College of Science

Mark Patteron, professor of marine and environmental sciences, deploys a Trident ROV robot in Nahant, Massachusetts on on July 15, 2021. Patterson recently received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to facilitate this research. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

This robot is going to map uncharted kelp forests in the Arctic–and the impact of climate change

Mark Patterson, professor of marine and environmental sciences, recently received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to study kelp forests in the Canadian Arctic. His robot, “Fetch,” will help lead the way. “I program the mission, but it’s up to the robot to make good choices,” says Patterson.

by Emily Arntsen July 21, 2021

No needles? No problem. This COVID-19 vaccine could be inhaled.

What if you could get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19 with an inhaler instead of a needle? That’s the premise behind new research by Northeastern’s Paul Whitford.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki July 20, 2021

A user explores the SaluTemp website on a smartphone.

A class project inspired this healthcare device to solve a common drug storage problem

Theodora Christopher and Anastasia Mavridis are developing a temperature-sensing device that can help patients store their medications safely. Their startup, SaluTemp, has received an inaugural $5,000 Innovator Award from Northeastern’s Women Who Empower inclusion and entrepreneurship initiative.

by Ian Thomsen July 15, 2021

Katie Lotterhos, associate professor of marine and environmental sciences, recently received two prestigious awards: a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation, and a Fulbright scholarship.

What would make oysters better? This scientist is figuring it out.

Katie Lotterhos is helping breed better oysters. Not just ones that taste better (although, that’s part of it), but importantly, ones that will be better suited to stave off disease and survive in warmer, saltier, more acidic waters. For her work, Lotterhos recently received two prestigious awards: a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation, and a Fulbright scholarship.

by Molly Callahan July 13, 2021

Our plastic pollution problem may have more significant consequences than we think

Plastics are a pervasive source of pollution. And they might also be significantly altering the Earth’s carbon cycle and our ability to monitor it, according to research by Northeastern’s Aron Stubbins.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki July 6, 2021

Justyna Stukin, a behavioral neuroscience major, poses for a portrait in ISEC on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Stukin worked at the Berenson-Allen center for non-invasive brain treatment, learning how to use a trans magnetic stimulator. The device, which looks like a solid figure eight, is used to treat depression and could help slow the progress of Alzheimers disease. Photo by Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University

She’s researching whether brain wave stimulation can slow Alzheimer’s

The use of non-invasive brain stimulation is a fairly new application meant to help people with treatment-resistant depression. Justyna Stukin, a fourth-year behavioral neuroscience major, was able to research the little-known procedure during her co-op as experts consider using it to treat other issues like ringing in the ears known as tinnitus, and even slow Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

by Hillary Chabot July 6, 2021

Sunrise over Northeastern’s Boston campus.

The forecast said it would be 90 degrees. So why does your thermometer say it’s 100?

Some neighborhoods are hotter than others, says Brian Helmuth, professor of marine and environmental sciences at Northeastern. And those temperature differences tend to fall along socioeconomic lines, perpetuating entrenched historical inequalities.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki July 1, 2021

It’s tick season. Here’s everything you need to know about Lyme disease.

Lyme disease isn’t just a concern for outdoorsy people. This tick season, what do you need to know about the condition? Kim Lewis, university distinguished professor of biology at Northeastern, breaks it down.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki June 21, 2021

Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

What goes on inside the battery of your iPhone?

Having a picture of the inner workings of these lithium-rich batteries not only helps scientists understand what’s actually going on subatomically, but it may lead to improvements of the materials used in batteries, and better designs for future battery technologies., says Arun Bansil, university distinguished professor of physics at Northeastern.

by Tanner Stening - contributor June 21, 2021

When can we say that the pandemic is over?

The rapid decline in coronavirus infection rates in the U.S. might make it feel like the end of the pandemic is upon us. It’s not yet. But the point at which we do consider it over may be confusing—and personal.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki June 14, 2021