When companies put a human face on their brand, the public usually responds positively. This advertising approach has brought us alarm clocks with sleepy faces and color-coated chocolate candies with legs and arms. But a [...]
Tag Archives | oregon state university
Disruption of body clock causes neuro-degeneration, early death
New research at Oregon State University provides evidence for the first time that disruption of circadian rhythms – the biological “clocks” found in many animals – can clearly cause accelerated neurodegeneration, loss of motor function [...]
Key to school improvement: reading, writing, arithmetic — and character?
A study of 20 elementary schools in Hawaii has found that a focused program to build social, emotional and character skills resulted in significantly improved overall quality of education, as evaluated by teachers, parents and [...]
Scientists find microbes in lava tube living in conditions like those on Mars
A team of scientists from Oregon has collected microbes from ice within a lava tube in the Cascade Mountains and found that they thrive in cold, Mars-like conditions.
The microbes tolerate temperatures near freezing and low levels…
Simultaneous ice melt in Antarctic and Arctic
The end of the last ice age and the processes that led to the melting of the northern and southern ice sheets supply basic information on changes in our climate. Although the maximum size of the ice sheet in the northern hemisphere during the last ice …
150 per week equals better sleep
People sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, a new study concludes. A nationally representative sample of more than 2,600 men [...]
Genetic analysis reveals history, evolution of an ancient delicacy — morels
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Dinosaurs squashed them with impunity. Thousands of species that lacked culinary appreciation have turned up their noses at them. And a study based on advanced DNA analysis has shown that this shameful indifference went on fo…
Surf’s up: New research provides precise way to monitor ocean wave behavior, shore impacts
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Engineers have created a new type of “stereo vision” to use in studying ocean waves as they pound against the shore, providing a better way to understand and monitor this violent, ever-changing environment.
The approach, whi…
Gender and hygiene: Could cleanliness be hurting girls?
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Little girls growing up in western society are expected to be neat and tidy — “all ribbon and curls” — and one researcher who studies science and gender differences thinks that emphasis may contribute to higher rates of certa…
Study of nutrition, Alzheimer’s links hampered by research approach
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Research is trying to determine whether Alzheimer’s disease might be slowed or prevented with nutritional approaches, but a new study suggests those efforts could be improved by use of nutrient “biomarkers” to objectively assess …
Young couples can’t agree on whether they have agreed to be monogamous
CORVALLIS, Ore. — While monogamy is often touted as a way to protect against disease, young couples who say they have discussed monogamy can’t seem to agree on what they decided. And a significant percentage of those couples who at least agreed th…
Loss of reflectivity in the Arctic doubles estimate of climate models
CORVALLIS, Ore. — A new analysis of the Northern Hemisphere’s “albedo feedback” over a 30-year period concludes that the region’s loss of reflectivity due to snow and sea ice decline is more than double what state-of-the-art climate models esti…
Oceanic ‘garbage patch’ not nearly as big as portrayed in media
CORVALLIS, Ore. — There is a lot of plastic trash floating in the Pacific Ocean, but claims that the “Great Garbage Patch” between California and Japan is twice the size of Texas are grossly exaggerated, according to an analysis by an Oregon State…
OSU helps decode strawberry genome in bid to improve fruit
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Researchers at Oregon State University have helped sequence the genome of a wild strawberry, laying the groundwork for genetic improvements to related fruits like apples, peaches and pears.
The advance was published today in…
Buyer beware: Dangerous levels of lead found in used consumer products
CORVALLIS, Ore. — The problem of toxic lead in used consumer products is extremely widespread and present at levels that are far beyond safe limits, researchers conclude in a new study.
