Research from Oregon State University shows that Americans judge the morality of armed self-protection on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like perceived threat and background of the person carrying the gun. The study highlights the complexity of consumer views on gun rights and Second Amendment rights.
Researchers have discovered a common virus hidden within the genomes of coral symbionts, which can threaten the stability of the symbiotic partnership. Climate change and stress can trigger the release of this non-retroviral RNA virus, leading to disease in corals.
A study by OSU researchers found that tropical forest birds with shorter, round wings are more susceptible to habitat fragmentation due to their limited dispersal abilities. This is in contrast to temperate forest birds with longer, narrower wings, which are better equipped for long-distance flight.
A new study by Oregon State University provides a framework for protecting the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox, which is struggling due to habitat loss and climate change. The research uses computer modeling based on 12 years of data to estimate the fox's population distribution in the Cascades and Sierra Nevada regions.
Researchers at Oregon State University and Baylor University have made a breakthrough in reducing the energy consumption of photonic chips used in data centers and supercomputers. By using a new, ultra-energy-efficient method to compensate for temperature variations, they were able to reduce energy needs by over 1 million times.
Oregon State University will spearhead a two-year NSF Engines project to advance semiconductor technologies in the Pacific Northwest. The project aims to create a regional innovation ecosystem and provide training programs for a diverse workforce.
A fossil arthropod from 100-million-year-old Burmese amber has been identified as a new genus and species of froghopper. The newly discovered insect had prodigious leaping ability in adulthood, similar to its modern-day counterparts.
Researchers at Oregon State University are part of a $5 million NSF effort to accelerate robotics research by providing standardized humanoid robots. The project will build on an earlier success that designed and tested 10 prototype Quori robots, incorporating lessons learned to improve the robot's design and distribution.
New research reveals that atmospheric dust supports 4.5% of global annual carbon export production through phytoplankton growth, with regional variation up to 20-40%. This pathway helps regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and mitigate climate change.
A researcher at OSU-Cascades is developing an AI-powered smart compost bin that tracks household food waste. The device prompts users to describe deposited items, transcribing notes with automatic speech recognition and collecting 3-D images and sensor measurements.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that refocusing on mental imagery is a more effective distraction than verbal thoughts for adolescents stuck in negative thought spirals. The study, led by Hannah Lawrence, suggests that mental imagery can help break up the thought spiral and seek help from a therapist or support system.
A study by Oregon State University found that a metal bar installed on the crab-sorting table can reduce the strain on fishermen's bodies and prevent injuries. The researchers tested different banger bar configurations and found that higher bars and triangular bars were the most effective in reducing muscle activity and joint moment.
A new study from Oregon State University found that massive iceberg discharges during the last ice age triggered rapid warming in Antarctica but had no effect on temperatures in Greenland. This discovery challenges current understanding of global climate dynamics and raises more questions than answers.
Researchers identified a new class of sulfur-containing compounds, thiophenols, contributing to smoke taint in wine. Thiophenols were found in wines exposed to smoke and not in control samples.
Native bees in Oregon's Coast Range are diverse and abundant in clearcut areas within years of timber harvest, but numbers drop sharply as the forest canopy closes. Management practices that promote open conditions can enhance floral resources and promote bee diversity.
Researchers at Oregon State University have created a new model for evaluating potential cervical cancer drugs. The study, led by Kaitlin Fogg, enables the simultaneous and rapid testing of multiple drug compounds, opening the door to large-scale screenings that can uncover new therapies and personalized medicine options.
Research shows that young black rockfish grown faster during a marine heat wave, while also experiencing varying levels of survival. Moderate growth rates and sufficient food led to the highest survival rates.
A team of scientists led by Xiulei Ji at Oregon State University has developed a new electrolyte that enables nearly 100% efficiency in zinc metal anode batteries. The breakthrough uses water and inexpensive chloride salts, offering a secure and efficient solution for large-scale energy storage.
A study by Oregon State University scientists reveals that the black-backed woodpecker can successfully breed in both burned and unburned forests, with better nestling body condition found in green forest. The research has significant implications for conservation and forest management efforts, suggesting that practices promoting pyrod...
The Southern Resident killer whale population is spending far less time in the San Juan Islands as their primary food source, Chinook salmon, declines. This decline is likely an effort to find alternative food sources, and research shows a strong relationship between the whales' presence and salmon returns.
Researchers at Oregon State University have created a portable sensor that can detect cortisol hormone levels in sweat, providing a fast and reliable diagnostic tool for various diseases. The device uses an artificial enzyme to capture cortisol molecules, producing electrical signals that indicate the hormone's presence.
A new study by Oregon State University finds that Douglas-fir trees in the Klamath Mountains are experiencing a 'decline spiral' due to multiple factors, including climate change and drought. The research developed a tool to assess tree risk and predict mortality events.
Researchers identified fluctuations in climate and ocean conditions as the main drivers of entanglement risk to whales in Dungeness crab fishing gear. The study provides new tools for managing fisheries while minimizing impact on whale populations.
Research suggests that wildfires need to fall within a narrow severity range to improve forest health. The study found that moderate severity fires are most effective at reducing community and ecosystem risk, but even these may not be enough to restore species composition. Land managers can use the predicted post-fire conditions to inf...
A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that people recently released from prison in Oregon are at a higher risk of opioid overdose, with a rate of 1,086 per 100,000 person years, exceeding the general public rate by 10 times.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a dual-purpose catalyst that can both purify herbicide-tainted water and produce hydrogen. The catalyst, derived from metal-organic frameworks, shows promise in tackling global water pollution and provides a sustainable alternative to conventional hydrogen production methods.
