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Today in the News Media is a synopsis of some of the most prominent coverage of OSU people and programs. Inclusion of any item constitutes neither an endorsement nor a critique, but rather is intended only to make the OSU community aware of significant items in the media. For more about this section, see: https://today.oregonstate.edu/email/submission-guidelines.
For the first time, researchers at Oregon State University have documented two shark species that are new to the Puget Sound, including one critically endangered species. (see also KGW, Seattle Times, USA Today)
And her fans in Corvallis, like OSU President Jayathi Murthy, think it's special too. “I want her to know how proud we are, I mean every one of us, our entire Beaver Nation, parents, alums, everybody just blown away by the perfection of her performance, we're just thrilled for her,” said Murthy on Wednesday. (see also Best Colleges)
Students and researchers at Oregon State University and Washington State University are developing a robotic fruitlet thinner with a computer-vision-guided robotic arm that identifies fruitlets and reaches out with a claw-like end effector to yank them off the tree and drop them to the ground.
Researchers at Oregon State University have created a highly efficient photocatalyst that can rapidly produce hydrogen from sunlight and water. This catalyst, developed through a combination of metal-organic frameworks and metal oxides, represents a significant advancement in the production of clean energy. It holds promise for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a sustainable alternative to traditional hydrogen production methods, which rely on fossil fuels.
About 60 per cent of all buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since the war began, according to analysis of satellite images by Corey Scher of the CUNY Graduate Center and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University. “There’s no precedent for it,” said Mr Van Den Hoek. “The unique aspect of Gaza compared to other ongoing conflicts is that people can’t leave, so they’re trapped, they’re containerised without their homes.” That has meant “the complete unravelling of life and livelihood,” he said. (for a PDF of this article, email osutoday@oregonstate.edu)
Alyssa Shiel, an associate professor at Oregon State University and the lead author of the study, said the next phase of the research will look at the soil under these cables. Lead-contaminated soil often becomes airborne dust, which can be lifted into the air by traffic or wind.
The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and Oregon State University’s Extension Service are partnering on wildfire relief. The OCA Wildfire Fund will collect donations and disburse them to impacted ranchers via an application process, according to Tammy Dennee, OCA’s executive director.
Agrivoltaics can come in a few forms, but the main ways are grazing and growing row crops beneath solar panels. Chad Higgins, an associate professor at Oregon State University, researches agrivoltaics. “There is, in my opinion, no need to stop farming under solar panels ever,” he said. “And if you do, it’s a lack of imagination.”
Growers in Hood River Valley gathered at Oregon State University’s Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research Extension Center (MCAREC) on July 23 to learn about emerging pear and cherry production research, but also to check out a new electric vehicle — the Polaris Ranger XP Kinetic.
“You’ll often have these promises made by companies that this is going to break down in five years, instead of 50 years, or 100 years, or whatever the comparison is with the traditional plastic,” says Susanne Brander, an associate professor and ecotoxicologist at Oregon State University. “But if you’re thinking about it from the perspective of an animal that might only live for a couple of years … it’s still going to be exposed to all of the breakdown products.”
The Oregon State University Extension Service is looking to build resilience in farmers and ranchers with its climate stress and grief for agricultural producers project, headquartered at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center in Central Point.
“There is a tremendous amount of interest in what enables wildfire ignitions and what can be done to prevent them,” said Erica Fleishman, an Oregon State University professor. “This database increases the ability to access relevant information and contribute to wildfire preparedness and prevention.”
While firefighting crews work to contain the fires, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and Oregon State University Extension have begun coordinating response efforts to help farmers, ranchers, and communities deal with the consequences of the fires.
“Herding cats” may be shorthand for an impossible task, but according to Monique Udell, Director of the Human-Animal Interaction Lab at Oregon State University, cats can be trained. We’ll hear what she’s learning about the relationship between cats and people, and how they can each improve each other’s lives.
“The study provides empirical evidence of the extent of PFAS in pesticides,” Dr. Jamie DeWitt, environmental toxicologist and director of Oregon State University’s Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, said.
It's actually a trick question, said Aaron Liston, professor and herbarium director in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University. That's because what appear to be a strawberry's "seeds" are actually its fruit, he said.
Featuring Chunhuei Chi, professor of health management and policy, professor in global health at Oregon State University.
To discover this, they took unedited Google map screenshots of 200 beaches around the globe and used a colour dropper tool to find the RGB code of each body of water. This was then cross-referenced with the RGB code of the world’s bluest shade of blue (YInMn Blue), which was officially declared the bluest shade of blue in 2016 by Oregon State University.
