The Abstract: NC State's research blog

Feb 10, 2015

Exploring the Deep Sea: Adventures of a Researcher in the Field

For centuries, scientists thought that all life depended on the sun. They were wrong. 

Feb 9, 2015

The Cankerworm Chronicles

Cankerworms can be a serious threat to trees and other vegetations -- and researchers are taking an active role in finding ways to combat them. 

Feb 6, 2015

Fish Pee Helps Keep Coastal Ecosystems Healthy, Thriving

Researchers find that pristine Caribbean coral reefs would be quite a bit less pristine without the proper levels of fish pee. 

Jan 29, 2015

What Google Fiber May Mean for North Carolina, NC State and R&D

NC State experts discuss what Google Fiber may mean for research and economic development in the Triangle region and at NC State. 

Jan 20, 2015

This Is What Science Looks Like at NC State: Helen Huang

Meet Helen Huang, a biomedical engineer whose work aims to improve the quality of life of people with physical disabilities. 

Jan 14, 2015

New Material, Technique Efficiently Produce Hydrogen, Syngas Fuel Feedstock

Researchers have developed a technique that uses a new catalyst to convert methane and water into hydrogen and a fuel feedstock called syngas with the assistance of solar power. 

Jan 5, 2015

Mezcal and Markets: One Battle in the War Over Mexico’s Agave Spirits

In 2011 and 2012, Mexico was the site of a battle over precisely how agave-based liquors could be branded or marketed. In the end, as outlined in a new paper in the journal Gastronomica, U.S. bartenders, retailers, and consumers played a key role in the debate – which raises some interesting questions about how to best protect local food customs and producers. 

Dec 22, 2014

2014 Research Round-Up Quiz

NC State researchers do amazing work. To see if you’ve been paying attention, we decided to highlight some fun science stories from the past year in a quiz. 

Dec 18, 2014

Will Rapprochement Mean New Research Collaborations Between Cuba and the U.S.?

We asked Ruben Carbonell, National Academies member, Cuban American, and professor at NC State, what the rapprochement between Cuba and the U.S. may mean for fostering relationships and collaborations between U.S. research institutions and their Cuban counterparts. 

Dec 16, 2014

Religion and Politics in Japan: A Conversation With Religion Scholar Levi McLaughlin

In the wake of Japan's recent national elections, we talk to scholar Levi McLaughlin about the role of religion in Japanese politics (and why no one talks about it).