Portland State University has been awarded a $5.9 million NSF grant to accelerate research translation and strengthen the regional economy. The grant aims to close the gap between research strength and industry needs, with a focus on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and transportation.
Portland State University is leading a national research team using artificial intelligence to lower the cost of finding geothermal energy. The ARISE project, supported by the US Department of Energy, aims to narrow the range of estimated costs by at least 10% through machine learning and data analysis.
A PSU study finds that historically underinvested neighborhoods with lower median incomes and higher racial diversity are most vulnerable to multiple climate hazards. These areas, including East Portland, face the highest risk from landslides, wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat.
A Portland State University professor has received a nearly $1.2 million NSF CAREER Award to study the predator-prey relationship of Prochlorococcus, the ocean's most abundant photosynthetic life form. The project aims to understand how single-celled ocean predators hunt Prochlorococcus and its implications for the ocean's food web.
A groundbreaking new study introduces the concept of Time-Extension Self-Efficacy (TESE), which predicts an employee's willingness to go the extra mile at work. The research found that organizations can influence these beliefs through simple recall exercises, boosting TESE and encouraging greater collaboration and flexibility.
A new study examines how political context influences supply chain decision-making, finding that ideological cues can alter perceptions of both the decision and the decision-maker. Researchers found that even neutral presentations of politically charged issues can activate bias, influencing how recommendations are received.
A PSU-led research team has developed a novel chemical compound, T111, that shows promise for treating and preventing malaria. The compound targets all three major life-cycle stages of the malaria parasite, making it a strong candidate for a single-encounter radical cure.
A new study by PSU researchers found that wildfires can intensify midwinter rain-on-snow events, leading to rapid snowmelt and increased flood risk. This threatens the region's critical seasonal water storage, refilling reservoirs and producing hydroelectric power.
A new study by PSU researchers finds that abusive supervision can fundamentally alter how employees perceive their humanity, leading to severe burnout and decreased collaboration. In contrast, employees with a strong sense of self-efficacy are less susceptible to the dehumanizing effects of a toxic manager.
A new study reveals that exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy significantly alters the human sex ratio at birth, leading to fewer male births. In sub-Saharan Africa, this is driven by biological factors, while in India, it is influenced by cultural practices and behavioral changes.
A new study reveals that consumers who morally support companies hiring homeless individuals often drop purchase intentions due to irrational 'contagion concerns', triggered by emotional reactions linked to stereotypes about hygiene and safety. Social proof appeals can counteract this bias, increasing purchase likelihood.
A comprehensive review of 233 studies identifies the connection between workplace conditions and loneliness, highlighting the importance of job quality, stress management, and social support. Chronic loneliness harms emotional and cognitive well-being, while interventions such as mindfulness and volunteering can provide relief.
A study by Portland State University's Liu-Qin Yang and colleagues found that challenge stressors can energize employees, boosting performance and collaboration, while hindrance stressors lead to emotional downs. The research also highlighted the importance of motivational mindsets in responding to stress.
A new study by Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) reveals that transit-oriented developments (TODs) in the Portland metro area generate significantly fewer car trips than previously estimated. At affordable housing sites, car trips were reduced to only a quarter to two-fifths of expected rates.
The study examines the effects of broader criminal justice reforms on public health and safety. It found little evidence that Measure 110 was responsible for rising crime or overdose deaths, but rather attributed these trends to the COVID-19 pandemic and fentanyl emergence.
Climate models project an accelerating increase in heatwave duration due to global warming, with each additional increment of warming causing larger increases in long heat waves. As temperatures rise, the typical length of heatwaves will also increase, posing significant impacts on humans, livestock, and ecosystems.
A new study synthesized over 70 publications on the 2021 heat wave, attributing it to a rare high-pressure ridge and increasing temperatures. The researchers predict that such events will become more frequent as the climate warms.
A PSU study found that fires can cause trees to die in subsequent years, affecting forest regeneration. The researchers mapped annual changes in live tree cover and found that older conifer trees and sensitive species were most likely to die later.
A PSU study found that only a quarter of respondents would pay full price for washing machine filters, highlighting the need for point-of-sale purchases. Government subsidies could increase adoption by up to 20%, suggesting a potential solution to microplastic pollution.
Researchers used video microscopy to explore extreme field sites on Earth, finding signs of microbial life in hot deserts, Arctic ice, and alkaline springs. The study highlights digital holographic microscopy as a tool for detecting life in space samples.
Researchers at PSU used ODOT's push-button data to estimate pedestrian counts, develop a workflow for integrating traffic counts into the enterprise system, and explore applications in pedestrian infrastructure planning. The new dashboard allows agencies to analyze usage patterns and prioritize upgrades at high-demand locations.
New research from PSU identifies lower streamflows as a contributing factor, while warmer temperatures led to significant increases in lake evaporation. The study suggests continued warming will exacerbate water loss, posing health risks and economic concerns for the region.
Researchers found 1,806 suspected particles across 180 samples of Oregon's marine and freshwater species. Pink shrimp had the highest concentrations, while Chinook salmon had the lowest. The study highlights a need for technologies to reduce microfiber pollution entering the environment.
Volcanologists' unique skillset can help urban governments customize lessons learned globally to address specific geographic, demographic, and economic challenges. By applying global knowledge to individual scenarios, cities can prepare for increasingly dangerous climate perils.
The Portland State report highlights the positive impact of Project Turnkey shelters, which provide a sense of community and stability for residents. By offering private rooms, food, and hygiene supplies, as well as on-site case management, these sites help guests begin to imagine their future and make plans for stable housing.
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
A PSU English professor is using a grant from the National Science Foundation to study one of the world's fastest and largest supercomputers, Aurora. The research aims to answer questions about how supercomputers work, their applications in science and industry, and their impact on the US's position in scientific advancement.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins and Portland State University develop a new computational method to enhance Large Eddy Simulations, improving accuracy for designing and optimizing floating offshore windfarms. The project combines modeling advancements with scaled experimental results to better predict wind-wave-turbine interactions.
PSU will lead a three-year project to develop cost-effective filters for washing machines, dishwashers, and clothes dryers to remove microplastics. The project aims to reduce microplastic pollution in coastal communities through education and intervention strategies involving tourism industry partners.
The report highlights the benefits of developing transit station areas with a focus on housing, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased walkability. Researchers recommend policy approaches to mitigate gentrification outcomes and bridge the gap between demand for walkable communities and supply.
Portland State University has secured a nearly $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation's Campus Cyberinfrastructure program to establish the Oregon Regional Computing Accelerator (Orca) cluster. The cluster will provide free-of-cost computing resources and cyberinfrastructure to colleges in rural, regional, and minority-s...
Portland State University's transportation data centers, PORTAL and BikePed Portal, have received significant updates with new funding and exciting innovations. The $1.6 million PORTAL funding will support its activities for the next five years, while BikePed Portal has secured $100K in additional funding.
A PSU study analyzed the meteorology behind the September 2020 Western United States extreme weather event, which caused record-breaking cold temperatures and early-season snowfall in the Rocky Mountains. The research found that a highly amplified wave pattern persisted for several days, fueled by dry air from western Canada.
New research finds that PAHs in wildfire smoke can persist on indoor materials for weeks, posing health risks. Effective household cleaning techniques, such as laundering cotton and using glass cleaners, can significantly reduce exposure.
Research from Portland State University finds that female students are more likely to choose universities in states with upheld abortion rights, potentially affecting future workforces and economies. The study suggests a significant impact on the labor market as young people often live and work in the state they attend college.
A new inventory from Portland State University researchers reveals that some glaciers have disappeared entirely, while others have shrunk to tiny sizes. The loss of these natural regulators has significant impacts on streamflow, drought susceptibility, and sea level rise.
A PSU study examines how atmospheric patterns influencing the weather won't necessarily become stronger or more frequent by the end of the century. Instead, warmer temperatures will lead to an increase in rainfall over the Pacific Northwest in most seasons except summer.
Researchers developed a set of guiding principles to help airports respond to homelessness, focusing on safety for all groups. The principles emphasize do no harm through crisis management training and balanced responses that produce co-benefits, such as improved customer experience.
Researchers found that students with disabilities are disproportionately placed in lower-level math courses due to cumulative disadvantage. The study's intersectional framework highlights the complex relationships between learning disability status, race, and socioeconomic status.
A Portland State professor is studying the environmental consequences of the renewable energy transition, including lithium mining and battery manufacturing. The research aims to balance benefits with burdens on underserved communities, through interviews, focus groups, and workshops.
Climate change is expected to increase the likelihood and frequency of volcanic eruptions, making planning and responding to crises more challenging. Volcanologists are warning that governments may need new strategies to predict and mitigate the effects of future eruptions.
The SEQUINS project aims to create a smart, equitable, and interoperable electrical grid in the Pacific Northwest. Over two years, it will develop plans to overcome obstacles through academic research, entrepreneurship, and workforce training.
A new LiDAR system pinpoints pedestrian behavior to improve safety and efficiency at intersections. The system tracks pedestrians' true intent to cross, reducing conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.
A record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest in June 2021 was attributed to a strong high-pressure ridge, which intensified when an atmospheric river moved into Alaska, releasing massive amounts of moisture. The air was exceptionally hot when brought down to the surface due to its temperature aloft.
A PSU study found that high school students who perceive their math teacher as equitable are more likely to develop a positive math identity. This effect is strongest in racially diverse schools, where students may be more aware of racial biases and stereotypes about math. Equitable teaching can help counteract these biases and promote...
A new modeling and visualization tool assists transit agencies in making the transition to electric buses, considering both cost and environmental equity. The bi-objective optimization framework model enables agencies to explore the interdependency of an electric bus transit system and a city's energy infrastructure.
A new study by Portland State University researchers found that deep-sea microorganisms thrive in high-temperature environments and exhibit a staggering level of diversity, with over 500 new genera discovered. The microbes also rely on each other for survival through metabolic handoffs, revealing a complex interdependence.
Researchers found that the severity of an employee's hearing loss influences their reliance on professional connections, which affects career outcomes. Managers can offer tailored support to help employees build professional connections, such as providing accommodations and creating a culture of respect. This study suggests that even e...
A quarter-mile segment of the Klamath Geo Trail was successfully resurfaced using volcanic ash from Mount Mazama, demonstrating its potential as a more sustainable and locally sourced pozzolan. The surface treatment improved firmness and stability, making it accessible to people with mobility devices.
The Washington D.C. metro area's dashboard is being developed at PSU, allowing users to see all the data together in one place. The project aims to improve nonmotorized planning by providing clean, quality-checked biking and walking count data.