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April - 2021

April - 2021
	Research suggests eucalyptus trees can be genetically modified not to invade native ecosystems	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Eucalyptus, a pest-resistant evergreen valued for its hardy lumber and wellness-promoting oil, can be genetically modified not to reproduce sexually, a key step toward preventing the global tree plantation staple from invading native ecosystems.
	Vitamin C facts and fiction: topic of next Oregon State Science Pub talk	Vitamin C facts and fiction will be the topic of the April 12 Oregon State University Science Pub.
	As lumber prices skyrocket, Oregon State professor develops method to predict future price changes	At a time when lumber prices are skyrocketing, an Oregon State University researcher has developed a new way to predict the future price of logs that uses readily accessible economic information.
	Former Oregon State football player to speak about combating bullying	Esera Tuaolo, a former Oregon State University football player who played nine seasons in the NFL, will give a virtual talk April 21 about combating bullying as part of a series of talks featuring OSU alumni leading efforts to achieve justice, equity and community safety and strength.
	Deep dive into key COVID-19 protein is a step toward new drugs, vaccines	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Researchers in the Oregon State University College of Science have taken a key step toward new drugs and vaccines for combating COVID-19 with a deep dive into one protein’s role in interacting with SARS-CoV-2 genetic material.
	Oregon State Board of Trustees outline process to name interim president	The Oregon State University Board of Trustees on Friday discussed a process and timeline to appoint an interim university president during the week of April 12.
	Oregon State Board of Trustees approves tuition and fees for 2021-22 school year	The Oregon State University Board of Trustees on Friday approved tuition rates and fees for the 2021-22 school year, including a 2.5% increase for returning undergraduate students and a 4% increase for new undergraduate students enrolling at the university.
	Fall in love with colorful, dazzling dahlias	Pompoms, collarettes, mignons, waterlilies: The names are as colorful as the blooms they describe.
	Sixth TRACE-COVID-19 survey in Corvallis estimates 13 people in 1,000 had virus	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s sixth round of door-to-door sampling throughout Corvallis by TRACE-COVID-19 field workers on March 13 and 14 suggested 13 people per 1,000 in the community carried the novel coronavirus on those days.
	Oregon State University Food Drive surpasses last year’s totals	The university to beat last year’s total by 74,783 meals
	OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center to host virtual Marine Science Day April 10	Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center will host its annual Marine Science Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10.

March - 2021

March - 2021
	Oregon State introduces the nation’s fifth chapter of an agricultural science LGBTQ+ club	The Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences has launched the fifth chapter in the nation, and the first west of the Mississippi River, of a club for agriculture community members identifying as LGTBQ+ and their allies.
	Sounds like home: Murrelets choose breeding locations by eavesdropping on other murrelets	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University researchers broadcast marbled murrelet calls in mature forests and found that the threatened seabirds’ choice of breeding locations is strongly influenced by whether they hear other murrelets in the area.
	No room for vegetables? Pot up your plants	There are some dwarf and miniature varieties of vegetables, such as Thumbelina carrots or other baby vegetables that work particularly well in small confines.
	‘Trees to Know in Oregon and Washington’ turns 70 with new edition	The new 173-page edition describes more than 125 trees, each illustrated with several color photos.
	OSU Board of Trustees and Committees to meet April 1-2	The Oregon State University Board of Trustees will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 2, 2021, to consider tuition rates, mandatory fees and student incidental fees for the 2021-22 academic year.
	OSU’s Lubchenco joins White House to lead climate and environment initiatives	Oregon State University Distinguished Professor Jane Lubchenco will lead climate and environmental science efforts in the White House as the new deputy director of climate and environment in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
	Warm water has overlooked importance for cold-water fish, like salmon and trout, study finds	Warm river habitats appear to play a larger than expected role supporting the survival of cold-water fish, such as salmon and trout, a new Oregon State University-led study published today found.
