By Sean Hagewood | University Communication and Marketing
Biofluorescent birds, noise-affected spiders, the global impacts of drought and America’s fascination with true crime were among the topics that generated national and international headlines for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2025. More than 500 positive stories featuring the university, its faculty, staff, students, centers and programs appeared in national media outlets during the year. Here are a few SNR stories that were highlighted:
By investigating specimens at the American Museum of Natural History, Rene Martin, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources, discovered that 37 of the 45 known species of birds-of-paradise use biofluorescence. The research was published Feb. 12 in the Royal Society for Open Science. “I think people like flashy things, and that’s what a bird-of-paradise is, and now we know they’re also glowing,” Martin told Nebraska Today. “As more of these studies come out, often due to the availability of more advanced technology, I think we’re going to find out (bioluminescence or biofluorescence) is more prevalent than we thought.” Stories on the research appeared in Ars Technica, CNN, Earth.com, Forbes, The Guardian, The New York Times, Science News, Smithsonian Magazine and 100-plus other media outlets.
The university’s National Drought Mitigation Center and the United Nations’ Convention to Combat Desertification released a summer report outlining the impacts of drought around the world since 2023. The previous two years represented some of the worst drought effects seen on a global scale, said Mark Svoboda, report co-author and director of the drought center. Stories on the report appeared in KOLN/KGIN, BBC, CBS News, Der Spiegel, El Mundo, The Guardian, India Today and more than 580 other media outlets.
Trusted experts and recognized authorities
Robert Wilson, research associate professor in the School of Natural Resources, was interviewed for a May 29 Oregon Public Broadcasting story on a Canada goose and greater white-fronted goose guarding a nest together at a park near Portland. Wilson said it’s possible the white-fronted goose decided to stay in the park, rather than migrating farther north, because it was injured. The goose also might have been raised by Canada geese, Wilson said, and sought a mate that looked like its foster parents. The story was picked up by 70-plus NPR affiliates.
A sampling of other university experts quoted in 2025:
S. Carolina Córdova, agronomy and horticulture, May in Business Insider, more farmers using Internet of Things technology in their operations.
Andy Little, School of Natural Resources, December on RFD-TV, university’s efforts to create healthy ecosystems that can support ag production and biodiversity.
University Communication and Marketing tracks faculty, administration, student and staff appearances in the national media and reports upon them month by month. If you have additions to this list, contact Sean Hagewood, news coordinator, at shagewood2@unl.edu or 402-472-8514.
See the complete list of stories at https://news.unl.edu/article/husker-discoveries-collaborations-insight-made-national-news-in-2025