Science & Technology

FSU’s Center for Anchored Phylogenomics changes the way we study evolution

Published: July 20, 2018 | 10:55 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

Center co-directors and husband-and-wife Emily and Allan Lemmon combined their expertise in lab work and bioinformatics to develop their novel anchored phylogenomics method.

Florida State University’s Center for Anchored Phylogenomics is using a cutting-edge research technique to answer a question that scientists have labored over lucklessly for generations: How do we produce enough genetic data to construct an accurate evolutionary tree quickly and cost effectively? Thanks to the development of a specialized gene sampling technique by center co-directors […]

FSU nuclear physics lab to receive $1.7M for nuclear science workforce development

Published: July 19, 2018 | 9:10 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

Back row: Professors Samuel Tabor, Mark Riley, Paul Cottle, research faculty Anthony Frawley and Professor Emeritus Kirby Kemper. Front: Professor Ingo Wiedenhoever and Assistant Professor Sergio Almaraz-Calderon.

A team of Florida State University physicists will receive $1.7 million from the National Nuclear Security Administration over the next five years to help boost the nation’s nuclear science workforce. Physics Professors Ingo Wiedenhoever, Paul Cottle, Mark Riley, Samuel Tabor, Assistant Professor Sergio Almaraz-Calderon and research faculty Anthony Frawley operate the John D. Fox Superconducting […]

In the ocean’s twilight zone, tiny organisms may have giant effect on Earth’s carbo cycle

Published: July 18, 2018 | 1:54 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

Stukel and his team found that hordes of microorganisms called phaeodarians, depicted above, could be playing an outsized role in the global carbon cycle.

Deep in the ocean’s twilight zone, swarms of ravenous single-celled organisms may be altering Earth’s carbon cycle in ways scientists never expected, according to a new study from Florida State University researchers. In the area 100 to 1,000 meters below the ocean’s surface — dubbed the twilight zone because of its largely impenetrable darkness — […]

Florida high school students get a taste of college life with Young Scholars Program

Published: July 17, 2018 | 3:25 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

Doctoral student Olumide Abioye teaches Andrew Yuan, Rachel Lee and Andrew Ma about simulation modeling as part of the Florida State University Young Scholars Program.

Rising high school seniors are spending their summer getting a head start on the college experience through a unique Florida State University program that allows them to get a taste of college science and math classes. The Florida State University Young Scholars program, founded in 1983, brings 40 students to campus from mid-June to mid-July […]

FSU researchers use artificial intelligence to identify, predict new chemical compounds

Published: July 16, 2018 | 3:20 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

Doctoral student Kevin Ryan (seated) developed a machine learning model to predict new chemical compounds. Standing are Professor Michael Shatruk (left) and graduate student Jeff Lengyel (right).

A team of Florida State University researchers is using artificial intelligence to identify which among hundreds of thousands of hypothetical crystal structures can result in the prediction of new chemical compounds. It’s a move that could radically change how chemists identify, test and study potential new compounds for any variety of materials, medicines or other […]

FSU research: Zika suppresses virus-fighting cells

Published: July 5, 2018 | 11:00 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

Hengli Tang, professor of biological science

New Study Examines Cellular, Molecular Differences Between Dengue, Zika More than two years after reports of skyrocketing Zika rates surfaced worldwide, questions still loom about this complicated virus. Florida State University researchers are one step closer to finding answers. In an article published today in the journal Stem Cell Reports, Professor of Biological Science Hengli […]

Shining the light: FSU researchers use photons to separate metal ions

Published: July 5, 2018 | 10:40 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

Graduate student Yan Zhou (left) and postdoctoral researcher Sahan Salpage use light to separate metal ions. This process, scientists believe, will be cheaper and greener than existing methods. (FSU Photography Services)

A Florida State University research team is using a simple, readily available energy source to separate metal ions, a process that could help purify water or even recycle nuclear waste. The source? Light. Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Kenneth Hanson and postdoctoral researcher Sahan Salpage outline their strategy in a new journal article published […]

Breakthrough synthesis strategy could mean wave of new medicinal compounds

Published: July 3, 2018 | 1:42 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

In pharmacology, not all molecular structures are created equal. Some frameworks are overrepresented in nature, making them especially attractive to scientists on the hunt for more effective drugs. One such structure, known to scientists as the carbocyclic 5-8-5 fused ring system, is notoriously difficult to produce using conventional laboratory methods, and researchers have therefore been […]

GAP awards to help FSU faculty push research into marketplace

Published: June 28, 2018 | 11:42 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

Julie Harrington, director of FSU’s Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis

Two teams led by Florida State University faculty members have received funding from the university to adapt pioneering research into cutting-edge commercial products. The researchers have been awarded targeted financial support following their successful presentations at FSU’s biannual GAP competition, an event organized by the Office of the Vice President for Research where entrants pitch […]

Defying gravity: FSU professor’s work to be conducted at International Space Station

Published: June 21, 2018 | 9:00 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Oliver Steinbock

A Florida State University professor’s latest experiments will take place far above the Earth when astronauts at the International Space Station begin working with FSU on what’s called a chemical garden. Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Oliver Steinbock will send materials for experiments to the International Space Station in June aboard a Falcon 9 rocket […]

Center for Advanced Power Systems and Advanced Conductor Technologies demonstrate new superconducting power cable

Published: June 18, 2018 | 10:24 am | Posted in: Science & Technology

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Professor and Associate Director of CAPS Sastry Pamidi and Danko van der Laan, president and CEO Advanced Conductor Technologies, show off Conductor on Round Core cable technology.

Florida State University’s Center for Advanced Power Systems and the Colorado-based Advanced Conductor Technologies LLC are taking a big step in the world of superconductor technology that could have major implications for naval, aviation and power grid applications. Through a grant program that encourages private industry to partner with university scientists, a research team from […]

Volcanic activity, declining ocean oxygen triggered mass extinction of ancient marine organisms

Published: June 11, 2018 | 3:49 pm | Posted in: Science & Technology

Postdoctoral Researcher Theodore Them (left, holding an extinct fossil sample) and Assistant Professor Jeremy Owens (right, holding a rock core sample). The researchers used the samples to study the global record of oxygenation. Credit: Stephen Bilenky

Global climate change, fueled by skyrocketing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, is siphoning oxygen from today’s oceans at an alarming pace — so fast that scientists aren’t entirely sure how the planet will respond. Their only hint? Look to the past. In a study published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy […]