college of agriculture and life sciences

Mar 17, 2021

Abundant and Stable Rocks Are Critical Egg-laying Habitat for Insects in Restored Streams

The abundance and other characteristics of rocks partially extending above the water surface could be important for improving the recovery of aquatic insect populations in restored streams. 

Mar 12, 2021

Farm-Level Study Shows Rising Temperatures Hurt Rice Yields

Long-term study in the Philippines tracks the effects of warming temperatures on yields of a staple crop - rice. 

Mar 9, 2021

A How-To Manual on the Science of Making Good Beer

If you're teaching a course on brewing beer, and you can't find the book you want, you write it yourself. 

Feb 15, 2021

Invasive Flies Prefer Untouched Territory When Laying Eggs

The finding raises questions about how the flies can tell whether a piece of fruit is virgin territory – and what that might mean for pest control. 

Feb 9, 2021

Study Yields Recommendations To Prevent Outbreaks From Waterborne Coronaviruses

Researchers suggest ways to prevent exposure to airborne pathogens from wastewater. 

Feb 1, 2021

Lactobacillus Manipulates Bile Acids To Create Favorable Gut Environment

Probiotic bacteria create a better environment for their survival by manipulating bile acids. 

Jan 29, 2021

If You Love Insects and Other Arthropods, We Have the Coloring Book for You

Check out the free coloring book with the best name ever: "Arthropods!" 

Jan 26, 2021

Intercontinental Study Sheds Light on the Microbial Life of Sourdough

Conventional wisdom is wrong. And sourdough is complicated. 

Jan 21, 2021

Vaccine Q&A: Vaccination Rates and New Mutations of the Virus

Let's talk about mutations to the virus that causes COVID-19. 

Jan 21, 2021

Podcast: Queen Bees and Hive Failure

A hive is only as healthy as its queen. Alison McAfee discusses queen failure. 

Jan 13, 2021

Shedding Light on the Secret Reproductive Lives of Honey Bees

Research at NC State and the University of British Columbia shows that there are trade-offs between sperm viability and the expression of a protein involved in the insect’s immune response. 

Jan 7, 2021

Vaccine Q&A: Do I Need One Dose or Two?

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines has been slower than many people were hoping for. And that has led to various suggestions on ways that governments should modify the plan for getting people vaccinated. The variety of suggestions being put forward can be pretty confusing. Some are calling for everyone to get just one dose… 

Jan 5, 2021

Robots in the Air and on the Water Could Improve Shellfish Farming

How aquatic robots could help shape the future of oyster farming. 

Dec 16, 2020

Vaccine Q&A: Returning to Normal and Planning for the Future

How do we prevent this from happening again? 

Dec 16, 2020

Vaccine Q&A: Safety, Skepticism and How Long Protection Will Last

We also explain the difference between preventing infection and preventing sickness.