News Archive
Wednesday, March 2 2022
-
Engineers study biochar to fertilize crops, manage manure odors, reduce greenhouse gases
Iowa State researchers are working to add value to the bioeconomy by using a co-product of bio-oil production to separate and capture nutrients from livestock manure. The nutrients would then be processed into slow-release fertilizer pellets that would be applied to farm fields, rather than raw manure which can have issues with odor, runoff and greenhouse gas emissions.
-
Iowa State designer turns sound into graphics in partnership with Maestro guitar pedals
Decades after Gibson Guitar's famous pedal brand Maestro went dormant, an Iowa State University designer has expanded his research – creating visuals out of sound – in a partnership with the brand as they launch a new family of guitar pedals.
-
Scholar to explore Iowa State’s role in Manhattan Project
The leading expert on the Ames Project section of the Manhattan Project, as well as the granddaughter of one of the Ames Lab co-founders, will present a lecture March 7 exploring the role of ISU scientists in making the Manhattan Project possible.
-
New book connects the climate crisis and violence
“Climate Change and Human Behavior” maps out how hotter temperatures and more frequent and severe weather events can directly and indirectly alter the way people think and interact with others. The authors say proactively addressing these challenges now could help buffer some of the long-term costs in the future.
-
New ISU research project will help aging population in rural Iowa
Rather than nursing homes being the default living option as people age, an Iowa State University researcher is looking for ways to improve homes so that people can more easily “age in place.”
-
Now that the Webb Space Telescope is deployed (whew!), astronomers wait for data
Iowa State's Massimo Marengo is ready to use the newly launched James Webb Space Telescope to study distant clouds of dust in a galaxy with a "primitive environment" that resembles the conditions of the early universe. Webb's data will help Marengo and his colleagues understand the "galactic ecosystem" and the early steps in "the cycle of life of the universe."
-
Unraveling the connections between singing and Parkinson’s disease
ISU researchers are embarking on an in-depth and comprehensive study to determine the underlying mechanisms by which singing can improve breathing and swallowing for people with Parkinson’s disease. The researchers will also track changes to brain activity and biomarkers of stress and inflammation to better understand how the social benefits of singing with others can slow the disease’s progression and its symptoms.
-
Computer models show how crop production increases soil nitrous oxide emissions
Computer models designed by Iowa State University scientists show how the emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide have increased from soils over the last century. The newly published research found the expansion of land devoted to agriculture since 1900 and intensive fertilizer inputs have predominantly driven an overall increase in nitrous oxide emissions from U.S. soils.
-
How providers help patients shift expectations to make tough medical decisions
A new study explores how specialized care providers navigate conversations with patients and their families about switching from curative treatments to pain management and comfort care. Many of the providers did not dismiss their patients’ emotions or tell patients to feel differently. Rather, they validated their patients’ fear, hope or guilt, and then walked them through the likely outcomes of continuing treatments.
-
Exercise post-vaccine bumps up antibodies
Participants in the study who cycled on a stationary bike or took a brisk walk for an hour-and-a-half after getting a flu shot or COVID-19 jab produced more antibodies in the following four weeks compared to participants who sat or continued with their daily routine post-immunization.
-
Ames, ISU police share results of traffic stop study
An independent review found “negligible evidence of racial bias” by Ames and Iowa State University police officers when initiating traffic stops. The departments requested the review as a proactive step to evaluate whether or not racial disparities existed in traffic stops and the outcomes.
-
Mosquito surveillance program finds invasive species taking root in three Iowa counties
An invasive species of mosquito has established itself in three Iowa counties, according to data from Iowa State University entomologists. The species is capable of transmitting disease, but ISU experts said the species’ arrival is no cause for alarm.
-
Iowa State partners with U.S. State Department on global historic preservation projects
Iowa State is the only university in the United States to have a partnership with the U.S. Department of State to work on historic preservation projects at U.S. diplomatic properties around the world.
-
Eye tracking reveals where people look during Zoom, Webex
An innovative, first-of-its-kind study used eye-tracking technology to explore what people look at during virtual meetings, finding participants looked offscreen more often during smaller, interactive sessions and that women looked at their own video more than men. This and future research may help inform the future design of videoconferencing.
-
Black History Month to be celebrated at Iowa State
A variety of events are planned to celebrate Black History Month throughout February at Iowa State University and in Ames.
-