It’s estimated that by 2050, the global population could reach 9 billion. With limited natural resources, feeding, clothing and providing materials to support that many people will be challenging. In Federica Brandizzi’s lab at Michigan State University, she and her colleagues are finding ways to make plants part of the solution. “A way to sustain …
Michigan State University scientists, from their labs on campus to the fields of farmers in Michigan and beyond, are creating a roadmap to feed the world. It’s not without challenges. The obstacles include climate change, shrinking land suitable for growing crops and an unrelenting demand for food to fortify a booming population that is expected …
Dispatching drones equipped with remote sensing technology in the air and taking smartphone images on the ground, a Michigan State University researcher is helping farmers more quickly predict and quantify tar spot, a disease found in maize crops. “The fungus that causes tar spot likes cool temperatures and wet leaves,” said Addie Thompson, assistant professor …
Dairy cows often appear as slow, docile animals, but under the surface lies a highly tuned, milk-producing machine. “Compared to human athletes, dairy cows burn as much energy as a marathon runner,” said Dr. Barry Bradford, Dairy Management and Nutrition professor at Michigan State University’s (MSU) Department of Animal Science. Bradford’s research is focused on …
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of manufactured chemicals used in various industrial and consumer applications for over 60 years. They are often used in products such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpeting, and firefighting foam. PFAS are extremely persistent in the environment, meaning they do not break down easily, leading to them being …
Spectroscopy is a broad field that studies the interaction of electromagnetic radiation and matter and is used across numerous disciplines, including chemistry, physics, biology, and astronomy. “We use electromagnetic radiation, which could be visible light that we are all used to experiencing when we go outside and see the world before us. It could be …
Biometrics, or the recognition of individuals by means of unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, have been used in law enforcement for over 100 years. “The whole idea of biometric recognition is to use your body characteristics, either fingerprint, face, voice or the iris of the eye, to define your identity,” said Anil Jain, University …
Selling plasma each week did not seem like the best way for college students to earn extra cash, at least according to Adam Green, founder and now Chief Executive Office of UniServices. Green started UniServices in September 2021 to help MSU students make money by taking jobs from people in the community and getting paid …
A cancer diagnosis can be devastating news. The National Cancer Institute estimated that roughly 1.9 million Americans were diagnosed in 2022 alone. While treatment options exist for many types of cancer, these treatments often have several undesirable side effects. Likewise, there are numerous types of cancers for which no known treatment currently exists. Indapta Therapeutics …
Researchers are designing tiny, versatile particles to help doctors better detect and treat the world’s leading cause of death. MSUToday’s “Ask the Expert” articles provide information and insights from MSU scientists, researchers and scholars about national and global issues, complex research and general-interest subjects based on their areas of academic expertise and study. They may …
