Joey Pitchford

May 3, 2024

Birdwatching can help students improve mental health, reduce distress

A new study finds people who have nature-based experiences report better well-being and lower psychological distress than those who do not. Birdwatching in particular yielded promising results, with higher gains in subjective well-being and more reduction in distress than more generic nature exposure, such as walks. Because birdwatching is an easily accessible activity, the results… 

Apr 26, 2024

Mammals on ‘Sky Islands’ May Be Threatened By Climate Change, Human Development

A new study sheds light on how climate change and human development threaten mammal species living in isolated biodiversity hotspots known as “sky islands.” Researchers placed camera traps throughout Mt. Kenya National Park in East Africa, following the same route up the mountain used by Theodore Roosevelt during his expedition there in 1909. By comparing… 

Apr 17, 2024

NC State Researchers Use Machine Learning To Create a Fabric-Based Touch Sensor

A new study from NC State University combines three-dimensional embroidery techniques with machine learning to create a fabric-based sensor that can control electronic devices through touch.  As the field of wearable electronics gains more interest and new functions are added to clothing, an embroidery-based sensor or “button” capable of controlling those functions becomes increasingly important. Integrated… 

Mar 22, 2024

Camera traps help researchers explain animal behavior during global COVID-19 lockdowns

A new collaborative study using thousands of cameras around the world reveals how animal behavior changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study sheds light on how animal behavior was influenced by changes in human behavior during pandemic lockdowns. Led by the University of British Columbia, the study used data from over 5,000 camera traps… 

Mar 8, 2024

Educators Can Help Foster Interpartisan Friendships on College Campuses

As American society continues to divide along political lines, higher education and educators have unique potential to help foster interpartisan friendships, according to a new study from North Carolina State University. The findings are based on data from the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS), a study that included 5,762 college students from… 

Mar 7, 2024

Improving Wood Products Could Be a Key to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Harnessing the ability of wood products to store carbon even after harvest could have a significant effect on greenhouse gas emissions and change commonly accepted forestry practices, a new study from NC State researchers suggests. The new study published in the journal Carbon Balance and Management uses carbon storage modeling to link the carbon stored in… 

Feb 13, 2024

NC State Named Top Fulbright Producer

North Carolina State University has been recognized as one of the universities with the highest number of students, faculty, and administrators selected for both the Fulbright U.S. Student and Fulbright U.S Scholar Programs. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs made the announcement Feb. 13. “We welcome this recognition for a… 

Feb 5, 2024

New Study Finds “Sweet Spot” for Length of Yarn-Shaped Supercapacitors

Yarns 40-60cm yield best flow of energy in new study.