Can the delicate mustard plant protect important crops—including potatoes and mighty fir trees—from ravaging fungal disease? Can dairy farms become manufacturers of renewable energy and help fight global climate change? Can new ways of composting shield crops from a host of illnesses and save farmers millions of dollars in pest control, fertilizers, and soil enhancements, now and well […]
Traffic jams. Greenhouse gases. Contaminated waters. Crumbling roadways…. Problems related to our stressed and aging transportation system are manifold and call for immediate, effective, and sustainable solutions. How can we protect our natural resources from the negative impacts of development and urbanization? What new technologies and policies are needed to improve design and operation of […]
A potentially deadly equine disease rarely seen in the United States poses a serious, new threat to the multibillion dollar horse industry. Equine piroplasmosis, a tick-borne disease prevalent in about three-quarters of the world, now infects hundreds of horses in at least 13 states—including Washington. How can we stop this advancing threat and protect the […]
Microbes that cause food-borne illness spread readily from animals to people through contaminated meat, water, and produce. In the United States, we may be relatively disconnected from the ways our food is grown, harvested, and brought to market, but in the least-developed countries, close interactions with food-producing animals are part of daily life. How do […]
As we teeter at the brink of a worldwide energy crisis, WSU scientists are leading the quest to harness the tremendous energy potential of green plants and algae. With new tools for exploring the intricacies of photosynthesis, researchers are finding new avenues for tapping the power of plants without compromising our food supply or damaging […]
Nuclear tests in North Korea, radioactive materials on the black market, skyrocketing energy demands worldwide. How can America protect itself against nuclear threats while responding to global need for cleaner, safer energy? Can nuclear energy production be made secure, even in the hands of our enemies? What new technologies can be used to detect and trace declared and undeclared […]
Sleep—usually not enough of it—is often both cause and effect of what ails us. From the common cold to heart disease, obesity, and cognitive disorders, sleep can be a significant factor in who gets sick and who doesn’t and how quickly we recover. And it doesn’t stop at the cellular level. Adequate sleep has huge […]
We expect electricity at the flip of a switch. But the electric power grid–marvel of the early 1900s–limped into the twenty-first century overworked, underdeveloped, and headed for a meltdown. What is a “smart grid,” and how will it affect our national competitiveness, our state’s economic viability, and your utility rates? Why is a smart grid […]
When the U.S. economy starts moving again, will it be back to business as usual, or will we be forced to devise new economic strategies? Leading experts in innovation, economic development, and personal investing will answer your pressing questions about how to chart a sustainable path to prosperity. Egils Milbergs, Governor Gregoire’s liaison with the […]
Creation of effective vaccines against diseases that have plagued animals and humans for thousands of years—particularly infections transmitted by ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects—will revolutionize life for millions of people some day. These new vaccines will deliver significant health benefits and economic opportunities, improving lives and livelihoods worldwide, especially in developing countries. Wendy Brown is […]