Matt Shipman

May 10, 2012

Model Forecasts Long-Term Impacts of Forest Land-Use Decisions

The drive to develop crops for use in biofuels is raising questions about how to use forest land. A new computer model developed at North Carolina State University offers the most detailed insight yet into predicting how these new land uses might impact the environment – and may also help us understand how the forest… 

May 9, 2012

Pursuing a Future for STEM Equality

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Sina Bahram, a Ph.D. student in computer science at NC State who was honored as a “Champion of Change” by the White House May 7 for his efforts to make STEM accessible to people with disabilities. This post first ran on the White House blog. I would like… 

May 8, 2012

Why Don’t We Study Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs have garnered a lot of attention over the past few years, including coverage from mainstream media outlets (e.g., a search of the New York Times website for “bed bugs” calls up 4,270 mentions over the past 12 months). But their high profile has not led to a commensurate increase in related research. Bed… 

May 7, 2012

White House Honors NC State Student’s Efforts to Make STEM Accessible to Disabled

President Barack Obama recognized North Carolina State University student Sina Bahram as one of 14 “Champions of Change” at a White House ceremony May 7, honoring those who have made significant efforts to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) more accessible to people with disabilities. 

May 2, 2012

Dr. Jay Narayan Receives Holladay Medal

The North Carolina State University Board of Trustees has awarded the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence to Dr. Jagdish “Jay” Narayan in recognition of his outstanding career at NC State. The Holladay Medal is the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member by the trustees and the university. 

May 1, 2012

DeSimone Elected into National Academy of Sciences

Dr. Joseph DeSimone has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors that a U.S. scientist or engineer can receive. DeSimone is William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University and Chancellor’s Eminent Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel… 

Apr 30, 2012

Graduation Year Drives Facebook Connections for College Grads

Are you connected to college friends on Facebook? Research from North Carolina State University shows that these social networks tend to form around graduation year or university housing – rather than other interests. 

Apr 23, 2012

Study Shows That, In Restaurants, Race Matters

A new study from North Carolina State University shows that more than one-third of restaurant servers discriminate against African-American customers. 

Apr 19, 2012

Researchers Boost Efficiency of Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

Multi-hop wireless networks can provide data access for large and unconventional spaces, but they have long faced significant limits on the amount of data they can transmit. Now researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a more efficient data transmission approach that can boost the amount of data the networks can transmit by 20… 

Apr 17, 2012

NC State Charges Ahead

Drivers of electric vehicles can fill 'er up for free at three charging stations on the NC State campus. 

Apr 16, 2012

Diesel Technologies Drastically Cut Emissions in Real-World Conditions

New research from North Carolina State University shows that federal requirements governing diesel engines of new tractor trailer trucks have resulted in major cuts in emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) – pollutants that have significant human health and environmental impacts. 

Apr 13, 2012

Gould Receives UNC System O. Max Gardner Award

Dr. Fred Gould, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Entomology at North Carolina State University, is the 2012 recipient of the O. Max Gardner Award – the most significant university-wide honor given to faculty by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. 

Apr 12, 2012

A Map For Navigating Sustainable Energy Incentives

“Renewable energy” and “energy efficiency” have become key terms in the home-owner’s lexicon – whether you’re buying a new house or renovating an old one. And the bewildering array of local, state and federal policies make it difficult to know whether you could be getting a rebate or tax incentive to install those solar panels… 

Apr 12, 2012

Study Finds Significant Skull Differences Between Closely Linked Groups

In order to accurately identify skulls as male or female, forensic anthropologists need to have a good understanding of how the characteristics of male and female skulls differ between populations. A new study from North Carolina State University shows that these differences can be significant, even between populations that are geographically close to one another. 

Apr 10, 2012

Know Your Enemy: Cockroaches

Most people think cockroaches are disgusting. And if you’ve ever turned on a kitchen light, to find them skittering for dark corners, you probably agree (reference: my first apartment). But of the thousands of species out there, only a few can be considered pests. There are well over 4,000 described (i.e., named) species of cockroach…