A new study reveals that forest fragmentation has a greater impact on wildlife in tropical regions, where species are less adapted to disturbances. The research suggests that conserving habitat and minimizing edge creation is crucial for preserving biodiversity in these areas.
A five-year study by Oregon State University found that deer and elk can play a key role in controlling broadleaf vegetation that competes with Douglas-fir seedlings. In some cases, the presence of large herbivores promotes crop tree survival and growth.
A new modeling approach can help researchers, policymakers and the public better understand how policy decisions will influence human migration as sea levels rise. The approach suggests that global policy decisions about greenhouse gas emissions and coastal policies will determine whether people need to migrate and where they may go.
A study by Oregon State University found that 18 batches of supposedly pure human blood serum contained caffeine, cough medicine, and anti-anxiety drugs, highlighting potential issues with contaminated blood transfusions. The research also tested for interactions between botanical supplements and prescription drugs.
A new study by Oregon State University has provided a comprehensive, cellular-level understanding of osteoarthritis, enabling better treatment options. The research uses a sophisticated scanning technique to view loaded joints in arthritic and healthy mice, revealing key features such as tissue mechanics and cellular activity.
Researchers found that xanthohumol and its derivatives can decrease microbiome diversity while reducing inflammation and improving energy metabolism in laboratory animals with high-fat diets. The study suggests that hops compounds may help combat metabolic syndrome by altering bile acid metabolism and changing gut microbiota.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an effective method to use underwater robotic gliders to measure sound levels over broad areas of the sea. The gliders can conduct repeated surveys of a region, providing real-time measurements of changing noise levels and helping scientists track ocean sound pollution.
OSU researchers aim to understand micro- and nanoplastic behavior in freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems. They will develop tools to identify these particles and investigate their effects on aquatic organisms, including oyster larvae and inland silversides.
A global coalition of scientists declares a climate emergency, warning of 'untold human suffering' without drastic changes. They propose six key areas for mitigation: energy, short-lived pollutants, nature, food, economy, and population.
A new study finds that conservatives who report personal harm from extreme weather events, such as wildfires or floods, are more likely to support climate change mitigation policies. The study surveyed over 1,600 residents in communities affected by extreme weather events and found a significant link between reported harm and support f...
A new study finds that sea levels will rise by 20 centimeters by 2300 even if current carbon emissions pledges are met. The increase is attributed to global warming, which takes longer to respond than immediate temperature increases.
Scientists have discovered a clear link between carbon dioxide levels and temperature in the past 2.8 million years, providing a new baseline for understanding climate science. The study reveals that highest CO2 levels matched recent warm periods, while lowest levels did not reach those found in ice ages of the last 800,000 years.
Scientists report that over one-third of ocean areas under protected status result from the annual Our Ocean Conference. The conference has driven meaningful action and elevated ocean issues on the international stage, with 4.8% of the global ocean area now protected.
Researchers found that prolonged blue light exposure damages brain and retinal cells, leading to impaired locomotion in Drosophila melanogaster. Flies without eyes also showed damage, suggesting blue light's harmful effects extend beyond visual perception.
Oregon State University is leading a 3½-year effort to create a center for cancer data harmonization, working with top institutions to develop a cloud-based data-sharing portal. The goal is to integrate disparate data types to aid researchers and healthcare professionals.
Scientists have discovered a new family of microinvertebrates from the mid-Tertiary period, dating back 30 million years. The 'mold pigs' exhibit characteristics with both tardigrades and mites but belong to neither group.
A study by Oregon State University found that the state's accountable-care model led to decreases in unscheduled, preventable hospitalizations among Medicaid enrollees. The model emphasizes primary care, disease prevention, and population health measurements, which may promote more efficient healthcare resource use.
A $1.5 million grant is funding a project to build research infrastructure for autonomous vehicle safety, using one-tenth-scale cars that are less expensive and safer than full-scale vehicles.
According to a new paper by OSU professor Jane Lubchenco, ocean-based activities have significant potential to help reach the 1.5-degree Celsius target by 2050. The report analyzes five categories of ocean-based solutions to reduce emissions, including renewable energy and protecting marine ecosystems.
A new study from Oregon State University finds that cats form attachments with their human owners similar to the bonds formed by children and dogs. The majority of cats (65.8%) are securely attached to their caregivers, while 34.2% exhibit insecure attachment behaviors.
Researchers identified six corporate actions that can promote environmental stewardship: aligning vision, mainstreaming sustainability, license to operate, financing transformations, radical transparency, and evidence-based knowledge for action. These changes can be implemented by large corporations to ensure long-term sustainability.
The hoary bat population is declining at a rate that suggests the species is in jeopardy in the Pacific Northwest. The study found evidence of decline for the hoary bat, but not for the little brown bat, which has been heavily impacted by white-nose syndrome.
Researchers used electronic tags to monitor blue and fin whales' feeding behaviors over multiple weeks, providing unprecedented detail about their daily feeding patterns. The study found that both species have similar feeding bout characteristics, with slight differences observed between males and females.
Research by Oregon State University found that stricter arsenic standards have led to a significant decrease in public water system violations, dropping from 1.3% in 2008 to 0.55% in 2017. This translates to nearly 1 million fewer people exposed to out-of-arsenic-compliance water.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that vitamin E absorption does not require concurrent consumption with fat. After 12 hours without eating, subjects who consumed a fat-containing meal showed significant absorption of vitamin E.
