Latest news from Iowa State University on Newswise en-us Copyright 2024 Newswise 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/iowa-state-leads-a-dream-project-to-catalog-livestock-dna-regulatory-regions/?sc=rsin /articles/iowa-state-leads-a-dream-project-to-catalog-livestock-dna-regulatory-regions/?sc=rsin Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:05:14 EST A new USDA-supported project based at Iowa State University will create an encyclopedia of livestock species' genetic regulatory regions, a DNA netherworld that could be useful in breeding for improved animal efficiency and health. Iowa State University /articles/pausing-biological-clock-could-boost-lab-produced-blood-stem-cells/?sc=rsin /articles/pausing-biological-clock-could-boost-lab-produced-blood-stem-cells/?sc=rsin Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:05:49 EST An Iowa State University research team has discovered when and why inflammatory signaling affects the formation of blood stem cells in embryos, which will benefit efforts to develop lab-grown, patient-derived stem cell transfusions to treat blood disorders. The promising advancement in regenerative medicine could eliminate the need for bone marrow transplants. Iowa State University /articles/engineers-develop-general-high-speed-technology-to-model-understand-catalytic-reactions/?sc=rsin /articles/engineers-develop-general-high-speed-technology-to-model-understand-catalytic-reactions/?sc=rsin Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:05:53 EST A research team led by Iowa State's Qi An has developed artificial intelligence technology that could find ways to improve researchers' understanding of the chemical reactions involved in ammonia production and other complex chemical reactions. Iowa State University /articles/growing-losses-from-prrs-cost-pork-producers-1-2-billion-per-year-new-study-shows/?sc=rsin /articles/growing-losses-from-prrs-cost-pork-producers-1-2-billion-per-year-new-study-shows/?sc=rsin Mon, 29 Jul 2024 12:05:40 EST The economic impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome increased 80% between 2010 and 2020, costing the pork industry more than $1 billion per year in lost production, according to a new study. Researchers say improved biosecurity is essential to reversing the mounting losses. Iowa State University /articles/engineers-use-data-to-manage-grid-transformers-boosting-reliability-to-homes-farms/?sc=rsin /articles/engineers-use-data-to-manage-grid-transformers-boosting-reliability-to-homes-farms/?sc=rsin Mon, 29 Jul 2024 12:05:14 EST As we use electricity to power more and more -- everything from vehicles to lawn mowers -- it's getting harder for utilities to manage the distribution transformers that are in every neighborhood. Iowa State's Zhaoyu Wang is leading an effort to develop a system that will help utilities maintain the important links between the power grid and homes, farms and businesses. Iowa State University /articles/receptors-make-dairy-cows-a-prime-target-for-avian-influenza/?sc=rsin /articles/receptors-make-dairy-cows-a-prime-target-for-avian-influenza/?sc=rsin Mon, 15 Jul 2024 11:05:53 EST A new study by a broad team of researchers at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine helps explain why dairy cows infected by highly pathogenic avian influenza are shedding the virus in their milk. Their findings could help develop biosecurity measures aimed at slowing the spread of the illness. Iowa State University /articles/engineers-developing-atom-thick-material-for-efficient-ultrafast-light-based-electronics/?sc=rsin /articles/engineers-developing-atom-thick-material-for-efficient-ultrafast-light-based-electronics/?sc=rsin Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:05:42 EST Matthew Panthani and his research group are developing new materials that allow semiconductors to emit light. The resulting integrated photonic circuits could make computers, phones and other electronics faster and more energy efficient. The National Science Foundation is supporting the work with a $552,000 grant. Iowa State University /articles/iowa-state-and-private-architects-team-up-for-3d-printed-installation-at-public-library/?sc=rsin /articles/iowa-state-and-private-architects-team-up-for-3d-printed-installation-at-public-library/?sc=rsin Thu, 20 Jun 2024 12:05:47 EST An innovative collaboration merges Iowa State University's research and 3D-printing facilities with a private design firm's digital tools and vision to create an outdoor seating space to be installed this summer at the new Rudd Public Library. The old Rudd library was destroyed by a tornado in December 2021. Iowa State University /articles/iowa-state-students-crisscross-tornado-alley-chasing-storms-sharing-data-learning-lessons/?sc=rsin /articles/iowa-state-students-crisscross-tornado-alley-chasing-storms-sharing-data-learning-lessons/?sc=rsin Tue, 11 Jun 2024 17:05:38 EST A new course this spring, "Field Observations of Thunderstorms," took 13 Iowa State students and their three instructors across "Tornado Alley" for eight days. They found storms, collected data and shared information with national forecasters. It all could have been straight out of the 1996 movie "Twister" or this summer's sequel, "Twisters." Iowa State University /articles/scientists-identify-gene-that-could-lead-to-resilient-pixie-corn/?sc=rsin /articles/scientists-identify-gene-that-could-lead-to-resilient-pixie-corn/?sc=rsin Tue, 28 May 2024 17:05:24 EST A widely found gene in plants has been newly identified as a key transporter of a hormone