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Sep 19, 2011

Health-Based Approach May Help ID Groups At Risk Of Genocide

Researchers from North Carolina State University are proposing a health-based approach to identifying groups at high risk of genocide, in a first-of-its-kind attempt to target international efforts to stop these mass killings before they start. 

Sep 15, 2011

NC State Drives Economy

North Carolina’s vitality depends on an economic triple play: a rare mix of technology-rich industries, scientific innovation and high-skill workers. NC State University is the powerhouse that makes that possible, achieving breakthroughs in the lab that translate into solutions for business, and educating a 21st century workforce driven by a spirit of entrepreneurship. Here’s the proof:… 

Sep 13, 2011

“Hey Bobby, Slow Down!” Helicopter Parents Can Impede Child’s Ability to Play

Parental safety concerns may prevent children from getting good exercise, according to a new North Carolina State University study that examined how families use neighborhood parks. Results from the study suggest that children who were monitored too closely by hovering “helicopter” parents were less likely to engage in higher levels of physical activity. “It’s a… 

Aug 31, 2011

Leapin’ Lizards

If you live in the southeastern U.S., you see these little guys (and gals) everywhere – the ubiquitous green or brown Anole lizard known scientifically as Anolis carolinensis. But aside from being cute and able to regenerate part of its tail, this little lizard – and its newly sequenced genome – may help scientists solve… 

Aug 24, 2011

Common Bacterium Stops Mosquitoes from Transmitting Dengue Virus

Strains of a bacterium commonly found in fruit flies can prevent the Aedes aegypti mosquito from transmitting the virus that causes dengue fever, researchers have found. Their discovery could lead to a more effective way to control dengue worldwide. North Carolina State University mathematical biologist Dr. Alun Lloyd is part of the Eliminate Dengue program,… 

Aug 11, 2011

Pack To School! NC State Welcomes Students, New Academic Year

As students return to campus, North Carolina State University is howling with excitement about the arrival of a new Wolfpack freshman class. NC State’s fall semester, and a new academic year, begin Wednesday, Aug. 17. 

Aug 3, 2011

NC State Gets $25 Million Grant to Nullify Norovirus

North Carolina State University will use a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to strengthen food safety by studying human noroviruses across the food supply chain in an effort to design effective control measures and reduce the number of virus-caused food-borne illnesses. Human noroviruses… 

Jul 22, 2011

Pirates of the Paleolithic

Avast, ye scurvy Homo erectus!  Recent archaeological finds from Crete show that the first seafaring humans set sail for parts unknown – or maybe parts barely visible to the naked eye – more than 10 times earlier than previously thought. So instead of man settling the Greek island around 10,000 years ago, we now have… 

Jul 13, 2011

Research Hopes to Improve Suits For Fighting Wildfires

You can hardly get through an evening news program without hearing about an out-of-control wildfire spreading across various parts of the country. But how safe – and comfortable – is the clothing being worn by the men and women fighting these fires? Researchers at North Carolina State University are working to develop and demonstrate new… 

Jun 29, 2011

Genetic “Conductor” Involved With New Brain Cell Production in Adults

A team of North Carolina State University researchers has discovered more about how a gene connected to the production of new brain cells in adults does its job. Their findings could pave the way to new therapies for brain injury or disease. Most areas of the brain do not generate new brain cells, or neurons,… 

Jun 28, 2011

How Copper Folds Protein into Parkinson’s Plaques

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found out how copper induces misfolding in the protein associated with Parkinson’s disease, leading to creation of the fibrillar plaques which characterize the disease. This finding has implications for both the study of Parkinson’s progression as well as for future treatments. The protein in question, alpha-synuclein, is the… 

May 31, 2011

The Real Space Saver: NC State Students Look To Support Manned Mission To Mars

What would it take to make a manned mission to Mars a reality? A team of aerospace and textile engineering students from North Carolina State University believe part of the solution may lie in advanced textile materials. The students joined forces to tackle life-support challenges that the aerospace industry has been grappling with for decades. 

May 24, 2011

Hips Take Walking in Stride; Ankles Put Best Foot Forward in Run

In a first-of-its-kind study comparing human walking and running motions – and whether the hips, knees or ankles are the most important power sources for these motions – researchers at North Carolina State University show that the hips generate more of the power when people walk, but the ankles generate more of the power when… 

May 18, 2011

Lack of Important ‘Gatekeeper’ Protein Linked to Skin Cancer

New research from North Carolina State University shows that a “gatekeeper” protein plays an important role in skin-cancer prevention in humans and lab mice. The protein, C/EBP alpha, is normally abundantly expressed to help protect skin cells from DNA damage when humans are exposed to sunlight. The NC State research shows, however, that the protein is… 

May 5, 2011

Study Shows Corn Gene Provides Resistance to Multiple Diseases

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a specific gene in corn that appears to be associated with resistance to three important plant leaf diseases. In a paper published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, NC State  plant pathologists and crop scientists pinpoint the gene – glutathione S-transferase – that seems…