health and well-being

Mar 22, 2010

Paper Describes Functional Nanomaterials For Medical, Health Devices

A team led by researchers from North Carolina State University has published a paper that describes the use of a technique called atomic layer deposition to incorporate “biological functionality” into complex nanomaterials, which could lead to a new generation of medical and environmental health applications. For example, the researchers show how the technology can be… 

Mar 15, 2010

Wealth Buys Health – Even In China

Studies in the United States have long shown that rich people tend to be healthier than poor people, and that this “health gap” between the haves and have-nots gets worse as people get older. But is that because the U.S. is a capitalist society? Apparently not. A new study from North Carolina State University shows… 

Mar 10, 2010

Get Up, Get Out and Go!: NC State Research Tackles Childhood Obesity

Getting children involved in finding ways to become more physically active can not only make them more aware of local recreational opportunities, but can even help increase their own physical activity. 

Mar 4, 2010

From Jellybean to Licorice Whip: Tracing Development of the GI Tract

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found the method by which the “gut tube” – the primitive structure in all vertebrate embryos that eventually becomes the entire gastrointestinal tract – changes from a short, solid cylinder into an elongated hollow structure that loops and coils. Their research paves the way toward greater understanding of… 

Feb 22, 2010

Small Amounts of Endocrine Disruptors May Have Multi-Generational Effects

Fetal exposure to small amounts of natural and man-made “hormone mimics,” or endocrine disruptors, like soy products and plastics appears to have strong, multi-generational effects. Those are the results presented by North Carolina State University faculty members at a symposium held during the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in San… 

Feb 16, 2010

New Material Mimics Bone To Create Better Biomedical Implants

A “metal foam” that has a similar elasticity to bone could mean a new generation of  biomedical implants that would avoid bone rejection that often results from more rigid implant materials, such as titanium. Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed the metal foam, which is even lighter than solid aluminum and can be… 

Feb 3, 2010

Smart Coating Opens Door To Safer Hip, Knee and Dental Implants

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a “smart coating” that helps surgical implants bond more closely with bone and ward off infection. 

Jan 15, 2010

Following the Glow: NC State Researchers Use ‘Fluorescent Fish’ to Study Gene Function

Researchers at North Carolina State University are using fluorescent fish as a molecular “beacon” to study the early stages of animal development. The researchers focused their attention on a gene – known as Sp2 – that regulates the expression of other genes, and the fluorescent fish they created may also provide hints to the causes… 

Jan 13, 2010

NC State Experts Can Offer Insight On Haiti Disaster

The eyes of the world are now focused on Haiti, and the effects of the recent earthquake disaster on the island nation are still unfolding. North Carolina State University researchers can help explain what happened and what it could mean for Haiti’s political and economic future. 

Dec 15, 2009

Study Shows Health Care Spending Spurs Economic Growth

As the national discussion of health care focuses on costs, a new study from North Carolina State University shows that it might be more accurate to think of health care spending as an investment that can spur economic growth. The study also shows that government projections of health care costs and financing may be unduly… 

Dec 14, 2009

NC State Receives $1.2 Million for Animal Health

Researchers at North Carolina State University have received grants totaling more than $1.2 million from the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) to support research aimed at improving the health of dogs, cats, horses and wildlife. 

Dec 8, 2009

NC State Vets Lead Way in Disaster Response for Animals

Most people can picture the first responders who come to the rescue in the wake of a natural disaster. But who provides emergency help for the dogs, cats and horses that people love? And who takes care of the cows, poultry and hogs that form the backbone of animal agriculture? North Carolina State University’s College… 

Nov 30, 2009

NC State Research Indicates Need For National HIV Strategy

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that well over one million people in the United States are infected with HIV/AIDS. New research from North Carolina State University shows that many of those infected are minorities and do not have health insurance, and highlights the need for a national strategy to facilitate education… 

Nov 19, 2009

Thanks, But No Thanks: Avoiding Food Poisoning At Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an opportunity to share a meal with loved ones, but it is also a time when small mistakes in the kitchen can lead to foodborne illness. Dr. Ben Chapman, food safety specialist and assistant professor of food science at North Carolina State University, can offer suggestions to ensure your Thanksgiving meal is a… 

Nov 17, 2009

On Your Last Nerve: NC State Researchers Advance Understanding of Stem Cells

Researchers from North Carolina State University have identified a gene that tells embryonic stem cells in the brain when to stop producing nerve cells called neurons. The research is a significant advance in understanding the development of the nervous system, which is essential to addressing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological…