News

Tulane team a national semifinalist in energy technology competition

When Samantha Hilburn learned of the U.S. Department of Energy’s inaugural EnergyTech University Prize competition, which challenges multidisciplinary teams to identify an emerging energy technology, there was no question that she wanted to sign up.

A Tulane University senior studying geology, environmental studies and economics, Hilburn is all about coming up with affordable energy alternatives to fossil fuels as a way of reducing carbon emissions and combatting global climate change.

Tulane researcher wins NSF award to study Earth’s ‘explosive’ tectonic reactions

Colin Jackson, a researcher in the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, has won a National Science Foundation Early Career Award to further his research on the chemistry of planets.

The $700,000 award will enable Jackson and his research team to conduct experiments to investigate the chemical reactions that occur in subduction zones, the locations on Earth where two tectonic plates converge.

Tulane faculty, staff and alumni take the stage at New Orleans Book Festival

When The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University officially opens on Thursday, March 10, some of the most popular and thought-provoking authors will be in attendance. Even better, many of those authors are already affiliated with Tulane University. Faculty and staff from across the university will appear on panels discussing a variety of topics on Friday and Saturday, March 11-12, 2022. Seating may be limited and is first come, first served. Click here to learn more about The New Orleans Book Festival.

Tulane awarded $14 million NIH grant to study why heart disease, diabetes may blunt brain benefits of estrogen therapy

Decades of lab research shows that estrogen can protect women against age-related cognitive decline and may even delay or decrease incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. But these laboratory findings haven’t always translated to real-world results for women who take estrogen therapy after menopause.

Tulane study uncovers mystery of the invasive common reed

They grow up to 12-15 feet tall and are causing havoc in the wetlands of North America. Known as Phragmites australis, the non-native common reed is one of the most important and most studied plants in the world.

It is also one of the most invasive, said Keith Clay, professor and chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Tulane University.

Tulane student and professor create ‘Netflix’ guide for research papers

From movies to music, recommender systems are algorithms programmed to suggest to users what they are likely to enjoy based on what they’ve viewed or purchased in the past.

Now, there is a recommendation system for researchers, thanks to a study by Tulane University mathematics student Julia Sterling and chemical engineering professor Matthew Montemore. The two designed a system to help researchers gather and narrow down the scientific papers that are most relevant to their work.

Tulane research confirms river diversion can limit impacts of Bonnet Carré Spillway openings

Responding to an unprecedented number of Bonnet Carre Spillway openings since 2018, scientists with Tulane University and the Environmental Defense Fund are hoping a new study will demonstrate to federal and state decisionmakers how upriver river diversions could reduce spillway openings and their associated environmental damage.

Center for Public Service faculty grant awarded to creators of trans resilience project

The Center for Public Service (CPS) has announced the recipients of its 2022 CPS Faculty Community-Engaged Research Grant.

Manuel A. Ocasio and Jasper J. Privat were awarded a grant for $10,000 for their project “Community Care Is Our Own Salvation: Community-Based Resilience and Healing for Trans Communities Surviving Natural Disasters in Louisiana.”

Study shows common flower species holds promise for beneficial psychedelic drugs

Thanks to a symbiotic fungus, many species of morning glories contain elements of powerful psychedelic drugs, according to a new Tulane University study published in the journal Communications Biology.
 

Annual Faculty Synergy Research Event celebrates collaboration and achievements

Sharing ideas that facilitate the discovery of answers to important questions can be an essential part of scientific research. On Tuesday, Dec. 7, the spirit of collaboration and the achievements of Tulane researchers were celebrated at the 12th Annual Faculty Synergy Research Event, sponsored by the School of Medicine.