A world of research at Oregon State University

Author: Nick Houtman

Nick Houtman is director of research communications at OSU and edits Terra, a world of research and creativity at Oregon State University. He has experience in weekly and daily print journalism and university science writing. A native Californian, he lived in Wisconsin and Maine before arriving in Corvallis in 2005.

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Emissary from an Ice-Age Boneyard

Post author By Nick Houtman
Post date April 11, 2017
2 Comments on Emissary from an Ice-Age Boneyard

Illustration by Santiago Uceda

When mammoths, giant beavers and their kin roamed the Willamette Valley

Tags Anthropology, ice age, Integrative Biology, mammoth

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Living with Fire

Illustration by Heather Miller

New Oregon State research center focuses on fire-prone landscapes

Tags College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Forestry, Fire

The Politics of Science

Post author By Nick Houtman
Post date February 27, 2017

Science will prevail when decisions require verifiable facts

Tags environment, politics, science policy

Amber reflections from the scientist who inspired Jurassic Park

Post author By Nick Houtman
Post date February 16, 2017

Dr. George Poinar , an entomologist, is among the world's leading experts on ancient insects and plants trapped in amber. He has a lab in the basement of his Corvallis home.

Over a long and storied career, George Poinar has made some extraordinary discoveries.

Tags amber, College of Science, Integrative Biology, paleoecology

What’s That Taste?

Post author By Nick Houtman
Post date February 15, 2017

Under guidance from Oregon State food scientist Juyun Lim, researchers apply sample compounds with a cotton swab. Pinching off the nose ensures that taste sensations stem from the tongue and are not linked to aromatic compounds in the nasal passages. (Photo: Chis Becerra)

Taste buds contain receptors to detect molecules in food and are concentrated on the tip, sides and back of the tongue.

Tags Food Science and Technology, taste

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A Sense for Starch

Post author By Nick Houtman
Post date February 11, 2017

Terra story about taste research with faculty, Juyun Lim, and graduate students Alexa Pullicin and Julie Colvin. Food Science and Technology, Center for Sensory and Consumer Research, College of Agrcultural Sciences

Food scientists discover potential new taste

Tags Food Science and Technology, sensory, starch, taste