Doctors use samples of white blood cells taken in clinical settings in lab tests about immune function and for emerging therapies like CAR T cell for certain cancers. But, current tests are limited in scope and sometimes require the addition of molecular labels that make the samples unsuitable for further use or analysis. Investigators at the Morgridge Institute for Research have developed a method of using optical metabolic imaging to identify immune cells and their metabolic state without destroying the samples. The group is working to commercialize this technology and help clinicians get the most out of these commonly used blood samples.

New research by SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Margarita Orlova is providing new insight into how bumble bee queens communicate through chemical signals and how those signals change throughout their lives.

A new study documents how the decline of kelp forests along Maine’s coast, and the transition to turf algae-dominated reefs, shifts the form and function of these ecosystems at all levels, down to which microbes are present and what they’re doing.

Advances in computing power helped scientists create a method for dating pottery purported to be ancient.

The method takes advantage of the fact that the firing and cooling of clay materials creates a virtual time stamp within their structures based on the orientation of Earth's magnetic field through time. 

Now that the method is established, the researchers intend to apply it to artifacts of debated authenticity in museums all over the world. 

With a new National Science Foundation award of nearly $8 million, Boise State University is charged with growing Idaho’s strategy and capacity around resilient microelectronics for extreme environments. This is the State of Idaho’s first E-RISE award, and it empowers Boise State to help organize a statewide strategy around research, workforce and jurisdictional development.

A University of Washington-led team used motion cameras to gauge how often nectar robbing occurs. The results, published Aug. 6 in Ecology and Evolution, reveal both nectar robbing and pollination visits, showcasing a broader pattern that the team previously identified by comparing bird bill length to flower length.

The three-year project will explore how industry-informed research, entrepreneurship training and early engagement can better prepare undergraduates for careers in biotechnology and the life sciences. Students will gain access to research, internships, industry experiences and AI-enabled learning while expanding workforce opportunities, particularly for transfer and first-generation students. The project also will identify practices to strengthen career readiness and develop approaches that can be adapted by institutions nationwide.