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When It Comes to COVID-19 Vaccines, We Know a Lot

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wet spots show up as dark stains on the concrete next to a swimming pool

Jul 5, 2024

Why Do Things Look Darker When They’re Wet?

From rain-soaked sidewalks to sweat-stained dress shirts, you’ve probably noticed that most things look darker when they’re wet. Why? 
side view of a steak on a grill above hot coals

Jul 1, 2024

The Science of Steak on the Grill

Did you know that grilling a steak involves science? 
peaches

Jul 1, 2024

It’s Peach Season in North Carolina

Bite into these fresh facts about North Carolina-grown peaches. 
a time-lapse photograph shows fireflies as blurs of light in a meadow surrounded by trees at dusk.

Jun 21, 2024

Why Do Fireflies Light Up? And How Can I Bring More Fireflies to My Yard?

Fireflies start out as dragon-like predators before becoming a beautiful feature of summer evenings. 
a ladybug sits on a leaf

Jun 14, 2024

Do Bugs Burp?

It all depends on what we mean when we say “burp.” 

Jun 6, 2024

5 Things You Should Know About Grilling Burgers (To Avoid Getting Sick)

To help you avoid barfing this grilling season, a food safety expert gave us these five things to remember when it comes to making a delicious (and safe) burger. 
peanuts

May 6, 2024

Growing a Homerun Peanut

Nearly all of the peanuts we munch on at baseball games come from the peanut breeding program at NC State University. 

Dec 5, 2023

How Open Science Can Both Advance and Hinder Equity in Research

Not all aspects of open science currently deliver on the promise of equity. 
more than a dozen tamales, wrapped in corn husks, sit inside a large metal pot

Nov 27, 2023

Don’t Make Loved Ones Barf: Holiday Food Safety Tips for Tamales

Tamales are a delicious holiday staple. Here are some tips to help you avoid foodborne illness when making them. 
illustration shows many gears interlocking with each other. at the center of each gear is an illustration related to scientific subjects

Nov 17, 2023

What Is Open Science? An Intro, Common Misconceptions and Advice

2023 is the year of open science. But what exactly does that mean? 
cluster of bottles containing covid-19 vaccine sit on a white counter

Sep 13, 2021

Vaccine Q&A: Are mRNA Vaccines Going to Replace Other Vaccines?

There are many reasons mRNA vaccines are unlikely to replace other technologies any time soon. 
hand in a latex gloves holds a vial of covid-19 vaccine

Sep 2, 2021

Vaccine Q&A: Are COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Ethical?

What about vaccine mandates? And when can we vaccinate kids? 
a shelf covered with vials of COVID-19 vaccine

Aug 27, 2021

Vaccine Q&A: What Is a Vaccine Booster? And Why Might I Need One?

Yes, vaccines work. And, yes, you might also need a booster shot. 
Creative rendition of SARS-COV-2 virus particles.

Jan 21, 2021

Vaccine Q&A: Vaccination Rates and New Mutations of the Virus

Let's talk about mutations to the virus that causes COVID-19. 
Colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (tan) heavily infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (orange).

Jan 10, 2021

When It Comes to COVID-19 Vaccines, We Know a Lot

Experts at NC State answer common questions about the new COVID-19 vaccines, their safety and effectiveness, and the challenges of global distribution.