News & Updates

Businesses have scrambled to deal with the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and the ensuing pandemic that spread across the globe this spring. There are no guarantees that a vaccine or other treatments to stop the virus are imminent, meaning many businesses have to prepare for an uncertain future.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced more than $97 million in funding for 33 projects that will support high-impact technology research and development to accelerate the bioeconomy. These projects will improve the performance and lower the cost and risk of technologies that can be used to produce biofuels, biopower, and bioproducts from biomass and waste resources.

A hospital nurse for 33 years, Nanette Miller would call her husband Frank at the end of each shift to let him know she was coming home. On Dec. 7, 2018, the phone call came with a somber declaration: “I can’t do this anymore.”

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that five projects will receive up to $28 million to promote the advancement of the next generation of geothermal energy technologies. Selected by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office these projects align with the goals of the 2019 GeoVision study, which outlines a path to unlock the full potential of geothermal power as a clean, reliable, and affordable energy source for American homes and businesses.

Two New Mexico professors have been selected for the 2020 NM EPSCoR Mentor Award — Dr. Olga Lavrova and Dr. Ali Bidram. Nominated by their mentees, both recipients stand out for their exceptional efforts to build strong professional and interpersonal relationships with students; advance their mentees’ academic, research, and professional goals; and create inclusive environments for diverse students.

UNH has launched six interdisciplinary research projects that address public health and welfare challenges related to COVID-19. The pilot projects, supported by the Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach and Office of the Provost as part of the Collaborative Research Excellence (CoRE) initiative, harness expertise from across the university in fields as diverse as microbiology, digital literacy, environmental engineering and public health.

Scientists in Idaho and Washington have joined forces to develop a model to assist in identifying effective mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on Idahoans. To help Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s Coronavirus Working Group make data-driven policy decisions, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) and five universities were asked to develop a model to assist in identifying effective COVID-19 mitigation strategies. The strategies would help by minimizing the number of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in Idaho. The model could also be used to get a rough estimate of resource needs such as ICU beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

SAB Biotherapeutics, a company based at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is harnessing that potential to fight Covid-19. They've done similar work before, creating polyclonal antibodies to treat both influenza and MERS. Polyclonal antibodies are a collection of antibodies a body makes to ward off a specific invading organism. Today the focus is on treating, or even preventing, Covid-19.

The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 in Native communities around the United States is the result of historical and current systemic racism that has siloed Tribes and prevented them from using their resources effectively, experts say. One place where this manifests is in food security.

Some states are allowing restaurants to move back to indoor dining. But is it a safe idea to dine in right now?