Building knowledge for a healthier world
WSU Research
Washington State University researchers untangle complex problems to enrich quality of life for us all. Their work safeguards the health of humans and animals. It helps ensure the security and abundance of our food supply. It cultivates sustainable sources of energy to power future generations. Discoveries and innovations of this Tier 1 research institution fuel prosperity across the Pacific Northwest.
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Researchers Solve Construction Waste Problem with Help of Amazon Catalyst Grant
Construction waste is a growing problem in the United States. Waste consists of unwanted materials left over during new construction or renovations from both residential and commercial buildings. The waste consists of materials such as bricks, concrete, wood, asphalt shingles, and gypsum drywall. Some construction waste can be recycled and reused, but much of it ends up in landfills. This is especially true for drywall waste, which makes up nearly 10 percent of unrecycled construction waste.
In an effort to solve this problem, two Washington State University faculty members began developing masonry blocks using leftover drywall waste. The blocks are made from a high percentage … » More …
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Who goes there?
Secret weapons come in surprising shapes and sizes. For the National Park Service, it’s Washington State University’s Public Opinion Laboratory where, by simply asking questions, the agency wins battles over landfills, pipelines, diversity issues, and more.
Guided by director Lena Le, the laboratory employs more than 100 survey takers who make up the heart of the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC). By phone, mail, and internet, the workers patiently collect data that adds up to very big impacts for a range of universities, businesses, and government agencies, including the National Park Service (NPS). Over the years, they’ve demonstrated that a well-designed survey can … » More …
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The uncompromising pursuit of healthier people and communities
Addressing health disparities and preventing disease
American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities experience elevated rates of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. These communities are historically underserved when it comes to health care. Little research has been conducted to better understand and address their health care needs.
Dr. Dedra Buchwald of the WSU Health Sciences Spokane campus hopes to equip these communities with powerful tools to improve blood pressure control, and ultimately cardiovascular disease and stroke. With a $10 million grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Dr. Buchwald will work with a Southwest tribe, an Alaska Native health … » More …
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Stopping the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Advancing the health of communities worldwide
For decades, doctors have trusted antibiotic medicines to fight Infectious bacteria, saving lives and restoring health. Lately, though, the drugs often fail. To blame are newly emerging antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Drug-resistant bacterial infections cause nearly 23,000 deaths annually in the United States. Globally the annual death toll could be as high as 700,000.
WSU is part of global effort
Stopping antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a global effort. Washington State University is helping to lead the charge.
In the Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, where experts study the emergence and spread of disease, researchers are examining the role … » More …
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Promoting an informed and equitable society
Preserving indigenous traditions in digital form
A complete picture of U.S. history requires the information held in tribal archives, libraries, and museums (TALMs). While many major libraries and museums now digitize their collections for access and use, many TALMs lack the resources to do so. In addition, traditional content management systems are organized under Western standards, not allowing for local narrations and other cultural practices and protocols important to archiving Native heritage.
Digitally preserving and sharing stories, artifacts, and images from diverse cultures is important in a technologically advancing world. WSU researcher Kim Christen is ensuring that digital history includes Native American voices stored and … » More …
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Harnessing technology to improve quality of life
New promise for solar energy
A breakthrough by WSU researcher Kelvin Lynn could help solar energy compete with fossil fuels for generating electricity.
Commercial success of solar technology has been constrained by the cells’ performance and cost. Key to addressing both concerns are the materials from which solar cells are made.
Seeking an alternative to silicon
Silicon solar cells represent 90 percent of the solar cell market. Because silicon is a costly material to use in manufacturing, it keeps the price of solar cells high. A low-cost alternative is cadmium telluride (CdTe), which outperforms silicon in real-world conditions, such as low light and hot, humid … » More …
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Improving security for storage of dangerous materials
New technology safeguards radioactive weapons and waste
Safe storage of nuclear weapons and waste is critical for national security and environmental health. Specialized seals are used to prevent tampering.
WSU researcher Hergen Eilers has developed a seal technology that adds a layer of security beyond what’s found in existing seals. His technology also allows for simple visual inspection to verify that a storage site is secure.
How the seal works
Dr. Eilers’ seals are composed of nano-particles embedded in a polymer. He uses a wavefront-modulated laser, which can control scattered light. When the laser interacts with the seal, the light is scattered by the particles. … » More …
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Research news
Biofuels InternationalSeptember 24, 2019Delta invests $2 million to investigate potential biofuel production facility
US airline Delta Air Lines has announced it will invest $2 million to carry out a feasibility study for a biofuel production facility, in partnership with Northwest Advanced Bio-fuels.
Time MagazineSeptember 19, 2019This year’s biggest apple release has nothing to do with iPhones
In 1994, Washington State University began a breeding program to build a better apple. Decades later, the fruit of the researchers labors is ready for picking: apple variety WA38, better known as the Cosmic Crisp, thanks to a starry pattern on its skin formed by small pores called lenticels.
The Fence PostSeptember 11, 2019Onion researchers earn $4 million grant to combat bacterial disease
The USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative recently announced the award of $4 million to the group in their project entitled, “Stop the rot: Combatting onion bacterial diseases with pathogenomic tools and enhanced management strategies.” The project comes with a match of $4.2 million from onion growers, universities and seed companies all recognizing the severity of bacterial diseases on America’s onion crops.
The Marijuana TimesSeptember 10, 2019Research continues to find cannabis helps with anxiety and depression
This latest study, conducted at Washington State University, looked at data provided by Strainprint – an app that allows patients to track types of strains and dosage to help them medicate more accurately – and found that cannabis reduces perceived negative symptoms in these mental health conditions. Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the study compiled data on which types of strains and at what dosages people saw the most improvement in their symptoms.
Seattle TimesAugust 30, 2019People who post selfies are seen as less likable and less successful, WSU study finds
In a study that will publish this fall in the Journal of Research in Personality, individuals who posted a lot of selfies were almost uniformly viewed as less likable, less successful and more insecure than people who posted more “posies” — that is, traditionally posed photos that appear to be taken by someone else.
Partnerships, commercialization,
and financial support
Partners in discovery
Collaboration accelerates and strengthens the discovery of WSU scholars. Partners in industry, government, and academia help WSU faculty address a set of Grand Challenges—priorities that focus on urgent problems of the state, nation, and world.
Bringing innovations to the marketplace
WSU researchers’ technological innovations drive economic expansion for the state of Washington and the nation. Find out how WSU partners with private industry to move from invention to commercialization.
Your gift touches lives worldwide
WSU’s growing research agenda is fueled by the generous sponsorship of government, industry, organizations, friends, and alumni. Their financial support also makes possible unparalleled learning experiences in the lab and the field for WSU students. Please join us in shaping the future. Make a gift to support life-changing research at WSU.
