News Archive
New analysis yields clearer picture of toxin-producing blue-green algae blooms
A long-term analysis shows that a major Oregon reservoir abruptly swapped one type of toxic algae for another midway through the 12-year study period, absent any obvious cause.Nov. 11, 2025
New material designed at OSU represents breakthrough in medical imaging
Scientists at Oregon State University have developed a new magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent with the potential to outperform current agents while being less toxic to patients and more environmentally friendly.Nov. 7, 2025
Wildfire risk making timberland less valuable, long harvest rotations less feasible
Rising wildfire risk in the Pacific Northwest combined with notoriously volatile timber pricing may lower forestland values by as much as 50% and persuade plantation owners to harvest trees much earlier than planned.Nov. 6, 2025
Study paints detailed picture of forest canopy damage caused by ‘heat dome’
A satellite imagery analysis shows that the 2021 “heat dome” scorched almost 5% of the forested area in western Oregon and western Washington.Nov. 4, 2025
Closer proximity to cannabis retail stores linked with more cannabis use but less drinking
A statewide study of more than 60,000 adult Oregonians shows that living near cannabis retail stores is associated with a greater tendency toward frequent cannabis use but a lower likelihood of heavy alcohol consumption.Nov. 4, 2025
As ochre sea star ‘baby boomers’ grow up, species showing signs of recovery
The “baby boom” of ochre sea stars that followed a population crash a decade ago is enabling the species to recover on the Oregon Coast.Oct. 30, 2025
Climate report: Earth on dangerous path but rapid action can avert the worst outcomes
2024 was the hottest year on record and likely the hottest in at least 125,000 years, according to an annual report issued by an international coalition led by Oregon State University scientists.Oct. 29, 2025
Six-million-year-old ice discovered in Antarctica offers unprecedented window into a warmer Earth
A team of U.S. scientists has discovered the oldest directly dated ice and air on the planet in the Allan Hills region of East Antarctica.Oct. 28, 2025
Outdoor air pollution linked to higher incidence of breast cancer
Women living in parts of the United States with lower air quality, especially neighborhoods with heavy emissions from motor vehicles, are more likely to develop breast cancer, according to a multiyear analysis involving more than 400,000 women and 28,000 breast cancer cases.Oct. 27, 2025
Oregon Farm to School Network launches 10-year vision plan
The new plan continues the state’s progress and partnership with a shared vision for the next decade.Oct. 23, 2025
Stone tools trace Paleolithic Pacific migration
A new analysis of stone tools offers strong evidence for the theory that ancient people from the Pacific Rim traveled a coastal route from East Asia during the last ice age to become North America’s First Peoples.Oct. 23, 2025
Large changes in global sea level, fueled by fluctuations in ice sheet growth and decay, occurred throughout the last ice age, rather than just toward the end of that period, a study publishing this week in the journal Science has found.Oct. 16, 2025
Oregon State University enrollment largest in Oregon, continues to grow
Oregon State is the largest university in Oregon for the 12th straight year with 38,460 students, according to preliminary enrollment figures released today. The current total OSU enrollment represents a slight increase over last year, for a 29th consecutive year of record numbers.Oct. 14, 2025
Oregon State Board of Trustees to meet Oct. 22 and 23
The Oregon State University Board of Trustees will meet Oct. 22 and 23 and consider the annual assessment of the president and amendments to the OSU investment policy.Oct. 13, 2025
Smartphone-powered AI predicts avocado ripeness
Researchers have developed a smartphone-based artificial intelligence system that accurately predicts the ripeness and internal quality of avocados.Oct. 12, 2025
Oregon State University’s Board of Trustees will hold a special virtual meeting of its Executive, Audit and Governance Committee at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 10 on Zoom to consider the appointment of the university’s next chief executive of audit, risk and compliance.Oct. 8, 2025
Oregon State University research enterprise tops $400M for second straight year
Oregon State University eclipsed the $400 million mark in research expenditures for the second consecutive year in fiscal year 2025 while advancing knowledge in areas ranging from energy solutions and precision medicine to environmental resilience, critical minerals, robotics and artificial intelligence.Oct. 8, 2025
Twin threat: Cascadia and San Andreas faults may be seismically linked
Two fault systems on North America’s West Coast – the Cascadia subduction zone and the San Andreas fault – may be synchronized, with earthquakes on one fault potentially triggering seismic events on the other, a new study found.Oct. 6, 2025
Some carbon projects are actually harmful to climate; study shows how to avoid that
An analysis of forest-based projects funded through the sale of carbon credits shows that 10% of them may have a net warming effect on the climate because of the way they alter the Earth’s albedo, or how much sunlight is reflected back into space.Oct. 6, 2025
Loneliness in U.S. adults linked with amount, frequency of social media use
TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and similar platforms are apparently no antidote for the global loneliness epidemic.Oct. 1, 2025
Peptide study paves path toward new weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
New research into antimicrobial peptides, small chains of amino acids able to damage bacterial cells, shows why some peptides are more effective at doing that and also why some cells are more vulnerable.Sept. 29, 2025
OSU leading effort aimed at radiation-resilient electronics
Oregon State University has been selected to lead a national research center focused on making electronics more resilient to radiation.Sept. 19, 2025
Analysis of ‘magic mushroom’ edibles finds no psilocybin but many undisclosed active ingredients
“Magic mushroom” edibles sold at smoke shops and convenience stores are likely to contain no psilocybin but instead a range of undisclosed active ingredients, a study led by an Oregon State University College of Pharmacy scientist shows.Sept. 11, 2025
Targeted snow monitoring at hotspots outperforms basin-wide surveys in predicting water supply
Measuring mountain snowpack at strategically selected hotspots consistently outperforms broader basin-wide mapping in predicting water supply in the western United States, a new study found.Sept. 8, 2025
New lemur species still arising after 53.2 million years of evolution, research suggests
The explosion of new lemur species that began when the first of those animals arrived on Madagascar more than 50 million years ago has not died down.Sept. 3, 2025
Researchers take key step toward greener lighting and display technologies
Scientists at Oregon State University have taken a big step toward lighting and display technologies that are more energy efficient and better for the planet.Sept. 2, 2025
Oregon State recognized with national engagement award for efforts to reduce whale entanglement
This is the second consecutive year OSU has received a Kellogg regional award and the third time in the university’s history.Aug. 26, 2025