Researchers at North Carolina State University found that changes to genes regulating olfactory behavior in fruit flies have far-reaching implications. The study used a model organism to quantify the extent of ripples in the genome affecting behavior, revealing that two-thirds of affected genes impact olfactory behavior.
Researchers are exploring ways to combat the devastating impact of the Asian woody adelgid on western North Carolina's hemlock forests. CAMCORE, a global forest conservation program, is working with natural predators and developing resistant tree varieties to preserve genetic diversity.
Researchers can now study specific gene function in Arabidopsis by quickly searching for and ordering genetically modified plants with knocked-out genes. Over 21,700 genes were identified as having been turned off using insertional mutagenesis, representing a significant advancement in understanding plant genome functions.
A recent study by North Carolina State University researchers found that a gene variant in the Dopa decarboxylase enzyme is associated with variation in fruit fly lifespan. The study's results suggest that this genetic variation may also play a role in human longevity, with potential implications for pharmacological interventions to im...
NC State statisticians Drs. Anastasios Tsiatis, Marie Davidian and Marc Genton have won a $1.125 million NIH MERIT Award for their work on statistical methodology in designing complex HIV clinical trials. Their research aims to develop sophisticated designs that can handle the variability of patients' responses to treatment.
Researchers at NC State and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have successfully tuned the atomic-level zone between substances, opening the way for smaller, faster and smarter computers. By manipulating the electronic dipole charge at the interface, they've found a way to overcome the limitations of Schottky barriers.
Researchers have identified 43 different resistance genes on chromosome 10 of the rice genome, which are grouped into three major clusters that help improve its specificity in fighting pathogens. The discovery aims to aid the rice plant's battle against diseases such as rice blast.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that loblolly pines and Arabidopsis thaliana share 90% of their genes, despite being vastly different in appearance. This suggests that woody and herbaceous plants may have evolved using the same genetic mechanisms.
Researchers argue that age differences in memory studies are influenced by stereotype threat and social contexts. Older adults perform similarly to younger adults when making objective decisions and judging character.
Researchers found that cloned pig behavior is not identical to the original animal's behavior. Cloning increases variability associated with some traits, making it difficult to predict the behavior of cloned animals.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully reduced lignin content in aspen trees by 45-50% through genetic modification. This reduction increases cellulose content and accelerates tree growth, offering economic and environmental advantages for the wood, paper, and pulp industries.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully created a line of transgenic chickens carrying a reporter gene that can be easily tracked. This innovation provides a valuable tool for studying embryo development and potentially leads to new insights into birth defects and improvements in human and animal health.
The LabWrite Web site provides step-by-step instruction on writing lab reports, including goal-setting, data organization, and visualization. Students using the tool showed statistically significant improvement in lab-report scores and attitudes toward lab reports.
Researchers used stable isotope assessment to determine that most late-season moths in the Cotton Belt are developing on non-cotton plants like corn, providing a major refuge for H. zea moths and helping to control pesticide-resistant pests.
The research found that Helicobacter pylori can use hydrogen as an energy source, increasing its colonization in mice. The study showed that mice stomachs contained sufficient hydrogen to support the growth of H. pylori.
Researchers are working to isolate the nicotine N-demethylase gene, which converts nicotine into nornicotine, a potent carcinogen. The goal is to reduce levels of harmful nitrosamines in Burley tobacco and explore alternate uses for the crop.
Researchers found that glutinous rice originated in Southeast Asia due to a single genetic mutation in the Waxy gene, which suppresses amylose and gives it its sticky composition. The study also suggests that early Asian farmers selectively bred glutinous rice for its desirable traits.
A new study confirms Pfiesteria cultures can produce a toxic compound, contradicting previous claims that it was non-toxic. The research used standardized methods to test the strain, showing it could kill fish at low cell densities, and detected a potent water-soluble toxin in both pure culture and with algae.
Researchers discovered the chemical principles to reorganize liquids, creating new 'symphonic compositions' with desired optical and electronic properties. The team engineered molecules into glasses and liquids, manipulating their structure to produce changes in properties.
The study found limited genetic diversity in maize's starch pathway, making it harder to increase yields. To address this, researchers suggest incorporating genes from teosinte or using transgenics as alternative methods for improving crop diversity and productivity.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel molecular template that enables the creation of surfaces with varying particle concentrations. This innovation allows for the design of sensors, filters, and other devices that can be tailored for specific applications in electronics, chemistry, and life sciences.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Magnaporthe grisea, a fungus that causes rice blast, which destroys enough rice to feed 60 million people worldwide. The genomic structure is now available online, offering opportunities to dissect, understand and manage plant disease.
A natural compound found in tomatoes has been patented and licensed for production as an insect repellent. The substance, IBI-246, is considered slightly safer than DEET and repels a range of insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and biting flies.
