Twitter ‘fingerprint’ helps decode how individuals respond to crises A new algorithm analyzes individuals’ tweets to better understand how they respond to crises, offering a new way to inform decisions on disaster management. Learn More
Now hear this: Study highlights the importance of avoiding noise-induced hearing loss It turns out the source of hearing loss may have a large impact on a person’s ability to understand speech and enjoy music. That’s the result of a new study from researchers at Purdue University and the University of Rochester that was recently published in The Journal of Neuroscience. Learn More
Light may increase magnetic memory speeds 1,000 times, decrease electricity consumption Purdue University researchers have come up with technology involving a combination of spintronic and photonic materials to increase magnetic memory speeds and decrease electricity consumption. Learn More
First all-digital nuclear reactor system in the U.S. installed at Purdue University The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has licensed Purdue University Reactor Number One (PUR-1) as the first entirely digital nuclear reactor instrumentation and control system in the nation. The upgraded reactor and facility, originally built in 1962, paves the way for widespread implementation of digital technology in both research and industry reactors. Learn More
New anticancer agents have potential to better control tumor growth in nearly every cancer type A gene called MYC is known to drive tumor growth in nearly all cancer types – but successfully targeting the gene has been baffling researchers for more than three decades. Purdue University cancer and pharmacy researchers have discovered a novel set of MYC stabilizers that have demonstrated anticancer activity in human cancer cell cultures. Learn More
The organic label doesn’t tell the full story During the summer of 2018, Andrew Flachs, an assistant professor of anthropology at Purdue University and Sreenu Panuganti, a graduate student at the University of Hyderaba, led surveys, interviews and focus groups, attended planning meetings and visited farms in two South Indian villages in the Adilabad district, as well as one village near Araku in Andhra Pradesh. They found that farmers decided to produce organic commodities like coffee and cotton not only to add value, but to safeguard their land from corporate interests and extraction operations. Learn More
Purdue veterinarian receives national Jefferson Award Dr. Sandra San Miguel received an Outstanding Public Service award on June 18 at Multiplying Good’s national Jefferson Awards Gala for the creation of an after-school program named This is How We “Role.” The program shows grade school children what veterinary medicine is like to inspire their interest in sciences. Learn More
Magnets shown to create more power in electrical generators Purdue University researchers have developed parallel inner-magnet device to reduce the size and increase the efficiency of moderate- to low-power electric generators, which are used in automobiles, aircraft and microgrids. Learn More
3D body mapping could identify, treat organs, cells damaged from medical conditions A Purdue University team has come up with 3D body mapping technology to help treat organs and cells damaged by cancer and other medical issues Learn More
Dirty secret: Dry cleaning can be environmental mess, but Purdue graduates are developing faster, cleaner, less expensive method Two Purdue University graduates are developing a device called Presso, a kiosk garment cleaning device that takes only three to seven minutes to clean clothes through a combination of steam, a cleaning liquid and air drying. The kiosk is less expensive than conventional dry cleaning and also more environmentally friendly. Learn More
Pesticides found in monarchs’ milkweed near farm fields Purdue University researchers have found evidence near agricultural fields of pesticides on milkweed, a vital source of food for monarch butterfly caterpillars. It raises questions about pesticide roles in the decline of the species. Learn More
Shot could remove side effects from late-stage head and neck cancer therapy Purdue University researchers in collaboration with the Indiana University School of Medicine have created a new chemoradiotherapy formulation that they predict should be even more effective than what is available commercially. The formulation shouldn’t produce side effects because all its toxins stay within tumors, rather than leaking into the bloodstream and harming the whole body. Learn More