	New insights into close encounters between albatross and fishing vessels could reduce bycatch risk	A novel analysis of encounters between albatross and commercial fishing vessels across the North Pacific Ocean is giving researchers important new understanding about seabird-vessel interactions that could help reduce harmful encounters.
	Want a longer, healthier life? Resolve your arguments by day’s end, OSU study says	A recent Oregon State University study found that when people feel they have resolved an argument, the emotional response associated with that disagreement is significantly reduced and, in some situations, almost entirely erased.
	Statement regarding the resignation of OSU President F. King Alexander from Board of Trustees Chair Rani Borkar	Statement from OSU Board of Trustees Chair Rani Borkar.
	More than 19,400 vaccinated so far at Samaritan, Benton County COVID-19 clinics at Reser Stadium	Smiles and laughter are common sights during weekly COVID-19 vaccine clinics taking place at Reser Stadium
	Oregon State University given gold designation for sustainability for 10th time	Oregon State University continues to lead in sustainability efforts among university campuses
	OSU Board of Trustees to meet March 23	The Oregon State University Board of Trustees will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2021.
	OSU Board of Trustees’ Executive & Audit Committee to meet March 24	The Oregon State University Board of Trustees announced today that the board’s Executive & Audit Committee will meet from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 24. The committee will discuss a proposed course of action the board will take related to a motion adopted by trustees on March 17 related to President F. King Alexander’s OSU leadership; the Louisiana State University Husch Blackwell report; and OSU Title IX reporting and survivor services. The committee also will discuss next steps to respond to feedback and questions the board has received from the OSU Faculty Senate related to this matter.
	Oregon State University to observe Holocaust Memorial Week, April 5-8	Oregon State University’s 34th annual observance of Holocaust Memorial Week next month will feature a talk by speaker and author Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a Holocaust survivor who spent nearly four years of her childhood in concentration camps.
	Ibram X. Kendi to give virtual lecture April 14 at Oregon State University	Ibram X. Kendi, a National Book Award winner, historian and leading antiracist voice in America, will give a virtual talk April 14 as part of Oregon State University’s Provost’s Lecture Series.
	Cells burn more calories after just one bout of moderate aerobic exercise, OSU study finds	In a recent study testing the effects of exercise on overall metabolism, researchers at Oregon State University found that even a single session of moderate aerobic exercise makes a difference in the cells of otherwise sedentary people.
	Statement from OSU President F. King Alexander	Oregon State University President F. King Alexander provides this recorded video message following action Wednesday by the OSU Board of Trustees regarding his performance as the university’s president, Title IX matters related to Oregon State University, and the Husch Blackwell report regarding his leadership of Title IX at Louisiana State University.
	Statement regarding OSU President F. King Alexander from Board of Trustees Chair Rani Borkar	Oregon State University provides the following message from OSU Board of Trustees Chair Rani Borkar regarding the performance of President F. King Alexander as OSU’s president, Title IX matters related to Oregon State University, and the Husch Blackwell report regarding his leadership of Title IX at Louisiana State University.
	Endangered red wolf from Washington zoo receives novel operation at OSU veterinary hospital	Specialists at Oregon State University’s veterinary hospital operated Tuesday on a rare red wolf from the breeding program at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Washington.
	OSU Board of Trustees to meet March 17	The chair of the Oregon State University Board of Trustees announced today that the board will meet from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 17 to hear public comment, and in public session with OSU President F. King Alexander, review and discuss the findings and recommendations of the Husch Blackwell report as it regards his leadership at LSU over Title IX, his handling of sexual misconduct and subsequent information regarding sexual misconduct that has been shared.
	Researchers study public comments on orca conservation to aid future protection efforts	Oregon State University researchers analyzed more than 17,000 public comments focused on orca conservation in the state of Washington and found that the most common emotional sentiments were trust, anticipation and fear.
	With spring break approaching, Oregon State ramps up COVID-19 testing	As spring break approaches, Oregon State University is increasing COVID-19 testing and encouraging students and employees to stay close to home.
