Author: jbrehm2
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Wildlife conservation inspires National Geographic photo exhibit
For more than two decades, renowned wildlife photographer Joel Sartore has traveled the globe in a quest to photograph more than 25,000 wildlife species and their habitats. While the viewer is drawn to the arresting images first, Sartore’s ultimate goal is raising awareness of at-risk species and the fragility of ecosystems. University of Nebraska State…
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Decoding ancient sphinx’s mysterious message
Nebraska interdisciplinary scholar Peter Revesz has a unique skill set, one that helped him solve a mystery that had puzzled experts for nearly two centuries. Drawing on an interest in ancient Greece and a Hungarian childhood, Revesz, a computational linguist, deciphered a short poem at the base of an ancient bronze sphinx. His discovery, covered…
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Beautifying communities through street art
Nebraska artist Sandra Williams’ work seeks to facilitate social change by revealing a community’s unique identity, often in partnership with others. Her art can be experienced as finely detailed paper cuts, imaginative paintings or sweeping murals. Within these forms, her work interweaves interest in her Indigenous Peruvian roots, a love of animals, and the friction…
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Improving the lives of youth experiencing homelessness
Youth experiencing homelessness often lack daily contact with supportive people, leaving them more vulnerable to alcohol and drug misuse at critical junctures. Kimberly Tyler Husker sociologist Kimberly Tyler believes an app-based intervention could help fill that gap and redirect these youth when substance misuse may be tempting: in times of poor mental health, after sexual…
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Surgical robot takes journey to outer space
Nebraska engineer Shane Farritor makes little robots. It’s not that he and his team aren’t thinking big. In fact, their 2-pound robotic surgical arm, MIRA, proved its mettle in outer space this year, an unlikely journey for its 1-ton cousins. MIRA — Miniaturized in vivo Robotic Assistant — also became the only small robotic-assisted surgical…
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Unraveling drug use and misuse in rural areas
Describing initial research discoveries as “eye opening,” scientists in the Rural Drug Addiction Research Center are building upon a strong foundation to develop partnerships with communities across Nebraska to address drug use and misuse. RDAR, founded in 2019, earned a five-year, $11,597,682 Phase 2 renewal grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Centers of Biomedical…
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Gaming as a force for good
At a university where traditional sports are such a big deal, Ryan Tan is taking a decidedly different path, exploring the potential of esports and gaming to teach people not just play but how to transform their work, too. Esports, short for “electronic sports,” transform online gaming into a spectator sport. The experience is similar…
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Lowering livestock’s methane emissions
When a cow belches, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. One cow, no problem. But entire beef and dairy sectors add up. A Nebraska research team is studying ways to reduce methane emissions from livestock with the goal of developing tools and management practices for beef and dairy producers. …
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Laser accelerates advanced manufacturing capabilities
A new laser is solidifying Nebraska’s position at the forefront of a specialized method of surface modification that is driving advances in space, defense, medicine and beyond. Craig Zuhlke (left), associate professor of electrical and computer engineering; George Gogos (back), Wilmer J. and Sally L. Hergenrader Professor of mechanical and materials engineering; and Graham Kaufman…
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Transforming biomedical, ag science research
Nebraska’s newest core research facility is revolutionizing understanding of molecular foundations and boosting the university’s expertise in the biomedical and agricultural sciences. The CryoEM Core Facility houses the state’s first cryo-electron microscope – one of a handful regionally. The acquisition of cutting-edge equipment is expected to strengthen research ties with other University of Nebraska institutions…