From uncovering microbes deep within Earth's soil to developing innovative ways to conserve groundwater using solar panels, MSU researchers are making important discoveries across science, health and sustainability. This month, Spartan scientists explored topics ranging from the resurgence of childhood illnesses to new cancer therapies and insights into the future of food and energy production. For more MSU research updates, visit msutoday.msu.edu.

MSU scientists discover new microbes in Earth’s deep soil 

MSU researcher James Tiedje has discovered a new, dominant group of active microbes, called CSP1-3, living deep in the Earth's soil. These microbes feed on carbon and nitrogen, helping purify water and offering clues to ancient evolutionary transitions.

When a black hole winks at you 

MSU researcher Stephen DiKerby used NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory to observe flickering X-rays from a supermassive black hole in the Andromeda galaxy, offering new insights into galaxy-black hole relationships. DiKerby is advocating for continued funding and advancements in space telescopes, which are at risk of losing support.

MSU researchers use ‘smart’ bomb therapy to destroy breast cancer

A husband-and-wife professor team at MSU, in collaboration with the University of California, Riverside, has developed a new light-activated "smart bomb" chemical to treat aggressive breast cancer. The therapy targets cancer cells while minimizing side effects, paving the way for safer treatments for other cancers.

Spartan researchers make every drop count 

MSU researchers are partnering with Kansas farmers to test a new solar panel system designed to recharge groundwater, reduce water loss and produce clean energy. If successful, the project could help save vital aquifers and support agriculture in drought-prone regions across the American West.

Should farm fields be used for crops or solar? MSU research suggests both

Graduate researcher Jake Stid found that farmers who install solar panels with crops can improve financial stability, reduce resource use and support sustainability. His work offers a potential solution to growing concerns over balancing food production and clean energy expansion.

Ask the expert: Why the US is experiencing a boomerang effect in formerly rare childhood illnesses

Rebecca Schein, a pediatric infectious disease physician with MSU Health Care and assistant professor of pediatrics and human development, explains why once-rare childhood illnesses are making a comeback as vaccination rates decline. She urges families to stay up to date on vaccines and model good hygiene practices.

MSU research: School-based asthma therapy improves student health, lowers medical costs

Nearly 5 million children have asthma, a disease that cannot be cured but can be controlled with anti-inflammatory medicine. A new MSU study found that school-based asthma therapy, or SBAT, can improve a child's health, reduce emergency visits by nearly half and help families save thousands of dollars in medical costs. Preliminary data also show a decrease in missed class time and behavioral incidents, providing major benefits for both families and schools.

MSU research: Eating brown rice increases exposure to arsenic in young children

While brown rice has more nutrients, MSU researchers have found that white rice, especially white rice grown outside the United States, contains higher levels of arsenic and inorganic arsenic concentrations, posing potential health risks for children under 5. The study highlights the need to balance food safety and nutrition when making dietary choices, calling for greater consumer awareness and future policy changes.

Ask the expert: Why is the Earth heating up faster than expected?

This year is already on pace to be the hottest in human history. Climate researcher and University Distinguished Professor Wolfgang Bauer explains that despite decades of warnings, global temperatures are rising faster than climate models predicted. He points to overlooked factors such as Earth's declining reflectivity and calls for simple changes to help slow warming and build a more resilient future.