Science & Technology

Researchers investigate new way to calibrate cosmic mile markers

Published: December 11, 2018 | 1:45 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

An artist’s conception of what’s called the cosmic distance ladder—a series of celestial objects, including type Ia supernovae that have known distances and can be used to calculate the rate at which the universe is expanding. Illustration is courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech.

New work from the Carnegie Supernova Project, which includes Florida State University researchers, provides the best-yet calibrations for using type Ia supernovae to measure cosmic distances. This has implications for our understanding of how fast the universe is expanding and the role dark energy may play in driving this process. The team’s findings are published […]

FSU creator of life-saving breast cancer drug elected to National Academy of Inventors

Published: December 11, 2018 | 12:18 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

Robert Holton, the Matthew Suffness Professor at Florida State University

A Florida State University professor who created a synthetic version of a life-saving breast cancer drug making it widely available to patients has been elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Robert Holton, the Matthew Suffness Professor at Florida State University, first synthesized the drug Taxol 25 years ago. At the time, […]

Toy boats, Arctic ice and a science outreach success

Published: December 4, 2018 | 4:44 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

Left and middle: The recovered boat, showing the effects of three years of weathering. Right: the boat in its original condition.

In 2015, Florida State University Professor of Oceanography William Landing and a team of environmental scientists boarded a research vessel and sailed north into the frigid, ice-sheathed waters of the Arctic ocean. As members of the international GEOTRACES program, Landing and his colleagues were investigating the cycling of trace elements and their isotopes, an important […]

FSU names new associate vice president for research

Published: December 3, 2018 | 3:19 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

Professor of Classics Laurel Fulkerson is the new associate vice president for Research.

Florida State University Vice President for Research Gary K. Ostrander has named an accomplished scholar of Latin and Greek poetry and ancient emotion as the new associate vice president for Research. FSU Professor of Classics Laurel Fulkerson will replace Associate Vice President for Research Ross Ellington, who is retiring after 38 of years at the […]

Two FSU researchers named fellows of American Association for the Advancement of Science

Published: November 27, 2018 | 1:35 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology, University News

Professor of Chemistry Thomas Albrecht-Schmitt and Professor of Biological Science Kimberly Hughes

Two distinguished Florida State University researchers have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in recognition of their work to advance science and its application. Professor of Chemistry Thomas Albrecht-Schmitt and Professor of Biological Science Kimberly Hughes are being elevated to the rank of fellow this year for their accomplishments […]

A sweet tooth: Cells using sugar for metabolic process may fight inflammation

Published: November 26, 2018 | 12:18 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

Teng Ma, chair of the FAMU-FSU Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

New research by a team from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has discovered that a type of adult stem cell found in a variety of tissues can be manipulated to enhance tissue regeneration and potentially treat inflammatory diseases. Teng Ma, chair of the FAMU-FSU Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, and graduate student Xuegang Yuan […]

A storm plan: New research creates model to help plan for special needs, pet-friendly shelters

Published: November 19, 2018 | 2:06 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

Eren Ozguven, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering

Senior citizens often don’t evacuate during major storms because of pets or special needs. Now, a FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researcher has developed a new model for local governments or relief organizations to quickly determine which regular shelters could be repurposed into special needs or pet-friendly shelters. Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Eren Ozguven and […]

Physics professor awarded Beams Medal for outstanding research

Published: November 16, 2018 | 11:39 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

In 2017, gravitational waves were detected from the collision of two neutron stars. This figure, related to Piekarewicz's work, shows an artist's conception of such a cataclysmic event, which in this new era of gravitational-wave astronomy provides fundamental new insights into the nature of neutron stars.

A professor from the Florida State University Physics department, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded the 2018 Jesse W. Beams Research Award for outstanding research by the Southeastern section of the American Physics Society. Jorge Piekarewicz was recognized for significant research and achievements in both nuclear structure and many-body nuclear […]

New grants help FSU researcher usher in new era of computer science research

Published: November 16, 2018 | 10:11 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

Weikuan Yu, professor in the Department of Computer Science

The relentless march of technological advancement requires corresponding breakthroughs in the systems, structures and frameworks upon which those advancements are achieved. With two new grants totaling $1.2 million, computer science researchers at Florida State University will work to build that crucial infrastructure, creating sophisticated programs that will help facilitate the next generation of computer science […]

Engineering professor partners with childhood friend to invest in elementary education for Tunisia

Published: October 29, 2018 | 10:21 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Tarek Abichou spent his summer working on a service project with TUNISIA-AID, organizing and stocking an elementary school library in Zarzis, a small town in Tunisia.

Whether engineering a fix for septic problems in coastal areas or building libraries and playgrounds for children, Tarek Abichou has always been passionate about helping his home country of Tunisia. Abichou, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, spent his summer on a community service project with TUNISIA-AID, organizing […]

FSU research investigates ‘smart’ highway signs to prevent wrong-way driving crashes

Published: October 29, 2018 | 9:00 am | Posted in: News, Science & Technology

FSU's research team evaluated high-tech countermeasures for wrong-way driving. (Photo: Florida Department of Transportation)

Innovative traffic safety research from Florida State University, incorporating a fascinating mix of engineering and psychology, is being deployed on highways to save lives by targeting a deadly problem: wrong-way driving crashes. The statistics are alarming. Nationwide, wrong-way crashes kill about 350 people a year and injure thousands more, according to the National Highway Traffic […]

Why is Wakulla Springs’ water turning brown? FSU researchers may have the answer

Published: October 24, 2018 | 1:41 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

The world's largest and deepest freshwater spring is experiencing an unwelcome change.

North Florida’s Wakulla Springs is experiencing an unwelcome change: Its famously crystal waters are turning brown. After extensive study, researchers at Florida State University think they might know why. In a paper published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, a team of scientists from FSU’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science (EOAS) explains […]