Society often views happiness as a destination to be reached through self-help books and the advice of Instagram influencers. Christian Waugh, professor of psychology at Wake Forest University, says the pursuit of resilience—rather than happiness—provides a more sustainable framework for navigating life’s stressors. Waugh studies emotions, stress and coping and has published research on how…Categories: Experts, Research & Discovery
Investigating a common gene in three very different species – salamanders, mice and zebrafish – scientists have discovered the potential for a novel gene therapy aimed at eventually regrowing limbs in humans, according to new research published this week. “This significant research brought together three labs, working across three organisms to compare regeneration,” said Wake…Categories: Research & Discovery
Over the past decade, as youth e-cigarette use reached what the Surgeon General labeled epidemic proportions, at least 30 U.S. states and numerous local municipalities have implemented excise taxes on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) to curb consumption. In 2024, 3.5% of middle school students and 7.8% high school students, more than 1.6 million U.S.…Categories: Research & Discovery
As the world marks Earth Day, a troubling paradox has emerged in the fight to save one of the planet’s most iconic species. Data from the December 2025 CITES CoP20 global forum—a gathering where governments worldwide set the rules for international wildlife trade—highlights a startling trend. While South Africa’s anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts yielded a…Categories: Environment & Sustainability, Experts, Research & Discovery
Imagine putting a bandage on a wound. As your wound heals, the bandage is white, but if it becomes infected, the bandage alerts you by turning deep blue. Infrared light then heats the wound, killing off bacteria and turning the bandage white again once the infection is gone. This type of technology may be possible…Categories: Research & Discovery
Watching his kindergartener play on a school playground, Alan Brown, director of the Wake Forest Center for Literacy Education, found the theme for this year’s Visiting Scholars Speaker Series. “I was thinking a lot about a conversation that had been happening here and across the country around what should or should not be the use…Categories: Experts, Happening at Wake, Research & Discovery
In December 2023, the Peruvian Andes were hit by a severe drought followed by a wave of nighttime freezing temperatures. The "cold shock" didn’t just wither crops and cause widespread hunger; it reached deep into the homes of the families who live there. “We knew that households in the highlands of Peru faced loss of…Categories: Research & Discovery
When Steve Messier started researching how to best treat pain caused by knee osteoarthritis, there was no cure for the debilitating condition. More than 30 years later, that’s still the case—so the biomechanics expert and professor of Health and Exercise Science at Wake Forest University wants to prevent it. Through a series of clinical studies,…Categories: Experts, Research & Discovery
More time spent standing or stepping while wearing a weighted vest showed positive changes in bone mineral density, according to a new weight loss study from Wake Forest University. It’s encouraging news for people trying to lose weight safely, especially older adults who want to drop pounds without losing bone or muscle mass. The study,…Categories: Research & Discovery, Uncategorized
In January 2026, Wake Forest announced its expanding leadership in the rapidly growing field of neuroarts, where research shows how creative expression can support brain health, strengthen well-being, and deepen human connection. On February 13, artists, scholars, clinicians, service organizations, community members and funders gathered to drum, dance and reframe community conversations about the arts…Categories: Arts & Culture, Community Impact, Research & Discovery