A new study highlights the need for more research on microplastics in North American waters, particularly among commercially important fish species. The team's findings emphasize the importance of understanding microplastic exposure and effects on populations and food webs to inform fisheries management decisions.
The five-year project aims to reduce the urban-rural divide by awarding nearly $3 million in scholarships and creating STEM career pathways. Students will have opportunities to participate in research or internships related to environmental pollution in the Pacific Northwest.
A new PSU study estimates that snowfall frequency will decline across the Pacific Northwest by 2100, with low- and mid-elevation sites like the Cascades experiencing the largest declines. Global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions can slow this rate of decline.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded PSU an additional $19.3 million grant to fund the BUILD EXITO program for another five years. The program, which boasts a retention rate of nearly 90 percent, helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds become top-level health sciences researchers.
Portland State University chemistry professor Dave Stuart has received a three-year $455,000 National Science Foundation grant to study hypervalent iodine reagents. The research aims to design new chemical reactions that can be used to synthesize molecules for pharmaceutical, agriculture, and technology applications.
A modified land-value tax would assess significantly higher rates on land than improvements, leading to more widespread economic equality. This structure would also incentivize development, as improving the land doesn't cost more under this type of taxation.
A PSU professor is conducting a four-year research project to understand how households in Nepal recover from natural disasters, with a focus on the long-term impacts of the 2015 earthquake. The study aims to identify key factors driving recovery and social transformations in communities affected by disasters.
A new PSU study finds that bullying bosses can lead to worsening workplace safety. The study reveals that poor treatment from a boss can make employees feel unwelcome in the group, leading them to become more self-centered and neglect safety rules.
A PSU biologist is investigating the link between a Western diet high in fat and sugar and its effects on the immune system, with a focus on chronic inflammation and sepsis severity. The researcher aims to identify molecular mechanisms behind this relationship and explore potential dietary interventions.
Researchers at PSU and UTMB will investigate the structure of Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1, which thrives in high-temperature acidic environments, to better understand protein interactions and viral evolution. The study may also reveal connections to HIV and potential anti-HIV drug development.
A new PSU study found that shifting to renewable energy can increase energy poverty, particularly in nations with increasing inequality. Renewable energy consumption reduces carbon emissions more effectively in contexts of increased inequality, whereas it has a lesser impact when inequality is decreasing.
Researchers from Portland State University propose a new approach to managing toxic chemicals, shifting focus from risk mitigation to elimination. They recommend supporting diverse knowledge forms, increasing community involvement in policy design, and investing in alternative production methods.
A new Portland State University study demonstrates how planting more vegetation, using reflective materials on hard surfaces, and installing green roofs can help cool urban heat islands. The research found that these solutions can make a significant difference in reducing temperatures, even when applied in combination.
A team of Portland State University researchers has discovered a possible one-pill cure for malaria using a compound based on a natural red pigment. The compound has shown effectiveness in killing the malaria parasite in mice and human blood with a single low dose.
Research from Portland State University suggests that the 'warm glow' effect drives people to donate their time, even when it's less efficient for charities. This finding challenges existing assumptions and has implications for future economic studies and charitable practices.
A new study by Portland State University researchers found that Oregon's paid family leave policy is successful in supporting employees taking time off for family additions, but inequities exist in its implementation. The study highlights the need for explicit equity focus and supervisor training to ensure workplace fairness.
A new PSU study finds that children's disability statuses depend on their school and peer group. The study discovered inconsistent disability classifications across schools and highlighted the subjective and socially rooted nature of these determinations.
A new study from Portland State University reveals that self-esteem and mental health are primary predictors of psychological well-being among homeless youth. Service providers can help by supporting youth in building confidence and developing themselves through opportunities such as education, housing, or employment.
The PSU Hatfield School will lead a team of partners in Vietnam to implement governance reforms, receiving nearly $1 million for its work. The 5-year contract aims to strengthen local institutions and promote economic growth.
Portland State University researchers are helping to develop a mobile app called Trans Women Connected aimed at reducing HIV among transgender women. The app will offer effective HIV and sexual health messaging tailored to the community's specific needs, including social support networks and trans-friendly healthcare resources.
A PSU researcher is working to identify the behavioral health needs of NICU parents and develop a sustainable program to support them. Studies show that parents with babies in the NICU are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse.
A new study found that forest fires are causing snow to melt earlier in the season, exacerbating a cycle of fire and snowmelt. The research revealed that over 11% of Western forests experience earlier snowmelt due to fires.
Green roofs have been found to improve indoor air quality by reducing ozone levels, according to a PSU study. The research involved comparing air quality between a green roof and a conventional white membrane roof on a retail store in North Portland.
A study by Portland State University found that people who expose tax fraud often do so as revenge disguised as a moral obligation. Whistleblowers reported being motivated by financial gain, but also justified their actions as a moral duty to report others.
A new Portland State University study found that East Portland's low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately exposed to floods and urban heat islands. The research team mapped winter flood and summer heat hazard potential, testing it against sociodemographic and physical variables at a neighborhood scale.
A new study suggests that mentally reattaching to work in the morning can trigger work-related goals and increase engagement. Employees who plan and simulate their upcoming workday experience improved outcomes, including higher life satisfaction and lower burnout.
