Science News Releases
Combining QPI and Deep Learning to Improve Subcellular Imaging
Posted Fri, 09 Apr 2021 13:39:00 -0700
Researchers from the University of Idaho and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are improving the ability to study the metabolism and dynamics of living cells. In a new paper published in PLOS One, Northwest Knowledge Network Director Luke Sheneman, Associate Professor of Physics Andreas Vasdekis and MIT Chemical Engineering Professor Gregory Stephanopoulos develop a unique framework for performing accurate, high-throughput and non-invasive subcellular imaging and classification. Read more
Idaho medical students match with residency programs in their hometowns
Posted Mon, 05 Apr 2021 14:01:00 -0700
This story by Nicole Camarda was published by KIVI-TV in Boise on April 2. Idaho has seen a shortage of physicians and in 2019, the state was 49th in the country for active physicians per 100,000 patients. Friday was the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the University of Idaho and the University of Washington, which enables Idaho students to learn at a top-ranked medical school. The University of Washington's School of Medicine’s WWAMI program, which stands for and serves Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho celebrated “Match Day” recently. Read more
Professors Research Effect of Warming on Dall’s Sheep in Alaska and Canada
Posted Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:16:00 -0700
Changes in Arctic habitats brought on by global warming could adversely affect Dall’s sheep in Alaska and Canada, according to a new paper published in PLOS One by University of Idaho researchers. Assistant Research Professor of Landscape and Wildlife Ecology Jocelyn Aycrigg, Professor of Wildlife Ecology Janet Rachlow and Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Ecology and Statistics Edward O. Garton of the College of Natural Resources Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences show that habitat selected by Dall’s sheep is influenced by snow depth and cover, temperature and avoidance of shrubs. Read more
Forney Awarded Visiting Endowed Chair at University of Puerto Rico
Posted Mon, 22 Feb 2021 14:56:00 -0800
University Distinguished Professor Larry J. Forney has been awarded the Hispanics in Research Capability Visiting Endowed Chair in Health Disparities Research from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus. Read more
Paper Explores Use of Shell Material to Gather DNA From Mollusks
Posted Fri, 19 Feb 2021 11:34:00 -0800
Kelly Martin, a biology doctorate student, and two faculty members, including Christine Parent, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Lisette Waits, distinguished professor in the College of Natural Resources, jointly produced a paper on mollusk shells that appeared in BioScience, a peer-reviewed science journal published by Oxford University. The paper explores the use of unconventional DNA sources from mollusks, which have the highest number of extinctions of any taxonomic group. Traditionally, mollusk shell material was used for morphological research. Not until recently has it been used in DNA studies. Successful recovery of shell DNA can help answer ecological and evolutionary questions and protect molluscan diversity, according to the paper. Read more
Biology Professor Recognized by Alma Mater for Success, Service and Leadership
Posted Wed, 17 Feb 2021 14:48:00 -0800
College of Science Professor Jim Bull has been recognized as the 2021 Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumnus by Texas Tech University College of Arts and Sciences, where he earned an undergraduate degree before earning his doctorate from the University of Utah. The award recognizes former teachers and students for their “innovation, community service and leadership, pursuit of excellence, public accountability and diversity.” Jim was also recognized for his “professional success and service to the community and representation of the university” as an “undeniable candidate for this prestigious honor.” Read more
Distinguished Professor Celebrates 60 Years of Chemistry Research at U of I
Posted Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:58:00 -0800
University Distinguished Professor Jean’ne Shreeve celebrated 60 years with the University of Idaho chemistry department on Monday, a milestone that — along with Shreeve’s accomplishments — is a tough act to follow. Read more
Distinguished Professor Celebrates 60 Years of Chemistry Research at U of I
Posted Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:58:00 -0800
University Distinguished Professor Jean’ne Shreeve celebrated 60 years with the University of Idaho chemistry department on Monday, a milestone that — along with Shreeve’s accomplishments — is a tough act to follow. Read more
Zebrafish May Hold Clues for Retinal Regeneration in Humans
Posted Thu, 19 Nov 2020 14:17:00 -0800
What can zebrafish do that humans can’t? They can regenerate damaged neurons in their retina for starters. Assistant Professor Diana Mitchell in the Department of Biological Sciences recently received $1.25 million of direct funding from the National Institutes of Health to study specialized immune cells called microglia and macrophages to determine if the function of these cells could help explain why zebrafish have this ability and humans don’t. Mitchell’s grant proposal was submitted through the Institute of Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies. Read more
