Agriculture and Life Sciences

Mar 21, 2018

Could Insects Help Us Find New Yeasts for Big Business?

Yeasts are tiny fungi – but they play key roles in producing everything from beer and cheese to industrial chemicals and biofuels. 

Mar 19, 2018

Termite Queen, King Recognition Pheromone Identified

Forget the bows and curtsies. Worker termites shake in the presence of their queens and kings. New research explains how these workers smell a royal presence. 

Mar 13, 2018

Lack of Water is Key Stressor for Urban Trees

A recent study finds that urban trees can survive increased heat and insect pests fairly well – unless they are thirsty. 

Feb 21, 2018

Flowers Aren’t Enough: How Urban Heat Affects Bee Populations

In cities, even gardens rich with flowers do not have the same bee abundance or diversity as natural areas. Why not? 

Feb 20, 2018

‘Demographic Compensation’ May Not Save Plants Facing Changing Climate

Large-scale study shows mixed results for hypothesis on how plants deal with climate change. 

Feb 12, 2018

Bed Bug Histamines Are Substantial, Persistent in Infested Homes

Bed bugs may soon be considered more than a nuisance pest. New research shows that bed bugs produce a lot of histamines that trigger allergic reactions in humans, and that these histamines don't go away for long periods of time - even if the bed bugs are eliminated. 

Feb 8, 2018

Will a Cold Winter Kill Off Ticks?

Cold weather won’t kill off ticks. But a brutal winter could still have an effect on tick populations. Maybe. 

Feb 6, 2018

Venus Flytraps Don’t Eat The Insects That Pollinate Them

Researchers discover which insects pollinate Venus flytraps – and learn that flytraps don’t dine on them. 

Feb 5, 2018

How Solitary Cockroaches Gave Rise to Social Termites: Tales from Two Genomes

Termites are "social cockroaches." NC State researchers examine the genomes of both termites and cockroaches to find clues about how this evolution occurred. 

Jan 25, 2018

Can You Guess Which Species Has the Most Gut Microbes?

Comparisons of gut microbe diversity are a step toward understanding complex ecosystems that play an important role in the health of species – including our own. 

Jan 17, 2018

Barrangou Wins NAS Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences

Rodolphe Barrangou wins yet another prestigious award for his discovery of the genetic mechanisms and proteins driving CRISPR-Cas systems. 

Jan 16, 2018

How Winter Temps Can Affect Your Spring Fishing

Recent research has changed what we know about spotted seatrout and cold weather. 

Jan 8, 2018

Novel System Aims to Improve Biomanufacturing Processes

A novel approach integrates existing technologies to improve biomanufacturing processes used to make everything from pharmaceuticals to fuels. 

Dec 22, 2017

Get a Little Closer: Moth Females Use Scent Proximity to Attract Mates

Female moths with an ineffective pheromone blend can use proximity to better-smelling females to attract mates. 

Dec 13, 2017

Fieldwork in Africa Informs Science – and Changes a Scientist

How one postdoc's experiences in Kenya changed the way he views himself and his work.