Author: Dee Shore

Nov 9, 2015

Amazing grazing

Grasslands cover a large area of the world's surface, and overgrazing can contribute to runoff. But with new technology, cattle farmers use fences to improve water management on their farms and water quality in nearby streams. Hear what College of Agriculture and Life Sciences animal scientist Dr. Matt Poore had to say on the topic at the college's recent Stewards of the Future: Water for a Growing World conference. 

Nov 9, 2015

The gig economy

One of the latest terms being used to describe economics and business is the "gig" economy. Is that anything like booking bands for performances? NC State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Nov 4, 2015

Urban environments boost pathogen pressure on honey bees

Urban environments increase pathogen abundance in honey bees and reduce honey bee survival, according to a recently published report on NC State University research. The finding raises significant questions as urban areas continue to grow at the expense of rural environments and as urban beekeeping becomes more popular. 

Nov 2, 2015

Scientists evaluate food safety practices to help support nonprofit food pantries

Researchers from NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill have done an in-depth analysis of food safety at nonprofit food pantries that distribute food directly to people in need. While the work has identified shortcomings at many such pantries, the goal was to identify how food safety experts can help these pantries best meet the needs of their clients. 

Nov 2, 2015

Giant opportunity

Each year during the Super Bowl, the competition on the field is matched closely by the competition among advertisers to create the most original and impressive commercials. And usually the most heart-warming (or tear-inducing) are those commercials featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales. Last summer, NC State University student Bradley Glover essentially got to inhabit that soft-glow pastoral world of the gentle giants in the ads. 

Nov 2, 2015

Reforming Medicaid

Medicaid is the joint federal-state program to help pay the medical expenses of limited-income households. It takes about 17 percent of North Carolina's general fund budget and has been one of the fastest-growing programs in recent decades. Many groups have talked about restructuring Medicaid. NC State University economist Mike Walden explains the options. 

Oct 29, 2015

New program to help families use local foods in affordable meals

A North Carolina State University program has won a major grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help low-income families buy healthy, affordable, locally produced foods at farmers markets. 

Oct 27, 2015

New NC State consortium to study microbes at the root-soil interface

As North Carolina State University advances in its quest to make the Research Triangle a global hub for plant-related innovation, it recently launched a unique consortium to explore the soil microbiome -- the largely unknown world of microscopic organisms living in soil along plant roots. 

Oct 26, 2015

Spiders: Just how spooky are they?

Spooky scenes of fake spiders in giant webs are everywhere this time of year. But despite the Halloween hype, spiders hardly deserve their reputation as dangerous creatures, says NC State University entomologist Dr. Matt Bertone. 

Oct 26, 2015

Hiring or contracting

There's a debate today about how people work. There seems to be an increase in contracting out, where a company doesn't hire a person as an employee but hires the person to do a specific task. The worry is that workers hired as contractors lose the benefits that come with being an employee. Is there a solution? NC State University economist Mike Walden answers.