A 10-year study reveals that mechanical thinning reduces fire behavior metrics without increasing invasive grasses, while prescribed fire leads to more invasive grasses. Researchers hope their findings can inform fuel break construction efforts in the sagebrush steppe ecosystem.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a promising approach to treating pancreatic cancer, which has a low survival rate. The study found that a liposomal prodrug outperformed traditional treatments in cancer cell cultures and animal models.
A new study by Oregon State University finds that bird species in eastern Canada are experiencing population declines due to habitat loss caused by forestry activities. The researchers estimate that between 33 and 104 million birds were lost due to forest degradation over 35 years.
Scientists at OSU have developed a new nanotechnology approach for locating and removing endometriosis lesions using magnetic nanoparticles. These particles accumulate in lesions, making them easier to see via MRI, and can be heated to high temperatures, allowing for safe removal through non-invasive procedures.
A new study has developed a tool to evaluate and change names that may be rooted in white supremacy. Researchers analyzed over 2,000 place names in 16 US national parks, finding patterns of settler colonial mythologies including racism and genocide.
A new paper by an Oregon State University-led research team provides a scientific framework to shape the rollout of a program in Oregon allowing the use of psilocybin for therapeutic reasons. The research highlights the importance of Indigenous traditions and safety guidelines for using psilocybin-containing fungi.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that Oregonians are more likely to perceive environmental and public health risks than potential financial gains from natural gas export. The study surveyed 500 adults and found that those with higher education, younger adults, women, people of color, and liberal or moderate political v...
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers found that the vast majority of carbon stored in trees before large wildfires remains in the trees themselves after the fires. The study's findings challenge previous estimates suggesting up to 85% of living trees' biomass combusts in California's big fires.
A 22-month study on Hawaiian corals suggests that some species can remain resilient in warmer and more acidic waters. The study found that half of the coral species could survive with minimal damage if climate change is mitigated within Paris Climate Agreement targets.
Researchers tested the learning abilities of California scrub-jays and Mexican jays using a novel food puzzle. Contrary to expectations, both species showed similar abilities to learn, with Mexican jays relying more on social learning and scrub-jays on individual problem-solving.
The tool uses habitat modeling to identify areas with high hybridization risk between native bull trout and introduced brook trout. This allows natural resource managers to prioritize conservation efforts in specific regions.
Research by Oregon State University scientists has found that tiny tire particles inhibit growth and cause adverse behavioral changes in organisms in freshwater and coastal estuary ecosystems. The findings suggest that even at current environmental levels of tire-related pollution, aquatic ecosystems may be experiencing negative impacts.
A new study suggests that microorganisms hindering treatment have a greater influence than those enhancing it, with around 1 year after treatment begins the gut microbiota becomes a dominant factor. The research sheds light on the interaction between the gut microbiome and cancer immunotherapy response.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that fewer than half of K-12 physical educators use high-quality instruction practices for students with disabilities. The majority of teachers were highly qualified, but lacked specific training in adaptive physical education, leading to many disabled students being excluded from PE cl...
A new study led by Oregon State University finds that climate change has increased the likelihood of hot, dry, windy autumn weather that can lead to severe fires in the region. The research, which examined conditions during recent large fires, found a 40% increase in extreme fire weather conditions due to human-caused climate change.
A recent OSU study found that engaging in leisure activities can help lower the risk of depression and improve mental well-being during the pandemic. The results showed that people who reported higher stress also engaged more in their preferred leisure activity, which served as a protective buffer.
Research led by Oregon State University contradicts the common narrative of wildfires igniting on remote public land before spreading to communities. The study found that fires crossing jurisdictional boundaries are primarily caused by people on private property, accounting for more than 60% of ignitions.
Researchers have created an environmentally friendly packaging material from apple waste, offering a potential alternative to plastic. The new material is made from apple pomace and has improved water resistance thanks to the incorporation of polymers and compounds.
A new study by Oregon State University found that kelp forests tend towards stability in areas with high substrate complexity, which retains 'drift algae' that urchins prefer to eat. This suggests that restoration efforts targeting these areas could create 'hotspots of resilience.'
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a new class of potential drug targets for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Oxidized proteins, such as Hsp90, can trigger cell death, and targeting these molecules may slow illness progression without side effects.
A new study from Oregon State University found that people with disabilities have been experiencing high levels of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social isolation was a major predictor for both conditions, exacerbated by limited access to healthcare, including delayed or canceled medical appointments.
A recent study by Oregon State University found that night shift nurses are more likely to suffer from poor sleep, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and inflammation. The researchers also discovered a significant disparity in sleep quality among Black nurses, highlighting the impact of systemic racism on their health.
Healthy-looking ochre sea stars have minimal genetic difference from those displaying symptoms of sea star wasting syndrome. The scientists found no significant genetic variation between healthy and sick individuals, raising concerns about the species' resilience in the face of future outbreaks. However, they identified some genomic re...
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified two hemp compounds that can block the coronavirus from entering human cells. Preclinical trials are expected to begin within a few months, and the study's findings suggest these compounds may be effective against variants of SARS-CoV-2.
A new study found a significant decrease in the development of forest and agricultural land from 2000 to 2015 due to rising gas prices. The research used data from the US Department of Agriculture's National Resources Inventory to analyze county-level land development patterns across the contiguous US states.
