Apr 21, 2026 Gizmodo

Dragonberry Weed Could Help Scientists Extract Rare-Earth Metals From Polluted Soil

Most of the global supply of dysprosium is mined, rather destructively, from ion-adsorption clay deposits in southern China and nearby Myanmar. But biochemists at North Carolina State University (NC State) have announced a new measurement technique that could finally help make the sourcing of this critical rare-earth element, and others, something of a win-win for the… 

Apr 21, 2026

US scientists’ new method can measure rare-earth elements in plants without destroying them

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel technique to detect and measure rare-earth elements in plants without destroying them. This innovation could play a key role in transforming how the world sources critical materials used in modern technologies. 

Apr 20, 2026 WDC TV

Scientists just found a way to control electrons without magnets

“The generation of orbital currents traditionally necessitates the injection of charge current into specific transition metals, and many of these elements are now classified as critical materials,” said Dali Sun, physicist at North Carolina State University and co-author of the study. “There are other ways to generate orbital angular momentum, but this method allows for… 

Apr 20, 2026 The Rocky Mount Telegram

Waterways need protection more than ever; is new tech harmful or helpful?

While Sound Rivers is still mostly analog in its data collection efforts, several universities and environmental organizations in the state are using AI and machine learning to monitor and protect water quality, particularly in the eastern part of the state. NC State University is studying inorganic pollutants in groundwater and its faculty members are working to… 

Apr 20, 2026 Successful Farming

Farmers ‘Stressed to the Max’ as NC Crops Hinge on Next 30 Days

More than a dry winter, the state has received very little precipitation since August, said Ron Heiniger, professor of corn production and management in the Crop and Soil Sciences department at North Carolina State University. “We never received substantial rain, enough rain, over the fall or winter to do much to break this drought,” he… 

Apr 17, 2026 The News & Observer

Carpenter bees can dig into your NC deck or porch. How to keep them away

“Females’ faces are fully black,” Christopher Hayes, assistant professor and extension specialist at N.C. State University, told The News & Observer in a Thursday, April 16 phone interview. “The males have a white to yellowish dot or circle in the middle of their face.” 

Apr 17, 2026 WPTF

Artemis II astronauts praise their moonship’s performance, especially the heat shield

Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen launched to the moon from Florida on April 1, NASA’s first lunar crew in more than a half-century and by far the most diverse. Koch is a North Carolina native and graduate of N.C. State University. 

Apr 17, 2026 ABC11

European jet fuel concerns could be felt by North Carolina travelers, businesses

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a situation like this as long as I can remember where we’ve had shortages of jet fuel,” said Rob Handfield, a professor of supply chain logistics at North Carolina State University. “It could have a really major impact if air freight starts to be interrupted. A lot of goods… 

Apr 17, 2026 WTVD

Homeowners, gardeners adjust to water limits from drought as they start planting, lawn care

At the J.C. Ralston Arboretum at North Carolina State University, staff say the drought has raised concerns about protecting both new plantings and long-established trees. The arboretum has implemented stricter water conservation practices across its grounds. “It makes us very nervous and shaky. We have a lot of legacy plants like the oaks behind us… 

Apr 17, 2026 National Today

North Carolina Residents Adjust to New Water Restrictions Amid Drought

As a worsening drought affects water levels in Falls Lake, officials in Raleigh, North Carolina have implemented new water conservation restrictions that limit outdoor irrigation for more than 600,000 residents. Homeowners, nurseries, and public gardens like the J.C. Ralston Arboretum at North Carolina State University are adjusting their gardening and watering practices to comply with… 

Apr 17, 2026 The Engineer

Rare-Earth detection breakthrough boosts plant mining

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a technique for non-destructively detecting and measuring the concentration of many rare-earth elements in plants. “Rare-earth metals are essential for many technologies,” said Colleen Doherty, co-corresponding author of a paper on the work. “These are not actually rare, it’s just that they are rarely found in high… 

Apr 16, 2026 WUNC

Injectable gel could make surgery safer for infants, NC State research says

Research from North Carolina State University found an injectable particle could help reduce blood loss in infants during surgery. The researchers developed a particle, called B-knob triggered microgels (BK-TriGs), that mimic the properties of a natural blood platelet. They published their findings earlier this month in Science Advances. 

Apr 16, 2026 WITN

Gov. Stein urges NC Utilities Commission to act as Duke Energy seeks $800M for fuel costs

The governor’s office says research from NC State University and Duke University states that the bill could raise costs for North Carolina customers by about $23 billion over time due to higher fuel costs. 

Apr 16, 2026 Triangle Business Journal

Looking for a job? North Carolina tech postings surge past U.S. trends

Economist Mike Walden at N.C. State University said the state’s education system gives it a big boost in tech employment. But he notes that even the state’s education resources have trouble keeping up with available jobs. “While the training programs at the universities are available, there has to be a matching interest and desire by… 

Apr 16, 2026 Newsweek

New Self-Healing Material Could Extend Life of Planes, Cars by Centuries

Engineers from North Carolina State University and the University of Houston have built a fiber composite that can repair a common form of internal damage known as delamination more than 1,000 times, which could stretch the lifetime of such composites from decades to centuries. Jason Patrick, a civil and environmental engineering professor at North Carolina…