NC State researchers create polymers that allow larger molecules to pass through, improving both permeability and selectivity. The 'reverse-selective' membranes have potential applications in natural-gas suppliers and petroleum processors.
Researchers found mostly beneficial gene substitutions in fruit fly Drosophila, but mostly detrimental substitutions in mustard weed Arabidopsis. The study attributes this difference to the Arabidopsis mating system of partial self-fertilization, which reduces effective population size and increases deleterious mutations.
Scientists have confirmed the syntenic relationship between rice and other cereal grasses like corn, wheat and barley, thanks to a pioneering genome sequencing project. This breakthrough allows researchers to identify important genes in these crops more efficiently.
Researchers at North Carolina State University challenge dominant linguistic theories of African-American English, proposing a new model based on African-based Creole language and regional dialects. Their research, conducted in Hyde County and the Appalachian Mountains, reveals similarities between black speech and African influences.
Scientists have identified a novel family of peptide antibiotics, Piscidins, isolated from the tissues of hybrid striped bass and found in mast cells. These potent compounds show broad-spectrum activity against various bacterial pathogens, including multi-drug-resistant strains.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a method for creating electrical circuits using self-assembling colloidal nanoparticles under the influence of an alternating current electric field. The process, known as dielectrophoresis, allows microwires to form spontaneously and can be used in wet environments.
A North Carolina State University graduate student has discovered a nearly hatched dinosaur embryo in a well-preserved dinosaur egg unearthed over 30 years ago in Alabama. The discovery, made by James Lamb, is the first of its kind in the eastern United States and provides new insights into dinosaurs' diets and climate.
Researchers have used Empirical Mode Decomposition to analyze patterns in tropical storm occurrences along the East Coast. The technique reveals four distinct cycles, or modes, that determine the number of hurricanes making landfall each year.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that fire ant queens can alter the sex ratio of their colonies by limiting female eggs laid. This finding suggests a negotiated middle ground between queens and workers, who have competing interests in raising new colony members.
Researchers have identified a gene that confers high levels of resistance in the tobacco budworm moth to genetically engineered crops with built-in insecticides. This discovery will enable farmers and government officials to take early steps to prevent uncontrollable outbreaks by detecting the early signs of pests evolving resistance.
A team of scientists at North Carolina State University and Yale University have analyzed the function of all proteins in yeast, discovering novel protein interactions that will require further examination. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of protein functions in more complex organisms, including humans.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded a $3 million grant to researchers at North Carolina State University to develop genetically improved strains of the fast-growing loblolly pine. The goal is to produce high-quality wood quickly and efficiently, reducing logging in natural forests and preserving biodiversity.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are studying the life cycle and migration patterns of female blue crabs to ensure long-term sustainability. They aim to discover environmental cues that initiate their journey to spawning grounds, which is crucial for understanding the species' ecology and conservation.
Grasslands have been found to sequester carbon under elevated CO2 conditions, with soil microbes playing a critical role in the process. This finding has important implications for understanding how ecosystems can mitigate climate change.
A new study by NC State University professor Dr. John L. Hubisz found significant errors in widely used middle school physical science textbooks, including incorrect statements about Newton's first law of motion and the equator's location. The study also criticized textbook layout, exercises, and the lack of clear authors.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a new process for creating superhydrophobic polymer surfaces that are longer-lasting and more environmentally friendly. By increasing the surface area of a flexible material before attaching coating molecules, they can achieve superior water resistance and durability without using solve...
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University found that rotating a carbon nanotube controls its ability to conduct electrical current, enabling easier design of electronic devices and actuating systems at the nanoscale level.
A team of scientists has established a formula to predict population dynamics for species more complex than single-celled organisms. Their research uses long-duration experiments and demonstrates that simple mathematical models can govern predator-prey interactions.
Researchers have discovered a new method for measuring the molecular properties of materials, allowing them to study nanostructures in unprecedented detail. The Gradient-Field-Raman (GFR) spectroscopy technique reveals unique vibration patterns that couldn't be explained by previous methods.
A team of scientists has discovered a 66-million-year-old Thescelosaurus with a complete fossilized heart, suggesting the dinosaur's circulatory system was more advanced than that of reptiles. The finding supports the hypothesis that dinosaurs were warm-blooded and could have had metabolic rates higher than typical reptiles.
A North Carolina State University professor argues that a greater understanding of ancient medicine could provide modern doctors with new ways to treat diseases and identify potential dangers. He cites examples such as St. John's wort, which was initially used as an antiseptic but later found to have abortifacient effects.
Researchers have confirmed a new, genetically distinct species of Pfiesteria that thrives in waters with high levels of nitrogen, posing risks to fish and potentially human health. The discovery brings the total number of toxic Pfiesteria species to two, shedding light on their life cycles and behaviors.