OSU Today

Mapping destruction — A conversation with Jamon Van Den Hoek of Conflict Ecology (Middle East Research and Information Project)

Satellite imagery has become central to documenting destruction in contemporary wars. For MER’s winter issue on reconstruction, editor Deen Sharp interviews Jamon Van Den Hoek, associate professor of geography at Oregon State University and director of Conflict Ecology: a research hub that uses satellite imagery and geospatial analysis to track land-use change, forced displacement and conflict damage across the globe.

Protecting the Earth, one American rancher at a time (The Story Exchange)

Now, Smith is a remote-study postdoctoral scholar at Oregon State University. And, as part of her current work, Smith monitors ranchers’ grazing management systems, researches expanding grizzly bear populations, and works with the Montana Drought & Climate Project and state climate officials to better prepare ranchers for what’s coming.

Point of no return: a hellish ‘hothouse Earth’ getting closer, scientists say (The Guardian)

Prof William Ripple, at Oregon State University, US, who led the analysis, said: “The Amoc is already showing signs of weakening, and this could increase the risk of Amazon dieback. Carbon released by an Amazon dieback would further amplify global warming and interact with other feedback loops. We need to act quickly on our rapidly dwindling opportunities to prevent dangerous and unmanageable climate outcomes.” (see also Yale 360, Inside Climate News, Eos)

Researchers develop AI tool for accurate, rapid identification of pathogens in food samples (Food Safety Magazine)

Supported by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants, the project was conducted by researchers at Oregon State University, the University of California, Davis, and Florida State University. Their work was published in npj Science of Food.

OSU-Cascades offers free tax preparation services for qualifying individuals, families (KTVZ)

Oregon State University–Cascades said Monday it's hosting free tax preparation appointments for qualifying families and individuals through April 15.

Oregon State University professor says toxic masculinity can be measured (Think Out Loud)

In 2024, Oregon State University assistant professor of psychology Steven Sanders created a scale to measure toxic masculinity. Researchers say for masculine behavior to be deemed as “toxic,” it must be damaging to the person or people around them. But why should we study this? What impacts does it have in our society? Sanders joins us to answer these questions and more.

Oregon State University scientist helps shape UN High Seas treaty (Jefferson Public Radio)

Jane Lubchenco, a distinguished professor at Oregon State University and a world-renowned marine scientist, played a key role in shaping the science behind the agreement. Lubchenco is the senior author of the influential "MPA Guide," which outlines best practices for designing marine protected areas (MPAs). (see also Statesman Journal)

Meet the sheep ranching outfit raising wool for Team USA’s Olympic uniforms (Field Mag)

Today, Shaniko Wool Company comprises 10 family ranches across the western United States, producing roughly 600,000 pounds of wool per year from around 58,000 head of sheep. It’s also the leading source of RWS-certified American merino, all produced while aligning with the highest standards in animal welfare, land health and protection, and supply chain transparency. From supporting ecosystem restoration work in central Oregon to partnering with Oregon State University on a multi-year study to measure environmental impact, sustainability remains a foundational focus.

Oregon aquaculture faces ‘chicken and the egg’ dilemma (Capital Press)

“The biggest one is our lack of experience,” said Gil Sylvia, a retired marine resource economist at Oregon State University who has studied aquaculture. “It stuns me that with the diversity of agriculture in Oregon, you would not see more aquaculture.”

Will AI kill imaginary friends? (Zocalo)

Naomi R. Aguiar serves as the associate director of research at Oregon State University Ecampus. She is an expert in how children and adults think about and form relationships with AI chatbots, and the imaginary relationships children and adults create for themselves.

Study shows Skagway residents believe tourism’s benefits outweigh the negative effects, but many want the level to decrease (KHNS)

Oregon State University’s Todd Montgomery is conducting an international study of tourist destinations. He recently presented Skagway’s results.

Voters to decide OSU Extension 5-cent levy in May election (Register-Guard)

Lane County voters will decide whether to renew the local option levy that funds Oregon State University’s Lane County extension service in the upcoming May 19 election, after commissioners unanimously voted to refer the measure at their Feb. 3 meeting.

OSU researchers ask: What can we learn from the sound of melting glaciers? (Think Out Loud)

If a 10-billion-ton hunk of glacial ice falls into the Arctic Ocean and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Erin Pettit and researchers at Oregon State University were set to find out.

White shark pinged near Tillamook: What to know about Oregon’s shark season (Here is Oregon)

“As a community, we’re trying to step away from the sensationalized side of it, so we try to call them white sharks as opposed to great whites,” said Taylor Chapple, associate professor at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center and co-director of OSU’s Big Fish Lab. “The other thing I like to tell people is that it’s just sort of redundant because every shark is great.”

Oregon’s on track to break low snowpack records, but there’s still hope for snow (OPB News)

“This weekend, we might get some precipitation,” said Larry O’Neill, Oregon’s state climatologist and an associate professor at Oregon State University. “Within two weeks, there’s a chance that we’ll actually get quite a bit more snow.”

Remote cameras in Yellowstone capture cougars and wolves on the hunt. The footage reveals something important (Discover Wildlife)

According to new research published by scientists from Oregon State University, the cougars now avoid those areas where wolves make their kills and stay closer to trees they can climb as a means of escape if necessary.