"Sometimes, you’ll get new growth from the center of the plant," says Brooke Edmunds, professor of practice and horticulturist at Oregon State University Extension. "This method is good for a bulk harvest, but you still want more lettuce later in the season."
The Giant Spruce of Cape Perpetua: Emily Rech, marketing and outreach/program coordinator for IE3 Global, says, “Located in the Siuslaw National Forest, the old growth Sitka spruce is nearly 600 years old and stands over 185 feet tall with a trunk circumference of 40 feet. It is at the end of a beautiful, relatively short hike, and is as majestic as a tree can be. With a flowing creek nearby and birds singing in the canopy, it is a peaceful place for discovery and contemplation.”
Smoke sensors: Elizabeth Tomasino, associate professor of enology, says, “Installation of new smoke and air sensors developed by the OPEnS lab at OSU has begun. Sensors are for the grape smoke exposure research conducted at OSU.” We are accepting photo submissions at osutoday@oregonstate.edu. To view past submissions, visit us on Instagram at @osutoday1.
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Wondering how educators are using generative AI? Seeking OSU-focused perspectives about opportunities and challenges? Listen to season one of the AI on Campus podcast, hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning. Explore the growing roles that AI is playing in the teaching, learning and daily workflows of OSU faculty and staff.
Supervisor 101: University Human Resources invites supervisors to attend a pilot opportunity to provide feedback on the new Supervisor 101. Supervisor 101 is a 90-minute program designed to give new-to-OSU supervisors the information they need to be successful, highlighting key resources that supervisors need in their first month. This is a chance to experience new training followed by a feedback session to share insights and suggestions. Zoom session: 9 a.m. to noon, Aug. 5 (link provided after registration); register here. Contact Carolyn Warfield (carolyn.warfield@oregonstate.edu) with accommodation requests.
OSU Dry Farm Program Field Day at Lewis Brown Farm, Corvallis: Featured projects: Warm season grasses and legumes for multi-use as forage, human food and cover crops. Combined with an irrigated pulses and winter cereal cover crops field day. 4-7 p.m., Aug. 5. https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/smallfarms/dry-farming-events.
Coping with Election Stress: For many people, election season feels full of tension, nerves and uncertainty. It makes sense to feel stressed – especially if you are someone who is worried about how the results will impact your life and community. In this workshop, you will learn research-backed strategies for managing these difficult emotions and stress. While you cannot control all that happens during an election, there are still ways to cope and care for yourself during this time. This workshop is most appropriate for anyone who may be experiencing stress related to the upcoming 2024 U.S. election. 9 a.m., Aug. 6. You must log in or create a Lyra account to register. Register here.
OSUsed Store Public Sales: The OSUsed Store carries furniture, computers, household items, office supplies and more at 644 SW 13th St. Public sales are open to all shoppers this Tuesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Friday, noon to 3 p.m.; details here. Staff may shop for their department Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; details here.
Recovery Dharma Meetings: Recovery Dharma offers a trauma-informed, empowered approach to recovery based on Buddhist principles. Meetings are peer-led and non-theistic. We welcome all those who wish to pursue recovery as part of our community. Meetings held weekly at Marigold Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. No registration necessary; offered freely and donations welcomed. Contact contemplativestudies@oregonstate.edu.
OSUsed Store Public Sales: The OSUsed Store carries furniture, computers, household items, office supplies and more at 644 SW 13th St. Public sales are open to all shoppers this Tuesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Friday, noon to 3 p.m.; details here. Staff may shop for their department Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; details here.
NEW! Hiroshima Nagasaki Commemoration: Traditional koto music, displays and origami. Program begins at 7 p.m., Aug. 8 in Howland Plaza, featuring the Corvallis mayor; Allison Hobgood, Corvallis Daytime Drop In Center; Dr. Libby McClure, epidemiologist, Union of Concerned Scientists; Patricia Hoover, Hanford Downwinder; and MC Carly Inez Werdel of Sunrise Corvallis. Sponsors include Veterans for Peace and OSUSHPR. For more information, linda.richards@oregonstate.edu.
NEW! Southwest Airlines (SWA) Business Travel Options: Join Travel & Expense and SWA for an information session highlighting newly available business travel discounts, ticket flexibility options and booking channels from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Aug. 7 in the MU Journey Room (104). Light refreshments and an SWA surprise for in-person attendees. A recording will be shared through our listserv once available.
