Washington State University researchers found the way plants respond to disease-causing organisms and how they protect themselves. The discovery provides a blueprint for breeding resistance to diseases or pests, enabling faster and more efficient development of crop protection strategies.
Researchers at WSU and PNNL developed biologically inspired materials that deliver therapeutic genes into tumor cells without causing toxic effects. The flower-like particle is about 150 nanometers in size and made of peptoids, which work well in biological systems.
Research by Heather Watts found that house finch breeding seasons are shifting approximately four-and-a-half days earlier with every degree Celsius increase in temperature. This shift may be beneficial for the birds if they can time breeding with seed availability, but could become problematic as climate change continues.
A WSU research team has uncovered previously unknown vulnerabilities in high-performance computer chips, which could be exploited by malicious attacks. The communications system is a critical component of the chip, and its malfunction can have severe consequences.
Researchers have discovered a way to produce environmentally friendly oleoresins from loblolly pine trees, valued at $1.7 billion by 2022. This breakthrough could lead to new engineering approaches for the production of renewable chemicals and inspire alternative technologies.
Researchers at WSU have developed a 3D-printed glucose biosensor that outperforms traditional methods in terms of stability and sensitivity. The new technology uses direct-ink-writing and reduces waste, making it more cost-effective and customizable for individual patients.
A study by Washington State University found that rural children with mild traumatic brain injuries receive less care and have significantly higher healthcare costs compared to urban youth. This disparity is attributed to limited access to specialized services and a shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas, leading to longer tra...
Scientists at Washington State University have discovered genes involved in Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease regression. Genetic variations found in devils that didn't die from tumors may also help humans and other mammals with similar conditions.
A WSU researcher has modeled microplastic fiber movement through the environment, shedding light on their environmental impact. The study found that fibers' length and water speed determine settlement or continued movement.
Research from Washington State University found that emotional suppression in parents can lead to less positive and responsive interactions with their children. The study suggests that letting kids see a healthy conflict, from start to resolution, helps them learn to regulate their own emotions and solve problems.
Research from Washington State University reveals that suppressing negative emotions in front of children can lead to decreased responsiveness and positivity in kids. Parents who express negative emotions in a healthy way are more likely to provide guidance, exhibit warmth, and foster problem-solving skills in their children.
Researchers estimate that soil can retain about 600 billion metric tons of carbon, more than twice the amount added to the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. This pathway relies on water dissolving organic carbon and transporting it deep into the soil, where it is bound to minerals.
A study by Washington State University researchers suggests that inhibiting CDK2 activity can alleviate chemotherapy-induced heart damage in rodents. The finding could be used to develop treatment strategies and drugs to reduce heart disease risk in cancer survivors, particularly those treated with doxorubicin.
Researchers have developed a system that uses microfluidic-based systems and electric fields to understand vesicles. This technique can differentiate between infectious and non-infectious vesicles, such as HIV, and has potential applications in improving drug delivery techniques.
Researchers at Washington State University have found that heavy cannabis use during pregnancy can affect the cognitive development of offspring. The study used a new model of exposure to recreate human-like cannabis use and found that rats exposed to high amounts of cannabis had trouble adjusting their strategy to get rewards.
Astrocytes communicate with neurons to regulate sleep time in fruit flies, a finding that suggests a similar mechanism may exist in mammals. The study used fruit flies to identify mechanisms of sleep regulation and found that a protein called Eiger plays a critical role in regulating sleep.
Researchers at Washington State University have uncovered evidence of ancient tobacco smoking in the interior Pacific Northwest dating back over 1,200 years. The study's findings challenge long-held views on the region's pre-contact smoking practices and highlight the sophistication of indigenous cultures in managing plants and animals.
A new center will recruit and train junior scientists to study Alzheimer's disease in Native populations, with a focus on American Indian, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander investigators. The center aims to fill knowledge gaps and promote prevention and treatment to reduce health disparities.
Researchers found that Asian consumers are willing to pay less for wines from unfamiliar regions, with Iowa and Wisconsin being the most affected. The study also showed gender and age differences in willingness to pay, suggesting that targeting specific demographics could influence pricing strategies.
Researchers traced cacao trees' origin to a single domestication event around 3,600 years ago in Central America. The study found that domestication selected for desirable traits like flavor and disease resistance but also introduced counterproductive genes that lowered crop yields.
A study by Christine Horne and Emily Kennedy found bipartisan support for renewable energy, with conservatives viewing it as financially smart and a step towards self-sufficiency. Democrats strongly link renewable energy to environmental protection and reducing carbon emissions. The research highlights an area of common ground between ...
A WSU climate scientist analyzed The Great Drought of 1875-78, leading to the Global Famine that killed 50 million people. Climate conditions characterized as more severe than before could be replicated with global warming.
A mushroom extract fed to honey bees greatly reduces virus levels, with a 79-fold reduction in deformed wing virus and a 45,000-fold reduction in Lake Sinai virus. The research shows promise for treating varroa mite-borne viruses and improving bee health.
Researchers at WSU have developed an implantable, biofuel-powered sensor that runs on glucose from body fluids to monitor biological signals. The sensor has shown high sensitivity in processing physiological and biochemical signals, making it a promising tool for disease detection.
Washington State University has been awarded a five-year grant to increase the number and diversity of students from rural Washington who enter biomedical careers. The project, called HEAL, uses art-based learning to engage underrepresented communities in STEM education.
