Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a 3D printable alloy that enables the rapid manufacture of flexible computer screens, bendable displays, and soft robots. The new alloy, created by adding nickel nanoparticles to galinstan, can be layered into tall structures with good conductivity and self-healing properties.
A new study found that snowpack levels in the western United States have declined by 15-30% since 1915, with a significant impact on water storage and usage. The loss of water storage is comparable to Lake Mead, the West's largest manmade reservoir.
A new U.S.-wide report card ranks all 50 states on their maternity care quality, revealing a strong connection between midwifery integration and improved birth outcomes. States with high midwifery integration scores tend to have lower rates of premature births, cesarean deliveries, and newborn deaths.
Climate projections for the Pacific Northwest reveal a warmer future under high greenhouse gas concentrations, with temperatures expected to rise between 1.5 and 7 degrees Celsius. The regional consensus among climate models indicates that the region will become considerably warmer in the next century.
Recent studies suggest that offering alcohol in the workplace can be a turn-off for some potential employees, particularly those with lower levels of political skill. Companies should authentically portray their drinking culture to prospective employees and pay attention to signals of values alignment during the recruiting process.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that newly-hatched salmon use the geomagnetic field to orient themselves vertically when emerging from gravel nests. This ability allows them to navigate three-dimensionally and orient themselves in their environment, which is crucial for survival.
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers found that old-growth forests in Costa Rica's Coto Brus region have a greater variety of bird species compared to second-growth forests. This suggests that maintaining large areas of primary forest is crucial for conservation efforts.
A study by Oregon State University found that hatchery-raised chinook salmon self-sort into surface- and bottom-oriented groups in their tanks, leading to differences in body shape and size. The researchers observed consistent variations from year to year, suggesting genetics plays a role in this behavior.
Young adults with highly committed relationships and strong sexual decision-making roles are more likely to use hormonal or long-acting contraceptives. Conversely, those in less committed relationships or who have played a lesser role in contraceptive decisions tend to rely on condoms.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that symptoms of alcoholism make it difficult for patients to take naltrexone, a medication approved to treat alcohol use disorder. The study suggests that ongoing daily contact with the patient is crucial to improving adherence, particularly after heavy drinking episodes or strong cravings.
A novel research approach by Oregon State University has shed light on how midsize predators like fishers interact with each other. The study found that fishers are the dominant small carnivore when present, negatively affecting foxes directly and ringtails indirectly.
Researchers have shed light on the mechanism behind important proteins on N. gonorrhoeae's outer membrane, potentially leading to new antibiotics or a vaccine. The findings suggest that BamE could be a new vaccine target against N. gonorrhoeae.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that compounds derived from hops can improve glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and sensitivity to leptin in people with metabolic syndrome. The findings suggest that these compounds may be a promising treatment option for the condition.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new method of cell preservation using desiccation, which shows promise as an alternative to cryopreservation via liquid nitrogen. The method involves removing water from cells, resulting in a stable solid that can be stored in conventional freezers or refrigerators.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that exposure to valproic acid, a migraine treatment, causes characteristics similar to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in zebrafish. The study validated zebrafish as a model for studying ASD and its causes, providing a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional rodent models.
Researchers at Oregon State University have designed the world's smallest electro-optic modulator, which could lead to major reductions in energy consumption for data centers and supercomputers. The device is roughly the size of a bacterium and can be 100 times more energy efficient than previous devices.
In southeastern Alaska, brown and black bears are the primary seed dispersers of berry-producing shrubs. Bears disperse approximately 200,000 devil's club seeds per square kilometer per hour through their scat. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about bird involvement in seed dispersal.
A new international study found that plankton's body size and ocean currents are crucial in determining their dispersal in the ocean. The larger the plankton, the smaller the connection between distant communities. Climate change is rapidly warming marine waters, making it essential to understand how this affects biological communities.
A type of soil-dwelling bacterium produces a molecule that induces death in melanoma cells by targeting mitochondria. The molecule, mensacarcin, shows powerful anti-proliferative effects and can activate pathways to apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
Scientists analyzed NASA's Aqua satellite records to find that rising maximum temperatures are affecting every ecosystem on the planet, from ice sheets to tropical forests. Temperature extremes coincided with severe droughts and heat waves across the globe, particularly in tropical regions and northern hemisphere.
Researchers created a nanomedicine platform that uses near-infrared imaging to detect tumors and kill residual cancer cells using phototherapy. The platform has shown great precision and thoroughness in cancer treatment, with promising results in mouse models.
A new study from Oregon State University found that people with rare diseases experience high levels of anxiety, depression, and pain, as well as limited ability to participate in society. The study suggests that psychosocial support is needed to improve quality of life for this group.
Researchers identified three types of risk-mitigation strategies: readiness practices (routines), simulated scenario practices (target shooting and training), and mentally-rehearsed scenarios. These efforts decrease some risk but cannot fully prepare individuals for actual self-defense situations, which can pose unexpected risks.
Researchers found that old-growth forests with diverse tree sizes and species can buffer the effects of warming temperatures on birds. The study suggests that large trees function as heat sinks during warm periods and multiple canopy layers provide climate buffering effects, supporting stable populations of some bird species.
A team led by OSU professor Kerry McPhail will study stromatolites in South Africa's barrage pools, seeking insights into chemical signaling and metabolite production among ancient microbial communities. The research aims to advance our understanding of the origins of life and develop new medicines.
