Researchers analyzed carbon dioxide levels and found a remarkable correlation with climate fluctuations over 70,000 years. The study confirms the validity of computer models projecting a warmer climate due to human activities.
A new analysis suggests that old growth forests, often considered irrelevant to climate change mitigation, may account for up to 10% of global net carbon uptake. These forests continue to absorb carbon dioxide and store it in woody tissues, storing more than they release for centuries.
Researchers use wave energy to pump cold, nutrient-rich water from deep ocean to surface waters near Hawaii, aiming to control plankton growth. They believe this can help mitigate global greenhouse buildup by understanding large-scale interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.
A new study has resolved a 50-year-old debate on cell division, finding that both polar relaxation and equatorial stimulation mechanisms exist in cells. This discovery may aid cancer research and provide insights into genetic diseases.
The Blanco Transform Fault Zone has experienced over 1,500 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater in the past 40 years, with many thousands of smaller quakes. The region's tectonic stress may affect the Cascadia Subduction Zone, potentially leading to a major earthquake.
Researchers discovered that the Douglas-fir tree's wood structure prevents water from being pulled any higher than 350 feet due to air bubble formation. At this height, trees experience drought-like conditions and struggle to transport water, limiting their growth.
A new study found that lionfish can slash the survival of other reef fishes by 80 percent within a short period. The invasive species disrupts the ecological balance of coral reefs, allowing seaweeds to overwhelm them. This is another major threat to coral reefs, following overfishing and pollution.
Forests provide natural filtration and storage systems that process nearly two-thirds of the U.S. water supply. Preserving and managing forests may help sustain water supplies, but forest management is unlikely to increase water yields.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that paying rural landowners in Oregon to protect at-risk animals may not lead to increased carbon sequestration. In fact, conservation efforts may even harm species if they prioritize tree and plant growth over animal protection.
Scientists have developed a new technique to identify organic matter in Martian soils using ultraviolet light. The method, which uses polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), has the potential to detect signs of life on Mars and could be used on future missions.
Researchers found that migratory songbirds can learn from the songs of successful birds, leading them to choose habitats with high reproductive potential. This complex communication ability suggests that songbirds may be more than just visually selecting habitats.
Researchers at Oregon State University successfully relocated Caspian terns to a new nesting site at Crump Lake, finding over 135 nesting pairs. The move aims to reduce the birds' impact on threatened and endangered salmon populations in the Columbia River estuary.
Researchers have discovered high levels of acidified ocean water off the West Coast of North America, with corrosive levels detected within 20 miles of the shoreline. The acidic water is likely 50 years old and may increase in future due to rising atmospheric CO2 levels.
Scientists have confirmed the link between greenhouse gas levels and global warming with new analysis of Antarctic ice cores extending back 800,000 years. The study reveals that current concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane are unprecedented in the past.
A national study found that healthy streams can filter out 40-60% of added nitrogen within 500 meters, while denitrification accounts for about 19%. Maintaining healthy riparian areas and complex stream channels is essential to prevent eutrophication.
Rising greenhouse gas emissions are causing ocean warming, acidification, and altering circulation patterns, posing significant threats to coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. The panelists emphasize the need for drastic action to reduce emissions to mitigate these impacts.
Researchers from Oregon State University find that Pacific Northwest coast low-oxygen events are unprecedented and may be caused by stronger winds due to global warming. Hypoxic conditions have been recurring since 2002, with severe impacts on marine life.
A new study indicates that preserving coastal ecosystem services doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach, and a better understanding of how ecosystems respond in a 'nonlinear' fashion could help reach societal compromises. The researchers used the values and uses of mangrove forests in Thailand as a case study, finding that prote...
Researchers found that lipoic acid supplements reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation by 55% in mice, lowered triglycerides, and helped normalize metabolic processes. The supplements may be useful as a preventive mechanism before advanced cardiovascular disease develops.
A new study suggests that nearly 60% of the US is at high risk for zebra mussel invasion due to low calcium levels in streams and lakes. The invasive species could spread rapidly through connecting waterways and recreational boating, causing millions of dollars in damage and ecological harm.
A new study found that benzethonium chloride is more effective in killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria than other antibacterial products. The compound kills common types of non-hospital MRSA bacteria better than others, with a genuine bactericidal effect against all four tested strains.
Researchers have found that a new estrogen-derived drug, 2-methoxyestradiol (meth-oxy-es-tra-di-ol), effectively targets breast cancer cells, prevents their spread to bone, and protects against osteolysis. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of breast cancer.
Climate change models predict catastrophic fires in Southern California due to growing vegetation and prolonged drought periods. The region may experience longer-term precipitation patterns with less year-to-year variability, leading to heavier vegetation loads and increased fuel loads.
A new study by Oregon State University reveals that rearing steelhead trout in hatcheries causes a dramatic drop in their ability to reproduce in the wild, with reproductive success dropping by up to 40% per generation.
A new study by Oregon State University microbiologists found that one type of bacteria has mutants that shut down communication systems to avoid sharing nutrients. This allows the lazy bacteria to grow faster and outcompete others, but also reveals a paradox in microbiology and potential strategies for combating bacterial infections.
The levels of vitamin E necessary to reduce oxidative stress are far higher than those commonly used in clinical trials, according to new research. Vitamin E supplements at these levels may help prevent or treat cardiovascular disease by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
A study by Oregon State University researchers identified a soldier beetle preserved in amber, showcasing an ancient chemical defense response. The discovery indicates that this type of protective mechanism has been around for over 100 million years.
