Enriching the Human Experience

a terracotta sculpture shows four people kneading dough on a table while a fifth person looks on

Dec 2, 2024

From HR to Work/Life Balance – How Working Life Has (and Hasn’t) Changed Since Ancient Rome

A new book sheds light on working life in the Roman Empire, offering insights into a complex society.

Nov 25, 2024

“Biodiversity is not a luxury”: study explores the connection between wealth and ecosystem health

A new study suggests that a more complex understanding of how wealth and biodiversity are linked may help communities with little wealth achieve the levels of diversity typically associated with more affluent areas. Researchers have long understood that areas with more wealth tend to have higher biodiversity, a phenomenon known as the “luxury effect.” However,…

man sits dejectedly next to a desk with a computer on it. a guitar leans against the desk.

Aug 30, 2024

How Hope Beats Mindfulness When Times Are Tough

The study underscores the importance of looking ahead, rather than living “in the moment,” during hard times.

Jul 22, 2024

Science, Social Studies classes can help young English-learning students learn to read and write in English

A new study finds that science and social studies classes may also help young students learn English, even when those classes include difficult and technical vocabulary. The study, which observed first- and second-grade students in 30 elementary schools in North Carolina, encouraged teachers to keep their English-learning students in class during science and social studies…

wet spots show up as dark stains on the concrete next to a swimming pool

Jul 5, 2024

Why Do Things Look Darker When They’re Wet?

From rain-soaked sidewalks to sweat-stained dress shirts, you’ve probably noticed that most things look darker when they’re wet. Why?

Jul 1, 2024

Commercial Stock Photos of Farmworkers Found Lacking

Publicly available photos of farmworkers fail to represent workers and the tasks they perform, sometimes resulting in health and safety materials that lack relevance.

side view of a steak on a grill above hot coals

Jul 1, 2024

The Science of Steak on the Grill

Did you know that grilling a steak involves science?

a time-lapse photograph shows fireflies as blurs of light in a meadow surrounded by trees at dusk.

Jun 21, 2024

Why Do Fireflies Light Up? And How Can I Bring More Fireflies to My Yard?

Fireflies start out as dragon-like predators before becoming a beautiful feature of summer evenings.

May 6, 2024

Growing a Homerun Peanut

Nearly all of the peanuts we munch on at baseball games come from the peanut breeding program at NC State University.

May 3, 2024

Birdwatching can help students improve mental health, reduce distress

A new study finds people who have nature-based experiences report better well-being and lower psychological distress than those who do not. Birdwatching in particular yielded promising results, with higher gains in subjective well-being and more reduction in distress than more generic nature exposure, such as walks. Because birdwatching is an easily accessible activity, the results…

image shows three diagrams of a life cycle. One is circular and shows multiple offspring; one is circular and shows a sinigle offspring; one is linear and shows multiple offspring

Apr 17, 2024

In Life Cycle Diagrams, Small Changes Make a Big Difference

A new study finds simple changes in life cycle diagrams can improve student understanding of key biology concepts.

Mar 26, 2024

The Art of Insect Flight

Adrian Smith and artist Xavi Bou collaborate on an insect-based art project.

Mar 8, 2024

Educators Can Help Foster Interpartisan Friendships on College Campuses

As American society continues to divide along political lines, higher education and educators have unique potential to help foster interpartisan friendships, according to a new study from North Carolina State University. The findings are based on data from the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS), a study that included 5,762 college students from…

an old woman's hands are folded in her lap

Feb 7, 2024

Easy Things We Can Do to Cope With Traumatic Loss

A new study finds there are simple activities that help people improve their mood and emotional well-being after the traumatic loss of a loved one.

illustration shows many gears interlocking with each other. at the center of each gear is an illustration related to scientific subjects

Nov 17, 2023

What Is Open Science? An Intro, Common Misconceptions and Advice

2023 is the year of open science. But what exactly does that mean?