WSU Pullman

Increasing data literacy

Sharing data concepts with young children and engaging them in fun, data-related activities can have a lasting impact that can opens them to a future in data science. “Without knowing it, they’re working with and engaging in data analysis, and this opens the door for new experiences which could possibly change the trajectory of their […]

Drones show potential to improve salmon nest counts

Struggling salmon populations could get some help from the sky. A Washington State University study showed that drone photography of the Wenatchee River during spawning season can be effective in estimating the number of rocky hollows salmon create to lay their eggs, also called “redds.”   The drone imagery appeared to find roughly double the […]

Combining past and present

An exhibit by Washington State University fine arts associate professor Dennis DeHart showcases the unique experience of “re-photography”: combining images of the same location taken from different periods of time. “Foremost, I hope viewers have an enjoyable art experience that includes many layers of multidisciplinary creative scholarship,” he said. “I also hope viewers leave with […]

Live performance pairs music & scent

Music and aromas can sometimes transport us to the past, instigating memories from people, places, and moments of our lives. César Haas, professor of guitar and jazz studies at the School of Music, and Carolyn Ross, professor of sensory science from the School of Food Science, have developed a unique live performance experience call “Synesthesia: […]

Increasing evidence that bears are not carnivores

A new study on the diets of giant pandas and sloth bears led by Charles Robbins, a Washington State University wildlife biology professor, adds evidence that bears are omnivores like humans and need a lot less protein than they are typically fed in zoos. Bears are not cats or dogs, and feeding them like they […]

Platinum really is forever

Scientists at WSU’s Institute for Shock Physics discovered something unexpected when they tested humankind’s most valuable metals to see how much pressure they could take. It turns out platinum is the only precious metal that retains its atomic structure when subjected to the kind of pressure found at the center of planet Earth, holding up […]

Unique imaging instrument expands WSU capabilities

An X‑ray beamline with a first-of-its-kind imaging source is being installed at Washington State University’s Dodgen Research Facility. The instrument, valued at over $1 million, will allow researchers to study a range of materials at nano- and atomic-scales. “It’s a very versatile instrument,” said Liane Moreau, a WSU assistant professor of chemistry. “It’s the only […]

Mentoring focus to advance faculty diversity

As the new director of Washington State University’s ADVANCE program, Jennifer Thigpen wants to help provide female and other under-represented faculty members the guidance and mentorship she felt she missed early on in her career. “The opportunity to make the process smoother for others is one of the reasons why I am passionate about the […]