Tracey Peake

Feb 28, 2011

Scientific Serendipity

In an interesting bit of scientific serendipity, researchers at North Carolina State University have found that a chemical compound useful for studying the origins of intestinal birth defects may also inhibit the growth and spread of cancerous tumors. During the screening of chemical compounds created by NC State chemist Dr. Alex Deiters, developmental biologist Dr. Nanette… 

Feb 11, 2011

Gene Linked to Preeclampsia

Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered that the placentas of women who suffer preeclampsia during pregnancy have an overabundance of a gene associated with the regulation of the body’s immune system. Their discovery may lead to improved screening and prenatal care for these patients and their babies. Preeclampsia occurs in up to 10… 

Feb 2, 2011

Lights, Kinase, Action!

Want to turn a specific gene or protein off or on in one particular area of an organism?  Then let there be light!  UV light, to be specific.  Chemistry professor Dr. Alex Deiters specializes in creating light-activated biological switches that can help scientists control and study the function of specific genes and proteins in localized… 

Jan 13, 2011

Show and Tell

We’re probably all very familiar with the old school – as in kindergarten level – version of show and tell.  Now, scientific publishing has caught up with that concept, and neurobiologist Dr. Troy Ghashghaei is  the first from NC State to take advantage of this new way of communicating scientific methods by publishing in the Journal… 

Jan 13, 2011

NC State Cardiology Care Network Will Help Pets with Heart Disease

Veterinary cardiologists at North Carolina State University have created an interactive heart-care resource to help veterinarians and pet owners across the country support dogs and cats with heart disease. The NC State Cardiology Care Network, developed by clinicians with the Cardiology Service at NC State’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), provides a range of educational tools, advanced diagnostics,… 

Dec 16, 2010

Undersea Methane Could be a Source of Ancient Carbon in Oceans

A North Carolina State University researcher is part of a team that has found methane is converted into dissolved organic matter within “cold seeps” – undersea areas where fluids bubble up through sediments at the bottom of the ocean.  This material could be a significant source of ancient organic matter in the oceans and may… 

Nov 29, 2010

Building a Better Sun-Trap

How does the saying go? Build a better solar cell and the world will beat a path to your efficiently temperature-controlled and environmentally friendly door? Okay, maybe that’s not exactly the saying, but you’ve got to admit that the idea of cheaper, more efficient solar technology is at least as compelling today as the idea… 

Nov 15, 2010

Lower Part of Earth’s Atmosphere is Warming, Data Review Concludes

The troposphere, the lower part of the atmosphere closest to the Earth, is warming in ways that are broadly consistent with both theoretical expectations and climate models, according to a new scientific study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the NOAA-North Carolina State University Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS). Since… 

Nov 12, 2010

NC State Names Innovation, Entrepreneurship Award Winners

North Carolina State University celebrated its achievements in innovation and entrepreneurship for 2010 – including 32 U.S. patents issued and four start-up companies launched – with the inaugural presentation of its Innovator of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year awards. Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi was named NC State’s Innovator of the Year for 2010. Pourdeyhimi is… 

Nov 11, 2010

NC State Police Honor Students Who Performed Life-Saving CPR

The North Carolina State University Police Department will hold a ceremony to honor three students who saved a fellow student’s life by performing CPR. Media are invited to attend the ceremony, which will be held on Friday, Nov. 12, at 1:30 p.m. in the Talley Student Center on NC State’s campus. Parking is available in the… 

Nov 5, 2010

5th Annual Campus CPR Challenge to be Held Nov. 19

What: The North Carolina State University community and the general public are invited to take the CPR challenge and earn first aid or CPR certification from the American Red Cross. Instructors will offer classes in adult CPR, child and infant CPR, AED and basic first aid during morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Who: Sponsored by… 

Oct 28, 2010

NC State Develops More Precise Genetic ‘Off Switches’

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a way to “cage” genetic off switches in such a way that they can be activated when exposed to UV light. Their technology gives scientists a more precise way to control and study gene function in localized areas of developing organisms. The off switches,  called morpholino oligonucleotides,… 

Oct 27, 2010

Too Much SP2 Protein Turns Stem Cells Into “Evil Twin” Tumor-forming Cancer Cells

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that the overproduction of a key protein in stem cells causes those stem cells to form cancerous tumors. Their work may lead to new treatments for a variety of cancers. Dr. Jon Horowitz, associate professor of molecular biomedical sciences, and a team of NC State researchers looked at… 

Oct 11, 2010

NC State Researcher Receives Grant to Uncover Genetic Causes of Intestinal Deformity

A North Carolina State University researcher has received a five-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Heath  to study the genes responsible for intestinal formation. This work may lead to improved diagnosis and prevention of intestinal malrotation – or twisting – in human infants. Dr. Nanette Nascone-Yoder, assistant professor of developmental biology in… 

Oct 7, 2010

Technique Allows Researchers to Examine How Materials Bond at the Atomic Level

An approach pioneered by researchers at North Carolina State University gives scientists new insight into the way silicon bonds with other materials at the atomic level. This technique could lead to improved understanding of and control over bond formation at the atomic level, and opportunities for the creation of new devices and more efficient microchips.…