A new PSU study found elevated levels of caffeine in Oregon coastal waters, contradicting initial expectations. The research indicates that wastewater treatment plants are effective in removing caffeine, but severe weather events can flush contaminants out to sea.
Research reveals that copper from brake linings and mining operations impacts salmon's ability to detect predators via their sense of smell. This altered state makes them more susceptible to attack by predators.
Researchers found that rats exposed to vinclozolin as fetuses showed increased anxiety, sensitivity to stress, and altered brain activity in their third-generation offspring. This study suggests epigenetic transgenerational inheritance may play a role in the development of post-traumatic stress syndrome and other mental disorders.
Researchers found that fetal exposure to BPA increases mammary bud density and advances gland development in rhesus macaques, increasing breast cancer risk. The primate study supports rodent models as a reliable method for studying BPA's effects on human health.
An economic model by Arzu Aysin Tekindor breaks down the value of great art, finding that artist style and subject have a significant impact on prices. The study found that works sold in New York tend to fetch more than those in London, and paintings with iconic subjects increase their value by over three-quarters.
Researchers have discovered that a garlic-derived compound is 100 times more effective at killing the Campylobacter bacterium than two popular antibiotics. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for raw and processed meats, as well as food preparation surfaces.
Researchers have reevaluated the Yellowstone volcano's history, finding that its biggest eruption was actually two separate events 6,000 years apart. This new understanding may lead to a revised likelihood of another large eruption in the future.
A team of scientists, led by WSU astrobiologist Dirk Schulze-Makuch, is calling for a Mars mission with a strong life detection component. The BOLD mission would feature six probes that could detect signs of life in Martian soil through various experiments.
The university's organic farm will be expanded from four acres to nearly 30 acres with the new investment, providing a leading platform for organic teaching and research. This $5 million donation by alumni and natural foods pioneers Chuck and Louanna Eggert will greatly enhance WSU's role in promoting sustainable agriculture nationwide.
A smart home uses sensors and software to anticipate household needs, improving health and energy efficiency. Washington State University's Diane Cook envisions a future where homes can monitor elderly residents' activities and alert caregivers.
A multi-year study by WSU researchers found no significant differences in grape and wine quality due to grafting, with climate and vintage being the dominant factors. The experiment tested six commercial rootstocks against own-rooted vines for three popular varieties.
A recent study found that three commonly used herbicides can dramatically reduce butterfly populations. Researchers tested triclopyr, sethoxydim and imazapyr on butterfly larvae and found a significant drop in adult numbers. The findings have implications for conservation efforts to protect endangered species like the Lange's metalmark.
A WSU researcher found that environmental toxicants, including jet fuel and pesticides, can cause disease-causing compounds in offspring for up to three generations. The study demonstrates the potential for transgenerational disease development through epigenetic changes.
Researchers are using community modeling to address complex issues like climate change, air pollution and desertification. The approach involves teams of experts pooling data and ideas in a collaborative process.
Aurora Clark adapts Google's PageRank algorithm to create moleculaRnetworks, enabling researchers to determine molecular shapes and chemical reactions without the need for lab experiments. This technology focuses on hydrogen bonds in water and has applications in drug design, disease research, and environmental analysis.
Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp argues that animals, including rats and mice, have emotional experiences and share core emotional functions with humans. This research could lead to a better understanding of human emotions and develop more effective treatments for psychiatric disorders.
Researchers at Washington State University have successfully created a bone-like material and structure that can be used in orthopedic procedures, dental work, and to deliver medicine for treating osteoporosis. The material was produced using a 3D printer and has shown promising results in both in vitro and in vivo tests.
A new system for classifying exoplanets could catalogue newly discovered worlds with potential for life. The methodology uses two indices to describe a planet's Earth-like features and chemical/physical parameters conducive to life.
A WSU study suggests chain hotels are more likely to adopt energy-efficient light bulbs, train staff to reduce waste, and educate guests on water conservation. This trend may give independents a competitive disadvantage in attracting customers. Hotels can save up to $6.75 per day by implementing greener practices.
Washington State University researchers have developed a new animal model to study depression by stimulating a brain region associated with primary emotions in rats. The model reveals behaviors linked to depression, including reduced positive affect and increased agitation.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered how a barley plant recognizes an invader within five minutes of an attack, triggering its defenses. This breakthrough could lead to new ways to battle crop diseases, potentially defeating evolving threats like Ug99.
Researchers from Washington State University tested common cheating methods in baseball, finding that corked bats result in slower bounces, while juiced balls have nearly identical coefficients of restitution as contemporary ones. Humidors also curb home run production by reducing ball bounce.