Botanists at Oregon State University have discovered a single plant gene that causes resistance to one disease, while producing susceptibility to a different disease. This unusual phenomenon may help scientists better understand the pathways of genetic disease resistance and susceptibility in plants.
Oregon State University will lead a component of the National Science Foundation's Ocean Observatories Initiative, located in the Pacific Northwest's coastal ocean. The $331.5 million research facility project will create a distributed, multi-tiered observatory spanning global, regional and coastal scales.
A new analysis by Oregon State University and U.S. Geological Survey suggests that dense conifer forests may be harming dozens of animal species dependent on shrubs, herbs, and broad-leaf trees. At least 78 vertebrate species have been documented to require non-coniferous vegetation, which is often scarce in managed forests.
Recent Hispanic immigrants in the US are more likely to use illegal drugs as they adopt white American cultural beliefs, with acculturated Hispanics nearly 13 times as likely to report using illicit drugs. The study also found that acculturated Hispanics were more likely to engage in binge drinking and bender drinking.
A new study published in Biological Conservation shows that wolves are allowing aspen trees to recover in Yellowstone National Park for the first time in over 50 years. The presence of wolves is altering elk behavior, causing them to avoid browsing in certain areas where they feel vulnerable, leading to a significant reduction in elk b...
A team of researchers from Oregon State University has discovered a unique genetic material acquired through evolution that allows Mycobacterium avium to infect human tissue cells. This 'island' of genetic material enables the bacterium to evade the body's immune response, compromising immunity in patients with lung infections and AIDS.
Researchers at Oregon State University have successfully manipulated the growth in height of trees using genetic modification, creating miniature trees that can range from a few inches to over 50 feet tall. The findings offer potential for new products in the ornamental and nursery industries, but regulatory hurdles must be overcome.
A new study suggests that human-caused nitrogen deposition is indirectly fertilizing forests, increasing their growth and sequestering major amounts of carbon. The findings reveal a more complex view of the carbon cycle in forests, heavily influenced by human activities.
A new Oregon State University study found that salvage logging and replanting increased fire severity in areas burned by the 2002 Biscuit Fire. Natural regeneration of forests appeared to result in less risk of severe future fires.
Computer scientists at Oregon State University developed a new approach to fix errors in spreadsheets, which can be used by anyone without extensive training. The system, called GoalDebug, provides a short list of suggested changes, allowing users to identify and fix problems efficiently.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that lipoic acid restores glutathione levels and boosts antioxidant defenses to combat cellular decline associated with aging. The compound also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, relevant to degenerative diseases.
A study analyzing whale meat sold in Korean markets suggests the number of whales being sold for human consumption is much higher than reported to the International Whaling Commission. The researchers estimate that nearly twice as many minke whales passed through Korean markets between 1999 and 2003 as were officially reported.
The Oregon State University salmon tracking program is expanding to northern California waters to gather data on the distribution of salmon in the ocean. The goal is to support informed fisheries management decisions that balance the harvest of healthy stocks with the protection of weakened runs.
A new study suggests that amphibians are losing the battle against environmental change due to their inability to adapt quickly enough. With 43% of species in decline and 168 extinct, the impacts on amphibians are far more pervasive than other vertebrates.
Researchers from Oregon State University will travel to Indonesia to collect piston core samples from the seafloor, analyzing evidence of past earthquakes and tsunamis on the Sunda subduction zone. They aim to recreate the seismic history of the region, shedding light on devastating natural disasters.
Researchers confirmed a direct link between volcanic eruptions and global warming, with sea surface temperatures rising by up to six degrees in the Arctic. The study analyzed ash layers and marine fossil records to establish this connection about 55 million years ago.
Researchers from Oregon State University found a high level of naturally-regenerating tree seedlings in burned forest lands. The density of surviving conifers was similar to that of traditional old-growth forests, with some plots already having larger trees considered 'free to grow' by forestry standards.
A new study reveals that a plant pathogen played a key role in allowing non-native grasses to invade California, dramatically changing the state's vast grassland ecosystem. The research suggests that diseases can facilitate the invasion of exotic species, which threatens biodiversity and ecological function.
Researchers found that flavonoids are poorly absorbed by the body and rapidly metabolized, unlike vitamins C and E. However, they can influence cell signaling pathways and gene expression, potentially preventing cancer and heart disease. A moderate intake of flavonoids from fruits and vegetables may be sufficient.
A study by Oregon State University scientists found that iron-rich winter runoff from Pacific Northwest streams and rivers fertilizes the nearshore Pacific Ocean, leading to robust phytoplankton production and fisheries. The researchers discovered that the iron is trapped on the continental shelf in the winter, but released during summ...
Commercially prized deep-sea fish are severely threatened by over-fishing and low reproductive success due to long lifespans, while technological advances have made targeting them easier.
Researchers propose a holistic approach to fisheries management, emphasizing the need to consider entire ecosystems and monitor catch characteristics. The 'Ten Commandments' outline specific action items to improve sustainability and efficiency in marine management.
The California Current system has undergone dramatic variations in phytoplankton production, expanding hypoxic zones, and collapsing marine food webs off the western US coast. Climate change is consistent with predictive models of global climate change, but its definitive cause remains uncertain.