	Adding compost improves soil’s texture and adds nutrients	The best soil amendment is partially broken-down organic material, better known as compost
	OSU to host virtual gerontology conference	Geriatric experts from around the country will present more than 30 educational sessions for health and human service professionals and the public.
	OSU panel to discuss vaccine dissemination March 17	As COVID-19 vaccines become more widely available, Oregon State University experts will hold a panel discussion about the cultural, philosophical, community, policy and strategic aspects of vaccine dissemination.
	Webinar series launches to prepare Oregonians for wildfire season	The “Wildfire Wednesdays” webinar series launches March 17 with a noon-1 p.m. presentation by Extension’s Forestry and Natural Resources Program’s Fire Program team. Webinars are scheduled for March 31, April 14, April 28, May 19, June 2 and June 16.
	OSU Authors and Editors Series holds events March 15 and 17 to celebrate faculty publications	Oregon State University’s annual Authors and Editors Series is holding two virtual events this month to celebrate literary and scholarly works published by OSU faculty in 2020.
	Asian giant hornet still far from Oregon	The invasive hornet is a concern and residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for the hornet and report possible sightings.
	Six months after historic wildfires, Oregon State scientists probe aftermath for insights	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon wildfires threatened multiple cities in summer 2020, destroyed more than 4,000 homes, filled the air with smoke for days and burned more than 1 million acres, the second highest one-year total in state history.
	Eastern Oregon forest restoration efforts hampered by diameter limits on tree cutting	CORVALLIS, Ore. – A quarter-century-old harvesting restriction intended to last one year has served as an obstacle to returning eastern Oregon national forests to the healthier, more fire-resilient conditions they embodied in the late 1800s, research by the Oregon State University College of Forestry shows.
	Sixth round of Corvallis TRACE-COVID-19 sampling set for March 13 and 14	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University will conduct its sixth round of TRACE-COVID-19 door-to-door sampling throughout Corvallis the weekend of March 13 and 14 for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
	Offer robins what they need and they’ll stick around	Oregon State University Extension Service wildlife experts encourage Oregonians to learn more about these underappreciated native birds.
	Oregon State plans for predominantly in-person instruction this fall	Oregon State University President F. King Alexander announced Wednesday that planning for a more traditional fall term is underway within OSU, anticipating predominantly in-person instruction and on-site university services and programs statewide.
	Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues OSU license for wave energy testing facility	The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued Oregon State University a license to build and operate the nation’s first pre-permitted wave energy testing facility, culminating an unprecedented regulatory process that spanned nearly 10 years.
	OSU biochemistry/biophysics student wins Science Magazine’s Dance Your Ph.D. contest	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Heather Masson-Forsythe, a fifth-year graduate student in the Oregon State University College of Science, is a winner in the 13^th annual Dance Your Ph.D. contest organized by Science Magazine.
	OSU Theatre presents original anthology ‘Ten Minutes at the Townsend’ March 19	Oregon State University Theatre will present “Ten Minutes at the Townsend,” an anthology of student plays set in a small-town diner, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 19.
	OSU researcher leads NOAA-funded project to study West Coast response to ocean acidification	An Oregon State University researcher is part of a new federally supported project investigating how communities along the West Coast are adapting to ocean acidification, with the goal of determining what they need to be more resilient.
	Using a warmer tone in college syllabi makes students more likely to ask for help, OSU study finds	College course syllabi written in a warm, friendly tone are more likely to encourage students to reach out when they are struggling or need help, a new study from Oregon State University found.
	On calm days, sunlight warms the ocean surface and drives turbulence, study finds	In tropical oceans, a combination of sunlight and weak winds drives up surface temperatures in the afternoon, increasing atmospheric turbulence, unprecedented new observational data collected by an Oregon State University researcher shows.
	Oregon State research shows how tissue’s microscopic geometry affects spread of cancer	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University research has revealed a crucial mechanism behind one of humankind’s most deadly physiological processes: the movement of malignant cells from one part of the body to another.

