Midwest researchers want to take some of the greenhouse gas emissions out of crop fertilizer. Research teams from Iowa State University and Wichita State University in Kansas are teaming up to develop a system that captures waste nitrogen and carbon dioxide to produce a green fertilizer that reduces emissions of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The system’s big goal, according to a research summary, “is to promote N2O (nitrous oxide)- and CO2 (carbon dioxide)-relieved nitrogen fertilizers with economic resilience and environmental consciousness as an innovative way to mitigate the challenges posed upon climate change-threatened Midwest farming and ranching communities.” The National Science Foundation is supporting the project with a five-year, $4 million grant, with half going to Iowa […] Read Moreabout Iowa State Researchers building green fertilizer system to reuse wastes, cut greenhouse gas emissions
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Zebrafish are a scientist’s favorite for early-stage research – especially to study human blood disorders
Scientists have relied on animal models as an alternative to testing on human tissues and cells for decades. But not just any organism can adequately model how human cells behave. Researchers take into account how quickly the organism can mature, how many offspring it can produce and how often it can reproduce. When studying genetics and developmental biology, one of the most important qualities to consider is how similar the model organism’s genes are to human genes. Although humans and fish certainly look very different, the zebrafish has proved to be an excellent model organism for scientists studying hematopoiesis, or the development of blood cells. In the Espín Lab at Iowa State University, assistant professor of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Raquel Espín-Palazón and […] Read Moreabout Zebrafish are a scientist’s favorite for early-stage research – especially to study human blood disorders
Tuteja and Wu to Serve in New Collaboration and Mentorship Roles
The Office of the Vice President for Research has appointed two faculty members to part-time Research Faculty Fellow positions. Supported through Iowa State’s Strategic Plan success funding initiatives, these positions are intended to: Build research capacity/infrastructure; Help faculty gain competitive advantages in their pursuit of new funding and/or large grant opportunities, particularly in key areas of strength within the university; and Support diversifying faculty members’ funding portfolios and/or growing their research enterprises. Geetu Tuteja, associate professor and LAS Dean’s Professor in Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, was chosen to serve the Research Faculty Fellow position centered on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and related private foundations. Yue Wu, professor and Herbert L. Stiles Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, […] Read Moreabout Tuteja and Wu to Serve in New Collaboration and Mentorship Roles
Researchers find little evidence of cheating with online, unsupervised exams
When Iowa State University switched from in-person to remote learning halfway through the spring semester of 2020, psychology professor Jason Chan was worried. Would unsupervised, online exams unleash rampant cheating? His initial reaction flipped to surprise as test results rolled in. Individual student scores were slightly higher but consistent with their results from in-person, proctored exams. Those receiving B’s before the COVID-19 lockdown were still pulling in B’s when the tests were online and unsupervised. This pattern held true for students up and down the grading scale. “The fact that the student rankings stayed mostly the same regardless of whether they were taking in-person or online exams indicated that cheating was either not prevalent or that it was ineffective at significantly boosting […] Read Moreabout Researchers find little evidence of cheating with online, unsupervised exams
ISU researchers part of nationwide project to make sweet corn even better
It’s hard to beat fresh sweet corn in the summer. Or is it? Two Iowa State University faculty are part of a major federal research project aimed at boosting sweet corn quality, using the same innovative genetic tools that have led to advancements in field corn. “A lot of resources have gone into breeding field corn. But there has been far less effort in sweet corn,” said Thomas Lübberstedt, K.J. Frey Chair in Agronomy. While sweet corn – fresh on the cob, frozen or canned – is one of the most popular vegetables among U.S. consumers, there are economic reasons why research has flowed to field corn used for livestock feed, food processing and manufacturing. The $800 million of sweet […] Read Moreabout ISU researchers part of nationwide project to make sweet corn even better
Just in time for back-to-school shopping: How retailers can alter customer behavior to encourage more sustainable returns
Back-to-school sales are underway, and people across the country will be shopping online to fill up backpacks, lockers and closets – and they’ll be taking advantage of free returns. Making it easy for customers to return items at no cost started as a retail strategy to entice more people to shop online. But it’s getting expensive, for both retailers and the planet. In 2022, retail returns added up to more than US$800 billion in lost sales. The transportation, labor, and logistics involved raised retailers’ costs even higher. Product returns also increase pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and waste in landfills, where many returned products now end up. So how can retailers fix this problem and still provide quality customer service? Iowa State University postdoctoral researcher in […] Read Moreabout Just in time for back-to-school shopping: How retailers can alter customer behavior to encourage more sustainable returns
Empty office spaces can be converted to residential buildings – but it won’t be affordable
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more companies have offered remote work options for their employees, or have even switched to working entirely remotely – leaving empty office buildings a new fixture in many cities. In July 2023, Boston’s Planning and Development Agency announced a pilot program to offer incentives to building developers who convert office buildings to residential housing. As engineers who study buildings, Iowa State University professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Jenny Baker and assistant professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Leah Mo wanted to know if these empty spaces could be converted to residential buildings, and what hurdles developers would face. While converting office buildings to multi-family residential involves many considerations – including zoning codes, real estate values and structural issues – certain buildings […] Read Moreabout Empty office spaces can be converted to residential buildings – but it won’t be affordable
Iowa State receives record $301.3 million in external research funding in FY2023
Iowa State University established a new record for external sponsored research funding during the 2023 fiscal year that closed on June 30, 2023. The $301.3 million received represents the first time the institution has exceeded $300 million in external research funding, and is an increase of $17.1 million or 6%, compared to the previous record of $284.2 million set in the 2022 fiscal year. The new record was made possible by Iowa State achieving new benchmarks in both federal and non-federal research funding. The university received $206.9 million in federal research funding in FY23, a 4.4% increase or $8.7 million compared to FY22’s record of $198.2 million. Meanwhile, non-federal research funding came in at $94.4 million, topping the previous record […] Read Moreabout Iowa State receives record $301.3 million in external research funding in FY2023
Iowa State University Named Entrepreneurial University of the Year
Iowa State University continues to build its global reputation for excellence in entrepreneurship. Iowa State was awarded Entrepreneurial University of the Year for the Americas — a 33-country region — in an international competition in Barcelona, Spain. The award ceremony was held on June 27. The award, presented by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities, recognizes excellence in incorporating entrepreneurial initiatives throughout the university and prioritizing entrepreneurship and engagement in higher education. “This award recognizes our approach to incorporate entrepreneurial initiatives throughout the university and foster an innovative mindset in our students, faculty and staff,” said Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen. “We’ve created a culture of entrepreneurship, thanks in great part to the generosity of donors and supporters, […] Read Moreabout Iowa State University Named Entrepreneurial University of the Year
Iowa State University, EPA Region 7, and University of Iowa Announce Anaerobic Digestion on the Farm Conference
Iowa State University, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and the University of Iowa have announced an upcoming conference: Anaerobic Digestion on the Farm: Optimizing Environmental and Economic Outcomes for Rural Communities and Beyond. The conference will be Nov. 6-8, 2023, at the Scheman Building at the Iowa State Center in Ames, Iowa. Anaerobic digestion is the natural process in which microorganisms break down organic materials. “Anaerobic digestion offers many environmental and economic benefits,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “This conference will bring together government, academic, and private-sector experts, stakeholders, and interested parties to advance understanding of anaerobic digestion and policy implementation.” “Anaerobic digestion is a proven technology that can create energy value on farms while […] Read Moreabout Iowa State University, EPA Region 7, and University of Iowa Announce Anaerobic Digestion on the Farm Conference
