The High Seas Treaty, underpinned by Oregon State University science, aims to safeguard and sustainably use the high seas. The treaty has been adopted by 60 nations, including the U.S., and will go into effect on Jan. 17.
A survey of urban forests in western Oregon found no connection between mistletoe infestation and negative health outcomes for parasitized trees. Western oak mistletoe was observed in 227 non-native trees, with most being oaks, suggesting it may be a benefit to wildlife.
A new study of professional Santas found that diverse individuals can succeed in the role despite lacking typical attributes. Atypical Santas have found ways to surmount the odds and become successful in their chosen profession.
A new study reveals that four wild cat species in Guatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve coexist without competitive exclusion by hunting in different vertical zones. Pumas primarily consume tree-dwelling prey, while jaguars and ocelots focus on ground-dwelling prey.
A calcite deposit in a southern Nevada cave has provided new insight into the region's hydroclimate, revealing significant shifts in temperature and rainfall over the last 580,000 years. The analysis suggests that temperature, availability of water, and vegetation are tightly coupled, with changes in one area impacting others.
A new study finds that floating solar panel systems can have varying effects on aquatic ecosystems depending on the reservoir's depth, circulation dynamics, and fish species. The cooling effect of the water can boost panel efficiency, but increased variability in habitat suitability for aquatic species is also observed.
The study by researchers at Oregon State University and Utrecht University found that children of parents with high levels of acceptance and low negativity tend to struggle less with their own parenting, while those who experienced little acceptance and a lot of negativity as children are more likely to become parents with similar diff...
Researchers developed a standardized language for describing cannabis and hemp aromas, which can aid in quality assessment beyond THC potency. The study found that hemp and cannabis exhibit overlapping sensory profiles, with distinct aroma characteristics emerging from each.
A long-term analysis of Detroit Reservoir shows a regime shift in 2018, switching from cylindrospermopsin to microcystin as the dominant toxin-producing strain. This change was caused by accumulations of previously identified Dolichospermum strains, providing early warning tools for downstream water utilities.
Researchers at OSU have designed a novel manganese-based MOF, BVR-19, which is less toxic to patients and more environmentally friendly than current contrast agents. The new material has shown promising results in medical imaging, with higher r1 relaxivity and biocompatibility.
A new analysis of Douglas-fir forests reveals that wildfire risk can reduce forestland values by up to 50% and prompt plantation owners to harvest trees earlier than planned. This is due to the volatility in timber pricing and the economic uncertainty caused by rising fire danger.
A recent study by Oregon State University and the US Forest Service analyzed satellite imagery to assess the impact of the 2021 'heat dome' on western Oregon and Washington's forests. The analysis revealed that 293,546 hectares of forest were damaged, with iconic species like western redcedar and hemlock being disproportionately affected.
A statewide study of over 60,000 Oregon adults found that proximity to cannabis retailers is linked with increased cannabis use and decreased heavy drinking. Adults in two age groups, 21-24 and 65+, showed the most pronounced effects.
A new report warns that the planet is on a dangerous path and that rapid action can avert the worst outcomes of climate change. The report highlights the need for effective climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, including reducing fossil fuel consumption and promoting renewable energy sources.
New research reveals many encouraging signs for ochre sea star populations, with many baby boomers reaching adulthood and population numbers exceeding pre-wasting disease abundances. However, the average body sizes of the sea stars are still smaller than before, and the populations coast-wide are generally less steady from year to year.
Researchers have discovered the oldest directly dated ice and air on the planet, providing an unprecedented view of Earth's past climate. The 6-million-year-old ice cores reveal a gradual cooling trend of about 12 degrees Celsius over the last 6 million years.
A multiyear analysis of over 400,000 women and 28,000 breast cancer cases found a strong association between outdoor air pollution and increased breast cancer incidence. The study suggests that reducing car traffic and promoting alternative transportation can help mitigate this risk.
Researchers analyze stone tool technologies, revealing a coastal route from East Asia to the Americas around 20,000 years ago. The findings provide strong evidence for the global Paleolithic connection between North America and Northeast Asia.
A new study published in Science reveals that large fluctuations in global sea level occurred throughout the last ice age, rather than just at its end. This finding represents a significant shift in researchers' understanding of past climate history and challenges conventional wisdom on the middle Pleistocene transition.
A new smartphone-based AI system accurately predicts avocado firmness and internal quality with high accuracy, enabling consumers to avoid overripe avocados. The technology has the potential to assess the ripeness and quality of other foods, reducing global food waste by 50% by 2030.
Researchers found similarities in timing and structure of turbidite layers in cores from both fault systems, suggesting seismic synchronization between Cascadia and San Andreas faults. The study, led by Chris Goldfinger, suggests that earthquakes on one fault could draw down resources across the country.
A study by Oregon State University found that social media use is correlated with loneliness among US adults, including those aged 30-70. Frequent and extended periods of social media use were associated with increased feelings of loneliness.
The study reveals why some peptides are more effective and why certain bacterial cells are more vulnerable to membrane disruption. The findings provide a mathematical equation to identify optimal properties for efficacy, opening the door to designing novel compounds against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A study by Oregon State University found that magic mushroom edibles sold in smoke shops and convenience stores likely contain no psilocybin, instead having a range of undisclosed active ingredients. The researchers detected compounds such as caffeine, hemp extracts, and synthetic psychedelics.
Researchers found that targeted snow monitoring at hotspots can improve water supply predictions in most basins, with typical gains of 11-14% compared to 4%. This approach is more cost-effective than basin-wide surveys and has potential for more accurate forecasts.