Trump’s new wildland fire service is failing to ignite (Vox)

“I think there’s a lot of concern, but it’s based on uncertainty and a bit of fear,” said Christopher Dunn, a former wildland firefighter and now an assistant professor studying wildfire risk at Oregon State University. “It could come out to be very helpful to the workforce, helpful to our landscapes if it’s done right. It could also crash and burn.”

Oregon State University researchers develop a new material to help destroy cancer cells (KGW)

Researchers say nanotechnology and chemo-dynamic therapy could become a future alternative for cancer patients hoping to avoid treatment's often-severe side effects.

How Oregon is positioning itself as an AI hub (Portland Business Journal)

Oregon State University, especially, is taking an active role in the state’s AI efforts. Besides being a major player in the Innovation Corridor, programs include connecting AI with economic development and workforce training, including statewide collaborations like the Oregon AI K-12 Collaborative to share resources and best practices with educators. (for a PDF version, email [email protected])

Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey opens up on guiding the next generation at Oregon State (Pro Football Network)

Jade Carey is considered one of the most accomplished gymnasts to represent Oregon State University. After graduating from the program, the 25-year-old has returned to the Beavers in a new role as a student assistant coach.

Hemp and marijuana are the same species. So why all the different laws? (NPR)

Aside from the THC debate, Vining of Oregon State University says that easing rules on hemp has helped clear the way to study more uses for the plant, from its nutritious seeds to its fibers, which can be used in "hempcrete," a building material.

As agritourism grows locally, nationally, data grows as well (Pacific Northwest Ag Network)

“1.9 million U.S. farms were estimated to basically report and 1.5% reported themselves being engaged in some sort of agritourism and 6% of direct-to-consumer sales,” notes Audrey Comerford of Oregon State University Extension of agritourism oriented information gleaned from USDA's 2022 Census of Agriculture.

Cougars are learning to coexist with wolves in Yellowstone by changing their diet (Discover)

“In North America and worldwide, carnivore communities are undergoing major changes,” said study lead author Wesley Binder, a doctoral student at Oregon State University, in a press release. “Our research provides insight into how two apex predators compete, which informs recovery efforts.” (see also KLCC, National Parks Traveler, Environmental News Network)

We dive into Oregon State University’s Wave Research Lab (Tidal Flooding Talk)

Explore groundbreaking coastal resiliency research at Oregon State University's Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, led by Director Pedro Lomonaco.

Western states face ‘snow drought’ as snowpack hits record lows (NBC News)

“Washington, Oregon, California and many Western states had their warmest December ever on record, and so the torrential rains that we had with the atmospheric river and the flooding and damage from too much water — none of that stayed in the mountains,” said Philip Mote, a professor at Oregon State University’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.

Elusive carnivore, once thought to be extinct, spotted by remote trail cameras in California (CBS News)

Researchers at Oregon State University have collected new data about an elusive forest carnivore "renowned for its cuteness" that was nearly driven to extinction in the 20th century.

Remote cameras catch rare predator in California forest. There are only 500 left on the planet (BBC)

The animals are small, secretive and hard to spot. "There’s a lot we don’t know about this species, including information as basic as what forests do coastal martens still occupy, how many martens are there, and are these populations increasing,” says Sean Matthews from Oregon State University. (see also Popular Science, KATU, Earth)

Oregon, California coastal communities weigh offshore wind tradeoffs (OPB News)

“These community benefit agreements were starting to get integrated into potential policy action,” said Julia Bingham, a postdoctoral scholar at Oregon State University. “They were part of an option for developers to get bidding credits in offshore wind lease areas during the leasing process.”

Oregon to receive over $100 million in federal funds for statewide community projects (MSN)

Some of the projects getting funding include more than $7.5 million divided between Oregon State University and the University of Oregon for semiconductor research and training, and more than $1 million to the Sweet Home Fire District for wildfire prevention and mitigation.

Why Earth’s melting glaciers matter more than we think (PBS News)

Horizons moderator William Brangham explores the fate of ice on Earth with science correspondent Miles O’Brien and glaciologist Erin Pettit (around the 14 minute mark)

‘Savior’ or ‘criminal’: Divided Pacific Northwest reflects on Trump’s first year back (KLCC)

Feeling threatened, regardless of how potent the danger is, has powerful effects on human behavior, said social psychologist Christopher Wolsko, an associate professor at Oregon State University Cascades in Bend. “One of my big areas of research has been the psychology of stereotyping and prejudice. If you look at prejudice, you never see longer-term intractable conflicts without symbolic threat,” he said.

These people went from hoarders to extreme minimalists. Here’s how (Wall Street Journal)

Regan A. R. Gurung, social psychologist and professor of Psychology at Oregon State University, attributes the decluttering revival to a need for control: “People are feeling battered,” he said. “Going minimalist means less to worry about.” (for a PDF email [email protected])

Update: Sidewalk & Cycle Track Closure Extended on Washington Way

The existing sidewalk and cycle track closure on the north side of Washington Way has been extended through Friday, Jan. 30.