News

Jan 17, 2012

What do NC State scientists prefer: CSI or Law & Order?

For the cover story of this winter's NC State magazine, the NC State Alumni Association magazine's editor talked to researchers across campus who are teaming up to advance work in the area of forensic science. From studying blow flies to mapping skulls to developing a database of fabric dyes, these scientists are using their specialized knowledge to help solve crimes. Editor Sylvia Adcock ('81) says that while she enjoyed talking with the researchers--including CHASS anthropologist Ann Ross--about the very serious work they’re doing, she couldn’t resist asking them for their thoughts about the plethora of crime shows on television these days. 

Dec 8, 2011

Archaeologists Find New Evidence Of Animals Being Introduced To Prehistoric Caribbean

An archaeological research team from NC State University, the University of Washington and University of Florida has found one of the most diverse collections of prehistoric non-native animal remains in the Caribbean, on the tiny island of Carriacou. The find contributes to our understanding of culture in the region before the arrival of Columbus, and suggests Carriacou may have been more important than previously thought. 

Nov 16, 2011

Paying it Forward

Christina LaCanfora (Comm and Sociology '07) was so grateful for the scholarship support she received from the Department of Communication that she’s replenished the fund twice. “It feels fantastic to know that you are making it a little easier for a student to finish a degree by reducing the stress of money,” says LaCanfora, 25. She received the Nancy and Melinda Snow Scholarship and has since donated to the scholarship, with her employer, ExxonMobil, matching her donation three to one. 

Oct 18, 2011

Raising Awareness About Health Literacy

R.V. Rikard Health literacy–the ability to read, understand, and act on health-related information–poses an enormous challenge to improving health and to lowering healthcare costs in the United States. Federal policies and agencies, such as HealthyPeople 2020, the 10-yearagenda for improving national health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize the importance of… 

Oct 4, 2011

The New Dating Game: When Dates Follow Hookups

New research sheds some light on just how complicated sex and dating are. Casual sex clearly carries its own risks, but the academic literature on “hooking up” may be presenting an unduly rosy picture of dating. New research doesn’t advocate no-strings hookups (i.e., casual sex between people who aren’t dating), but does highlight gender inequities… 

Oct 1, 2011

CHASS Student of the Month – October 2011

David Whitcher, October 2011 CHASS Student of the Month 

Sep 21, 2011

How People Feel About Diversity And ‘Neighborhood Schools’: It’s Complicated

The Wake County Board of Education has been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent years as it debates issues related to diversity and “neighborhood schools,” and voters are preparing for board elections October 11. But researchers from NC State have found that the issues are more complex than media outlets have made them appear. This… 

Aug 19, 2011

Advances In Forensic Anthropology: 3D-ID

Sometimes law enforcement officials find partial human remains: like a human skull, with few or no other skeletal remains. How can you tell if it was even a man or woman? New technology called 3D-ID can help – giving forensic scientists information about a person’s sex and ancestral background based solely on the measurements of… 

Aug 18, 2011

Sociologist Ron Wimberley Dies

Dr. Ronald C. Wimberley, William Neal Reynolds professor of sociology and a member of the faculty for 40 years, has died. Wimberley was well known for research that described sociological factors that impact living conditions in the 11-state rural Black Belt South. His work went beyond research and included outreach efforts aimed at addressing the… 

Aug 9, 2011

Bioarchaeology Grad Student Wins Top Honors

First place honors in the Social Sciences category at the Graduate Student Research Symposium were awarded to Adrianne Offenbecker for her poster presentation, Examining the Role of Environmental Stress in the Etiology of Skeletal Defects. Offenbecker is pursuing her Master’s in Anthropology at NC State, with a concentration in bioarchaeology. She says she chose NC State for…