A daily self-regulation intervention added to a summer kindergarten readiness program significantly improved children's self-regulation skills and early academic skills. The intervention, co-developed by OSU researcher Megan McClelland, uses music and games to help preschoolers learn and practice self-regulation skills.
A team of OSU researchers identified beneficial and pathogenic species of Rhodococcus bacteria using genome sequencing. The study found that plasmids, separate DNA molecules, facilitate the transition between these two forms of bacteria.
Researchers found that the optimal amount of rainfall for plant productivity lies in an intermediate climate, where plants can use slightly more moisture than usual. This 'mesic maximum' range is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health and agricultural systems under projected climate change conditions.
Researchers in material robotics envision a future where technology seamlessly integrates into daily life, enabling intelligent products that adapt to our needs. By merging materials science and robotics, the goal is to create robots with 'brains' in their bodies, making them ubiquitous and invisible.
Research at Oregon State University shows that flooding rivers is necessary for maintaining healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. Minor changes in flow patterns can harm plant communities, while severe effects occur when cyclical flooding is removed from the equation.
Researchers at Oregon State University found notable differences in the taste of beers malted from two barley varieties, revealing novel flavors that carry through malting and brewing into beer. The study's results have significant implications for the brewing industry, particularly for beer connoisseurs.
The recovery of killer whales, sea lions, and harbor seals on the West Coast has led to a significant increase in their consumption of chinook salmon. This shift may now exceed the combined harvest by commercial and recreational fisheries, creating complex tradeoffs for conservation efforts.
Most blue whales exhibit a lateralization bias, being 'right-handed' or 'left-handed,' with most feeding movements involving 90-degree side rolls. However, researchers found that these whales become left-handed when swimming upward at a steep angle to approach prey near the surface.
New research from Oregon State University reveals that a heat-tolerant Symbiodinium species may not be able to form a healthy partnership with corals, exacerbating the threat of climate change. The study used an established model system, sea anemones, to test the hypothesis.
A team of over 15,000 scientists from 184 countries warns of severe consequences for human well-being due to negative environmental trends. The authors propose steps to reverse these trends, including establishing nature reserves and promoting renewable energy.
A team led by OSU's Julie A. Adams will receive $7.1 million to develop drone swarm infrastructure for the US military in urban combat, aiming to increase troop safety and efficiency.
A global analysis of arboreal vertebrate species reveals that 85% are drawn to or shun the edges of forests, with positive effects on 46% and negative impacts on 39%. This study highlights the need for conservation programs to safeguard large forest areas from fragmentation.
A new study by Oregon State University shows that Brazil's environmental land registration program has slowed down deforestation on private land, particularly in the Amazon region. The CAR (Cadastro Ambiental Rural) system allows landowners to demonstrate compliance with regulations and provides a mechanism for government monitoring.
A study by OSU researchers used a coupled modeling approach to analyze the interactions between natural water supply and human demand, revealing key findings including the importance of economics in understanding water scarcity and counterintuitive effects of urban expansion and climate change.
Researchers developed nanofiber sutures loaded with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and pam3CSK4 peptide, releasing the former on a sustained basis over four weeks. The sutures activated immune responses, producing the LL-37 peptide that kills microbes by disrupting their membranes.
The CAMI challenge ranked metagenome interpretation tools to provide a roadmap for biologists. Biologists face challenges due to the high number of tools and limited accuracy assessments.
Scientists at Oregon State University predicted a short gamma-ray burst detection, which was confirmed just a month later. The OSU team predicted the event based on their understanding of binary neutron star systems and gravitational waves.
A new study published in Nature Communications outlines the mechanisms of converting permafrost carbon to CO2, highlighting the importance of sunlight and the right microbial community. The research found that sunlight enhances decay by some microbial communities, making frozen carbon more accessible to others.
Scientists discovered that plastic marine debris was transporting non-native species from Japan to North America and Hawaii after the 2011 tsunami. This phenomenon suggests a significant increase in the role of marine debris as a vector for invasive species due to climate change and coastal urbanization.
A study by Oregon State University finds that truckers who can't find safe places to park and rest face significant economic costs, with at-fault crashes resulting in approximately $75 million of 'crash harm' over a 7-year period on one stretch of highway.
A study by Oregon State University and the Oregon Health Authority identified 21 cases of extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, a rare gene responsible for antibiotic resistance. Effective communication between facilities can prevent transmission and ensure appropriate contact precautions are taken.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified two proteins, NGO1985 and NGO2121, as promising gonorrhea vaccine candidates. These proteins show extensive sensitivity to antimicrobial compounds, making them attractive targets for developing a vaccine.
Scientists at Oregon State University developed a new assay to study the otoferlin protein, essential for hearing. They found a truncated version of otoferlin that can function in sound encoding and validated a method for characterizing large membrane proteins.
A global analysis of 27,000 vertebrate animal species found that those in the Goldilocks zone face a lower risk of extinction than larger or smaller species. The largest and smallest species are disproportionately threatened by human activities such as harvesting and habitat loss.
A recent study found that a high-priced drug called Acthar drove up Medicare expenditures by over $1 billion, despite lacking evidence of greater efficacy. The majority of spending was attributed to a small group of frequent prescribers, who may be subject to conflicts of interest from aggressive marketing.