Matt Shipman

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… 

Oct 30, 2012

New Tool Aims to Ensure Software Security Policies Reflect User Needs

Researchers from North Carolina State University and IBM Research have developed a new natural language processing tool that businesses or other customers can use to ensure that software developers have a clear idea of the security policies to be incorporated into new software products. 

Oct 24, 2012

Study: Flame Retardant ‘Firemaster 550’ Is an Endocrine Disruptor

The flame-retardant mixture known as “Firemaster 550” is an endocrine disruptor that causes extreme weight gain, early onset of puberty and cardiovascular health effects in lab animals, according to a new study spearheaded by researchers from North Carolina State University and Duke University. 

Oct 19, 2012

NC State Hosts ‘KidsCan’ Camp for Children of Cancer Patients

North Carolina State University will host its first KidsCan Camp for children whose parents, guardians or relatives have cancer. The camp is a family support program that teaches children more about cancer and its effects, and provides children support and strategies to help them deal with the difficulties that come with a cancer diagnosis. It… 

Oct 17, 2012

New Technique for Sorting Live Cells May Expedite Biomedical Research

Researchers from North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a new technique that uses sound waves to rapidly separate selected collections of cells for use in biomedical research. 

Oct 16, 2012

Pollenizer Research Should Help Seedless Watermelon Farmers

Research from North Carolina State University on flower production and disease resistance in watermelon varieties should help bolster seedless watermelon harvests for farmers. 

Oct 15, 2012

New Techniques Stretch Carbon Nanotubes, Make Stronger Composites

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed new techniques for stretching carbon nanotubes (CNT) and using them to create carbon composites that can be used as stronger, lighter materials in everything from airplanes to bicycles.