Research reported recently by the Associated Press found …
Busy microbial world discovered in deepest ocean crust ever explored
CORVALLIS, Ore. — The first study to ever explore biological activity in the deepest layer of ocean crust has found bacteria with a remarkable range of capabilities, including eating hydrocarbons and natural gas, and “fixing” or storing carbo…
Rural library outreach a new initiative in ‘free-choice learning’ movement
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Rural and small town libraries are one of the newest forces being tapped to improve the science literacy of Americans through lifelong, “free-choice learning” opportunities in which people learn scientific, engineering and tec…
Microreactor speeds nanotech particle production by 500 times
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Engineers at Oregon State University have discovered a new method to speed the production rate of nanoparticles by 500 times, an advance that could play an important role in making nanotechnology products more commercially practi…
Halloween horror story — tale of the headless dragonfly
CORVALLIS, Ore. — In a short, violent battle that could have happened somewhere this afternoon, the lizard made a fast lunge at the dragonfly, bit its head off and turned to run away. Lunch was served.
But the battle didn’t happen today, it happ…
Land ‘evapotranspiration’ taking unexpected turn: huge parts of world are drying up
CORVALLIS, Ore. — The soils in large areas of the Southern Hemisphere, including major portions of Australia, Africa and South America, have been drying up in the past decade, a group of researchers conclude in the first major study to ever examine…
‘Nanosprings’ offer improved performance in biomedicine, electronics
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Researchers at Oregon State University have reported the successful loading of biological molecules onto “nanosprings” — a type of nanostructure that has gained significant interest in recent years for its ability to maximize s…
Developing countries may not benefit from adopting international treaties
CORVALLIS, Ore. — A new study by an Oregon State University business professor has found that developing countries that adopt major international economic treaties do not necessarily gain more foreign direct investment.
In fact, in some cases ad…
‘Co-conspirator’ cells could hold key to melanoma prediction, prevention
CORVALLIS, Ore. — New research on how skin cancer begins has identified adjacent cancer cells that scientists are calling “co-conspirators” in the genesis of melanoma, in findings that could someday hold the key to predicting, preventing and stoppi…
Victimized children involved with disasters more likely to have mental health issues
CORVALLIS, Ore. — A new national study not only has confirmed that children who have been exposed to disasters from earthquakes to fires are more prone to emotional problems, but many of those children may already have been experiencing maltreat…
Ocean policies haven’t kept up with science
Scientific knowledge about the oceans has increased tremendously in the last quarter century but U.S. policy for managing its territorial waters has lagged far behind the science, experts say, leading to resource depletion, pollution, habitat destruction and political polarization. Recommendations by the Pew Oceans Commission released today (June 4) are the first step toward addressing the disparity between growing scientific knowledge and outdated national policies and practices, says Jane Lubchenco, an Oregon State University professor and one of the commission’s lead scientists.
Engineers create world's first transparent transistor
Engineers at Oregon State University have created the world?s first transparent transistor, a see-through electronics component that could open the door to many new products. The discovery ?is a significant development in the context of transparent electronics,? the scientists said in their publication, but pointed out it?s too early to tell what applications may evolve. ?There?s no doubt it will open the door to some interesting new products and businesses, but we?re not sure what all they might be.”
Global warming could trigger cascade of climatic changes
Global warming and the partial melting of polar ice sheets can dramatically affect not only sea levels but also Earth’s climate, in ways that may be complex, rapid and difficult to adjust to, scientists say in a new study to be published Friday in the journal Science. Sea level and climatic changes in Earth’s distant past, near the end of the last Ice Age about 14,600 years ago, offer significant clues to some phenomena that Earth may experience in the near future, possibly in coming decades or centuries, the study found.
Tea complements drugs in fight against colon cancer
A new study has found that consumption of moderate amounts of green or white tea might provide a protection against colon tumors about as well as a prescription drug, sulindac, that has been shown to be effective for that purpose. The research was just published in the journal Carcinogenesis by scientists from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, in studies funded by the National Cancer Institute. It may suggest some optional approaches to cancer prevention or therapy, especially for people who have trouble with the side effects that can be associated with regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as sulindac or aspirin.
Scientists hone in on cause of amphibian deformities
A dramatic increase in deformed frogs and other amphibians is being caused by a range of environmental factors, all of which can ultimately be linked to human impacts on habitat, but the primary cause of many of the deformities is an epidemic of a key parasite. These findings are the results of eight years of research by scientists around the world, and are presented in the February issue of Scientific American by researchers from Oregon State University and the University of Wisconsin.