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
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
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
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
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
Child care supply continues to improve in many Oregon counties, report finds
Child care, particularly for children of preschool age, is becoming more available to Oregon families in many parts of the state, a new report by Oregon State University researchers has found.Aug. 5, 2025
Study documents unhealthy noise in Portland, provides research framework for other cities
A groundbreaking study led by Oregon State University scientists shows that multiple Portland neighborhoods have levels of noise that are likely unhealthy.July 23, 2025
Yellowstone aspen showing signs of recovery following 1995 reintroduction of wolves to park
Yellowstone National Park is celebrating an ecological milestone along with a key anniversary this summer, Oregon State University researchers report.July 22, 2025
Pigment researchers create vivid yellows, oranges, reds that are durable, non-toxic
Oregon State University pigment researchers are using a rare mineral discovered in Norway more than a century ago as a road map for creating new yellows, oranges and reds that are vibrant, durable, non-toxic and inexpensive.July 16, 2025
Study suggests natural areas may acquire too little nitrogen to repair climate
A new study indicates that forests, prairies and other natural areas around the globe acquire less nitrogen than previously estimated.July 16, 2025
Jaguar population increases after wildfire and drought, indicating area’s role as climate refuge
Following a large-scale wildfire, more jaguars migrated to a study site in the Brazilian wetlands that already had the largest population density of jaguars in the world, a new study found.July 15, 2025
Oregon State University researchers make key advances in radiation detection
Researchers in the Oregon State University College of Engineering have developed new technology for uranium enrichment measurement.July 14, 2025
THC undetectable after withdrawal period in cows fed hemp byproduct
A new study examined feeding a hemp byproduct to cows and found that the trace amounts of psychoactive THC in hemp were undetectable in the milk and edible tissue of cows if they were weaned off the byproduct before milking or processing.June 26, 2025
College of Forestry releases draft of McDonald-Dunn management plan
The College of Forestry is accepting public comment on a draft of its new management plan for the OSU-owned McDonald-Dunn Research Forest in the Coast Range foothills northwest of Corvallis.June 16, 2025