Researchers observe tiny, brilliant features in the sun's atmosphere moving at unprecedented speeds to understand solar flare creation. The study confirms a 19-year-old theory and opens doors to a deeper understanding of space weather.
Research from multiple ice cores in Greenland provides new understanding of Dansgaard-Oeschger events, which represent 'tipping points' in Earth's climate. The findings suggest interactions between the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and wintertime sea ice play a key role in these events.
A study found that western spotted skunks have a home range of up to 12 square miles, exceeding similar size mammals and even deer. The skunks' extensive range is likely due to limited food resources. Their sensitivity to winter weather also raises concerns about climate change impacts.
Researchers found that toddlers' activity levels increased in the presence of an active robot, particularly when the robot moved autonomously. The study's findings suggest that assistive robots like GoBot may be effective in promoting physical activity in young children.
The 2024 State of the Climate Report reveals a 'critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis,' with many planetary vital signs at record extremes. The report highlights urgent policy changes needed in energy, pollutants, nature, food, and economy to mitigate catastrophic climate change.
A study of over 700 US counties found a link between childhood leukemia and radon gas levels, including those below the EPA's recommended mitigation threshold. Radon exposure increases the likelihood of leukemia in both boys and girls, according to the research.
Researchers used drone footage to study gray whales' foraging behaviors, finding that younger whales use forward swimming while older whales headstand. The study also revealed that bubble blasts help regulate buoyancy while feeding in shallow water.
A $2.35 million EPA grant will support a two-year OSU project studying 40 US wastewater treatment utilities to understand the impact of treatment processes on antimicrobial resistance markers.
A groundbreaking Oregon State University study found that bicycle rolling-stop laws do not increase the risk of accidents for cyclists or drivers. The study showed that education and awareness about these laws can actually improve safety, as bicyclists become more comfortable yielding at stop signs.
A new study found that pharmacies in racially and economically segregated communities are more likely to restrict buprenorphine dispensing, hindering access to treatment for opioid use disorder. This can lead to a threefold increase in overdose fatality rates among Black and Hispanic/Latinx communities.
A study published in Journal of Psychology found that loneliness is linked to increased nightmare frequency and intensity due to stress, rumination and hyperarousal. The research, conducted by Oregon State University, suggests treating loneliness may help alleviate nightmare experiences.
Researchers have confirmed the presence of two critically endangered shark species, broadnose sevengill and soupfin, in Puget Sound, highlighting changes in the Salish Sea's ecosystem. The discovery indicates potential changes in food webs and the need for continued monitoring.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a material that converts sunlight and water into hydrogen with high speed and efficiency. This process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change by producing clean energy through photocatalysis.
A recent OSU-led study found that natural regeneration is cost-effective in many regions, while plantations are better suited for others. The authors suggest a mixed approach for optimal carbon sequestration.
Researchers captured a unique opportunity to study the impact of vessel strikes on large marine animals. The basking shark was struck while feeding on the surface, causing visible damage and increasing its frequency of tailbeat as it headed to the seafloor.
A new study found that urban moss in older Portland neighborhoods has up to 600 times higher lead levels than rural areas, with concentrations linked to old telecommunications cables. The findings raise concerns about lead exposure and recommend avoiding soil disturbance in affected areas.
A newly enhanced database is expected to help wildfire managers predict where and when wildfires will occur by incorporating hundreds of additional factors. The revised Fire Program Analysis Fire-Occurrence Database now includes information on 2.3 million fires in the United States from 1992 to 2020, providing a deeper understanding of...
Researchers at Oregon State University found that wildfire smoke can reduce temperature stress on young seedlings, making them more resilient to extreme heat events. The study showed a significant cooling effect of wildfire smoke, similar to an increase in canopy cover, which can provide benefits for tree regeneration.
Researchers have discovered compounds that convert the Bcl-2 protein, which protects cancer cells, into a tumor killer. The findings open the door to promising therapies for breast cancer and other malignancies that rely on Bcl-2 to evade treatment and develop drug resistance.
A new Oregon State University study found that young Pacific cod in near shore safe havens were severely affected by recent marine heat waves in the Gulf of Alaska. The researchers estimated that only the largest 15-25% of the island's cod population survived, leading to significant changes in abundance, growth rates and diet.
Researchers developed FairDeDup, a cost-effective method to reduce social biases in AI systems by removing redundant data and incorporating controllable diversity dimensions. The approach enables accurate and fair AI training with fewer resources.
A new artificial intelligence chip has been developed to improve energy efficiency, with the potential to reduce global energy consumption by half a percent by 2027. The chip uses a novel material platform that mimics biological neural networks, allowing for efficient data processing and storage.
A recent study by Oregon State University found that US adults are fairly confident in linking wildfires and heat to climate change, but less so for hurricanes, flooding, or tornadoes. The survey also revealed significant differences in responses based on politics, personal experience, and demographics.
Researchers found that Pacific Coast Feeding Group gray whales, a subset of the Eastern North Pacific population, have been getting smaller since around 2000. This decline could have major consequences for their health and reproductive success, and also raises alarm bells about the state of the food web.
Scientists have found nematodes embedded in the outer layer of pseudoscorpions preserved in Baltic amber, revealing a new parasitic relationship. The discovery provides insight into the biology and ecology of ancient organisms.
