Research

Schatz Microgrid Project Wins International Energy Award

A groundbreaking renewable energy project led by Humboldt State University’s Schatz Energy Research Center won the 2018 Project of the Year Award for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Integration at the annual DistribuTECH conference held this week in San Antonio, Texas.

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Humboldt Minds in a Harvard Forest (Video)

In a forest 3,000 miles away, two Humboldt State students explored the ecological mysteries of seedlings and leaves for a prestigious internship through Harvard University.

Students Head to System-wide Research Competition

Nine Humboldt State University students have been selected to represent the campus at the 31st Annual California State University Student Research Competition, April 28 and 29, at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

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Studying Sneaky Cephalopods

Declan Cowan works with 14 Octopus rubescens (commonly known as the red octopus) at HSU’s Telonicher Marine Lab in Trinidad. Since 2015, the HSU Zoology and Biology major has had a unique opportunity to study and interact with one of the world’s smartest invertebrates.

Seaweed Shed Light on the Evolution of Green Plants

A deep-water seaweed, some of which grow in depths of over 200 meters in clear tropical oceans, are the earliest diverging lineage of green algae and the oldest known multicellular green plant, according to a new study co-authored by Humboldt State University Associate Dean and Biology Professor, Rick Zechman.

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Study: West Nile Virus Has Struck Millions More Birds Than Thought

In the first in-depth study of the virus’s impacts on bird populations, Wildlife professor emeritus T. Luke George and a group of researchers discovered the disease killed millions of birds—many more than previously thought—and had a major, and sometimes persistent, impact, on bird populations.

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For the Baker Cypress, Fire Suppression Could be Fatal

Four years of drought has turned much of California into tinder, and the resulting wildfires have torched vast swatches of forest. Fire suppression efforts have saved valuable commercial timberland, but another tree is being threatened by humans’ effort to control nature.

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Mercury Research Keeps Scientists In the Fog

Fog is as much a part of Humboldt County as the redwoods. In fact, with their unusual ability to take in water through both roots and needles, redwoods directly benefit from the mist-laden air.

Top Presentations at IdeaFest Highlight Student, Faculty Research

Four research presentations are this year's audience-choice award winners from the 2015 IdeaFest, which took place April 17. Individual projects from the College of Professional Studies, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, and two that tied for top honors in the College of Natural Resources, were represented.

HSU Researchers Search for Disappearing Coho Salmon

It’s not uncommon for a young angler, enthralled by the flash of silver scales and blue water, to dream of going pro. This is certainly what Darren Ward had in mind when he enrolled as a fisheries science major, thinking it would simply be a good way to catch more fish.

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Researcher Identifies Dietary Difference for North Coast Salmon

_Courtesy Deborah Seiler, Sea Grant California_ In contrast to the grey skies outside, marine scientist Christine Cass greets visitors to the Humboldt State University Marine Lab with warm smile. Perched on the rugged coast of Trinidad, Calif., the long halls of the laboratory offer glimpses of marine aquariums, ocean murals, and small classes in session.

Students Get Creative with Rube Goldbergs

Who says engineering can't be fun? Students in Lonny Grafman's Engineering 215 let their creative juices flow as part of the annual Rube Goldberg design project.

Study Will Investigate High Death Rate from Breast Cancer in Humboldt County

A $217,102 grant has been awarded to the California Center for Rural Policy (CCRP) at Humboldt State University and the Breast and GYN Health Project (BGHP) (formerly the Humboldt Community Breast Health Project) to research differences between breast cancer death rates in Humboldt County and the rest of state. The 18-month study, “The Rural Breast Cancer Survival Study,” will examine factors associated with higher death rates from breast cancer in Humboldt County over the past 20 years.