February - 2021

February - 2021
	Low-level thinning can help restore redwood forests without affecting stream temperatures	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Selectively cutting trees in riparian zones to aid forest restoration can be done without adversely affecting streams’ water temperature as long as the thinning isn’t too intensive, new research by Oregon State University shows.
	Artwork sought for Oregon State’s 38th annual Art About Agriculture competition and exhibition	Art About Agriculture, an annual exhibition of agriculture-themed artwork coordinated by Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is holding an open call for artists to participate in the 2021 exhibition.
	Science activism and environmental justice topics of Oregon State Science Pub talk	Science activism and the role it plays in aiding communities vulnerable to environmental risks will be the topic of the Oregon State University Science Pub on March 8.
	Like wine, environmental conditions impact flavor of whiskey, study finds	Flavor differences in whiskey can be discerned based solely on the environment in which the barley used to make the whiskey is grown, a new study co-authored by an Oregon State University researcher found.
	Scientists advance understanding of hop genome, which could aid brewers, medical researchers	Oregon State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers have significantly expanded the understanding of the hop genome, a development with important implications for the brewing industry and scientists who study the potential medical benefits of hops.
	Oregon State University alum had big hand in getting Perseverance to Mars	CORVALLIS, Ore. – William Allen’s trip to Oregon State University four decades ago as a prospective student helped set the stage for his role in another transformative visit this week: the arrival on Mars of NASA’s Perseverance rover.
	Electrical transmission lines have power to enhance habitat connectivity for wildlife	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Converting the ground under electrical transmission towers into spaces for wildlife can enable fragmented populations to connect with one another, increasing local biodiversity and providing animals around the globe an important tool for adapting to climate change, a new study found.
	Biological assessment of world’s rivers presents incomplete but bleak picture	An international team of scientists, including two from Oregon State University, conducted a biological assessment of the world’s rivers and the limited data they found presents a fairly bleak picture.
	Researchers demonstrate new method to track genetic diversity of salmon, trout	Scientists at Oregon State University and the U.S. Forest Service have demonstrated that DNA extracted from water samples from rivers across Oregon and Northern California can be used to estimate genetic diversity of Pacific salmon and trout.
	Federal lease allows Oregon State’s offshore wave energy testing facility to move ahead in 2021	An Oregon State University-led project to build the nation’s first pre-permitted wave energy testing facility cleared a critical hurdle this week as the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management awarded the university a lease to operate in federal waters about seven miles off the Oregon Coast.
	Julia Jones, Richard Settersten named OSU 2021 Distinguished Professor honorees	Oregon State University has named geography expert Julia Jones and human development expert Richard Settersten as its 2021 University Distinguished Professor recipients, the highest academic honor the university can bestow on a faculty member.
	Melanoma patients respond to immunotherapy after changes to gut microbiome	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Statistical modeling developed by Oregon State University researchers has confirmed that changes to melanoma patients’ gut microbiome led them to respond to a type of treatment capable of providing long-term benefit.
	With the right care, asparagus beds will produce for decades	Asparagus is a hardy perennial and should be planted as soon as the soil can be properly prepared in the spring.
	The songs of fin whales offer new avenue for seismic studies of the oceanic crust	The songs of fin whales can be used for seismic imaging of the oceanic crust, providing scientists a novel alternative to conventional surveying.
	Protected areas see continued deforestation but at a reduced rate, OSU research shows	CORVALLIS, Ore. – A survey of more than 18,000 land parcels spanning 2 million square miles across 63 countries shows that a “protected area” designation reduces the rate of deforestation but does not prevent it.
	Flooding in the Columbia River basin expected to increase under climate change, study finds	The Columbia River basin will see an increase in flooding over the next 50 years as a result of climate change, new modeling from Oregon State University indicates.
	Time-specific safety interventions needed to improve construction worker safety, OSU study finds	Workers in the construction industry are most likely to suffer traumatic injuries during the first four hours of their shift, and those who work evening or night shifts experience more severe injuries than their day-shift counterparts, a recent Oregon State University study found.
