Media Center (Blog)

Only 30 of the 600 carbonatite formations worldwide contain rare earth elements (REEs), vital to electronics and defense systems, to make commercial production viable. Two confirmed locations lie in the United States, with exploration continuing. The U.S. must find new deposits of REE-containing minerals to secure its supply chain.. LSU has developed analytical procedures to identify, describe, and define REEs’ key physical, chemical, and structural properties, positioning the university as a potential service center for researchers and companies worldwide.

While Earth Day is traditionally a one-day event, LSU has expanded its programming into a full Earth Week to not just raise awareness, but to reflect Louisiana’s environment and culture, giving LSU students the chance to connect with sustainability in ways that feel personal.

Can honey bees detect and avoid virus-laden flowers? Or are viruses somehow hacking honey bee behavior? Researchers from LSU and the USDA Agricultural Research Service tackled these questions in a recently published study. They weren’t prepared for the results they found.