A recent Oregon State University study found that 11th-grade students in four-day schools performed worse on standardized math tests compared to those in five-day schedules. The effect was more pronounced among students in non-rural schools and limited to math, while reading achievement showed no significant gap.
Researchers at Oregon State University identified a new genus and species of legume, Salpinganthium hispaniolanum, from flowers preserved in amber. The species is believed to have been extinct for millions of years and may have disappeared due to unique biological or physical events.
Researchers found that hatchery-raised steelhead trout grow faster in hatchery conditions but have lower survival rates in streams, a tradeoff linked to genes favored in hatchery environments. Modifying hatchery conditions may help alleviate this issue by favoring traits needed for survival in the wild.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that individuals with more positive self-perceptions of aging were less susceptible to the negative effects of stress on their physical health. This suggests that thought patterns and conversations reinforcing stereotypes of aging can have a measurable impact on one's life.
Research suggests men are more likely to engage in deviant behavior such as lying or cheating when their gender status is threatened at work. In contrast, women's responses to gender threats do not affect their perceived ability to behave autonomously.
A potential vaccine stimulating skin antioxidant production may help prevent skin cancer. Researchers at Oregon State University have identified TR1, a protein critical to the skin's antioxidant network, as a key target for this approach.
Researchers at Oregon State University identified two cannabinoid acids, CBGA and CBDA, that can block the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, preventing virus entry into human cells. These compounds have a good safety profile in humans and may be effective against variant strains.
A long-term monitoring program found that wildfires and salvage logging negatively affected fisher abundance by 27% and population density. The study suggests that increased severity and frequency of wildfires will have negative impacts on fishers and change community composition for medium-size predators.
A new theory outlines how magnetite crystals in specialized receptor cells of salmon and other animals may have roots in ancient genetic systems developed by bacteria, suggesting a common evolutionary history between magnetite-producing bacteria and fish. The findings have the potential for widespread application, from improving salmon...
A new study by Oregon State University reveals that ecological communities on the Oregon coast are being subtly destabilized by climate change, despite appearing to be stress-resistant. The communities have grown less stable for at least a decade, with increasing variability in their structure and recovery patterns.
A new machine learning algorithm can accurately identify fish calls from hydrophone data, enabling efficient analysis of marine environments. The method has implications for understanding changes in ocean conditions and coral reef health.
A study by Oregon State University has discovered a method to enhance the round-trip efficiency of compressed air energy storage, which could be crucial for renewable energy. The researchers developed a thermochemical energy storage scheme that captures heat in chemical bonds, resulting in a higher energy density and improved performance.
A team of OSU scientists has created a new technology that can scrub carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and convert it into valuable materials. The innovative Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks (LMOF) system uses CO2-rich gas conditions to produce functional materials with diverse applications.
A new study found that high dietary fiber intake and no probiotic use are associated with better disease non-progression among melanoma patients on ICB therapy. The results support the idea that a high-fiber diet may be crucial for anti-tumor immunity.
A recent study by Oregon State University reveals that a type of bacteria called SAR11 consumes acetone and isoprene, volatile organic compounds produced by phytoplankton. These findings suggest that the marine carbon cycle is not fully understood and highlights the importance of studying plankton's role in gas exchange.
Scientists urge creating strategic forest reserves in the Western US to fight climate change and safeguard biodiversity. The researchers found that permanently protected areas equivalent to wilderness cover an average of 14% of forest area in the states studied.
Researchers have designed new catalysts that can improve the efficiency of hydrogen production through water electrolysis, potentially reducing costs by up to 80%. The breakthrough could help achieve the US goal of zero emissions by 2030.
The study leverages machine learning to tackle long-unsolvable problems in biological systems at the cellular level. By reducing data points, researchers can better analyze and model the impact of cells with high fidelity.
A new microfluidic photoreactor treatment approach has shown promising results in reducing bilirubin levels in newborns with severe jaundice. The treatment uses high-intensity light to target and remove excess bilirubin from the blood without causing damage to red blood cells.
Research reveals that warm-water habitats in Upper Klamath Lake provide essential energy for cold-water fish during spring and fall, while providing limited food sources in summer. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple habitats for mobile species like redband trout in climate change conservation.
A catalyst innovation has improved the stability of direct-ethanol fuel cells for nearly 6,000 hours, solving three key problems. This breakthrough could lead to mass adoption of clean cars powered by DEFC technology within five years.
A new OSU study found that snow cover plays a critical role in post-fire revegetation in the Pacific Northwest. Summer precipitation was the most important variable driving this process across four subregions, while snow cover frequency and prefire forest composition were also significant influencers.
A groundbreaking study has documented the simultaneous position, size, and density of 36 different types of planktonic organisms in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers found that smallest organisms formed the largest patches, with greater patchiness in shallow waters closer to shore than deeper ocean waters.
Researchers have uncovered the first fossil evidence of a rare botanical condition known as precocious germination, where seeds sprout before leaving the fruit. A 40-million-year-old pine cone encased in Baltic amber shows embryonic stems emerging from the seeds, providing insight into plant biology and ecology.
New research from Oregon State University found that climate change is altering ocean conditions, creating new environments that could undermine conservation goals in the world's largest marine protected areas. By 2060, most of these changes will occur, including warming and acidification levels.