Researchers found that sessile invertebrates like mussels and barnacles became more abundant during the study period, while seaweed species like kelps declined. The rocky shore communities did not return to their baseline conditions after the epidemic ended, suggesting low resilience to changes in temperature and predator numbers.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new cathode material for lithium-ion batteries using iron, which could lead to lower costs and increased sustainability. The iron-based cathode offers higher energy density than current materials and uses iron as the cheapest metal commodity.
An OSU study found evidence of intentional camas harvesting dating back 3,500 years, contributing to Traditional Ecological Knowledge research. Indigenous groups selectively harvested camas bulbs when plants were four or five years old and had reached sexual maturity, likely to maintain sustainable populations.
A recent study by Oregon State University reveals that a surge in purple sea urchins is devastating kelp forests, reducing zooplankton populations and impacting the primary prey of gray whales. This cascading effect affects the top predator, causing them to spend less time foraging in the affected area.
Researchers developed a new theory on how market dynamics can lead consumers to make risky purchases despite being cautious. The study found that social information and the desire for low prices can create collective ignorance of risks, leading to spiraling risk and poor decision-making.
A team of researchers found that the current rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide increase is 10 times faster than at any other point in the past 50,000 years. The study provides new insight into abrupt climate change periods and potential impacts of climate change today.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that the shape and surface chemistry of silver nanoparticles significantly impact their environmental toxicity. The study, published in Nanomaterials, found that certain formats can preserve beneficial properties while limiting negative effects.
The study analyzed the 100 biggest marine protected areas, finding that slow implementation of management strategies and lack of restriction on human activities hinder their effectiveness. The authors highlight the need for improved quality of marine protected areas to achieve the goal of protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a novel device that can improve the delivery of gene therapy for patients with inherited lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis. The device uses aerosolization technology to carry messenger RNA to patients' lungs, reducing shear stress and improving precision.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to analyze acoustic recordings of marbled murrelets, determining a high accuracy rate exceeding 90% in detecting the species. This method offers a more efficient and labor-intensive way to monitor rare species like the threatened marbled murrelet.
A new computer simulation model highlights the importance of cultural burning in maintaining forest ecosystem health. Researchers found that Indigenous fire stewardship was extensive across a landscape in northern California before European colonization, with an estimated 6,972 cultural ignitions occurring annually.
Oregon State University researchers have developed a new pigment based on divalent chromium, which could be used as energy-efficient coatings for vehicles and buildings. The pigments are stable and reflective of heat from the sun, leading to potential energy savings.
Researchers found that first-generation, wild-born descendants of hatchery-origin Chinook salmon produced more adult offspring than hatchery-origin salmon, improving reproductive success. This study offers hope for recovering endangered populations using hatchery-origin salmon.
Children with developmental disabilities increased their moderate to vigorous physical activity by 17 minutes per day, while reducing sedentary time by nearly an hour per day through the 'Do As I Do' training intervention. The program also helped build responsibility, independence, and awareness of nonverbal cues.
Paleobiologist George Poinar Jr. presents an early record of an ant-mimicking spider in fossilized resin, shedding light on defense strategies and evolutionary processes. The specimen, Myrmarachne colombiana, has developed a remarkable transformation to resemble ants, with adaptations including modified body parts and behavior.
A product used to control pest slugs on farms is deadly to the least one type of native woodland snail endemic to the Pacific Northwest. The study found that the product's effects depended on concentration and snail size, with all 90 snails killed in exposure groups versus 30 in a control group.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new metric to measure water storage in snowpacks, which reveals a 22% drop in annual storage over the past four decades. This finding is important for water managers as it can help make long-term planning decisions for adjusting infrastructure options.
A new study reveals that marine heat waves disrupt the ocean food web in the northeast Pacific Ocean, shifting energy and impacting predators and prey. Gelatinous zooplankton thrive during heat waves, drawing energy out of the ecosystem and potentially affecting fish and marine mammals.
A new study reveals that gun manufacturers have shifted their marketing strategy to appeal to women, portraying them as responsible and capable gun owners. The study found that the 'serious student' framing became popular between 2016 and 2020, depicting armed American women as pursuing expertise with firearms through focused training.
The Global Hemp Innovation Center is working with 13 Native American Tribes and other partners to spur economic development through sustainable supply chains and education. The project aims to create jobs in the emergent biobased economy and explore industrial uses of hemp.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a metal-organic framework that can completely remove and break down glyphosate, a widely used herbicide. The material, Sc-TBAPy, shows faster adsorption and photodegradation of glyphosate compared to other MOFs.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in developing genetic treatments for hereditary conditions like cystic fibrosis and inherited vision loss. They created a new type of lipid nanoparticle, called Thio-lipids, that can deliver therapeutic payloads to the lungs and retina.
Oregon State University researchers have documented the first-ever sighting of a hoary bat flying over the open ocean, highlighting the need for further studies on threats bats face at sea. The sighting occurred in an area leased for potential offshore wind energy development.
A new study reveals that ringtails prefer tree cavities in mature and older forests, rather than oak woodlands. Researchers found that the presence of fishers did not influence where ringtails chose to rest, providing important guidance for forest managers seeking to conserve these trees.
A new study predicts that cooler, wetter parts of the Pacific Northwest will experience increased fires due to climate change. The region's highly productive forests are vulnerable to larger and more frequent blazes, which could impact drinking water sources, timber resources, and biodiversity.