biological sciences

Jun 7, 2023

New Dino, ‘Iani,’ Was Face of a Changing Planet

A newly discovered plant-eating dinosaur may have been a species’ “last gasp.” 

May 17, 2023

Contact Lenses Contain Dangerous Levels of Cancer-Causing Chemicals: Study

MSN
Researchers from a number of American universities including North Carolina State University tested 18 different pairs of soft contact lenses to see if they contained PFAS. At least half were daily lenses. 

May 17, 2023

Cancer-Causing ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Many Kinds of Contact Lenses, Study Finds

People
“You could consider [the lenses] almost pure PFAS,” Scott Belcher, a North Carolina State University researcher and scientific adviser of the lab testing, told The Guardian. 

May 9, 2023

Many Soft Contact Lenses in U.S. Made Up of PFAS, Research Suggests

The Guardian
“You could consider [the lenses] almost pure PFAS,” said Scott Belcher, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and scientific adviser on the contact lens testing. 

Apr 28, 2023

How Are Dino Tissues Preserved in Deep Time?

A study by Landon Anderson, a doctoral candidate in molecular paleontology, suggests that two hypotheses for ancient soft tissue preservation are often one and the same. 

Apr 26, 2023

Miles Engell Receives 2023 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

Miles Engell, a teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, received the 2023 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. 

Apr 24, 2023

Meet DELTA Faculty Fellow Miriam Ferzli

DELTA Faculty Fellow Miriam Ferzli provides opportunities for students to develop a sense of ownership regarding their education. 

Apr 24, 2023

Healthy Humans Have Shockingly Different Digestive Systems

Earth.com
Amanda Hale, co-first author of the study and a Ph.D. candidate at North Carolina State University, explained: “There was research more than a century ago that found variability in the relative lengths of human intestines, but this area has largely been ignored since then. When we began exploring this issue, we were astonished at the extent of the variability we found.” 

Apr 24, 2023

Women’s Small Intestines Are 30 Centimetres Longer Than Men’s

New Scientist
Women’s small intestines are longer than men’s, with this added length probably helping them to better absorb fat and other nutrients if needed for pregnancy and breastfeeding. “The small intestine is all about absorption, absorption, absorption,” says Amanda Hale, a graduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences. 

Mar 27, 2023

New Play by Two-Time Theatre Award Winner Gaven Bell Opens March 30

Biological sciences major Gaven Bell is the first student to have her second play produced through University Theatre’s Wright Way program.