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News

Four vertical rows of black rice, red rice, brown rice, and white rice

Eating Brown Rice Increases Exposure to Arsenic Compared to White Rice

According to new research from Michigan State University, published in the journal Risk Analysis, brown rice was found to contain higher levels of arsenic content and inorganic arsenic concentration than white rice among American populations.
The earth with a piece peeling off to reveal microbes in the soil

Scientists Discover New Microbes in Earth’s Deep Soil

Tiedje, a University Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the MSU Department of Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology and the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, discovered in this huge, unexplored microbial world a completely different phylum, or primary category, of microbe called CSP1-3.
A satellite floating in space

Researcher Identifies Variability in Supermassive Black Hole in the Andromeda Galaxy

DiKerby, who’s also a member of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, and his collaborators examined 15 years of data collected by Chandra. Then, they pieced together a record of the X-ray light produced by a supermassive black hole in the Andromeda galaxy called M31 star or M31*.
Cells under a microscope

Researchers Use ‘Smart’ Bomb Therapy to Destroy Breast Cancer

A wife and husband professor team at Michigan State University are collaborating with researchers at the University of California, Riverside to create a new light-activated “smart” bomb to treat aggressive breast cancer.
Bridge being analyzed by AI

Engineers Create “Smart” System to Prevent Future Infrastructure Disasters

Michigan State University researchers have developed a “deploy-and-forget” system that combines sensors with artificial intelligence, or AI, to assess the health of infrastructure like bridges, roads and dams, before and after events that could damage them.
Grape vines growing through a fence

How MSU Research Strengthens Michigan’s $6B Grape Industry

Grapevines are highly susceptible to plant viruses. In fact, grapevines commonly host multiple plant viruses — sometimes multiple viruses infect a single vine. That’s why Michigan State University researchers are working to keep vineyards healthy and productive.
A person holding their stomach

Researchers Make Progress Toward Non-hormonal Treatment for Endometriosis

New findings from a team that includes MSU researchers points the way to developing new non-hormonal therapies which could be a game changer for endometriosis patients, some of whom wait seven to 10 years for a diagnosis.
MSU facility for rare isotope beams

U.S. Department of Energy Approves Start of High Transmission Beam Line Project at FRIB

On 24 February, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC) approved the start of execution of a $49.7 million instrument at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB).
Announcements
Spring 2025 TIFF Call for Awards
The Trifecta Initiative Facilitating Fund (TIFF) Awards are designed to provide investigators from the Trifecta Initiative colleges (Communications Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and Nursing) with resources towards federally funded NIH/NSF proposals.
Goodway Named Red Cedar Distinguished Professor
Internationally recognized scholar Jackie Goodway has been named a Red Cedar Distinguished Professor. Since 2022, the distinction has recognized faculty who demonstrate exemplary scholarly achievement, teaching excellence and a clear alignment with MSU’s strategic research priorities — strengthening recruitment, recognition and retention of top academic talent across campus.
Wu Selected to Co-chair National Academies Committee on Biotechnology
Felicia Wu, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor and University Distinguished Professor in Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was selected to serve as co-chair of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, or NASEM, committee on the ethical, legal, environmental, safety, security, and other appropriate societal issues related to engineering biology research and development.
Trifecta Spring 2025 Awardees Announced
The Trifecta Advisory Council has awarded two award applications for Spring 2025.
2025-26 CIRCLE Seed Grants Request for Proposals
CIRCLE (Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Collaboration, Learning, and Engagement) is excited to offer seed grants to support three projects in 2025-26. This program aims to provide an opportunity for genuine interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars and educators from different fields and areas of focus. The aim of these grants is to help develop new collaborations. We welcome proposals that focus on teaching and learning, research, or creative practice, and we welcome proposals in which team members are changing course or exploring new areas of inquiry.
2025-26 CIRCLE Graduate Fellowship Call for Applications
The Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Collaboration, Learning, and Engagement (CIRCLE) seeks applicants for its second Graduate Fellowship, 2025-26. See below for the fellowship’s description, eligibility requirements, and how to apply. The application deadline is April 4, 2025.