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.
A new report explores how to leverage low-cost methods to enable people with visual impairment to move through public, urban indoor and outdoor spaces. Tactile maps were found to be a very useful resource, while an accessible mobile app also showed promise as an orientation and mobility aid.
Researchers discovered that a ketogenic diet high in saturated fats can reprogram the mouse immune system, making it better at fighting off infections but more susceptible to systemic inflammatory conditions. The study also found that another type of fat, oleic acid, may be able to counteract the harmful effects of palmitic acid.
Researchers analyzed data from bike share stations in NYC, Chicago, and Philadelphia to understand disparities in bike share use. Key findings include concerns about traffic safety and personal safety among lower-income and people of color residents.
Research from Portland State University suggests that taking music courses in higher- or mid-income schools leads to better math scores. The study found a positive relationship between arts course-taking and math achievement, but only among socio-economically privileged students.
A study found that online grocery shopping filled gaps for people with mobility limitations, quarantine, or sick with COVID. Despite technological limitations, many consumers predicted continued high usage of e-commerce in the food sector.
A new study led by PSU researchers finds that climate models can accurately simulate large-scale weather patterns over the Pacific Northwest. The study uses data from the state-of-the-art CMIP6 model and machine learning techniques to compare model outputs with historical observed data, finding a strong match between the two.
The Wasatch Transportation Academy provides community members with knowledge and tools to get involved in transportation decision-making. Key findings include a high degree of satisfaction among participants, who reported increased engagement in various transportation-related activities after taking part in the academy.
A new federal grant will develop training for thousands of future faculty in evidence-based teaching practices, aiming to foster interest and support all STEM students. The project, led by PSU Associate Professor Erin Shortlidge, has the potential to increase student success and close the opportunity gap for marginalized students.
A PSU study reveals that Republican voters and Black people are among the most hesitant to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The research suggests a regional approach may be more effective than a universal one in boosting vaccination rates.
A team of researchers has created an online dashboard to track equity requirements in 239 shared micromobility programs across the US. The dashboard provides city officials with valuable insights on best practices for expanding access to these programs, including technology access, reduced fare options, and adaptive vehicles.
A collaborative university/community model evaluates the impact of disasters on local business owners and identifies actions to increase resiliency. The study found that most businesses took few concrete actions in terms of mitigation and preparedness, highlighting the need for increased awareness and confidence in disaster planning.
A study by Portland State University researchers found that 2,303 transit riders lack access to smartphones or bank accounts, raising concerns about exclusion from new fare payment systems. The authors identify potential solutions to mitigate these issues and discuss implications for policy and planning.
A PSU study found that people with extreme anti-scientific attitudes tend to be overconfident in their knowledge of the issue. As attitudes diverge from scientific consensus, actual knowledge decreases, while perceived knowledge increases. This pattern holds true for issues like climate change, vaccination, and genetically modified foods.
A new PSU study found that vaping cannabinoid acetates leads to the formation of ketene, a toxic gas known to cause vaping-induced lung injury. The study suggests that prolonged exposure to ketene could be particularly hazardous, as it is virtually untraceable in the human body.
Researchers from Portland State University introduced a four-week GIS training workshop in Dallas, Texas, to teach high school students spatial reasoning skills. The project partnered with CityLab High School and incorporated the curriculum into an existing course focused on transportation networks and environmental justice.
Researchers developed three new bike count models combining traditional location-based data with crowdsourced GPS data, showing improved accuracy in predicting bicycle volumes. The models demonstrated the value of integrating different data sources to enhance transportation planning.
Researchers from PSU and WSU aim to understand how atmospheric ridges impact the region's climate. The project will investigate how ridges respond to global warming and its effects on heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires.
A study published in the Journal of Ecology found that plants flowered and leafed out earlier in contemporary years than in the early 19th century, coinciding with a warming trend. The accelerated timing poses risks for some species' survival and informs conservation efforts.
The Active Transportation Return on Investment Study found positive effects on business activity in retail and food sectors, benefiting areas outside of downtown Portland. The research team evaluated 12 projects constructed between 2001 and 2016 and recommended investments for Metro's Regional Flexible Funding Allocations.
Researchers at Portland State University created a two-stage stochastic programming model to optimize e-scooter placement, charging, and rebalancing in Tucson. The model uses data from the City of Tucson to answer questions on demand uncertainty, idle periods, and customer satisfaction.
The five-year grant will support research on foundational theory and real-world applications, including simulation of optical fibers, weather forecasting, and disease understanding. Postdoctoral researchers and graduate students will work with faculty mentors to develop data acumen and prepare for Ph.D. research.
A team at Portland State University is creating comics to share research findings on transportation and land development. The project aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the general public, addressing barriers such as complex language and storytelling, while showcasing the potential of visual rhetoric.
Researchers found that certain characteristics of refugia led to more tree regeneration, with taller trees and mountain hemlock species showing higher seed dispersal. The study suggests that natural regeneration is possible in some areas, making replanting efforts unnecessary and potentially harmful.
