utility for biomedical diagnostic tools and DNA computing applications.
Researchers have developed a novel technique to observe real-time domain wall behavior in ferroelectric materials during 'poling' and 'depoling', providing deeper insights into the mechanisms at play. This breakthrough resolves longstanding debates about AC and DC poling, shedding light on the polarization state of these materials.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University has discovered a group of genetically stable viruses that infect an important plant pathogen. The findings suggest that these viruses could be used as tools to fight crop disease, and highlight the need for further research into viral diversity and evolution in agricultural set...
A new study at North Carolina State University reveals the widely-used Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP) is not effective in detecting water quality problems. SVAP scores were strongly correlated with physical characteristics but showed few correlations with water quality data, highlighting its limitations.
Scientists have developed a new type of battery that harnesses ambient moisture to power IoT devices, offering a sustainable alternative to toxic materials. The batteries can be stretched without losing energy density, making them ideal for wearable monitors and medical devices.
Researchers found a correlation between cognitive decline in geriatric dogs and reduced thoracic limb stride length, with higher Canine Dementia Scale scores associated with decreased stride length. This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between gait patterns and canine cognition.
A self-driving chemistry lab called Flex-Cat has been developed to autonomously search for faster and more selective ways to make important industrial chemicals. The platform combines robotics, high-pressure reactors, and artificial intelligence to identify high-performing catalysts and those that can be programmed to produce different...
Researchers have identified a rare genetic mutation associated with blood cancers, finding that it does not always lead to disease development. The study provides insight into the initial phases of the disease and may eventually lead to improved patient outcomes through targeted monitoring.
Ferroelectric thin films' thickness, strain state and domain architecture are influenced by van der Waals forces, which can be controlled through epitaxial growth on MoS2 substrates. This discovery enables the creation of higher-quality, larger thin films with improved performance.
Researchers have identified Prionus imbricornis, a longhorn beetle species, as the culprit behind attacks on North Carolina blueberry fields. The larvae of this emerging pest can grow up to five inches long and destroy roots, potentially killing trees.