Oregon State University

Soil Parasite Costs Northwest Wheat Growers $51 million in Lost Revenue, says OSU

A microscopic parasitic roundworm is costing Pacific Northwest wheat growers $51 million in lost revenue each year because it's cutting grain yields by an average of about 5 percent, according to estimates by Oregon State University researchers.

Reconstruction of Temperature History Shows Significance of Recent Warming

Using data from 73 sites around the world, scientists have been able to reconstruct Earth’s temperature history back to the end of the last Ice Age, revealing that the planet today is warmer than it has been during 70 to 80 percent of the time over the last 11,300 years.

Mobile LIDAR Technology Expanding Rapidly

Mobile LIDAR is a powerful technology that’s only a few years old and promises to change the way we see, study and record the world around us. It will be applied in transportation, hydrology, forestry, virtual tourism and construction – and almost no one knows anything about it.

OSU Forming Consortium in New Field of Unmanned Aerial Remote Sensing

Oregon State University is forming a consortium with industry, academia and government to develop a new era of unmanned aerial systems for remote sensing, to perform tasks that range from environmental monitoring to fighting forest fires, protecting crops or aiding law enforcement.

Sweet Approach May Produce Metal Casting Parts, Reduce Toxicity

Based on a new discovery by researchers at Oregon State University, the world’s multi-billion dollar foundry industry may soon develop a sweet tooth.

Older Adults Who Are Frail More Likely To Be Food Insufficient

A national study of older Americans shows those who have limited mobility and low physical activity – scientifically categorized as “frail” – are five times more likely to report that they often don’t have enough to eat, defined as “food insufficiency,” than older adults who were not frail.

Mountain Meadows Dwindling in the Pacific Northwest

Some high mountain meadows in the Pacific Northwest are declining rapidly due to climate change, a study suggests, as reduced snowpacks, longer growing seasons and other factors allow trees to invade these unique ecosystems that once were carpeted with grasses, shrubs and wildflowers.

High Stream Temperatures, Low Flow, Creating Extreme Conditions

High temperatures coupled with lower flows in many Northwest streams is creating increasingly extreme conditions that could negatively affect fish and other organisms.

Researchers Identify Genetic Basis of Some Birth Defects

A group of researchers in Israel, the United States and other nations have made important advances in the rapidly expanding field of “regenerative medicine,” outlining for the first time  connections in genetic regulation that normally prevent birth defects in heart and facial muscles.

13-Year Cascadia Study Complete — Earthquake Risk Looms Large

A comprehensive analysis of the Cascadia Subduction Zone off the Pacific Northwest coast confirms that the region has had numerous earthquakes over the past 10,000 years, and suggests that the southern Oregon coast may be most vulnerable based on recurrence frequency.

OSU Scientists Part of Intensive Planning for Tricky Mars Landing

OSU researchers played an instrumental role in the mission to land the Mars Science Laboratory on the Red Planet, a $2.5 billion project.

Chronic 2000-2004 Drought, Worst in 800 Years, May Be the "New Normal"

The chronic drought that hit western North America from 2000 to 2004 left dying forests and depleted river basins in its wake and was the strongest in 800 years, scientists have concluded, but they say those conditions will become the “new normal” for most of the coming century.

Floating dock from Japan carries potential invasive species

A huge floating dock that washed ashore in Newport after floating at sea for more than a year following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami carries a threat of invasive species.

New compound could become "cool blue" for energy efficient buildings

A pigment discovered three years ago at OSU has now been found to have characteristics that could make it an important part of a new trend in construction - "cool roofs" for energy efficiency.

Undersea volcano gave off signals before eruption in 2011

Scientists follow endangered whale from Russia for second straight year

An international team of scientists has tracked a whale via satellite from one of the world’s most endangered populations to the West Coast of the United States.

OSU unveils new purple tomato, "indigo rose"

The "Indigo Rose" tomato steps out this year as the first "really" purple variety to come from a program at Oregon State University that is seeking to breed tomatoes with high levels of antioxidants.

"Life and activity monitor" provides portable recording of vital signs

Researchers have developed a type of wearable, non-invasive electronic device that can monitor vital signs such as heart rate and respiration as it records a person’s activity level.

OSU spinoff company makes first shipment of specialty chemical

AGAE Technologies LLC, a new Corvallis biotechnology company based on research at Oregon State University, has shipped its first product – a specialty chemical for use in environmental remediation, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other industries.

OSU plays key role in development of new USDA plant hardiness zone map

The most sophisticated “plant hardiness zone map” ever created in the United States was developed by researchers at Oregon State University using geographic information system (GIS)-based software.

Yellowstone transformed 15 years after the return of wolves

On the 15th anniversary of the return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park, a quiet but profound rebirth of life and ecosystem health is emerging, scientists conclude in a new report.

Cancer from fetal exposure to carcinogens depends on dose, timing

The cancer-causing potential of fetal exposure to carcinogens can vary substantially, a recent study suggests, causing different types of problems much later in life depending on the stage of pregnancy when the fetus is exposed.

Hatcheries change steelhead genetics after a single generation

The impact of hatcheries on salmonids is so profound that in just one generation traits are selected that allow fish to survive and prosper in the hatchery environment, at the cost of their ability to thrive and reproduce in a wild environment.

Microwave ovens key to new energy efficiency technology

Chemists at Oregon State University have discovered that simple microwave energy can be used to make a very promising group of compounds called “skutterudites” and lead to greatly improved methods of turning waste heat into electricity.

OSU charts record $4-million year in licensing royalties from lab innovations

Oregon State University’s rapid ascent as a research university and catalyst for laboratory innovation and business creation led to a 63 percent increase in technology licensing revenues.