research news

Sep 7, 2012

Study Finds How BPA Affects Gene Expression, Anxiety; Soy Mitigates Effects

New research led by researchers at North Carolina State University shows that exposure to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) early in life results in high levels of anxiety by causing significant gene expression changes in a specific region of the brain called the amygdala. The researchers also found that a soy-rich diet can mitigate these… 

Sep 5, 2012

NC State to Lead NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center on Self-Powered Health Monitoring

North Carolina State University will lead a national nanotechnology research effort to create self-powered devices to help people monitor their health and understand how the surrounding environment affects it, the National Science Foundation announced today. The NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST), to be headquartered on… 

Aug 31, 2012

Researchers Develop New, Less Expensive Nanolithography Technique

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new nanolithography technique that is less expensive than other approaches and can be used to create technologies with biomedical applications. 

Aug 30, 2012

NC State Leads National Effort to Evaluate Fresh Water Sustainability in the Southern U.S.

North Carolina State University is leading a four-year federal research effort to evaluate freshwater sustainability across the southern United States and develop policy recommendations on what can be done to make the best use of water supplies in the face of population growth and the effects of climate change over the next 10 to 30… 

Aug 23, 2012

Origami Inspires Research Into Materials That Self-Assemble When Exposed to Light

A multi-university research team led by North Carolina State University will be developing methods to create two-dimensional (2-D) materials capable of folding themselves into three-dimensional (3-D) objects when exposed to light. The effort, which is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), is inspired by origami and has a broad range of… 

Aug 23, 2012

Research on Wood Formation Sheds Light on Plant Biology

Scientists at North Carolina State University have discovered a phenomenon never seen before in plants while studying molecular changes inside tree cells as wood is formed. In research published online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of Aug. 20, the team found that one member of a family of proteins called… 

Aug 21, 2012

Researchers Highlight Treatment, Research Needs for Homeless Families

A new paper from North Carolina State University calls for more research on how to help homeless families with children who are facing mental-health problems, as well as changes in how shelters are treating these families. 

Aug 8, 2012

First-Ever National Survey on Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes Shows Mixed Support

Researchers from North Carolina State University have conducted the first nationally representative survey in the United States to gauge public opinion on the use of genetic manipulations to drive down mosquito populations and related diseases. While public support varies, depending on how the mosquitoes are characterized, a plurality opposes the effort when potential risks are… 

Aug 1, 2012

Controlling Gene Expression With Hydrogen Peroxide “Switches”

Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t just come in bottles from the drugstore – the human body makes it as well. Now researchers from North Carolina State University have found a way to use naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide inside cells to switch on gene expression. Their method also serves as a highly sensitive hydrogen peroxide detector, which may… 

Jul 24, 2012

Social Networking Pays Off More in the U.S. Than Germany

New research from North Carolina State University shows that informal social networks play an important role when it comes to finding jobs in both the United States and Germany, but those networks are significantly more important for high-paying jobs in the United States  – which may contribute to economic inequality. 

Jul 16, 2012

Researchers Almost Double Light Efficiency in LC Projectors

Researchers from North Carolina State University and ImagineOptix Corporation have developed new technology to convert unpolarized light into polarized light, which makes projectors that use liquid crystal (LC) technology almost twice as energy efficient. The new technology has resulted in smaller, lower cost and more efficient projectors, meaning longer battery life and significantly lower levels… 

Jun 27, 2012

New Technique Controls Crystalline Structure of Titanium Dioxide

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique for controlling the crystalline structure of titanium dioxide at room temperature. The development should make titanium dioxide more efficient in a range of applications, including photovoltaic cells, hydrogen production, antimicrobial coatings, smart sensors and optical communication technologies. 

Jun 25, 2012

Nano-Sandwich Technique Slims Down Solar Cells, Improves Efficiency

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found a way to create much slimmer thin-film solar cells without sacrificing the cells’ ability to absorb solar energy. Making the cells thinner should significantly decrease manufacturing costs for the technology. 

Jun 18, 2012

Study Improves Understanding of Surface Molecules in Controlling Size of Gold Nanoparticles

North Carolina State University researchers have shown that the “bulkiness” of molecules commonly used in the creation of gold nanoparticles actually dictates the size of the nanoparticles – with larger so-called ligands resulting in smaller nanoparticles. The research team also found that each type of ligand produces nanoparticles in a particular array of discrete sizes. 

Jun 13, 2012

NC State Hosts Start-Up Event; U.S. Rep. Ellmers to Speak

North Carolina State University will host its Fast 15 Signature Event, an opportunity to learn more about the new technologies and companies created at the university, from 1 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, at the Park Alumni Center on Centennial Campus. U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers, chairwoman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on…