A Washington State University student's research has challenged a widely held assumption on the best way to analyze ancient DNA in anthropological and forensic investigations. Direct sequencing was found to be as effective as cloning in analyzing degraded DNA, with potential cost savings and time efficiency benefits.
A Washington State University study found significantly more birth defects in areas of mountaintop coal mining, with nearly twice the rate of non-mining areas. The research also controlled for socioeconomic and behavioral risks, confirming a link between mountaintop mining and higher birth defect rates.
Researchers at Washington State University have devised a new way to analyze blood spatters at crime scenes, allowing investigators to determine the exact height of a source. The system uses known equations of projectile motion and data points form a neat line on a graph when plotted correctly.
A broad shift in federal policies is needed to develop farm practices that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. Current policies focus on a few crops and farmers, while neglecting issues like global warming, biodiversity loss, and public health problems.
WSU researchers have confirmed a critical step in cell division that results in age-related miscarriages and birth defects, including Down syndrome. Egg cells failing to properly arrange chromosomes can lead to aneuploidy, or an abnormal number of chromosomes.
The letter highlights growing concerns about chemicals like BPA and the need for experts from genetics, reproductive medicine, and other fields to interpret and evaluate science. The authors advocate for swifter and sounder testing procedures to prevent chemicals from entering the environment.
Researchers analyzed the air traffic controller's schedule and found he was performing at 71% of his effectiveness due to fatigue. The study suggests using mathematical models to predict fatigue and optimize schedules, leading to reduced risk of accidents in various 24/7 operations.
A WSU researcher is conducting a four-year project to better understand how practicing civil engineers learn and apply engineering concepts. The study aims to develop a model of engineering thinking and research-based curricular materials based on the engineers' actual use of concepts.
A Washington State University study found that whey-based protein supplements can significantly reduce elevated blood pressure, resulting in a more than six-point reduction in average blood pressure. The study's findings have practical implications for personal health and the dairy industry.
Reading food labels can improve weight loss chances for middle-aged Americans, with women and overweight/obese individuals seeing better success rates. The analysis also highlights the value of standardized nutrition facts on packaged foods and calls for posting nutritional information in restaurants and vending machines.
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered a key mechanism behind sleep, which could lead to the development of new treatments for fatigue and sleep disorders. The finding reveals how brain activity is linked to sleep and provides potential targets for medications.
A study comparing 31 commercial strawberry farms found that organic farms produced more flavorful and nutritious berries while leaving the soil healthier and more genetically diverse. The research team analyzed multiple sampling times on over two dozen fields, finding significant advantages of organic farming systems.
Scientists have successfully sequenced the domestic apple genome, allowing for rapid identification of desirable genes and traits. The study also reveals the wild ancestor of the modern domesticated apple, providing a valuable resource for future research and breeding programs.
A study published in Pediatrics shows that a brief two-week course teaching children to be skeptical of media messages can help prevent substance use. The 'Media Detective' program boosted the critical thinking skills of third through fifth graders and reduced their intentions to use alcohol and tobacco.
Research found that unselfish workers who volunteer for tasks and take on details are also among those most wanted to be voted off a team. This phenomenon occurs because others perceive these individuals as setting an unrealistic standard, making themselves appear worse by comparison.
A special White House panel on high-level radioactive waste needs to focus more on social and political acceptability. Public mistrust has fueled failed attempts to effectively work with those affected, and addressing this is crucial for developing a publicly acceptable solution.
Researchers at Washington State University have created a compact, never-before-seen material capable of storing vast amounts of energy by applying extremely high pressures. The new material, similar to nuclear energy, has potential applications in creating energetic materials, fuels, and superconductors.
Researchers at Washington State University found that organic farms have more balanced insect populations, leading to better pest control and healthier plant growth. This balance is achieved through a diverse range of species, resulting in a more harmonious ecosystem.
Trade in coral and tropical fish is substantial and growing, removing millions of animals a year. The US can leverage its market power to reduce the environmental impact by protecting more species and promoting humane sales.
The new School for Global Animal Health will support scientific staff with two floors of research laboratory space and an administrative wing. The facility aims to reduce zoonotic diseases through vaccination and strategic interventions in animal populations and the environment.
Researchers predict perennial grain crops could be available in two decades, offering a sustainable solution to feed the world's growing population. These crops have longer growing seasons, deeper roots, and require fewer herbicides and equipment passes, reducing erosion and sequestering carbon.
A WSU study found that mothers of autistic children experience increased stress due to work demands and lack of flexibility. Nearly 60% have suffered financial problems in the past year, highlighting the need for workplace adaptations to support affected parents.
Researchers found environmental toxins can alter animal genes, causing heritable diseases in multiple generations. The study suggests a role for environmental impacts in evolution, potentially impacting diseases like breast cancer and prostate disease.