A new white paper from Portland State University explores how purchase incentive programs can expand the current e-bike market, identifying effective program structures and administration methods. The study examines impacts and statistics from around 75 e-bike incentive programs in North America.
New PSU research predicts the disappearance of Olympic Peninsula glaciers by 2070, with some remaining as tiny shells. The study highlights the impact of global warming on glacier mass and ecology in the region.
Research from Portland State University finds that cities are inconsistently placing green infrastructure in areas prone to flooding, disproportionately affecting non-white and low-income residents. However, some cities like Portland and Phoenix are making efforts to increase investments in these neighborhoods.
A study by Portland State University researchers found that extreme winds were the primary driver of the devastating 2020 Oregon megafires, but topography and vegetation structure also significantly influenced burn severity. Younger trees and low canopy height were particularly susceptible to high mortality rates.
A new study from the University of Utah examines the impacts of decentralizing homeless service locations in Salt Lake County, Utah. The research found that people using the relocated resource centers tended to travel less, with visits to community services declining by as much as 40%.
Researchers studied cyclists in Tucson, AZ, revealing differences in behavior among commuters, recreational riders, and athletes. Infrastructure design can address these needs, such as separate paths and lanes for various types of cyclists.
The new NCHRP Guide updates pedestrian analysis methodologies to support safe and sustainable communities. The research team developed new products published in 2022, free to download from the National Academies Press.
Researchers analyzed user survey data and on-the-ground observations to understand e-scooter use and safety. The study found that older riders were less likely to experience crashes, while helmet use was lower in observed data compared to surveyed users.
A Portland State University study suggests that rising tuition and debt burdens limit higher education's power to reduce socioeconomic disparities. College graduates from lower-income families are more likely to hold large educational debt, which can negatively impact their financial investment and savings.
Researchers created three computer models to optimize housing and service provider locations, ensuring former offenders can access necessary services efficiently. The tool addresses limited public transportation options, a major barrier to successful reentry.
A study by Portland State University found that only 16 transit-oriented developments across the US were fully affordable to low- and moderate-income households. The research highlights the need for policies and regulations to promote affordable housing in TODs, such as requiring a share of affordable units in public property projects.
A PSU-led research team will investigate microplastic sources and movement across the Columbia River Basin, aiming to secure a larger grant. The project involves diverse stakeholders and will develop an educational course for K-12 educators.
A new online tool tracks e-bike purchase incentive programs in the US and Canada, providing a point of reference for future policy development. The tracker reveals that most programs set incentive levels fairly arbitrarily, with little thought given to their potential impact on specific groups or income brackets.
A new study found that chronic pesticide exposure has detrimental effects on soft-shell clam growth, condition, and feeding rates. The researchers monitored clams in laboratory conditions over 90 days, exposing them to environmentally relevant concentrations of four pesticides registered for use in forest management.
A PSU study reveals that parents' STEM backgrounds significantly impact their children's likelihood of majoring and persisting in STEM fields. Researchers identify STEM-specific cultural capital as a key factor, highlighting the importance of parental involvement in fostering STEM values and habits.
Researchers have developed a high-resolution radar sensor that can reliably distinguish between cars and pedestrians, providing counts, speed, and direction of each moving target. The sensor outperforms cameras in low-visibility conditions and beats conventional radar by providing a richer picture.
A new report from Portland State University aims to improve mobility and quality of life for older adults by developing forms of assistance and educational strategies. The study found that low-income older adults faced significant barriers to transportation, including fear of public transit during the pandemic lockdowns.
A pilot program in Portland, OR, provides transportation incentives to low-income participants, reducing costs and travel time. The study finds that targeted information and incentives can empower underserved communities to access emerging mobility options.
Researchers identified 33 studies that integrated smart device technology, including Bluetooth low-energy beacons and LIDAR scanning. However, limited information was found on participant's visual acuities or etiologies, limiting the usability of the findings for this heterogeneous population.
A case study evaluated the experience of a deafblind adult using three wayfinding support tools on an urban college campus. The tactile map proved to be the most successful tool, while the mobile application yielded the lowest performance and confidence. Simplifying wayfinding tools and tailoring information to individual preferences a...
The study found that non-native mangroves on Moloka'i Island support a diverse range of zooplankton communities, rivaling those found in open coastal areas. This suggests that non-native mangroves may provide suitable habitats for rare and important species, altering the way invasive species are managed.
A study by Portland State University found that household car ownership correlates with better self-reported health, while bus or paratransit use is associated with poorer health. The researchers also discovered that having fewer vehicles per individual in the household increases the likelihood of reporting poor physical health.
Researchers at PSU and UT Arlington will assess how crowdsourced data can help establish pedestrian activity on streets. The study aims to provide a more accurate alternative to traditional counting methods, enabling safer studies and better urban planning.