Researchers aim to capture CO2 from industrial emissions and store it in mineralized form in 3D-printed building materials. The project seeks to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of cement-based construction materials.
Researchers found strong seasonality in blue whales' foraging and breeding behavior, with changes in vocalizations based on environmental conditions like marine heatwaves. The study's findings can inform conservation management of this endangered blue whale population.
A new study found that sea stars, such as the sunflower sea star, play a crucial role in protecting kelp forests by preying on kelp-eating urchins. The research suggests that these sea stars can consume urchins at rates sufficient to maintain and perhaps reset the health of kelp forests.
Bowhead whales are shifting their migration patterns due to declining sea ice in the Arctic, affecting their long-term health and impact on Indigenous communities. The lack of ice is causing changes in bowhead availability for hunters, leading to competition for resources and increased human interaction.
Researchers developed a machine learning model using high-resolution satellite imagery to estimate aboveground carbon stocks in the Amazon. The study found that accounting for uncertainties in forest degradation classification led to lower estimates of mean carbon density, suggesting earlier estimates may have been over-optimistic.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified 27 amplifying feedback loops that significantly increase warming due to greenhouse gas emissions. The study calls for transformative changes in energy, transportation, food production, and international economy to meet climate challenges.
Research collaboration reveals moisture is key to soil's carbon storage capacity, not temperature or mineral content. The study suggests that climate change may impact soil carbon and threaten ecosystem services.
Researchers found two distinct climate intervals where sea ice and ice-free summer conditions likely supported early human migration along the Pacific coastal route. These conditions, occurring from 22,000 to 24,500 years ago and again from 14,800 to 16,400 years ago, may have facilitated movement by providing a more traversable surfac...
A team of Oregon State University researchers found that widespread tree scorch in the Pacific Northwest during the 2021 heat dome was primarily caused by direct exposure to solar radiation and extreme heat. The study challenges previous hypotheses that linked the damage to drought conditions.
A new study from Oregon State University found that both cotton and synthetic microfibers have negative impacts on the behavior and growth of aquatic organisms. The research, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, suggests that increasing awareness and control over fiber release can help mitigate these effects.
Researchers at Oregon State University found a relationship between surface gravity waves and infragravity waves that fuel sneaker waves. Longer waves with more energy can run further up the beach, but not all long waves turn into sneaker waves.
Research led by Christina Aiello shows that GPS tracking data and computer simulations can predict animal movements, helping optimize habitat connectivity enhancement projects. The study identified eight populations of bighorn sheep where barrier removal would increase accessible habitat.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that synchronized fishing with dolphins in Brazil increases the number of fish caught and supports both species' survival. The cooperative relationship is specific to this population of dolphins and has been passed down through generations of fishermen.
Researchers found wolves in Alaska replaced deer with sea otters as their main food source within a few years. The wolf pack's diet changed dramatically, with sea otters making up 57% of their diet by 2017, while deer frequency declined to 7%.
A long-term study of forest landslides in the Pacific Northwest reveals that management history has a greater impact on landslide frequency and severity than rainfall. The research, led by Oregon State University, found that decades of road building and logging practices affected flooding, landslides, and erosion patterns.
Researchers have made a key breakthrough in developing a new treatment for hereditary blindness by using lipid nanoparticles to deliver messenger RNA to the photoreceptor cells. The technology, inspired by COVID-19 vaccines, shows promise in animal models for treating blindness associated with rare genetic conditions.
Computer modeling by Oregon State University scientists shows that Douglas-fir trees are likely to experience more stress from drier air as the climate changes. This is crucial for understanding forest sensitivity to a shifting climate, given their widespread ecological, cultural and economic significance.
A study from Oregon State University found that consumers are willing to pay more for familiar cheese varieties if they have an award sticker or sensory information about the taste. The researchers identified two groups of consumers: those who prefer unfamiliar foods and those who prefer familiar ones, with different priorities for the...
Oregon State University has received $4.8 million from the National Science Foundation to support a cybersecurity workforce development program, targeting underrepresented groups in the field. The program will fund scholarships for up to 29 students and provide clinical rotations with underserved agencies across the Pacific Northwest.
Researchers discovered 13 full and fragmentary projectile points in Idaho dating back to around 15,700 years ago, providing significant details about early human life in the Pacific Northwest. The findings suggest a complex technology and potential genetic-cultural connections between ice age peoples of Northeast Asia and North America.
A new OSU study highlights the importance of understanding daily energy-use patterns at home, as utilities move toward time-of-use energy pricing models. The study found that most homes have an 'evening peak' load shape, with households exhibiting this shape before and during shelter-in-place orders.
A researcher at Oregon State University has discovered a new species of cockroach encased in Dominican amber, with the male specimen displaying well-preserved yellow stripes and spines. The finding also marks the presence of fossilized roach sperm for the first time.
A team of Oregon State University scientists used biophysical techniques to study the malfunctioning motor protein dynein, which is associated with neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's. The study sheds light on how dynein's transport machinery fails in these disorders, leading to the accumulation of misfolded proteins.
Researchers have developed a sensor system that can detect seizure-preventing drugs in saliva, enabling patients with epilepsy to monitor their medication levels from home. The system aims to reduce the risk of toxic side effects and improve treatment outcomes.