that influences the size of corn. The discovery offers plant breeders a new tool to develop desirable dwarf varieties that could enhance the crop's resilience and profitability. Iowa State University /articles/exercise-benefits-the-brain-but-improving-its-blood-vessels-may-take-longer/?sc=rsin /articles/exercise-benefits-the-brain-but-improving-its-blood-vessels-may-take-longer/?sc=rsin Tue, 14 May 2024 16:05:34 EST Results from an Iowa State University pilot study indicate three months of exercise benefits vascular health, but improving brain blood flow may require more time. Iowa State University /articles/researchers-win-ai-grant-to-develop-tool-to-help-farmers-identify-pests-protect-crops/?sc=rsin /articles/researchers-win-ai-grant-to-develop-tool-to-help-farmers-identify-pests-protect-crops/?sc=rsin Mon, 06 May 2024 13:05:53 EST A team led by Iowa State researchers is one of the first recipients of advanced computing support from the new National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot. The team will use one million "node hours" on a supercomputer to develop large, vision-based artificial intelligence tools to identify agricultural pests. Iowa State University /articles/iowa-state-researchers-identify-genes-linked-to-rice-resiliency/?sc=rsin /articles/iowa-state-researchers-identify-genes-linked-to-rice-resiliency/?sc=rsin Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:05:59 EST Researchers at Iowa State University have identified two genes that can help rice defend itself against diseases, including the devastating fungal blast pathogen that regularly causes significant losses of rice production worldwide. Iowa State University /articles/new-cybersecurity-center-to-protect-grids-integrated-with-renewables-microgrids/?sc=rsin /articles/new-cybersecurity-center-to-protect-grids-integrated-with-renewables-microgrids/?sc=rsin Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:05:16 EST The U.S. Department of Energy is awarding researchers a $2.5 million grant to establish a cybersecurity center based at Iowa State University. The center will develop technology to protect power grids from cyberattacks and strengthen the grid industry's security workforce. Iowa State University /articles/ai-is-giving-boost-to-crop-improvement-research/?sc=rsin /articles/ai-is-giving-boost-to-crop-improvement-research/?sc=rsin Thu, 11 Apr 2024 17:05:50 EST AI provides a new lens to bridge science and practice in crop breeding research, said Iowa State University agronomy professor Jianming Yu, one of the world's top-ranked scientists in the fields of quantitative genetics and plant breeding. Iowa State University /articles/engineers-making-a-better-more-profitable-grid-for-distributing-solar-power/?sc=rsin /articles/engineers-making-a-better-more-profitable-grid-for-distributing-solar-power/?sc=rsin Wed, 10 Apr 2024 11:05:55 EST Solar and wind power plants are unpredictable sources of electricity. That makes integrating them to the power grid a challenge for grid operators. With the help of a U.S. Department of Energy grant, Iowa State engineers are working to create a modern grid that's smart and flexible enough to efficiently distribute renewables. Iowa State University /articles/up-and-away-with-the-iowa-state-university-high-altitude-balloon-course/?sc=rsin /articles/up-and-away-with-the-iowa-state-university-high-altitude-balloon-course/?sc=rsin Thu, 04 Apr 2024 09:05:54 EST The High Altitude Balloon Experiments in Technology course at Iowa State University conducts balloon launches each semester to gather data at the highest reaches of Earth's atmosphere. Iowa State University /articles/first-of-its-kind-super-minigene-to-boost-spinal-muscular-atrophy-research/?sc=rsin /articles/first-of-its-kind-super-minigene-to-boost-spinal-muscular-atrophy-research/?sc=rsin Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:05:03 EST An Iowa State University research team built a shortened form of the gene that causes a deadly childhood disease, which will make searching for potential treatments quicker and more effective. It's the first-ever super minigene, a concept that could be used to make easier-to-study versions of genes linked to other illnesses. Iowa State University /articles/follow-the-little-blue-plow-iowa-state-engineers-help-snowplow-drivers-stay-on-the-road/?sc=rsin /articles/follow-the-little-blue-plow-iowa-state-engineers-help-snowplow-drivers-stay-on-the-road/?sc=rsin Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:05:11 EST The Iowa Department of Transportation is supporting Iowa State engineers as they work to develop, test and prove the concept of a snowplow navigation system. The system is designed to help snowplow drivers maintain their position in a lane. A second phase of the project will help snowplow drivers avoid collisions with snow-covered cars or debris in the roadway. Iowa State University /articles/lab-grown-liver-organoid-to-speed-up-turtle-research-making-useful-traits-easier-to-harness/?sc=rsin /articles/lab-grown-liver-organoid-to-speed-up-turtle-research-making-useful-traits-easier-to-harness/?sc=rsin Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:05:37 EST A team of Iowa State University researchers developed protocols for growing organoids that mimic a turtle liver, the first organoids developed for a turtle and only the second for any reptile. The discovery will aid deeper study of turtle genetics, including the cause of traits with potential medical applications for humans such as the ability to survive weeks without oxygen. Iowa State University