WWAMI Faculty Awarded $99,000 NIH Grant to Research Underlying Causes of Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
Posted Thu, 05 Nov 2020 15:00:00 -0800
Onesmo Balemba (PI, Department of Biological Sciences and dual appointment with WWAMI), Chantal Vella (Co-PI, Department of Movement Sciences and dual appointment with WWAMI) and Rayme Geidl (Co-PI, WWAMI, associate director of Clinical Education) were awarded a one-year, $99,000 National Institute of Health (NIH) grant through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Diabetes Complications Consortium to explore novel causes of diabetes neuropathy (nerve dysfunction) and dysmotility (digestive system muscle dysfunction). The study will help improve understanding of the interaction between diet, the gut’s microbiome and the host. Read more
U of I Chemistry Professor Earns Fulbright to Research, Teach in England
Posted Thu, 24 Sep 2020 09:37:00 -0700
MOSCOW, Idaho — Sept. 24, 2020 — A University of Idaho chemistry professor whose work includes building calcium sensors for NASA recently earned a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to teach and do research at Great Britain’s University of Exeter. Read more
Diana Mitchell to Present at NIH Virtual IDeA PI Meeting
Posted Wed, 16 Sep 2020 15:10:00 -0700
Diana Mitchell, assistant professor, Biological Sciences, was selected to present her abstract entitled “Retinal Development and Regeneration from a Microglial Perspective” at the NIH virtual IDeA PI meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22. She was one of the few selected from 175 submissions to present. Read more
Diana Mitchell Receives NIH Grant
Posted Wed, 09 Sep 2020 14:59:00 -0700
Diana Mitchell, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, was awarded a $1.25 million R01 grant award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research will span five years and seeks to determine the function of immune cell populations in the regeneration of the zebrafish retina. The work will reveal key roles of certain immune cell types in shaping the outcome of retinal regeneration to gain insight into why retinal regeneration happens naturally in the zebrafish, but not in other animals such as humans. Read more
University of Idaho Receives Grant of Nearly $11M for Biomedical Research Modeling
Posted Thu, 13 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0700
MOSCOW, Idaho — Aug. 13, 2020 — The University of Idaho has secured a grant of nearly $11 million from the National Institutes of Health to support continued modeling for biomedical research at U of I’s Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation (IMCI). Read more
‘Lava Bombs’ Manufactured during U of I-Led Study on Stability of Volcanic Formations
Posted Thu, 04 Jun 2020 13:16:00 -0700
MOSCOW, Idaho — June 4, 2020 — University of Idaho volcanologist Erika Rader and colleagues investigated the growth of volcanic formations by manufacturing lava bombs, melted blobs of lava ejected from a volcano. Read more
‘Lava Bombs’ Manufactured during U of I-Led Study on Stability of Volcanic Formations
Posted Thu, 04 Jun 2020 13:16:00 -0700
MOSCOW, Idaho — June 4, 2020 — University of Idaho volcanologist Erika Rader and colleagues investigated the growth of volcanic formations by manufacturing lava bombs, melted blobs of lava ejected from a volcano. Read more
Western U.S. Will Face Farming Challenges as Snow Falls as Rain
Posted Thu, 21 May 2020 14:45:00 -0700
In some regions, warming from climate change is causing precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow. It is also altering the timing of snowmelt to shift and become out of synch with irrigation demands for agriculture. John Abatzoglou — from the Department of Geography — and his colleagues looked at how snowmelt affects food production and how changes in snowmelt may threaten food production in irrigated regions globally. Snowmelt currently provides a dominant source of irrigation water for nearly a third of staple crops such as wheat. The researchers found that the farming regions most at risk from changing snowmelt patterns were in Central Asia, western Russia, the southern Andes and in the western U.S. Read more
Western U.S. Will Face Farming Challenges as Snow Falls as Rain
Posted Thu, 21 May 2020 14:45:00 -0700
In some regions, warming from climate change is causing precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow. It is also altering the timing of snowmelt to shift and become out of synch with irrigation demands for agriculture. John Abatzoglou — from the Department of Geography — and his colleagues looked at how snowmelt affects food production and how changes in snowmelt may threaten food production in irrigated regions globally. Snowmelt currently provides a dominant source of irrigation water for nearly a third of staple crops such as wheat. The researchers found that the farming regions most at risk from changing snowmelt patterns were in Central Asia, western Russia, the southern Andes and in the western U.S. Read more
U of I Students Receive National Science Foundation Research Fellowships
Posted Tue, 05 May 2020 13:35:00 -0700
MOSCOW, Idaho — May 5, 2020 — Four University of Idaho student-researchers have been awarded National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program Fellowships for 2020. Read more
U of I Announces Awards for Excellence to Faculty, Staff
Posted Fri, 24 Apr 2020 11:30:00 -0700
MOSCOW, Idaho — April 24, 2020 — The University of Idaho is pleased to announce the University Awards for Excellence for 2019-20 to faculty and staff Read more