Tracey Peake

May 6, 2010

Bacteria With Bite

Researchers have found a bacterial infection that may contribute to birth defects, and you’ve probably never heard of it (though you may have been exposed to it). Have you ever been bitten by a flea?  Scratched by a cat?  Then chances are you’ve come into contact with bacteria called Bartonella.  If you’ve never heard of… 

May 4, 2010

NC State Experts Can Offer Insight into Gulf Oil Spill

The recent British Petroleum oil spill will have a major environmental impact on the U.S. Gulf Coast, and beyond. North Carolina State University experts can address issues pertaining to the spill, from how ocean currents may carry it beyond the Gulf, to how long and difficult the clean-up process may be, as well as effects… 

May 3, 2010

Disease Caused By Insect Bites Can Be Transmitted To Children At Birth, NC State Researcher Finds

A North Carolina State University researcher has discovered that bacteria transmitted by fleas–and potentially ticks–can be passed to human babies by the mother, causing chronic infections and raising the possibility of bacterially induced birth defects. Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt, professor of internal medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences, is among the world’s leading experts on… 

Apr 26, 2010

NC State Predicts Active Atlantic Hurricane Season for 2010

Researchers at North Carolina State University believe that hurricane activity will be above normal in the Atlantic basin in 2010. According to Dr. Lian Xie, professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences, and collaborators Dr. Montserrat Fuentes, professor of statistics, and graduate student Danny Modlin, 2010 should see 15 to 18 named storms forming in… 

Apr 23, 2010

Science Olympiad Invites Best and Brightest to Compete at NC State

North Carolina State University will host more than 2,500 egg-launching, bridge- and vehicle-building students from 150 middle and high schools across the state for the finals of the North Carolina Science Olympiad (NCSO) on Saturday, April 24. Media are invited to attend the event, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. in… 

Apr 21, 2010

Stressed Pets and Helpful Vets – Ongoing Clinical Trials at NC State

NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine is constantly conducting clinical trials that are aimed at treating everything from stressed-out dogs and cats to more serious diseases such as epilepsy and cancer. To see a list of current clinical trials and to find out if your pet may qualify, go here. 

Apr 19, 2010

The Physics of Falling Fruit

Picture this – you’re at the store, in a hurry, and you just need to grab a couple of apples, so you head over to the produce section and pluck a likely looking specimen from the pile…only to watch in horror as the entire pyramid of golden delicious topples at your feet.  If you’ve ever… 

Apr 14, 2010

Pinning Down a Proton: Researchers Develop Method to Describe Binding of Protons and Neutrons

A researcher at North Carolina State University has helped to develop a new method for describing the binding of protons and neutrons within nuclei. This method may improve scientists’ ability to predict and understand astrophysical reactions within stars. When protons and neutrons bind, the process releases energy. This fusion energy is how stars burn. If… 

Apr 8, 2010

Researchers Find Compound Effective In Destroying Antibiotic-Resistant Biofilms

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a chemical compound that, when used in conjunction with conventional antibiotics, is effective in destroying biofilms produced by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as the Staphylococcus strain MRSA and Acinetobacter. The compound also re-sentsitizes those bacteria to antibiotics. Infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA are especially… 

Apr 7, 2010

Researchers Improving Clinical Trials to Get Cancer Therapies to Patients Sooner

Researchers from North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University have teamed up to find ways to design more powerful clinical trials for cancer treatments, effectively getting better and more personalized new therapies to cancer patients sooner. The researchers have been awarded a $12.5 million, 5-year grant from… 

Mar 29, 2010

Scorpion Venom Provides Clues to Cause, Treatment of Pancreatitis

A Brazilian scorpion has provided researchers at North Carolina State University and East Carolina University insight into venom’s effects on the ability of certain cells to release critical components. The findings may prove useful in understanding diseases like pancreatitis or in targeted drug delivery. A common result of scorpion stings, pancreatitis is an inflammation of… 

Mar 19, 2010

Annual ‘Dog Day’ Charity Race is March 28

For use by the media as calendar-of-events items or for information What: North Carolina State University invites runners and dog owners to compete in the 15th Annual Dog Day Race charity event, which features a people-only 5K run and a two-mile walk for people with their dogs. Water will be provided for both human and… 

Mar 18, 2010

NC State Hosts Lecture on Future of Science in America

For use by the media as calendar-of-events items or for information What: North Carolina State University will host a lecture, titled “America’s Science Challenges and Opportunities:  Past, Present and Future,” by Dr. Neal Lane, Malcolm Gillis University Professor at Rice University and senior fellow of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. Lane… 

Mar 4, 2010

From Jellybean to Licorice Whip: Tracing Development of the GI Tract

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found the method by which the “gut tube” – the primitive structure in all vertebrate embryos that eventually becomes the entire gastrointestinal tract – changes from a short, solid cylinder into an elongated hollow structure that loops and coils. Their research paves the way toward greater understanding of… 

Jan 15, 2010

Following the Glow: NC State Researchers Use ‘Fluorescent Fish’ to Study Gene Function

Researchers at North Carolina State University are using fluorescent fish as a molecular “beacon” to study the early stages of animal development. The researchers focused their attention on a gene – known as Sp2 – that regulates the expression of other genes, and the fluorescent fish they created may also provide hints to the causes…