February 2012

Feb 9, 2012

Dueling income measures

Income is a major factor we use to judge economic progress, but are there alternative income measures and do they all show the same trends? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 8, 2012

Problems in unemployment insurance

Unemployment insurance is a government program that pays unemployed workers a monthly benefit, but with the recession and high unemployment running so long, the program faces problems. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Feb 7, 2012

N.C. State helps agribusinesses gain $1.2 million in USDA grants

N.C. State University’s North Carolina Value-Added Cost Share (NCVACS) program provided more than $100,000 in matching funds to help N.C. agricultural producers apply for and secure nearly $1.2 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants. The USDA last week announced the recipients of its Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG), eight of which are N.C. businesses that were assisted by NCVACS. 

Feb 7, 2012

CALS lab nurtures high school student's interest in science

Jacobo Rozo Posso developed an interest in science and plants as an 8-year-old. He’s 17 now, a junior at Cary High School. Science is still his passion and an interest that is being nurtured in a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences laboratory. 

Feb 7, 2012

Virus discovery holds mystery, potential

A previously unknown virus discovered by North Carolina State University scientists may hold keys to managing another virus that causes a debilitating disease. 

Feb 7, 2012

Freezing federal spending

Concern about the federal deficit and the debt is widespread. One simple proposal often offered to reduce the deficit is just to freeze federal spending at current levels. The idea is that as federal revenues rise the annual deficit, and ultimately the total debt, will fall. Is there any issue with this proposal? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Feb 6, 2012

Mike DeGruy, CALS 2010-11 Distinguished Alumnus, has died in helicopter crash

Michael V. DeGruy, award-winning nature cinematographer and marine scientist, died Feb. 3 in a helicopter crash in Australia. 

Feb 6, 2012

Costs and benefits of homeowning

Home sales have improved. But they’re still 25 percent under pre-recessionary levels. The percentage of households renting is up. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says people are evaluating the buy-a-home versus rent decision differently today. 

Feb 3, 2012

Celebrating the work of life scientists

In this Winter 2012 issue, we turn to the College’s life sciences in recognition of the contributions and impacts those programs are making while bringing innovative solutions to the challenges facing our citizens locally, nationally and globally. 

Feb 3, 2012

Designing jet fuels of the future

Using micro-organisms able to survive in some of the most extreme environments on Earth, two CALS researchers are working to turn plants and algae into oil-producing factories efficient enough to help solve the problem of the world’s diminishing petroleum reserves.