environment

Jul 27, 2024

What Colors Do Bees See? And How Do We Know?

I was reading a children’s book about insects to my daughter, and it said that bees see colors differently than humans do. My daughter immediately asked, in short succession: “What colors do they see? Why? How do we know?” I did some homework to find out, and discovered that bees see flowers much differently than… 

May 27, 2021

Natural Gas Pipeline Density Higher Overall in More Vulnerable U.S. Counties

An analysis led by NC State researchers found counties with more socially vulnerable populations had a higher density of natural gas pipelines overall. 

Mar 9, 2021

Researchers Use Air Quality Models to Reflect Polluted Reality in Latin America

Study shows how models can be adapted to offer insights into air quality challenges across the Americas. 

Sep 2, 2020

Researchers Warn of Food-Web Threats From Common Insecticides

A researcher from NC State argued for curbing the use of neonicotinoid insecticides and warned about their spread. 

May 2, 2019

EPA to Fund Study on Whether Treating Drinking Water Limits PFAS Exposure

New EPA grant aims to answer whether just treating drinking water for PFAS contamination does enough to limit exposure. 

Jan 8, 2019

Study Will Examine Ecosystem Benefits Provided by Freshwater Mussels

The impact of freshwater mussels on N.C. water quality, and public awareness of water-quality issues, will be the focus of a new study. 

Jul 19, 2018

Rapid Cloud Clearing Phenomenon Could Provide Another Piece of Climate Puzzle

Rapid and dramatic clearing of low cloud cover off the southwest coast of Africa could help climatologists understand how clouds affect Earth’s heating and cooling. 

May 23, 2018

How Frequent Hurricanes Change Estuarial Ecosystems

Increased hurricane frequency can lead to increased algal blooms, fish kills and dead zones in estuaries. 

Apr 27, 2018

City Fish Evolve Different Body Forms Than Country Fish

Some stream fish evolve sleek body shapes in urbanized waters, while others become less streamlined. Biologist Brian Langerhans examines the body shape disparities between city and rural fish. 

Nov 8, 2017

“Space” Invader – Invasive Marine Fouling Species Crowds Out Natives

An invasive species of tunicate known as Clavelina oblonga crowds out and overgrows other marine fouling species and reduces biodiversity. 

Oct 12, 2017

Tracing Subglacial Water Storage

Some 70 percent of the world’s population consumes water that has glacial input, so it’s important to understand how these icy giants operate. 

Aug 2, 2017

Recommending a New Approach for the EPA on Low-Dose Endocrine Effects: Q&A With David Dorman

Committee provides strategies to EPA for evaluating low-dose effects of endocrine-active chemicals on human health. 

Jun 13, 2017

Monarch Revival

Milkweed planted on Lonnie Poole Golf Course should help struggling monarch butterfly populations. 

Feb 27, 2017

Invasive and Native Marsh Grasses May Provide Similar Benefits to Protected Wetlands

An invasive species of marsh grass may provide similar benefits to protected wetlands as native marsh grasses. 

Oct 5, 2016

Urban Warming Slows Tree Growth, Photosynthesis

New research finds that urban warming reduces growth and photosynthesis in city trees. The researchers found that insect pests are part of the problem, but that heat itself plays a more significant role.