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North Carolina State University


How bacteria can help prevent coal ash spills

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a technique using bacteria to create biocement in coal ash ponds, making them stiffer and more difficult to spill. The resulting biocement can also trap potentially toxic metals in the coal ash, reducing environmental and public health concerns.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering·DateMar 4, 2019

Researchers engineer a tougher fiber

North Carolina State University researchers created fibers that combine rubber's elasticity with metal's strength, resulting in a tougher material. The fibers can stretch up to seven times their original length before failure while absorbing energy, making them suitable for applications like soft robotics and textiles.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 22, 2019

Racial discrimination increases activism in black young adults

A recent study found that experiencing racial discrimination makes black teens and young adults more likely to engage in social and political activism. Cultural racial discrimination increases willingness for low-risk activism, while institutional discrimination has a complex relationship with high-risk activism. Public regard plays a ...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Community Psychology·DateJan 22, 2019

Family, school support makes kids more likely to stand up to bullying

A recent study from North Carolina State University found that students with strong family relationships are more likely to intervene when witnessing bullying. Good teacher relationships also play a crucial role in encouraging bystander intervention. In contrast, those who feel excluded or discriminated against by peers or teachers are...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateNov 12, 2018

Modern conflict: Screen time vs. nature

A new study found that gaps between screen time and outdoor time are most pronounced for girls, African American students, and eighth graders. Connection to nature plays a positive role in young people's physical health and psychological development, but contemporary children are spending less time outdoors than their predecessors.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEnvironment and Behavior·DateOct 22, 2018

Taking their vitamins

New research from North Carolina State University and the University of Copenhagen finds that most bacterioplankton are B1 auxotrophs, meaning they have to glean the vitamin or pieces of it from their environment. The study also reveals fluctuations in genes responsible for making and/or using environmental B1 and precursors over time.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2018

Wild suburbia

A large-scale study using camera trap images from hundreds of citizen scientists reveals that suburban areas have a higher variety of mammal species than expected. The researchers found that some mammals, such as coyotes and bobcats, are adapting to urban environments, while others, like bears, are still found in nearby exurban areas.

Computer model reveals effect of increased cholesterol on specific ion channel in heart

Researchers used a computer model to study the effect of increased cholesterol on a specific ion channel involved in regulating potassium levels in the heart. They found that increasing cholesterol levels made interactions with the channel more numerous, overwhelming it and interfering with its ability to open and close normally.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateSep 10, 2018