	Genetic markers show Pacific albacore intermingle across equator but remain separate stocks	NEWPORT, Ore. – Analyzing thousands of genetic markers in albacore tuna from the Pacific Ocean, researchers at Oregon State University have learned that just seven dozen of those markers are needed to determine which side of the equator a fish comes from.
	OSU’s TRACE Community COVID-19 sampling in Redmond suggests 32 cases per 1,000 residents	REDMOND, Ore. – Oregon State University COVID-19 sampling in Redmond on Jan. 29-31 by TRACE Community field workers suggested 32 people per 1,000 in the community carried the coronavirus on those days.
	Notes of discomfort: OSU study keys in on trends in marching band members’ workload strain	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Marching band members in leadership roles are more likely to feel discomfort in the neck and upper back than their less experienced bandmates, who in turn are more susceptible to left-hand pain and cognitive strain, a new study by Oregon State University suggests.
	OSU transportation strategy aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from commuting to Corvallis campus	Oregon State University is undertaking a sustainable transportation strategy for its Corvallis campus with the goal of reducing drive-alone trips to campus by students and employees by one-third by 2030.
	OSU releasing winter series of music, spoken word mini-concerts that call for action on extinction	Oregon State University is publishing 20 four-minute concerts that weave together music and the spoken word to celebrate the creatures that fill the air with sound — frogs, wolves, songbirds, growling grizzly bears — and inspire action to save them.
	New College of Education dean named at Oregon State	Susan Gardner, a higher education professor at the University of Maine with a strong focus on equity and inclusion in education throughout her career, has been named dean of Oregon State University’s College of Education. She will start Feb. 28.
	OSU College of Business offers free tax preparation services through IRS partnership	The Oregon State University College of Business Center for Advancing Financial Education is offering free tax preparation services to low- and middle-income individuals and families through a partnership with the IRS.
	OSU’s American Strings Webcast presents An Evening with Blues Artist Shemekia Copeland	The Oregon State University College of Liberal Arts presents a conversation and live remote performance with blues singer Shemekia Copeland at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
	OSU hosts ‘Contagion’ screenwriter Scott Z. Burns for virtual talk Feb. 18	The Oregon State University School of Writing, Literature and Film presents “Framing Catastrophe,” a conversation with American screenwriter, producer and director Scott Z. Burns at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18.
	New DNA-based technique allows researchers to determine age of living beluga whales in Alaska	Researchers can now determine the age and sex of living beluga whales in Alaska’s Cook Inlet thanks to a new DNA-based technique that uses information from small samples of skin tissue.
	OSU receives $50 million lead gift to complete Reser Stadium, enable year-round university programs	An anonymous donor has made a historic $50 million lead gift to transform Oregon State University’s Reser Stadium into a national best-in-class football facility with year-round programs and facilities for all OSU students, faculty and staff.
	Oregon State celebrates Black History Month with series of free events	Lectures and other events offered digitally
	OSU scientists taking deep dive into how microbiomes respond to human-caused stressors	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University scientists have received a $3 million National Science Foundation grant to study how communities of microorganisms respond to human-caused stress and how the responses relate to the health of the people, plants and animals that host the microbes.
	Sea ice kept oxygen from reaching deep ocean during last ice age, study finds	Extensive sea ice covered the world’s oceans during the last ice age, which prevented oxygen from penetrating into the deep ocean waters, complicating the relationship between oxygen and carbon, a new study has found.
	Oregon State University to hold virtual commencement ceremonies in Corvallis and Bend	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University announced today that June 2021 commencement ceremonies in Corvallis and at OSU-Cascades in Bend will be held virtually due to continued COVID-19 public health concerns and the anticipation that public health restrictions for large in-person events will continue into early summer.
