News

Jul 31, 2010

CALS experience expands horizons for aspiring medical researcher

As he pursues his dream of helping stop the AIDS epidemic that killed one of his young cousins, New Orleans native Odell Isaac intends to see as much of the world as he can. Twice, his journey has landed him at N.C. State University, where he’s had the chance to meet with some of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ leading scientists and to spend 10 weeks conducting complicated genetic research with one of them. 

Jul 31, 2010

Scientist searches for plants that help human health

From Bhutan's rugged Himalayas to Ecuador's cloud forest to Alaska's frozen tundra, Dr. Mary Ann Lila searches high and low for what could be called pharmaceutical plants — and not the brick-and-mortar kind that make medicines. She seeks the leafy kind, full of chemical compounds that can stave off human disease, promote endurance and strength, improve metabolism and erase signs of aging. 

Jul 31, 2010

Economists find that tax could cut consumption of sugared drinks

Americans would buy fewer sugared drinks if a tax drove up the price, says N.C. State’s Dr. Michael Wohlgenant. 

Jul 31, 2010

Biologist sheds light on geography of human diseases

A recent study examining the geography of human disease, led by N.C. State University's Dr. Rob Dunn alongside an international team of biologists and social scientists, shows that one can predict the number of kinds of pathogens in a region just by knowing its climate or the number of birds and mammals found there. 

Jul 31, 2010

Altered virus could become vaccine

What Dr. Dennis Brown and Dr. Raquel Hernandez, a husband-and-wife research team in the Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, are learning about a virus called Sindbis could lead to vaccines for a range of diseases. 

Jul 30, 2010

Disease Prevention and Treatment Experts

When it comes to battling diseases that have vexed mankind for millennia, you won’t find any more committed scientists than the biochemists, biologists, microbiologists, geneticists, toxicologists and others in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who are working together across disciplines and with partners in other agencies and universities on a range of human… 

Jul 30, 2010

Health and Well-Being

Whether by digging deep into the basic life sciences to discover what makes certain people susceptible to a given disease, by teaching parents how to make the most nutritious food choices, or by helping prepare tomorrow’s health care professionals, N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences improves human health and well-being in North… 

Jul 30, 2010

Do We Need Another Stimulus?

Although there have been some positive signs in the economy we still have big problems -- not the least of which is high unemployment. This has led some observers to say we need another government stimulus plan. Are they right? Dr. Mike Walden, North Carolina Cooperative Extension economist in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University, responds. 

Jul 29, 2010

Extension invited to join 10% Campaign

North Carolina Cooperative Extension is supporting the 10% Campaign, aimed at encouraging consumers to spend 10 percent of their food dollars locally, by providing an agent in each county to serve as a local foods coordinator. In addition, Extension has signed on to promote the campaign and support a 10% Campaign Employee Challenge, according to a memo from Drs. Joe Zublena and M. Ray McKinnie. 

Jul 29, 2010

Nathan Bihlmeyer: Goldwater Scholar explores ‘infinite possibilities’

"What really got me interested in genetics is the fact that the results are tangible and what you get to work with allows for almost an infinite amount of possibility," says Nathan Bihlmeyer, a biochemistry undergraduate who received the prestigious Goldwater 2010 Scholarship. He hopes to become a human genetics researcher.