Oregon State University

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.

"Flex" leads researchers to five endangered western gray whales

The saga of Flex the whale continues to deliver surprises a year after the 13-year-old male western (North Pacific) gray whale was tagged and took scientific observers on a four-month, satellite-tracked ride, far from the Asian coast.

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.

Scientists find eruption at undersea volcano - after forecasting the event

In challenging year nationally, OSU maintains federal research momentum

In a year in which universities around the nation experienced significant declines in research funding, OSU held its own, as faculty earned federal funding at a rate roughly even with last year's historic totals.

OSU Pigment Discovery Expanding to New Colors

Chemists at Oregon State University have discovered that the same crystal structure they identified two years ago to create what may be the world’s best blue pigment can also be used with different elements to create other colors, with significant potential in the paint and pigment industries.

Northwest Forest Plan Has Unintended Benefit — Carbon Sequestration

The Northwest Forest Plan enacted in 1993 was designed to conserve old-growth forests and protect species such as the northern spotted owl, but researchers conclude in a new study that it had another powerful consequence – increased carbon sequestration on public lands.

Fighting Back from Extinction, Right Whale Is Returning Home

After being hunted to local extinction more than a century ago and unable to remember their ancestral calving grounds, the southern right whales of mainland New Zealand are coming home.

Inkjet Printing Could Change the Face of Solar Energy Industry

Inkjet printers, a low-cost technology that in recent decades has revolutionized home and small office printing, may soon offer similar benefits for the future of solar energy.

Process Begins to Establish Oregon's First Accredited Public Health College

The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) has formally approved Oregon State University’s request to begin an accreditation process to become the first nationally accredited College of Public Health and Human Sciences in the state of Oregon. 

Fire Brings Communities Together Across the West

As homes and cities expand closer to forests and wildlands across the American West, increasing wildfire threats have created an unlikely new phenomena – confidence in government.

Tornadoes Raise Questions About Building Practices, Enforcement

There is no practical, economic way to build structures that could stand up to the savagery of EF5 tornadoes like those that ripped through the South in late April, experts say, but damage from lesser storms could be reduced by better building practices and better enforcement of existing codes.

"Nanosprings" Offer Improved Performance in Biomedicine

Researchers at Oregon State University have reported the successful loading of biological molecules onto “nanosprings” – a type of nanostructure that has gained significant interest in recent years for its ability to maximize surface area in microreactors.

"Co-conspirator" Cells Could Hold Key to Melanoma

New research on how skin cancer begins has identified adjacent cancer cells that scientists are calling “co-conspirators” in the genesis of melanoma, in findings that could someday hold the key to predicting, preventing and stopping this hard-to-treat cancer before it spreads.

Hawaiian Volcano Reveals Clues to Global Climate Impacts

Boulders deposited on the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii have provided more evidence of the extraordinary power and reach of global change, particularly the slowdown of a North Atlantic Ocean current.

OSU to Partner in New $2.2 Million Center for Wood Composites

Oregon State University and Virginia Tech will lead a new Industry/University Cooperative Research Center on wood-based composite materials.

Eruptive Characteristics of Oregon's Mt. Hood Analyzed

How would you know when Oregon's tallest volcano is ready to erupt? Turns out there's a recipe that it shares with mountains far to the south.

Rapidly Growing Murre Colony Draws Interest of Scientists — and Predators

Life is usually good for the these seabirds, but when eagles, gulls and chick-eating pelicans arrive, look out.

OSU Research Funding Surpasses $275M; Total Has Doubled over Past Decade

University researchers were responsible for a major surge in competitive grant awards in FY2010.

Girl GIRL Boy Boy

Women's stories reveal the dark side of an age-old tradition.

Self-Regulation Key to Academic Success for At-Risk Children

A new study adds to the evidence that self-regulation is directly related to academic performance.

Lower Wages, Lack of Jobs Means More Americans Delaying "Adulthood"

Despite living in an age of iPads and hybrid cars, young Americans are more like the young adults of the early 1900s than baby boomers.

DNA Suggests Whale Meat from Sushi Restaurants Originated from Japan

Oregon State research helped uncover an apparent illegal trade in whalemeat.

Forest Epidemic is Unprecedented Phenomenon, Still Getting Worse

The Swiss needle cast epidemic in Douglas-fir forests of the coastal Pacific Northwest is continuing to intensify, most likely linked to monoculture and a warmer climate.

Lionfish Invasion Continuing to Expand

As the lionfish wars continue throughout the Caribbean Sea and control remains difficult to come by, the best available plan is to capture and eat them.