	Finding rare birds is never a picnic, contrary to popular Patagonia belief	CORVALLIS, Ore. – One of birdwatching’s most commonly held and colorfully named beliefs, the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect, is more a fun myth than a true phenomenon, Oregon State University research suggests.
	Youth with autism see sharp decline in physical activity between ages 9-13, OSU study finds	A recent study from Oregon State University has found that to best help kids with autism maintain healthy rates of physical activity, interventions should be targeted during the ages of 9 to 13, as that’s when kids show the biggest drop in active time.

January - 2021

January - 2021
	Oregon State celebrates women in STEM with new film, other events	CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University will mark the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science this month with a two-day Celebration of Women in Engineering that includes a new documentary plus panel discussions – all of which are free, virtual and open to the public.
	Oregon State Board of Trustees approves construction of $70 million Arts and Education Complex	The Oregon State University Board of Trustees on Friday unanimously approved construction of a new $70 million Arts and Education Complex that will serve as a center for performing arts classes, programs and performances on the Corvallis campus.
	Free virtual Master Gardener education series open to the public	The classes include topics as far-ranging as Dazzling Dahlias to Adapting Your Garden and Landscape to Climate Change.
	OSU genetic sequencing detects mutant strains of COVID-19 in multiple Oregon locations	Genetic sequencing of COVID-19 samples done by Oregon State University’s Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing has detected multiple variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in samples from around the state, including the highly contagious U.K. strain in one sample from Bend, Oregon.
	Researchers ‘cautiously optimistic’ about desert bighorn sheep recovery in California’s Mojave Desert	Desert bighorn sheep in the Mojave National Preserve in California and surrounding areas appear to be more resilient than previously thought to a respiratory disease that killed dozens of them and sickened many more in 2013, a new study has found.
	The disconnect between science and policymaking focus of Oregon State Science Pub on Feb. 8	The reasons policymakers decline to take science into account when making decisions that affect the general population will be the topic of the Oregon State University Science Pub on Feb. 8.
	OSU smoke- and tobacco-free policies became more popular over time, even among tobacco users	Support for policies prohibiting smoking and the use of tobacco products on Oregon State University’s Corvallis campus grew substantially over a five-year span, especially among tobacco users, a recent OSU study found.
	OSU llevará el muestreo de Comunidad TRACE COVID-19 a Redmond este fin de semana	REDMOND, Ore. – El proyecto innovador de la Universidad Estatal de Oregón para determinar la prevalencia comunitaria del nuevo coronavirus se está expandiendo para incluir tres días de muestreo de la Comunidad TRACE esta semana en Redmond los días 29, 30 y 31 de enero.
	Oregon State receives grant to spur aquaculture investment in Oregon	Oregon State University has received a nearly $700,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide software tools for investors interested in starting aquaculture businesses in Oregon.
	Dr. Mae Jemison, first woman of color in space, to give virtual lecture at Oregon State	Dr. Mae C. Jemison – former NASA astronaut and the first woman of color to travel in space – will give a virtual talk Feb. 4 as part of Oregon State University’s Provost’s Lecture Series.
	Dogs synchronize their behavior with children, but not as much as with adults, study finds	Dogs synchronize their behavior with the children in their family, but not as much as they do with adults, a new study from Oregon State University researchers found.
	OSU to bring TRACE Community COVID-19 sampling to Redmond this weekend	REDMOND, Ore. – Oregon State University’s groundbreaking project to determine community prevalence of the novel coronavirus is expanding to include three days of TRACE Community sampling this week in Redmond on Jan. 29, 30 and 31.
	OSU earns four top-five rankings for online education from U.S. News & World Report	Oregon State University is ranked No. 4 and is among the nation’s top 10 providers of online undergraduate education for the seventh straight year in a list published today by U.S. News & World Report.
	2021 edition of Starker Lecture Series examines resilience in the face of disasters	CORVALLIS, Ore. – The annual Starker Lecture Series at Oregon State University will this year focus on resilience in the face of disasters and other disturbances and how people across the forest landscape work to overcome them and learn from them.

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