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North Carolina State University


Employees who spot problems help the bottom line, so why do leaders give more power to bootlickers?

Studies found that leaders are less likely to empower employees who raise concerns about workplace decisions, instead favoring those who praise the status quo. Employees who exhibit challenging voice are seen as threats to leadership, while supportive voice is viewed as an indicator of shared goals.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2025

Researchers hit ‘fast forward’ on materials discovery with self-driving labs

Researchers developed a self-driving lab that collects at least 10 times more data than previous techniques, dramatically expediting materials discovery research while slashing costs and environmental impact. The system uses dynamic flow experiments to continuously characterize samples, capturing data every half second.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2025

Forensics study helps investigators draw new clues from bloodstains

A new study has provided insights into how blood stains cotton fabrics, allowing investigators to gather additional information from forensic evidence. The researchers found that the number and spread of 'fingers' in the bloodstain correlate to the velocity of the blood spatter, with faster-moving blood leaving more prominent tendrils.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalForensic Science International·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2025

Why the sun is so good at evaporating water

Researchers discovered that sunlight's oscillating electric field plays a crucial role in enhancing interfacial water evaporation. The stronger the electric field, the faster water evaporates. This finding has implications for engineering more efficient water-evaporation technologies.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalMaterials Horizons·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 24, 2025

Study develops optimal cover crop adoption thresholds

The study develops a stochastic dynamic programming model that accounts for cumulative effects of cover crops on soil fertility, uncertain future prices, and irreversibility of sunk machinery costs. The findings suggest a threshold level of soil fertility above which it is optimal to adopt cover crops, favoring no-till practices.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEuropean Review of Agricultural Economics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 11, 2025

Study finds coastal flooding more frequent than previously thought

A new study from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals that coastal flooding is occurring more frequently than previously thought. The study found major flaws with the widely used approach of using marine water level data to capture instances of flooding.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeObservational study·DateJun 2, 2025

Set it and forget it: Autonomous structures can be programmed to jump days in advance

Researchers created dynamic metashells that leap into the air on a predetermined schedule without intervention, jumping up to nine times their height. The structures were engineered to store energy and release it at a controlled timing, with scheduled jumps possible from three seconds to 58 hours in advance.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2025

Laser technique revolutionizes ultra-high temperature ceramic manufacturing for space, defense applications

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique using lasers to create ceramics that can withstand ultra-high temperatures. The technique allows for the creation of ceramic coatings, tiles, or complex three-dimensional structures, enabling increased versatility in engineering new devices and technologies.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of the American Ceramic Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2025

Studies look for potential therapy targets for dogs with Chiari-like malformation

Studies from North Carolina State University explored biomarkers and genetic markers for Chiari-like malformation in Cavalier King Charles spaniels, identifying Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide as a potential therapeutic target. Elevated CGRP levels were found in dogs with CM and painful symptoms, but not correlated with syringomyelia.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2025

Development, agriculture present risks for drinking water quality

A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that conversion of forests to urban development or agriculture near streams can have harmful effects on water quality downstream. The study suggests that more attention should be paid to where development might have serious effects on water quality for people living nea...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPLOS Water·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 6, 2025

Sampling, lab capacity could be weak links in African swine fever outbreak

The study models ASFV outbreaks in densely populated US swine states, highlighting the need for enhanced sampling strategies and laboratory capacity to prevent delays and contamination. The model suggests that a minimum of 136-367 sample collectors are needed in non-epidemic scenarios, increasing to 833-3115 in large outbreak scenarios.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPreventive Veterinary Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 5, 2025

Why scientists are worried about weasels

Researchers from North Carolina State University found that red meat is the most effective bait for detecting weasels, with salmon oil adding to its allure. The study aimed to address the lack of standardized monitoring protocols for weasel populations and provides a framework for future surveys.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalWildlife Society Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2025

Cleaning microplastics

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a system that actively removes microplastics from water in a single cycle. The microcleaners, made from biodegradable materials, use the Marangoni effect to self-disperse and capture microplastics, which are then collected by skimming.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2025

New technique to make food deliveries more efficient

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new technique to improve the efficiency of food-delivery operations. The technique accounts for key factors such as food supply, location, and vehicle capacity to determine optimized routes that make food delivery faster and more fuel-efficient.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalComputer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 20, 2025

Light-powered breakthrough enables precision tuning of quantum dots

Researchers at NC State University have developed a new technique to tune the optical properties of quantum dots using light, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. This method allows for precise control over the bandgap, enabling the creation of high-quality perovskite quantum dots for optoelectronic devices.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2025

Age, burial environment don’t hinder soft tissue preservation in dinosaurs

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that soft tissue preservation in fossils does not seem to depend on the species, age or burial environment. The team was able to retrieve vessels from six dinosaur specimens, including four Tyrannosaurus rex and one Brachylophosaurus canadensis, using a suite of analytical tools.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 10, 2025

How simple prompts can make partially automated cars safer

A new study found that driving-related conversational prompts improve driver performance in taking control of the vehicle, but only when drivers are engaged. Conversely, non-driving related tasks like solving anagrams can significantly decrease performance and render prompts ineffective.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalHuman Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2025

Researchers make comfortable materials that generate power when worn

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed wearable technologies that both generate electricity from human movement and improve comfort. They used amphiphiles to create slippery surfaces on fabrics, reducing friction while allowing electrons to be donated, resulting in a material capable of generating up to 300 volts.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2025