Researchers at Washington State University found that new plastics meant to replace BPA are causing genetic abnormalities in mice, including reproductive defects. The study also highlights the risk of contamination in biological research using these plastics.
Researchers at Washington State University developed a new nanoparticle system that targets infections to release antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents. This breakthrough technology aims to improve treatment for sepsis and bacterial infections by reducing the spread of bacteria and inflammation.
Researchers at Washington State University have successfully cloned grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3, a breakthrough that could lead to new strategies controlling the disease. The discovery opens the door for experiments and treatments to protect valuable vineyards from the devastating disease.
A new method to create single-atom catalysts for fuel cells has been developed at Washington State University, potentially making clean energy technology more economically viable. The catalysts, made from iron or cobalt salts and glucosamine, show improved stability and activity compared to commercial platinum catalysts.
Researchers at WSU Spokane have created candidate drugs to slow down the breakdown of nicotine in the body, aiming to reduce tobacco consumption and quit smoking. The substances target liver enzyme CYP2A6, which metabolizes nicotine, potentially alleviating withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and irritability.
A global assessment by scientists reveals nearly one-third of world's farms use sustainable intensification practices, improving productivity and biodiversity. Less developed countries see the largest gains in productivity, while industrialized countries focus on minimizing harm to ecosystem services.
Researchers at Washington State University discovered that cancer-fighting drugs can slow or stop fungal infections in plants by activating genes used to defend against pathogens. The study showed two different results from the applications of DNA-specific drugs on pea tissue, with differing mechanisms of action.
A study by WSU researchers found that marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington improved clearance rates for certain crimes, including burglaries and vehicle thefts. The analysis of monthly FBI data from 2010 through 2015 showed a significant improvement in property crime clearance rates in these states.
Researchers Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Ian Crawford suggest two periods when Earth's Moon was habitable for simple lifeforms, including during its formation and a peak in volcanic activity around 3.5 billion years ago. Conditions were suitable for liquid water and an atmosphere to form on the lunar surface.
A new study from Washington State University finds that PTSD rates among prison employees are on par with those of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to promote resilience in corrections professionals.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a strong, durable concrete that uses fly ash as a binder and eliminates the use of environmentally intensive cement. This new concrete reduces energy demand and greenhouse emissions by utilizing coal waste and significantly lowering its environmental impact.
A WSU study using metabolomics found that shift work schedules alter 24-hour rhythms in digestive organs, disrupting metabolism and increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. The study suggests that separate biological clocks in the liver, gut, and pancreas play a key role in this disruption.
Researchers at Washington State University discovered a critical link between DNA binding by ETS transcription factors and the onset of melanoma. By mapping UV-induced DNA damage throughout the human genome, they found elevated mutation rates at specific genes, confirming UV-induced DNA damage as a major risk factor for melanoma.
Researchers found that host plant quality determines whether brown planthoppers grow short wings or long wings, with higher glucose levels triggering the development of long-winged adults. This discovery could lead to new methods for controlling the insect, a major pest on rice in Asia.
A WSU study found that stopping long-term opioid therapy does not make chronic, non-cancer-related pain worse, and in some cases, improves it. The researchers analyzed data from 551 VA patients who discontinued opioid therapy for at least a year, finding that their pain did not worsen but rather remained similar or improved slightly.
Researchers have developed a new approach for studying Cryptosporidium using lung and intestinal organoids, which support the complete life cycle of the parasite. This tool enables the testing of drugs and identification of vaccine candidates, providing hope for developing effective treatments.
Researchers have identified a protein called STING, which is nearly identical in both humans and fruit flies, triggering an immune response to invading bacteria. This discovery provides a new model organism for studying human immunity and developing infection-fighting medicines.
Fair classroom practices involving transparent grading rubrics, student feedback, bias awareness, and clear correction policies can eliminate the threat of evaluation retaliation. Researchers found that students perceive fairness in these processes rather than just grades, leading to improved teacher evaluations.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a new way to estimate the rate of magma recharge beneath the Yellowstone supervolcano. The team used deuterium in hot springs to calculate the amount of heat and water flowing out, revealing that previous studies underestimated these flows by significant amounts. This study has ...
Researchers found that Thanksgiving visits were 30-50 minutes shorter after the 2016 presidential election, with effects worse in media markets with intense political advertising. This indicates a broader decline in social capital and close connections between friends and family.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a one-step 3D printing process for multimaterial projects, allowing for faster production and reduced manufacturing steps. The technology enables the creation of complex products with multiple parts in one operation, reducing the need for adhesives and joint connections.
A study published in the Academy of Management Journal found that people with high levels of creative, social, and practical imaginativeness generated more and better-quality new venture ideas. This suggests that developing these skills can improve entrepreneurial performance and team success.
A WSU research study seeks to understand how sleep deprivation affects cognitive flexibility and develops new treatments for improved decision-making. The study uses a combination of human and animal experiments to identify brain processes involved in cognitive flexibility deficits.
The team is using mycorrhizal fungi to stabilize soil and conserve water in restoration sites. By inoculating seedlings with native microbes, they aim to improve native plant survival and growth. The research also explores the differences between disturbed and pristine environments, informing ecological restoration efforts.
A WSU research team has made a breakthrough in 3D-printed bone health by combining natural medical cures with modern biomedical devices. The addition of curcumin to ceramic scaffolds improved bone growth capabilities by 30-45%, offering new hope for treating bone diseases like osteoporosis.