A new study from Oregon State University found that underwater soundscapes varied widely across four protected marine sites, driven by differences in animal vocalization rates, human activity and weather. The study provides a baseline for these regions and can be used for comparison over time.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made an important advance in understanding why certain cells in the nervous system are prone to breaking down and dying, which is what happens in patients with ALS. The study suggests that a protein chaperone called heat shock protein 90 may be critical to neuron survival.
Researchers have found stone tools and other artifacts at Cooper's Ferry site in Idaho dating back to 15,000-16,000 years ago, contradicting the 'Clovis First' theory of early human migration. The discovery supports the hypothesis that people entered North America via a Pacific coastal route.
A new study found that almond, cherry, and meadowfoam provide ample pollen to honeybees, while highbush blueberry and hybrid carrot seed crops may not. Pollen diversity is crucial for colony growth and survival of the western honeybee.
A new study from Oregon State University finds that clinical research funding for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders is still underrepresented in the NIH budget, with only 0.17% of total funding allocated to projects involving these populations between 1992 and 2018.
A team of researchers at Oregon State University has developed a new method for studying tsunami risk to coastal infrastructure. The technique uses a centrifuge to simulate the effects of tsunami waves on soil, allowing for more accurate modeling and potential engineering solutions.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that a two-thirds increase in returning coho salmon to the Oregon coast would generate up to $518 million in annual non-market economic benefits. The study also found that people value conservation goals sooner rather than later, with up to $277 million in annual benefits.
A new genus of bacteria has been identified as a major contributor to coral decline, siphoning energy from corals and making them more susceptible to disease. The study found that the bacterial genus is globally associated with many different coral hosts and has genes that enable it to parasitize its hosts for amino acids and ATP.
Agricultural lands are the most productive places for solar power, according to an Oregon State University study. The researchers found that converting less than 1% of land to solar panels would be sufficient to fulfill global electric energy demand.
Scientists at Oregon State University have discovered a protein modification that enables tumor cells to proliferate without harming healthy cells. This finding opens up new avenues for cancer therapies with minimal side effects.
A new Oregon State University study finds that West Coast forest landowners will gradually shift away from planting Douglas-fir in a warming climate. The share of Douglas-fir in the Pacific Northwest is expected to decline to 25% by the end of the century.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a novel genomics-based method to detect the simultaneous presence of hundreds of organisms in a stream. The study used water sampling for environmental DNA, capturing biodiversity and ecosystem health data from hundreds of organisms in a single sample.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Earth Science suggests that intense storms may contribute to the breakup of Antarctic ice sheets. Researchers deployed underwater sensors to record 'icequakes' indicating fracturing of the Nansen Ice Shelf, which calved into two giant icebergs during a massive storm system.
Researchers predict blue whales' most likely foraging areas and times using satellite tracking data and environmental factors. The model improves understanding of the species-environment relationship, helping inform population management decisions amid climate change.
A new study highlights the importance of introducing conservation measures upstream from where droughts are likely to cause shortages. The research found that effective policies can conserve water but have limited ability to mitigate shortages, as timing and location mismatch
A researcher at Oregon State University has received a $2.3 million grant to develop an effective treatment for cachexia, a muscle-wasting syndrome that kills up to 30% of cancer patients. The new research aims to preserve muscle mass and reduce death and suffering among patients with various cancers.
Oregon State University researchers developed a new model to calculate snowpack water content, utilizing snow depth data and climate normals. The model performed better than existing ones against validation datasets, providing a valuable tool for vast areas lacking weather instrumentation.
A long-term study of butterflies in Ohio found that common species are declining at a rate of 2% per year, resulting in an overall 33% decrease over 21 years. This trend is consistent with other monitoring programs in Europe and highlights the impact of environmental changes on insect populations.
A new study from Oregon State University found that military veterans exposed to combat were more likely to exhibit signs of depression and anxiety in later life. The study suggests that combat experience has a unique impact on mental health trajectories in late life, independent of other health issues or stressful life events.
A study by Oregon State University found that location-based data from social commerce sites like Yelp can predict restaurant success. The hybrid model, which combines contextual and geographic models, performed best in predicting business performance.
A collaboration of researchers from Oregon State University, University of Oxford, and Erasmus University discovered a genetic mutation causing craniosynostosis, a condition where skull bones fuse prematurely. This finding may lead to the prevention of the disorder and a better understanding of its effects on other organ systems.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a copper compound that improves the condition of mice with damaged motor neurons, potentially slowing ALS progression. The study builds on previous findings and suggests a broader neuroprotective role for copper-ATSM beyond mutant SOD models of ALS.
A study by Oregon State University found that providing information about certification standards and organic production practices reduces consumer willingness to pay for all wines. However, when additional information about conventional winemaking practices is provided, willingness to pay for wine labeled as organic or made with organ...
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an improved technique for using magnetic nanoclusters to kill hard-to-reach tumors. The nanoclusters, which can reach temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, were found to be effective in treating ovarian cancer and other types of cancer.
Researcher Brett Burkhardt finds that private prisons are shaped by politics and policies, yet also face moral and ethical dilemmas. The industry is adapting to changing incarceration rates and exploring new opportunities such as drug testing and treatment programs.