With a three-year, $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, researchers Chi Zhang and Bin Yu, biological sciences, with Husker colleague Edgar Cahoon, will focus on the genome-wide identification of small gene fragments called microexons to advance knowledge on gene functions and regulation for oil accumulation and stress response in sorghum. KHGI and Biofuels Digest ran articles on the research. (Nov. 16)
A seven-member team led by Xia Hong, physics and astronomy, aims to exploit ferroelectric oxides to control oxide and van der Waals materials in ways classical physicists only dreamed were possible. The work could lead to more powerful and energy-efficient electronic devices. Stories on the research appeared in KFXL, KHGI, KMTV and The Quantum Insider. (Nov. 17)
Kevin Smith, political science, was interviewed for a Nov. 19 Roll Call article on the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Pete Ricketts and challenger Dan Osborn. “Party registration (in Nebraska) overwhelmingly favors Republicans, and that means that Dan Osborn doesn’t just have to win over a bunch of independents,” Smith said. “He’s going to (need to) peel off some Republicans, too.”