NEW! Part-time Job Fair: Ready to recruit student workers and jump-start your fall hiring? Come network and connect with potential student employees at the 2024 Part-Time Job Fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 2 in the SEC Plaza. This annual event attracts over 700 students and recent graduates looking for part-time jobs. Booth space is $25 for campus departments – sign up by Aug. 15 to reserve your spot: beav.es/ps5.
NEW! PRAx Presents Big Fish Fest: Come one, come all to the Big Fish Fest, 5-8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 23 at PRAx. This indoor-outdoor, family-friendly, art-meets-science event features food trucks, interactive demos, music by Outer Orbit and the world's first contemporary jazz-accompanied shark dissection. Tickets $22; OSU alumni $10; students $5; children free. Tickets here.
Dry Farming Field Day at Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture, Corvallis: Featured projects: Melon and cucumber-melon variety trial and tasting; perennial sunflower, legume and oilseed crops; dry-farmed flowers; till vs. no-till in dry farming context; intercropping diverse legumes with sorghum and corn. 5-7 p.m., Aug. 14. https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/smallfarms/dry-farming-events.
Dry Farming Field Day at OSU Vegetable Research Farm, Corvallis: Featured projects: Managing blossom end rot in dry-farmed tomatoes, tomato tasting; melon variety trial and tasting, with dry-farmed and deficit irrigation management; breeding grain corn for microbial symbiosis; dry-farmed variety trials of cowpea, sorghum, sesame and upland rice. 5-7 p.m., Aug. 21. https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/smallfarms/dry-farming-events.
Dry Farming Field Day at North Willamette Research and Extension Center, Aurora: Touring the melon research plot at the NWREC Learning Farm and observing five melon varieties that have been irrigated in four different ways: dry-farmed, strong deficit, slight deficit, and grower standard. There will also be a hands-on activity with soil moisture sensors. 5-7 p.m., Aug. 28. https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/smallfarms/dry-farming-events.
NEW! Pickle workshop: Registration has opened for the "Canning Quick Pickles" workshop from 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Aug. 22. Register by 5 p.m., Aug. 19 at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/county/deschutes/events.
Zucchini preservation: If zucchini is abundant this year we have some great ideas and helpful tips for you. OSU Extension Master Food Preservers will be leading this interactive event. Registration is now open for an afternoon or early evening zucchini preservation class Aug. 14. For more information: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/county/deschutes/events.
Making Self-Care Work For You: When we need to recharge and feel our best, self-care can help. Yet, when we’re busy and stressed, self-care falls off the to-do list, often when we need it most. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to put the “self” back in self-care — including how to prioritize the practices you need and create a realistic, personalized plan that works for you. Noon, Aug. 14. You must log in or create a Lyra account to register. Register here.
Sweet potato workshop: The Oregon State University Extension Service Small Farms Program is offering an opportunity to dive into the weird and wonderful world of growing sweet potatoes as a crop for market. Join to learn all about cultivating and producing the incredible sweet potato. 5:30-7 p.m., Aug. 14, Benton County Extension Office. Registration is $5 and scholarships are available. For more information: https://beav.es/pWm.
40-Minute Flow Yoga Classes: Join us at Marigold for flow yoga, 5:20-6 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Purchase 1-class pass for $20 (community), $18 (educators) and $15 (students) for two 40-minute classes. Flow yoga classes include mindful and more vigorous postures and movements for flexibility and strength, deep breathing and rest. Practice in a beautiful, biophilic space with our community. Register for a class, purchase passes or apply for an OSU Undergraduate Scholarship. Contact us.
Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue: Learn skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional or risky topics. Discover how to speak and be heard (and how to encourage others to do the same), surface the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions and act on your decisions with unity and commitment. View dates for summer and fall 2024 in-person and Zoom courses here.
FourSight Mindset Reveal Workshop: How do you approach a challenge? FourSight Mindset Reveal is a new workshop presented by the Office of University Human Resources that dives deep into the way that we solve problems together. This engaging workshop helps people learn more about their own mindset, learn appreciation for how colleagues work, and together be able create a stronger team environment and reach more creative solutions. View upcoming workshops and enroll here.
LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning is available to OSU faculty, staff, and students – for free. Leverage this online learning library to hone your soft skills and technical and business acumen, and to meet your learning and development goals. Use it to supplement your curricula. Curate content to support your programs and initiatives. Click here for step-by-step instructions for how to get started, and here for tips and tricks. Be sure to check out our curated collections and toolkit for supervisors too.
Training portal: The OSU Training Portal is available to faculty and staff and located in your my.oregonstate.edu dashboard, by clicking the “Training” tab in the top right corner. Discover and search for trainings, webinars, and more – all geared towards OSU employees. Bookmark https://my.oregonstate.edu/employee/training so you can return to it often. Do you have an upcoming learning opportunity geared towards OSU employees? Reach out to hr.training@oregonstate.edu to learn how to add your event to the Training Portal.
NEW! Register Your OSUWelcome 2024 Events: OSUWelcome is designed to help incoming students connect with the Corvallis campus. This is an opportunity to engage new students and showcase the community we have here at OSU. To ensure your events are part of the official OSUWelcome schedule, please remember to register your event by Thursday, Aug. 15.
NEW! Health and safety: The University Health & Safety Committee wants to promote health and safety by sharing SAIF’s resources for Free Safety Trainings. For more information on Safety at OSU visit OSU’s University Health & Safety Committee online at http://ehs.oregonstate.edu/uhsc, including past meeting minutes, information on how to contact a committee member and a link to report safety concerns online.
NEW! Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic: Waste. Natural and man-made disasters such as floods, hurricanes, or warfare that flood the sewer system can cause additional personal and community disasters. You may be unable to flush the toilets or run water for weeks or even months. Failure to properly dispose of human waste can lead to epidemics. English and Spanish versions of this bulletin can be found here: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/waste-disasters.
NEW! CPR training: If you are interested in CPR/AED/First Aid training, you can get certified by the OSU Emergency Management team. Use this link for more information: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-management/training.
Save the date: College of Engineering presents the Oregon Stater Awards. Join us on Oct. 3 as we celebrate engineers who have made a profound impact on their profession and our world. Presented by the College of Engineering at Oregon State University, the Oregon Stater Awards honor alumni whose contributions to the field exemplify Oregon State’s leadership over the past 150 years. Registration info to go live soon: https://beav.es/TEw.
University Day Expo Registration is now open: The Expo is a chance for your unit to display how you are supporting OSU to achieve its mission of transformation, excellence and impact. Gather with 40+ units and over 1,000 faculty and staff to celebrate the OSU community, learn about resources on campus and network with your colleagues. The Expo will be from noon to 2 p.m., Sept. 17 at PRAx. Register today.
OSU Engagement Awards: Apply now for the OSU Engagement Awards of Excellence. These awards recognize faculty, staff and community partners for their community engagement and engaged scholarship efforts. Submission deadline is Aug. 31. Winners receive a plaque and $2,000 at the OSU Engagement Conference on Dec. 6. Read about last year’s winners here. Awards sponsored by the Division of Extension & Engagement. Contact Marina Denny at marina.denny@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-4126 for more information.
Expanded Opportunity: Oregon Sea Grant Natural Resource Policy Fellowship. The Oregon Sea Grant Natural Resource Policy Fellowship has expanded its eligibility to include both graduate and undergraduate students with relevant coursework or equivalent experience (see our webpage for more details on eligibility). Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 5 p.m., Aug. 30. Finalists will be invited to interview between August and early September, with fellowships commencing in September or October. For more information and to apply, visit Oregon Sea Grant Natural Resource Policy Fellowship.
Preparing for wildfire: Wildfire season is upon us, and being prepared is the key to protecting your home, family and community. Check out OSU Extension's comprehensive wildfire safety resource page for valuable information about protecting yourself from wildfire smoke and preparing before, during and after a fire.
Meditation Research Study: The OSU Edwards Social Cognition Lab in the School of Psychological Science is looking for volunteers to take a self-guided, online meditation course for eight weeks and complete some research tasks for a study. The project offers $60 Amazon gift cards for completing the course and tasks. For more information or to sign up, go to: https://scl.liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/active-studies.
Automated Driving System research: The School of Civil and Construction Engineering and the School of Psychological Science are seeking paid volunteers for research studies. The purpose of this research study is to make Automated Driving System (ADS) vehicles safer for pedestrians with disabilities. To participate in one of the studies, you must identify as having a visual, hearing and/or mobility disability(s), and be at least 18 years old. Volunteers must commit 60 minutes to the research and will either wear a VR headset or a light-weight wearable device. To participate, contact Lena Breuer at breuerh@oregonstate.edu or call or text at 803-457-6630.
Volunteers wanted for blackberry study (Corvallis): Seeking volunteers age 55 years and older who are not currently eating more than 2 cups of berries per week, do not have memory or learning disorders and do not take medications that affect focus and concentration. Volunteers will consume freeze-dried blackberry powder daily for 12 weeks and will receive $100. Title: Impact of Oregon Blackberries on Cognition and the Gut Microbiome. Principle Investigator: Kathy Magnusson. For more info and to see if you qualify: https://lpi.pub/BlackberryStudy. Contact: LPI.Research@oregonstate.edu 541-737-3594.
This email only lists new or recently updated job postings. For a full list of current job postings for OSU Today, go to: http://today.oregonstate.edu/email/jobs To apply for the below positions, visit jobs.oregonstate.edu unless otherwise specified.
NEW! The Division of Extension and Engagement invites applications for an Academic Wage: Carnegie Community Engagement Classification Coordinator position. This is a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term position based in Corvallis with potential for a flexible work arrangement. This position is expected to last until approximately May 31, 2025. Posting #P08313UF. Full consideration Aug. 6. Closes Aug. 21.
NEW! Library Desk Student: OSU Libraries and Press invites all students to apply for a position at the Valley Library (Corvallis) in the Library Experience and Access Department, working at the borrowing and information desk. Posting #P11329SE. Closes Aug. 12.
NEW! The Office of the Faculty Senate is seeking a Director of Faculty Senate Operations. The Director position is a 1.0 FTE, 12-month professional faculty position, reporting to the Faculty Senate President. Posting #P08345UF. Full consideration Aug. 15. Closes Aug. 22.
EXTENDED! The Division of Extension and Engagement’s Partnerships Unit invites applications for an Open Campus & Juntos Coordinator position. This is a full-time, 12-month, professional faculty position based at the Extension Service Lane County office in Eugene. This position will serve the Southern Willamette region of Oregon (Linn, Lane and Benton counties) and requires bilingual, bicultural, bi-literate (English and Spanish) skills. Posting #P08275UF. Closes Aug. 23.
NEW! The Division of Extension and Engagement invites applications for a 4-H/SNAP-Ed Outreach Program Coordinator position based at the OSU Extension Service Curry County Office in Gold Beach. This is a 12-month, full-time, professional faculty position. Posting #P08343UF. Full consideration Sept. 1. Closes Sept. 16.
NEW! SW 26th St. closed between Orchard Ave. & Monroe Ave: As part of the Jen-Hsun Huang and Lori Mills Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex project, SW 26th Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between NW Orchard Avenue and NW Monroe Avenue through Aug. 15. The east sidewalk on 26th Street will be closed. The west sidewalk will remain open. The Johnson Hall loading dock will also remain open.
NEW! Jefferson Way closed, Benton Place to Waldo Place for crane activity: As part of the Valley Library Telecommunication Tower project, SW Jefferson Way will be closed between SW Benton Place and SW Waldo Place on Monday, Aug. 5 to allow for crane activity. The north sidewalk in this section of Jefferson Way will be closed. The south sidewalk will remain open.
Full closure of intersection at 35th Street & Campus Way starting July 29: The City of Corvallis and OSU are collaborating on a project to improve the pedestrian crossing at SW 35th Street and SW Campus Way. The intersection will be fully closed from Monday, July 29 through Friday, Aug. 9. The intersection will be closed in all directions and vehicles will be detoured to SW 30th Street For detour maps and further information please visit: https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/closurenotices/2024/07/23/7-29-8-9-full-closure-of-intersection-at-35th-st-campus-way/.
SW Memorial Place closed to traffic, including west sidewalk: As part of the Kelley District Utility Plant project, SW Memorial Place will be closed to vehicle and cycle traffic Aug. 1- Sept. 12. In addition, the west sidewalk of Memorial Place will closed to pedestrian traffic as well. (view map)
Campus-wide steam shutdown: The Energy Center will be shutting down the Corvallis campus steam distribution operations from 5-11 a.m., Aug. 5 to correct primary distribution steam leaks and controls-related repairs. This process affects hot water supply, heating and all equipment that uses steam, campus-wide. For questions or comments on this closure contact Les Walton at 541-737-4395.
Weatherford: Construction activity related to the Weatherford A-wing Remodel project will occasionally impact areas outside the building through Aug. 30. Expected impacts include intermittent closure of the walkway on the west side of Weatherford Hall and partial closure of the bike parking area on the south side of SW Intramural Lane, across the street from Weatherford. These closures are needed for demo waste removal and materials staging.
"August of another summer, and once again, I am drinking the sun, and the lilies again are spread across the water." ~ Mary Oliver
Corvallis: Sunny this week, highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s, lows in the 50s.
Central Oregon: Sunny this week with some haze, highs in the 80s, lows in the 50s.
Newport: Partly sunny this week, highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr
