As 2023 comes to an end, the Iowa State University News Service team is looking back and sharing some of its favorite and more popular stories of the year. Click on each headline to read the full story.
NSF awards Iowa researchers $20 million to build advanced biomanufacturing capacity
Researchers across Iowa are working together for the state to be a leader in advanced biomanufacturing. The team will use microbes and other biological systems to produce plastics for 3D printing, fibers for flexible and rigid materials and proteins for medical diagnostics.
Scientists and students combine research and adventure in the Himalayas
If you’re going to study how high altitudes affect the human body, there’s no better laboratory than some of the world's tallest mountains. During an expedition to the Himalayas, an Iowa State professor and two students studied how extreme altitude affects blood flow to the brain.
Are digital humans the employees of the future?
With the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and spillover from Hollywood special effects, digital humans are entering the workforce. Researchers say “AI with a face” will become more prevalent and the new technology offers companies several big advantages.
Researchers to study growing crops in solar farm's footprint
A new research project will combine traditional and high-tech uses of the sun’s power by studying how to grow crops amid an array of solar panels. The research team will raise bees and plant vegetables, fruits and pollinator habitat within the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State.
Iowa State delivers $5 billion impact to the state economy
An Iowa State startup that developed a new technology to assist with the creation of new therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases is just one example of how the university's $5 billion economic impact benefits the state.
Engineering student reaches for the stars with NASA internship program
Sarah Stewart, a mechanical engineering student, is living her dream of helping to explore the stars as part of the NASA Pathways Internships Program. Stewart worked alongside astronauts and mission controllers and is gathering data that could inform future manned missions to Mars.
Cutting back on social media reduces anxiety, depression, loneliness
Young people are using social media more, and their mental health is suffering. Iowa State researchers found college students who tried to cut their social media use to 30 minutes per day scored significantly lower for anxiety, depression, loneliness and fear of missing out.
Researchers design a national testing facility to simulate tornadoes, downbursts
ISU researchers won a $14 million grant to design a national testing facility to simulate tornadoes and other windstorms. Experiments will help researchers engineer building improvements to reduce damage and save lives.
Visual arts professor finds music in weaving fabric
Olivia Valentine, an associate professor of art and visual culture, has collaborated with composer Paula Matthusen to explore the relationships between space, time, music and textiles through an innovative project. Valentine’s “instrument” of choice: a weaving loom.
Ukrainian grain farmers now raising hogs benefit from ISU expertise
Many Ukrainian farmers are raising hogs for the first time, converting cheap grain into needed meat. An Iowa State University swine health expert is helping Ukrainian farmers safely navigate the war-driven pivot to pork with a series of online workshops.
'Broadband Prairie' rural wireless project moves to public phase of researching, testing
With wireless infrastructure installed in and around Ames, the $16 million ARA Wireless Living Lab for Smart and Connected Rural Communities is moving to a public testing phase.
Alleviating food insecurity at the SHOP Food Pantry
The student-led SHOP food pantry provides a critical service on the Iowa State campus, and demand is growing for its services. University support for the pantry has expanded along with the demand.
Cyclone researchers: Warming climate means stronger Atlantic tropical storms
Christina Patricola is studying tropical cyclones here in Cyclone Country. Patricola and her collaborators report a warming climate could increase the number of tropical cyclones and their intensity in the North Atlantic, potentially creating more and stronger hurricanes.
Sixty years of aiding industry, preparing students, inventing solutions
Plans to electrify everything make for exciting days at the Electric Power Research Center as it builds on 60 years of connecting industry with Iowa State researchers. The center supports research, industry engineers and launches students into electric power careers.
