media mentions

Jun 17, 2024

Massive, Flying Yellow Spiders Are Back in NC. But Are They dangerous? What to Know

The News & Observer
oro spiders, which are native to Asia, have arrived in North Carolina early this year, according to Kelly Oten, an NC State Extension specialist for forest health.

Jun 11, 2024

Giant Joro Spiders Are Coming: Here’s What to Expect

Scientific American
Joro venom is made for subduing small insect prey, says Kelly Oten, a forest health researcher at North Carolina State University, who studies invasive species. The Joro spider’s bite, if you can manage to get one, is less painful than a bee sting and does not require medical intervention, Oten says.

May 31, 2024

Birdwatching Improves Mental Wellbeing, Science Finds, and a Global Movement Says It’s Felt the Benefits For Years

ABC News
A recent study published by NC State researchers found that the practice can reduce psychological distress and increase mental well-being among college students.

May 22, 2024

India Leads Plan to Control Penguin Tourism

The Pioneer
NC State professor Yu-Fai Leung emphasized that the long flights and cruises across vast distances in harsh conditions contribute substantially to carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change and posing a threat to the continent's delicate ecosystem.

May 19, 2024

Safety Regulator Says Hazardous Decision After Train Cars Derailed in Ohio Was Not Necessary: ‘There Was Another Option’

The Cool Down
Nine of the 50 chemicals the Environmental Protection Agency had been monitoring post-derailment were higher than normal in the area, including the chemical acrolein. "Elevated levels of acrolein are consistent with reports of lung and throat irritation," said Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, an associate professor of the practice at NC State.

May 16, 2024

NC Experts Will Discuss Vulnerable Flora and Fauna On Worldwide Endangered Species Day

Public Radio East
Red wolves are one of North Carolina’s most high-profile endangered species, and Roland Kays, head of the museum's Biodiversity Research Lab and professor at NC State, said they were among the first added to the Endangered Species List after it was introduced in 1966.

May 15, 2024

Endangered Species Day Center of Science Museum Talk

Coastal Review
Roland Kays, a professor at NC State and head of the Biodiversity Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, plans to present the findings of his study on eastern North Carolina’s endangered red wolf population.

May 13, 2024

Birdwatching May Offer a Mental Health Boost

The Wildlife Society
For people seeking to improve their mental health, a potential answer may be right outside their window: birdwatching.

May 7, 2024

Birdwatching Helps Students Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health

The Brew News
Nils Peterson, a professor at NC State and the study’s lead author, noted that young people, especially college students, have been hit hard during the pandemic. They often find it tough to access nature, which could help them feel better.

May 5, 2024

Birdwatching Can Help Students Improve Mental Health

Morning Ag Clips
A new study finds people who have nature-based experiences report better well-being and lower psychological distress than those who do not. Birdwatching in particular yielded promising results, with higher gains in subjective well-being and more reduction in distress than more generic nature exposure, such as walks.