Exploration

Early-stage research happening at NC State

Aug 12, 2026

AI-Enabled Stethoscope Can Miss the Beat in Pets

Fourth-year veterinary students matched – and experienced clinicians outperformed – an AI-enabled digital stethoscope in diagnosing heart murmurs and arrhythmias in cats and dogs.

a researcher in a white labcoat and purple gloves holds a piece of white mesh up in front of the camera

Aug 5, 2026

Tangled Seaweed Inspires One-Size-Fits-All Cleaners for Ocean Microplastics

The superadhesive meshes can capture large and small microplastic particles, and are made from sustainable biopolymers.

the setting sun casts warm light on a futuristic looking building

Aug 3, 2026

NC State to Lead Three Department of Energy Genesis Mission Projects

NC State will lead three Genesis Mission projects using AI to expedite discovery in the fields of high-performance computing, cybersecurity and astrophysics.

graphic shows molecular structures stacked on top of each other at differing angles

Jul 15, 2026

Researchers Extend the Limits of Twistronics. Literally.

Researchers have demonstrated a technique for fabricating oxide twistronic materials at much larger sizes, while also controlling the twist angles between materials that dictate their structural and electronic properties.

illustration shows the double-helix construction of DNA in bright blue against a black backdrop

Jul 14, 2026

Scientists Are Getting Better at Predicting Which DNA Sequences Bind to Each Other. AI is Helping.

A better understanding of these DNA-DNA binding relationships has utility in applications ranging from biomedical diagnostic tools to DNA computing.

Campus gateway sign reading NC State University

Jul 13, 2026

New Technique Sheds Light on Longstanding Debates About Ferroelectric Materials

New findings are shedding light on longstanding debates over the behavior of ferroelectric materials when those materials are exposed to electric fields.

photo shows an array of colored cubes and testtubes connected by tubing. It is the hardware for the flex-cat system

Jun 23, 2026

Self-Driving Chemistry Lab Discovers Catalysts That Can Switch Products on Demand

Researchers have developed technology that autonomously searches hundreds of catalyst recipes and reaction conditions to identify faster, more selective, and more programmable ways to make important industrial chemicals.

Jun 19, 2026

Mapping Cotton Bacterial Blight Resistance

Researchers make headway in search for cotton lines with resistance to cotton bacterial blight.

illustration shows a layer of molybdenum disulfide on the left; on the right, the illustration shows a layer of tin selenide being laid on top of the layer of molybdenum disulfide.

Jun 8, 2026

Van der Waals Forces Can Play Unexpected Role in Thin Film Properties

Researchers have demonstrated the ability to use van der Waals forces to tune the physical and electronic properties of ferroelectric thin films.

an american flag flies in front of a government building with large marble pillars

Jun 1, 2026

How the Dobbs Decision Continues to Shape U.S. Politics

A new analysis highlights how the Dobbs decision is reshaping the U.S. political landscape.

photo of an eclipse shows a black sphere against a black sky, surrounded by a thin ray of golden light

May 27, 2026

Study Finds Awe-Inspiring Nature Helps People Connect to Science

When people engage in science activities that involve awe-inspiring natural phenomena they more closely identify with science and feel a greater sense of belonging.

a pair of hands wearing latex gloves swabs a parchment manuscript to collect genetic information

May 18, 2026

Nondestructive Testing Paves Way for Genetic Analysis of Historical Parchments

The technique offers new insights into everything from trade routes to agricultural practices dating back 1,300 years – without harming the valuable manuscripts.

May 4, 2026

Here’s Why Your Face Doesn’t Perceive Itchiness the Same Way Your Body Does

Itch sensations in the face are perceived differently from those in the body due to differences in signaling between trigeminal (located in the brain) and spinal pain pathways

a black bear sits on a forest floor, surrounded by green foliage

Apr 21, 2026

Study of Gut Microbes in Black Bears Finds Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

A study of bears in eastern North Carolina expands our understanding of microbial ecosystems in omnivores, and finds bears may play an unexpected role in dispersing antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

illustrationshows a double helix of DNA surrounded by small spheres, representing proteins

Apr 20, 2026

Study Finds Each Protein in the Epigenome Produces a Different Pattern of Gene Expression

A new study finds the proteins responsible for controlling which genes are expressed in a genome do more than simply turn a gene on or off.