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News

Person holding a small trout

Genetics Tip the Scales for Trout in a Warming World

A new study in Nature Communications reveals that genetic variation across brook trout populations may influence which groups are better equipped to handle rising water temperatures. The findings highlight how local adaptations could play a key role in species survival and inform strategies to strengthen at-risk populations.
Person holding child's hand walking

Lack of Childcare Access Limits Michigan’s Labor Force

Childcare isn’t just hard to find in much of Michigan, it’s nearly impossible. With three children competing for every open spot, the shortage is reshaping families, businesses, and the economy itself. MSU researchers are digging into how this hidden crisis affects the state’s workforce and future.
Sky view of highway and ocean

Spartan Science Is Making Transportation Safer

Every time you buckle up, there’s a good chance Michigan State University research is helping keep you safe. With more than 50 faculty across MSU Mobility and the College of Engineering, Spartan researchers are tackling transportation challenges from every angle, including safer roads, stronger vehicles, smarter infrastructure and secure autonomous systems.
High view of Michigan's Upper Peninsula town

From Sap to Sustainability: Inside MSU’s Forestry Innovation Center

On a crisp spring morning in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a web of tubing threads through a stand of maples. Clear sap drips into collection lines, destined not only for syrup but for research that could reshape medicine, food safety and even the whiskey industry.
Lake Michigan Coast Shoreline

Shoreline Armoring of Michigan’s Lake Michigan Coast Increased Fivefold During the Latest Period of High Water

As Lake Michigan’s water levels surged between 2014 and 2020, coastal erosion drove a dramatic rise in shoreline armoring—offering protection for property owners but raising new concerns for the lake’s ecosystems.
Crystal under laser technology

Using Crystals and Light, Scientists Unlock New Ways to Grow Materials On-Demand

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered how to "draw" on demand the crystals used in many crucial technologies, from solar panels and LED lighting to medical imaging. Appearing in the journal ACS Nano, the breakthrough was achieved by striking gold nanoparticles with a single laser pulse.
Leaves in bunches

Seeds of Hope

College of Natural Science plant researchers are racing to build climate-resilient crops before global food systems reach a breaking point.
Two scientists in a laboratory

Fuel for the Finish Line: How Sperm Achieve ‘Overdrive’

Michigan State University scientists have pinpointed the molecular “switch” that supercharges sperm for their final sprint to an egg — a breakthrough that could reshape infertility treatments and pave the way for safe, nonhormonal male contraceptives.
Announcements
Douglas Joins National and Global Science Committees
MSU philosophy professor Heather Douglas has been appointed to national and international committees shaping research ethics and scientific responsibility.
FRIB Inaugurates K500 Chip Testing Facility
The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams or FRIB at Michigan State University today marked the inauguration of the K500 Chip Testing Facility or KSEE, expanding U.S. capacity for radiation effects testing of advanced microelectronics used in spaceflight, defense, wireless communications, and autonomous systems.
Jin Selected for National Early Career Energy Innovation Program
MSU researcher Bill Jin has been selected for a national ARPA-E Early Career program, earning $500,000 to develop ultra-flexible, self-healing concrete for extreme energy environments. His innovation aims to strengthen critical infrastructure and improve energy reliability.
The Jenison Fund: Supporting MSU’s Research Momentum
The Jenison Fund helps researchers sustain momentum amid changes in federal funding. The second round of funding for this three-year initiative has recently been awarded.
Hanna Named to TIME100 Health List
Mona Hanna of MSU’s College of Human Medicine has been named to the 2026 TIME100 Health list. She is recognized for founding Rx Kids, the nation’s first community-wide maternal and infant cash prescription program.
Mahmoudi Receives National AAAS Award
Michigan State University Professor Morteza Mahmoudi has been named the recipient of the 2026 Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS.