Research suggests that early nutrition, education, and physical activity interventions during pregnancy can lead to optimal gestational weight gain. Women who received multiple micronutrient supplements were more likely to achieve healthy weight gain, while education and culturally tailored counseling also played a crucial role.
LGBTQ+ youth are at greater risk of vaping due to social and community factors like stigma, bullying, and rejection. These factors contribute to negative coping behaviors like vaping, which can damage cardiovascular and respiratory health.
A global study led by George Mason University found that balanced energy and protein supplements improve birth weights and reduce high-risk newborns in low- and middle-income countries. The research adds to the evidence that improving maternal nutrition during pregnancy may be a key intervention to improve birth outcomes.
A recent study reveals that nearly one in three adolescents with cannabis use disorder (CUD) experience treatment delays, highlighting the need for system-level improvements. Younger adolescents, males, White non-Hispanic youth, and those in residential rehabilitation and outpatient settings are particularly at risk.
Researchers are studying how individuals adapt to violently acquired spinal cord injuries using national longitudinal data and interviews with those affected. The study aims to provide insights into psychosocial factors influencing recovery and resilience among these survivors.
Parth Pathak is commercializing mmID, a novel Internet of Things solution that tracks accurately without batteries. The project aims to provide fast communication capabilities.
Dr. Ningshi Yao is awarded $628,260 by the NSF CAREER program to develop a unified framework for real-time scheduling and control in networked safety-critical systems. The project aims to address complex resource contention issues, enabling safe resource management for large-scale autonomous technologies.
Kuo-Chu Chang, a professor at George Mason University, has received funding for the 'PRECISION' project. The research focuses on developing AI-powered techniques to enhance supply chain resilience through predictive analytics and knowledge graph-based reasoning.
Mingkui Wei, a George Mason University Associate Professor, is creating a new website for the Northern Virginia Vietnam Veterans Foundation to improve member services. The project received $15,000 from the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority and will be completed by May 2027.
Barua's project aims to advance predictive maintenance and diagnostics of naval subsystems using power signatures, without intrusive sensors. By extracting hidden load features from existing logs, they aim to improve current naval energy systems and develop new compressed sensing methods.
A human study found that prenatal and childhood exposure to persistent environmental chemicals may influence sperm chromosomal integrity decades later. Higher levels of PCBs and PFASs were associated with extra chromosomes in adulthood, increasing the risk of miscarriages and congenital birth defects.
A virtual reality training program will strengthen interprofessional responses to domestic violence, reducing risks for first responders and victims. The program, led by George Mason University researchers, partners with law enforcement, social work organizations, and healthcare providers.
A recent study by Melissa Villodas and Gilbert Gimm found that youth in foster care with disabilities received special education and mentoring services at higher rates than others. In contrast, those without disabilities used room and board financial assistance more frequently. The researchers' interdisciplinary collaboration aims to i...
A new study of 462 college students in the University of Hawai’i system found that half of Native Hawaiian students experience period poverty, with significant mental health and academic consequences. The findings also highlight unequal outcomes based on race and socioeconomic status.
A study at George Mason University found that nursing students in an AI-enhanced health informatics course showed statistically significant learning gains compared to traditional students. The course used AI-generated videos and clinically contextualized assignments to improve student engagement and outcomes.
Researchers at George Mason University are developing an AI-enabled virtual reality training program for Crisis Response Teams to manage substance use crises. The program aims to enhance team members' expertise during a crisis response and post-crisis event, aligning with the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority's mission to address the...
A $3 million NIH grant funds a national study on Medicare Advantage's new non-medical benefits, including groceries, meal deliveries, utilities, transportation, and other services. The study will examine the impact of these benefits on health care use and patient outcomes.
Researchers at George Mason University are developing an AI-driven proof-of-concept for cyber-physical manufacturing to address national security concerns. The project aims to integrate data-driven learning with knowledge-driven modeling for proactive detection and adaptive mitigation of cyber threats.
A new study from George Mason University reveals that AI-driven antidepressant treatment can be less effective for African American patients due to the use of general population data. The study suggests that incorporating additional patient demographics, such as race and ethnicity, can improve the tool's effectiveness.
Researchers found that paid sick leave is linked to lower perceived infection risk, reduced job stress, and higher job satisfaction among home service workers. The study suggests that expanding paid sick leave can be a population-level prevention strategy during public health emergencies.
Researchers at George Mason University are leading a Phase 2 clinical trial of ARD-201, an oral medication that works by activating bitter taste receptors to reduce appetite. The study aims to determine if the drug can help people maintain weight loss after GLP-1 injectable medications stop being used.
Research by Li-Mei Chen finds that digital tools provide measurable benefits for caregivers and persons living with dementia, improving self-efficacy, emotional well-being, and social connectedness. However, equity gaps remain due to limited access to culturally adapted and inclusive technologies.
A study by Raedeh Basiri found associations between dietary patterns, glycemic status, diabetes control, and sleep outcomes. Individuals with diabetes or prediabetes were more likely to have trouble sleeping and experience abnormal sleep duration compared to those without these conditions.
A recent study by Melissa Villodas found that interventions delivered with individual psychological and behavioral needs in mind can achieve higher completion rates. Tailoring interventions based on participant feedback can also improve treatment completion, especially for younger individuals with fewer years of incarceration.
Research by George Mason University professor Melissa Villodas found that neighborhood amenities are linked to mental health in various ways across different racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic and Black youth had higher rates of anxiety when living in neighborhoods with sidewalks compared to White youth.
