Matt Shipman

May 6, 2013

National Study of Nanomaterial Toxicity Sets Stage for Policies to Address Health Risks

For the first time, researchers from institutions around the country have conducted an identical series of toxicology tests evaluating lung-related health impacts associated with widely used engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). The study provides comparable health risk data from multiple labs, which should help regulators develop policies to protect workers and consumers who come into contact with… 

May 3, 2013

Injectable Nano-Network Controls Blood Sugar in Diabetics for Days at a Time

In a promising development for diabetes treatment, researchers have developed a network of nanoscale particles that can be injected into the body and release insulin when blood-sugar levels rise, maintaining normal blood sugar levels for more than a week in animal-based laboratory tests. The work was done by researchers at North Carolina State University, the… 

Apr 29, 2013

Older Is Wiser: Study Shows Software Developers’ Skills Improve Over Time

There is a perception in some tech circles that older programmers aren’t able to keep pace with rapidly changing technology, and that they are discriminated against in the software field. But a new study from North Carolina State University indicates that the knowledge and skills of programmers actually improve over time – and that older… 

Apr 26, 2013

Get a Sneak Peek of New Products at NC State Lulu eGames Showcase

The Entrepreneurship Initiative at North Carolina State University is showcasing the student entrepreneurs and products developed as part of its eGames competition on Monday, April 29 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the McKimmon Center on NC State’s campus. Media coverage of the event is invited. Products developed by NC State students include facial image-analysis technology that… 

Apr 24, 2013

Iron Man, Reverse Engineering and the Future of Materials Science

Iron Man 3 isn’t out yet, but the first two movies (and decades of Iron Man comics) raise some interesting questions about how scientists can create and utilize new materials – like the energy source for Iron Man’s suit. For those who have been shut off from pop culture, here’s a recap of the first… 

Apr 23, 2013

New Research Findings Open Door to Zinc-Oxide-based UV Lasers, LED Devices

Researchers from North Carolina State University have solved a long-standing materials science problem, making it possible to create new semiconductor devices using zinc oxide (ZnO) – including efficient ultraviolet (UV) lasers and LED devices for use in sensors and drinking water treatment, as well as new ferromagnetic devices. 

Apr 22, 2013

A Single Challenge, a Suite of Experts

Changing climates mean new stresses for plant life. With NSF support, NC State researchers in computer engineering, biological engineering and plant biology are studying how plants will respond to those stresses. 

Apr 22, 2013

Study Shows Reproductive Effects of Pesticide Exposure Span Generations

North Carolina State University researchers studying aquatic organisms called Daphnia have found that exposure to a chemical pesticide has impacts that span multiple generations – causing the so-called “water fleas” to produce more male offspring, and causing reproductive problems in female offspring. 

Apr 18, 2013

New Algorithm Helps Evaluate, Rank Scientific Literature

Keeping up with current scientific literature is a daunting task, considering that hundreds to thousands of papers are published each day. Now researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a computer program to help them evaluate and rank scientific articles in their field. 

Apr 16, 2013

Researchers Devise X-ray Approach to Track Surgical Devices and Minimize Radiation Exposure

Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) have developed a new tool to help surgeons use X-rays to track devices used in “minimally invasive” surgical procedures while also limiting the patient’s exposure to radiation from the X-rays. 

Apr 15, 2013

Research Finds Invasive Kudzu Bugs May Pose Greater Threat Than Previously Thought

The invasive kudzu bug has the potential to be a major agricultural pest, causing significant damage to economically important soybean crops. Conventional wisdom has held that the insect pests will be limited to areas in the southern United States, but new research from North Carolina State University shows that they may be able to expand… 

Apr 11, 2013

New Flu Review 2: How Do You Measure Lethality?

Editor’s Note: You may hear about fatality rates or percentages when media report on new and dangerous flu strains, and often times the reports are conflicting. In this post, Barrett Slenning, an epidemiologist at NC State, explains how these fatality rates are calculated, and why the numbers may fluctuate. A previous post on H7N9 flu can… 

Apr 2, 2013

NC State Hunt Library Dedication April 3

Join us for the dedication of the new library named for former Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. on Wednesday (April 3) at North Carolina State University.  Reporters will be able to operate a Navy submarine simulator and experience firsthand some of the other unique technologies available to students in the library. 

Mar 29, 2013

Study Finds Heat Key Factor In Population Growth Of Some Urban Insect Pests

New research from North Carolina State University finds that higher temperatures found in urban environments are a key contributor to higher populations of insect pests called scale insects – indicating that an increase in temperatures associated with global climate change could lead to a significant increase in scale insect populations. 

Mar 25, 2013

Radiation Detection for the Smartphone Era

Add radiation detection to the list of tasks your smartphone can handle, thanks to senior nuclear engineering major Mark Delgado.