Inhaling virus-laden droplets may increase COVID-19 severity

Virus-laden droplets being aspirated into the lungs may explain the brisk pace at which the COVID-19 infection spreads from the upper airways into susceptible cells in the lower airway, according to preliminary findings of a small study conducted by assistant mechanical engineering professor Saikat Basu. The work was done in collaboration with researchers from the School of Medicine at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the School of Public Health at Boston University and Fractal Therapeutics.

SDSU professor's lab contributes to gene mutation discovery

An international team of researchers found that the distribution of mutations is skewed toward areas of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome that are less likely to cause harm and more likely to benefit the organism

Professor Charles Fenster, an evolutionary biologist, helped assemble the research team in 2004 and articulate the basic research questions as lead principal investigator for National Science Foundation funding.

Diversifying crop rotation improves soil, reduces fertilizer costs

Producers in eastern South Dakota who have used a three- or four-crop rotation system for more than 10 years are most likely to reap the benefits of improved soil health and higher yields. With fertilizer prices at an all-time high, this might be an opportune time for producers to consider adding oats, peas and spring or winter wheat to their rotation plans, according to associate professor Tong Wang of the Ness School of Management and Economics.

Biomaterial may help repair, replace damaged corneas

A patented biomaterial developed by associate professor Gudiseva Chandrasekher of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences has the potential to repair corneal damage and to create corneal implants.

Through funding from the Drug, Disease and Delivery Center, he will determine whether the patented biomaterial can be used to construct corneal implants,.