At Michigan State University, some discoveries take decades — even centuries — to unfold. The university’s roster of long-term projects and experiments range from buried seeds that have sprouted nearly a century and a half later to a decades-old twin registry that is helping researchers make new discoveries about health and psychology. Spartan researchers are committed to examining a wide range of topics that help us better understand the world.

The nerves in our hands and feet allow us to sense touch, pressure, temperature, vibration and pain. If anything interferes with nerve function, we can have trouble with daily tasks like holding objects and even walking. Some people are at higher risk for nerve damage in their extremities. Why? New research from Michigan State University reveals that race/ethnicity and food insecurity are two key factors associated with peripheral neuropathy.

David MacFarlane, a professor of measurements and modeling in the Department of Forestry at Michigan State University, recently completed a six-month sabbatical that took him from the mangrove coasts of Mexico to the alpine forests of Italy. His journey was part of a Fulbright Global Scholar Award aimed at advancing an emerging global approach to forest management known as climate-smart forestry.

CREATE’s research and partnerships reveal that science instruction—especially in lower grades and low-income schools—often receives less attention, widening the achievement gap between these and more affluent communities. To address this, Michigan State University scholars are expanding their innovative Collaborate Science (ColSci) curriculum to strengthen science and literacy learning and spark student engagement.

Juliet Hess has long been a voice for equity and inclusion in the classroom. Now, the professor of music education at the Michigan State University College of Music is set to publish her latest book which presents practical ways to honor and embolden knowers across a range of minoritized student populations.

Two papers by Michigan State University researchers in spatial transcriptomics were recently published in Nature Communications. The technology presented has the potential to make an impact in cancer treatments, as genetic information about the environment surrounding tumors can make an impact on a patient’s immune response.

Michigan State University scientists plan to build a first-of-its-kind outdoor lab to study how solar panels placed alongside crops could save water, improve soil health and support ecosystems, all while boosting farmers’ bottom line and preserving farm production.

A new study offers the first comprehensive global look at how drones are reshaping agriculture. The research finds that while drone technology promises significant benefits, including higher efficiency, reduced labor, and potential environmental gains, its adoption thus far is far from uniform.