Tracey Peake

Aug 31, 2011

Leapin’ Lizards

If you live in the southeastern U.S., you see these little guys (and gals) everywhere – the ubiquitous green or brown Anole lizard known scientifically as Anolis carolinensis. But aside from being cute and able to regenerate part of its tail, this little lizard – and its newly sequenced genome – may help scientists solve… 

Aug 31, 2011

Leapin’ Lizards

If you live in the southeastern U.S., you see these little guys (and gals) everywhere – the ubiquitous green or brown Anole lizard known scientifically as Anolis carolinensis. But aside from being cute and able to regenerate part of its tail, this little lizard – and its newly sequenced genome – may help scientists solve… 

Aug 24, 2011

Common Bacterium Stops Mosquitoes from Transmitting Dengue Virus

Strains of a bacterium commonly found in fruit flies can prevent the Aedes aegypti mosquito from transmitting the virus that causes dengue fever, researchers have found. Their discovery could lead to a more effective way to control dengue worldwide. North Carolina State University mathematical biologist Dr. Alun Lloyd is part of the Eliminate Dengue program,… 

Aug 9, 2011

New Technique Scales Up Nanofiber Production

A new spin on an old technology will give scientists and manufacturers the ability to significantly increase their production of nanofibers, according to researchers at North Carolina State University. Collections of nanofibers, because they are porous and lightweight, are useful in applications ranging from water filtration to tissue regeneration to energy storage. But although nanofibers… 

Jul 27, 2011

Real Research, Real Results

From eradicating bed bugs to programming bandages, research at NC State produces results with real impact. 

Jul 22, 2011

Pirates of the Paleolithic

Avast, ye scurvy Homo erectus!  Recent archaeological finds from Crete show that the first seafaring humans set sail for parts unknown – or maybe parts barely visible to the naked eye – more than 10 times earlier than previously thought. So instead of man settling the Greek island around 10,000 years ago, we now have… 

Jul 20, 2011

Pirates of the Paleolithic

Avast, ye scurvy Homo erectus!  Recent archaeological finds from Crete show that the first seafaring humans set sail for parts unknown – or maybe parts barely visible to the naked eye – more than 10 times earlier than previously thought. So instead of man settling the Greek island around 10,000 years ago, we now have… 

Jul 14, 2011

NC State Presents Awards to Help Speed Discoveries to Marketplace

A vaccine that prevents Salmonella, coatings that protect fabrics from ultraviolet (UV) rays, bandages that release medication to improve wound healing, and better bed bug bait – these four technological breakthroughs are one step closer to becoming reality. The North Carolina State University researchers behind these inventions are the first recipients of NC State’s Chancellor’s Innovation… 

Jun 29, 2011

Genetic “Conductor” Involved With New Brain Cell Production in Adults

A team of North Carolina State University researchers has discovered more about how a gene connected to the production of new brain cells in adults does its job. Their findings could pave the way to new therapies for brain injury or disease. Most areas of the brain do not generate new brain cells, or neurons,… 

Jun 28, 2011

How Copper Folds Protein into Parkinson’s Plaques

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found out how copper induces misfolding in the protein associated with Parkinson’s disease, leading to creation of the fibrillar plaques which characterize the disease. This finding has implications for both the study of Parkinson’s progression as well as for future treatments. The protein in question, alpha-synuclein, is the… 

Jun 22, 2011

The Dirt Whisperer

Say you’re a civil engineer, and you’re looking for a good place to put a bridge. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to ask the ground how stable it is before you start digging, like some sort of dirt whisperer?  Or how close an older bridge is to failing, after erosion has affected the… 

Jun 13, 2011

Knick-Knack, Paddy-Whack, Save a Dog a Bone…

And we’re not talking soup bones. Osteosarcoma is the most common canine bone cancer, with tumors generally appearing on the dog’s front limbs, above the wrist joint.  Veterinarians can treat osteosarcoma, but in many cases the treatment involves amputation, a particular challenge for dogs with additional health problems that may affect their balance or mobility,… 

Jun 13, 2011

Astrophysicist Looks to Stars to Uncover Neutrino’s Secrets

A North Carolina State University astrophysicist hopes to gain better understanding of one of nature’s most elusive particles – neutrinos – as well as the supernovae that spawn them. Dr. James Kneller, professor of physics at NC State, has received a five-year, $750,000 Early Career Research Program grant from the Department of Energy to study how… 

Jun 7, 2011

Chasing the Whirlwind

With destructive tornadoes blistering locales like Joplin, Mo., Tuscaloosa, Ala. as well as sites traditionally inhospitable to tornadoes – like Raleigh, Minneapolis, Minn. and Springfield, Mass. – figuring out more about how and why tornadoes form becomes more relevant – and critical to saving lives. 

May 31, 2011

Anarchy in the Pathway?

We’d be nothing without our proteins – they transport signals around cells , and so have a hand in regulating every single process in our bodies.  Scientists know that one way proteins accomplish this transport is to fold themselves into a specific shape that corresponds with a particular molecule.  Picture a lock that only opens…