Researchers have found a correlation between exposure to widely used pesticides and lower sperm quality in male rodents. The review of 21 studies indicates that neonicotinoid pesticides may disrupt hormones and damage testicular tissue, leading to potential harm to human reproductive health.
Researchers found that mindfulness-based program MORE increased interoceptive awareness, reducing the risk of prescription opioid misuse in individuals with chronic pain. Participants who demonstrated lower trust in their body signals and difficulty regulating attention to bodily sensations were at higher risk for opioid misuse.
Maryam Parsa and Giorgio Ascoli's GAINS project aims to incorporate biologically realistic temporal dynamics into scalable neuromorphic platforms. The researchers target enhanced computational performance, improved generalizability, and robustness in neuromorphic systems.
A review of 21 experimental studies suggests that exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides can lower sperm quality and disrupt hormones in males. The studies found that these insecticides, commonly used in farming, can be absorbed into soil, water, and plants, leading to potential harm to human reproductive health.
A study by George Mason University researchers found that social and environmental factors significantly impact college students' eating behaviors. Students tend to consume more calories when eating in groups or formal dining settings, while less when alone or at home.
A novel digital health program, WECARE 2.0, has been shown to enhance the physical and mental well-being of Chinese American dementia caregivers. Participants reported improved caregiving skills, reduced stress, and increased social support through user-friendly culturally-tailored interventions.
A new $2.9 million grant refines the LifeBio Memory app to enhance reminiscence therapy for dementia care, expanding to multiple languages and cultural contexts. The research aims to improve quality of life and relationships for both older adults and caregivers, using storytelling technology to reduce loneliness and depression.
A new national study highlights the potential of extended reality (XR) in healthcare training, offering experiences that might otherwise be missed. However, poorly designed programs can overwhelm students, while trained faculty, technical support, and sustainable funding are essential for successful implementation.
This review of research on music- and nature-based strategies for mental health and wellbeing found that these interventions can offer adaptable low-cost, multi-sensory approaches for people of all ages. Studies showed that combined therapeutic use of music and nature facilitates self-expression, improving mood and emotional well-being.
The $3 million National Institute on Aging grant will support the WECARE intervention, a culturally tailored digital health program designed to enhance caregiving skills and improve wellbeing in dementia caregivers. The 7-week program provides informational content, quiz games, social networking, personalized feedback, and individualiz...
The NCAA has awarded a $6,679 grant to George Mason University for research on the academic advising experiences of Division I Black/African American student-athletes at minority serving institutions. The study aims to identify barriers to success and promote tailored support services to enhance student persistence.
The project aims to improve undergraduate education by introducing situated case studies to help students understand AI complexity, critical reasoning, and applications. The initiative serves the national interest by preparing future professionals to use and develop AI, advancing their understanding of workforce innovation.
Benjamin Cash aims to improve seasonal predictability and develop improved predictions of subseasonal to seasonal precipitation extremes. He received $1,048,807 from NOAA for the 'Know, Explore, Improve' research project.
Dr. Quentin Sanders and his team are developing customized prosthetic limbs for active children with lower extremity amputation through 'Fused Filament Fabrication'. Their research aims to identify factors influencing child participation in physical activity and predict demands on prostheses.
The partnership supports teacher candidates, pre-internship/field hours students, and in-service classroom teachers through collaborative inquiry, clinical practices, and partner schools.
Gabrielle Tayac at George Mason University has received funding to support community engagement projects focusing on Indigenous America 250 programs. The project aims to develop interpretive educational products and provide site interpretation for optimal interpretation.
A National Science Foundation grant will support older adults in developing digital technology skills and embracing AI, with a focus on intergenerational storytelling. The project aims to strengthen AI literacy, social connectedness, and resilience among older adults, while cultivating responsible AI awareness in youth.
The project aims to train employees in identifying service members, veterans, and family members, as well as providing referrals and interventions. Renshaw received $50,023 from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services to develop a customized learning management system that can track training completion and apply for professional c...
George Mason University's Ruixin Yang receives $15,000 funding from the International Food Policy Research Institute to develop a welfare and poverty mapping project utilizing satellite-derived data. The project will provide technical support to the spatial analytics team and strengthen geospatial research outputs.
A pioneering study from George Mason University researcher Raedeh Basiri found that daily mango consumption improves blood glucose control and enhances insulin sensitivity in adults with prediabetes. The high-sugar mango proved more beneficial than a low-sugar granola bar, reducing body fat.
Dr. Martin Wiener and his colleagues are investigating the perception of time and image memorability using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, electroencephalography, and eye-tracking. The four-year study aims to understand how our brains process visual information and how this affects our memories.
Duminda Wijesekera has received $50,000 in funding from Datalytica to develop operational technology digital twins and optimize camera placement. The project began in August 2025 and will conclude by November 2025.
A drone-based first responder (DFR) program is being explored in Northern Virginia, aiming to quickly respond to events and stream video to first responders. The study will conduct technical and cost analysis to support recommendations for establishment of a DFR in the region.
A new study by George Mason University found that maintaining dental care habits is associated with better overall health, including more frequent eye and physical exams, healthier habits, and higher ratings of overall well-being. The research also explored the complex relationship between anxiety and dental care-seeking behavior.
Researchers at George Mason University's College of Public Health are studying the impact of early life exposures on child health. They have gathered data from over 30,000 children and will continue to follow a subset of 1,059 families until 2030.