Matt Shipman

Dec 6, 2011

Researcher Explains How Santa Delivers Presents in One Night

Don’t believe in Santa Claus? Magic, you say? In fact, science and technology explain how Santa is able to deliver toys to good girls and boys around the world in one night, according to a North Carolina State University researcher. 

Dec 5, 2011

NC State Holds Forensic Science Symposium for National and State Law Enforcement

North Carolina State University will hold its fourth annual forensic science symposium –including presentations of cutting-edge crime scene investigation technology and techniques – on Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the College of Textiles. 

Dec 5, 2011

Events Preceding the Helvetican Renaissance (Part III)

Editor’s Note: Readers of The Abstract are generally interested in research, science and technology. People that fall into that camp are often also devotees of science fiction. So, in a throw back to the serialized storytelling of the golden age of sci-fi, we decided to serialize some science fiction by one of our favorite authors… 

Dec 2, 2011

Sense & Sensibility: New Technology To Help Engineers Monitor Bridges

Editor’s Note: This post was guest-written by Nate DeGraff of NC State’s College of Engineering. Nearly four in 10 bridges in North Carolina are labeled “deficient” by the state’s Department of Transportation (NCDOT). That doesn’t mean they’re unsafe — NCDOT has said it would close any bridge that’s too dangerous to travel over – but it… 

Dec 1, 2011

Archaeologists Find New Evidence Of Animals Being Introduced To Prehistoric Caribbean

An archaeological research team from North Carolina State University, the University of Washington and University of Florida has found one of the most diverse collections of prehistoric non-native animal remains in the Caribbean, on the tiny island of Carriacou. The find contributes to our understanding of culture in the region before the arrival of Columbus,… 

Nov 30, 2011

Researchers Find Some Smartphone Models More Vulnerable To Attack

New research from North Carolina State University shows that some smartphones specifically designed to support the Android mobile platform have incorporated additional features that can be used by hackers to bypass Android’s security features,  making them more vulnerable to attack. Android has the largest share of the smartphone market in the U.S. 

Nov 29, 2011

Dr. B. Jayant Baliga

Dr. B. Jayant Baliga created a super-efficient semiconductor that eliminates roughly 1 trillion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year. 

Nov 28, 2011

NC State Designs New Handle To Make Lifting Infant Car Seats Safer, Easier

Engineers at North Carolina State University have developed a new handle for infant car seats (ICSs) that makes it easier for parents to lift the seat out of a car – while retaining a firmer grip on the handle – making it less likely that the seat will be dropped. 

Nov 28, 2011

Read This! Book Recommendations For Kids And Armchair Researchers

I think it is important to get the general public – and kids – interested in research. It’s never too late to get grown-ups excited about science. And maybe the child you encourage today will be a future Albert Schweitzer, Marie Curie or Steve Jobs. With the holidays approaching, now’s your chance to go buy… 

Nov 28, 2011

Events Preceding the Helvetican Renaissance (Part II)

Editor’s Note: Readers of The Abstract are generally interested in research, science and technology. People that fall into that camp are often also devotees of science fiction. So, in a throw back to the serialized storytelling of the golden age of sci-fi, we decided to serialize some science fiction by one of our favorite authors… 

Nov 22, 2011

How Does Faster-Than-Light Quantum Communication Work?

Every so often, I ask readers to submit their sci/tech questions, so that I can go pester people until I have some answers that I can share with the rest of the class. One  recent question was: “How does faster-than-light quantum communication work?” Short answer: it doesn’t. But of course there’s more to it than… 

Nov 21, 2011

How To Spend Thanksgiving Not Barfing

Editor’s Note: This is a guest piece written by Dr. Ben Chapman, an assistant professor and food safety expert at NC State. My parents are coming to visit Raleigh this week – their first trek to the U.S. for Thanksgiving. I’m Canadian and, while Canada has its own festivities in October, there’s something different about the… 

Nov 21, 2011

Events Preceding the Helvetican Renaissance (Part I)

Editor’s Note: Readers of The Abstract are generally interested in research, science and technology. People who fall into that camp are often also devotees of science fiction. So, in a throwback to the serialized storytelling of the golden age of sci-fi, we decided to serialize some science fiction by one of our favorite authors –… 

Nov 18, 2011

Why Thanksgiving Might Make You Sleepy

Well folks, it’s almost Turkey Day again. Last year I tackled some questions about tryptophan, and why Thanksgiving dinner can make you pass out on the floor in front of the football game. Super-short version: tryptophan isn’t the culprit, gluttony is. When you gorge yourself, your body diverts blood away from your brain to help… 

Nov 17, 2011

Study Details Links Between Climate, Groundwater Availability – Will Help Water Managers Prepare For Drought

Everyone knows that climate affects our water supply, but new research from North Carolina State University gives scientists and water-resource managers an unprecedented level of detail on how climate and precipitation influence groundwater and surface water levels in the Southeast.