A study by Portland State University researchers found that expressing gratitude to colleagues can improve physical and mental health outcomes, including better sleep, fewer headaches, and healthier eating. The study also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for employees to express gratitude in the workplace.
Researchers at Portland State University will study a novel method of generating electricity from ocean waves using adjustable magnetic springs. The goal is to create cost-effective and smaller devices that can harness wave energy more efficiently.
A PSU study suggests that eliminating coal as an energy source could help the US reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet its Paris Climate Agreement goals. The researchers propose an energy portfolio based on natural gas, efficiency, wind, solar power, and biofuels, with nuclear power also considered.
A study by Portland State University found that employees bullied by their bosses are more likely to report unfairness and work stress, leading to decreased organizational citizenship behavior and increased counterproductive work behavior. The researchers attribute the negative work behaviors to perceptions of injustice or work stress.
A Western diet characterized by low fiber and high fat and sugar content can lead to increased chronic inflammation, higher mortality rates, and more severe sepsis severity in mice. The study identifies molecular markers that could predict patients at high risk for severe sepsis or require aggressive treatment.
A new study from Portland State University found that workplace incivility can negatively impact an employee's sleep, as well as their partner's sleep if they work in the same company or occupation. The researchers surveyed 305 couples and found that rumination about work at home can lead to insomnia symptoms.
Researchers at Portland State University have developed a 3-D image of the membrane channel to better understand cell-to-cell communication, opening doors to new treatments for diseases associated with gap junction malfunction. The discovery may pave the way for pharmaceuticals that can control heart disease and other conditions.
A new study from Portland State University found that managers experience increased resource gains and losses when taking on the role, leading to higher levels of exhaustion. Companies are now re-examining their management strategies to prioritize employees' well-being and create work-life balance.
Bruno Jedynak, a PSU math and statistics professor, has been awarded nearly $500K to continue his research on the largest family history study of Alzheimer's disease. The study involves over 1,580 middle-aged participants and aims to understand the disease's progression by identifying biomarkers.
Researchers discovered vitamin D is essential for embryonic development and dormancy in fish, a trait conserved across species. This finding could lead to better understanding of dormancy mechanisms and their applications in human health.
A new study by Portland State University researchers finds that climate change is causing more severe wildfires and larger insect outbreaks in temperate forests. The study analyzed 50 protected areas and found a strong link between high disturbance activity and warmer, drier-than-average climate conditions.
Researchers found that Douglas-fir density was high after 20 years in severely burned areas, unaffected by management practices. Forest managers should tailor post-fire management to specific objectives and landscape context to maximize effectiveness.
Researchers at Portland State University found that millions of cubic meters of buried ice have melted in the last decade, leading to unprecedented change over Antarctica's historic period. The culprit is believed to be meltwater, which can conduct heat and cause rapid changes.
Human clinical trials for DesignMedix and Portland State's anti-malarial drug DM1157 have begun, assessing the drug's safety and absorption in healthy volunteers. The Phase I study aims to overcome growing resistance among malaria medicines, with potential approval for treatment of millions.
A new Portland State University study suggests that racial minorities are less likely to be labeled with learning disabilities despite facing greater challenges in education. The research highlights the need for early childhood programming and clear definitions of learning disabilities to address systemic inequalities.
The grant enables researchers to detect and identify a wide range of molecules from diverse samples. The instrument will also support the university's goal of increasing participation by underrepresented groups in STEM education and research.
A Portland State University professor has received a $3.3 million federal grant to study the impact of an early-learning program aimed at improving children's readiness for kindergarten and later grades. The MindUP program, designed by actress Goldie Hawn's foundation, focuses on developing social-emotional and self-regulation skills.
A new study by Portland State University found that higher-than-acceptable levels of pollutants remain in urbanized regions of South Korea's Han River basin, particularly in suburban areas. The research suggests that land management practices, such as afforestation and conservation, can help improve water quality.
Research aims to understand neurochemical basis of decision-making in organisms using limited resources. The project will investigate hormone changes in garter snakes during life phase transitions.
A new Portland State University study suggests that universities should invest in training graduate students in 21st century teaching methods, which do not compromise research careers. The study found that Ph.D. students trained in evidence-based teaching methods can be competitive researchers, if not better than those who are not.
A new study by Portland State University reveals that climate change impacts tree growth rates vary among widely distributed tree species in different regions of Patagonia. The research found that warmer conditions and changes in storm tracks led to altered precipitation patterns, favoring tree growth in some areas over others.
A new study found that climate change is amplifying the relationship between lightning-ignited fires and rising temperatures across the Southern Hemisphere. The strongest impact on fire activity was attributed to the Southern Annular Mode, which is expected to continue due to increasing greenhouse gas levels.
A study by Portland State University finds that removing dams could save up to $64 billion compared to repairing them. The research suggests that better data and analysis are needed to inform dam management decisions.
A new Portland State University study found that infant mortality rates are higher in counties with greater proportions of conservative Protestants, especially fundamentalists. The research suggests that the insular culture of fundamentalists can lead to poorer health outcomes.