Matt Shipman

Dec 4, 2012

Study: Parents Key to Preventing Alcohol, Marijuana Use by Kids

New research from North Carolina State University, Brigham Young University and the Pennsylvania State University finds that parental involvement is more important than the school environment when it comes to preventing or limiting alcohol and marijuana use by children. 

Nov 29, 2012

Zhu Named 2012 AAAS Fellow

Dr. Yuntian T. Zhu, Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 

Nov 28, 2012

Researchers ID Ways to Exploit ‘Cloud Browsers’ for Large-Scale, Anonymous Computing

Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of Oregon have found a way to exploit cloud-based Web browsers, using them to perform large-scale computing tasks anonymously. The finding has potential ramifications for the security of “cloud browser” services. 

Nov 27, 2012

Unintended Benefits of Interdisciplinary Efforts: Ideas From Kavli Frontiers of Science

Editor’s Note: this is a guest post by Andrew Binder, an assistant professor of communication at NC State who specializes in science communication and how citizens perceive science issues. Binder attended the Kavli Frontiers of Science symposium earlier this month, and writes about some of the conclusions he drew from the event. Institutions of higher education,… 

Nov 26, 2012

Size Matters When Reducing NiO Nanoparticles

New research finds that size plays a major role in how nanoscale nickel oxide (NiO) shells behave when being reduced to solid nickel nanoparticles. “This advances our fundamental understanding of how the structures of nanoparticles can be changed through chemical reactions, which has potential applications in nanofabrication and catalysis,” says Joe Tracy, a materials scientist… 

Nov 15, 2012

Thanksgiving: Simple Tips Can Keep Foodborne Illness at Bay

Thanksgiving is the only U.S. holiday that revolves entirely around food. We spend all day in the kitchen or dining room with loved ones, so it makes sense to pay special attention to food safety this time of year. Why should you care? The CDC estimates that 128,000 people were hospitalized in 2011 due to… 

Nov 14, 2012

Researchers Find Way to Boost WiFi Performance 400-700 Percent

As many WiFi users know, WiFi performance is often poor in areas where there are a lot of users, such as airports or coffee shops. But researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new software program, called WiFox, which can be incorporated into existing networks and expedites data traffic in large audience WiFi… 

Nov 13, 2012

Expert Can Answer Food-Safety Questions For Thanksgiving

Food safety isn’t simple and at Thanksgiving, mistakes in the kitchen can lead to foodborne illness. Dr. Ben Chapman, food-safety specialist and assistant professor of family and consumer sciences at North Carolina State University, can offer suggestions to ensure your Thanksgiving meal is a safe one. 

Nov 8, 2012

Stick It to Cankerworms

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Steve Frank, an assistant professor of entomology at NC State. You can learn more about the Cankerworm Project here, and keep up with Steve’s entomological pest alerts and updates by following @OrnaPests on Twitter. In spring 2012, a cankerworm outbreak occurred in many North Carolina cities. Students became… 

Nov 8, 2012

NC State Experts Can Address Post-Election Issues

Experts from North Carolina State University can offer insight into issues facing the White House and Congress in the wake of the 2012 elections, from the “fiscal cliff” to leadership changes in the State and Defense departments. 

Nov 8, 2012

NC State Launches Work on More Efficient Computers Using 3DIC Technology

North Carolina State University researchers are launching an initiative to develop a computer that utilizes three-dimensional integrated chip (3DIC) technology and is significantly more energy efficient than anything else on the market today. The work is supported by $1 million in funding as Phase 1 of a negotiated $4 million cooperative agreement contract with the… 

Nov 7, 2012

Navel-Gazing Researchers ID Which Species Live in Our Belly Buttons (But Don’t Know Why)

Researchers have discovered which bacteria species are most commonly found in our bellybuttons, but have still not discovered what governs which species will be found on which people. These are the first published findings of the Belly Button Biodiversity project led by NC State’s Dr. Rob Dunn. The researchers swabbed the belly buttons of 66 study… 

Nov 5, 2012

Vote for This! ‘Self-Folding Origami’ is Finalist in SciVis Contest

I think there’s something amazing about watching a two-dimensional (2-D) sheet of plastic fold itself up into a three-dimensional (3-D) object. The National Science Foundation (NSF) and Science apparently agree, having selected a video (see above) about this self-folding materials research as a finalist in the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge (SciVis). Why would… 

Nov 2, 2012

Researchers ID ‘Smishing’ Vulnerability in Android

Mobile security researchers have identified a new vulnerability in popular Android platforms, including Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean. The vulnerability has been confirmed by Google, and will be addressed in a future Android release. Specifically, Xuxian Jiang’s research team at NC State has identified an SMS-phishing (“smishing”) vulnerability. If an Android user downloads an… 

Oct 31, 2012

In the Footsteps of Indiana Jones: A New Archaeological Excavation at Petra

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Dr. Tom Parker, a professor of history at NC State. Parker has served on archaeological expeditions in the Middle East for more than 30 years. Since 1994, Parker has been director of the Roman Aqaba Project, overseeing archaeological research on the Roman frontier in Jordan. A blog about…