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Science in the news

Science in the news

Media contacts

Journalists are encouraged to contact OSU's Department of News and Research Communications at 541-737-0787 for assistance. Media personnel seeking expert sources for their stories can contact OSU news editor Sean Nealon at 541-737-0787 or sean.nealon@oregonstate.edu.

For more specific content, science news writer Steve Lundeberg is also available at 541-737-4039, or steve.lundeberg@oregonstate.edu.

Media coverage highlights

The Corvallis Advocate -

OSU follows nose to detect algae blooms

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new way to monitor the danger associated with algae blooms: “sniffing” the water for gases associated with toxins.

KVAL -

Oregon State researchers develop novel technique for 'sniffing' out toxic algae blooms

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new way to monitor the danger associated with algae blooms — “sniffing” the water for gases associated with toxins.

Nature -

Monster gravitational waves spotted for first time

Gravitational waves are back, and they’re bigger than ever. After the historic first detection of the space-time rattles in 2015 using ground-based detectors, researchers could have now rediscovered Albert Einstein’s waves with an entirely different technique.

The New York Times -

The Cosmos Is Thrumming With Gravitational Waves, Astronomers Find

Radio telescopes around the world picked up a telltale hum reverberating across the cosmos, most likely from supermassive black holes merging in the early universe.

The Washington Post -

In a major discovery, scientists say space-time churns like a choppy sea

The very fabric of the cosmos is constantly being roiled and rumpled all around us, according to multiple international teams of scientists that have independently found compelling evidence for long-theorized space-time waves.

NPR -

Scientists have found signs of a new kind of gravitational wave. It's really big

Scientists say they are starting to find signs of an elusive type of rumbling through space that could be created by the biggest, baddest black holes in the universe.

KTVZ -

OSU researchers find virus hidden in coral symbiont’s genetic material pose potential threat to reefs

Microscopic algae that corals need for survival harbor a common and possibly disease-causing virus in their genetic material, an international collaboration spearheaded by OSU microbiologist Rebecca Vega Thurber has found.

Oregon Public Broadcasting -

Northwest labs discover a spray that removes pesky moon dust, a sweet substitute for plastic and more

A new breakthrough in zinc battery technology by chemistry professor David Ji was one of the top five Pacific Northwest science stories selected in in OPB's monthly roundup.

KPIC -

OSU study shows juvenile black rockfish affected by marine heat

According to a new research study led by Will Fennie, a graduate student in integrative biology at OSU, larvae produced by black rockfish have fared better over the last two years thanks to the "unusually high" ocean temperatures.

Gazette Times -

Oregon State researcher unlocks cheaper battery

Corvallis chemistry professor David Ji has unlocked efficient zinc batteries, an energy storage breakthrough with big implications for sources of electricity that aren’t derived from fossil fuels.

AP News -

Rare beetle species named after ex-California governor Brown

Scientists are naming a rare species of beetle in honor of former California Gov. Jerry Brown after finding one at his ranch. David Maddison, an OSU biology professor and beetle expert, was called on to help identify the previously unnamed species.

KEZI 9 -

OSU research breakthrough could lead to safe and sustainable zinc battery alternative

New research from College of Science Professor Xiulei “David” Ji may have unlocked a key development in safe and sustainable zinc-based battery technology.

KTMR -

Ocean acidification has scientists searching for solutions

The long-term impacts of acidification on ocean waters are causing higher mortality in sea life. Marine biologist Francis Chan is among the OSU scientists who are working hard to help coastal communities recover.

Oregon Capital Chronicle -

Smaller Oregon companies looking for semiconductor funding

Inpria, founded by OSU Emeritus Professor Douglas Keszler, is one of several Oregon companies hoping to receive federal funding to grow the domestic semiconductor industry.

New York Times -

The missing 24-limbed animals that could help rescue the ocean’s forest

A study led by marine ecologist Sarah Gravem found that reintroducing the fast-moving predators to the West Coast could help control the spread of sea urchins that are devouring kelp.

Nature Conservancy -

New study: Key tool in restoring threatened kelp forest may lie in recovery of endangered sea star

A study co-led by marine ecologist Sarah Gravem found that the sunflower sea star likely plays a much stronger role in resetting and maintaining kelp forest health than previously thought.

National Geographic -

You think dating is hard? Try being one of these animals.

If there’s one universal need in the animal kingdom, it’s the burning desire to reproduce. Robert Mason, a biologist who has spent years studying garter snakes, is featured along with an explanatory video taken in a Manitoba snake mating den.

Oregon Public Broadcasting -

Oregon churns out renewable energy, but needs batteries to store it

Battery storage will play a major role in achieving our clean energy goals, but there need to be improvements to current capabilities. OSU chemistry professor David Ji is leading a team across the country using a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a sustainable, rechargeable battery.

Mind Body Green -

The underrated link between gut health and vitamin D

Emerging biochemistry research suggests your vitamin D status plays a key role in the health of your gut and its all-important good bacteria.

KGW8 -

Oregon crab season to get underway after weeks of delay

Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crabbing fleet has the go-ahead to hit the water this weekend after repeated delays. Francis Chan, a marine ecology professor at Oregon State University who has done research on the changes in Oregon’s coastal waters for more than a decade, said there are number of causes for concern.