Research – The Daily Evergreen

Researchers examine eco-friendly mulch

CHERYL AARNIO, Evergreen reporter

October 24, 2019

WSU horticulture researchers compared soil-biodegradable plastic mulch with nonbiodegradable plastic mulch and found comparable yields for both mulches. This means farmers who presently use nonbiodegradable plastic mulch may one day have an affordable alternative to fighting weeds in their field. Mulching...

WSU professor studies gender inclusivity in housing

MAE BEUTHEL, Evergreen reporter

October 22, 2019

A WSU professor developed a study to determine the role gender inclusivity plays in the development of youth. Traci Gillig, assistant professor of communication, works with Leila Bighash, assistant professor of communication at the University of Arizona, on a study where they get direct feedback from...

‘The honeybee stands apart. It’s different’

ANGELICA RELENTE, Evergreen reporter

October 15, 2019

A row of styrofoam and wood containers rest on a field near East Main Street on the way to Moscow. Each container houses a cluster of bees huddling over the queen that is often marked with an identifying number on her back. WSU Apiary manager Rodrigo Guizar uses a smoker in one of the wood containers...

Barriers for Latino workers injured on the job studied

CAMERON SHEPPARD, Evergreen reporter

October 14, 2019

WSU researchers are examining the difficulties faced by Latino industrial and farm workers after suffering workplace injuries in Franklin County. Brian McNeill, WSU professor of counseling psychology, said the study will work with immigrant farm and industrial workers who have experienced workplace...

Marijuana legalization has no effect on crime

MAE BEUTHEL, Evergreen reporter

October 14, 2019

WSU researchers discovered major crimes rates have not increased since the legalization of marijuana. Dale Willits, WSU assistant professor of criminal justice and criminology, said the research was done to find if there is a connection between crime and the legalization of recreational use of marijuana...

Coffee grounds could create a stronger type of plastic

MADYSEN MCLAIN, Evergreen reporter

October 8, 2019

WSU research shows that coffee grounds, usually viewed as a waste product, can be used to form a new, stronger type of plastic. Poly‑lactic acid (PLA), derived from corn starch, is used in medical supplies and for 3D printing, said Yu-Chung Chang, research lead and Ph.D. candidate in material engineering. On...

WSU research contributes to sustainable fuel

LOREN NEGRON, Evergreen reporter

October 2, 2019

WSU research is being used to develop a biofuel refinery in Washington state that will convert forest residuals, like branches left after trees are harvested, into fuel. Chris Whitworth, director of project development for Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels, LLC (NWABF), said the facility will produce sustainable...

New spray to prevent frost damage for days

SHANEL HAYNES, Evergreen reporter

October 2, 2019

Professors at the WSU Tri-Cities campus are developing a biorenewable spray that prevents frost damage on crops for about 72 hours. Qin Zhang, professor and director of the WSU Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, said the project aims to reduce frost damage affecting crops during...

Researchers increase shelf life of macaroni and cheese

LOREN NEGRON, Evergreen reporter

September 29, 2019

WSU researchers increased the shelf life of macaroni and cheese to three years by using sterilization and coating technologies. Shyam Sablani, Biological Systems Engineering associate professor and director of the project, said the project began in 2016. Five graduate students are working on this...

Grizzly bear genes change expression in hibernation

CHERYL AARNIO, Evergreen reporter

September 25, 2019

WSU researchers have found that grizzly bear’s genes change more than genes in other animals during hibernation. These findings may lead to better treatments for diabetes and muscle atrophy in humans. Heiko Jansen, professor in integrative physiology and neuroscience, said thousands of genes are...

Researchers study Alzheimer’s, dementia among Native Americans

JAKOB THORINGTON, Evergreen reporter

September 17, 2019

A group from WSU Health Sciences are working to find out risks and protective measures for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia among Native American populations, who have largely been underrepresented in health research. Native American populations in the U.S. are among the groups most at risk of developing...

Local hospital hopes to install residency program

BENJAMIN WHITE, Evergreen reporter

September 17, 2019

Pullman Regional Hospital is pursuing a residency program to help train postgraduate medical students. The hospital held its 2019 Health Innovation Summit at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to inform community members about the residency program and other areas the hospital and its partners have been working in. “I...