research
Fusing Biology and Technology
January 11, 2013
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: agriculture, biology, Biotechnology, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State L.A., chemistry, CSU Fullerton, CSUPERB, health, Humboldt State, research, Sacramento State, science education, student research
The 25th Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium brought together students, faculty, alumni, administrators and partners from across the 23 campus university system to advance an intricate and cutting edge understanding of life. More than 700 current and future biotechnology researchers and professionals participated in this silver anniversary symposium held in Anaheim from January 3-5, 2013. The symposium was a showcase for the year-round work incubated by the CSU Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB). Read more »
CSU Strengthens Efforts to Solve State’s Water Woes
June 12, 2012
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: agriculture, ARI, conservation, research, Sacramento State, San Diego State, student research, Water, WRPI
California depends on water now more than ever. With a growing population, climate uncertainty, and aging infrastructure, issues surrounding water resources and policy are hard to ignore. The state faces many challenges—stemming from issues such as ecological problems in the San Joaquin Delta and growing pressure on our water delivery system.
When it comes to water, the California State University’s 23 campuses have vast expertise and wide-ranging resources. By collaborating with state agencies, these resources can be utilized to help solve the state’s water problems. The efforts also create learning and research opportunities throughout the CSU. That was the idea behind the CSU’s Water Resources and Policy Initiatives (WRPI) when the systemwide group was created in 2008.
In a galaxy far, far away
May 3, 2012
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: astronomy, earth, planets, research, San Diego State, sdsu
It’s hard to believe that only a couple decades ago, the existence of planets beyond our solar system was just a theory. Today, the discovery of hundreds of planets orbiting other stars has captivated the entire world—and scientists are just beginning to answer the age-old question: could there be life on other planets?
A pair of San Diego State astronomy professors are part of the NASA Kepler Mission leading the effort to find out, and the two have already made some groundbreaking discoveries.
As part of the Kepler Science Team, SDSU professors William Welsh and Jerome Orosz are analyzing data gathered from the Kepler satellite. The satellite was launched in 2009 to survey a portion of the Milky Way galaxy for Earth-like planets that have a greater potential to sustain life.
Read more »
Study Gives Weight to Hormones
December 5, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, kinesiology, obesity, research
When men and women begin an exercise regimen, men typically lose weight quickly, and women tend to have more trouble shedding those extra pounds. A recent Cal Poly San Luis Obispo study may provide an explanation to the weight-loss gender gap.
Exercise normally boosts the metabolism, serving as a natural appetite suppressant. But research led by Todd Hagobian, assistant professor in kinesiology at Cal Poly, provides evidence that this benefit only occurs in women who are already lean.
Shedding some light on watersheds
September 7, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: Fresno State, research, student research, Water, WRPI
It’s not a piece of farming equipment or something you might see in a neighbor’s backyard. A watershed actually refers to an area of land that collects and contains surface water and drains (or sheds) it off into the same place. Essentially, every bit of land is part of a watershed. So, you’re in a watershed right now.
For example, in California, a watershed could start with melting mountain snow that forms small streams, which eventually flow to a river. However, each watershed system is unique. The United States Geological Survey reports that there are nearly 200 watersheds in California alone.
Aspiring Researcher at Cal State L.A. Looks at Protein to Remedy Infectious Diseases
August 25, 2011
Category: News & Notes
Tags: Cal State L.A., research
Cal State L.A. Newsroom
Summer program provides first-hand lab research experience for students
With a passion for science and medicine, Daniel Delgado hopes to play a part in finding future cures for some of the world’s most infectious diseases.
For 10 weeks this summer, Delgado is participating in Cal State L.A.’s Bridges to the Future Program. Being exposed for the first time to advanced lab research, he is helping to study the biological function of a protein found in airways of humans and other mammals, identified as Palate, Lung and Nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC).
Carmageddon: Apocalypse … later?
July 20, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: Cal Poly Pomona, civil engineering, engineering, research
This past weekend’s closure of the 405 freeway in Los Angeles dubbed “Carmageddon” turned out to be a prophecy that thankfully didn’t live up to its apocalyptic expectations. The fears of citywide gridlock in response to a two-day closure of nearly 10 miles of the 405 never materialized. Commuters and travelers with the courage to brave the predicted chaos were pleasantly surprised with nearly nonexistent traffic. So, what happened?
Dr. Xudong Jia, a civil engineering professor at Cal Poly Pomona, shed some light on the anomaly. As an expert in a field that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and natural environment, including highways, his research focuses on a fact of life and a source of enduring frustration for LA commuters—traffic.
Read more »
Another serving gleaned from ARI confab
June 14, 2011
Category: News & Notes
Tags: agriculture, research
Participants at the June 7, 2011, CSU‘s Agricultural Research Institute’s Faculty Research Partnership Building Conference faced no shortage of food for thought as they heard from a variety of presenters, including representatives of other CSU research consortia focused on biotechnology, coastal/marine issues and water resources.
Here are a few proverbial plums gleaned from the podium: Read more »
Planting a seed to expand ag research
Category: News & Notes
Tags: agriculture, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Bakersfield, research
The roots of relevant agricultural research draw intellectual nutrients from many realms – from genomics, proteomics, irrigation, immigration, soil science, atmospheric physics, law, policy, technology, and more.
Answers to questions about water supply, food safety, airborne pollutants, and other challenges increasingly require perspectives from beyond the traditional herd of agricultural experts. That’s why the California State University’s Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) rounded up about five dozen researchers with diverse backgrounds at the CSU Chancellor’s Office earlier this month for a one-day conference.
ARI Executive Director Joe Bezerra gave the group, which represented 18 of the CSU’s 23 campuses, one goal: To identify and foster new innovative and collaborative research partnerships among CSU faculty. Read more »
From tsunami wreckage in Japan, sobering lessons for California
May 20, 2011
Category: A Closer Look
Tags: earthquakes, geology, Humboldt State, research, tsunami
CSU geologist shares ‘recon’ in blog, photos
For the fourth time in less than two years, Lori Dengler has crossed the Pacific or the equator – or both – to explore in the wake of a devastating tsunami. She goes in search of scientific data and anecdotal evidence that will improve community preparedness for the next tsunami – whenever, wherever it hits.
Dengler, a Humboldt State geology professor oft-honored for tsunami awareness and earthquake-safety, just returned from a 10-day reconnaissance trip to Japan. As part of a contingent sponsored by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, she visited several cities that had been hit hard March 11 by the Tohoku-oki earthquake (or Great East Japan earthquake in its English translation), and by the fast-rising waters that quickly followed.
(She was among several CSU faculty who provided expertise – in the form of aid, advice and analysis – to benefit both Japan and California. Read the news story here. Click here for other tsunami posts in Science & the CSU. Mouse over photos for Dengler’s captions; click to enlarge them. For a gallery with 93 of Dengler’s reconnaissance photos from the trip to Japan, click here. )
Dengler describes her trip in a series of blog posts at the Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group’s site: http://www.humboldt.edu/rctwg/blog. A “wrap-up” post will come soon. (Update: Click here for a report on her “Japan Reconnaissance” wrap-up.) Chronological excerpts follow below. First, from Day 7, this one explains why she goes there: Read more »
