Tracey Peake

Apr 27, 2012

NC State Hosts Science Olympiad April 28

North Carolina State University will host more than 2,500 of the state’s best and brightest middle- and high-school students at the North Carolina Science Olympiad on Saturday, April 28. In competitive events, students will launch bottle rockets, fly rubber band-powered helicopters, race mousetrap and gravity vehicles, use catapults and investigate crime scenes. Media are invited… 

Apr 24, 2012

Compound from Wild Tomatoes is Natural, Effective Herbicide

A naturally occurring compound derived from wild tomato plants is also a fast-acting, nontoxic herbicide, according to researchers at North Carolina State University. NC State entomologist Dr. Mike Roe had previously worked with the compound – known as 2-undecanone – as a natural replacement for the chemical DEET in insect repellents. Both he and his NC State… 

Apr 23, 2012

Bartonella Infection Associated with Rheumatoid Illnesses in Humans

A bacterium historically associated with cat scratch fever and transmitted predominately by fleas may also play a role in human rheumatoid illnesses such as arthritis, according to new research from North Carolina State University. Bartonella is a bacterium that is maintained in nature by fleas, ticks and other biting insects. It can be transmitted to… 

Apr 19, 2012

Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t

The following is a guest post by Dr. Clinton Jenkins, an NC State biologist whose research focuses on conservation science. Jenkins is co-author of a new study in PLoS ONE about the possible impact of hydroelectric dams on the Andean Amazon. Dr. Matt Finer, a researcher affiliated with Save America’s Forests and the Center for International… 

Apr 15, 2012

New X-ray Technique Reveals Structure of Printable Electronics

An innovative X-ray technique has given North Carolina State University researchers and their collaborators new insight into how organic polymers can be used in printable electronics such as transistors and solar cells. Their discoveries may lead to cheaper, more efficient printable electronic devices. Printable electronics are created by spraying or printing inks containing conductive organic… 

Apr 13, 2012

Rivers to Deliver Spring Commencement Address at NC State

Philip Rivers, a record-setting passer at NC State and current starting quarterback for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, will deliver NC State’s commencement address on Saturday, May 12, at PNC Arena in Raleigh. The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. During the ceremony, Chancellor Randy Woodson will confer honorary degrees on behalf of NC State to Robert B.… 

Apr 10, 2012

Researchers Foresee Relatively Quiet Hurricane Season

Researchers at North Carolina State University aren’t looking for any surprises with the 2012 hurricane season – they believe that storm activity in the Atlantic basin will be in line with historic averages. According to Dr. Lian Xie, professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences, and collaborators Dr. Montserrat Fuentes, professor of statistics, and graduate… 

Mar 30, 2012

College of Veterinary Medicine Open House Scheduled for March 31

North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine will host an open house on Saturday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual event offers the public an insider’s view of transformative animal medicine at one of the nation’s top veterinary colleges. The open house features more than 40 exhibits, opportunities to get… 

Mar 27, 2012

Electroactive Polymer Key to Durable, Affordable Full-Screen Braille Displays

A team of North Carolina State University researchers are one step closer to creating a workable, affordable full-screen Braille computer display that would allow the blind to scan Web pages in much the same way that sighted people do. The team, composed of textile, electrical and computer engineers, had previously introduced a design that could… 

Mar 20, 2012

Veterinary Medicine Open House Scheduled for March 31

What: North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine will host an open house to give the public an insider’s view of transformative animal medicine at one of the nation’s top veterinary colleges. The open house features more than 40 exhibits, opportunities to get up close with various animals large and small, special demonstrations, and… 

Mar 19, 2012

NC State’s Reynolds Receives Award for Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Stephen P. Reynolds, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor of Physics at North Carolina State University, has been honored with an Award for Excellence in Teaching from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors. One educator from each UNC system campus wins the award, which comes with a prize of $7,500 and a bronze… 

Mar 12, 2012

NC State Wins Highest Federal Award for Community Service

North Carolina State University has received the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement – a Presidential Award –  as part of the 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. NC State is one of only five Presidential Awardees nationwide, and one of two… 

Feb 27, 2012

First Full Look at Prehistoric New Zealand Penguin

After 35 years, a giant fossil penguin has finally been completely reconstructed, giving researchers new insights into prehistoric penguin diversity. The bones were collected in 1977 by Dr. Ewan Fordyce, a paleontologist from the University of Otago, New Zealand. In 2009 and 2011, Dr. Dan Ksepka, North Carolina State University research assistant professor of marine,… 

Feb 23, 2012

Mechanism Behind Capacitor’s High-Speed Energy Storage Discovered

Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered the means by which a polymer known as PVDF enables capacitors to store and release large amounts of energy quickly. Their findings could lead to much more powerful and efficient electric cars. Capacitors are like batteries in that they store and release energy. However, capacitors use separated… 

Feb 22, 2012

Stem Cell Therapies for Paralyzed Pooches

Meet Tobi – a six-year-old cocker spaniel whose hind legs are paralyzed. Tobi is one of the first participants in and beneficiaries of a clinical trial to test stem cell treatments for paralysis. NC State neurologist Dr. Natasha Olby specializes in researching treatments for long-term paralysis in dogs. According to Olby, even in the case of…