Tracey Peake

Sep 17, 2012

Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens Persist in Antibiotic-Free Pigs

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found identical strains of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter Coli (C. coli) in both antibiotic-free (ABF) and conventionally raised pigs. This finding may indicate that these antibiotic-resistant pathogens can persist and thrive in the environment, regardless of antimicrobial usage by pork producers. Dr. Siddhartha Thakur, assistant professor of population health and… 

Sep 11, 2012

Putting the “Fore” in Forecasting

People love to complain about the weather – and especially about weather forecasters. But real, accurate forecasting beyond five to seven days is immensely complicated, due to the sheer volume of atmospheric processes and factors. Fortunately for us, advances in computing are making it possible for mathematicians, atmospheric scientists and statisticians to create “models of… 

Sep 4, 2012

A Blueprint for ‘Affective’ Aggression

A North Carolina State University researcher has created a roadmap to areas of the brain associated with affective aggression in mice. This roadmap may be the first step toward finding therapies for humans suffering from affective aggression disorders that lead to impulsive violent acts. Affective aggression differs from defensive aggression or premeditated aggression used by… 

Aug 30, 2012

21st Annual NC State Dog Olympics Set for Sept. 8

What: North Carolina State University’s Dog Olympics is an annual charitable event organized by veterinary students. Dogs of all breeds, shapes, and sizes are invited to participate in athletic and non-athletic competitions including musical sit, frisbee toss, high jump, longest tail, look-a-like, best beggar, best trick, and other contests. A Paralympic competition for dogs with… 

Aug 28, 2012

NC State Experts Can Discuss Hurricane, Disaster Issues

With Hurricane Isaac making landfall this week, media looking for information on a variety of hurricane topics can contact the following North Carolina State University experts: Storm Surge and Flood Prediction Marine meteorologist Dr. Lian Xie can discuss research on hurricane formation. Specifically, Xie can talk about hurricane climatology and seasonal prediction; storm surge and… 

Aug 21, 2012

Heroes for the Half-Shelled

For the slow-footed turtle, speed can kill on highways and waterways. Luckily, the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine's Turtle Rescue Team is there to restore injured tortoises. 

Aug 16, 2012

Packapalooza Street Fair Celebrates 125 Years of NC State

On Aug. 18, historic Hillsborough Street in Raleigh will be the site of Packapalooza, an all-day block party and street festival celebrating North Carolina State University’s 125th birthday. Music, activities and food will be part of the festival, which will feature more than 160 booths from local and university sponsors. The event, which is free… 

Aug 14, 2012

Veterinary Service for Exotic Pets Opens at NC State

Soon Fido and Fluffy won’t be the only beneficiaries of top-notch veterinary care from North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. On Aug. 20, NC State’s Exotic Animal Medicine Service (EAMS) will open to provide care for our fine feathery, finned or scaly friends. EAMS will see both primary care and referral cases, providing routine… 

Aug 13, 2012

Printing Penguin Brains

Once upon a time, penguins could fly.  Nowadays, paleontologists look at wing and body configurations in penguin fossils to trace their evolution from aerial to underwater “flight.” But it wasn’t just the bone structure that changed over time – their brains evolved, too. And it’s not like you can just look at a fossilized penguin… 

Aug 1, 2012

Controlling Gene Expression With Hydrogen Peroxide “Switches”

Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t just come in bottles from the drugstore – the human body makes it as well. Now researchers from North Carolina State University have found a way to use naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide inside cells to switch on gene expression. Their method also serves as a highly sensitive hydrogen peroxide detector, which may… 

Jul 16, 2012

Turtle Power!

Earlier this year, Ph.D candidate Edwin Cadena revealed the fossilized remains of a giant ancient turtle – Carbonemys – which was roughly the size of a Smart car. Now he’s back with a new and completely different specimen: Puentemys, a turtle that lived 60 million years ago in what is now Colombia. Puentemys would have… 

Jul 3, 2012

Dr. Mary Watzin Named Dean of NC State’s College of Natural Resources

Dr. Mary Catherine Watzin, dean of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont, has been named dean of the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University, effective Oct. 15. Provost Warwick Arden announced the appointment today. “I’m very pleased that Dr. Watzin will be joining us to… 

Jun 20, 2012

Shake, Rattle and…

Let’s start by stating the obvious:  being able to predict volcanic eruptions is good.  But not every volcano is going to cause destruction on the scale of Mt. St. Helens or Eyjafjallajokull (say that 3 times fast).  Some volcanoes – like the ones located underneath the sea –can erupt without human beings even noticing. That’s… 

Jun 18, 2012

Got Ticks? There’s an App for that.

We’ve all heard the stories – Mild winter!  Longer tick season!  Disease! Pestilence! Hide your pets and children!  But it’s summer, and at some point you’re most likely going to be out and about amongst the blood-sucking vermin.  And even when you take the recommended precautions – protective clothing, insect repellents, flea and tick treatments… 

Jun 15, 2012

Gayle S. Lanier Named to NC State Board of Trustees

Gayle S. Lanier has been appointed by the UNC Board of Governors to the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees.  She replaces Phil Freelon, who has stepped down due to a U.S. presidential appointment. Lanier works in Raleigh as vice president of corporate services for Progress Energy.  Prior to serving in this role, Lanier…