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Mick Kulikowski

Photo of tobacco plants with and without pollen.

Sep 15, 2023

No Pollen, No Seeds: Genome Editing Technique Yields Useful Traits

Tweaks to the mitochondrial genome hold the potential for better hybrid seed production or to introduce seedless fruits. 

Photo showing variety of objects that can be handled by new grippers.

Aug 2, 2023

Robotic Grippers Offer Unprecedented Combo of Strength and Delicacy

Device is flexible enough to handle soft and fragile objects as well as heavier ones. 

Tobacco budworm on a leaf.

Aug 1, 2023

Male Moth ‘Aphrodisiac’ Revealed

Study reveals for the first time a powerful pheromone chemical used by males moths to entice females. 

Photo of CRISPR-modified and wild trees in an NC State greenhouse.

Jul 13, 2023

Building a Better Forest Tree With CRISPR Gene Editing

Researchers reduce lignin levels and improve wood properties in poplar trees using the increasingly popular gene-editing system. 

Scanning electron microscopy image of a chigger.

Jul 12, 2023

Bacterium Associated With Disease Found in N.C. Chiggers

The disease, scrub typhus, presents symptoms similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. 

Photo of Q-silicon

Jun 23, 2023

Quantum Computing Could Get Boost From Discovery of Q-Silicon

NC State researchers discover a distinct form of silicon that is ferromagnetic at room temperature. 

Picture of florescent flies.

Jun 12, 2023

CRISPR/Cas9-Based Gene Drive Could Suppress Agricultural Pests

Researchers use for the first time a gene-drive system on an important agricultural pest. 

Photo of caddisfly in water.

May 17, 2023

Newcomers May Change Ecosystem Functions – Or Not

Caddisfly study shows resident species can continue managing ecological processes when similar newcomers move in, but their role changes when newcomers are different. 

Boat on Lake Mead.

Apr 19, 2023

Study: Tribal Water Rights Underutilized in U.S. West

Lack of irrigation infrastructure and convoluted land ownership issues represent the major impediments to tribes, the study suggests. 

Fall armyworm moth.

Apr 11, 2023

Perfume Component Helps Lure Male Moth Pests

A small amount of nonanal added to a traditional blend of sex pheromones draws the attention of fall armyworm males looking for a good time. 

Potato plant with leaf blight

Apr 3, 2023

NC State Researchers Assemble Pathogen ‘Tree of Life’

Researchers provide open-access tool to capture new data on a global plant destroyer, Phytophthora. 

Tractor at a cover crop conference in North Carolina.

Mar 21, 2023

Study: Cover Crops Help Mitigate Farmer Losses

Results suggest cover crops can keep soil drier and healthier, allowing Midwestern farmers to plant cash crops after flooding. 

Queen bee on flower.

Feb 23, 2023

N.C. Effort to Help Pollinators Shows Successes, Limitations

Bee abundance and species diversity increased in agricultural pollinator habitats, but maintaining the habitat played a key role in effectiveness. 

Yam seeds in banana paper ready for planting.

Feb 21, 2023

Yams Benefit From Banana ‘Paper’ Cocoon

"Wrap-and-plant" technique shows promise for increasing tuber size, yields and storage quality. 

Aerial view of laptop and cell phone.

Feb 8, 2023

Microstructure and Defect Engineering Improves Performance of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Laser-induced anode graphite defects - in the right amount - increase current capacity in widely used batteries.