news releases

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… 

Nov 16, 2009

NC State Research Shows Need To Address Hemophilia In Developing World

When modern medicine finds a way to treat a medical condition, people often think that the problem is solved. But we also have to find ways to get that treatment into the hands of those who need it. For example, new research from North Carolina State University shows that much more needs to be done… 

Nov 12, 2009

New Water Management Tool May Help Ease Effects of Drought

Continued improvement of  climate forecasts  is resulting in better information about what rainfall and streamflow may look like months in advance.  A researcher from North Carolina State University has developed  an innovative water management framework that would take advantage of these forecasts to plan for droughts or excess rain in order to make the most… 

Nov 11, 2009

Nanowires Pave Way For Nanodevices

Silicon nanowires are attracting significant attention from the electronics industry due to the drive for ever-smaller electronic devices, from cell phones to computers. The operation of these future devices, and a wide array of additional applications, will depend on the mechanical properties of these nanowires. New research from North Carolina State University shows that silicon… 

Nov 9, 2009

Failing The Sniff Test: Researchers Find New Way to Spot Fraud

Companies that commit fraud can find innovative ways to fudge the numbers, making it hard to tell something is wrong by just looking at their financial statements. But research from North Carolina State University unveils a new warning system that sees through accounting tricks by evaluating things that are easily verifiable, such as the number… 

Nov 4, 2009

Chart Junk? How Pictures May Help Make Graphs Better

Those oft-maligned, and highly embellished, graphs and charts in USA Today and other media outlets may actually help people understand data more effectively than traditional graphs, according to new research from North Carolina State University. 

Nov 3, 2009

NC State Research Shows Way To Block Stealthy Malware Attacks

The spread of malicious software, also known as malware or computer viruses, is a growing problem that can lead to crashed computer systems, stolen personal information, and billions of dollars in lost productivity every year. One of the most insidious types of malware is a “rootkit,” which can effectively hide the presence of other spyware… 

Nov 2, 2009

NC State Research to Determine Where Nanomaterials Go in the Body

Tiny, engineered nanomaterials can already be found in many consumer products, and have been hailed as having widespread future uses in areas ranging from medicine to industrial processes. However, little is known about what happens if these nanomaterials get into your body – where do they go? NC State researchers are working to answer that question… 

Oct 29, 2009

Halloween on Hillsborough Will Affect Campus Parking, Buses

To ensure campus safety and security, university parking lots and decks adjacent to Hillsborough Street will be staffed and require an NC State parking permit and/or campus identification (student/faculty/staff ID) starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Wolfprowl, Werewolf and Route 2 (North Campus Reverse) bus routes will run with normal service. However, please check… 

Oct 26, 2009

Study Shows How Nanotubes Affect Lining of Lungs

Tiny carbon nanotubes are being considered for use in everything from sports equipment to medical applications, but a great deal remains unknown about whether these materials cause respiratory or other health problems. Now a collaborative study from North Carolina State University, The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences… 

Oct 21, 2009

Alcohol Tolerance Switch Found in Fruit Flies

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a genetic “switch” in fruit flies that plays an important role in making flies more tolerant to alcohol. This metabolic switch also has implications for the deadly liver disease cirrhosis in humans. A counterpart human gene contributes to a shift from metabolizing alcohol to the formation of… 

Oct 20, 2009

NC State Develops Material That Could Boost Data Storage, Save Energy

North Carolina State University engineers have created a new material that would allow a fingernail-size computer chip to store the equivalent of 20 high-definition DVDs or 250 million pages of text, far exceeding the storage capacities of today’s computer memory systems. 

Oct 8, 2009

CSI in a Virtual World: New Grant Furthers NC State’s Work in Forensic Science

Imagine using the same process that goes into building video games to help investigators solve real-world crimes. Through a new grant, that’s what researchers at North Carolina State University plan to do. Their work will lay the framework for multi-agency collaboration in crime scene investigations (CSI) by creating an unprecedented cyber infrastructure – a virtual… 

Oct 7, 2009

Fill ’er Up – With Algae

Imagine filling up your car with fuel that comes from inexpensive algae that grow quickly, don’t use up freshwater supplies and can be cultivated in areas where they won’t compete with traditional food crops, such as corn or soybeans. Researchers at North Carolina State University are working to make that a reality, with a $2… 

Oct 6, 2009

NC State Holds Open House Oct. 17

What: North Carolina State University’s Open House gives high school students and families, school counselors and teachers an opportunity to visit the campus and learn about academic programs and student life at the state’s largest public university. About 7,000 people attend annually. Visitors can get information about specific majors, admissions, housing, dining, arts, athletics and…