In this Runner's World article, health experts offer advice on how to become a stronger runner and speak to the importance of recovery after exercise. Dr. David Nieman, professor of biology and director of App State's Human Performance Laboratory, talks about his study of competitive runners who took ibuprofen during a race, and about his findings showing that it did not aid in their recovery, but instead may have hampered it.

App State professor of higher education Dr. Andrew Koricich, who is executive director of the App State-based Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges, is the featured guest on NPR's nationally syndicated program "On Point." Koricich shares insights about why rural students have historically had fewer choices in higher education than suburban students and about the benefits of rural colleges to their communities, including increased economic opportunities and stability.

Over the past few years, insurance companies in states such as California, Colorado, Louisiana and Florida have scaled back or discontinued new policies and renewals in the wake of costly weather disasters. As a result, millions of homeowners nationwide are having to accept coverage at higher prices and with less protection. Dr. David Marlett, managing director of App State’s Brantley Risk & Insurance Center, comments on how this impacts the insurance market, real estate, construction, lending and more.

Students from Two Rivers Community School and Kinderwood School in Boone, participated in the annual National History Day competition in March. The competition has students in grades 6 to 12 conduct extensive historical research on a selected theme, then present their findings to a panel of judges. Andrea Burns, associate professor in App State’s Department of History, made a push for Watauga County students to compete in the event for the first time, offering research assistance to participating students.

A recent viral Facebook post claims that mushroom DNA is closer to humans than plants. Experts, including John Walker, professor in App State's Department of Biology, confirm that this is true. In this article, Walker highlights the major overlapping characteristics shared by fungi and animals that plants do not have.

Dr. Marketa Zimova, assistant professor of biology at App State, explores how climate change has negatively impacted mountain hares in the Scottish Highlands. Zimova explains that mountain hares have turncoat capabilities — changing from a brown coat to a white coat during winter months to blend in with the snow — but with less snow each year, they are becoming more easily exposed to predators.