citizen science

Nov 1, 2016

Study Highlights Diversity of Arthropods Found in Homes Across the United States – From Swabs of Dust

Researchers used DNA testing and citizen science to create an “atlas” that shows the range and diversity of arthropods found in homes across the continental United States.

Oct 17, 2016

Citizen Scientists Needed to Find NC’s Candid Critters

North Carolina scientists are looking for volunteers to help with the largest-ever camera trap study of wildlife. Find out how you can get involved.

Oct 3, 2016

Study Sniffs Out Effects of Dogs, Humans on Wildlife

Exploring a protected forest like Umstead State Park in Raleigh with your dog sounds like a relaxing way to enjoy nature. But how much does your visit disturb wildlife?

Aug 18, 2016

Walk the Wild Side of Campus

Faculty and staff can volunteer to participate in the Wolfpack Citizen Science Challenge and help discover what kind of mammals prowl the NC State campus at night.

Jun 7, 2016

Hiking, Hunting Have Minor Effects on Mammals in Protected Eastern Forests

Six-state study finds that recreation had less of an impact on wildlife distribution than factors such as forested habitat and housing density.

May 27, 2016

A Cougar’s Epic Journey East

A male cougar's 1,500-mile trek shows mountain lions can get to the East but they won't find company of their own kind.

Aug 26, 2015

Citizen Science Effort Highlights How Little We Know About Invisible Life in Our Own Homes

Scientists are announcing the discovery of thousands of unidentified species living in and around homes in the United States. The work relied on advanced technologies and scientific expertise from multiple disciplines, but none of it would have been possible without one critical resource – a group of non-scientists who wanted to be part of making a discovery.

Night image of cat with mouse in its mouth

Jun 30, 2015

Where the Wild Things Aren’t: Cats Avoid Places Coyotes Roam

An NC State animal tracking expert says the first large-scale study of 74 million U.S. domestic cats shows they hunt close to home.

Two women collect data using a mobile app

May 1, 2015

Citizen Science Helps Predict Risk of Emerging Infectious Disease

More than 1,600 trained volunteers, from high school students to firefighters, contributed a sudden oak death tracking project that accurately predicted the disease's spread, showing the promise for crowdsourced science.

Apr 15, 2015

Researchers Can Trace Dust Samples Using Fungal DNA

Researchers have developed a statistical model that allows them to tell where a dust sample came from within the continental United States based on the DNA of fungi found in the sample. The work offers law enforcement a new forensic biology tool.

Feb 5, 2014

Ants…In…Space

Editor’s note: This is a guest post by David Hunt, a writer in NC State’s News Services office. When NC State postdoc Clint Penick collected a group of pavement ants in a small mountain community in Western North Carolina last summer, he never dreamed they’d travel farther than his biology lab in Raleigh. Today, as…

Jul 5, 2012

Researchers Seek Public’s Help to Aid Trees

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Rosemary Hallberg, of USDA’s Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Center (SRIPMC), which is housed at NC State. The SRIPMC is launching a “tiny terrors” initiative to help protect hemlock species in the region. Those interested in learning more about the project can visit www.threatenedforests.com/tinyterrors, or contact Erin…

Jun 13, 2012

What Exoskeletons Are Hiding in Your Closet?

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Dr. Holly Menninger, director of public science for the Your Wild Life program at NC State, which explores the biodiversity that lives on, in and around us. Your Wild Life is the brain child of NC State professor Rob Dunn. Several months ago, Rob Dunn issued a…

Oct 27, 2011

What Lives Under Your Bed?

Unknown creatures are lurking in the dark corners of your house, even under the bed. Biologist Rob Dunn wants to shine a light on them.

Aug 26, 2011

Send In The Ants

Editor’s Note: This guest post was written by David Hunt, of NC State’s News Services. I don’t want to alarm you, but you may have Camponotus americanus crawling around in your backyard. Or Tetramorium caespitum creeping between the cracks in your front walkway. In fact, there are more than 200 species of these critters sharing…