Two novel studies by University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers — on different types of adaptation — made national news in March. The stories were among 45-plus national news stories featuring Husker faculty, administrators, students, staff, centers and programs during the month.
- A recent study led by Julian Atanassov, associate professor of finance, was highlighted in a March 17 Fortune article titled “Why political uncertainty is a career-defining moment for aspiring CEOs.” The researchers found that companies often increase research and development investments during times of uncertainty, viewing them as strategic growth opportunities. “The most important lesson (for leaders) is don’t despair,” Atanassov said. “Use this as an opportunity to strengthen your competitive advantage.”
- Brandi Pessman, a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Biological Sciences, and Eileen Hebets, George Holmes Professor of biological sciences, recently published a study demonstrating that the webs of funnel-weaving spiders transmit vibrations differently in response to increased local environmental noise. This flexibility in web transmission properties suggests that the spiders may intentionally spin their webs differently to manage surrounding noise and receive crucial sensory information. Stories on the research appeared in KHGI, Earth.com, The New York Times and Smithsonian Magazine.
Additional national news coverage in March included:
Andrew Husa, School of Global Integrative Studies, and colleagues are conducting the South Dakota Migration Survey to better understand why those who grew up in South Dakota decided to stay in the state or leave. The Mitchell (South Dakota) Republic and Yankton (South Dakota) Daily Press and Dakotan ran articles on the survey.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is moving forward with budget reductions as it confronts rising costs, declining net tuition and uncertainty in state funding. Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett announced the measures in a March 4 message to campus outlining steps to address the university’s structural deficit. Stories on the plan appeared in KOLN/KGIN, the Lincoln Journal Star and Higher Ed Dive.
The Nebraska LEAD Program has introduced a new micro-credential in partnership with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the Rapid City Journal and Tri-State Livestock News reported. The digital badge will be awarded to Nebraska LEAD fellows in recognition of their comprehensive exploration of agricultural leadership, communication and global perspectives.
Students in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications won three first place honors and four awards of excellence in the Broadcast Education Association’s Festival of Media Arts in February. The North Platte Post, The Chronotype (Ashland, Wisconsin) and The Janesville (Wisconsin) Gazette ran articles on honorees from their areas.
New U.S. tariffs on goods from China, Mexico and Canada are expected to erode the export competitiveness of Nebraska’s ag sector and decrease its access to export markets due to trading partners’ retaliation, according to a new analysis by the university’s Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance. The report was written by three of the institute's faculty chairs — Edward Balistreri, ecomomics; John Beghin, agricultural economics; and Matthew Schaefer, law. Articles on the analysis appeared in The Fence Post, Progressive Farmer, Tri-State Livestock News and Where the Food Comes From.
Temple Grandin, a world-renowned expert in animal welfare who transformed the academic understanding of animal behavior, visited the University of Nebraska–Lincoln on March 13 for a screening of “An Open Door,” a new documentary about her life and legacy, in the Hardin Hall auditorium. The Fence Post ran a March 10 article on her visit.
The Nebraska ethanol and co-products industry remains a significant and stable force that contributes billions of dollars to the state’s economy, according to a new study from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The study analyzes the industry’s economic impact from 2021-2023 and was conducted by the university’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Bureau of Business Research, in partnership with the Nebraska Ethanol Board. Stories on the study appeared in KNOP, the Rural Radio Network, Ethanol Producer Magazine, Farms.com and The Fence Post.
Randy Saner, Nebraska Extension educator, was interviewed for a March 11 segment on RFD-TV. He discussed how the university is supporting ag producers, especially amid challenges posed by drought.
The university’s Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff benefited from this year’s Glow Big Red fundraiser, with donors raising more than $900 for the center’s student scholarship fund. Articles on the fundraiser benefiting the center appeared in the Alliance Times-Herald, Rapid City Journal, Rural Radio Network and The Fence Post.
Nebraska’s agricultural land values decreased by 2% in the past year, with an average value of $3,935 per acre as of Feb. 1, according to preliminary findings of the university’s 2024-25 Farm Real Estate Market Survey. This is the first decline in the non-inflation-adjusted market value of Nebraska agricultural land in six years and follows a record high of $4,015 per acre in 2024. The survey’s preliminary report was published March 12 by the university’s Center for Agricultural Profitability, based in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Articles on the survey results appeared in the Alliance Times-Herald, Hastings Tribune, Nebraska Public Media, Norfolk Daily News, Rural Radio Network, Cattle Business Weekly, Farms.com and The Fence Post.
The Lied Center for Performing Arts’ 2025-26 Glenn Korff Broadway Series will feature “Disney’s Frozen,” “Suffs,” “The Music Man,” “A Christmas Story” and “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” with “Hadestown” available as a package add-on. Stories on the lineup appeared in KLIN, KLKN, KOLN/KGIN, the Lincoln Journal Star and Broadway World.
Husker researchers were involved in a recent study showing that the wetsalts tiger beetle can withstand the heat of Yellowstone National Park’s hot springs due to a heat-resistant shield on its abdomen. The study was led by Kelly A. Willemssens, a recent doctoral graduate at Nebraska who is now a lecturer at Clemson University. Leon Higley, School of Natural Resources, was also part of the research team. SFGate published a March 21 article on the study.
Farm Progress published a March 21 article on Nebraska 4-H camping continuing after the Bovee wildfire destroyed the Nebraska 4-H Camp near Halsey in 2022. Amber Stephens, former Nebraska 4-H camp director, was interviewed for the story.
Researchers from the university’s College of Education and Human Sciences and Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts have created a new curriculum to educate youth about online media literacy, a kind of driver’s ed for navigating the digital landscape. Public News Service published a March 24 article on the curriculum. Guy Trainin, teaching, learning and teacher education, was interviewed for the story. The team also includes Sam Bendix, a media arts specialist in the Carson Center; Lindsey Clausen, project manager for Edgeworks at the center; Megan Elliott, Johnny Carson Endowed Director of the center; and Kristen Friesen, a graduate student in teaching, learning and teacher education.
Kyle Martens, a doctoral student in natural resource sciences, has incorporated his passion for rural communities into his research by creating an online survey to explore resilience in Nebraska’s Sandhills. The Sandhills Resilience Survey measures participants’ views and opinions on natural resources, the economy and their communities to gauge resilience in the region. The Fence Post ran a March 24 article on the project.
Heather Akin, agricultural leadership, education and communication, was interviewed for a March 25 segment on RFD-TV. She discussed the Nebraska Rural Poll and its impact in the state.
Eric Thompson, economics, director of the Bureau of Business Research, was interviewed for a March 27 PBS News story on how trade wars and federal cuts are complicating the lives of some Nebraskans. Thompson said some things, like cuts to taxes and government spending, could help the state’s economy. “I think the problematic policies are the tariff regime and also the limits on legal immigration,” he said. “Legal immigration is really important for our economy, certainly in this state.”
With the help of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the village of Niobrara, Nebraska, has created a Community Organization Active Disaster group to be better prepared for the next natural disaster to affect the area, Tri-State Livestock News reported March 28. The effort is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and involves educators from Rural Prosperity Nebraska, the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, and the School of Natural Resources, along with researchers from Oklahoma State and Louisiana State universities.
Faculty, administration, student and staff appearances in the national media are logged at http://newsroom.unl.edu/inthenews. If you have additions to the list, contact Sean Hagewood at shagewood2@unl.edu or 402-472-8514. If you have suggestions for national news stories, contact Leslie Reed at lreed5@unl.edu or 402-472-2059.