A groundbreaking study reveals multiple Portland neighborhoods have unhealthy noise levels that are likely to cause harm. The research, led by Oregon State University scientists, provides a framework for studying noise pollution in other US cities and identifies patterns of noise environments across the city.
Researchers at Oregon State University report a remarkable case of ecological restoration in Yellowstone National Park. The reintroduction of wolves has initiated a trophic cascade that reduced elk populations and allowed aspen trees to begin recovering, with nearly 80% of the 87 surveyed stands showing signs of growth.
Researchers at Oregon State University have created intense yellow, orange, and reddish pigments using a thortveitite-like crystal lattice with nickel, zinc, and vanadium. The new pigments are stable under high temperatures and in acidic environments, making them suitable for large-scale production.
A new study finds that natural areas around the globe acquire less nitrogen than previously estimated, which could reduce their capacity to store carbon and mitigate climate change. The rise in agricultural nitrogen fixation may also contribute to land degradation, air pollution, and water quality issues.
A new study found that a wildfire and drought led to an increase in jaguar population density in the Brazilian wetlands. The site, which is home to a unique population of jaguars with aquatic diets, may serve as a climate refuge, buffering extreme climate events.
A new study found that cows fed hemp byproduct for 28 days and then withdrawn from the diet for four weeks have undetectable levels of psychoactive THC in their milk. The findings could pave the way for the use of spent hemp biomass as a feed supplement for livestock, providing an economic value to hemp producers.
A daily dose of almonds improved key health markers for people with metabolic syndrome, including declines in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and waist circumference. Almond snacking also appeared to help limit gut inflammation, an indicator of gut health.
A new study found that reduced outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with higher stress and depressive symptoms. However, more frequent outdoor activities predicted better well-being. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing access to outdoor spaces, especially for marginalized communities.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed new monitoring techniques to measure wood stove emissions, revealing that 70% of pollution occurs during startup and reloading. Automated technologies injecting primary and secondary air show a 95% reduction in particulate matter emissions, potentially limiting PM2.5 pollution by 95%.
Scientists have developed a new drug delivery system that transports genetic therapies directly to the lungs, slowing lung cancer growth and improving lung function in cystic fibrosis. Researchers created a safe and effective nanoparticle that carries messenger RNA and gene-editing tools to lung cells.
Oregon State University scientists have improved AI's ability to identify wildlife species in photos taken by motion-activated cameras. By limiting the training data to one species and including images from diverse environments, they achieved almost 90% identification accuracy with a small fraction of the required training data.
A novel analysis suggests more than 3,500 animal species are at risk from climate change, with significant threats to invertebrates and marine life. The study highlights the need for a global database on mass mortality events due to climate change and integration of biodiversity and climate change policy planning.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new chip that consumes half the energy of traditional designs, using AI principles to reduce power consumption for signal processing in data centers. The chip can recover corrupted data more efficiently than conventional systems, which are power-hungry.
A study by Oregon State University finds that human-caused climate change led to 15,000 extra deaths from wildfire PM2.5 in the continental US between 2006 and 2020. The economic burden associated with these deaths is estimated at $160 billion annually.
Scientists have identified a novel species of bacteria that acts as electrical wiring, enabling long-distance electron transport and potential applications in medicine, industry, and environmental monitoring. The new species, Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, is named after the Native American Tribe of the region where it was found.
Researchers developed nanoparticles to deliver anti-inflammatory agents across the blood-brain barrier, opening new possibilities for treating Alzheimer's disease and other brain-related disorders. The delivery method successfully reduced inflammatory markers and improved food intake in mice with cancer cachexia.
A team of researchers from Oregon State University and China has improved the chemical reaction that underpins a range of commercial and industrial goods. They created single-atom catalysts that demonstrate excellent catalytic activities, leading to record high activities and excellent stabilities in hydrogenation reactions.
A recent study found that over two-fifths of Oregon community pharmacies require a prescription to purchase syringes, creating an access barrier for people with diabetes and others who need them. The unwillingness to sell was most pronounced in urban areas, highlighting the need for improved public health strategies.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed uniquely shaped, fast-heating nanoparticles that can effectively treat ovarian tumors. The nanoparticles exhibit exceptional heating efficiency when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, raising temperatures by 3.73 degrees Celsius per second.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that incorporating a lower extremity injury prevention program reduces ACL tears and healthcare expenses by over 70%. Implementing such programs could save $60 million annually in the US high school soccer community.
A novel electrocatalyst has been developed to efficiently convert captured carbon dioxide into green energy by producing methanol. The dual-site catalyst increases the production rate and results in a higher Faradaic efficiency of 50%, significantly improving over previous single-site catalysts.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that certain groups of consumers are open to drinking smoke-impacted wines. The study suggests potential tools for making these wines viable for the market through blending and targeted labeling and marketing strategies.
A new study by OSU researchers found that playful adults demonstrated greater optimism, engaged in creative problem solving, and infused quality into everyday activities during the pandemic. Regular playtime can help cultivate this resource for building resilience and maintaining well-being.
Researchers have found a way to improve the effectiveness of methotrexate in treating choriocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer affecting pregnant women and new mothers. The new drug delivery system, known as polymersomes, targets a specific protein in cancer cells, reducing tumor size by 95%.
The project aims to create novel platforms and formulations capable of delivering large, complex biologics with minimal toxicity and immune system responses. The developed technologies could be applied not only in combat areas but also in the general public to protect against infectious diseases and other health threats.