May 7, 2026 Star News Online

Hurricane predictions: Will Wilmington see a busy or quiet 2026 season?

Researchers at N.C. State University are predicting a 2026 hurricane season that’s in line with recent averages. They are forecasting 12-15 named storms, with six to nine of those developing into hurricanes. Of those, two to three could strengthen into major hurricanes or Category 3 strength or stronger. 

May 7, 2026 The Dermatology Digest

Facial vs. Body Itch: Distinct Neural Pathways Shape Perceptions of Sensation

“On the body, itch signals go from neuronal projections in the skin through the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) – which are clusters of sensory cells located at the root of the spinal nerves – then to the spinal cord. But on the face and head, those signals travel to the trigeminal ganglia (TG) – which… 

May 7, 2026 Chattanooga Times Free Press

Southern researchers warn of threats — to humans and native plants — from little-known ant

The species has a 100-year head start on researchers, and they lack good historical data as to how the ant has spread in the United States, said Christopher Hayes, an entomologist at North Carolina State University. 

May 7, 2026 Food Safety News

Paywalls shouldn’t block life-saving food recall information

When 48 infants across 17 states became gravely ill after consuming ByHeart powdered infant formula, their parents did what any parent would: they searched desperately for answers. Too often, the recall alerts that could have protected those babies were locked behind a paywall. This isn’t just a media industry problem, it’s a food justice problem. No one… 

May 7, 2026 Nature

Engineering resilient food systems in a warming world

Jennifer Kuzma, co-founder of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, says her research on public perception of genetic engineering finds that governance is a key determinant of acceptance. “Around 60% of the population is very willing to give [synthetic biology] applications a chance, if they’re well-regulated and shown… 

May 6, 2026 KYTX

What to know about Asian needle ants and their potentially dangerous sting

Christopher Hayes, an entomologist at North Carolina State University, told Georgia Public Broadcasting the ants are “stealthier” than fire ants and often go unnoticed because they tend to wander alone rather than travel in large trails. 

May 6, 2026 NPR

Do you say ‘wash’ or ‘warsh?’ Here’s where the pronunciation comes from

“These days you will hear older speakers in those areas still saying [warsh]” said Robin Dodsworth, a professor in the linguistics program at North Carolina State University. However, in “the Midlands area where it all may have started, it is not so frequent anymore,” she said. 

May 6, 2026 Women's Health Magazine

Raw Milk Is In the News Again—Here’s What You Need to Know

Most milk sold in the U.S. goes through a process known as pasteurization. “This is the process of heating to a specific time and temperature combination to reduce bacteria and viruses,” explains Ellen Shumaker, PhD, food safety expert and director of outreach for the Safe Plates program at North Carolina State University. 

May 6, 2026 KOSU NPR

Do you say ‘wash’ or ‘warsh?’ Here’s where the pronunciation comes from

“These days you will hear older speakers in those areas still saying [warsh]” said Robin Dodsworth, a professor in the linguistics program at North Carolina State University. However, in “the Midlands area where it all may have started, it is not so frequent anymore,” she said. 

May 5, 2026 CBS17

NC State professor, team retracing Lewis and Clark’s historic route

A Triangle professor is leading a group of travelers across the country — but it won’t be a typical road trip. Dr. Roland Kays, a research professor at NC State, as well as the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and his team will be retracing the expedition route of early American explorers Captain Meriwether Lewis… 

May 5, 2026 PBS NPR

Researchers warn of threats — to humans and native plants — from little-known ant

The species has a 100-year head start on researchers, and they lack good historical data as to how the ant has spread in the United States, said Christopher Hayes, an entomologist at North Carolina State University. 

May 5, 2026 The News & Observer

An NC State professor is celebrating America’s 250th by following in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark

This week, NC State research professor Roland Kays embarked on a road trip that retraces the route of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. He and his team will compare the pair’s historic wildlife observations to what can they see today as they travel the country by van. Kays will install cameras along the route to document… 

May 5, 2026 WUNC

NC State researchers create a tool that helps nonprofits deliver food more efficiently

Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a new tool aimed at helping nonprofit organizations deliver food to households that need it more efficiently. The tool is available through a mathematical optimization program embedded into an app. It’s called SoFreh, inspired by the Persian word for a traditional tablecloth used to serve food. 

May 4, 2026 The Johnston County report

You Decide: Why Are Trailer Parks Disappearing?

The term “housing affordability crisis” is commonly used today. It refers to the difficulty of homebuyers, particularly first-time buyers, being able to purchase a standard “stick-built” home. A “stick-built” home is constructed on site, and the homebuyer purchases the home as well as the land on which the home was built. – Author: Mike Walden… 

May 4, 2026 Morning Ag Clips

NC State’s José Alonso Elected to National Academy of Sciences

José Alonso, a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and University Faculty Scholar in plant and microbial biology at North Carolina State University, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the world’s most important and influential scientific societies.