Joey Pitchford

Nov 26, 2025

The North Carolina Christmas Tree Industry is Still Going Strong

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes Christmas tree shopping. With tariffs and extreme weather putting pressure on local growers and overseas importers alike, many shoppers are wondering what to expect when buying a tree this year. In the mountains of North Carolina, where Christmas trees are grown, Hurricane Helene brought devastating… 

Oct 31, 2025

Bamboo Tissue Paper May Not Be as Eco-friendly as You Think

In recent years, Chinese tissue paper made from bamboo has emerged as a trendy choice for eco-friendly shoppers. However, new research suggests these bamboo paper products may not offer significant climate benefits over tissue produced in the United States and, in some cases, may be more detrimental to the environment. The findings are detailed in… 

Oct 17, 2025

How origami robots with magnetic muscles could make medicine delivery less invasive and more effective

A new 3-D printing technique can create paper-thin “magnetic muscles,” which can be applied to origami structures to make them move. By infusing rubber-like elastomers with materials called ferromagnetic particles, researchers at North Carolina State University 3-D printed a thin magnetic film which can be applied to origami structures. When exposed to magnetism, the films… 

Oct 15, 2025

Electric power could bring paper mills to net zero emissions

A study finds that replacing natural gas with electric and biomass power, along with improved energy efficiency, could help some pulp and paper mills reach zero net emissions. Researchers began with a simulation of mills defined by two characteristics: whether they used virgin or recycled fibers, and whether they were integrated or not. A virgin… 

Sep 11, 2025

Messy backyard gardens could help save biodiversity, but who wants one?

A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that attraction to biodiversity, also known as biophilia, may vary broadly between individuals rather than being a consistent trait that all people share. As biodiversity declines around the world and global climate goals are often left unmet, researchers have begun to look to backyard gardens… 

Sep 3, 2025

How Hyper-detailed Cameras Will Make Recycling More Efficient

A new study uses advanced imaging technology to identify materials in municipal solid waste that can be separated for recycling or to produce energy.  The study made use of hyperspectral imaging, a method that uses powerful optical sensors which capture the light spectrum across every pixel in an image. By analyzing the ways that different… 

Jul 25, 2025

Building a high rise out of wood? Cross-laminated timber could make it possible

A new study finds that adopting cross-laminated timber as a primary construction material could have significant environmental benefits, from carbon storage to global reforestation and increased forest cover. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is created by stacking multiple layers of timber and then adhering the layers together. This results in strong, light wooden panels up to 60… 

Jun 18, 2025

Human development outside protected areas may harm biodiversity within

Designating areas as protected spaces for wildlife is a common strategy for preserving biodiversity, but heavy human development around those areas may largely counteract the benefit of those protections. This phenomenon is described in a new study using camera-trap data to evaluate the effectiveness of hundreds of protected areas across China. Co-author Roland Kays, research… 

Jun 3, 2025

AI can help cut down on waste, improve quality in dyed fabrics

A new study finds that machine learning can help reduce textile manufacturing waste by more accurately mapping how colors will change during the dyeing process.  Fabrics are typically dyed while wet, and their colors change as they dry. This can make it difficult to know what a piece of fabric will end up looking like… 

May 28, 2025

Huge sea-urchin populations are overwhelming Hawaii’s coral reefs

As coral reefs struggle to adapt to warming waters, high levels of pollution and sea-level rise, ballooning sea-urchin populations are threatening to push some reefs in Hawaii past the point of recovery. The phenomenon is described in a new study that uses on-site field work and airborne imagery to track the health of the reef… 

May 6, 2025

Development, agriculture present risks for drinking water quality

A new study from North Carolina State University researchers finds that conversion of forests to urban development or agriculture near streams can have harmful effects on water quality downstream, presenting both health concerns and raising the cost of water treatment. Using a model called the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, researchers mapped out the current… 

Mar 28, 2025

Why scientists are worried about weasels

When monitoring the health of mammal populations, scientists often use camera traps to observe the animals in their habitats.  But weasels are so sneaky they’re rarely caught on camera – leaving scientists with questions about this population of predators. “We’re a little worried about the weasels,” says Roland Kays, a research professor at North Carolina… 

Feb 25, 2025

NC State Named Top Fulbright Producer

North Carolina State University has been recognized as one of the universities with the highest number of faculty selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Programs. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs made the announcement today. “NC State’s recognition as a top Fulbright-producing institution demonstrates its strong dedication to global exchange and… 

Jan 16, 2025

Study examines how climate change has shaped coastal forests over the last decade

A new study finds that climate change may have a range of contrasting effects on coastal forests, both slowing and enabling growth in areas where sea levels are rising and storms are more common. Researchers compared a decade of forest growth data from two types of environments across the mid-Atlantic, southeastern, and Gulf coasts of… 

Jan 6, 2025

How We Classify Flood Risk May Give Developers, Home Buyers a False Sense of Security

Common methods of communicating flood risk may create a false sense of security, leading to increased development in areas threatened by flooding. This phenomenon, called the “safe development paradox,” is described in a new paper from North Carolina State University. Lead author Georgina Sanchez, a research scholar in NC State’s Center for Geospatial Analytics, said this…