News Archive
Historic ocean treaty underpinned by Oregon State University science takes effect Jan. 17
Oregon State University research into marine protected areas plays a crucial role in the historic “High Seas Treaty” that goes into effect Jan. 17.Jan. 15, 2026
After devastating wildfires, watersheds surprisingly thick with fish and amphibians
In the aftermath of historically severe wildfires in 2020, a study of Cascade Range watersheds found that stream vertebrates are doing surprising well, highlighted by flourishing fish populations.Dec. 18, 2025
Resolving to spend less time on your smartphone? Understanding your travel habits can help
If you open a banking app, play a mobile game or scroll through a news feed every day while riding the bus, your commuting routine is probably bolstering your smartphone habit, according to new research that shows phone tendencies are stronger in locations chosen automatically.Dec. 17, 2025
College of Forestry finalizes new management plan for OSU’s McDonald-Dunn Research Forest
The Oregon State University College of Forestry has finalized a new management plan for the OSU-owned McDonald-Dunn Research Forest in the Coast Range foothills northwest of Corvallis.Dec. 15, 2025
A naturally fluffy white beard, a round belly and a jolly laugh might seem like the keys to being a successful Santa Claus, but new research suggests that a calling to play the man with the bag full of toys is enough to help candidates overcome a lack of typical attributes for the role.Dec. 4, 2025
Human feelings influence beliefs about cat emotions and well-being, study shows
People rated cats as having a more positive emotional state when shown indoors rather than outdoors, even those who believe cats should roam freely outside, a new study found.Dec. 2, 2025
Oregon maintains top Christmas tree producer title by adapting
Native noble fir make up just over half of Oregon’s Christmas tree sales, but in recent years, OSU Extension experts have also been studying the genetics of introduced species from Eurasia that are potentially more resilient to climate change.Nov. 25, 2025
Vertical hunting helps wild cats coexist in Guatemala’s forests, study finds
A new study reveals that four wild cat species living in the same rainforest habitat in Guatemala reduce competition for food by hunting in different vertical zones, some in trees and others on the ground.Nov. 24, 2025
3-D printing researchers develop fast-curing, environmentally friendly concrete substitute
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a quick-setting, environmentally friendly alternative to concrete they hope can one day be used to rapidly 3-D print homes and infrastructure.Nov. 21, 2025
Calcite deposit from southern Nevada cave reveals 580,000 years of climate history
Climate history recorded in a calcite deposit in a southern Nevada cave indicates that the hot, arid southwestern United States experienced significant shifts in temperature and rainfall over the last 580,000 years.Nov. 19, 2025
Floating solar panels show promise, but environmental impacts vary by location, study finds
Floating solar panels are emerging as a promising clean energy solution with environmental benefits, but a new study finds those effects vary significantly depending on where the systems are deployed.Nov. 17, 2025
Acceptance, lack of negativity are keys for passing parenting styles on to the next generation
The children of people who grew up with parental acceptance and lack of negativity tend to struggle less with their own parenting, a new analysis indicates.Nov. 17, 2025
Researchers develop first-ever common language for cannabis, hemp aromas
Researchers have taken a significant step toward creating a standardized language for describing the aromas of cannabis and hemp.Nov. 14, 2025
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